ditto

anyone got a good recipe

I do sometimes plan activities in advance - mainly in the winter when i know we're more affected by adverse weather. I tend to choose a theme a bit like a nursery for a month or a week (depends on age and how many actvities I can think of).

http://www.nurseryactivityideas.co.uk/

http://www.first-school.ws/theme/nurseryrhymes.htm

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/index.htm

I tend to look on the internet for inspiration.  can't remember all the sites i look at - but these may help.

I love the fact that I don't have to do any formal planning.  Anyway here's some more ideas (bear in mind kids usually like re-visiting activities more frequently than we do- one of my charges loved watching trains at the station and he would of happily done it every day for 3 months if given the chance. I didn't want to be responsible for turning him in to a train spotter though!! ):

-feeding ducks
-going on walks (looking at seasonal changes- almost time to collect leaves)
-junk modeling on various scales (made a fab puppet theatre out of a TV box and sock puppets) could also make play houses/ space ships/ cars, trains etc- make friends with your local electrical shop to get big boxes!
-cooking- either real food or play dough
-dressing up- (remnants from a fabric shop?) 
-gardening- not really the right time of year but a few pots (empty yoghurt pots to start stuff off in) , some seeds and compost can provide loads of fun and an on going 'project'

Thats just a few ideas.  I have always tried to make sure that me and charges get outside every day- unless really ill or weather really, really bad. Even if just to play in the garden or go to post a letter.
Why not make some suggestions to mum and see if she offers any money to buy some stuff? 

So so sad 

RIP Jack

Thank you all SO much for your suggestions! I was in such a tizz!    I've recommended them all.

yes sorry i do take them to M&T's twice a week which they love. Mum wouldn't take them (before l started) as she said nobody speaks to her but l thought its not about you its about the kids! Will have a look for toy library as well.

are there no playgroupos etc in the nearby vilages .... where are you based ? is it a sure start area , this family  sound like a prime candidate to benefit from sure start .