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Original poster

How often do you take your kids out for fun?

33 replies

Shopperami · 08/04/2019 09:50

How often do you take your kids out for fun?

Eg, the park, visiting different places, days out, holidays etc

OP posts:
cliquewhyohwhy · 08/04/2019 09:51

School holidays most days but not in the six weeks it's to much lol and probably every other weekend but we do tend to go for walks and go to the park most weekends. Hard to occupy 3 kids when they are different ages and want to do different things.

fitzbilly · 08/04/2019 09:53

Twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

At the weekend it might be one place for longer, is we drive there.

Today we've just got back from a walk in the country park and we're going to a farm after lunch.

I have toddlers and they are so much happier outdoors and resort to manage when they are happy and being physically active.

hidinginthenightgarden · 08/04/2019 09:59

We try to get out everyday otherwise they fight.
We have passes for the local zoo and icecream farm plus a gym membership. Gives us a few options for cheap activities.

CabbageLeaf · 08/04/2019 10:00

Nearly every weekday, and once or twice a day at the weekend. We usually go to the park when I pick them up from nursery/preschool at 3.15, we rarely go straight home.
We always do something fun at the weekends, usually we leave the house at 9 and get home at around 4 pm, we don't go out again after that. If we do something shorter in the morning we also go out in the afternoon.
I can't stand staying at home with them for more than three or four hours, they go berserk.

CaptainJaneway12 · 08/04/2019 10:04

In the week I take the younger ones not at school out two or three times a week. At weekends we have one day out and one day chilling at home or visiting relatives usually.
In the holidays we go out most days, maybe one day a week to stay at home and relax.

bookmum08 · 08/04/2019 10:14

School holidays we usually go and stay with Grandparents so probably 'do' more things then but it all depends really what you and your children's idea of fun is. My 10 year olds only plan so far when we are at Granma's later this week is to go to Hobbycraft to buy beads and then to the drive thru Mcdonalds.
If your children are happy and you are happy then it doesn't matter how much you 'do' and of course what you can afford makes a difference. The reason we 'holiday' at Granma's is because we can't really afford a holiday otherwise.

Are you worried you are doing too much or too little?

CakeNinja · 08/04/2019 10:17

During the holidays, most week days with weekends still being kept as ‘relaxing’ days. Keeps us in a vague sort of routine, sometimes it’s just things like going to feed the ducks or walking round the nature reserve, going to the park etc. Other times we drive to the beach, fun fair, theme park, train to London, museums, picnics with friends, paddling in the river, hiring out rowing boats, pottery painting, walk and pub lunch type days out.
But yes, most days I get the 3dc out. It’s a bit trickier finding things they all want to do as there are 2 teens and a 7 year old!

megletthesecond · 08/04/2019 10:17

Day out every weekend Blush.
They fight non-stop at home so it's easier to suck it up and get us out.

MissingInActionYouSay · 08/04/2019 10:34

At least once a week, often a play centre or cinema. Holidays we mix it up a bit and yesterday went to a wetland centre to feed ducks and use the park so today going to take them to the nerf zone. Waterfights and picnics in the garden on odd days, local parks for picnics when it's sunny. Next week is crazy golf and Dino hunting on Jurassic world alive and the new avengers movie.

ForFrithsSake · 08/04/2019 10:37

We don't do 'days out' very often, but we don't stay in all the time either. We mainly just get on with life and take Dc (ages 7 and 9) along with us. They are busy in the week with school and clubs, plus the odd get together with friends or family.

At weekends I'm always busy catching up with housework, cooking, homework and pet care as I work full time in the week. But we always do things like visiting family or friends, parties, walking Grandma's dog, go shopping, pop to the park etc. Occasionally we will have a half day out at a farm or something.

During school holidays we have a week's camping at some point and a few proper days out - castle, farm, city visit etc. We aslo usually travel to see relatives who live further away for a night or two here and there.

I feel bad that we don't 'do' much just for them, but I just don't have the time or energy. And actually they seem to be thriving :)

kaytee87 · 08/04/2019 10:38

Every day

EmrysAtticus · 08/04/2019 10:40

Things like park/softplay/swimming are every day that we are not in work/nursery. Farms/zoos/NT properties are about every other weekend. DS is 3 and entertaining him is so much easier out and about. He doesn't really do lazy days at home.

Original poster
Shopperami · 08/04/2019 11:59

Thanks all

OP posts:
SingleMumFighting · 08/04/2019 12:05

At least once a day to a park if we have not got something better planned. We cannot stay in all day unless we are ill. We are very active.

doctorboo · 08/04/2019 14:17

My three are 3, 5 and 7 and they do better with lots of space to go and burn it off in. I don’t like always having to be out and about, due to health issues but push myself for the boys.

The school holidays and weekends are filled with trips to the local woods, playgrounds and thanks to a gifted season pass we (inc dh) drive to wisley for longer days out.
Due to limited funds we take packed lunches and a thermos with us pretty much wherever we go.

We’ve also been going swimming too (£12 for 5 of us) but due to pool ratio regs we both have to go and I don’t like swimming when it’s so busy I’d love some really chilled tv days, but they’re not at the chilling stage.

This week:

Monday (Today): food shop, home for lunch, walking to the local park in half hour
Tuesday: dentist for all three, different local park afterwards, home for lunch, craft stuff out for afternoon
Wednesday: nothing set yet although I need to go to the post office.
Thursday: over to see MIL and the cousins she does childcare care for.
Friday: local woods until lunchtime.
Saturday: Easter egg hunt with one child’s classmates
Sunday: Too much chocolate and maybe Wisley or Swimming.

Silversun83 · 08/04/2019 14:35

DC are 1 and nearly 3 and go out pretty much every day though mainly just the mornings, then home for lunch and nap. Things like music class, toddler group, trampolining group, local farm, playdates. Also have an annual pass to a local zoo. Like others, I can't stand staying in all day mainly as I find playing all day so boring Blush

Afternoons are mainly spent playing indoors but as it's now lighter in the afternoons, will probably start going out then again too - last summer we spent most afternoons in the park (though ours is literally just at the end of the road).

outpinked · 08/04/2019 15:19

Most days in the school holidays, I can’t stand being cooped up indoors. At least one day every weekend as well. Doesn’t have to be anything flashy, sometimes we just go to a local nature reserve.

GreenTulips · 08/04/2019 15:21

I used to do mornings when they needed naps
Morning and afternoons when bigger to burn energy unless a proper day out

The need frame air

Now they are teens I only take them out to tourture them!

cliffdiver · 08/04/2019 15:31

In the holidays, at least 6/7 days.

Turquoisetamborine · 08/04/2019 16:13

We have days out either with us and the kids or the kids and grandparents for every day of the holidays.
Saturday we went to a science centre, both really enjoyed that and we spent 4.5 hours there
Sunday party at a trampoline park
Today we’ve been bowling then they wanted a go on the fairground rides like the dodgems
Tomorrow the eldest is going to a clip and climb place with his grandad. Youngest is coming with my to a story telling museum
Thursday the eldest is doing a laser tag thing with his friend
Friday they are going out for the day with their other grandad.
Next week thankfully I have three days of work to give me a rest!

Cliffdonville · 08/04/2019 16:28

DD is only 3, and in full time nursery, so we do 1 fun day out on Saturday and Sunday is pottering day, we walk the dog, watch films and tidy up.

I also try and take a weekday off once a month to take her somewhere as well, we have done pony days, peppy pig world and whipsnade recently.

Littlepond · 08/04/2019 16:30

Every weekend. Every day in the holidays. In term time sometimes we do park in the early evening but it is difficult with work, homework etc.

GummyGoddess · 08/04/2019 16:33

Dc are 2.5 and 10 months, I take them out every morning and some afternoons after naps. It's easier to entertain them out of the house!

Weekends are boring, nothing is really on and DH doesn't want to do much.

Loopytiles · 08/04/2019 16:37

Whose idea of fun?

Eg DH likes taking the DC to do outdoorsy things he enjoyed as a DC and enjoys now. They find this fun: I don’t! So I don’t always go along.

Allthepinkunicorns · 08/04/2019 16:56

It depends on what your definition of fun is really. Holidays I try and take ds out every couple of days to somewhere cheap ie cinema, local museum, soft play. I go the park pretty much every day as I have the park directly behind me, so theres no effort in having to get to a park for us. I try and go for a day out every couple of weeks. This weekend we went for an afternoon tea which both me and ds love. In a couple of weeks time we might go to the lego discovery centre as ds loves lego. My dh also likes to take ds on days out biking which ds loves and it gives me a chance to work/ have some free time.