Ideas for days out with a non-walking 1 year old

[Katlow]

Baby is just under 13 months old, not walking yet.
Finding myself at a loss of what to do with him at the weekends.
Baby clubs only seem to run through the week.

Last weekend we went to Chester Zoo, he HATED it, nightmare! I don't really fancy taking him shopping as I'm trying to save a bit of money. We go for walks often but the weathers looking a bit gloomy. When we go to the park, all he enjoys is the swings and playing on the grass which is fine for half an hour but doesnt take up much of the day. Soft play we've done a few times during the week, but don't fancy it on a weekend when he's not walking yet as I'm worried he'll get trodden on. There's no errands I need to run myself which is usually what would fill the weekend and he'd tag along, but I'm going back to work full time on the 30th so want to make this last few weeks extra special.

Any ideas on what to do? Bonus points for anything around the Manchester area!

Mine loves going to a garden center to see the fish 🐠

Find a park with ducks to feed and a sandpit. Those were DD’s two most favourite things. Those and mini milk ice lollies which took her at least half an hour to eat! Combine that with swings, slide and playing with a beach ball on the grass, and she’d be worn out and in need of a nap!
Also, don’t forget about swimming pools. Try and find one with a decently heated baby pool. Babies naturally doggy paddle and that might strengthen his legs ready for walking.

At that age zoos are not fun, animals are soo far and hard to spot - aquarium or any place with fishes, big hit
any farms with a petting area - also big hits
feed the ducks
interactive museums - especially if they have lights - think planetarium or science museum where things move and you have big projections
swimming, big hit with mine, bouns, time it before a nap and you get a free hour
beach or park with a sandpit
local area look for a park with a small festival - think music, people, dogs, kids like bigger kids, so even seeing older kids run around will be interesting
also, don’t fret, I know you want to make these few weekends special, you’ll still have weekend adventures - focus on the weekday ones instead, those are the ones you’re not having