[NoMoreGuilt]

Hi, just wondering what parents with young toddlers do on the weekend. DS is 13 months. DH is going through a bit of a funk right now and said today that he thought our weekends were too repetitive and boring. We usually go out for lunch at a cafe with DS, and then go for an hour walk at the park to see the ducks etc. Occasionally we will catch up with friends for lunch and bring DS as well. Today we also stopped off at MIL's house for a visit.


I can't really think of other activities to do - DS is too young to enjoy trips to the zoo or aquarium. Its getting too cold to go to the beach, and when we went a few times in summer we could only stay for a little while anyway as it gets too hot for DS.

We both work full time in the city during the week so try to avoid going into the city at the weekend at all costs (we live in Sydney).

Maybe it is a bit boring but I can't imagine that other people are going surfing or mountain hiking on the weekends with their 13 month old??

This post has been edited by workingmum0101: 31/03/2012, 08:41 PM

[with the goo goo...]

Hehe - more exciting than our weekends. We spend half of Saturday shopping, all Sunday morning at church and somehow the rest of the weekend just gets frittered away and it is Monday again.

Don't discount the zoo though. We got our first zoo pass when Owen was about 15 months and he seemed to enjoy it then. Perhaps you could try the aquarium - kids seem to be particularly taken by fish.

ETA - oh, and re Roobear's suggestion of swimming- my 12 month old absolutely loves going to the pool (though Owen hated it at that age, so I guess it depends on the kid).

This post has been edited by with the goo goose: 31/03/2012, 08:54 PM

[Roobear]

We go swimming, to the park, zoo (we are friends of the zoo so get free entry) and she loves it, shopping, library, play dates, children's farm.....all I can think of for now.

[g_uzica]

try www.sydneyforkids.com.au for some ideas on things to do.

You should also try Symbio Wildlife Park down south where you can pat the kangaroos, cows, lamas, etc It's a bit more hands which our little one enjoyed at this age.

also think about what you did together before DS was born, can you take him along?? not every trip has to be an experience for your little one.

good luck.

[SplashingRainbow...]

We do visits to the park or pool, lunch out, home for sleep lazy afternoons at home catching up on things. Sometimes we visit friends or family, depends on what everyone is doing.


If your DH wants things to change, can you make it his responsibility to change them (within reason).

[kriattica]

We do all sorts of things go on nature walks, tourist attractions like zoos, aquauriums, historical sites. We always have take our kids wherever we want to go. I think it helps them to learn how to behave when out and about.

[Chelara]

We do day trips all over th place, markets, garage sales, river, wisemans ferry, the little ride on miniature railways at Galston and there's another near ryde somewhere also one out west that are made to look like Thomas characters. Catch the train somewhere, pet shops, different parks, national parks. Not sure where you are but bobbin head near Hornsby is lovely. Camden botanical gardens for a picnic.

[Mummy Em]

What does your hubby want to do? If you and he like to hike you can get those backpack/structured baby carriers.
I agree simple activities are better for little ones. Things to do might be a weekend away in a chalet (not so simple but a change of scenery is nice), trip to petting farm, explore other parks, indoor play centres, indoor swimming pools, the museum (some are quite interactive these days).

When Dd1 was a bit older than your ds my husband started taking her to an activity first thing Saturday morning. First it was Gymbaroo, now it is swimming lessons. It is their special thing.

[marnie27]

What about swimming? We have a pool but we took DS to the indoor public pool in winter about that age.
Walks on the beach, near a river.
Bike riding - DS can sit in a passenger seat or trailer type thing
More catch ups with friends, bbqs, dinners, breakfasts out etc- we quite often do the same things with different groups of friends.
Play centres - we often meet friends at one.
Country drives - DS would usually sleep and we'd stop somewhere different for lunch.
A family friendly pub - we would meet friends for lunch or a drink (them not us as we don't really drink). DS was happy to be held and play with his toys.
We did the zoo and museum as well - we enjoyed it and DS was happy just to be out and about.

[EBeditor]

Markets, shopping, art galleries, day trips?

best to do as much of the stuff that you like to do before your child is old enough to complain