If you’re a member, I highly recommend you take advantage of this perk from time to time. Most YMCAs and park district recreation centers offer an hour or two of free or cheap babysitting services in a daycare-like setting for parents. Use the location finder to see if there’s a restaurant with a Playplace near you. We also plan road trips around McDonald’s Playplaces because they give our daughter a chance to burn some energy after a few hours in a carseat. Playplaces are separated from the rest of the restaurant with a seating area where mom and dad can relax with their McFlurry (what… just me?). I’m not excited about getting my toddler hooked on Big Macs, but I can’t deny that sometimes a McDonald’s Playplace, which is basically just an indoor climbing structure, is a literal lifesaver. Indoor McDonald’s (or other restaurant) Playplaces Stick with fish and other cage-bound pets like lizards, hamsters and guinea pigs.ĥ. Just be careful with any loose animals, and stay away from places where people can bring their own dogs, like Petsmart or Petco. My daughter (and every other toddler I know) loves to look at fish and animals, so if the zoo isn’t an option, we head to our local pet or aquarium store. She loved exploring the staged children’s rooms with their toddler-sized furniture too. The last time we took our daughter to Ikea, she couldn’t get enough of the toys that were available for her to test out. I used to dread the idea of getting through Ikea with my toddler, but then I realized that the children’s section is set up to entertain the kiddos. And, if your little one is still content to hang out in the stroller, malls are a great indoor space to get some walking in when the weather outside is frightful. Some malls also have paid attractions, like train rides or small carousels. Indoor malls often have small play areas for young children-usually small climbing structures, and they are usually free. Check out libraries in nearby towns and give your little one a chance to explore new spaces. This is an obvious one, right? Keep in mind, even if it’s not story time, most libraries have moved beyond shushing and have interactive children’s sections with toys, blocks, computer games and, of course, books. The next time you’re stuck inside and have exhausted your toys, crafts, activities and resources, try one of these unexpected places to take a toddler on a cold or rainy day.ġ0 Unexpected Places to Take a Toddler on a Cold or Rainy Day 1. The original version appeared on her blog, and is re-posted here with permission.Įven though the second week of March brought temperatures in the 50s to Chicagoland (hooray!), I’ve lived here long enough to know that winter may not be completely behind us yet-and spring in the Midwest will bring plenty of rainy days.Īs the parent of a toddler, I have learned to get creative when coming up with new ideas to get us out of the house when our go-to outdoor activities, like the park or zoo, aren’t an option. This is a guest post from Lou of the amazing blog Mommy Sanest.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |