Playtime with other kids or at home alone??

[redbaby]

Just a question for you all,... we are just about to buy a house and we have 2 options presenting themselves at the moment,... One of the hosues is very beautiful but has a very small outdoor space,..the other house is not nearly as nice, but the garden is bigger,.... I have been thinking about it, and I think I would prefer Scarlett to play at the park with other kids (we have great outdoor playgroups in Sydney's inner west - great ladies aswell - they are on at different parks every day,..and heaps of stuff to do - craft, singing, storytime, toys, gym mats and climbing gear etc - and it's free!!),...than to play in the garden at home by herself,.. what does everyone else think? Social play with heaps of other kids and more chill out time at home (in a much nicer house), or a bigger garden to play in at home,....alone,.????

[Chickadee]

We have a fairly large garden. Ms2.5 mostly just plays in a small part of it where we have her sandbox set up and on the paved area (pushing her dolls pram, riding her trike etc). Maybe as she gets older we'll use more of it for chasing and ball games, but there is always the park for those too.

[the_queen]

I think if you're lucky enough to have such great parks etc with that social connection, then take full advantage of it!!

[Peaceangels]

So no seachange/treechange anymore Jane?................

I think smaller backyard/better house because kids get bored with their own toys / house / yard and if you have great parks and free entertainment available then I would be making use of that (with the added bonus of other kids for your DD to play with and other mums for you to chat with :thumbsup: ).

Having said that it is also good for them to be able to play alone, but a mix of solitary play and interactive play is good.

We only have a small backyard and the kids mainly play in the sandpit, on the climbing gym set or riding their bikes and I try to get them out to a park a couple of times a week for variety - they love just being somewhere different to their own place (same as with toys - they love other kids toys!).

[jembelina]

I say go for the smaller backyard. Kind of sounds like you're leaning that way anyway!! Besides it's not like there is nowhere for her to get some fresh air at home. A small backyard isn't the end of the world. We have a huge backyard and ds loves to walk around the entire house exploring as he goes again and again and again - a big pain for me if I want to do anything outside while he plays as I have to follow him around! Much easier to supervise ina smaller backyard! My dream home would have a huge window in the kitchen from which I would be able to see the whole backyard!!!

[EskimoMumma]

I would have a little of both. Its great for the kids to be able to play and be on their own, they enjoy it and it lets them take full blown advantage of their imaginity and it is also good having them interact with other people :smiliedance:

Definatly the hosue wit ht he bigger i would go for. IT would be a good change for myself because i have always chosen the nicer houses vs play area and experiencing it for a while , it is most advantagous to have a house with a big yard! :D