Ideas to help a struggling dad with an active toddler

[fantomas]

Any ideas for days out or activities in north London that my DH could take our very active one year old to? He's struggling with him all day at home but reluctant to go to any toddler groups as he doesn't want to be the token dad...

are there any things going on at libraries round you? don't know your area at all, but parks / swimming / farms would be good

What about soft play areas?

1 o'clock clubs?

Parks and playgrounds, now that the weather is getting better?

Agree that soft play areas and city farms are both good too.

What about getting the Time Out guide to London for kids? Lots of fab ideas in there. My DSs all loved the London Aquarium at this age, for example, and heh can go in termtime when it's quite quiet.

Tell him not to flatter himself re being token dad and get his arse down to a group.
Assure him that women are generally so wrapped up in their offspring,it wouldn't really matter if a centaur hoofed it down to the local Tumbletots,carseat in tow.

fantoma, the more predictabe the weather gets the easier this will be. Does your 1yo like swings and slides? Depending on where you are, Friary Park in barnet is ace (has cafe too) and if not a nice day how about a shopping centre – my ds likes to run up and down and during the week it's not so busy that he will be in people's way. If there are patterns on the tiled floor he likes to follow those (and yes, I do realise this will have limited appeal for your DH!). Am sure there are lots of other parks I don't know about. If you are feeling flush, the zoo in regents park. I have friends who live near enough that an annual ticket is a bargain for the number of visits they get out of it. Garden centre sometimes have a free play area (erm, actually the display swings etc!). I think there are city farms too.There is soft play on the high road in N20.

Lastly, the more dads that go to music clubs etc the less of a minority they will feel, so if he's feeling brave...

Thanks loads for the great suggestions. I'll get the Time Out Kids guide asap and suggest the London Aquarium to DH.

Re toddler groups, I agree with you Moondog. Sadly DH doesn't and is too self-conscious to go along (never underestimate the fragility of a male ego when it comes to being a stay at home dad, even part time). I can only suggest it so many times...

Soft play might be a good compromise though as it should be less formal than a group. Does anyone know of any soft play areas in or around Islington?