How are you keeping your toddlers entertained when it's getting dark early and the weather sucks?

[couldyoubeeit]

Just that really.

Would have spent the afternoons a month or so ago going out to the park, running around, going to town. She's better when we're out and about and we could kill a whole afternoon quite happily moseying around and seeing people.

Now the weather is turning in and when we walk into town in the afternoon it's either turning pitch black by 4.30pm or it's piddling down! She tends to wake up from her nap about 3pm so it's a small window before it gets dark now. She's nearly 2 and goes to bed about 7.30pm.

The toys and colours are always out in the living room, we do soft play and clubs and library in the morning. It just feels a bit samey. I'm just struggling to find evening activities that don't involve just giving up and switching CBeebies on when it gets dark.

It's that last nap getting in the way for you, it seems. Mine is a few months away from 3 and hasn't napped since April ish. We are now out and about all day and I aim to not put TV on until 4.30. Then it's dinner and bed from 6pm. That means I don't feel too bad about 1-1.5 hours TV when it is getting dark. Surprised (but not judging, sleep is weird!) yours still has that third nap in the afternoon because I thought it was meant to be the first to go.

Are you me?? 😄Eerie similarities.

I’ve been cracking out the playdough. Lurking for other suggestions.

Mine also rarely naps now.
We tend for hand lunch then go back outside around 1.30 for a walk in pram. If he’s tired he will nap occasionally, otherwise we walk and end up at farm or park or supermarket, and back about 3.30-4pm before it’s dark.

Then 4-8pm is play, draw, bake, help me with chores, FaceTime grandparents, bath, dinner etc. Dh finishes work by 6pm usually also so the last 2 hours shared

Swimming is a good one for tiring them out. I signed my DD up for swimming classes once a week, it's only 30 a month at our local leisure centre and we get free public swim sessions included. She really enjoys it, it's great value for money and she is suitably shattered for the rest of the day so I don't feel guilty about having the TV on 😄

Mini disco or musical bumps or mamma Mia workout or cosmic yoga on YouTube are great.or spooky walk is a favourite here too since Halloween! Or if out swimming or library are great.

Waterproof warm clothing and a head torch, go on nature walks looking for leaves, bats or jumping in puddles.

Swimming as suggested above

Indoor activities like painting, big box full of rice crispies or packing peanuts bury small toys in it and let DC dig them out and scoop stuff from one container to another, playdough.

Yes sounding familiar here too! Only idea is to switch library to the afternoon when it’s dark. And start the countdown now for longer days…

Go for a walk with torches, my DC love this.

Puddle suit and headtorch!

Swimming
Bowling
Trampoline park
playcentre

People will be putting Christmas lights out soon so might keep you occupied for an evening or two a week if you go out looking for them

We do specific moonlit walks when it is dry, as my son loves spotting the moon! If it's wet then I agree - it's desperately boring! We do swimming once a week. Mine isn't interested in play dough or colouring for more than 5 minutes. CBeebies or nursery it is!

From about 4pm I'm starting the countdown to dinner, wind down time and bed. I'm always amazed by people doing activities in the afternoons - my kids are a tired mess! It tends to be wall to wall train tracks and TV here.

Quick bit of outside time 3pm-4:30pm (we have a school run to do so that makes it easier for us). Just get out, splashing in puddles if wet, playground if you possibly can, playdate if outside isn't possible, or just a walk round Sainsbury's/ride on the bus/find a charity shop to route round is always popular with mine.

And then I make dinner/have a cup of tea/tidy up and let her entertain herself with train track, Duplo, dolls, magnatiles, drawing, toy kitchen. She'll ask for TV and then strop for two minutes when I say no and then just get on and play.

TV after dinner, before bed (about 30 mins).

We also have a bubble machine which is great fun

Following with interest. We ended up getting the Play-doh slime out yesterday and both DS and I regretted it immediately.

I like disco time, with a disco light, mirrors etc possibly a bit of dressing up. Also it's a great time to play with the coloured sensory blocks and a lantern/torch, it really brings the colours to life and keeps mine entertained for ages.

Do soft play in tab afternoon when it’s dark and go for a walk in the morning?

Also, puddle suit and wellies. Some of the best walks are in the rain!

Thanks all! Great idea to get a torch and go for walks when it is dusk!!

I usually would be okay going outside with a bit of rain as she loves running through the puddles but it's just that it's such heavy rain where we are atm it seems a bit of a drag going out and she's constantly having colds atm due to nursery so seems a bit mean dragging her outside!!!