Where to go when it's just me and them?

First off, I'm cranky because he's worked past 10pm every night this week (he does animation for TV commercials) and yesterday he took the day off so he could watch the girls while I went to the US Open with my Dad. Well, the sh*t hit the fan with his project so now he's stuck in there today, maybe tomorrow, too. I'm so sad because we never spend any time together and our 4-day weekend just became maybe one day, if he doesn't get stuck on Monday, too.

That was my whine. Now my question - can you give me ideas what I can do/where I can go with the girls myself? They are almost 20 months, walking/running, very verbal, but I don't feel safe taking them to the playground alone. I went with a friend and her 6 y.o. the other day and it was awful - the girls took off in opposite (dangerous) directions and Lilly actually fell down 2 steps on a playground climber which was too big for her. They are still very easily pushed down and fall down a lot. I'm tired of taking them to the mall, and it's a beautiful day anyway. I know I am asking for the impossible here - but I would love to find a "safe" place (as much as anywhere can be safe) that I can take them myself but they don't have to be confined to the stroller. Someplace other than our backyard. Does anyone have any brilliant ideas?

 

Is there a children's museum in your area? Those are usually safe and fun.

 

I don't do parks either unless DH is with me I don't feel in control and it's too dangerous with them going in opposite directions. I take walks but they don't like to stay in the stoller for longer than 1/2 hour - 45 min and they have to have something to eat like a pretzel, Kix etc. How about your yard? At least they would be contained and you would be outside. Thankfully my parents live close by and I spend alot of time over there when we get cabin fever but for the most part besides walks I entertain them (try) at home since there's not much more to do.

 

I feel like the children's museum is too crazy for them because I can't keep track of each of them. I suppose I could try it, but I don't know if I feel that brave today. I'm just so tired of hanging out in the yard. They have tons of toys out there but I would like to have some other adult contact, ya know? We could go to grandma and grandpa's, I guess. But maybe I want to have contact with slightly younger adults. I know, I am just picky picky picky. I'm just so disappointed because I was looking forward to a fun family weekend, and I found out at 8Pm last night that I needed to make other plans. Bleh.

 

Does your mall have a play area?

 

Well, this probably wouldn't help the other adults problem, but something we do sometimes is take a ball to a local soccer field. LOTS AND LOTS of room to run and they enjoy kicking the ball around.

 

Since you are a fellow long islander, I can share with you that my girlfriend told me that there is a Long Island Museum that has a special (closed off) section for toddlers. I haven't checked it out yet but intend to do so soon. Where on the island are you? We are in suffolk county (exit 66 off LIE). Dh and I took the girls to the Long Island Game Farm which was sooooo much fun (Exit 70). I am planning on trying it with the girls by myself this coming week with another girlfriend of mine. I have one of those puppy back pack harnesses and plan on getting another. I'm hoping that it will be my solution to the same problem you fear.

 

Sunrise Mall on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa has an indoor play area and Broadway Mall in Hicksville has one too. I am not sure if the mall near you has one. I just had the girls at sunrise mall to play last week and they did well. The indoor play areas require that the kids not wear shoes so I brought their robeez with me for them to wear. I just didn't like the idea of them running around with nothing on their feet.

 

QUOTE(summerfun @ Sep 1 2007, 05:15 PM) [snapback]389063[/snapback]
Does your mall have a play area?


The one 3/4 mile from my house doesn't. Grr!

QUOTE(jacob+twinsmom @ Sep 1 2007, 05:18 PM) [snapback]389066[/snapback]
Well, this probably wouldn't help the other adults problem, but something we do sometimes is take a ball to a local soccer field. LOTS AND LOTS of room to run and they enjoy kicking the ball around.


That is a good idea - there's a park with a big field nearby, maybe we'll head there tomorrow. We ended up at the supermarket today. At least they got to ride in the little car cart.

QUOTE(double-or-nothing @ Sep 1 2007, 05:18 PM) [snapback]389067[/snapback]
Since you are a fellow long islander, I can share with you that my girlfriend told me that there is a Long Island Museum that has a special (closed off) section for toddlers. I haven't checked it out yet but intend to do so soon. Where on the island are you? We are in suffolk county (exit 66 off LIE). Dh and I took the girls to the Long Island Game Farm which was sooooo much fun (Exit 70). I am planning on trying it with the girls by myself this coming week with another girlfriend of mine. I have one of those puppy back pack harnesses and plan on getting another. I'm hoping that it will be my solution to the same problem you fear.


OK, my Mom just bought me a membership recently to the LI Children's Museum. I totally forgot that I heard they have a toddler area. Silly me! We are also in Suffolk County, but we're exit 49 off the LIE (Route 110). I will be very very interested to hear about the LI Game Farm and how it goes with the girls. I remember going there as a little kid and I would love to take my girls there sometime! We have been to White Post Farms right near us, but it's a little hectic for two toddlers and one mommy. We do have those harnesses but they sometimes fall over if they try and run away.

QUOTE(AliPaige717 @ Sep 1 2007, 05:29 PM) [snapback]389074[/snapback]
Sunrise Mall on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa has an indoor play area and Broadway Mall in Hicksville has one too. I am not sure if the mall near you has one. I just had the girls at sunrise mall to play last week and they did well. The indoor play areas require that the kids not wear shoes so I brought their robeez with me for them to wear. I just didn't like the idea of them running around with nothing on their feet.


Thank you! I had no idea about either of those indoor play areas. My parents live in Hicksville so the Broadway Mall is an easy choice. I'll have to try both of those out sometime soon. If you want to try and meet up sometime again I'm much more reliable these days than when they were infants! :laughing:

Thank you all SO MUCH for the good ideas! I may have to bookmark this.

 

*Do you have a water table? If not, just fill up some bowls/tubs with water and let them play in it. *Pack a lunch and have a picnic at a park.
*Play in the sand.
*Play with rice (put it in a large tub and put them on a big sheet).
*Go to the pet store and look at the animals.
*Fill up a baby pool and go "swimming."

 

You could take them to a McD's with an indoor play area, or a chick'fllA. I also like to take them to ball games at the highschool, they can be pretty contained in the bleachers and the kids and parents will love watching and making faces at them.

You could also look up your local craft store online, sometimes they have toddler craft days. How about story time at the library. You could always build a fort in your living room, or do an treasure/egg hunt. Even Home Depot has kids lessons that you could go to with them and they can pound nails into a piece of wood. Get them to wash your car...I think I am going to do that tomorrow. How about the open gym time at the school or rec center where that can run, but still be pretty safe in an enclosed area.

 

Check your local parks and rec to see if any are fenced in...we have one right by our house that isn't, but there is a fenced in park about 3 miles from me, and it's great...the kids can run and I can keep track of them. We also found a fenced in water park that has a reasonable fee to get in...the LOVE that!

We also go to they play area at my gym..they love that and i get to work out...double bonus!

We go to the Burger King by us since it has an airconditioned play area...we can easily spend an hour there and I don't always buy lunch, sometimes just a soda for me or a juice for them.

We go to the mall and do the train and coin rides every once in a while to change things up.

We have a small zoo near us that they will actually stay in the stroller for since they're so busy looking at animals.

As far as outside: sidewalk chalk is a hit, bubbles, sandbox, recently they love their Barbie car and tricycles and they love any kind of a ball/cheap golf set/cheap bat & ball.

We also have a children's museum but I don't dare go there by myself with them....that would be chaos!! They go in opposite directions and it's downright exhausting!

You can also check your local Mom's Club listings and see if there are any age appropriate playgroups you can join...it's only about $20/year and ours used to meet at each other's homes in the hot months.

Hth!

 

Feed the ducks! I always love doing that with my son.

 

Play areas, like Mcdonalds, the mall, etc... You could also join an inside play group in your area! HTH!