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Grandparenting

Bored grandkids, where to take them?

(39 Posts)
ArthurMann Tue 23-Sept-25 13:48:33

Hello. Does anyone know any good places to take my grandkids to this autumn in the UK? They will love anything. smile

JackyB Wed 24-Sept-25 09:36:39

Definitely plan some rainy day activities.

I've seen little ones spending ages just kicking up dry autumn leaves, so don't think you have to continually make suggestions of provide activities. Let them find their own amusement.

You seem to suggest they are coming from outside the UK. So find some typical things for them to tell their friends back home about. (Easy if you're in London, of course.)

Is there a steam railway near you?

A game of conkers is very British.

Ask them what they would like to do. Look at things from their perspective. Kids find walking in the countryside boring, and if you want to take them out for a walk, make it interesting before you start. It's no use trying to get them interested in collecting mushrooms/chestnuts/berries/pretty coloured !leaves if they are already fed up.

Museums in the UK usually have great programmes for kids - the 12 year old should be ab!e to find something they can do.

NotSpaghetti Wed 24-Sept-25 10:15:24

Do you want to travel or just keep them busy?

I'm not sure what exactly you are looking for...

mabon2 Wed 24-Sept-25 13:51:10

Take them somewhere for a picnic, my grandsons loved that.

Ktsmum Wed 24-Sept-25 16:01:36

Pumpkin picking😃🥰

butterandjam Wed 24-Sept-25 16:26:47

MissChateline

I spent a lovely afternoon in an old churchyard in south London with my two probably 9 & 11 exploring. Looking for the oldest and youngest burial headstone. Quaint names and long gone professions. Social history around family graves, childhood illnesses, health and lack of it and professions that were deadly. Totally fascinating and a lot was learned. Cost nothing and enjoyed by all.

This is such a cool idea I'm going to enjpoy it by myself :-)

Supergran1946 Wed 24-Sept-25 17:35:39

When our granddaughters were young we purchased two magnifying glasses, then would go for walks in the woods “bug hunting”. It kept them occupied for hours !

madeleine45 Wed 24-Sept-25 18:07:53

Well at this time of year, going to the woods. Getting conkers putting them on strings and playing conkers. Scuffing through lovely dry leaves. If there is a beck, collecting a variety of coloured leaves and floating them down the beck. Wet days, if you have perhaps an old calendar with a good picture. You could stick the picture onto cardboard and show them how to cut out a jigsaw. Teach them at least the suits of cards and then they can play all sorts of patience. . If you have a couple of garden pots of similar size, give them one each and let them either choose some seeds or look in the garden, or perhaps buy a few inexpensive plants, herbs would do well. And leathem it
enjoy

Kamj Wed 24-Sept-25 18:23:39

ArthurMann

Hello. Does anyone know any good places to take my grandkids to this autumn in the UK? They will love anything. smile

Make a scarecrow or even guy for the garden, build a small fire and toast mashmallows etc, build a bug hotel, make bird feeders, build dens from branches /sticks in the woods etc.. Invest in a magnet fishing set (godsend with my GC) spend hours finding treasure (bottle tops etc lol) make boats play pooh sticks (if local stream) aeroplanes /kite flying (B&Ms have cheap planes £2.99)conker collecting /playing, bark rubbing, chalks on patio, water painting /drawing on the walls, make moon dough, playdough, slime, invest in a cheap tent in the garden, junk modelling, big boxes to decorate made into trains/cars/planes, (hobby craft sell cardboard castles/house etc to decorate etc etc etc

Gfplux Wed 24-Sept-25 18:31:53

Museums

WelshPoppy Wed 24-Sept-25 18:51:52

I live in the city and have a caravan in rural mid Wales. I'm amazed at how much more is available in the rural area than in the city.

sazz1 Wed 24-Sept-25 19:58:21

Collect leaves on a trip to the park and make some pictures when you get home. Or pine cones to paint in gold and silver. Make a Snowman from toilet roll tubes, ping pong ball, cotton wool, bits of black paper cut for eyes nose mouth buttons. Cut coloured paper into paper lanterns.

Shel1951 Wed 24-Sept-25 22:45:21

I sometimes give them a list of things to find.
A white feather perhaps just a feather, button (throw a couple in the garden) brown or green leaf.black stone.etc put a few bits and pieces around to find them when they have ticked off the list have a small treat for them.
Chalk to draw outside, rain soon washes it away.
Glue and craft stuff to make a collage.
Are you near a forest to get pine cones? Make hedgehogs with googly eyes from the pound shop.

Mojack26 Thu 25-Sept-25 10:18:39

Depends where you stay and what's around you.