Days out and activities with young children

[pollylocketpickedapocket]

Just wondering, in non COVID times how many and what sort of days out do people have with young kids, aged about 4-8.
What sort of things do you do, places you visit and how often?
Also play dates with other children?
What age do your kids start having friends over from school?

I have a 4 yo who’s just started reception and I’m just curious to what others do!

We visit lots of National Trust and English heritage sites for decent walks, occasionally they have an activity on too. Museums and art galleries once a month in normal times. Cinema whenever a decent film comes out, again in normal times (we haven’t been since January- sad). Swimming once or twice a month usually. Bowling, skiing and softplay more of a rarity. Never really been arsed to do play dates or have other children over.

Thanks! Can’t say I’m over the moon to do play dates but I’ve got an extremely sociable only child!

Anyone else?!

I think that is a great age & you can do pretty much anything with them. They are still young enough for soft play & farm parks, but old enough for other things such as swimming, bowling, ice skating, trampoline parks, cinema. We also go on lots of walks to woods & country parks. Then there are things like steam train rides, visiting castles, museums etc.

As far as playdates are concerned, for me they are essential at this age. They really help build upon friendships made at school. We generally just have children home & they play in our playroom then eat pizza, then my DC go to theirs & do the same. We have done this since they started school. When at preschool, we would meet up with them & parents at a park. We still do this after school sometimes. They also do Beavers/Cubs/Scouts from 6, which helps socially.

All this is in non-Covid times obviously.

National trust
Walk in countryside
Members of local zoo
Members of local kids farm park
Days at the park
Days at the beach

Invite a friend of your child and the parent along to a day out

Play dates and soft play centres were not really something i did with the dc.

Great suggestions, thanks!

We did lots of playmates pre covid. I found it really helpful in building the dc's social skills. They might be a pain but then you get some time off when people reciprocate.