Ideas needed - how to entertain a three-year-old?

[kittenheels]

We've got friends coming to stay this weekend with their gorgeous three-year-old daughter and one-year-old son. As a child-free couple with little experience entertaining small people, we're desperate for ideas to keep children and parents amused all day without venturing far from the neighbourhood. I'm hoping the EDF hive mind can help! Thanks so much.

[oimissus]

Well, I would guess their parents will bring a selection of toys to keep them entertained in the house, and there's always CBeebies. Maybe check out what your local charity shop has got in the way of jigsaw puzzles or the like.

Out of doors - lots of good playgrounds and parks to choose from, you don't say exactly where you are but Goose Green, Ruskin Park, Brockwell Park all have good playgrounds (GG is just a playground, the others nice parks, and they have cafes).

Horniman Museum.

Dulwich Woods.

[melbourne groover]

The Usbourne sticker books are great and long also! Small dolls also good, like Disney princess figures. Think they are about a tenner for the set and can keep small girls going for ages...

[Kate08]

Spending an afternoon at the horniman is a great idea, as is going over to Herne Hill, there are a few cafes / bars there that are really child friendly, especially the florence with the play room and brockwell park is great for a run around and the playground is brilliant, the lido cafe in the park is really lovely and always full of kids. Definitely get some stickers and colouring stuff, can keep them entertained for hours, especially if you don't mind the mess and hand over a pair of childrens scissors. 3 year olds tend to be easily entertained as long as you are willing to engage with them, they are interested in everything.

[WorkingMummy]

If weather bad consider Brixton soft play at Brixton Recreation Centre. Difficult to describe how ace it is unless you've been there and actually been into the padded-framed, layered, little township, giant, 3-d-maze-meets-its-a-knock-out thingy that they have there. My three (4, 2, 6 months) love it. It is genius. And if kids are out-of-towners it's possible they won't have seen anything like it.

PS: If your guests fancy the idea, phone in advance as they sometimes book it out for parties at weekends.

[oimissus]

ooh, that does look good, WorkingMummy - I'm guessing cheaper than Gambardo's?! Is it like Gambardo's in that you can go round with your child, or do they have to go round on their own like in Peckham? Miss Oi is always wary to begin with.

[bluesuperted]

I love Brixton Rec soft play too - kids can go in on own or you go with them. I got a bit scared (haha, yup) myself first time as it's so bloody high up!! Toddler is fearless, got right to the top and has been down massive tube slide with my husband which is clearly where his daredevil nature comes from! I wish I could take my son at the moment but I'm just too damn pregnant to get involved and he might want me to! Will be taking him when the next baby arrives for sure and am sure it will feature heavily during my DH's paternity leave!!

[bluesuperted]

Also echo the Horniman - such a fantastic resource and bound to impress out of towners with its variety, toddler appeal, beautiful views, nice cafe and aquarium. Feel super lucky every time we go (ahem every week!) to have it on our doorstep! Dulwich woods marvellous too.

[lucyA1308]

Yeah, Horniman 1st stop. dulwich picture Gallery (although they might be installing a new exhibition, so check what is open), my 3 yr old will take a pad of paper and colouring crayons and sit and try to draw what she sees (in her own creative way) my 1 yr old loves just to practice her walking up and down the long gallery.

Bertie and Boos soft play cafe in Balham, was a recent discovery for us.

Charity shop jigsaws (as others have said) or even take the kids into the chartity shops and let them have a rummage around, and choose some toys to take home.

Again, sticker books and colouring books always a good distraction.

Have fun

[kittenheels]

Thanks all of you - brilliant ideas!