What are the best activities/groups etc for a 12mth???

[LoveBeingAMummy]

Will be having lots of spare time soon - so what should I do with DD feel bad thats she's not really had much although mum does a great job with her.

We used to go to an indoor play centre every week which she loves. But what else can I do and whats worth going too?

It depends where you are. We go to a couple of nice local groups some weeks. Also the local toy library and story and play time at the library. My son is and always will be an only child so I like to socialize him as much as I can.

If you check on you local authority website they normally have details of groups and activities and also check your mumsnet local site.

H xx

The park - swings and slide and sitting on the grass etc

Local library will have a children's section - also do stories and music sessions if you're lucky

Local bookshops e.g. borders and waterstones also have a children's section - lots of kids just come and all play together there

Where are you?

generally they love music and watching other small people and watching you do things and also fiddling with things - e.g 2 plastic cups and a tray of large pieces (or small!) cooked pasta / beans / rice to just 'play' with.

Local library for rhyme/story time.
Music with mummy/joliebabies.
Local swimming pools might have a mother and baby time. (there is no point in paying for the special classes at this time).

The one with the nicest group of other mothers for you to make friends with - the baby won't care!

My DS is a similar age - we do a mix of park, playground, walks, free stuff at library, music and singing class, baby signing class, DH looks after him a few days a week and takes him swimming and to a mini gym thing and some chilling at home !
hope you have a lovely time together

Kindermusik classes are lovely. They give you lots of ideas for stuff to do at home too.

Summer is coming up and you can take her to the park/playground - she'll love the baby swings and you can help her down the slide. And you'll find other mothers to chat to.

Thanks guys

We did do swimming in the summer with friends made from baby massage classes, which is who we went to indoor play with when it started to get a bit cold.

Library is a good one I'm sure I remember some local stuff going on there.

What are kindermusik classes?

I second music groups if you have a good one near you, also just a standard toddler group can be great, with activities like painting etc and lots of different toys to try. Getting out in the park or somewhere is good too.

But also just watching you do stuff round the house can be really interesting for toddlers, ours loves "cleaning" (he will wipe mirrors with a cloth and empty spray bottle), likes to watch us cook and is fascinated with washing machines; and it must be good learning for them too!

Here www.kindermusik.co.uk

Theres a site called netmums which is brilliant for making friends and also finding out whats on in tyour area. They sometimes arrange meetups in your area too as well as advertising local toddler/baby groups etc. I think at this age they love other children so going to baby groups or meetings others is a great and cheap way of amusing them. And if the weathers nice then the park is a definite yes need to make the most of any nice weather we have

WOW kindermusic does look good defo somehting i'd want to do with her - wish i didn't have to wait till i finish work

Drop-in music classes for babies and toddlers in south london

www.rubyrhymes.co.uk

Don't do too much with her!! I know several pre-schoolers who are carted off to one or more organised activities 5 days per week, and the poor things are permanently spaced out or crotchety.

One or two activities per week is fine. But chilling out at home, playing/cooking/gardening/dusting (or just watching TV together ) is good for her too. The important thing is that she gets to spend time with someone (i.e. you) who loves her. Don't feel under pressure to do stuff if you don't want to.

Most libraries do weekly storytime which is good (and free!). If your DD is a climber/runner/jumper she might enjoy Tumbletots. Personally I thought that Tumbletots and mother/baby swimming were well worth the money.

Simple things, like coffee with friends who have kids, are always winners with me, especially in the summer when we can all sit outside in the garden . Oh, and lots of gardening centres have kids' play areas too ...

baby sign is brilliant and if you live in an area with childrens centres/sure start they do a lot of classes.

lovetochat thanks DD has made up all her own signs as we're not quite there with talking really.

The indoor play has gone off the boil cause she wants to do more than she can iyswim

Have been swimming which she didn't like so need to go back think shes just forgotten it!

im back from my caravan......missing talking to you

sorry wrong thread