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!
Showing posts with label children's museums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children's museums. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Friday, November 25, 2011
Please Touch Museum is Rated Please Go Right Now!!
Normally I avoid going to Philadelphia at all costs (no offense Philly, but 76 sucks), however, for my little munchkin's 1st birthday, we wanted to treat her to awesomeness that our living room cannot provide.
It was a no-brainer...the Please Touch Museum (PTM) We had been to the Baltimore famed Children's Museum, so we had high expectations. PTM did not disappoint. It was dizzying how many incredible exhibits they had! My favorite was the Alice in Wonderland themed maze where kids could explore all of the fantastical characters from the book. We even had a tea party with the Mad Hatter! There was also a house of mirrors and costumes for dress up.
If that wasn't enough, there was a whole music room with tiny baby grands and even the walking piano like in the movie "Big!". Baby was thrilled with the opportunity to pound out a few showtunes on the black and white keys.
While there was much more for the 3+ kids, the museum had several specific 1-3year old safe play areas. This is to avoid your toddler being run over by a "big kid".
One area that was not accessible for those toddlers on the short side was the River Adventures area, which I was actually looking forward to playing in. Our little one could barely peek over the edge of the duck pond.
However, all of the exhibits were so fun, it didn't matter that one of the twenty play areas weren't the best fit. Heck even the gift shop was fun! Callie got to push a little shopping cart and was in seventh heaven. (I'm still trying to convince my husband we NEED this tiny cart!)
Seriously, if you haven't yet checked it out, it's so worth the drive! Baby slept like a rock that night!
It was a no-brainer...the Please Touch Museum (PTM) We had been to the Baltimore famed Children's Museum, so we had high expectations. PTM did not disappoint. It was dizzying how many incredible exhibits they had! My favorite was the Alice in Wonderland themed maze where kids could explore all of the fantastical characters from the book. We even had a tea party with the Mad Hatter! There was also a house of mirrors and costumes for dress up.
If that wasn't enough, there was a whole music room with tiny baby grands and even the walking piano like in the movie "Big!". Baby was thrilled with the opportunity to pound out a few showtunes on the black and white keys.
While there was much more for the 3+ kids, the museum had several specific 1-3year old safe play areas. This is to avoid your toddler being run over by a "big kid".
One area that was not accessible for those toddlers on the short side was the River Adventures area, which I was actually looking forward to playing in. Our little one could barely peek over the edge of the duck pond.
However, all of the exhibits were so fun, it didn't matter that one of the twenty play areas weren't the best fit. Heck even the gift shop was fun! Callie got to push a little shopping cart and was in seventh heaven. (I'm still trying to convince my husband we NEED this tiny cart!)
Seriously, if you haven't yet checked it out, it's so worth the drive! Baby slept like a rock that night!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Traveling with a Tot
As you may have noticed my absence, my husband and I decided to do the unthinkable: travel with the baby. If you haven't taken a road trip with a 6 month old, don't leave without a plan of action. No baby wants to be in a car seat for over three hours. And no adult wants to be in a car with a baby who has been in a car seat for over three hours!
Since we were going to Virginia (4 hours without traffic), we needed a halfway pit stop. That landed us in Baltimore, Maryland, which is surprisingly kid friendly. After a little research, I found Port Discovery, one of the nation's top five children's museums in the heart of Baltimore. We were particularly attracted to the museum's "Tot Trails," an entire floor dedicated to activities and toys for newborns and infants. What better place to let the baby get a much needed stretch from the car?
Despite the sticker shock of a $13/per person entrance fee, it was well worth the visit. Tot trail had a giant cushioned tumble area decorated like the sea with plenty of toy fish to play with. There was also an indoor sandbox, a "butterfly" catching station, a reading area with plenty of good children books, a fish tank for kids to view, and a "mountain trail" for toddlers to climb. The best perk was a family restroom with changing table.
We spent a good hour and a half with the baby well entertained, but all good things must come to an end. If I lived in Baltimore, I would be a member of this incredible children's museum. It was a young kid's dream come true for unlimited fun. We saw a three story tree house, "tiny diner" (where kids make parents a meal, a kid run "grocery store" complete with plastic groceries, cash registers, and even an "ATM machine." I never saw a kid without a smile in Port Discovery, and that's saying something!
The only bummer about the place was that there wasn't a real cafeteria, only vending machines. For the health-conscious parent, there were sugar free juices available....but it was hardly enough to satiate an appetite built from all that playing. I'd pack a lunch to bring along if you ever made it there.
The experience at Port Discovery made me want to check out other children's museums, but more importantly made me question why Phoenixville or the surrounding area doesn't have one of our own? The closest children's museums are the "Please Touch Museum" in Philadelphia and the "Hands on House" in Lancaster, both of which I'll be touring in the future. I think we could, and should, get a children's museums in the works for the kids in Chester county. We certainly need one!
Since we were going to Virginia (4 hours without traffic), we needed a halfway pit stop. That landed us in Baltimore, Maryland, which is surprisingly kid friendly. After a little research, I found Port Discovery, one of the nation's top five children's museums in the heart of Baltimore. We were particularly attracted to the museum's "Tot Trails," an entire floor dedicated to activities and toys for newborns and infants. What better place to let the baby get a much needed stretch from the car?
Despite the sticker shock of a $13/per person entrance fee, it was well worth the visit. Tot trail had a giant cushioned tumble area decorated like the sea with plenty of toy fish to play with. There was also an indoor sandbox, a "butterfly" catching station, a reading area with plenty of good children books, a fish tank for kids to view, and a "mountain trail" for toddlers to climb. The best perk was a family restroom with changing table.
We spent a good hour and a half with the baby well entertained, but all good things must come to an end. If I lived in Baltimore, I would be a member of this incredible children's museum. It was a young kid's dream come true for unlimited fun. We saw a three story tree house, "tiny diner" (where kids make parents a meal, a kid run "grocery store" complete with plastic groceries, cash registers, and even an "ATM machine." I never saw a kid without a smile in Port Discovery, and that's saying something!
The only bummer about the place was that there wasn't a real cafeteria, only vending machines. For the health-conscious parent, there were sugar free juices available....but it was hardly enough to satiate an appetite built from all that playing. I'd pack a lunch to bring along if you ever made it there.
The experience at Port Discovery made me want to check out other children's museums, but more importantly made me question why Phoenixville or the surrounding area doesn't have one of our own? The closest children's museums are the "Please Touch Museum" in Philadelphia and the "Hands on House" in Lancaster, both of which I'll be touring in the future. I think we could, and should, get a children's museums in the works for the kids in Chester county. We certainly need one!
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