Storm Dave is here, and it's brought 70mph winds, sideways rain, and — if you're in Scotland — actual snow. And pretty windy in the North of England. On Easter weekend. Brilliant.

If you'd planned an egg hunt in the garden, a family walk along the coast, or even just a peaceful drive to see the grandparents, you're probably staring out the window right now wondering what on earth to do instead. You're not alone — millions of people across the UK are in exactly the same boat this bank holiday.

But here's the good news: you've got a secret weapon sitting in your pocket or on your kitchen table. It's called AI — and it can rescue your weekend in about two minutes flat.

What Do We Mean by AI?

If you've never used AI before, don't worry — it's simpler than it sounds. Tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are free to use and work a bit like texting a very helpful friend. You type in what you need, and it replies with ideas, plans, recipes, stories — whatever you ask for.

You don't need to download anything complicated. Just open one of these tools in your phone's web browser and start typing. Honestly, if you can send a text message, you can use AI.

Step 1: Tell AI What You're Working With

The trick to getting great suggestions from AI is to be specific. Instead of just asking "what can I do today?", give it some details. Tell it:

For example, you could type something like:

"It's Easter Saturday and we're stuck indoors in Penrith because of Storm Dave. I've got two kids aged 5 and 8, some basic craft supplies, and a kitchen. Can you plan a fun day for us that costs nothing?"

Within seconds, you'll get a full plan — timed activities, games, creative projects, the lot. It's like having a children's entertainer on speed dial.

Indoor Easter Egg Hunts (Yes, Really)

One of the best things AI can do is take your original plan and adapt it. So if you'd planned an outdoor Easter egg hunt, ask AI to redesign it for indoors. Try something like:

"Can you create clues for an indoor Easter egg hunt for a 6-year-old? Make the clues rhyme and lead to different rooms in a typical British house."

You'll get a set of fun, rhyming clues that lead from the bathroom to under the stairs to behind the sofa cushions. Print them out or just read them aloud — the kids won't care that it's raining when they're hunting for chocolate behind the telly.

Rainy Day Cooking: Let AI Be Your Recipe Book

Stuck for meal ideas? AI is absolutely brilliant at this. You can tell it exactly what's in your fridge and cupboards, and it'll suggest recipes that actually use those ingredients — no emergency trip to Tesco required (which is just as well, given the weather).

Try this:

"I've got eggs, flour, sugar, butter, and some leftover Easter chocolate. What can I bake with my kids that's easy and fun?"

You might get ideas for chocolate nest cakes, Easter biscuit decorating, or a simple chocolate banana bread. AI can even adjust recipes for allergies or dietary requirements if you mention them.

Keep the Kids Entertained (Without More Screen Time)

Here's where AI really shines for parents. Instead of defaulting to another film or tablet session, ask AI for creative screen-free activities. Some ideas to prompt:

Each of these takes AI about 10 seconds to generate, and you'll get something tailored, creative, and ready to use straight away.

Rescheduling Plans? AI Can Help With That Too

If Storm Dave has properly scuppered your weekend — maybe you've had to cancel a trip or postpone a family gathering — AI can help you replan. Ask it to:

You could try: "We were meant to visit Whitby this weekend but Storm Dave has cancelled our plans. Can you suggest three indoor family days out within an hour of Leeds that are open on Easter Monday?"

Try This Prompt

Here's a ready-made prompt you can copy and paste straight into ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot. Just fill in the bits in square brackets:

I'm stuck indoors this Easter bank holiday weekend with [number] kids aged [ages]. We're in [your area] and the weather is terrible. Can you suggest a full day of fun indoor activities that don't cost much? Include a couple of easy recipes we can cook together, a creative project, and a family game or challenge. Keep it fun and not too messy!

The Silver Lining

Storm Dave might have wrecked the weather, but it doesn't have to wreck your weekend. With a couple of quick prompts, AI can turn a soggy bank holiday into one of those unexpectedly brilliant days — the kind where everyone ends up covered in flour, laughing at a terrible joke from a quiz AI wrote, and wondering why you don't do this more often.

So put the kettle on, grab your phone, and give it a go. The storm will pass. The memories won't.

Prompt Toolbox helps everyday people in the UK learn how to use AI — no jargon, no tech skills needed. Browse our free prompt library for more ideas you can try today.