AIBU to think IKEA is a top parenting hack?

[Wallasey123]

DS2 is 3 and we went to IKEA yesterday not because we needed anything but just to get out of the house (and tbh I couldn’t face soft play).

He ran around loads, looked at all the rooms, climbed on the sofas and beds and I didn’t need to be on red alert every second like I am at the park.

I don’t know why I’d never considered it as a day out before! I think when it’s too busy it’s prob not great but we went at opening time and it was great. Also obvs helps that there’s something in it for me - I get to mooch, get ideas and pretend I’m being productive.

Ofc ended up buying a few bits and pieces and hotdogs in the end but I feel like I’ve provided an enriching outing, even though I mostly just walked in circles looking at storage 😅

Any other unexpected places that are actually fun for kids AND adults (and don’t cost the earth) that I might not have considered?

YABU letting your small child run around and climb on the furniture. Put them in a trolley seat or in the crèche and treat them to something from the restaurant before you leave. YANBU for taking your child to IKEA, just keep them well under control, it’s a homewares shop, not somewhere for your child to run around, climb and annoy those of us whose kids are older and who expected our own to behave in shops when they were small.

Mine loved a "day out" at Toys R Us when they were small. Id always set the expectation before we went that we were NOT buying toys, just looking to see what they would like for birthday/Christmas. They'd spent ages looking at the toys, sitting in the ride in cars and so on. Then next door to McDonalds for a 59p ice cream each. Feed the ducks on the way there/home.

Admittedly this is only any good if you have a toy shop next to a McDonald's. The ducks were a bonus.

When I say climbing, I don’t mean he was destroying stuff or getting his muddy shoes on everything (he’s not that feral and I’m not that relaxed). This is just meant as a light hearted discussion 😅

I do agree though that as parents we can be mindful of others so if he was going crazy I’d have left (for my sanity too) but also there’s only so much people can do.

My local one gets incredibly busy so I would absolutely lose one or the other child in minutes. But free crèche followed by snack/lunch - absolutely!

Hospitals! Great fun for the kids - lots of beds to clamber over and bounce on - sick people who must be bored and ready for a chat - some of whom will have sweeties to share - trolleys to whizz about on, beeping machines to play with, nurses to entertain them...

😄

My kids loved ikea. They would build an enormous sofa on the screen and see how expensive they could get it. Sits at the desks and pretend to work. All finished off with a 50p hotdog!

Ah Toys R Us! You’ve just unlocked some great memories there! That was prob my idea of a great day out when I was little

We used to (when a bit older) put them in the crèche for an hour then play in the little playground outside and go to the cafe!! This was 15 or so years ago, not sure if they still have the crèche.

Ds loves the crèche at IKEA! He's only 7 so nowhere near the age limit but I think he'll hit the height limit long before then. He goes to the crèche, I shop we both get a hot dog. Winning day.

We used to love Pets at Home too.

Can I suggest your local library? Most run an U5s story time session and many offer free craft activities. Also you can take out, like 24 books at once.

KitKat1985 Yes we used to do this too. Also The Garden Centre had pigs,goats and Ducks! Alas no more just a little slide outdoors now

@Needmorelego , Teens generally are still at school until 18 and many go on to university. How can any of them afford flats?

They do! But sadly mine refuse to be left in there. My mum used to leave me in the Safeways one back in the 90s - another excellent day out for me 😁

I’ve taken mine to the local Chinese wholesaler lots of tanks of lobsters and crabs to look at and strange things in freeers and heated displays Also think garden centres with animals and sheds is a good one especially if they have a nice caffe or ice cream van.

Another one was Costco when it’s not rammed. Kids loved riding in the basket and the “try-stalls” as my little one named them. Visit to the cafe on the way out and asleep in the car on the way home 😀.

People like the OP and her feral kids are why I hate going out these days.
No social awareness whatsoever and a sense of entitlement.
Wondering if this post is just a goady wind up

Last time I went to IKEA, there was a young kid running about. They suddenly doubled over, threw up everywhere. Parents stuffed them in the pushchair and ran out the shop. No effort to clear up or even alert a staff member. I went and found the nearest staff member who was in eyeline but hadn’t actually seen what happened.

I love IKEA. I was there this past weekend in the Midwest USA. They have a sign in the elevator that reads….
CHILDREN ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

in the past year my combined family has bought a desk / table/ 4 outdoor chairs /multiple shoe racks /plastic seal bags /bamboo storage containers/trash bins/ kitchen utensils and accessories all because I love them for that sign

actually laughed out loud at this ❤️

Just don't eat the meatballs.

I almost got knocked over by a feral child in IKEA. I was walking around on my crutches when they came flying round the corner not looking where they were going. The parents were nowhere to be seen, either.

People should remember they’re in a shop not a fecking playground.

Deeply sad, I know, but I see IKEA as a play park for adults, too. Well. This adult. I love it! 😂

They had a very smart marketing bod creating that, as it made you believe that a business is more interested in your children than your bank account.

It's L'Oreal - because you're worth it - for the sleep deprived.

Aww this thread brings back memories! Yes yes yes to IKEA, garden centres and toy shops! We also had a place that sold play equipment for the garden. Children could test the slides, tree housees climbing frames while the parents came round after fainting at their prices.

My Dad used to take us to the village mart 50 odd years ago where we would pet the sheep in the pens and look at the cows and pigs. Loved it.

We used to do this with my eldest when she was small, it was great! And then a cheap lunch in the cafe.