Ideas for mommy and me weekend with 2 year old

[Anonymous]

So my DD is turning 2 in November, and one of our groomsmen is getting married on her birthday in SF. He's a friend from business school where we met but definitely closer to my husband. We figure she won't know any better so we're celebrating the big bday the next weekend, but since the wedding is in SF and it sounds like a massive headache to drag a two year old there, he'll go and I'll stay back with her.

I still want to do something special, and I figure we need to be entertained anyways, so was thinking I'd make it into an extra special fun girls weekend. I found some toddler non-toxic nail polish which we'll do and take off at the end of the weekend, but otherwise I keep coming up with the things we do all the time (like go to the playground or go watch the dogs at the dog park) or that are actually just going to be a hassle alone with a two year old (go apple picking).

Any ideas for activities that seem really cool but are kind of easy to pull off for a rather basic parent? Thanks in advance!

PS. How much TV is too much TV for this one-off weekend? Can we try to watch Cars (we've never tried to watch any show longer than 30 minutes, but I think she'll run around for most of it and watch intermittently, which works for me)? If you do not permit your 2yo to watch TV, hats off to you, but I am again, a rather basic parent.

[Anonymous]

My DD is the same age. I like to take her to outdoor cafes/restaurants when I'm by myself (she has pretty decent restaurant manners as long as she's being fed and has something to do). But that's not for everyone!

Nature walks where you truly just let them run around and explore can be fun. Somewhere like Gulf Branch Nature Center in Arlington, maybe. Gravelly Point if you think the noise wouldn't freak her out. My DD is in an airplane-loving phase.

TV is up to you! I wouldn't feel bad about a movie but my 2yo DD wouldn't sit for it and I personally don't find that enjoyable lol

[Anonymous]

Zoo or a nature center. For my kids 2nd bday I brought a whole roll of pennies to the mall to toss in the fountain. He usually got 1 so this was HUGE! We were at the fountain for almost an hour.

[Anonymous]

Where are you located? Frying Pan Park might be fun or the zoo. Maybe go for ice cream if it’s not too cold to sit outside? Along those lines, my DD gets very excited by picnics, which really just means bringing a packed lunch to a park and laying on a blanket. If she hasn’t been to one of the bigger playgrounds like Watkins Regional Park of Clemyjontri that could be fun.

As for TV, we generally limit it but our 2.5 yr old has watched a full movie at times when she’s home sick and we both have meetings we can’t get out of. I wouldn’t do it everyday but I don’t think it’s a big deal for one weekend.

[Anonymous]

I am not against screens but I don't think cars is nest for a two year old. Honestly, I would keep it simple. Go to the playground, watch the dogs, maybe have a tea party. Does she have any other two year old friends? You could invite the other mom too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Zoo or a nature center. For my kids 2nd bday I brought a whole roll of pennies to the mall to toss in the fountain. He usually got 1 so this was HUGE! We were at the fountain for almost an hour.

This is great!

What about the trolley museum (or college park aviation museum)?

[Anonymous]

How about the aquarium in Baltimore?

Apple picking is doable with just you and one child.

Ma

[Anonymous]

The Pooh Movie is a good one for that age.

I agree that a farm would be fun and not as much hassle as you think.

Also—don’t underestimate the power of the pet store and the book store to kill some time.

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm an outlier here, but I really wouldn't go overboard with a "girls weekend" for a toddler. I think it will backfire to do too many fun special things, especially if she's already a little confused about where daddy is.

What do you usually do on the weekends with her? If you go to the playground Saturday mornings, I can see switching that up for something extra fun like the aquarium. But I wouldn't do the aqarium in the morning, folllowed by lunch out, followed by the zoo, followed by nail painting, followed by a movie, etc. etc.

Also, I would want to ration my patience/energy if I'm alone with a two year old all weekend. A go-to trip the playground that I know my 2 yr old likes would probably be easier for me than a trip to the aquarium that might end up taking up too much energy considering I have to do the entire rest of the weekend by myself.

I definitely say go for the TV though. When my husband is gone, I like to do "TV dinners" with my kids where we eat meals in the living room with the TV on. Everybody likes it, and again, it helps me save some of my patience/energy.

Yes, I realize my post is going to get me a lot of replies talking about how "lazy" I am haha.

[Anonymous]

The playground that's Wizard of Oz themed in Maryland might be a good choice. It's different enough to be special, but not too much for a 2 year old. Otherwise, I agree with zoos, parks and farms.

My DC's preschool used to always do a field trip to Ticonderoga instead of Cox Farms because it's smaller and easier to manage with little kids. https://www.ticonderoga.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I'm an outlier here, but I really wouldn't go overboard with a "girls weekend" for a toddler. I think it will backfire to do too many fun special things, especially if she's already a little confused about where daddy is.

What do you usually do on the weekends with her? If you go to the playground Saturday mornings, I can see switching that up for something extra fun like the aquarium. But I wouldn't do the aqarium in the morning, folllowed by lunch out, followed by the zoo, followed by nail painting, followed by a movie, etc. etc.

Also, I would want to ration my patience/energy if I'm alone with a two year old all weekend. A go-to trip the playground that I know my 2 yr old likes would probably be easier for me than a trip to the aquarium that might end up taking up too much energy considering I have to do the entire rest of the weekend by myself.

I definitely say go for the TV though. When my husband is gone, I like to do "TV dinners" with my kids where we eat meals in the living room with the TV on. Everybody likes it, and again, it helps me save some of my patience/energy.

Yes, I realize my post is going to get me a lot of replies talking about how "lazy" I am haha.

+1

I have three kids (10, 8, 5) and wouldn't do much beyond a slightly more exciting version of what you already do. She's (almost) two. Now, if you want to make some memories, OP, or have cute photo ops, fine, but then think about what will be easy and fun for you. Two year olds thrive on structure and routine. Pick one special outing and stick to that. You're already having a big celebration when your husband is back, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Zoo or a nature center. For my kids 2nd bday I brought a whole roll of pennies to the mall to toss in the fountain. He usually got 1 so this was HUGE! We were at the fountain for almost an hour.

NP, this made me laugh out loud. I cant think of a better use of 50 cents!

[Anonymous]

Why would you take off the nail polish at the end of the weekend?

[Anonymous]

The only movie my 2 year old has made it through is Lilo and Stitch but he has a plushy stitch toy so it makes sense.

Toddlers don't really have a strong sense of special, hence why you can take my 2 year old to the zoo and the animal he'll be most excited about is a random squirrel. So don't feel pressure to do anything special if it's logistically difficult. Your 2 year old will go nuts over PB&J and a tennis ball in the park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So my DD is turning 2 in November, and one of our groomsmen is getting married on her birthday in SF. He's a friend from business school where we met but definitely closer to my husband. We figure she won't know any better so we're celebrating the big bday the next weekend, but since the wedding is in SF and it sounds like a massive headache to drag a two year old there, he'll go and I'll stay back with her.

I still want to do something special, and I figure we need to be entertained anyways, so was thinking I'd make it into an extra special fun girls weekend. I found some toddler non-toxic nail polish which we'll do and take off at the end of the weekend, but otherwise I keep coming up with the things we do all the time (like go to the playground or go watch the dogs at the dog park) or that are actually just going to be a hassle alone with a two year old (go apple picking).

Any ideas for activities that seem really cool but are kind of easy to pull off for a rather basic parent? Thanks in advance!

PS. How much TV is too much TV for this one-off weekend? Can we try to watch Cars (we've never tried to watch any show longer than 30 minutes, but I think she'll run around for most of it and watch intermittently, which works for me)? If you do not permit your 2yo to watch TV, hats off to you, but I am again, a rather basic parent.

Just turning 2 is hard. Where are you located? Im in PG county but I would do something like the Wiggle Room (crofton) or Totsville Playground (glen burnie) or Bubala (fulton) or KidZCity (odenton).

Look ahead for the weekend and figure out if one day is going to be nice and another cold/windy/etc. Choose the windy/cold/rainy day (if there is one) and decide if you want her to do a great day nap or go to sleep early . Long mid day nap go in the morning to an indoor facility. She will probably fall asleep in the car on the way home. Do a park visit or puddle splash in the afternoon. Switch for if you want an early bedtime.

On the nice day in the morning go somewhere to have coffee and a good treat with people watching. Maybe take the stroller and sit out and watch people walk their dogs or watch cars etc. Annapolis (as long as it isnt too cold/windy) would be a great spot to grab some brunch, take a stroller walk, see boats, etc. Im not as familiar with DC/NOVA. Go home take a nap. In the afternoon, at the warmest part of the day, go for a hike or Robinson Nature Center in Columbia. Kinder Farm Park in AA Co is great as well. Theres a popular playground and animals to see as well as trails.

It really depends on where you are located. You dont want to be in the car for too long as that can lead to car naps. I personally loved car naps because I would get a coffee and read a book.

If you want to a special activity but maybe encourage independent play I would make a sensory box OR my kid LOVED using different colored shaving cream on our sliding glass door. You can substitute Cool Whip and Kool Aid if she is still mouthy.

Another fun weekend activity would be to go on a hike/walk and collect rocks of all different sizes and then paint them the next day/that night. Then make stories with them in the next day.

Dont overload yourself with stuff to do and be willing to deviate if it isnt a good weekend. You'll know but sometimes the best of intentions dont match your kids mood.