Entertaining the kids

[linzoid]

My 2 ds are 4 and 7 and sometimes they will play together but lots of times they want me to entertain them somehow. I see some kids that play out with friends most of the day every day with very little adult input but i can't help feeling like i should be doing something with them all the time.
Today we haven't been out anywhere as it's rained on and off and all our friends are away but i have baked cakes with them and played in the sandpit the rest of the time they have played together or watched t.v. My dp is away till tomorrow night and i am REALLY bored myself.
What do all you sahm's do in the holidays and how often do you play with the children?

Linzoid
mine are 7 & 8 and alternate between playing together and murdering each other. I work two and a half days so only have two full days with them - so it's not too bad. Today we went swimming for an hour. Then shopping for trainers - so they were ok when I sneaked in an M&S visit. This pm a friend of theirs is coming over and tomorrow we are going out for the day with my friend and her two- probably to a park. I don't believe in trying to do too much 'hands on' entertain myself as I think it is really important for them to learn to entertain themselves. If they don't at this age by the time they are 9/10 they will be real 'Kevins'. When mine were younger a couple of friends were always playing and entertianing their children and now at the ages of 6/8/9 are a complete "I'm bored " nightmare. Anyway thats the theory lets hope it works in practice:0

We've been to the Toy Library, borrowed a few things, by next week they'll be getting fed up with them & ready for new ones.
Tomorrow we're meeting friends for lunch - nothing expensive - the Surestart cafe.
I don't play much with them. I agree with Mumski - if they're always entertained they don't know how to entertain themselves. I limit activities for this reason - we do swimming & Brownies and nothing else is "timetabled".
I suggest toys that they haven't played with for a while and that is often enough.

I've also decided to involve then with the cooking, so tonight dd aged7 has peeled the carrots and ds(4) has washed the brocolli. They were very enthusiastic, but I don't know how long this will last!

ONE THING A DAY!

and then sit yourself down with Heat magazine and make up ridiculous scenarios that they have to act out. I.e the Climbing frame is a power ranger den...

Listen to the radio as you play - stimulates the mind.

Agree with codswallop - one thing (at most!) a day. I rarely actively entertain my dd (7) and dss (6, 3, 1). They often play together. Or play by themselves. Dd particularly likes using the computer and the boys like watching the television but I do limit that. That's when I'm most likely to actively join in - if I want them to stop being couch potatoes. I have signed them up for some holiday things - swimming, judo, gymnastics, trampolining - I like the way they can try these things out without having to commit to a full term course. We'll spend a few days visiting friends and then maybe a couple of outings. When we're at home ds3 will actively seek me out and I will "entertain" him as I get on with the housework or whatever. The others don't often ask to be entertained but I'll occasionally get art/craft activities out or help them with reading or home-made projects.

Sorry - a bit rambling.