What to do with preschoolers in Tier 4?

[Spainintherain]

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!

Have a 3-year-old DD, in London so Tier 4. We go to a different park every day as long as it’s not absolutely chucking it down with rain - pretty miserable for me but vital for her well-being so I suck it up.

We live near a train station so have been catching the train a couple of stops to our favourite cafe that does a hot chocolate or babyccino for DD - then playground or walking round the little nature reserve there. Tomorrow we’re catching the train one stop to a road that has amazing Christmas lights and walking back in the dark through the park with torches - taking a flask of hot chocolate with us (hot chocolate is becoming a bit of theme!). Also have a bike seat for DD so we went out with that today. Have invested in some thermal base layers from Uniqlo and they do seem to help.

Otherwise the usual making gingerbread/cupcakes/pizza, Play Doh and silly soap, stories and role play, Lego, lots of Baker Ross crafts...

Much easier this week as DP is around to help out - dreading him going back next seek, especially if nurseries stay closed (she does 2 days a week, which has just about kept me sane so far!)

There is a thread on Chat called “trapped toddler parents of 2020 - Puddlesuits at the ready” or similar which is useful for ideas/ solidarity.

Do you have a stairgate and little landing? We have a take where DS throws a set of teddies down and we have to throw them back up the stairs. It doesn't sound as tiring as it is.

Also hall football, anyone can score in the goal at each end.

Scooter rides are better in the wet than a park walk, whizz around local roads spotting Christmas lights.

Digging in the garden followed by putting on the laundry and a bath; it's cold and dirty but over quickly and uses some energy. This might only work if your garden looks like a bomb hit it anyway, nice gardens might not like toddlers.

Set up imaginative play stuff and encourage the older one to entertain the younger, just sit by interested and referee.

We do a lot of cooking and washing up, but I think that might be hard with two. Maybe just pizza and pancakes; little one mixes while older one chops.

A walk every day or I go crazy. The longer we're out of the house the better. My 4 year old never seems to feel the cold so I'm lucky there but my eldest did when he was younger. You need layers. Thermals under clothes. Two pairs of socks. Bring extra socks and mittens so you can change wet ones. Hot chocolate in a flask with a little tub of mini marshmallows is exciting. Lots of bribes/ snacks to keep them walking. We bought some I spy books online or you can print out I spy sheets or make your own. That makes walks more fun.

In the house: TV, books, toys, baths, arts and crafts, the usual. I find the mornings easier to get through, long walk after lunch, bit of TV before dinner and then do it all over again the next day!!

We have a 5 year old and an almost one year old, and we’re in Tier 4. The daily negotiations about who gets the floor in the living room (ie when are we putting the baby in the play pen or Jumperoo?) are killing me.

We divide and rule. Either one of us is watching both DCs (DH is on annual leave) or one of us is with one child and one with the other. 5 year old plays well independently if he has unlimited floor space (see above). Otherwise, we play games with him, bake, paint, draw, etc, while the baby has the floor or naps. We read (to baby or the older one, or to both). Older one does reading practice/writing practice, play doh, etc.

Ideas I have in reserve include balloons, bubbles, and potentially takeaway pottery painting (he’s indifferent, I’m really keen ).

We’ve driven round to spot Christmas lights. We’re going to do a trail this week where you spot stuff. I’ve bought him an explorer kit for Christmas with mini binoculars, etc, and we are still waiting for enough wind to launch a kite.

We go out every day unless it’s raining. It’s difficult at the moment because it’s so cold and everywhere is so muddy. Wellies, and all the warm clothes. I really need to get some waterproof bottoms for the older one though, and thicker welly-compatible socks. The younger one is not yet walking outside so he either gets to go on the swings and otherwise sit in the buggy, or he gets taken off for a buggy nap by DH while I push the older one in swings, etc, in the park. It’s freezing but bearable with a hot drink for you (and them if they like
hot chocolate!) and if moving for them. DC1 scoots almost everywhere.

Reading threads like this one, I often wonder if the people posting cheerily about chunky crayons and lidl rain gear etc actually have had the pleasure of getting through 2020 /various lockdowns with preschoolers. Ime after the first couple of months of life in a pandemic it's so fucking hard. Relentless esp with the op's age gap. Pinterest can only go so far in helping.

Sorry, that's zero help I know. You're not alone, I suppose is what I'm saying

We are going to playgrounds and also playing in the garden. I have salopettes for the DC, bought off Amazon, then winter coats, scarfs, hats and gloves. I take a thermos flask of hot chocolate and some beakers to dish it out part way through. We have some reusable chemical handwarmers (also off Amazon) which help with cold hands. I've also been getting the double buggy out again as it means my just turned 4 year old has somewhere to sit and snuggle under a blanket to warm up as she tend to feel the cold.

You may not have one close to you, but we have also been to our local National Trust - they aren't selling the maps anymore but still have all the signs up with the activities on for the Peter Rabbit trail.

Have you tried exercise with the TV - both Cosmic kids yoga (YouTube / Amazon) and Andy's wild workouts (iPlayer) go down well with my preschool DC and do help shake the fidgets out of them.

@thatscurvydogbeard

Reading threads like this one, I often wonder if the people posting cheerily about chunky crayons and lidl rain gear etc actually have had the pleasure of getting through 2020 /various lockdowns with preschoolers. Ime after the first couple of months of life in a pandemic it's so fucking hard. Relentless esp with the op's age gap. Pinterest can only go so far in helping.

Sorry, that's zero help I know. You're not alone, I suppose is what I'm saying

Wouldn’t we all have done the first lockdown?

I know I had no cc for six months. I still need to go out every day even after that

@thatscurvydogbeard

Reading threads like this one, I often wonder if the people posting cheerily about chunky crayons and lidl rain gear etc actually have had the pleasure of getting through 2020 /various lockdowns with preschoolers. Ime after the first couple of months of life in a pandemic it's so fucking hard. Relentless esp with the op's age gap. Pinterest can only go so far in helping.

Sorry, that's zero help I know. You're not alone, I suppose is what I'm saying

Yes- have a preschooler now and he was a toddler/ preschooler during the first lockdown.

It's bloody hard and utterly exhausting but we have to try and get through.

Trampoline
Bus station
Train station
Duck pond
Drawing, painting
Dabbers, paint sticks
Kinetic sand, play foam
TV, DVDs, Cosmic yoga, Sticky Kids
Disco
Train set
Phone relatives
Make cards for relatives
Post letters
Woods, Park
Bug hunting
Washing toys
Obstacle course in the garden
Sticker books, jigsaws, Fuzzy Felt, Collages
Baking
Making pizza
Decorating biscuits
Picnics
Aquadoodle

@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.

Is this in store right now?

There are loads on eBay. My children had them and then had layers underneath rather than a snow suit which is only suitable in the cold.

With having a dog my toddlers had to go out everyday!

4 year old if they aren't already get them out learning to ride a bike/balance bike? 1.5 year old is difficult but you can get those little plastic ride along motorbike things they might find fun in a park with paths, if they are walking that is. Have you anywhere with woodlands or streams nearby? Mine can spend ages in a stream with their wellie boots on.

I really recommend merino wool base layers from mountain warehouse, which they also sell through amazon. Absolutely brill for my two. With jumper, trousers, and waterproof trousers and coat.

For indoor things personally I try to have a schedule ish, or at least break the day into chunks. TV (mine get up too early for me to play!), breakfast, get a toy out (write a list and rotate?! Duplo, little people, blocks, trains etc), snack, outside (Park, walk, scooter, bike, garden), lunch, main activity (baking, painting, kinetic sand, play dough, colouring), TV while you tidy up and have a cupa, snack, puzzles and stories, tea, family time, bed.

Walk and playground everyday.

Reading threads like this one, I often wonder if the people posting cheerily about chunky crayons and lidl rain gear etc actually have had the pleasure of getting through 2020 /various lockdowns with preschoolers

Oh don’t get me wrong, @thatscurvydogbeard - it’s a shit situation, I hate it and I’ve posted all over MN about how young children and their parents are being let down in all this. I also fully appreciate that I’m incredibly fortunate, as a current SAHM with only one DC, adequate financial resources and primary teaching experience - if I’m struggling (which I am most days) I dread to think how others in less favourable circumstances are coping. Just trying to come up with a few constructive suggestions for the OP!

Just thought of one more thing - during the original spring lockdown I did themed weeks (water/nature/magic/dinosaurs/under the sea/The Gruffalo) and came up with activities loosely based around those themes. Was good for giving a bit of structure to the very long days! But again, needs financial resources to buy all the crafting/baking/messy play bits.

We do themes too, eg pirates, the night before pile up all toys and books and everything you can think of that's at all piratey, do a treasure hunt, make a map leading to their snacks. We've done pirates, castles, dinosaurs, rainbows, jungles, savannahs, wetlands, water cycle, trees... Can spin out a whole day.

Also just thought check out the web page and Facebook fiveminutemum for good ideas.

Themed weeks! Wow, ok some of these sound complicated to me too now. We usually have outdoor time in the morning then cycle through a raft of activities at 5-20 min each after nap and that's the day finished. One day might be drawing, numbers, duplo and jigsaws; another day might be castle play, music and cooking; every day involves car racing, stickers and books. Kids can learn with just a stick, rope and a ball, it doesn't need planning just a focus on what your eldest wants to learn that day.

@AlfieandAnnieRose

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?

I've seen a few posts on mumsnet about people being in Tier 4 but their local zoo being open. London Zoo is closed - I don't get why other zoos can stay open in the same tier. Anyone know?

@MRex

Themed weeks! Wow, ok some of these sound complicated to me too now. We usually have outdoor time in the morning then cycle through a raft of activities at 5-20 min each after nap and that's the day finished. One day might be drawing, numbers, duplo and jigsaws; another day might be castle play, music and cooking; every day involves car racing, stickers and books. Kids can learn with just a stick, rope and a ball, it doesn't need planning just a focus on what your eldest wants to learn that day.

Oh don't get wrong, it was once a week during full lockdown! And mostly to benefit my Dd who was in reception. Although my younger ds got into it too. Also not as much work as it sounds, get out whatever you can that's related, toys, books, fancy dress, draw/colour whatever it is, and find a related programme on cbeebies or YouTube.

I have a now 18MO and it was hard being stuck in as she’s too young for structured play like playdo and crafts that are often suggested on these threads but you should be able to find some good ideas for the older one on the lockdown boards. A tuff tray was the saviour for most posters.

My toddler spent ages mixing rice and flour, sieving to separate and then mixing again. It is a bit messy but small quantities help.

Thanks for all these ideas. I will definitely try a lot of them . I think it just is hard with a 1 year old and a 4 yo and I Will get the older one a warm puddle suit and hope she stops moaning. 3 degrees tomorrow!!

I am taking 2yo DD out to different parks every day, exploring different places by tube or bus (we don't have a car). We put 3-4 layers on her (and me!) plus padded waterproof trousers and duck boots. We're in London and there are so many different parks within easy travelling distance, all the royal parks, country parks, a few National Trust properties, Kew Gardens. City farms/zoo are closed but you can often get a peek at the animals through the fences. And a lot of playgrounds have been revamped and have won awards so are really interesting (to me and DD!) as they're quite creative. She'd be bored of just playing at the same local playgrounds all the time. After dark there are Christmas lights, a Lego installation at Covent Garden, a light art exhibition at Canary Wharf and along the South Bank. DD looks forward to exploring new places every day and hasn't been bored yet. At home I don't really set up structured activities for her, she has plenty of Christmas toys to play with.

Layer up, fleece wool thermals waterproof.