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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How would you make the most out of this situation

33 replies

20wedding19 · 30/03/2021 14:41

Hello everyone,
My son is 5 months old. We are currently in a flat in London, the plan was to be able to move to a house relatively soon (12 - 18 months time) however covid affected our income so we will be here a little longer
We are in a small block of 7 other flats and have a communal garden with access to an outside tap
With this gorgeous weather outside today I was wondering how I can make the most out of the garden. I was thinking paddling pools etc, essentially I can have most things in there as long as I can pack it a way each night (a pain but not much of can do) that means no swing sets etc
What would you use in the garden for him from now (5 months) to say, 3 years old? I want to make the most out if it as we can

OP posts:
WellIWasInTheNeighbourhoo · 30/03/2021 14:47

Water and sand play table, or anything with sand really, they love it at that age.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 30/03/2021 14:51

What storage do you have for this stuff?

mackleless · 30/03/2021 14:54

have you checked with the other people using the garden? You say you’ll pack it away but what about during the day when other residents also want to use the garden to relax?

Original poster
20wedding19 · 30/03/2021 14:58

Every other flat has at least one child and are totally fine with it, they have all done it in the past with their own children
We have good storage in place. Each flat has a little shed each

OP posts:
StressedTired · 30/03/2021 15:01

Could be worth having a quick word with the other neighbours about this. I live in a flat in a similar arrangement to what you describe. If one of my neighbours put up a swing permanently for their kids I wouldn't mind at all so long as I still have room to put my deck chair out Smile So that could be an option?

Conditionconditioncondition · 30/03/2021 15:02

@StressedTired

Could be worth having a quick word with the other neighbours about this. I live in a flat in a similar arrangement to what you describe. If one of my neighbours put up a swing permanently for their kids I wouldn't mind at all so long as I still have room to put my deck chair out Smile So that could be an option?
This. I previously lived in a flat with a shared garden and patio area and it wouldn't have bothered me at all to have toys left out
Original poster
20wedding19 · 30/03/2021 15:06

Unusually for London we have a v close community and all the neighbours are more than happy for things to be left out/swing set in place etc however the freeholder had said no to things like swing sets as they say its a safety issue....frustrating but that's why we need to pack it away each evening, the neighbours are not an issue at all.
I like the idea of a sand and water tray, I've looked up a table that you can foldaway so that's an option

OP posts:
RestingPandaFace · 30/03/2021 15:11

A small sand and water table and maybe kinetic sand to go in it.
A small paddling pool that you can use with water or as a ball pool depending on the weather.
One or two ride on toys.

averythinline · 30/03/2021 15:12

Simple water splashmat thing for now.and bubble machine :)..
If you get the small pool could use with playballs or get a small ball pool tent so bit of sun protection as well...
Whilst little and crawling foamsquares , watering can and cups and washing up bowl....
I would be wary of sand if you have to keep things tidy....it gets everywhere...
Bit older water play table you can get some great ones with boats and spinners...little tikes car /folding slide if thinking kit...

Original poster
20wedding19 · 30/03/2021 15:12

@conditionconditioncondition and @stressedTired you both sound lovely and very much like my neighbours

OP posts:
RestingPandaFace · 30/03/2021 15:13

Also DS loved having diggers, cars and dinosaurs to play in the sand.

TulipsTwoLips · 30/03/2021 15:14

A little tent or something similar?

Conditionconditioncondition · 30/03/2021 15:17

[quote 20wedding19]**@conditionconditioncondition* and @stressedTired* you both sound lovely and very much like my neighbours[/quote]
That's very kind of you.

Would highly recommend one of the large drawstring bags that turn into a play mat and then you just bag it all up at the end. I'll try and find a link

Original poster
20wedding19 · 30/03/2021 15:20

So many good ideas! Thank you.
Hadn't heard of the drawstring bags that turn into a playmat, that's genius

OP posts:
nonevernotever · 30/03/2021 15:21

Our downstairs neighbours made a mud kitchen for their 3year old. She also has a small rebounder, a sand pit and a paddling pool. Rebounder, kitchen and giant bubble blower get the most use.

updownroundandround · 30/03/2021 15:28

Pop up tent with bag of plastic balls

Bubble machine (with a little 'bat' to swat them with)

A water doodle mat (at 5 mths use with a tray of water for handprints)

A sprinkler (if you have a hose and tap)

Paddling pool (very small) with water toys eg watering can

Original poster
20wedding19 · 30/03/2021 15:28

@nonevernotever haha - if you could see our garden you would know a mud kitchen could work very nicely!

OP posts:
heidipi · 30/03/2021 15:38

Plastic underbed boxes (the shallow but large kind) are good for sand and water play instead of buying a table etc. Also they have lids for packing away and stacking. A tea set for making sand cakes and pouring is good. Toy cars or small figures in the sand too - like hide and seek.
My DC liked painting with water (rather than paint) - they 'painted' on the sides of our shed and then went back and started again when it dried!

TheHollow · 30/03/2021 15:49

Skittles.
One of those tunnels kids can clamber through.
Chalk (although on an earlier thread that proved controversial).

StressedTired · 30/03/2021 16:30

@20wedding19

Unusually for London we have a v close community and all the neighbours are more than happy for things to be left out/swing set in place etc however the freeholder had said no to things like swing sets as they say its a safety issue....frustrating but that's why we need to pack it away each evening, the neighbours are not an issue at all. I like the idea of a sand and water tray, I've looked up a table that you can foldaway so that's an option
Boo hiss to your freeholder! They sound like mine. I bet they are the sort to put up "no ball game" signs too. Well I don't have kids so I'm no expert, but what about tennis/badminton/volleyball type things, with a net to quickly put up and down again, portable football goals, swing ball. One of those sprinklers that kids run through. As for sandpit type stuff, what about investing in a little trailer with wheels to wheel in and out of your shed easily. Blackboards/chalks for outdoor art, or on the patio if there is one.
Sully84 · 30/03/2021 16:38

Definitely a messy tray like thoughts suggested above. Otherwise my son loves his aqua tray for water and it can be folded up relatively easily x

tiredteacher100 · 30/03/2021 16:44

I really worry about water being out during the day if you are not there to supervise. Sorry, got my teacher hat on!

GoWalkabout · 30/03/2021 16:52

I presume baby won't be out there alone! A sprinkler.

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