I spend a lot of time at soft play, (when I’m not at work anyway)

From experience, kids are happier when they’ve had exercise. Weather does not allows permit a walk to the park, and differing children ages mean my little crawler ends up left in his pushchair whilst my larger child runs about.

So… The solution.
The Soft Play Area…
Sticky surfaces, germ infested ball pits, screaming kids, excessive sugar, tantrums, manic races to get small people to the bathroom, practising your yoga to follow your small person through impossibly small places, overcoming claustrophobia, rescuing stuck children, lukewarm coffee, small people who refuse to leave….

I really could go on all day! What’s not to love?

We frequent a toddler group, based in the play area of a pub chain. For £2.50, I get to set the large one free (he likes to make friends, then come and play me and small) he gets juice and biscuits, and I get a coffee. Small one is currently playing for free, until he’s less small, anyway.

I get to down my coffee, then walk/crawl round in my socks for an hour. Not my idea of a fun morning! But the small people very much enjoy it.

And smallest person gets to learn new skills in a slightly safer environment. Last week I taught him to climb up steps, and this week (unsurprisingly) I focused on getting down them safely.

Then I bribe them with sweets, and bring them home for food, and hopefully some quiet playing while I my housework done. That’s where we’re at now, so wish me luck!

What does everyone else do to tire out the kids?