I know, I know….
Summer time is almost over, and your kids are clamoring for one last exciting adventure!
Well, if you're in MamaBear's family, you do the non-obvious, of course.
Which in our case means….taking the kids to IKEA!
Yes, IKEA. The furniture store.
Confused? So was I, until I realized just how much the kids enjoyed it!
Here's how it started.
About 4 years ago or so, the husband and I packed the kids in the moose-mobile to visit IKEA. Our IKEA, mind you, is situated right next to the airport, so you can see the jets zoom in and out all day (makes for exciting conversation during the world-famous IKEA lunch!).
At that time, our resident space alien, HD2, picked up a stuffed hippo at the beginning of the IKEA marketing walk (What's the "IKEA marketing walk", I hear you ask? It's the way the entire store is laid out so you *have* to pass by tons of iirresistible impulse buys – you can learn more at Opinions vary on IKEA store 'maze' layout). Of course, HS1 and HS2 followed suit! When I asked them, what were they doing, HD2 said, "This is a temporary hippo who we're showing the store to".
And the official Mama Bear Ling IKEA outing was born. 🙂
The kids happily walked thru the entire IKEA maze and started making up stories about the various rooms/products/etc. They were very respectful to displays, they didn't speak loudly or annoy other shoppers, but wow….they had a tremendous ball and were ready to fall asleep once we were finally done.
We've taken the kids to IKEA ever since!
Here's some pix:
Camping in the wilderness:
Star-gazing (kinda sorta) in the wilderness:
As you can tell, a grand time was had by all. And yes indeed, we also bought some necessities for home too!
Thus, should you ever need an exciting outing for your children that sparks their imagination…take them to IKEA.
Guaranteed, they'll never look at retail store the same way again.
Parent powerfully,
— MamaBear
ps – speaking about IKEA, have you seen:
