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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What to do with pre schooler

6 replies

frostynix · 13/05/2026 15:01

Dd starts school in September. I have two days off a week with her. Can’t get her into pre school any extra days and don’t really want to as I enjoy our time together. One of the days is usually spent doing errands, chores, food shopping, dog walks, park etc. The other I try to do something nice like a soft play, swimming, library, museum. I used to take her to a toddler group but she definitely seems a bit too old for that now and I’m running out of ideas, we just do the same things on loop!

Any ideas or inspiration? I much prefer to be out rather than trying to entertain her in the house all day. Weekends are usually taken up with older siblings activities and the odd family day out.

OP posts:
24Dogcuddler · 13/05/2026 17:21

If you have a garden/ outdoor space
Mud kitchen
Tuff Spot ( lots of ideas online)
Treasure hunt/ number/ shape hunt
Build a den
Large blocks or Quadro type set
Obstacle course
Gardening/ planting
Collect materials for collage
Chalking on flags
Painting on walls with water and painting brushes
Teddy Bears picnic
Bean bag toss
Sorting with large coloured hoops
Make ramps for cars etc
Reading den/ tent storytelling chair
Home made playdough, dough mats and tools

Tutorpuzzle · 13/05/2026 17:31

Love the pp’s idea of a tuff tray. Have a look in insta etc at what reception/nursery teachers put on them to develop all sorts of skills. It’ll keep her happy for ages! Edited to add it can stay in garden or be an indoor activity on wet days.

Zippidydoodah · 13/05/2026 17:35

Enjoy days out to places that are rammed in the school holidays. Make the most of term time days off!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 13/05/2026 21:57

say where you live? If near a Merlin theme park or another theme park you can get cheap adult and preschooler term time only pass

swimming lessons or gymnastics etc

play dates with other kids off that day

drive to the beach

childrens theatre

children’s library

laundry helping

visit grandparents

art gallery with sketch books and draw the paintings

followtheswallow · 13/05/2026 21:58

Zippidydoodah · 13/05/2026 17:35

Enjoy days out to places that are rammed in the school holidays. Make the most of term time days off!

Oh, 100% this! I wouldn’t be messing around with tuff trays - you can get really cheap midweek entry to aquariums, farms, even really expensive places like Warwick castle and legoland.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 13/05/2026 23:38

Ah god I miss this so much now my oldest in reception

we had a day off a week

playgound and lunch it hot chocolate was always good

she still liked soft play even at 4

we got an off peak Merlin pass in the sale and we’d go the aquarium loads or just go on the London eye for a laugh when it was quiet

chessington or legoland on a whim

take the train out of town for the day to the beach

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