Entertaining a 3 yr old on a budget

purplepatch

When my 3yo DD isn't at preschool, we are slowly driving each other mad. We need to get out more as being cooped up at home is making us stir crazy.

So I need some ideas of activities, places to go etc which aren't going to dent the pocket too much.

What do other MSErs do to keep their little ones entertained? I've got a 3 month old baby daughter too so going out with the pair of them is a bit of a military operation :rolleyes:

pboae

I used to take my niece and nephew to Ikea, during the week it was empty in the day and my sis and I would mooch around or go to the cafe for a cup of tea while they played in the ballpool. As long as it was quiet the staff were happy for them to play for an hour or so.

You could also check your local library and see if they have an under 5's session or story time.

computerwoman

:joh the joys of motherhood, I'm glad my son is coming up to 21 now, when he was that age, I would took him to our local park, it had a pond then with fish, he used to love walking around the park looking at different trees and bushes trying to catch a sighting of a fish or too, or in the next village from us about 2 miles away, we have a boating lake, although I never took him on the water, there is a cafe where you can get a warm drink but I would take some sandwiches with us sit on the grass, and have a mini picnic, it was great, we would walk there (him in buggy) and walk back it is a really nice woodlandy type walk, or we'd go down to the beach, as we live on the coast, and look for fossils and nice looking peebles. yes we could live on a shoestring then, also every wednesday afternoon was storytime corner at the library which he used to love as well.

AnnieH

I had a toddler and a baby (few years ago now). Hell on earth!!
It doesn't matter what you do, but just get out of the house at least once a day. Soemtimes it seems like more effort than it's worth, but you really do need to force yourself, even if it's just for the sake of your toddler. she needs to get her frsh air.
Go to the park, feed the ducks (take stale bread with you so don't spend any money).
Do you have a field near you? Take a ball (or whatever) and have a kick around. Mum and baby/toddler groups are FAB. Ask your health visitor for details of some near you. They don't usually cost very much and you get to chat to other mums too. Social services family centres often have open drop in where you can get the same as a toddler group - chat while the kids play - and it's free (coffee is about 10p or so).
Libraries often have toddler story time, or singing time - free. Babies love that too.
Libraries are also a great source of what's on in your area.
Do you have any friends? Arrange a coffee morning once a week and swap around whose house you have it in.
In the warm weather it's easier. My dd used to love having a bowl of water in the back garden to bath her dollies and play. She always ended up getting soaked buy it didn't matter - that's why she went outside LOL.

quietheart

The local library worked well for us with storytimes and events. We also spent a lot of time in the park splashing in puddles collecting leaves, twigs, acorns etc to take home and make pictures out of (that's 2 activities for the price of 1!)
I agree you have to get out of the house. Even if it's to the shops, I've spent a lot of time in woolies checking out the new toys but i guess it depends what you have close to you.
Nearly forgot about pet shops, our local one has snakes which made ds very excited!
At least once a week we had kids round to play which always exhausted them.
Enjoy it while you can, she'll be in school in no time and there's no going back then!

liney

Garden Centres can usually take care of a couple of hours. My DS2 likes to see the animals, mooch, then go and smell the flowers.

wendyl1967

I used to take mine to mother and toddler groups twice a week. It used to be about 50p donation. Local NCT coffee groups were great. There were also 50p and held in peoples homes so great if you have a baby.
Our Local library has free story sessions.
I used to meet up with a group of about 5 friends (we met at parentcraft) and get together in one anothers house each week.

lottee

CBeebies worked/s for me! Only downside is that I know every single theme tune/song for all the programs! I find myself singing them at work sometimes - get some strage looks!
Seriously, pretty limited this time of year - cause' of the weather, apart from ball pits / indoor play areas. But when it starts warming up a little, feeding the ducks always goes down well, or the park. What about swimming? (not sure on what the cost is) How much longer is it until he starts playschool? I found that tired my DS out.

cdodd

Some pubs that have play centres attached have cheap mother and toddler sessions we have one nearby that charge £2 for 1/2 hrs play, included in that is unlimited hot drinks for parent and juice and biscuit for child, i think that's excellent value

AnnieH

I think ELC do toddler mornings too. Maybe check out your local one.

Highland_Lass_2

My two are way past that stage (saying that I'm sure life was a lot easier then). We also used to meet up weekly with 4 other families and visit each others houses. Mother and Toddler groups are a godsend if you can get to one. Another thing they used to love was feeding the ducks and also going out into the woods (if you are lucky enough to have any near you) and gathering cones.