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Original poster

What to do with preschoolers in Tier 4?

55 replies

Spainintherain · 28/12/2020 19:54

I can't keep them at home every day and we are struggling to have daily wake when the weather is bad. Please can anyone tell me what their doing with their preschool age children in Tier4? I have a 4yo and 1.5yo. Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Spainintherain · 28/12/2020 20:03

Walks not wake

OP posts:
Sawyersfishbiscuits · 28/12/2020 20:07

They sell brilliant waterproof gear for little ones in Lidl. Very cheap and very cosy. Definitely start there. Kids deserve to be outside even if it's only what you can manage, it's better than nothing.

GlowingOrb · 28/12/2020 20:07

Why can’t you keep them home every day? Playtime. Story time . Practice writing letters. Even the 1.5 year old can join in with a chunky enough crayon. Messy play. Glow bracelet bath time. Family dance party. Pinterest is your friend for finding ways to introduce some variety into your day.

Sawyersfishbiscuits · 28/12/2020 20:07

Preschools and nurseries are still open.

Marmite27 · 28/12/2020 20:09

@Sawyersfishbiscuits

They sell brilliant waterproof gear for little ones in Lidl. Very cheap and very cosy. Definitely start there. Kids deserve to be outside even if it's only what you can manage, it's better than nothing.
The Lidl waterproofs are amazing.

My kids and their cousins spent a very wet walk sat in most puddles we passed at Halloween. My DN’s were soaked when we got back to the cars, my eldest had a ring of damp around the top of her wellies and my youngest was completely dry.

Maxtry · 28/12/2020 20:09

its tricky..same here. Not been out for few days as its so cold but will force myself tomorrow! Kind of rotating jigsaw, board game, drawing, dolls, telly, more telly, food! And sticking her on facetime to grandparents!

OverTheRainbow88 · 28/12/2020 20:10

@GlowingOrb

Why can’t you keep them home every day

Errrm maybe because it’s boring as hell, unnatural and unhealthy

emmaluggs · 28/12/2020 20:10

Get out everyday invest in some waterproofs.

Lots of play, it’s your opportunity just to be silly. Playdoh, colouring with paint sticks, crayons, felt tips, puzzles, car races, stories, put music on and have a wiggle. Scavenger hunts, assault courses, den making, screen time but make an event of it

Sunshinegirl82 · 28/12/2020 20:11

Same ages here! So far we have been for a walk to visit the sheep, made dens out of sofa cushions, walked around our estate in the dark to look at Christmas lights, put them in waterproof all in ones and let them dig/water the garden, baked cakes. Tomorrow we will go to my mum's (our support bubble). I'm also planning on a park visit and a walk in the local forest plus taking bikes to the local park.

It really bloody relentless, solidarity OP!

OverTheRainbow88 · 28/12/2020 20:12

We’re not in tier 4 so ignore me if I get some of your rules wrong.

We go to lots of different playgrounds

Oh shit everything I was going to say wouldn’t work in tier 4.
Sorry!

In lockdown we went for walks, bike rides, scootering, trampoline in garden, all of that is hard with a 1.5 year old in tow.

Sorry this hasn’t been as helpful as I hoped

NerrSnerr · 28/12/2020 20:12

We were writing a list of all the cold and wet weather gear to buy to get us through this winter as we know there will be so many freezing walks. We have already bought knee high fleecy socks and I need a thermal base layer. The children are kitted out quite well (and they run a lot more than us when out and about). We also make sure we take spare gloves for the children so when they get wet they can put dry ones on.

MsChatterbox · 28/12/2020 20:13

For my 3 year old I've got a load of games in (like snap, dirty dinosaurs, pizza pizza). I'm really enjoying doing those with him. 1.5 year old you could take the sofa cushions off and make a soft play? I have a 6 month old and atm she just sits in the highchair with a toy when I'm playing games with my son I imagine that will get harder when she needs more entertaining! You could do a random very bubbly day time bath for them to pass some time. For the older one there's also playdough, cutting and sticking, painting, activity books, film and snacks, baking, jigsaws, Duplo, books. Sorry I've completely forgotten how to entertain a 1.5 year old!!

MarshaBradyo · 28/12/2020 20:13

3 yr old here. We go to the park nearly every day.

Original poster
Spainintherain · 28/12/2020 20:13

I can't keep them home all day every day because they get restless and I know and research lots of activities to do. We have puddle suits but it's just so cold this week.

OP posts:
MsChatterbox · 28/12/2020 20:14

@OvertheRainbow888 😂😂😂

Sunshinegirl82 · 28/12/2020 20:16

I've got thermal vests and longjohns from M&S and a big thick all in one coat for the little one. With layers and hats, gloves, scarves and thermal boots they stay pretty warm for quite a while. I take blankets and changes of clothes in case they get wet!

Original poster
Spainintherain · 28/12/2020 20:17

I will go look at lidl waterproofs as I think ours aren't warm enough. Every day we go to the park my 1.5 yo falls in mud (in waterproof) and cries .

OP posts:
Duggeehugs82 · 28/12/2020 20:17

Ive just brought my 2 girls 1 nearly 4 years and one 22 months, 2 snowsuits and gloves , im going slightly crazy so i understand also in tier 4 , im struggling as older girl is autistic so will not 'play' regularly with toys but has meltdown if we go out as too cold, hoping snowsuits help just waiting for them to be delivered

Marmite27 · 28/12/2020 20:18

@Spainintherain

I can't keep them home all day every day because they get restless and I know and research lots of activities to do. We have puddle suits but it's just so cold this week.
The Lidl ones are fleece lined
Original poster
Spainintherain · 28/12/2020 20:19

Where did you get the 4yo snowsuit from please? Mine complains too if it's too cold.

OP posts:
Sunshinegirl82 · 28/12/2020 20:21

I sometimes put the little one in reins so I can stop him falling over. Layers are the answer. Thermals, fleece lined joggers, fleece jackets, scarves and hats and don't forget the footwear! Wellies can be really cold!

Marmite27 · 28/12/2020 20:23

@Spainintherain

Where did you get the 4yo snowsuit from please? Mine complains too if it's too cold.
The Lidl waterproofs we have are dungarees and a jacket. Following potty training mine found an all in one too difficult for the toilet.
AlfieandAnnieRose · 28/12/2020 20:23

I got my 4 year old a snowsuit from M&S. We are in tier 4 but today we went to the zoo, are there any open near you?

Sunshinegirl82 · 28/12/2020 20:24

I got my 4 year old a good waterproof all in one from trespass. It's quite thickly padded.

EssentialHummus · 28/12/2020 20:26

Picnics in the car (see also: Driving to McDonalds for fruit and coffee)
Lots of TV (educational TV if that consoles you a bit)
Making popcorn/choc covered raisins and counting them
"Painting" with water and a clean paintbrush/toothbrush
"Doing the dishes"/washing Duplo with bubbles in the sink
Bubble guns/wands/whatever
Decorating biscuits

I'm as much of a reluctant puddlesuit embracee as the next person but there are times when it's just too fucking grim.

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