Things to do with toddlers....

[alfa pint]

And none of the sickipedia.com rude stuff, you hear!

My 5 year old nephew and 3 year old niece are visiting this week, with parents fortunately. They do like their tv, but I'm keen to show them a life without it. The weather forecast is pants. I don't have kids myself and I'm not used to their company. They're too young to do the sort of things I want to do with them (phnaarr phnarr) i.e. mountain climbing, kayaking, sailing, although we might manage to get them out on father in law's boat if it's back in time.

Advice from the ph collective would be very welcome. So far we're looking at sealife centre, a trip up the clyde on the waverley steam ferry, potential indian canoeing, pikey fairground in town and science centre in glasgow.

Nephew only does games if he wins...otherwise I'd dig my rugby ball out of the garage and go for a kick around on nearby park.

Expert advice v welcome.....

[NiceCupOfTea]

I don't buy this "only plays games if he wins" - kids need to learn that sometimes they will lose in life, and the sooner the better IMHO.

So don't shy away from a kickabout because you're worried about him losing!

[elster]

I would go for a kickabout and teach him how to behave when he loses.

What are indian canoes?

[gtidriver]

Cinema, toy story3 or shrek4,or both.

I took my 3 year old boy to watch shrek yesterday, his first time. I was very pleased he was totally engrossed even wanted to watch all the credits as well.

[alfa pint]

elster said:

I would go for a kickabout and teach him how to behave when he loses.

What are indian canoes?

Proper canoes rather than kayaks. Single paddle, more stable in most circumstances and therefore easy to accommodate small kids in for fart around day.

I agree with the sentiment of teaching him how the real world is, I just can't stand the crying and whinging that goes with it when he loses.

[alfa pint]

gtidriver said:

Cinema, toy story3 or shrek4,or both.

I took my 3 year old boy to watch shrek yesterday, his first time. I was very pleased he was totally engrossed even wanted to watch all the credits as well.

Had thought about is, wasn't sure if they were young enough to enjoy it. Cool! Cheers, wonder if they do 3D glasses in toddler size.

[Rossay]

Circus - Stirling
Edinburgh Zoo - Edinburgh << Better than you think.
Transport Museum - Kelvingrove
Xscape - Braehead
Science Centre - Clyde Side
iMax - Science centre


The Waverly is in Ireland just now im sure?

[staceyb]

http://www.runamoksoftplay.co.uk/

[daddyov8]

weather is perfect; for the less then the price of shrek you can buy a cheap set of clothes and a set of wellies and play in puddles, roll in the mud, slide down wet grassy banks. tires them out in half an hour.

[ShadownINja]

NiceCupOfTea said:

I don't buy this "only plays games if he wins" - kids need to learn that sometimes they will lose in life, and the sooner the better IMHO.

So don't shy away from a kickabout because you're worried about him losing!

So, football, arm wrestling, boxing, ju jitsu and some sort of F1 simulation on the PC. Show him who is the boss.

[NiceCupOfTea]

ShadownINja said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

I don't buy this "only plays games if he wins" - kids need to learn that sometimes they will lose in life, and the sooner the better IMHO.

So don't shy away from a kickabout because you're worried about him losing!

So, football, arm wrestling, boxing, ju jitsu and some sort of F1 simulation on the PC. Show him who is the boss.

If he loses at everything all week and you allow him a small victory at the end it will be all the more sweet for him!

[elster]

alfa pint said:

elster said:

I would go for a kickabout and teach him how to behave when he loses.

What are indian canoes?

Proper canoes rather than kayaks. Single paddle, more stable in most circumstances and therefore easy to accommodate small kids in for fart around day.

I agree with the sentiment of teaching him how the real world is, I just can't stand the crying and whinging that goes with it when he loses.

Like a Canadian canoe?

If you are in a park you can send him to the otherside to stand facing the naughty tree.

[vrooom]

Teach him to climb the trees, build a go-kart and push him down the hill.

[Doniger]

vrooom said:

push him down the hill.

I know he whinges when he loses at things, but surely that's a bit harsh? He's only a kid after all...

[NDA]

5 and 3 are not the easiest ages!

Cinema, McDonalds and maybe Sea Life World thing the next day.

[Flintstone]

Get a baysitter in.

Go to the pub.

[GavinPearson]

Kids of that age need to go to the park. Swings, roundabouts, slides and sandpits will make them happy.

Going to the library and getting some books out may be a good thing.

Spend time with simple jigsaw puzzles.

Have them ride on tricycle / bike as appropriate.

Toy Story 3 may be a bit much for the 3 year old but the 5 year old will love it.

[elster]

I don't see the attraction of Toy Story 3 if you have already stated the do too much goggle box watching already.

Xscape is another good idea, I have been to the one in Halifax and I the kids loved it

[Cas_P]

alfa pint said:

gtidriver said:

Had thought about is, wasn't sure if they were young enough to enjoy it. Cool! Cheers, wonder if they do 3D glasses in toddler size.

IMAX cinemas do, vue don't. Definately young enough to enjoy it I'm 23 and can't wait to see TS3!!

Big indoor play centres, a theme park like pontins, chessington, legoland all based around children more than adults, farms, safari etc.

[RicksAlfas]

One of those cafes where the children can paint pottery while you sit back and have a cuppa.