What to do with DS1 next week

[HopeontheHorizon]

Hi all,

I was looking for some fun things to do with DS1 next week. He is 4 and starting school. He will only be in for a couple of hours each day and then home with me. I have booked the week off work to make sure he settles in.

DS2 aged 22 months will be with childminder next week as per usual apart from Wednesday and Friday.

The thing is, I rarely ever have one on one time with either of them so I'm not sure what to do with the eldest when he finishes school at midday. We never have time together as a twosome and I've 'forgotten' how to relate to him on his own. His interests is vehicles but I was hoping to do something out of the box that we never get to normally do when youngest is there.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

I wouldn't do very much at all. Just take him somewhere for lunch or go for a walk/park and listen to him. He's going to be tired. You'll soon get chatting!

Thanks Believe

If the wether is nice I will go out with him. I didn't realised how much I've missed spending time with him until it dawned on me that I haven't done much of that since 2015. Feel like I've lost my knack with him.

I'd start small. Does he want a bubble bath after his lunch? Does he want to watch a film with you?

School is very tiring for new starters so I'd start small, then you can do trips out if you can see that he's got the energy for them.

I'm in the same situation. I've bought a new dvd (trolls) and some popcorn for one afternoon. Might brave soft play if he's not too tired.

Other than that I'll just play it be ear. We've got a month of half days to deal with...

I'll be in the same boat! I'm definitely going to take dd swimming if she's not too tired, as I can't manage it with both dc. Maybe also take her to a movie (if anywhere shows children's films at that time).

Bella a month . We've got a week, I'm not sure how I'd manage any longer because of work

Great suggestions!!! I have been thinking lately how I would love to take DS1 to the cinema. He's never been so I think I will definitely do that. I hadn't thought of taking him swimming but yes that seems a good option. The other think I thought about doing was baking with him.

I bought a cupcake book before I went on Mat leave with DS2. I had every intention of spending time with DS1 doing some baking but I got so busy with both of them we never had an opportunity. I will see how he feels on that one, he may be too tired.

Also I'm glad it only a week for me as I have used up all my annual leave. Get a fresh lot in October though.

He'll probably be bubbling away with questions and wanting to tell you about all the new stuff happening... I'd take him for a hot chocolate & cake where you can listen to him properly. He'll love the one-on-one time.

He'll probably be bubbling away with questions and wanting to tell you about all the new stuff happening I'm not so sure about that, every day I ask dd what happened at nursery and she shrugs her shoulders and says she doesn't know!

I'm not so sure about that, every day I ask dd what happened at nursery and she shrugs her shoulders and says she doesn't know!

The novelty of the first week (day?!) might make him chatty??

A trio to the cinema to watch cars 3? Almost impossible to do with a 22month old in tow.

Great idea Bubblysqueak I shall check when it is on.

He has lately developed a fascination with Lightning McQueen so that would be perfect.

If he is madly into cars, I would be tempted to just sit there and watch the movie cars with him, but actually watch it with him and chat about it with him. He will probably prefer that to baking. Or go I corner shop and buy a cars magazine and look through it with him. Or construct some ramps together. I made a a marble ramp out of cardboard and stuck it in our kitchen wall and he loved playing with it with me. Not something you can do while smaller ones are in the house as they'd pull it down!!

If he loves vehicles how about a nice trip to the park for a picnic and a treasure hunt type activity. 'Find a yellow mini' etc.

This should open up the lines of communication and not overwhelm a small boy who has just started school and is likely to be shattered!

I had this last year with dd for 2 weeks! We went to the park pretty much every day. She was buzzing after school and needed to burn off energy. The weather was good so we were lucky. She just wanted to run round.

I took each child put for lunch on a restaurant one to one after their first half day. Made them feel very grown up and have chance to chat lots.
The first half days are pretty tiring so definitely don't plan too much.

I usually drive most places and when my ds was small he thought bus or train trips were very exciting, particularly the top deck on a bus. Of course if you often use public transport this won't work but if he's use to mainly using a car he might enjoy it.

Top deck of the bus is a great idea, we are normally stuck downstairs with Dc2 in the buggy

I have a 3.5 yr old who is really into vehicles too...
Could you get a big piece of paper (eg wallpaper/amazon packing paper) and draw a road layout (roundabouts, car parks, traffic lights etc) which he can then put his toy cars on? Or draw it with chalks outside on a patio/driveway?
Similar to the playmats with roads but he might enjoy drawing it himself/with you?

I was going to suggest a bus or train ride somewhere too! Is there anywhere nearby you could go to on the train then have lunch or a coffee and snack and come back?