What kind of things to do with dsd (5)

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Ok so with a little help from a few of you I have come to the conclusion that I need to make more of an effort to do more one on one things with dsd. My initial thought was we could start going to kids ice skating lessons every 2nd sat, something we'd both enjoy, however, I don't know if im ready to take that respnsibity on this yet? what if she gets hurt in my care?? Any one have any other ideas of a more lenient interests we could have.

Thanks to all that helped me realise I could try harder in my situation :)

Why not start simple and at home, rather than sign up for lessons of some kind.

DSS at 5 was very hit and miss re: enthusiasm for lessons he was supposed to be doing (had fine judo, gym, music). I also agree it can be stressful trying to supervise a stepchild out of the house if you think they may hurt themselves in your care!

Things you could do together at home: Jewellery making kits, arts and crafts, simple baking projects, dressing up together, face painting each other, board games...

One 5 yo girl I know wants to brush my hair and 'style' it whenever she sees me...

If you want to get out of the house together, how about trips to zoo/farm, taking bikes or scooters to park, looking round pet shops, soft play, swimming pool (with arm bands?), check local websites for fairs, fetes, workshops etc.

Lol I like how u put with arm bands, dp and I used to take dsd swimming quite often before I was pregnant but still not had the confidence to take her without dp. Yeah I think your right, some simple things at home to start with eh. Hmm I'm not very creative but I like the face painting idea, thanks for that, think we would get a giggle at that. She always wants to do my hair so we could play hairdressers. I think for a while I was just starting to give up but maybe trying some of these things would help.

The good thing about the skating is its flexible. It's like a morning out for a parent and child although their is an instructor there to help. Plus we only get dsd every 2nd weekend so that's something can look into at a later date

I put with arm bands because I was terrified supervising DSS in the swimming pool when he was in that transition stage between arm bands and no arm bands. I was convinced he would drown if I took my eyes off him for a second...

Luckily now at 8 his swimming is strong enough that I can relax again...

I'd go for the ice skating - I've taken my DSD ice skating - she was rubbish, but enjoyed it.

But safer options would include cooking, swimming, junk modelling or growing things in the garden (mine both loved having their own little section of the garden at that age to grow what they liked in). Would work fine with every second weekend as there'd be something new there every time, in the summer at least.

Thanks purple, got some great ideas although I don't know much about planting it's also something to look into, she loves being outside, any ideas where I could learn how to plant simple things? Even indoor type plant since summers past? Thanks again x

I think you can get beginners books on gardening or growing stuff indoors - can't recommend any in particular as gardening was something I did as a child with my mum and gran, so kind of always knew what I was doing. Best things to grow with kids are beanspouts/cress (just in water or damp kitchen paper), strawberries (tasty), lettuce (quick to grow), potatoes (if you have the space - great fun digging for them), pumpkins or sunflowers.