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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:
LovelyUser · 18/01/2026 13:58

@Needmorelego , Teens generally are still at school until 18 and many go on to university. How can any of them afford flats?

Original poster
Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 13:58

Oldglasses · 18/01/2026 13:56

We used to (when a bit older) put them in the crèche for an hour then play in the little playground outside and go to the cafe!! This was 15 or so years ago, not sure if they still have the crèche.

They do! But sadly mine refuse to be left in there. My mum used to leave me in the Safeways one back in the 90s - another excellent day out for me 😁

OP posts:
dottiedodah · 18/01/2026 13:57

KitKat1985 Yes we used to do this too. Also The Garden Centre had pigs,goats and Ducks! Alas no more just a little slide outdoors now

clary · 18/01/2026 13:56

We used to love Pets at Home too.

Can I suggest your local library? Most run an U5s story time session and many offer free craft activities. Also you can take out, like 24 books at once.

TheCurious0range · 18/01/2026 13:56

Ds loves the crèche at IKEA! He's only 7 so nowhere near the age limit but I think he'll hit the height limit long before then. He goes to the crèche, I shop we both get a hot dog. Winning day.

Oldglasses · 18/01/2026 13:56

We used to (when a bit older) put them in the crèche for an hour then play in the little playground outside and go to the cafe!! This was 15 or so years ago, not sure if they still have the crèche.

Original poster
Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 13:56

TakeTheCuntingQuichePatricia · 18/01/2026 13:51

Mine loved a "day out" at Toys R Us when they were small. Id always set the expectation before we went that we were NOT buying toys, just looking to see what they would like for birthday/Christmas. They'd spent ages looking at the toys, sitting in the ride in cars and so on. Then next door to McDonalds for a 59p ice cream each. Feed the ducks on the way there/home.

Admittedly this is only any good if you have a toy shop next to a McDonald's. The ducks were a bonus.

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

OP posts:
snowymarbles · 18/01/2026 13:54

My kids loved ikea. They would build an enormous sofa on the screen and see how expensive they could get it. Sits at the desks and pretend to work. All finished off with a 50p hotdog!

Narkit · 18/01/2026 13:54

Hospitals! Great fun for the kids - lots of beds to clamber over and bounce on - sick people who must be bored and ready for a chat - some of whom will have sweeties to share - trolleys to whizz about on, beeping machines to play with, nurses to entertain them...

😄

13RidgmontRoad · 18/01/2026 13:54

My local one gets incredibly busy so I would absolutely lose one or the other child in minutes. But free crèche followed by snack/lunch - absolutely!

Original poster
Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 13:53

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

When I say climbing, I don’t mean he was destroying stuff or getting his muddy shoes on everything (he’s not that feral and I’m not that relaxed). This is just meant as a light hearted discussion 😅

I do agree though that as parents we can be mindful of others so if he was going crazy I’d have left (for my sanity too) but also there’s only so much people can do.

OP posts:
dancinfeet · 18/01/2026 13:51

YABU letting your small child run around and climb on the furniture. Put them in a trolley seat or in the crèche and treat them to something from the restaurant before you leave. YANBU for taking your child to IKEA, just keep them well under control, it’s a homewares shop, not somewhere for your child to run around, climb and annoy those of us whose kids are older and who expected our own to behave in shops when they were small.

TakeTheCuntingQuichePatricia · 18/01/2026 13:51

Mine loved a "day out" at Toys R Us when they were small. Id always set the expectation before we went that we were NOT buying toys, just looking to see what they would like for birthday/Christmas. They'd spent ages looking at the toys, sitting in the ride in cars and so on. Then next door to McDonalds for a 59p ice cream each. Feed the ducks on the way there/home.

Admittedly this is only any good if you have a toy shop next to a McDonald's. The ducks were a bonus.

Morepositivemum · 18/01/2026 13:49

Fine until they hide in the closets- had an absolute panic attack years ago when my eldest decided it was a great place to hide. He got out quick enough but we had a panicky few minutes!! Also very easy for them to try to run off because there’s something better over there;) Can you tell I have a love hate thing with ikea?!

Original poster
Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 13:48

TheNightingalesStarling · 18/01/2026 13:43

I was at IKEA yesterday... it was gell with lots of children running about while adults were trying to maneuvere heavy trollies or other children being dragged around moaning.

However... put them in the creche on a weekday and get a hot drink on your Family card... dies that hack still work?

Tbf we went at opening time and it wasn’t busy (which I was shocked at cos I thought it would be). I expected we would leave quickly as it would get too much but I was surprised at how fine it was actually so probs a lot of caveats needed ha

OP posts:
DelphiniumBlue · 18/01/2026 13:47

I used to take mine years ago ( all grown up now), it was great for rainy winter days when you need something cheap to do.
In those days, they did very cheap lunches for children, don't know if that's still the case, much cheaper than local cafe equivalent. Then they'd try out the toys, any swivel or rocking chairs, and maybe we'd get some of their frozen Swedish meatballs to take home. Dh thought I was mad when I'd tell him we'd had a day trip to IKEA!

Pasta4Dinner · 18/01/2026 13:45

Over tired hysterical toddler got a black eye in IKEA when she ran into a bed. All caused because MIL said I was ‘fussy’ for trying to get her to nap on the way so kept waking her up. She was uncontrollable in IKEA and completely ruined the visit for MIL. Worth it. Passed out when we got back in the car, refused to go to bed as she slept late and stayed up all evening and interrupted her watching TV. I think of it every time we go.
Shes 17 and still loves a day out there. Doesn’t run around but costs me a fortune.

DameOfThrones · 18/01/2026 13:44

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

Pretty sure the OP's just bored.

Original poster
Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 13:44

Thatsalineallright · 18/01/2026 13:30

My parents used to take use to Ikea every summer. It was like Disney land for us 😂

We never really went growing up - I feel like I’ve missed out!

OP posts:
TheNightingalesStarling · 18/01/2026 13:43

I was at IKEA yesterday... it was gell with lots of children running about while adults were trying to maneuvere heavy trollies or other children being dragged around moaning.

However... put them in the creche on a weekday and get a hot drink on your Family card... dies that hack still work?

thisfilmisboring123 · 18/01/2026 13:43

YABU to call it a ‘hack’ lol- why is everything a bloody hack these days!

YANBU to suggest it’s a great place to take a 3 year old 😁

Original poster
Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 13:42

Thedaysaregettinglongeryay · 18/01/2026 13:39

Displays of sheds, garden rooms, play houses at the garden centre, discovered it when we were buying one but went back afterwards as well

last summer we went to the garden centre and he had a tantrum cos I wouldn’t let him pluck all the flowers. Keeping him in the shed area is actually a great shout… just need to avoid the blooms

OP posts:
Thedaysaregettinglongeryay · 18/01/2026 13:39

Displays of sheds, garden rooms, play houses at the garden centre, discovered it when we were buying one but went back afterwards as well

Whizzywhisk · 18/01/2026 13:39

Show homes…. Great day out

NuffSaidSam · 18/01/2026 13:37

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!

Yes to Pet's at Home and Garden Centres! Both a great way to kill some time.

Out Pets at Home also has times where they get the animals out and you can stroke them/learn about them.

Toy shops and book shops can also be really child friendly.

A big shopping centre like Westfield is also good.

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