How often do you take your DC out

[stingray586]

We only have one car which DH needs for work. I can get the bus into my town centre although to be honest there isn't a lot there for DD. Everywhere else like good playcentres are a good 20 minute taxi ride and cost me easy £20 return taxi so I can't afford every week.
I feel like she doesn't get to go out as much as other toddlers her age (17 months)
An average week for her consists of one day at nursery, one day we visit each set of GP houses and then one day we try to go out as a family somewhere fun. Is this enough? I just feel sorry for her that she is stuck in the house for 3/4 days a week. Even on the days we visit GP she is only there for a couple of hours.

Every day, even if it's just a walk to the shop with a quick stop off at the park for 10 minutes. But we drive each other crazy if we stay in the house all day. I live walking distance to beach, 2 parks and a soft play however.

I think most toddlers go out daily or they go stir crazy, but out can be the park, doesn’t have to involve a car

The answer is everyone's different! Can you walk to a park? Go in the garden? My DS needs to go out every day - neither of us can stay in doors - we get cabin fever!
But if you are both ok then it's fine!

I would go bananas if I couldn't take my DC out pretty much every day. It is a very rare day we don't go somewhere, even if it's just to Tesco or the little, slightly crap playground.

Everyday, parks, shops, walks, window shopping, nursery, playgroup etc. Something or other but definitely everyday. One toddler and one baby.

I think little ones should be taken out everyday. Even if that’s the park. A walk just to a local shop and back, the library or a more expensive day out like the zoo for example.

They are learning about the world so it’s god that they get to explore it and the fresh air & being outside is good for everyone child or adult.

We go out every single day but not always to somewhere that costs money. We have walks in the woods, walk to the park, visit friends, go to groups, country parks, farms etc.

So yes I do take my 3 out in some way daily

DD isn't a toddler anymore but every day or we would drive each other bonkers! I don't drive either so I sympathise re getting to places. I made sure we got out every day even if it was just walking the dog or going to the park/shops or something.

I disagree. I think children should learn they can't go out all the time and have some sort of activity or entertainment and it's perfectly acceptable to stay home and play, amuse yourselves etc.

Pretty sure it wasn't like this when we were young, parents constantly taking us places. It was more of a treat then than an expectation. But then I don't go stir crazy at home and don't like going out all the time.

Have you tried toddler groups? Lots of churches run them (they are run as a service to the community and there is no requirement for you to be a Christian, no praying or anything like that). They usually take place once a week in the church hall, last 1.5 - 2 hours, cost about £1 and usually consist of free play with lots of toys provided, a snack & drink, the opportunity to do some crafts and a singing or story session. They can be a great opportunity for your DC to have fun with you outside the home, and for you to meet other parents. Look on the website of your local churches for details. Also, libraries often run story or nursery rhyme sessions for half an hour or so which are free or very cheap.

My childminder took us out every day, mainly boring things like the bank and post office, this was the mid 80s. Surely 'back in the day kids were always dragged out to the butchers/bakers/greengrocers etc on a daily basis by their mothers? I don't think going out has to be to something like soft play but I also don't think most healthy adults stay indoors for days on end.

But then I don't go stir crazy at home and don't like going out all the time

Well then that’s fine for you, but I do go stir crazy at home and do like going out every day! So going out every day works for me.

Does "out" have to be somewhere else? When DD was a toddler she went outside nearly every day, unless the weather was truly horrid. But as for an 'outing', 3-4 times a week. I also involved her in household tasks - at that age, she loved it. (At 6, not so interested anymore...)

And I think "out" is more for the adult than the child at that age - at 18 months the world is amazing, and if you're playing with a pile pots in the kitchen vs in a play centre somewhere, it really isn't going to make much difference. The key is novelty, not necessarily location. And exercise and fresh air can be gotten outside your front door.

Out as in outside, for a walk to the park or out on bikes, playing in the garden etc. every day and least once a day usually more.

Outings, zoo, swimming or something every couple of weeks it depends.

I don't think keeping a toddler inside is healthy and I'd personally go batty if I did.

I didn't learn to drive until DD was 2. We spent a lot of time doing home activities such as painting, play dough, songs and just playing.

We also did walks around our village collecting leaves, sticks etc for arts and crafts.

Every day, not always somewhere super fun though.
Today he's gone to run errands with DH and tomorrow, I've booked the kids club cinema and a 2for1 voucher lunch out.

Go for a walk, get in the garden, go to Sainsburys but definitely get outside Every day for your sanity if nothing else!

We got out atleast everyday, rarely a big "day out" or involving the car but we do leave the house everyday even if its just for a walk down to the supermarket, to feed the ducks or to the park.

It just splits the day up a bit and we both need it but we do have school runs to do for eldest DC so tie it into this generally!

We also have the school run to do (2.5 mile walk, twice a day) and there are at least 3 parks on the school run.