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Original poster

How to survive IKEA with kids

124 replies

oldjacksscrote · 12/04/2016 12:08

Planning a trip to IKEA tomorrow, with a 3 month old and a very spirited naughty 2 year old, I haven't been for years and wondered what tips you guys have for surviving it? I'm starting to stress.

Do they have baby and toddler trollies, baby changing and would you consider It to be BF friendly?

OP posts:
Original poster
oldjacksscrote · 12/04/2016 15:29

The reason we're going is because I like IKEA and haven't been for years and I want to go, it's just not the same online. OH is perfectly capable of going on his own but he would rather not go at all.

I'll be going to the Bristol one if that makes any difference, so there's always the option of bribing 2yo with potential visit to toysRus.

Thanks for that hufflepuffin, I'd like to think it could be a potentially enjoyable experience naive.

I've written my list and taken measurements, although I do love the glass section so we'll have to split up in that department (not literally I hope). I'll make a mini picnick for nibbling on around the store to keep the boys happy and will find out the quickest way to the ball pool, baby changing and exit if it should all go tits up!

I've always got the option of sneaking off to feed lo and leave OH to deal with any carnage.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for no nappy explosions but at this age they're pretty frequent and I'll be sure to use the correct facilities.

OP posts:
wasonthelist · 12/04/2016 15:45

Isn't shopping at IKEA a community punishment? It should be. I would rather set fire to my own face.

Lifecanonlygetbetter · 12/04/2016 15:53

Send OH to a nearby park with both children, or the 2 year old if you are BF, as you can get stuck at the tills for a long time. Go as early as possible, lots of people seem to take their kids there for the cheap meals.

SquidTableau · 12/04/2016 16:01

Right. I have a DD who always flips out in IKEA. The only way that works with her is shameless bribery - pick one toy out in the toy department and she gets it if she really behaves. I try to limit our time in there - shortcuts where you can instead of following the herd round. I put her in a trolley at the very beginning and strap her in. Put the baby in a sling - I don't think they have double trolleys. I keep a bag of sweets in my pocket and dole them out at regular intervals. I also give DD a pencil and one of the things they give you to write down aisles & locations and ask her to 'write things down' and this keeps her fairly entertained too. when that fails I give her my iphone to play on! Then a milkshake at the end and everyone's good. unfortunately DH hates IKEA as much as DD does and the things I've suggested above don't work on him...

SquidTableau · 12/04/2016 16:03

Bristol is my local one too, changing facilities are fairly good, not sure on BF facilities though. My advice is to get there as early as you can as it gets fairly busy, I was there at 10.30 yesterday and it wasn't too bad then!

misskatamari · 12/04/2016 16:13

I take my 6 month old and 2 year old quite a lot if it's a rainy day. Dd gets to have a run around, we can get lunch, then she's tired out and it's home for a long nap. I usually put Ds in the pushchair with a yellow bag in the basket underneath and have dd with her little life backpack reins on, so I can set her free, but also keep her on a leash if needed Grin

We play "follow the arrows" and stop off at the kids play bits along the way. We usually go early, have a wander through the showroom, get some lunch. By then we're usually tired so it's operation "get the hell out of IKEA as quickly as possible", but it's fine up till then. Take lots of snacks tho! I find them invaluable when you get to the huge queues at the till and the toddler is well and truly sick of it! Good luck!

Alasalas2 · 12/04/2016 16:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dynevoran · 12/04/2016 16:32

We go almost every week but it's less than a mile away so it's like a trip to soft play for us. Ds1 and ds2 play house and then eat meatballs and I buy sandwich bags or napkins and ponder what I will put in our new house if we ever move.

It's totally fine. Just put toddler in trolley and baby in sling and enjoy. The only time I refuse to go is on a weekend!

achildsjoy · 12/04/2016 17:17

God, the staff in IKEA must get so fed up with people treating a shop like a children's playground and picnic area. What about health and safety? Surely it's not safe to have children charging around in a furniture store were people are probably carrying around heavy items and furniture. Would you go into any other shop and let your children eat and probably wipe there hands all over stuff?

achildsjoy · 12/04/2016 17:18

Also when I've been in to my local one there has been signs up saying please don't let your children climb on things as they are for display only.

5minutestobed · 12/04/2016 17:24

We love Ikea, its a day out here!
We got to get lunch first and ds has a play in the play area bit, he loves the meatballs too. Then charge round the display bit, play with the toys in the kids section. Downstairs, into a trolley for the market place (with if needed a cheapy toy from upstairs to keep him busy).
You'll be fine! Especially if there's two adults to watch the toddler. Just don't let him have a mini trolley, we did that once and spent the whole time running after him while he drove into peoples legs...

5minutestobed · 12/04/2016 17:29

People don't carry heavy furniture round the display bit Achildsjoy and surely most people don't let their kids eat and wipe their hands on stuff?!

Buttwing · 12/04/2016 17:38

My kids love ikea!! They actually ask to go there, I have a 10,5,2 and 1 year old and they like to just have a pootle round look at the rooms and play in the kids play bits. I usually end up getting them a few things but it's so cheap I don't mind. We have lunch in the cafe and an ice cream at the end.
They don't climb on things or smash glasses they know if they don't behave they don't get an ice cream at the end. Dp absolutely hates it though and we always argue when we go.

Marynary · 12/04/2016 17:49

I always thought that IKEA was a good place to go when my children were very little. I actually went a couple of times when we didn't need to buy anything. They loved all the rooms (especially children's ones) and there were always quite a few toys on sale that they played with looked at. The cafe is good too as quite cheap and children loved the meatballs etc. I didn't attempt to buy much if on my own but if DH was there it was no problem.
It's more difficult now they are teenagers and want to buy half the shop..

SavoyCabbage · 12/04/2016 17:57

Pack a picnic!

SavoyCabbage · 12/04/2016 17:59

I'm agog at packing a picnic for ikea! Not commanding it.

It will be fine. There is so much to look at.

Penguinepenguins · 12/04/2016 18:05

fairnotfair can't remember what shop it was but it had toilets in the middle of it with signs saying "do not use" on the lids

Confused me as to why... Who would use a show room loo, Now I know people like this do actually exist :)

TiredOfSleep · 12/04/2016 18:29

You'll be fine if you've got your DH to help control your toddler. I find the most stressful bit is picking up the furniture from the warehouse bit but as there's two of you you can keep your toddler in the trolley.

I do think it can be fun, but definitely go when it's quiet.

Original poster
oldjacksscrote · 12/04/2016 18:46

I don't intend to stop mid shop and unpack a checked blanket and picnick, I mean a lunchbox with picky food in to keep the boys happy while going around and waiting in queues.

OP posts:
SavoyCabbage · 12/04/2016 18:49

Actually my picnic tablecloth is from IKEA and it is checked so maybe you could! Grin

greenfolder · 12/04/2016 18:51

My worst moment. Having walked around the whole fecking place and failing to findvwhat I wanted . Dd3 the said at the door " where's my bear?" Yes she had left him somewhere in IKEA. Don't do this .

HackerFucker22 · 12/04/2016 19:02

God lord you are mad.

I wouldn't dream of taking mine (15m and 3.6)..... I wouldn't have taken them at any age.

Their delivery charge is ridiculous £40 but I think my DP would pay that at least twice over to never have to go!! I leave the kids with him and go with my MIL these days.

BertieBotts · 12/04/2016 19:38

The reason the delivery charge varies is because they use couriers. We recently did a large order and the delivery was about €90. Was definitely worth it though, we couldn't have got the stuff in our car!

pinkcan · 12/04/2016 19:41

Take them to the play area, let 2yo play a bit and feed them both. Then strap (or use baby car seat/reins to strap 2yo into seat so can't injure himself) both into trolley.

Personally I would try to avoid it though.

MrsUnderwood · 12/04/2016 20:00

I did this recently with a 3 month old and a 3 year old. I live quite far away from IKEA (over an hour's drive) and had to go on my own as DH was at work.

I arranged to meet some friends who have little kids and live near the branch. I had DS in a sling and my 3 year old walked. I had her booked into the crèche for some of it and bribed her with a cheap toy, which did the trick.

If you download the IKEA store app, you can make a shopping list on that and it'll tell you where to find it in the store and the warehouse. Saves a lot of time.

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