Rainy days with two children

[Summermeadowflowers]

We generally go to groups in the mornings but struggling in the afternoon as I can’t do things like soft play, swimming, with two (DS 3 in December and DD 9 weeks.)

I know it isn’t a ‘forever’ problem but the autumn and winter could be tough. Does anyone have any suggestions? (No puddlesuits - indoor only!)

Adding this to the list.

I'm in London and it's one adult to two under eights here at all local swimming pools.

Under 5s is one adult to one child, sorry - no idea why I put eight!

Even if I was allowed to take them both in there’s no way I could. Neither can swim so both need holding in the water.

When I had a newborn and a two year old I used to have lots of play dates with friends who I had made at baby groups. I would invite them to my house and the children would play while
we had a chat. We got invited to their houses too or else we would meet at a playground or go for a walk

You don't need to hold a toddler, they can wear a float vest. And/Or you can go somewhere with a shallow pool they can stand up in. It's a shame there's nowhere near you that allows two under fives but I guess it's a moot point if you wouldn't feel confident about it.

I had a 2.5 yo and 3mo this time last year. We did a lot of parks! (I know its outdoors) - got one of those sun sense tents, put the baby in a starsnug and laid him in the tent (surprisingly successful!). or he went in the sling.

Libraries, soft play (could clamber after DS1 holding DS2 with one arm or in the sling). or would watch DS1 from somewhere/meet him on the other side etc.

I would give soft play a try with your littlest in a sling, I did alot of that when mine were at that age.

We also did libraries, art gallery, museums - a lot round here have toddler trails etc even when the kids activities aren’t on.

Do you have any of the play cafe type of play areas? We have a couple that are like small world/role play stations within a cafe where all the play areas are visible to where parents sit eating cake?

Indoor activities, there’s loads of Pinterest, especially if you have a tuff tray? There’s lots of craft bits in the shops for Halloween and Xmas, you can fill a couple afternoons making Christmas cards? We used to read a story then react with figures, or jicksaws? Obstacle courses? Fetch an outdoor slide indoors?

Buy a cheap indoor play tent (IKEA sell them) or build a den from sofa cushions/ an A-frame laundry hanger with a blanket over it. 3 year old has to stock it with soft toys and tinned food, or play food if you have it, as it's their secret hideout. Playing with any toys/ looking at books is twice as fun in a den. Provide occasional real snacks. I spent many a freezing lockdown Saturday in early 2021 this way, with me mostly on the sofa.

We can’t stay in the house for any length of time as DH works here so need to be out really. Will look into play cafes - thanks

Other indoor ideas - There's also the Lego challenge. Pour out some or all of the Lego on the floor. Set a timer on your phone. You & DC compete to see who can build the tallest tower in a minute, two minutes etc. Also works with jenga blocks if you have enough.

We had a ton of marble run pieces - we just kept buying sets because the kids liked them so much - and on winter days we would do challenges with those. "Let's see if we can get a marble to go from the sofa to the coffee table without touching the floor!"

Floor is lava is good for younger kids. Throw the sofa cushions on the floor so as to make a trail from, say, armchair to hallway. Those are the islands and they have to jump across. Sometimes one sinks, oh no! How will you get across?

On occasion the Playmobil people would take it into their heads to put on a show - little red riding hood or whatever

And I'd also recommend the board game hoot owl hoot, although maybe more for 3 or 4yos. We played it SO much.

Whoops, sorry - I wrote all those indoor ideas before seeing your last post about needing to be out! Well, just in case there's a thunder storm...

An afternoon in the bath for the three year old - lots of bubbles, Jelli Baff if you can bear it, bath crayons, paint brushes, Duplo frozen in ice - whatever you fancy.

Otherwise I second the “to a cafe for a babycino” ideas.

And ask around for venues near you where a three year old can be semi-independent.

Argh.

I had this a couple of years ago and I don't drive either so my options were really limited when the weather was terrible. There were some very long, difficult afternoons with tears from all of us I must admit!

If I got really stuck at home I'd stick a film on for DD and that could at least kill up to 1.5hrs or so and would keep her quiet. My baby was a terrible napper at the time too so it was particularly awful trying to get him to sleep at home with her around making noise.

Like you there was pretty much always a good group for the morning but nowt local in the afternoons. And even indoor things I could walk to I couldn't take DD on the buggy board if the weather was really terrible as she would have got soaked. I didn't mind for myself but didn't want her to be uncomfortable.

When we could get out we went:

• Local play cafe - which has since closed down, was gutted about that.
• Local library.
• Soft play via bus was fine to cart the baby with me when he was really tiny, as long as DD had a friend there to play with. She would play nicely for ages with a friend but wouldnt on her own.
• My DM lives locally so I would often go round to hers for a couple of hrs, sometimes she'd do lunch for us too which was always a big help and she'd help entertain my DD a bit (disability permitting).
• If it was dry, and not ridiculously cold or windy then we'd do local parks and just wrap up warm.

Your post says indoor options only now you say you can’t stay indoors? Are you looking for indoor or outdoor options?

Making fairy cakes or painting.

@WeightoftheWorld i sympathise. Long afternoon at home.

@BananaSlug - indoor as in, things like soft play, swimming, trampolining, aquariums, museums, all out of the house but indoors so we aren’t piss wet through!

Honestly I would get some wellies for you and your toddler, raincoats and an umbrella, pop the baby in a sling and head out for a walk. There is no such thing as bad weather if you have the right clothes and you and the kids will feel so much better for getting some fresh air.

We sometimes used to go to the train station (St Pancreas) to watch the trains come and go. Unfortunately it did make DS cry once because he really wanted to get on one.

I'm like you OP, I like getting out on rainy days, but to places indoors rather than going out with wellies and puddlesuit! I tend to stuck to local places in the afternoon (so we don't get caught in school run traffic getting back), so it depends where you are and what you have nearby. We have some afternoon stay and plays, several soft plays, zoo (sticking to the reptile/bug house and other sheltered bits), swimming pool, a few libraries and some museums and galleries.

That is mot going to be sustainable.

Agreed, if DH has no office to go to you must have a room where he can close the door and just get on with it? DH and I have always WFH with two or three kids around. You just need to occasionally leave a clear path for the worker to get to the toilet without being seen!

I have a 1 and a 3 year old 16 months apart have taken them both swimming together alone each week for eldests 'tots class' same with soft play just used sling when dd2 was tiny. We love the library, going to cafe for a hot choc, feeding the ducks, rhyme time, have a playgroup every day

@Summermeadowflowers

Even if I was allowed to take them both in there’s no way I could. Neither can swim so both need holding in the water.

He would be fine with armbands at this age does he not go to lessons yet?