What do you do with a toddler when it's raining?

[CountessDracula]

My dd 15 months is at a bit of a snivelly age - if I take her out to playgroup or to the swings/slides she rushes around and is then quite happy to chill at home/play etc.

Yesterday she got very fed up as it was pouring with rain and we didn't really do anything. I wondered what you all do - are there any indoor play areas in SW London? Or do you go to museums? Would a 15 month old be interested in a museum? We thought of going to the natural history museum but she might find it boring, she doesn't really like being in her buggy at the moment.

Any suggestions gratefully received!

WE joined the National Trust to get round this problem, although have to admit we haven't actually gone anywhere yet (stay in and have exhausted grumbly rows instead). We did go to the Horniman Museum on Saturday, which they loved...

...and of course NT should supply the essential pick-me-up of Cake

16 month old dd was really going stir crazy on Saturday, so togged her up in wellies and an all in one rain suit and went for a walk. She was cosy but dh who came with us, was moaning for England.

Sunday still raining so went shopping - not very inspired, but bought dd a new toy which kept her interested for some of the day. Also got her finger paints out in the kitchen and let her get messy.

I hate 2 consecutive days of persistent rain though - its tricky keeping them happy in those circumstances.

message withdrawn

OK, I love Mumsnet.

I decided that I would be all big and grown up and for once figure something out for myself rather than asking you guys. So I went to Google and typed in "things to do in SW London when it's raining". And what was number one on their list? A link to this thread. So I try to be all independent, but I just end up back in the bossom of my MN family!

fisil - going off MN to find advice is not big and its not clever - just stay on here and show how hopelessly dependant you really are - like me!!

lol

puddle jumping.

Also the duvet/cushions trick - but not so good with more than one child - you can't relax and read a book, you have to stay vigilent to stop them killing each other . They love it though.

she might be a bit young for it but dancing is a great in-doors activity. We put on boppy music (our favourites are Spice Girls and Penguin Cafe Orchestra), we practice star jumps - which is hilarious, lie on our backs and do exercises (ever seen a 2-year old do exercises? most amusing); play musical statues; we also make shakers out of plastic bottles filled with different things like rice, pasta, lentils. Hide and seek is our other favourite. Also indoor ball games (probably pushing it for a 15 month old) - but just throwing a ball into shoe boxes is fun. All quite active so that you feel justified in flopping infront of Balamory at half past 3.

Cooking. Even a 15 month old can get serious pleasure from rubbing fat into flour. On wet days there are always scones and biscuits made in the slug household.

Art work - ge out the glue, paper and bits and pieces and let them get creative. The sluglet is seriously into making jellyfish out of half a paper plate, some crepe paper and sparkly bits ever since a trip to the aquarium.

Try this site for inspiration.

Oh, and teddy bears picnics are always an easy way to kill half and hour and get some food down them as well.