Toddler activities /groups /socialising

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How maby clubs/groups/play dates do you do on average. I have an 18 month old (3rd child) and we don't go to any classes/groups. His sisters have the odd playmate and do classes, he just tags along. I feel awful, as they did more at the same age (although it all stopped during covid) but I find it hard with the 4 year old going to "baby classes" (we did briefly when he was about 9 month) as she gets bored/difficult. As we haven't done classes for long, I've also not made friends with other parents with babies the same age.
I'm also exhausted with 3 and working part time, but I feel like I'm letting him down.
Any others out there who've been through it and any advice?
When my 4 year old is at school we'll do more so at least we can try and make up for it, but I feel like I've lost his baby years/opportunities 😢

I remember with my first I had pnd and didn't go anywhere for that long too. It won't do him any harm he is still young. Like you said too when your 4 yr old you will hopefully get more time to go. 2 classes a week should be ok or playgroups.

Thank you, I'm sorry you've had PND, that must have been tough.
Yes I'm hoping we can make up for it, I don't even know where to start, I know lots of groups are upto a year and then seems to be a gap until school age in our area.. apart from swimming, which were on a waiting list for.
Have to hunt for more options!

We do a class every day but my eldest is in preschool and I'm a sahm so I have that time to fill, and she enjoys them. I do think they need that socialisation once they're toddlers, but he will get it when your eldest is at school. Doesn't she have nursery hours?

At weekends we try to find activities which suit them both - soft play, splash parks, farms, kids theatre, museums. They mix with other dc there and there are activities that keep all ages occupied.

I don't do playdates as I don't really like them, and I'd rather be taking the dc out to places to visit. I think they are mostly for the mums at this age as the dc just play in parallel.

I can relate to this and have been feeling guilty about it and I’ve just now booked my 18 month old a spot for tomorrow at a messy play session. My four year is in preschool tomorrow so I’m going to give it a go. It will be his first group for his fun instead of doing what his sister would want todo.

Aw don’t worry I’m sure lots of people don’t bother when it’s not their first baby. I’ve got an almost 2 year old and have found just in the last couple of months is the time where I feel I should be doing more. It might work out well for you if that’s around the time your 4 year old starts school. I think because a lot of kids his age go to nursery and he doesn’t Im now slightly panicking about that and trying to take him to more. We go to a class that does nursery rhymes and some action songs every week or every other week. I think the songs probably do benefit him but more so just the fact it’s one where adults sit out so it’s more like nursery and he has to go off on his own to join in. He was really unsure at first but is gradually getting better so I’m glad I’ve taken him to that. Bookbug is free if there’s one near you, we go to that sometimes just for the songs/stories. The rest of the classes are just a bit chaotic and I don’t think there’s all that much benefit to them other than just mixing with kids but you’d get the same thing from taking your youngest two to a soft play or something

I don't think it really matters, so long as you are getting out of the house for the benefit of your own mental health.

We went to none for the first year, then minimal for the next 6 months due to covid. I was miserable but she seems to have come out unscathed (and actually incredibly sociable).