To think having a child/children 2 & under in the school holidays in a nightmare?

[Beautifulblue]

I'm so struggling to find things to do with my 13 month old DD at the moment. The weather has been bad & all the indoor play areas are packed out because it's school holidays. DD is walking, but is obviously small & doesn't look where she's going I just think she'll get knocked off her feet by older kids. I have the hoop app & look at events on fb but everything seems to be aimed at older kids. The only thing we can do is go to baby groups, which are absolutely dead in the holidays (we've been 1 of 2 at two different baby groups this week) which is fine but these only last 1-2 hours so leave the rest of the day with nothing to do! When the weather is better obviously it's easier, parks/pools. But even parks are aimed at older kids really & she can only go on the swings/sand pit.

Is this just because there really isn't much more under 2's CAN do? Or do you think there should be more areas/events catered to this age range? AIBU!? We went to a charity shop & paid £1 for 2 dvds which we're sitting at home watching - but I wanna be out! I just don't know where to go!

It’s years ago now but I remember the tedium of the summer holidays with a pre schooler, all the regular places full of “big” kids (who seem tiny to me now my DD is a pre teen), no baby groups.

I’ve not got much to add which hasn’t already been said, but with regards to painting, get an aqua doodle set. It was one of the best things I ever had for DD, all the fun of painting with none of the mess and it only takes a minute to set up and put away. Sorry I sound like an advert!

Yes - I used to hate school holidays when the baby groups would stop and I felt lost with my little ones.

I would take mine to friends and museums?

Glad to know I'm not the only one who experienced school holiday blues! Thanks for the advice guys googles aqua doodle sounds bloody amazing, thanks!

Yep it's hard! Magic painting books are good, where you paint with water and the colours appear. We meet up with friends lots for walks, park trips, look on fb for stuff happening locally, see if there's any local mums groups on fb too

Ok it's hard for you if you don't know anyone. Definitely make that your main goal!
I had friends with same age kids try first time round but now I have a baby the other kids are bigger!
I'm going to get to the baby groups from September and I met loads of new ppl just seeing them in the park everyday. They will be feeling the same as you !

I thought aqua doodles would be great - nope, mine won’t do anything other than chew on the pens. I’ve finally managed to get one vaguely interested in a magnetic drawing board... I’m going a bit spare.

Go to Morrison and let them loose with a mini trolley.

I know quite a few mums but I sometimes find when you want to meet they don't & when they want to meet you don't! I'll be honest though the 'mum friends' I know - we don't have much more in common other than the fact we have kids. So I suppose none of us are making a massive effort to meet up! Except on a Friday... when about 8 of us go to the pub 😂 (They have a kids play area so it's fine!!)

@SinkGirl I feel your twin mum pain! My 2 just want to do the opposite of each other, so going to the park (for example) is a nightmare because they just split up and I can't be in 2 places at once.

YANBU! I feel your pain OP. I'm off for the summer with my 15 month old and finding it harder to fill the days.

I've made the effort to go out walking every afternoon - finding a new park/reservoir/walking route so that we have a bit of variation. If it rains we just cover up! Have you tried RSPB or National Trust places near to you? Lots of ours have family friendly activities through the hols.

I must admit though, I'm not the most sociable so generally happy as long as we have new places to visit.

Another idea... our local leisure centre is running 'baby boogie' and family clubbercise sessions which worked well for toddler age children.

I agree. I have a 2.5 year old and a 9 month old and am finding the school holidays hard and a bit lonely. Most of my friends have older school age children so are out with them and none of our usual baby groups are on. Soft play etc is too busy with big kids. Roll on September!

I had two under two, always went out everyday even if we just walked to a local park, staying in with two babies makes the day seem very long.

I have a 15 month old and I am similarly bored. Actually I think I feel guilty more than anything because I feel like I should be filling every second of his time with educational activities and getting out of the house. In reality he is perfectly happy playing with his toys and watching CBeebies. Anyway September will soon be here and I can take him to the toddler groups then and it'll relieve the guilt a bit!

When I started doing childcare for DGS when he was 9 months I was completely out of touch with all things involving babies and none of my similar aged friends were in the same situation.
I tried several playgroups, stuck with two, went to the park every day, whatever the weather. Took our packed lunch with us wherever we went.
Went for walks where toddler could walk independently and safely but not escape.
I found a place called Cafe Junior in Cardiff which had a large play area and also served decent coffee and nice food.
The more you're put and about and talk to people the more you'll find out about other places to go.
It can be a very lonely and boring time in the early years!

And when at home we watched a lot of kids' programmes😄

I found this very hard, now mine are 3 and 6 it's easier (although the little one has no interest in school age activities)

I didn't mind this age. They are happy to run around outside in the park or feed the ducks or play with a ball in the fields or even bubbles in the garden.

Lots of museums are free if you have any near you and many have specific under 5 areas to play in. Many also run under 5 sessions in the holidays still.

Have a look if there is a Start Well Centre near you as some of these are still running activities.

Wait until they are 11 and none of the summer camps or activity camps cater for them, local childminders don't take over 11s they are too big for soft play and the library activities and none of their friends live near them. (bitter voice of experience)

@toxicgames I had seen museums when googling things to do but thought maybe they were a bit 'old' for her. I didn't realise some of them had play areas so I'll look into that, thanks! We met a friend & her 2yo today went to a baby group (which DD loved every minute of) then had a walk round the garden centre & went into the cafe, then we went food shopping... it was a busy day but feel so much better for it! Today was a good day 👍🏼 - thanks everyone for your comments appreciate you taking the time.

Definitely try Museums.

Walker Art Gallery have an area for Under 8s I'm sure with dress up and drawing and toys and so sessions for little ones www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/events/displayevent.aspx?EventId=37151

Manchester Science Museum has a little Under 5s play area and run a session for 1-4 year olds called Experitots
www.msimanchester.org.uk/whats-on/experitots

I'm sure Manchester Art Gallery do an under 5s group too. They certainly used to!

I appreciate you probably aren't near there. Just to give an idea of what kinds of things they do!

Thank you @Thatwhippetlifewelead

Yes! All the baby groups near me are off for the summer and I’m struggling to find things to do with my 14 month old. We do lots of activities in the house but I miss our routine of going out to groups and soft plays in the week. I don’t drive and I’m 25 weeks pregnant so struggling to go far on public transport. Can’t wait for September so we can get back to our normal activities.

Same here! @0lgaDaPolga