Days out as a single parent and 2 children

[curlywurlylover666]

Hi,

My children are almost 5 and 3. I'd like to take them for days out such as legoland, peppa pig world, alton towers, etc on my own.

Realistically how easy will it be to make sure both children get to go on any rides with just me with them. Both children will need supervision on rides to a degree, the older one less so but she is likely to need some help or be accompanied. I am wondering if it's a bit of a challenge/worth it with just 1 adult.

Any experience or thoughts welcome please.

Bumping and following because I'd also like to know the answer to this

Hello, I haven't done Lego Land myself with mine, but we have done some fairs and seaside resorts. The biggest issue I had with DS3 and DS6 is because of the heigh difference, there were some things DS3 just couldn't do that DS6 really wanted to. So then if you're the only adult there's no one to supervise DS3 when you get on a ride with DS6 and often they're not allowed on alone...or sad to go on alone. Bumper cars needed an adult with each child. Can be awkward to be honest till they're both old enough to be allowed on alone or just the 2 of them together

Thank you, this is kind of what I was thinking but didn't really want to take the defeatist attitude. However it sounds like it's the most sensible option when there in reality. Thanks for your reply, I appreciate your input x

I never did this as the logistics were too fiddly.
What did happen was that once my eldest started Beavers he could have a theme park day out with them and I took my youngest on the same day so we had 1:1.

Mine were 4 and 6 when I decided I could cope with the logistics of 2 at a theme park! Legoland is set up for younger children so a lot of the rides allow for 3 people per cart so not too much of a problem. Rides like the Dragon allow for a child swap so 1 child sat on a stool whilst I went around with the other and then they swapped. Which involved lots of you have to sit down, you cannot move, do not go with anyone else and listen to the legoland staff. All the other rides which looked too difficult to sort we just avoided!! There's loads of non ride things to do. If you're on a ride where it's 2 seats, only put the eldest in front of you so you can see them all the time.

When we went to Chessington, they were both tall enough to ride Vampire but the eldest was not keen on sitting on his own (rows of 2) so we went later in the day we spoke to the staff and one of them sat with him on his first go. After that he was happy to ride alone.

It always feels like it will be stressful but go with the flow and have a look at their websites and decide what rides you must do and then see where the day takes you.

Good Luck! Mine are now 10 and 12 and I just carry bags when we go to theme parks as they're tall enough to do the lot on their own!

Great idea for us to grow into potentially, thank you.

Thank you so much for your reply, you've given me something to think about.

I will do what you suggest and perhaps look at the place first and what they could do and what we might have to avoid.

You've definitely pushed me back to thinking maybe it's doable with 2 as a single adult, with a bit more planning and research.

Peppa Pig world is brilliant and there is loads to do other than rides! There's a soft play, zoo, loads of garden space and from memory several of the rides you can go on as a group. Your almost-five year old should be fine on some rides 'alone' if you have to sit in different rows. None of the rides is very fast or scary!
I just had a quick Google and it looks the same as last time I went (couple of years ago). We stayed overnight so we could go both days. Staff are really friendly too.
I think it's definitely doable!

Oh that's great to know thank you so much for your help x

Went to peppa pig world yesterday and it'll be really easy. I regularly took my three on my own (5, 3, 1) at the time. Some rides are trickier but we avoided those. There is loads you can do in the rest of the park as well. If you can I would go on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday as they are much quieter days.
Sorry no experience of the others.

We did legoland recently; if they’re under 1.3 they have to ride with an adult and if they’re under 90 they can’t go on quite a few of the rides. On quite a few of the rides only two people can go on but I did notice that the people running the rides were happy to have one child stand with them if one adult had two children so that both could take a turn going on with a parent. It’s certainly easier with another adult but if you don’t have anyone to go with then it’s certainly doable on your own.

I went to legoland last summer with my two age 6 and 4 and I was also concerned about this but I was a non issue. All rides we went on could have us all on together. There were some little things they went on without me and I could just watch. They really loved it and I had been nervous doing it alone (and exhausted at the prospect!) But it was really fun and we are going again this summer!

You'll be fine at Peppa pig world, the only ride you wouldn't all be able to go on together is George's dinosaur ride. All the others will sit all 3 of you easily. There's also a few rides in the rest of the park you'll be able to go on.

Many years ago o took dd to Alton towers mid week term time ( her school was closed for elections) and staff took dd on rides on I didn’t fancy. They were really good

Ive done PP world with 3 under 5yr.
Load buggy up you can leave it outside each ride. Perfectly safe.
All rides could get us on together.
Plus up the other end theres a few other rides you can go on together or kids can go alone. Swans, diggers. There's a splash park in summer. Lots of play areas and indoor play, although that can get hectic.

Legoland is fine too but prefer pp world

Not these places in particular but theme parks generally, I found it a struggle until my eldest was tall enough to go on without an adult. Some rides are ok if they seat 3/4 like boats or something but anything for 2 people was a struggle. My eldest is 8 and only just tall enough (she is on the small side) to ride unaccompanied so it is manageable now.

I tended to buy a family ticket and take a spare adult, a grandparent or aunt or something. Mine are rarely in agreement about exactly what they want to do or spend time on so having a second adult allows for pairing off. Having said that, when I did do things alone we had a talk beforehand about compromising, taking turns and not spoiling a day out with selfish whining about what THEY want. As they've got a bit older I also now make it clear that it my day too and a half hour sat with a coffee whilst they DON'T bicker is not unreasonable.

Thanks everyone it's great to get the perspective of those who have done it.

I'm venturing into life as a single parent and don't want things like this to stop me from doing us as we want to, so any advance prep and advice welcome.

Check the hight restrictions on the rides before you go. There could be lots of rides the oldest could go on but the younger can't, but you can't leave either unattended.

At all of these places there are lots of things to enjoy other than the rides. All of them have shows, Legoland has all of the models, PPW has a massive soft play place and the birds and both Legoland and PPW have splash zones (although the Legoland one is split into two which is a pain). There are plenty of play areas at both.
At Legoland, I'd just avoid the Knights Kingdom area - at least on your first visit - as those are the biggest rides but some won't be suitable for your youngest and they also tend to have the longest queues. You will still have a brilliant day.

I have been to legoland and there is plenty for that age to do and should be fine with just 1 adult.

I'm not a single parent but until very recently my DH worked all weekend and most of the school holidays. So I did alot of days out alone, I did a holiday alone too. It is hard work, but plenty of snacks and telling them it's all about the adventure always worked for us! Don't let anything stop you doing what you want to do, there's always a way!

If you are looking for other days out i would highly recommend kew gardens. If you claim universal credit/tax credits its only £1. They have a dedicated children's garden which is fantastic! Plus lots of space to walk and run about. I would recommend bringing a buggy or a pull along beach trolley for 1 or both to sit in if they get tired, there's lots of walking!

Paradise Park in newhaven is great, small museum, lots of playgrounds, soft play, cheap arcade games (20p each) little train ride and a garden centre. We went alot at that age. I think the annual pass is really reasonable.

Littlehampton is nice for a visit. You have Harbour Park for rides. There's a little lake to do crabbing. A nice sandy beach. A decent park. A few shops if you need picnic or beach supplies! And super cheap ice creams, I got 2 mr whippys with flakes/sprinkles/sauce, a vegan magnum and a tea for under £5.

At Peppa Pig World (and the rest of Paulton's Park) there are loads of rides you can go on with one adult accompanying 2 DC. Definitely worth a visit!

I'm a single mum of 4 and just do research about the rides and heights. I would say legoland would be fine, all rides can have 1 adult 2 kids.

I used to take mine to places like Sundown/Twinlakes/Thomasland on my own. As long as you research the rides for height allowances and go somewhere that caters for young children (rather than the Pepsi Big One) you'll be fine

Light Water Valley has re-purposed itself to meet a much younger target market, removing the larger rides. I hear good reviews.

lightwatervalley.co.uk