Trips to the park, how often?

[Marisa's Mom]

How old is your LO, and how often do you take your LO to the park? How long do you stay at the park?

We don't go often. It's either not the right time for her (eating-wise, nap-wise, mood-wise), or the weather is just not right. We tried going early in the morning once and since the park is shaded by trees, every surface was still wet. That wasn't fun. Couldn't play on the wet slide, sit on the seesaw-ish thing, etc. Midday is sometimes too sunny/hot, and way too crowded with slightly older kids who are oblivious to the really young ones who can easily get "run over" by them or hurt/hit by the older kids' "wild" playing style. Afternoon sometimes too cold/windy. I probably should take her to the park more often though.  Whenever we go, we usually stay about an hour.

[EmMUK74]

we go at least once a week and normally once at the weekend.  but if the weather's nice and we have an empty diary then sometimes we go 3 or 4 times.  we only stay about 30 mins or so.  we go after her lunchtime nap when most of the kids are still in school so it's quite quiet but the weather is still warm.  mind you we have lovely warm coats so I don't worry about that too much.

[potlaura]

I try to go once a week but sometimes that does not work out and then other weeks i could be there two or three times again weather often plays a big part in this the weather is rubbish at min so we make do with Tom swing and slide in the garden x

[Layla]

I try to take dd1 out about 3-4 times a week. I find that when we're in, she throws alot more tantrums and is really really bored. But it all depends on the weather as well and how well dd2 has slept during the day  .

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

We'd go every day if it was up ds - it usually ends up about 3 times a week.

I don't worry about the weather - I just take a small towel for the seat of the swing (his favourite) and some warm clothes. Tbh, I just usually put him in some clothes that I don't mind him getting wet/dirty, and take a change of clothes for the drive back if he's really bad. If we worried about the rain in this country, then we'd never do anything .

I also often take food with us so he can stay longer, and we'll have a picnic on a blanket, usually just sandwiches and fruit.

I was worried about the older kids at first, but they did actually surprise me. There was an occasion when one was playing on his bike far too close to ds, so I politely asked him to be careful of the baby. He apologised, and then went over to his mates and told them to be careful of him too (which I hadn't even asked him to do). I don't know what they are like by you, but I have got more confidence to ask them to be careful now - I think it's b/c I asked him nicely instead of nagging or yelling.

HTH

[PeepersMom]

We'd go everyday if it was up to PJ, too!  he hates to be inside, and it is a nice walk to the park.  Yes, mornings are wet and icky, and some days are cold/hot but they don't care at all!  I am the one that is miserable!  LOL We usually end up there 3-4x/week

[Duckie]

Our backyard is fenced and the fence has a gate.  There are no houses behind us, instead there is a greenspace with a park about 3 houses down.  So we are there A WHOLE LOT.  There are 2 women who do home daycare (one will be taking J when I return to work) and they and the kids they watch are at the park from about 345 - 530 while the parents show up so we are there for a good portion of that time just hanging out (which is actually good because with J dropping the cat nap he is preoccupied and doesn't get cranky!)

[MrsKirky]

Not too many parks that are toddler friendly nearby - we went to the outdoor park for the first time last week.  It is also too hot in AZ to play in parks about 1/2 the year.  We have been to indoor parks, mall playgrounds, and little gyms, but most of the time play in our own backyard.  Most days, we take a walk and pick flowers.  We are usually just gone about 20-30 minutes and go after breakfast.  I take a cup of water for DS.  Some days (when its cool enough) we take walks 2 or 3 times.  We also swing on the porch glider when we get home before we go inside.

[Katet]

We go 3-4 times a week, over summer unless we get there by 9am everything is too hot at most parks... the ones that are shady ds#1 doesn't like as much (no ducks to feed) even today by 10.30 it was too hot on the slide & it is only October.
I was saying to dh that I will have to start taking them at 8am soon or have an early dinner & go before baths as we are already getting 30C days & it is only spring.

[NKmommy]

We go about 5 days a week.  When I take DS, we stay about 45 minutes.  When DH takes him, they stay for a couple hours.     It has become sooo much easier to go to the park ever since DS has been able to freely climb the equipment himself, without me having to follow.  Sometimes I get myself a cup of coffee, and just watch.  We usually take a snack, and some sand toys.