My petty gripe: my toddler’s a night owl. Where are all the 5pm kids’ activities?

<p>Yes, Ikea is not the ideal place for a shrieking, giggling, curious toddler who is awake hours after other children have dozed off. But nowhere is</p><ul><li><p>Read <a href="https://viewer.gutools.co.uk/lifeandstyle/series/petty-gripes">more petty gripes</a></p></li></ul><p>It’s Sunday evening and we’re playing chase. My two-year-old is skimming past the kitchen island with the speed and precision of a Formula One driver. A miniature Oscar Piastri, he knows when to hit the throttle to avoid a narrow collision, even if my nervous system reacts as though he’s heading straight into the safety barrier.</p><p>Mini Piastri isn’t circling the kitchen island at home. No, we’re inside a pretend kitchen at Ikea. It’s where we come when every other kid-friendly place has closed and our night owl is still bounding with energy.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/28/my-petty-gripe-my-toddlers-a-night-owl-where-are-all-the-5pm-kids-activities">Continue reading...</a>