A vacation in Derbyshire can be this and bad weather. One day you can have glorious sunshine and then irresistible rain.

While the sun may not be shining, that doesn't mean it's not a great time.

We've created a short list to entertain guests when they're inside on a rainy day. Read On For Tips

Both new and classic board games can provide hours of entertainment.

For young children, consider popular games like:

• Snakes and ladders
• Connect 4
• Guess who
• Battleship
• Hungry Hippopotamus
• Buckaroo
• Operation

For older kids, teens, and adults, you could offer games like:

• Monopoly
• Cluedo
• Scratch
• Life game
• TrivialPursuitFamily Edition
• Risk
• One
• Catania
• Play chess
• Pictionary
• Cards against humanity, etc.

Depending on what's popular or even your preferences, you can include games based on a movie or TV series, like Game of Thrones Cluedo.

Note that Monopoly can lead to World War III. It may be worth leaving it out of the selection.

For other ideas, head over to Amazon to see their current bestsellers and top-rated board games.

If the guests are sitting at the door, the first thing that many will reach for will be their mobile or tablet. That's why they have unlimited high-speed essential Wi-Fi, which also gives them access to their Sky or Netflix subscription.

Sometimes there is nothing better than lounging on the couch and watching a good movie. Add a selection of favourite family DVDs like 'Goonies', 'Mary Poppins' or 'National Lampoon's Vacation'.

With extensive music collections on our mobile phones and tablets, you should also include a Bluetooth speaker for your guests while they are doing indoor activities.

When was the last time you read a book? Many just don't have the time, but the holidays are the perfect time to curl up with a good book on a comfy bean bag. Encourage guests to trade a book from your collection.

Other ideas:

Game consoles: Second-hand consoles are relatively cheap, as are games. Nostalgic game consoles can also bring back good memories and provide a lot of entertainment.

• Crossword puzzles or word searches that appeal to both children and adults.
• A deck of cards can transform on a rainy day and is probably the most popular option for adults.
• Domino is a game that the whole family can enjoy.
• A custom puzzle from your property or local landmark can also keep guests busy indoors.

Crafts At The Lodge

Getting creative can be a massive distraction and entertainment for children of all ages. One way to do this is by providing a craft book that has plenty of easy-to-do crafts. By this, we mean crafts that don’t require too many materials. Try to get a book that makes crafts out of everyday items such as empty toilet rolls.

Alongside this have a craft box with a variety of resources, such as:

• Paint & Paint Brushes
• Colouring Books
• Paper & Card
• Colouring Pencils, Felt Tip Pens & Crayons
• Scissors
• Glue
• Felt
• Needle, Thread, Buttons
• Pom-poms
• Balloons

• Play Dough
• Stickers
• Loom Bands
• Building Blocks

Try to be creative when looking for items to include, such as socks to make puppets or pebbles to paint and decorate. but think about leaving glitter off the list. Yes, children love it, but it gets everywhere and is very hard to clean up.

You might be looking at the list and thinking this could be an expensive box that will need updating regularly. Craft items can be expensive but if you go to the right places i.e. pound stores, you can get an array of supplies without spending a fortune.

It Doesn't Have To Be Messy.... Does It?

Unlike a normal B&B reservation it is only with a fully kitted out holiday cabin that enables the gusts to enjoy spending time in a full kitchen with all the tools supplied.

Spending time in the kitchen is a classic pastime that children and adults enjoy, even if it is to just lick the bowl.

Provide a variety of cookery and baking books for guests to flick through and choose a recipe at will. Again, you don’t have to spend loads, your local charity shop is bound to have some for a reasonable price.

Also provide seasonal recipe ideas e.g. winter warming soups, bbq snacks, Parkin, yule logs, Easter cake or fruit pops.

Consider providing is baking essentials like:

• Bowls
• Baking Trays
• Wooden Spoon
• Pastry Cutters
• Bread Tins
• Cake Tins
• Rolling Pin
• Cupcake Tins etc.

You’ll have standard crockery and cooking utensils but it’s worth adding extras such as:

• A Slow Cooker
• Toasty Machine
• Blender
• Hand Whisk
• Ice Cream Maker
• Non-alcoholic Cocktails (‘mocktails’) Kit
• Pizza Making Kit

Such items give guests more opportunity to get creative and enjoy being in the kitchen. Plus, more lavish items could justify higher rates.

As a nice touch, you could provide basic ingredients like:

• Flour
• Sugar & Icing Sugar
• Cupcake Kit
• Cake Decorations – sprinkles, chocolate balls etc.
• Seasoning – paprika, chilli, curry powder etc.
• Hot Chocolate (everyone loves a hot chocolate on a rainy day).

Providing some essentials makes your guests feel valued.

A brilliant way to pass the time is with games. So, why not provide a list of games that the kids can play around the holiday lodge?

Not only are you helping your guests you’re also subtly encouraging guests to play games that are less likely to cause damages or breakages.

Suggest games such as:

• Hide & Seek
• Musical Statues
• Creating a Den
• Musical Bumps (where children must stop dancing and sit down when the music stops)
• A Treasure Hunt – suggest parents hide chocolate coins or sweets around the house and come up with clues as to where they’re hidden.

Such games are likely to provide hours of entertainment even if they’re older children. The classic games never get old which is why they’re the perfect recommendation.

Tell guests about places they can visit without getting rained on. Nowadays, many UK attractions are indoors, primarily due to the weather. Which is perfect as guests aren’t subjected to staying in your property all day and getting ‘cabin fever’. No matter how nice your place is, your guests will want to get out, explore and visit the area.

Recommend places like:

• Bowling Alleys
• Cinema
• Indoor Play Areas
• Castles (often they’re indoors)
• Water Activities (Kayaking, Canoeing, Surfing etc.) At the end of the day, your guests are going to get wet anyway.
• Swimming
• Shopping Centres
• Museums & Art Galleries etc.

Each gives your guests the chance to get out, have fun and potentially do something different or learn a new skill.

Some guests are happy to put on their wellies and waterproofs and get out and explore. Keeping a few umbrellas in the property and somewhere suitable for drying wet clothing, will be appreciated.

Overall…

If the weather is poor holidaymakers inevitably end up stuck inside. Some guests are simply happy to be in each other’s company making cherished memories. However, by providing entertainment and a list of rainy day activities you can ensure your guests have plenty to do and don’t get bored.

Keeping guest’s happy is your number one priority. Each guest is different but ultimately these tried and tested ideas will keep them entertained and keen to return all year round.

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