Which classes do your toddlers like best?

[Summerdays2014]

Hi,

Just wondering which are your toddlers favourite classes? Or do they prefer play groups? Or just the freedom of the park/soft play?

I'm trying to find a nice balance for my 19 month old son on the 4 days we have together. He seems to have gone off 'organised' classes over the summer holidays but I'm getting a bit tired of spending every afternoon doing the same thing! Do your toddlers prefer doing the same things each week or do you prefer to mix it up?

Thanks in advance!

Both mine loved tatty bumpkin it's yoga and story telling for kids.

They did water babies but really looking back what they most enjoyed was going to soft play or similar or play dates with other families and playing free range with their mates.

They did like jo jingles though

We don't do any classes. My idea of hell

Park, mucking around at home, kindergarten, local petting farm etc.

They don't really care at that age, they just want to have your company and be able to run around pointing at crows.

We tend to go to playgroups (there are loads around here) and only do one class (a music one) as that's what they seem to really like. Then we also do library, park, woods, softplay, playdates, etc. So a bit of routine and a bit of different stuff. And a balance of things for them and for me in terms of seeing friends etc.

The question really is what you enjoy. Toddlers don't care if it's a class or playing at home - they just want your company and something interesting to prod.

Pick whichever you like the best/has the best adult humans to socialise with, or which serves the least worst biscuits

My 17 month year old is 'done' with organised classes too, he much prefers causing havoc running round and playing with toys. We do several free play parent and toddler groups, soft play as well as an aqua tots session & weekly trip to a farm.

One of the best 'classes' I've gone to, is Messy Play. 45minutes of paint/sensory play and the kids love it. Plus someone else cleans up!

Thanks everyone. I've always preferred more structured classes to play groups as I'm shy and like to have something to focus on. However I think I'll have another go. Also need to find some mum friends for play dates! Sotinoz I'd love messy play. Will look into this!

DS loves swimming and playgroup where he can run about and play with toys. We tried rhyme time at the library but he was just too little for it - the other children were all about three and sitting nicely.

Tumbletotos, Waterbabies and a playgroup

We have a balance of structure and spontaneity.

Structure: Baby Ballet, Toddler Sense (our fave) and a local Music & Rhyme group.

Spontaneity: library, tearoom, park, drop in non-structured gymnastics (bouncy castle & trampoline), visit to national trust park, a walk to collect bits and bobs for crafts; play dates - sometimes at a house or at a park depending on weather.. nip to a field to see horses and fly a kite. And a lazy day indoors. I like to do this once a week!

Toddlers are easy to please. I like to get out as it makes me feel better as a parent which sounds silly but if I'm indoors too much I turn the tv on far too often!

Thanks again for some great ideas. I think I'm going to stick with swimming - not a class, music/dance class and try a play group once a week. There is an outdoor playgroup in our local park that sounds good or a local sure start one.

Then we can do soft play, park, drop in gymnastics etc as and when. Should have a nice balance then I think.

I'm also going to make an effort to have some play dates- joined mush, but so far no one has replied to my friend requests (which has done nothing to help with the social anxiety and shyness I joined up to help with...)

Playgroups, parks, soft play, library rhyme times, swimming