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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think IKEA is a top parenting hack?

338 replies

Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 13:26

DS2 is 3 and we went to IKEA yesterday not because we needed anything but just to get out of the house (and tbh I couldn’t face soft play).

He ran around loads, looked at all the rooms, climbed on the sofas and beds and I didn’t need to be on red alert every second like I am at the park.

I don’t know why I’d never considered it as a day out before! I think when it’s too busy it’s prob not great but we went at opening time and it was great. Also obvs helps that there’s something in it for me - I get to mooch, get ideas and pretend I’m being productive.

Ofc ended up buying a few bits and pieces and hotdogs in the end but I feel like I’ve provided an enriching outing, even though I mostly just walked in circles looking at storage 😅

Any other unexpected places that are actually fun for kids AND adults (and don’t cost the earth) that I might not have considered?

OP posts:
Bobbedhairdontcare · 18/01/2026 14:35

Years ago I went with my then teenage daughter, we had breakfast then a walk round. They used to do afternoon tea we had that then another walk round. We finished off with meatballs paid for our stuff, walked outside and it was dark we had been there for hours. I couldn’t do that now but it really was a great day.

CloakedInGucci · 18/01/2026 14:34

Once DD1 was old enough to sit in the trolley seats, I always used to take her to ikea on mat leave when it was cold and raining and we just needed to get out. I’m talking old enough to sit up and want entertaining, too young to crawl round the baby part of a soft play. I’d just push the trolley slowly round Ikea while she stared at all the people and the different rooms etc.

ItsameLuigi · 18/01/2026 14:34

KitKat1985 · 18/01/2026 13:31

When the kids were younger and I was skint we often used to go to 'Pets at Home' and look at all the pets and fish and treated it like a trip to the zoo.

Garden centres are great too. There's one near us with a huge choice of sheds and playhouses which the kids like to look at, as well as all of the plants and outdoor fish.

Great free day trips!

During half term some pets at home do petting experiences too. You book it online

cramptramp · 18/01/2026 14:33

WirelessInternet · 18/01/2026 13:34

They want you try it out, not let your children trash the place.

Says a lot about you, I shouldn’t wonder.

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She didn’t say they were trashing the place. Jeez.

Pearlstillsinging · 18/01/2026 14:30

Sparrowandblackbird · 18/01/2026 13:34

It does get suggested on here a lot. Problem is I absolutely loathe ikea. I really hate it.

I don't like IKEA either, perhaps this explains why!
Why don't parents actually teach their children how to behave in shared spaces?

trustedadult · 18/01/2026 14:30

My son is 28 and I did this with him

LovelyUser · 18/01/2026 14:28

DecafSoyaLatteExtraShotPlease · 18/01/2026 14:25

You haven't lived until you've played hide and seek with a 4 year old in the wardrobe section...

Hiding in furniture could be dangerous. They're probably secured in the store, but not in all homes.

focus-on-unsecure-furniture.pdf

Glittertwins · 18/01/2026 14:27

We used to take ours to the crèche bit, get what we needed then have a big breakfast together afterwards. Worked perfectly.

Oldgoatinaboat · 18/01/2026 14:27

Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 14:04

actually laughed out loud at this ❤️

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Well why else would you start a post telling everyone about how you let them run around in ikea paissing off all the other customers? It's a shop, not a playground. You're teaching them no social awareness/values

Queenoftartts · 18/01/2026 14:26

No IKEA in near me. But I did used to love visiting MFI. One of DS carers took him to look at wardrobes a few months back. Was a local independent furniture store so don’t want to name. But ds had lots of fun exploring. He was looking in all the wardrobes and hiding inside them. 🥰

I love waking around our large B&M homestore. Can easily spend 1-1/2 hours in there. Find all sorts I didn’t know I need. As well as picking up bargains we would pay more for in Tesco. The Range is good as well. They both do some good Halloween and Christmas displays. Garden centres are good as well for Christmas displays.

Iloveeverycat · 18/01/2026 14:25

KitKat1985 · 18/01/2026 13:31

When the kids were younger and I was skint we often used to go to 'Pets at Home' and look at all the pets and fish and treated it like a trip to the zoo.

Garden centres are great too. There's one near us with a huge choice of sheds and playhouses which the kids like to look at, as well as all of the plants and outdoor fish.

Great free day trips!

I did this with mine. And toys R us so much to look at could spend loads of time there and they had a toilet.

DecafSoyaLatteExtraShotPlease · 18/01/2026 14:25

You haven't lived until you've played hide and seek with a 4 year old in the wardrobe section...

RyanFudgingMurphy · 18/01/2026 14:25

Back in the 80s my parents would often take us to exhibition shows in Brum, Olympia and (RIP) Earl’s Court. Holiday shows, camping & caravanning, food & drink shows…best time had always. I’ve taken my daughter to various ComicCons etc, and she’s loved it. IKEA, department stores, Pets at Home, Gardening Centres, all great ways to pass the time.

Original poster
Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 14:24

Dollyfloss · 18/01/2026 14:15

Who mentioned anything about trashing the place? Weird.

OP - you’ve been living under a rock? Everyone knows IKEA is a top day out for dc’s - then cheap meatballs n chips in the cafe. Mine are grown now and I don’t set foot in the place but yes…fond memories of mine running amok and trying out all the tiny furniture in the kids section. I still have the blue and orange plastic puppy cups and lunchboxes from there - mid-2000’s!

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I obviously have been living under a rock! With my feral children 😂

OP posts:
Happyjoe · 18/01/2026 14:24

I used to love going to IKEA, but the kids running around put me off..😀

shellyleppard · 18/01/2026 14:23

I used to drop my kids at smaland (IKEA version of soft play). 45 minutes of me time, whether it was a cuppa and a cake or just a mooch. They still rave about it now and they are 20 and 17 😂😂😂

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 18/01/2026 14:23

Love ikea and so do our kids. They are 13 and 9 and genuinely chuffed when we say we are going there. They still run around like idiots there despite their ages and love picking a candle at the end. Happy days.

intrepidpanda · 18/01/2026 14:21

ClaraThePigeon · 18/01/2026 13:31

YABVU for allowing him to climb on the furniture. It always amazes me when I see parents allowing their children to do that and generally run riot in shops. Surely common sense and common decency and consideration for others makes it obvious that you shouldn’t?

Edited

I think she is being a little tongue in cheek.

xSideshowAuntSallyXx · 18/01/2026 14:17

ClaraThePigeon · 18/01/2026 14:15

Furniture Village still do coffee and cookies.

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Ooh will have to start sofa shopping again!

Boxoffrogs21 · 18/01/2026 14:17

KitKat1985 · 18/01/2026 13:31

When the kids were younger and I was skint we often used to go to 'Pets at Home' and look at all the pets and fish and treated it like a trip to the zoo.

Garden centres are great too. There's one near us with a huge choice of sheds and playhouses which the kids like to look at, as well as all of the plants and outdoor fish.

Great free day trips!

Yep - IKEA for the kids’ section plus cheap food, or the garden centre (reptiles and fish - practically the zoo!)

Mistyglade · 18/01/2026 14:17

KitKat1985 · 18/01/2026 13:31

When the kids were younger and I was skint we often used to go to 'Pets at Home' and look at all the pets and fish and treated it like a trip to the zoo.

Garden centres are great too. There's one near us with a huge choice of sheds and playhouses which the kids like to look at, as well as all of the plants and outdoor fish.

Great free day trips!

Same!

TakeTheCuntingQuichePatricia · 18/01/2026 14:16

Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 13:56

Ah Toys R Us! You’ve just unlocked some great memories there! That was prob my idea of a great day out when I was little

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Yes, sadly Toys R Us is a bit thin on the ground these days! I have no idea if Smyths is as good?

They also loved the local museum (18 year old asked to go there as our day out last year)

And as others have said Pet shops, garden centres.

Mine also love visiting National Trust properties. Get an annual membership and then it's basically a free day out.

Queenoftartts · 18/01/2026 14:16

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 13:33

Some IKEA branches have banned groups of teenagers because they were coming in to play "pretend" at living in the flat mock-ups.
A bit mean if you ask me as it's probably the only chance many teens are going to be able to experience living in their own flat.

Aww that’s cute some people are just mean. It gets them off the street as long as their not bothering anyone or damaging stuff their not doing any harm.

dollyblue01 · 18/01/2026 14:16

Pets at home is a good one or any pet shops for that matter.

Tulcan · 18/01/2026 14:16

My dc used to pretend to live in some of the houses and cook in the kitchens. Sometimes the rooms would be different the next time they went and they would incorporate that into the story. They also worked in an estate agents in the home office department for a good few years.