Keeping Busy During the Day

You have received a lot of suggestions so I won't repeat any of them. They are all great.

My son just started Soccer Tots, and he really loves it. He is also very active.

One other thing that has saved my sanity is a gym membership at a gym with great childcare. I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. We go to the gym in the afternoon when it is not too crowded, and I have a hard time getting both of my kids to leave because they are having so much fun. I get a little break doing something good for myself, and they get to have fun running around and playing with other kids.

Hi!
I am not sure what exactly you are looking for in the way of entertainment. If you are looking for classes I would look in to your local recreation center. I took a mommy and me swim class with my son when he was one. We also took a mommy and me tumbling class. And we never attended, but I heard great things about kindermusik classes at the rec centers.

We started story time at our local library is great.

We go to Cabelas (or sometimes Bass Pro)to get out of the house. It's right down the street and my son loves to feed the koi and look at the aquarium.

Ridgmar Mall is about 20 minutes from Keller. They have a great indoor toddler playground. We can make a whole day of this..playground, lunch at the food court(sometimes we buy one, sometimes we bring one), go to the indoor fountains. Occasionally, I get really lucky, he falls asleep and I get some time to browse the mall. Go here in the morning, later in the afternoon the kids get bigger and rowdy.

And the Ft Worth Modern Art Museum is free on Wednesdays. You may want to double check what exhibits they have running before you go - they are not always kid friendly, depending on your comfort level. I have been pleasantly surprised that those visits have gone well. I think and hope my 3 year old is learning how to behave in a museum. Sometimes we bring snacks and go eat outside near the water for a break (you have to cut through the restaurant to get here, but the staff always lets us through). And he loves to hear the echoes in the sculpture out front! We have been doing this trip since he was about a year old.

Glenview Baptist church opens their indoor playground to the public on certain days of the week. Get there early, they fill up quick and may have to turn you away.http://www.glenviewchurch.org/apps/articles/default.asp?a...

The Botanical gardens is a favorite picnic spot. Lots of neat trails and a little play area. It's especially fun in late October when there is the monarch butterfly migration - butterflies are EVERYWHERE! When my guy was smaller I learned to bring the stroller. It never got used hiking out, but coming back to the car it sure did! It's a lot easier to push that stroller than hike with him on my hip!

We went to The US Treasury off 287 and did that that tour. In all honesty we could have just spent the day riding the shuttle bus from the check-in point to the tour facility and he would have been absolutely thrilled. It's free and close. He did get a little bored with the tour, but he liked the hands on exhibits we played with before and afterward.

The Ft Worth Zoo is half priced on Wednesdays. We always bring a picnic.

And admission to the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science costs $9 for adults, but toddlers are free. They have a terrific section just for children that includes water play, dress up, building and nature. But my son was just as fascinated with all the exhibits we saw throughout the museum. They have a dino dig that is especially nice, because it is inside.

Chuck E. Cheese can be a fun play date. We went to their website and got some great coupons.

Hope this helps!

The Library not only has story time, but puppet shows, arts and craft days, and special shows like magicians, check with your local library. Also Pump It Up bounce house has public drop in times, that will wear him out. Y'all could paint ceramics at Sunshine Glaze. If you have a pet there's a dog park in Euless that is super fun. Or Splash at the Boys Ranch in Bedford is a small water park, great for small ones. Good luck keeping busy!

Hi K.!
The summer is a great time to explore new options with kids! I'm not sure where you are, but the FW Zoo & Dallas Zoos are options. We're members of the FW Zoo & get to go for early specials every Monday in June.

Also, is there a good pool or waterpark near you? We live in Bedford & belong to Bedford Splash which is open daily. Speaking of the water, has he taken any swimming lessons yet? My daughter and I started those when she was two with a "Water Tots" class at Bedford Splash. Only $45 for two weeks of classes & it'll wear him out too!

Do you go to the library? They have special activities for kids as well as great books & DVDs to check out.

Look into local festivals. Many of these are free to get into & you can just walk around and check out activities. I know Bedford has the Blues Festival later in the summer & a great event on July 4th as well.

Of course, there are always regular public parks with slides & swings and structures to climb over. Some may even have ducks to feed or walking/biking trails to explore.

Music classes are something my daughter and I enjoyed. Mistletoe Musik Garten is the one we did. Depending on where you are, there are lots of these groups as well.

You didn't mention your religious affiliation, but many churches have Vacation Bible Schools (he's probably still a year too young for most of those) & other camps & activities. Our church, FUMC- Arlington is even offering some camps & other activities specifically for preschoolers this summer!

What a great question you asked. Thanks for getting me thinking of things for us to do as well!

Stacey gave you lots of great ideas, but I also wanted to second the MOMS Club suggestion. I've been a member for almost 4 years, and it's certainly been a godsend for me. We have playdates at people's houses, park days, field trips to the zoo, indoor play areas, etc., coffee clubs, walking clubs - lots of activities to keep him active AND you engaged in some adult conversation! Check it out (www.momsclub.org) and see if it's for you!

My 21 mos. twin girls love to go to the soft play area at Willow Bend Mall. Since it's so hot outside, they can run around and expend a lot of energy, and I don't have to worry about them getting hurt since it's a "soft" playground. Then we go to the food court and have lunch. By the time we leave they are ready for a nap and fall asleep while driving home. They love it!

Maybe you would consider joining a moms/playgroup. Go to www.meetup.com and you will find one in your area.

Other than that, it really depends on where you live. There are city sprinkler parks open for the summer, city pools, indoor play places, malls with indoor play scapes. What about getting a pass to the FW Zoo? If you get it before your son turns 2, you won't have to pay for his pass until next year. With the pass, you get free parking and can go and stay as long or as little as you like! If you live in Arlington, or nearby, send me a message and I can give you some more specific ideas.

Good LUck!

There are quite a few moms groups in the area on meetup.com and google groups. If you sign up for multiple groups you'll have all sorts of activities to keep you busy!

Have you thought of joining a Mom's group? I am a member of the International Mom's Club and there are always several weekly activities to choose from. Go to www.momsclub.org to find one in your city if you are interested. That has saved me. :)

Dear K.,
It's only natural for toddlers to get bored. I provide care for my 3yr. old grandson and we like to go to Toddler Time Storytime at the Hampton Branch Lirary in Oak Cliff. It's on Mon. at 10 am. The lady(Linda) who does it is FANTASTIC. She has a gentle and patient spirit. This is a service provided for free. I have been looking for a mommy playgroup in my area, also, with no success. Also, if you log on to dallaslibrary.org you'll find many different activities planned, at different locations, as part of the summer reading program. Have a great summer. Enjoy your children while they're little, they grow up way too fast.

I have two boys, ages 22 months and 3 1/2 years old. They LOVE the Children's Museum at the Museum of Nature & Science in Fair Park. We go for at least once a week for a few hours. There are different stations - a farm, the bug room, our town, the sandbox, our house, etc. Plus there's a baby room for children 0-2 with soft mats. Also there is a Dino Dig sandbox in the main gallery. The Children's Museum is just off the 2nd Ave exit of I-30 downtown and has free gated parking with security guards. Go once and save your receipts. If you like it, you can apply the cost of your tickets against an annual membership. If you use the discount code "FORB", it costs $76.50 for an annual membership and you can bring a guest and extra children.

I could wear out my twins and give me a rest by taking the little darlings to Jack-in-the-Box. I'd feed them and let them play in the playhouse. Since there were no safety issues at the time, they'd go home and nap for 2-3 hours because I made sure they got tired.

Have you thought of a parents day out program? The First United Methodist Church in Irving has a great one on tues and thurs which isn't to expensive and they also have a drop in rate so you don't have to commit to anything. The people there are super nice!

The McDonalds in Roanoke has a craft day for little ones. I think it's on Wednesday mornings, but I'm not sure. The pet store is always a fun place with my kids. A water park would be lots of fun with a 2 year old too. My son loved NRH2O's giant Splash thing with the bucket and slides. It costs a bit to get in, but there is no parking fee and you can bring in your own food and drinks which is nice! Check a rec center for classes to take. They may not start until 3, but my very active son loved the gymnastics class at the Roanoke Rec Center. I have lots of friends that swear by Gymboree and Little Gym classes, but I haven't done those.