What to do in winter?!?

[snowboarder]

Oh my god this weather!! Anyone else stuck at home with little ones? What to do?!? Mine practically has a seizure if I out the rain cover on his buggy...and falls asleep in the car which not ideal for sanity saving lunchtime nap. Currently the telly's on. where is the big indoor play barn in east dulwich please?

Grumpy!

[Claire29]

I know the feeling my 2 year old hates the rain cover so got very wet on way to school this morning with his big brother! Now we are watching his fave film of the moment..... Flash Gordon!! It is on in our house at least once a day, I feel like I know the film back to front, it's a strange film but very colourful and lots of music (and fighting -which is his fave bit!!) I guess it makes a change from Cbeebies! Hopefully rain eases off and will attempt the park to run off some energy, the joy of winter!

[Fuschia]

Suggest we try getting together! Such a shame the new leisure ctr has no softplay

The Horniman is good to run around in, CP one o'c club is good (open mornings) but it is hard if they doze off in the car and you're stuck in the car for naptime.

[Claire29]

One o clock club is great, but I can't handle it when it's raining like this it normally becomes really manic and busy, I guess like anything indoors for kids when weather is like this.

[The Nappy Lady]

We tend to brave it these days (now girls 6 and 2) as have to walk the dog no matter what - wet weather gear including dungaree/trouser things, wellies etc. etc. and go splash in puddles 'like Pepper Pig'. We still end up indoors for half the day at least, but it does mean they have had a good 'run' and burnt off some energy.

Otherwise, playgroups, and playdates at each other's houses - as usually access to new toys, or same toys but with new friends to play with gets us through.

It is a nightmare though I agree.

[Gussy]

This weather certainly makes the day drag.

We did some painting this morning, but that's fairly high risk as it lasts all of 5 minutes and then the paint seems to make its way off the paper and onto clothes, hands, table top etc etc.

I always find libraries are great for rainy days. Even if toddler Gussy does everything except read a book at least we are out of the house....

[crystal7]

We went to Peckham Pulse soft play this morning, cheap, easy journey on the 12 with E on lap to prevent unwanted morning nap (she's been up since 5) and she LOVES it. Was packed though. I've just got E some of those dungaree waterproof things so we'll be doing some wet muddy walks. I love CP 1 o clock club but E is like baby SB and falls asleep too easily on longer trips.

There's a toddler group on Monday mornings at St Faith's Chucrch on Red Post Hill, if you can face the journey in the rain...

Playdate next rainy Monday?!

[millie42]

If you are near Honor Oak there is also a very good toddler group at the Ackroyd Childrens Centre who also run a baby gym on the first Monday of each month. There is also a good club at the Church Centre on Malham Road (again HOP).

I have a 2 year old and would keen to do some morning play dates when the weather is bad if anyone has similar aged children.

M

[Kimmy1080]

My music class was packed out this morning, was lovely to see so many parents make the effort to come along in this awful weather. Most of them did comment that they had to get out of the house, at whatever cost!!!!!!

I agree with soft play, one o'clock clubs and music groups - give your week some variety and don't let this awful weather beat you!

Good luck!

Kim

[carolellen]

Hiya, if you can make it down to Lordship Lane there's lots to do at the Family Natural Health Centre (above Soup Dragon).

Beas Baby Bop - drop in ?5

Mondays 2.30pm - 3.30pm

Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Fridays 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Saturdays 10.30am - 11.30am

Monkey Music - Wednesday mornings - need to book

Sing and Sign - Thursday mornings - need to book

Apples and Pears Toddler Time - drop in ?3 per family - Thursday 2pm - 3pm

Baby Massage - drop in ?10 - Friday morning 11.30am - 12.30pm

and for older children:

French class - Monday afternoons 4pm - 5.30pm - need to book, 5-11 year olds

Kids Yoga - Thursday afternoon 4.15pm - drop in ?5, 4 years and up

For more info see www.fnhc.co.uk or call Carol on 020 8693 5515 or email fnhc@soup-dragon.co.uk

xxx

[womanofdulwich]

Make a tent under the table with sheets and blankets, then put all the soft toys under and have a picnic- come on, you know you want to really. why go out ?

[standswithfist]

womanofdulwich - your post made me smile - I tried this with my daughter (i had 3 brothers and 1 sister and we used to do that) yet she would not get it.

Ok so she was only 18 months at the time but seriously whats not to like in the pretend tent!!!

[beababies]

Awww, what a great thread!

Just to reiterate Carol's post, if you're wanting to beat the winter boredom blues we'd love to meet you in my new-ish drop in music class which meets Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Fridays (BUT NO LONGER MONDAYS!) from 3:30-4:30 pm and Saturdays from 10:30-11:30 am at the Family Natural Health centre above Soup Dragon at 106 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich! The week of the 8th/10th November above we were really really quiet although this week and last week have picked up nicely! Please do come along and spread the word!

Come Sing, Dance and Play Percussion with your baby or toddler in a positive, sociable, relaxing atmosphere!

All the times are drop in and cost ?5, for more info just message me!

All the best,

Bea

x

[Nikki&Arabel]

I can highly recommened Caterpillar Music......several different classes for different ages in ED through the week and my 2 yr old loves it even now and we've been going since she was little. They have classes in the John Peek centre in Dulwich Park, and in Push Studios off LordshipL, and other places. Check out their website.

We also go to Beckenham Spa Softplay on a rainy day.....can get there in 15 from ED in the car, its about ?4.70 per child but you can stay as long as you like! and Mum can have the all important coffee-whilst-they-play break.

:)