Bored SAHM...

Hazy

Definitely get out and about to meet other mummy friends. I find it makes the day pass so much more pleasantly even if you just meet up for a couple of hours for a coffee. DS and I enjoy visiting our local garden centre which has a pet shop attached.

papworth

toddler groups and NCT coffee groups were my salvation when my children were toddlers

How about visiting the local library - they often have events on for pre-schoolers as well or posters for local groups

Garden centres are good this time of the year for looking at the Christmas displays also Pets at home for looking at the pets

jellymid

Our local churches ran toddler mornings. They weren't in any way religious, but lovely, friendly and very welcoming. I discovered Radio 4 when mine were little, too - I could be sitting on the floor playing with lego, again, but listening to a really interesting play or discussion...kept me sane! Winters are always a bit harder, but planning to get out for a little while every day really helps. Good luck.

fannyannie_2

have you tried www.childcarelink.gov.uk. They should list all the toddler groups and things like that in your area.

x

fernliebee

Are there any surestart centre's in your area? They run lot's of activity groups and courses that are free. They also run courses for parents such as sewing or scrapbooking etc and provide a free creche. You have to live in catchment to attend courses I think, but the play sessions, and rhyme time stuff is open access. Also as someone else said, the library run song, and story times which are great! Hope you find some fun stuff to do.

Lizbeth

Check out the '50 inspirational ideas for summer family fun on a budget 2006', which I think is great:
http://www.gingerbread.org.uk/information-and-advice/publications.htm

Also:
Visit park / nature reserve / woods / seaside
Visit farmers market
Visit farm / animal rescue centre
Visit museum / art gallery (often free and there's a lot visually for your baby to see)
Pick your own fruit / veg / pumpkin
Have a picnic
Take a train trip to somewhere you've never visited before and pretend you're on holiday
Visit garden centre (especially one with fish/bird section)
Check libraries / park rangers / village hall / community centre / schools for free/cheap events (such as magic show, drumming workshop, craft sessions, pond dipping)
Contact Forestry Commission for their brochure of free events
Go swimming
Find a local children's activity centre (see if they do baby sessions / have a soft area)
See if your local cinema does a 'bring your own baby' showing (I think Odeans do and some independents)
Join a parent and toddler group (Council should be able to give you a list)
Join net mums

The Early Learning Centre does packs of play cards which have great creative / imaginative active play ideas - there are two different packs 0-2 and 3-6yrs (£2 each)... I bought them for a friend and she says they're brilliant and each card has several ideas.
http://www.elc.co.uk/toy/play-tip-cards-0-2-years/
http://www.elc.co.uk/toy/play-tip-cards-3-6-years/

Krystaltips

Your local library probably runs a 'cradle club' too, I started taking DD to ours at 9 weeks and was very sad to leave... 3 months before her 4th birthday... (Not bad considering they're for 0-2yo!) But it was by far the best toddler group we went to, not in the least cliquey and only 50p... I met some great people there considering I'd lived in the area 3 years before DD and didn't know a soul locally!

Lalaladybird

WOW I'm so delighted with the ideas and links you have all posted, thank you so much. That is a great list of ideas Lizbeth and I'll get those ELC playtips cards.

Yesterday after I posted I walked to a local farm and it was free to go in and was designed so that visitors could wander round and see the animals... the only problem was keeping my daughter from climbing in with them:rolleyes: I had never been in before now it will be a regular destination.:T

Using this thread I will create a plan of free/cheap things we can do and hopefully never feel bored again

Boatie_Bird

When DS was little he used to play for ages with a sink full of water and some cups, ladles etc.
He's 5 now and he still loves it (although now it's done under the guise of 'washing-up').

Walks in the woods are always popular and kids love to collect things, even more so if you give them a theme - e.g. different leaves, green things, brown things etc. Then you can use the collected things to make a picture when you get home.

*niptuckfan*

do you have a pond where you can feed ducks? if you are lucky to be on the coast a beach trip/harbour trip to look at the boats is good (be wrapped up) i regualarly take friends kids past the police station/fire station to see the trucks....also the librabry is free cosy and a great place to maybe meet other mums with young kids