where can i take my toddler when cold and raining?

Question

looking for inside places where my 3 year old can go and play?

Answer 1

Please read this through to the bottom, it is long, but the payoff is, to me, far greater than all the Queen's gold.
If absolutely pouring, I can understand the idea of an inside play option. Otherwise, Christine and Faith are right. Bloody Hell in a tea cozy, no child will melt from a chilly breeze and gentle rain. I especially related to Christine's recollection of wellies and enjoying the freedom of running through the rain!
Some of my fondest memories from early childhood was trapezing over soggy hill and dale with my Grandfather, a beguilingly mad (mum said eccentric) Irishman who took nature to heart. I was as young as about 2.5 years, well, that is the earliest recall. If a place was too wet, he would carry me, as he would if it were a downpour, heading for the nearest sheltering tree or bush. They all seemed like trees at that age, size wise.
A little rain didn't hurt even in chilly months--we dressed for it. I never caught a sniffle or sneeze. An occasional thistle, but that is to be expected!!!
Gram would fuss a little, but not much. After all, Dad would on occasion be with us on our explorations. Mum, I think, never said a word about it.
The largest problem we have is that our "civilised lifestyle" is fast removing us from the glory of experiencing as much contact with the elements as we possibly can. I miss the openness of the country side, the odour of rain on the grass, and the hearty feeling one gets from being trully alive in the elements (though sleet stings, I might add). These things I miss second only to my grandparents, now dead.
Even now, when I can escape to another place that is open, I will contemplate these memories as I walk along. The warm ghosts of the not too distant past alive in my memories.
I hope you and your son start soon building similar memories that will last for all of your lives to come
--Charles, Namesake of the Grandfather, and heir to his legacy.

Answer 2

I have to say that i understand your problem, especially if you havent much money, but in the late 70's when i had my first daughter it was nothing like it is now - there was literally nowhere inside to take them, and everything shut down on a Sunday - no shops except a newsagent, and my husband had left me so it was all very awkward.

You've had some ideas here, but hope you take up the outside options too. Toddlers won't melt in the cold and rain if wrapped up well.

If we get any snow, after allowing a little play outside, i then used to bring big plastic bowlfuls in for the little ones to play in the kitchen with!

If your child is 18 months or older use the winter months to start teaching him or her to read! honestly! I had a lot of fun doing this and both my kids could read a little at 3 and a lot by age 5. Then they can amuse themselves!

If there REALLY are no facilities in your area - get together with some other mums and enquire about hiring a church hall and setting up a toddler group - someone has to be the one to do it! Fundraise and beg for toys etc.

Answer 3

Take a visit to your local library. If you are not already a member, you will probably need proof of address to join up. The library where I work has a brilliant childrens' area with excellent books and colouring activities. We hold a storytime session on a weekly basis and I'm sure your local library has similar sessions geared to toddlers. There will also be information there on other facilities for small children in the area. When my kids were small (before I started working in the library), we used to visit the library once a week, spending at least an hour at a time there, if not longer. We used to sit and look at and read the childrens' books. Looking at books (especially the ones with photo images, rather than drawings) is an excellent way of promoting conversation and extending vocabulary in small children.

Answer 4

Gather up in a group, play group with mothers of other children your age, and create a place for your toddlers to play on cold, rainy days.

Also check into the library for story telling sessions, and see if there is a Gymboree in your area..

Your own home is a great place to begin, creating a play area for more quiet indoor play on such days, creating an art area and read to your child. Perhaps a gym mat on the floor and some tapes for child yoga, etc.

Answer 5

Give your leisure centres and community centres a call - they usually offer different programmes throughout the week, such as similar to tumble tots or other activities. Try some of the soft indoor play areas and also with going to an activity involving others you'll get to know other parents who'll know exactly what's going on in your area. The library also does stuff for pre-school kids. Best of luck

Answer 6

You can try quite a few different activities such as swimming, soft play, an in door play area, library-some libraries have story time.My toddler loves all of these but most of all he loves putting his wellies on and splashing in the puddles-give that a go it's great fun!! You could also stay at home and paint or bake or do jigsaws, play lego etc etc.Have fun!!

Answer 7

There are lots of soft play areas and some fast food restaurants also have them..you can take your toddler to the library as well..they usually have a fun place for children to play ,sit and read books.

Answer 8

Why are you stopping your toddler having the fun of a grand run in the park in the rain? Chasing leaves as they fly off the trees in the wind and plonking into puddles and getting really joyous and messy?
Then there is the glorious homecoming afterwards with pre -warmed towels and hot soup.
Forget indoor play, revel in nature! You can run around the park screeching " Singing In the Rain" at the top of your voice and who is to hear you other than a couple of sad dog walkers who haven't made it home in time.
My mother and I used to don our wellies and go into the countryside in the wet every opportunity we got. It is brilliant. The symphony of the raindrops and the sparking of the leaves. Watching the plants go from standing tall and embracing the rain to drooping when it won't go away! And the clean smell. No petrol or diesel fumes. Brilliant.
Keep McDonald's- smells greasy and toddler groups are for boring days, not for adventure.

Answer 9

it depends where you are.
there's always the good old soft play area.
some places have ceramic painting which is quite fun to do even for a 3 year old.
try your local leisure centre to see what they do, there are often fun things on during the day that they will have fun at and you can meet other people too.
i'm not too keen on swimming when its cold and wet unless you can get home quickly as you can never dry off completely from swimming!!

Answer 10

I had my son swimming by the age of two by three he was in the deep end a bit unnerving at first children love water and bouncy things maybe there is an adult child thing in trampolining you might like it as well the only criteria with children at that age is you do it to so you get bonding I would suggest you really go as a family so that bonding is 3 ways hope this helps