Wet playtimes - any alternatives to DVDs?

[trifling]

I know this summer is [meant to be] exceptional, but my child is actually coming home complaining of having had too much DVD time at school. They have barely had a playtime outside this week, despite parents ensuring they have wet weather gear plus there is some cover outside, and the only thing they do at wet playtime is watch DVDs. They're getting more DVD time at school than I would allow at home. What do other schools do? Of course supervision is difficult, but I wondered if there were any alternatives.

My class love playing with the Lego and drawing.

At dd's school they have a box of games (board/card) and craft activities.

Scrap paper and pens? Doesn't need to be anything fancy!

top trumps,
drawing paper,
stacking cups,
lego.
multilink blocks,
board games.

I never show dvds at wet play - can't think of anything worse than teaching children who have had to sit still in their breaktime!

We have a big box of what I would call plastic tat that gets wheeled out - barbies, polly pockets, action men tanks, mcdonalds toys, connect 4, top trumps, cars, trains, transformers. All donated by parents / staff with children who have grown out of them or bought from boot sales. School provides felt pens and paper / colouring sheets.

ours have a 'Wet day in Jotter' and can draw, play naughts and crosses, etc in it. They can read their reading books, play with toys, etc.

We had wet play boxes when I were a nipper oop north

I agree - all the above and no DVD's unless it's absolutely necessary due to low staffing or something.

They go out to play whether it is raining or not. I remember that special misery from my own school days.

DD's school havent had an indoor play this school year. The only time the weather got bad enough to call indoor play was the day there was a practically zero visibility blizzard and they actually closed the school for half a day - which is basically unheard of.They did move the school fair indoors this year and sports day had to be on the playground because of waterlogged fields. But no weather has been bad enough to call indoor play. I would question the school's policy on outdoor play if there were more than a couple of indoor plays a month I think. What are their guidelines? DD's school call indoor play in the event of severely compromised visibility, sustained electrical storm or falling ice if considered to be a danger (hail).

We used to play board games and run around the school hall (1980s).

Wow, thanks. I think ours is being pretty crap then.

Trifling - what part of the UK are you in? At wet play, the children had to watch a DVD during wet play as there are 80 children and only two dinner ladies to look after them. I don't like teaching them after they've sat for an hour but it's the only safe way to keep all the children safe.

I am quite suprised actually that they do this at wet play, they never put DVD's on at DSs school, they have lego, colouring etc out in each class. It is fairly open plan though so maybe it is easier regarding staff/child ratios.

Although I am sure DS would not mind if they did put a DVD on.

We use Y6s as wet play prefects, 4 or 5 in each class and the wet play toys come out, Lego, K'nex, top trumps, books, comics, etc. The lunchtime supervisors patrol the classrooms.

Lego, board games, 5-in-a-row, chess, comics, drawing...
the children choose what to do, teach each other games, sort out sharing and taking turns. The Y6s take turns at "supervising" the younger ones.

Even my (football-mad) DS quite likes wet play.

Are we in the same school, choccyp1g?

My sons school watches far too many DVDs, on Friday my son listed about five DVDs they had watched. We were given their reports on Friday so I can only assume they used the DVDs as a filler. Not on in my book, my son (5) came home and actually said he needed fresh air because he'd watched so much TV! Don't get me wrong he loves a DVD but it's a whole lot different when you're watching them at school and not allowed to move!

I always had 'wet play boxes' in my classrooms - can't think of anything worse than teaching for the rest of the day if they've been sat still through playtime as well. When we got a bad run of wet plays (I guess this year would qualify!) then we'd take them into the hall for a 5-10 min run around over play time (or just before / after normal playtime to fit more in), but if it were just drizzly, then I'd always go outside. Everyone is far better for a bit of fresh air and a run around.

There was a thread earlier this week about an infant school who hadn't done any 'learning' for 2 weeks, I am not sure it is entirely true but it sounds as if quite a few schools have got a bit lazy! I would be very suprised if DSs school did this, they seem to have plenty of TAs and the children always seem to be doing activities and never watching TV.

I haven't actually ever seen a TV out at his school but I guess you never know what really goes on!

Ours do board games, read etc. DVD's are more for those short bits of dead time after all the summer activities.
The primary also will take them out for a run around as soon as the rain stops, and doesn't keep them in in drizzle, just downpours!

depends on the school. we used to take them out in one school, even when the sleet was hitting the back of the bike shed at the same height it came in. the children needed outside time. other schools did not go out if there was a hint of drizzle.

it is not pleasant standing on a playground in sleet... but it is a lot better than teaching children who have been cooped up inside for several days in a row.

wet play toys are the way to go.

I couldn't agree more. I'd happily contribute to wet play toy boxes or whatever. Think it's the class teacher who decides on DVDs though, but an all-school decision to keep them all in. The fug in that room by hometime is unbelievable, as she also doesn't seem to like opening windows. Beats me... I feel better for having got that off my chest!