Rainy Day Spots

E.,
I totally understand, I have a 3 year old daughter who needs a change of scenery every 2 hours it seems. We too have torn up the places you listed.
One thing that has been a god send has been California Kids Sports center. There are several locations - we go to the one on Malone Rd. in San Jose. They have open explore everyday from 11-12. It's very reasonably priced considering everything available to them, trampolines, slide, bars, balls, all gymnastics equipment. The gymnastics coaches are also all readily available as well. Good opportunity to run out their energy and interact w/ other crazy kids of all ages.
Other than that we go to Target often to play w/ the toys. Or Toys r Us and Barnes and Noble. The book store works out well b/c she'll keep bringing me books she likes and I might get to read a few sentences in an adult book too. Petco to look at the birds and snakes. And there is always Chuck e Cheese - not a first choice of mine.
Good Luck

Don't forget the library..my little ones used to love the library. Barnes and Nobles usually has some story time schedules too. Mine also loved to run around and take a walk at the bird sanctuary (off Embarcadero in Palo Alto). Bundle them up, bring some hot chocolate, and take them for the walk on the path, there's even a place to feed ducks afterwards. Ask them to see how many birds they find along the path.
When they get a little older, the Egyptian Museum would be good cuz boys think that stuff is cool :)
Even though it was cold, I used to drive over to Vasona, park on the side street (the University side, not the Blossom Hill side,,there is free parking along the park on the MerryGoRound side) and we used to walk down the hill, past the merry-go-round and follow the path along the creek. They'd pick up pine cones, wave to the train as it went by, feed the ducks, play on the swing and then walk back. It's still fun to go when it's cool (but not raining).

hello E.. the moms here have given some great ideas. I alternated scheduled activities with quiet time (due to fibromyalgia issues when he was younger).

It was very difficult to take my guy to busy public places, so I opted for 'contained'or 'structured' chaos. fun active games we could do together at home & then collapse on a blanket on the floor for a little down time.

At a Las Madres mtg many moons ago I picked up the Mommy's Rainy Day Survival Guide by Linda McKnight. It was very helpful not only for rainy days, but also b-day party & playdate games. I can send a few ideas if you'd like.
J.

Hi
My name is T. Caldwell. I live in Felton. There is a place in Santa Clara called Sky High Jump. It is a room with trampolines all over. The price for just one hour is $9.00 but I am not sure of the price for little ones. My husband wants to take our boys who are 15 and 12 there. I think the website is: www.skyhighjump.com

Other things that might help is some kind of craft for their ages. I know that kids love to fingerpaint. When my sons were in preschool they did a lot of that. They made their hand prints and feet prints. Made pictures and mixed the colors to make different colors. My children love legos not the little ones but the big ones. We had a lego table that they use to make things.

I don't know if this would help.
T. Caldwell

My friend was telling me yesterday about Theme Fest www.themefest.com - I haven't been there, and I don't know if your boys are too young yet, but it's an idea. There's also the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo, which is always very cute. If you've got a whole day, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is only an hour and a half from SJ. Or you could hop on Light Rail for a ride - if your boys are anything like mine, they'll love to ride the train!
On the days with a light rain, we love to put on our rubber boots and raincoats and go splashing through puddles!