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Original poster

Cancelled zoo trip- how can I make today fun for DD4?

39 replies

Fedup2910 · 24/07/2025 07:07

We were meant to be going to the zoo today, but DD8 months had a raging temp and very unwell.
Any ideas how to make the day not suck for DD4? She’s going to be heartbroken that we can’t go. She’s been ill for the first days of the holiday so we have exhausted the ‘rainy day’ activities already- e.g. dens, play dough, painting.
Luckily I have DH here as a poorly baby is no fun!
Thank you in advance x

OP posts:
ooooohlala · 24/07/2025 07:09

If you and DH are there, can’t one of you take DD to the zoo? The 8 month old won’t know what they’re missing.

Hagnumber4 · 24/07/2025 07:10

You and DH should definitely divide and conquer on this one, imo. It'll be so special for her to go with one parent

MidnightPatrol · 24/07/2025 07:14

Yes id divide and conquer too!

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whatwasthatnoise · 24/07/2025 07:16

Yes, still take her to the zoo.
If that's really not practical, take her out somewhere local for a treat like the cinema or even a cafe for hot chocolate and cake. She will be delighted with 1:1 time with you /DH.

CottageGoblin · 24/07/2025 07:16

And if you don’t want to do the zoo (as you may save that for another time when you can all go)

One parent should still take her out. Something that feels grown up and fun with one parent.

BabyCatFace · 24/07/2025 07:17

Leave the baby with the husband and take her?!

Spies · 24/07/2025 07:18

If you have DH there then I agree with the others you don't need to cancel her trip to the zoo she can go with one parent and baby stay home with the other. It would probably actually make it a lot more special for her to have that 1-1 time.

Bitzee · 24/07/2025 07:25

Definitely still take her. One of you goes whilst the other stays home with the baby.

Renolife · 24/07/2025 07:32

Definitely no need for the whole family to stay in because of poorly baby. Take her out somewhere still! If. If not the zoo then, bowling, cinema, lunch and park…?

Overthebow · 24/07/2025 07:34

Yes definitely one of you take dd to the zoo and one of you stay with poorly baby. There's no reason dd shouldn't have her day out, especially if baby is that sick that you won't just be able to move it to tomorrow.

soupyspoon · 24/07/2025 07:35

Why would you not go? Leave the baby at home.

I mean obviously with a parent.

itsgettingweird · 24/07/2025 07:35

Yep another saying of both parents are there then 1 still takes her.

BCBird · 24/07/2025 07:36

One of you takes her. The other stays with baby

BreakfastClubBlues · 24/07/2025 07:37

If there are two parents home then the world is your oyster! No need for the 4yo to sit in the house at all.

Ellie1015 · 24/07/2025 07:37

One of us would take 4 year old to zoo and one stay with baby. Would prefer to go altogether but wouldn't have 4 year old miss out.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 24/07/2025 07:38

Why on earth would you cancel? Confused

Whinge · 24/07/2025 07:39

Another here who agrees with the majority. One of you can take DD4 out for the day and the other can look after the poorly baby.

There are 2 of you, so there's no reason why she should have to miss out.

Lostworlds · 24/07/2025 07:39

I’m with the others, divide and conquer today. If you want to keep the zoo for another time so you can all go then for enough but I would still plan a day out somewhere with either you or your dh.

BabyDoge · 24/07/2025 07:40

One of you needs to still take her, or if you can't make sure you don't tell her it's because the baby's poorly.

RentalWoesNotFun · 24/07/2025 07:40

Divide and conquer.

And if you don’t trust the dad / fear he won’t manage as he’s useless and lazy, ask your mum to pop in mid way through to check.

And also in that subject, he needs to step up sometimes even if you’re a sahm and he’s the type that thinks he’s a big man with an important job that pays for everything.

TheyreLikeUsButRichAndThin · 24/07/2025 07:40

Same, you go to the zoo and get 1:1 with DD. Will be way more fun without a baby anyway!

Hercisback1 · 24/07/2025 07:41

One to the zoo, one with the baby. Why would you all stay at home?

Tia247 · 24/07/2025 07:42

If you can't leave the baby with DH because he's WFH or some other reason then maybe you could do some things in preparation for your trip to the zoo when the baby is better. Make some cookies to take with you, make a hat/crown and decorate it together for her to wear with 'zoo keeper' or something fun on in, do some drawings of the animals you want to see, make a list/plan of the different times things are happening like animals being fed or talks and get her to illustrate it.

Hercisback1 · 24/07/2025 07:43

RentalWoesNotFun · 24/07/2025 07:40

Divide and conquer.

And if you don’t trust the dad / fear he won’t manage as he’s useless and lazy, ask your mum to pop in mid way through to check.

And also in that subject, he needs to step up sometimes even if you’re a sahm and he’s the type that thinks he’s a big man with an important job that pays for everything.

"get your mum to pop in"

Ffs why are we still perpetuating this crap.

  1. Infecting another person with a potential illness isn't a great idea.
  1. Stop putting responsibility for childcare on women.
allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 24/07/2025 07:44

@Fedup2910 help her make some fairy cakes and decorate them! takes an afternoon. in the morning she can do handpainting.