Things to do with a baby

[u/DisguisedBee]

I want to take my three month old on some little outings, so far my plans are pretty much limited to the aquarium. I live in Gosport and don’t drive, but popping across on the ferry isn’t a bother.

Any ideas?

[u/BirdieStitching]

If you mean blue reef, it's pretty dire these days. I went about 15 years ago and loved it. Took my son this summer and it was so depressing. Half the exhibits are boarded off or empty, it needs maintenance.

I've really struggled finding local places to take my son, I especially did when he was younger.

The great news is at 3 months old your child will be just as enchanted with a trip to Maidenhead aquatics by halfords.

I didn't take my son on any real outings until he was nearly 1. In part due to COVID, but don't forget at this age it's the first time your child has ever seen most things, books, supermarkets, garden centres.

The museum has a play gallery with lots of sensory toys, all the local libraries do rhyme time, the staff at the one in town are amazing. When Christmas comes make a day of going around your local garden centres to see the light displays. I spent 20 minutes when my son was 5 months walking up and down the aisles in the range where they had covered it with black cloth and hung lights. He appreciated that far more than he would have a trip to Marwell or Blue Reef at this age. He watched it with big eyes and smiles and kicky feet before falling asleep under them.

My advice is to do these outings for you, take the time to do what you want because once they start moving you never get to relax again. My son is 4 and while I love doing days out with him I wish I'd done more for me while I could because there is no downtime. Your baby will just love being with you and taking everything in.

[u/DisguisedBee → u/BirdieStitching]

I last went to blue reef back in 2022 and it was pretty miserable then. I saw online they had some new exhibits so I was hopeful! We do enjoy a trip to Maidenhead, I have fish so we’re in there pretty regularly even before he came along.

I think I’ll definitely take him to some of the library groups, it’ll be nice to chat to other parents too.

I can’t wait for Christmas lights!

[u/BirdieStitching → u/DisguisedBee]

If you want a cheap way to blow his cute little mind, put battery powered fairy lights in a tupperware with a good catch so he can't open it and put the lights off/on low. My son is still fascinated by it!

[u/TheOGSheepGoddess]

At 3 months old, just go do whatever you enjoy. Walks on the beach, sit at a coffee shop, go to the park, whatever really. Mum and baby groups are good for finding support for you-it's really not for them at this age! But it's much nicer if you're not doing this alone.

[u/wellwellwelly]

Go down Albert road and get off your face

[u/Material-Ad499]

There is a lot of baby groups out there that you can attend, these are more for you to find like minded friends and connect with parents that are in the same boat.

Blue reef aquarium, is dire - my wife took our eldest there about a year ago and said that it was just worthless, if you wanted to go to an aquarium I would advise anywhere but there - hell I'd go to pets at home in havant over that!

Anyway, I digress, at 3 months old they're not going to be very stimulating conversation wise, so do things for you, go out and about, a long / medium length walk and grab a coffee, people watch, enjoy the time you have with your small one.

Enjoy the small time with them, this is the best but and the easiest

[u/luckdragonbelle]

There's a bunch of baby groups about. Check out your local family hub.

[u/daniel2hats]

At that age, they won't care what you do. Nor will they ever remember it.

[u/PortsmouthGal]

Take your child to the local playground to watch other children playing. You might even find other Mums or Dads to talk to.

[u/c0tch]

Boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew.