Little Liberty Thrift Store

Since my in-laws have moved into town, I’ve been hitting the thrift stores with them in order to furnish their wonderful new home.  This is when we stumbled across “Little Liberty” thrift store in Collegeville.  If you need toys, strollers, clothes, high chairs, or anything else baby/toddler related, you need to check this place out! It’s become a bi-monthly outing for us to get “new” toys and unload the ones we don’t use anymore. It’s a place you have to experience for yourself to understand that it is not “too good to be true.”   

Last Week of Phoenixville Library Kids Programs for Summer

All good things must come to an end as the school year come to a beginning.  This Friday will be the last day of the PHX Library's summer kids program at the high school. Beloved "Miss Bridget" informs me that once the renovations are complete at the library (probably mid-September), the kids programs will resume as always.  For the last remaining days of summer, I will be sorely missing the Learning Explorations and Storytimes! 

Here are some alternative storytimes you can check out in the meantime:

Retold Tales- (Phoenixville's new used bookstore on Bridge St)
    Sundays and Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 2 p.m

Towne Book Center (Collegeville, in the Wegman's plaza)
     Wednesdays 11am

Barnes and Nobles (Devon)
    Saturday and Tuesdays at 11am, Pajama story time Fridays 7pm

Barnes and Nobles (Exton)
     Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 11am

Chester County Book & Music Company (West Chester)
     Wednesdays at 10:30am

Return to Nature: Reviews of Nature Centers and Sanctuaries

I’ve been attending so many “Parent and Me” toddler groups this month (Gymboree, YMCA, and Phoenixville Library’s kids programs) that I was starting to feel the only way to entertain a toddler would involve a parachute, bubbles, and circle songs.  How can I get away from the daily trap of singing “Wheels on the Bus” to keep my little girl entertained?   

Return to Nature!  What can keep a child entertained more than flowers, butterflies, bunny rabbits, turtles, fish, and an assortment of farm animals? Nothing I can think of!  So we headed to the Upper Schuykill Valley Park on 1600 Black Rock Road in Royersford to check out what they have to offer a toddler.  The first thing checked out was the butterfly house, and while there weren’t any butterflies in it on this visit, there was a nice koi pond with frogs and turtles to enjoy. To get out of the heat, two air conditioned rooms allow for some nice animal viewing.  The rabbit house had some cute little thumpers to enjoy, and while we couldn’t pet them, it was nice to say helIo through the cages.  The barn where the piglets used to be housed has been converted into a wonderful indoor sanctuary for a fish pond, several snakes, frogs, and turtles, as well as a skunk and a minx.  I have to say that while I missed the little piggies, what they’ve done to the space is even more enjoyable!   Around the back of the buildings are areas to view eagles, vultures, owls, pheasants, and other birds.  Then finally enjoy the farm area where goats and foxes reside.  If your toddler isn’t too tired try a short nature walk on the canal trail and end up at the Schuykill Canal Park in Monte Clare. Be warned, this trail is NOT paved and has some rocks to traverse, so don’t take the stroller.   

The Upper Schuykill Valley Park is only a short mile from the Black Rock Sanctuary where there ARE paved trails for a stroller ride.  The toddler crowd will enjoy the giant bird’s nest to walk in and easy access to the pond for splashing and turtle spotting.  There is also a butterfly trail here as well as picnic areas so pack a lunch and enjoy nature a while.  A kid doesn’t need all the singing and dancing and playground equipment parents tend to scope out for entertainment.  Really, watching my daughter throw rocks in the stream at the Great Valley Nature Center for over an hour and a half taught me that much! I’d review the GVNC for you, but we honestly never made it past the creek both times we visited! However, stomping through the creek sure beat a dip in the chlorinated and crowded waters of Baker Pool at the Y on a hot day! Much better for your piece of mind too!

So before you circle up for yet another Parent and Me program of any variety, consider taking a vacation from the routine and return to nature.  You will be glad you did!

3 Nearby Playgrounds Worth Visiting

Not all playgrounds are created equal.  I’ve been to a fair share of the neighborhood parks to discover this alarming fact.  However, there are a few wonderful gems among the quartz.  If you are looking to capitalize on the cooler weather, get your kids in the car and visit these parks!

Kimberton Park- Located on 2202 Kimberton Road in Phoenixville, this park has the best facilities I’ve found locally.  There are three giant playground equipment centers that are PERFECT for toddlers as well as the bigger kids.  Some playground equipment makes me wince when my toddler is climbing at heights I’m not quite comfortable with….Kimberton avoids this to the relief of parents everywhere with daredevil children.  This park also boasts a giant sandbox and swings! 

Wilson Farm Park-   the website certainly doesn’t do this park justice.  It’s missing pictures of an amazingly huge playground (and one a very nice foam foundation- no woodchips!)  Slides, rock wall, swings, jungle gym, and fantastic bathroom facility right there!  It’s located near the Chesterbrook shopping center by the interchange of 202 and 252.  You want to head to the “family activities” area. Don’t be fooled by the small playground area when you first enter the park.  Travel to the back of the park and you will find the gold! 

Manderach Memorial Playground- located at Limerick Community Park Swamp Pike and Ziegler Road.  This place hosts a giant playground castle for the bigger kids and separate smaller castles for the toddlers to place in too!  It’s truly a marvel of playground science.  Beware though, the place is naturally swarming with kids! 

Kutztown Folk Festival this Weekend!

Being as PA Dutch as a person can possibly get, it was essential to visit the Kutztown Folk Festival and reconnect with my roots.  Get all the kraut dogs, funnel cake, homemade ice cream, and corn fritters you can stomach at this festival of the foods and arts.  Besides being able to eat some authentic Dutch food, you can purchase a HUGE variety of handmade amish/mennonite crafts from over 200 craftsmen at the fair.

But what is there to do for the kids? How about a real carousel ride pulled by a mule?  Or puppet shows? Live musical performances?  Hay mazes, petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, child size train rides? Yes, the Kutztown Folk Festival has them all!

Some things you need to know...It's going to be hot Friday and Saturday.  Bring water, or you'll be paying $2 a bottle.  If your kids want to bounce in the bounce house, BRING SOCKS!  The heat makes the plastic SUPER hot, so you don't want to burn the toddler's footsies by trying it barefoot. 
Also these particular rides you need to purchase tickets for.  There are plenty of free kids activities, but bring cash (there are ATMs on site). 

Kids under 12 years of age get in free, but adults are $14 (parking is included). Here is a coupon for $3 off of admission (my gift to you!) Have fun, and if you ain't Dutch, you ain't much! Festival ends Sunday, July 8th.

PHX Library Kids Programs are Returning!

On a whim, I decided to check in with the progress of PHX library's renovations and if this summer would be one without toddler storytime... The good news is that PHX library kid's programs are back, but in a temporary new location for July.  Get ready to head to the PHX High School Room E1 and E8 for all the programs you know and love from our local library:

Learning Explorations 1-3 yr olds
Toddler Storytime 1-3 yr olds
Yoga ages 2-5 yr olds and 5-12 yr olds
Thrilling Thursdays with magicians/comedians
Make and Take Mondays 2-12 yr olds
Preschool Storytime 3-5 yr olds
Gaming 5-12 yr olds
Family Movie Matinees (Fridays at 2pm)
Lego Club 5-12 yr olds
Gaming 5-12 yr olds
Pajama Storytime
Teen Gaming
Teen Movie nights

Check out out the calendar for exact dates and times!  See you there!

Jenkins Arboretum

     What better way to celebrate the outdoor season than a nice, shady nature walk? We recently visited Jenkins Arboretum, located just north of the 252 & 202 interchange in Devon, for a nice stroll through some flowers.
First, Jenkins Arboretum is FREE although you might want to consider a membership just to keep this amazing place going. It was the most pristine nature center I've ever been to! No trash, well kept paths (mostly paved), and flower varieties marked with signs for the horticulture enthusiast. Also no dogs allowed, which was pleasant knowing I wouldn't step in any dog-doo along the way.
     Some of the nice features of the arboretum was a wonderful pond, plenty of benches along the paths that were in the shade, and a fantastic gift shop/bathroom facilities. You kids will be delighted to see giant decorated watering cans out front before the joing the staff for a nature story time on Tuesday mornings at 10am (for 3-5 year olds & free).
      If your child is still not ready for a nap after visiting Jenkins Arboretum, I strongly suggest going to the nearby Wilson Farm Park next.

Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA

The Phoenixville YMCA is hosting its Healthy Kids Day today from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Stop by for fun, games, food, and a photo opportunity with Micky and Minnie Mouse.

 The Spring Valley YMCA is also hosting a Healthy Kids Day from 12 to 2 p.m.

And, outside of the YMCAs, the Baby and Toddler Expo is underway at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (the big place by the Regal Oaks 24).

Which Y Program is Best for Your Baby – and Why

Winter may be over, but your baby can’t tell spring fever from cabin fever if he or she can’t go outside. They’ll scream, they’ll stomp, they’ll do anything but tell you that they’re not hungry or they don’t want to see the “Dance” episode of Yo Gabba Gabba! for the hundredth time  – they’re just bored. They want slides, ball pits, moon bounces, other kids, and honestly you’d rather give them those things than worry that they’re watching too much television.

So while summer is the best time for playgrounds and parks, parents may want to check out some other options to get their tots through rainy days.  The YMCAs in Phoenixville and Spring Valley offer quite a few programs for kids too young for preschool that will let them have fun before a very long nap time.

The second spring session begins on April 28, so there isn’t much room left on the class lists. Still, if you’re interested in getting your child involved, here are a few programs you may want to watch for in the early summer:

Pee Wee Playground

Think of this as an indoor playground with a supervisor. The kids have a full array of obstacles at their disposal, including a ball pit (at Spring Valley), slides, balls, tunnels, and cushions. The only thing they don’t have is a structure – no songs or circle time. It is a free-for-all where kids (and their attention) wander freely.

Speaking of free, that’s exactly what this class is for full members of the YMCA. It also fills up incredibly fast, so if you want your child here you’ll have to get to the membership desk within minutes of the registration start time.               

Gym Tots

The best thing about this class is that, if your child sticks with gymnastics, he or she will be able to say, “I’ve been doing this since I was a toddler.”

Gym Tots has a little more structure than the Pee Wee Playground, in that each session begins and ends with songs sung in a circle. In between, it’s all free time. The toys tend to be more gymnastically oriented – in other words, more trampolines, ramps, and balance beams – but again the kids have free reign to do what they want to or don’t want to. All the parents have to do is keep up (which is a workout itself) and offer a helping hand when the child attempts the big steps or narrow rails.

My Parent and Me Gym

And now we get to the most structured of the toddler classes. After some free time, the kids start class by singing and dancing in a circle, play games with a parachute, and get a wide assortment of instruments for a musical interlude before ending with “Ring Around the Rosie.”

 Ideally this will teach the kids to follow a routine, cooperate, and even share, but how well they actually do that varies by age and crankiness level. It’s not uncommon for parents to have to sit out an activity or two to calm a crier, so don’t be embarrassed if it happens to you.

Sign Language for Infants/Toddlers

If you’ve heard the stories about how teaching a toddler sign can do anything from boost IQs to improve temper tantrums, you may want to check this class out. I learned from experience that it’s best taken with an infant or child that won’t crawl/run around so much that you’re spending more time chasing than signing.  Even though it’s helpful to learn the sign for “come here,” it doesn’t work when your child is too busy looking through another parent’s backpack to notice you.

For best results, you should get some books or DVDs on sign language to refresh what you learned in class at home. It also helps to dedicate some time when the child can’t look away – such as when he/she is in a high chair or ready for bedtime - to practice the signs. The class will teach you how to sign out such classic books as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” and “Goodnight Moon” so you can add a kinetic element to your storytelling.

Shrimp/Kipper Swim Classes

Getting your child accustomed to water early in life can keep them from being “chicken of the sea” as adults. This very friendly class has parents help their children through the fundamentals of kicking, grabbing water, lying on their backs, and playing with toys. They won’t be Michael Phelps at the end of the session, but even he had to start somewhere.

Parents who are a little hydrophobic can rest assured that their children don’t need to be submerged any more than necessary to blow bubbles – and they don’t even have to do that. Since your little ones will always be in your arms, waterwings or other floatation devices aren’t necessary, but swim diapers definitely are.

Phoenixville Library to Stop First Steps to Reading Program Indefinitely

     
Bad news for parents with children who look forward to fun books, bubbles, and parachute time: The Phoenixville Library will hold its last First Steps to Reading event on Monday, April 30.  And before anyone grumbles about funding or priorities, this is all related to the renovation project for the facility. It’s possible that everything will be back on track soon and our little crawlers will be snapping scarves at iridescent bubbles within a few months, but at this point it’s too soon to be anything but hopeful.

After the playtime following storytime (which is actually a lot of fun for the 15-months-and-up crowd), there won’t be many things for toddlers and babies at the library. Of course, the library won’t be offering much during the month of May at all, because it will be closed from May 7 to 22 for construction. For more information, click here, or go to the meeting on Monday, April 30, at 7 p.m. in the Carnegie Room with your list of questions. Otherwise, just remember that you can borrow books for a little longer while the construction is underway, so you may want to check out any books your little readers may want from the children’s section soon.

Rebecca Krause, Director of Children’s & Young Adult Services says at this point there is no set location to host the First Steps to Reading series, mainly because the room it’s currently in is scheduled to be heavily remodeled (specifically: they’re going to knock down a wall). She says the program could resume in the coming months if they find an appropriate site, but so far nothing’s been promised.

Since we’re on the e-mail list, we’ll keep you posted and let you know when something becomes known. Until then, Monday and Wednesday mornings will be a little less fun for our little listeners.

Top Five Kid Friendly Activities in the Area

First, let me sincerely apologize for letting my readers down in the updating department.  Working full-time and baby creates very little free time to blog about all the fun things we only get to do on the weekends.  My husband, who is my daddy around town during the day, keeps me updated on all the cool stuff for kids that I'm missing out on.

Here's the TOP FIVE KID FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES we have given the "thumbs up" to in kid friendly events:

1. PHX Library's "First Steps to Reading" (formerly "Baby Story Time") program.  (I've included a link to the PHX Library Kid's Calendar to the right and posted some, but not all, of the events they have going on right now).  It's the same fun with books, music, and parachutes that I reported on before.

2.  The Freedom Valley YMCAs Currently he's taking the baby to free "Peewee Playground" on Tuesday afternoons and "Parent and Me Gym" at on Thursdays at the Spring Valley Y.  He takes her to "Baby Sign Language" on Wednesdays and Swim Classes on Saturday at the PHX Y.  (Yes, our baby is very active).  Click here to find a YMCA kids' program you like.  On a side note the Spring Valley Y has a SHALLOW INDOOR POOL for kids.

3. Elmwood Park Zoo- Who knew that Norristown had a zoo???  Not me, until a Groupon showed me fun practically in my backyard.  While this place certainly deserves it's own blog post...who knows when I'll get to that.  They have a variety of cool animals, educational programs for all ages, have an extensive playground, host birthday parties, and you can even camp out there if you are brave!

4. Franklin Commons  - It's rainy, you're hungry, and you need an indoor place to set your child loose to alleviate boredom.  Franklin Commons is your sanctuary.  For those who haven't been there, it's a "mixed-use educational, corporate and recreational facility" located on the north-side of PHX and houses two daycares, Renaissance Academy, a very nice bistro with a very nice indoor play yard (complete with toys) for your little one to explore.  This is the place to meet for a playdate when no one wants to host at their own house.

5. Please Touch Museum- I know it's in Philly, but it's seriously close enough and cool enough to risk 76 traffic and have some fun. Plus, I guarantee your kid will sleep like a rock afterwards.  See all about it in my previous post!

So, now that I've updated the blog, I can put my guilt to rest.  As always, please leave comments of fun places we can review for future blog posts!