to be annoyed that there is nothing for preschoolers to do in the holidays,,,,

[scrappydappydoo]

by 'do' I mean no activities like toddler groups etc Preschool is closed - I mean obviously we can play in the park (whilst avoiding being trampled by school aged kids) and do stuff at home - but I need to be out of the house...I need some down time and if I have one more leaflet shoved in my hand about holiday activities for over 4's I'll scream!!
btw I'm not saying there should be no activities for school aged kids I think the more the merrier just that everything for preschoolers stops.
and breathe...

I agree. All the Sure Start activities are stopped the week before, during and a week after every school holiday! It really annoys me.I have 3 kids now, so probably can't attend them during half term, but for those with one child it is really hard going!

In our area there is a booklet released by the council. It details all the activities/days out/courses etc that are going on or have been arranged by the council, in ours and surrounding areas. It has stuff for DC from 0 up to 16 years of age. I get it every holiday as DH is off in the holidays so we can all go to them.

Have you tried your local library/council/tourist info shop to see if your council do one??

Nope.. I've searched high and low and everything starts at 4 hence the rant!! Where are you insert?? Perhaps we can holiday in your area

We are in east lincolnshire near the sea. Cleethorpes is the nearest holidaying type place near me. It is quite nice TBH.

When our sure start centre first sent me the booklet I was deliriously happy lol. I sent DH out for days out with DD while I chilled out at home. DD was only about 5mo then lol.

I now pick one up from our library.

The one that always annoyed me was the Eurocamp/Keycamp site - if you have one child over and one child under 4, the over 4 clubs start in the school hols, but the under 4 Tumble Tots sessions only run until just before the school hols - so you can't use both types of play session. Wtf is that all about?

Agree it is frustrating, but a lot of the activities, particularly the franchised ones, are run by parents who need the hol's off so they can look after their kids. Saying that, the Gymboree sessions in our area run for all bar 2 weeks in the summer hols when the leader takes her family holiday. Also, our local NCT runs a bumps and babes toddler group, that welcomes people to bring their older kids along in school hols. Guess you just need to be lucky where you are.

YANBU I was complaining about this 20 years ago and it seems nothing's changed

Trips to the park, feed the ducks, go to a cafe, the dreaded soft play areas, go for a scooter/tricycle ride, have friends over, story time at the library, art activities - make a picture from the treasures you find on your walks.

Any garden centres that sell fish? My dcs like visiting those- especially if they have nemo and dory

Any farms near you?

Have you tried contacting your local library? The ones in my area have story time 1 morning or afternoon each week which still run during school hols, and it is totally free.

Its a couple of short stories then abit of craft time then a sing song with instruments. Its for the under 5s and they even get a drink and a biscuit.

Another idea is go to Waterstones book store. They usually have a section at the back and have tables/chairs/colouring pens & paper and welcome children in to spend some time there. The last time I went in they even had someone handing out paper masks for the children to decorate - again, its all free.