What are your rainy day activities for birth-preschoolers?

[littleraysofsunshine]

I used to take DD to our local FNAC (large book/DVD/CD/IT store) with a small football. I read books, she kicked.

Swimming
Museums
Baking
Jumping in puddles
Garden centre to look at tropical fish, koi, rabbits, guinea pigs etc and cup of tea and scones (ours has a cafe with a playroom)

Swimming, puddle jumping between showers, supermarket trolley ride, just this week we tried escalator ride on reins (mesmerising) helping mummy clean/dust/ put laundry away (this is hit and miss, usually as much drawer unpacking as putting away going on and dusting is only low shelves in reach, plus pets)

I believe everything in the world is exciting and interesting when are little

Library
Dens
Dressing up
Mid week in term time, and if I needed something anyway, I'd drive to big out of town shopping centre and let ds run around
Get on train to somewhere, just for sake of it.
Ikea - running space, meatballs, ice cream machine, play area, playground and crèche.

Walk in the woods - fairly sheltered if they're dense enough!

Dens. Painting. 'Sorting' all the clothes in the drawers (and hiding in the wardrobe for such a long time I sat down on the bed and read my book ). Reading lots of books. Getting into bed to watch a whole film with snacks etc so it seems more exciting (again so I get to read my book ).

Other days I just give up, put us both in our rain coats/suits and wellies and just go for a walk.

Puddle suit and wellies and a walk. Puddle suit on a wet slide means you slide really fast! My toddler loves it (23 months)

I recommend a pop up tunnel. I have one of those plus a big box/travel cot full of plastic balls. Pile up some sofa cushions as well and it's DIY softplay!

We spent 40 minutes in one puddle on Wednesday. It was right outside a neighbours house so I had to do quite a lot of chit chat to him. Full waterproofs for my 2.5 yr old and wellies for me.

We were 'meant' to be going to the aquarium but ran out of time!

K