Young Children at SIBS

[ontheplane]

Hi all,

Thanks to some very kind peeps on here we are going to SIBS on Sunday.

I have a slightly non-boaty wife, and very non-boaty kids because they are 3 & 4 yrs old and haven't got the bug yet (hired boats on hols and they love it though).

So - what is there at SIBS for the wife so she can have a nice time (manicure, pedicure, anything like that for an hour or so) and what is there for the kids to see / do that they'll like for a bit as well?

Thanks in advance,

Grant.

 

[Nick_H]

For the wife there's a big shopping centre right next door. Nothing much for the kids, so take an iParent.

Actually on preview day there was an amazing robot doing the rounds (i'll try and post a vid), but I'm not sure if it's there all week

 

[bedouin]

I think there was a pamper stand - but not sure if they were offering treatments on the spot.

Really not a lot for the youngsters though - there is a small outdoor play area (part of the Mayflower park) that I presume is open they could use. There is also a big wheel at the other end.

One of my concerns about the show is that they do not do enough to make it a family day out. I think they should try a bit harder to add some pure entertainment so we could take the family.

I went with my wife and sons (11 and 8) last year and it was not a success

 

[rwoofer]

I have young kids (3 * 6year olds) and wouldn't want to take them to the show even though I know they love boats. Much easier to arrange for something alternative nearby for a few hours.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

...I went with my wife and sons (11 and 8) last year and it was not a success

At the risk of putting the OP off, this was my experience too, mine were 10 and 12 and it was an expensive whining disaster. Unless your kids love being around and near and on boats, I'd suggest that you try and find somewhere to park them for the day.

 

[Firefly625]

I think better training is called for...

I always go with my daughter, SWMBO stays at home. Daughter now 12, she looks at the same stuff as me, we look over boats and generally mooch around, lunch at holiday inn & and have a nice day out.. looking forward to our visit on Saturday.

 

[PhillM]

Not in SIBS but quite close, just outside of Ocean Village:

http://www.tresbeautysalon.co.uk/

Call Emma and I am sure she will sort something out for you. No direct connection, I just work in the offices above next door and have used their vouchers to motivate our telesales team from time to time.

There is free but private parking behind . My office space is number 2 - feel free to use it at the weekend.

For the 4 year old there is a day camp at Fairthorne Mannor, which is about 20 mins in the car.

http://www.ymca-fg.org/for-children/fairthorne-manor/

Perhaps not for this year, but in future?

As others have said, SIBS and young children don't really make for pure joy all round.

 

[mlines]

There is a "canoe ride" near the entrance (a sort of merry go round with canoes floating in water going around and around)

There is the Suzuki Rib Ride experience.

There is a hidden ice-cream van which is only £1 per ice cream plus cheap drinks (apparently he has the annual mayflower park concession and they cannot prevent him from coming on the site). Its hidden between the "halls".

 

[rubberduck]

I found it is what you make it, get the kids involved, let them play driving boats & mooring an ips on the computer etc etc, ours started young & eldest (now 22) is going to buy the biggest super yacht ever one day (which he probably will !)
Edit: Get there early as getting the kids properly involved it will take a little longer to get round, you don't want to be dragging them off to see what daddy wants to look at while they are having fun with something, patience is as they say, a virtue.

 

[AIDY]

also small aquariam and coral reef just by the entrance.... something to do with Southampton uni.

 

[andyjcox1]

I would drop the wife and kids off at the shopping center and head in on your own for a few hours. I took my well behaved 3 year old last year, nothing really for them to do, the exhibitors were not too keen to have them on board and you cannot take a push chair on the pontoons.

You will all have a better time if you meet up after.

 

[Oscar24]

There is a "canoe ride" near the entrance (a sort of merry go round with canoes floating in water going around and around)

There is the Suzuki Rib Ride experience.

There is a hidden ice-cream van which is only £1 per ice cream plus cheap drinks (apparently he has the annual mayflower park concession and they cannot prevent him from coming on the site). Its hidden between the "halls".

Yep, the ice-cream van is the biggest bargain at the show. Was told the same story about him having the concession for mayflower park. Must really pi55 the boat show organisers off not being able to charge him

That merry go round thing near the entrance with canoes on looked a bit tragic tbh, the shows not really geared up for kids.

 

[stuartwineberg]

It may not apply but I think I recall a sign saying no strollers on the pontoons so you wouldn't be able to go look at the floating boats

 

[ontheplane]

It may not apply but I think I recall a sign saying no strollers on the pontoons so you wouldn't be able to go look at the floating boats

Neither of them are in strollers now so that's not an issue.

However discretion has become the better part of valour - I think they + SWMBO may be going to Peppa Pig World (17 minutes away and very good - been before) whilst Daddy has 3-4 hours of relaxing fun.