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Kids On A Rainy Day?


Jirac18

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We are at a bit of a loss in searching for activities for our daughter (nearly 4yrs) during school hols. When the sun is shining there are plenty of things to do but when it honks down with rain all day there is only so much outside stuff to do before she gets drenched and fed up and only so much painting and games at home before boredom sets in.

We have been looking for something the equivalent of a Childrens Play Centre where they do arts and crafts, slides, swings and ball pits, perhaps like Softlands etc in UK. They appear not to exist in France. Does any one have any ideas or know if they exist what they are called. I have searched the internet no end and come up with nothing. Other parents at the school are none the wiser and seem content to stay at home all day. We both work here and so find no problem during term time when our daughter is at school but during holidays one of us, normally my wife stays with our daughter. We do not want a child minder and enjoy spending the extra time together in France but a change of scenery would be extremely welcome on occasion. 

Anyone with a brain wave please let me know as we are starting to pull our hair out a bit. We would happily travel upto an hour from home in Saumur (dept 49 Maine et Loire)

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hello,

Each commune, village has a Centre de Loisirs/Enfants or Family Centre and they have some type of holiday club for parents who work and they are not expensive as they are means tested.  Ask the Mairie in your village, if not go to the Commune or Canton Mairie to which you belong.  There will be something. The price you will pay depends on your income and you should have a numero d'alloctaire (from the CAF) which will tell them how much you have to pay.  If you do not have this yet, you will pay the highest tariff.

I always have to hunt for things to do, but honestly do use your imagination - when I first arrived in France I looked for these places and they dont really exist, and I must say I am rather glad as then it would be too easy for me.  Now I dress the kids out in all their wet weather gear, wellies the lot and they are more than happy splashing around in puddles and making as much mess as possible!  I get them to look for mushrooms, hunt for chesnuts and look at the insects, usually my 3 year old will stamp on them, but he is having great fun. 

It is harder and I must admit sometimes I would like these clean, colourful environments but they are no more fun than splashing around.  And yes I am left with the mess, sometimes it is o.k sometimes it is not!

I am fortunate this week my daughter has spent time running around her schoolmates farm chasing chickens, geese, cats and sheep - I return the favour my letting them loose in our place - hide and seek and painting.  I havent got much done, but what the hell its their childhood and if I cant achieve things to be done here then I am going to acheive something with the kids.  I know it is not so simple for some folk but it is what keeps me going.

Hope this helps

Deby

 

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Hello again,

Actually I did have a brainwaive. When I lived in Grenoble a group of parents started their own activity centre for those wet Wednesday's and vacances scolaires.  What they did is they used the facilities of the MJC (Maison Jeunesse de something maybe culture)/Halte Garderie. I am not sure how large your town is, but if they do have some facilities that are not used during these times you can arrange to share them.  This is not straight forward (as if anything is) but an association was set up (non-profit making but self-funding) by parents to use facilities that were not used during this time. It is a great success.

They had indoor slides, climbing frames, ball pit, baby corner and lots of toys and games.  So if you have the energy and inclination it is possible to set up these things.  The simple ideas are the best, if you get the support of other parents you could be on a winner.

You can pm me for any further details you might need to know.

Best of luck

Deby.

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