Summer fun for little ones I know there are a million threads on here for summer camps and things like that, but they all seem to be for school-aged kids. What do I do with a 2 & 5 year old, does anyone have any suggestions? I don't think the little one would sit through stories at the library, and he's too young to do any camps. I was thinking about open gym at Morgan's on Fridays, haven't been yet but heard about it, is there a minimum age imit? I also found a soccer camp (indoor) in Raleigh I might take him to, for 2 & 3 year olds. Any other ideas?
There is also a place in Clayton (lowes foods shopping center) called the little gym. You may want to call them and see what they offer. Sounds perfect for that age.
About the library.... I cannot speak for the Clayton Library, but the one in Garner does have story time for the toddlers... It is interactive so they have fun... They have a room off of the children's section specifically for the story time program... It really is worth the drive... They usually have a calendar to let you know what time is set up for each age group.... Find some other Mom's with toddlers and carpool, then go to the park after....
It's over in the Aversboro/5th Ave area, near the police station and old Food Lion. It's the only area library I've ever been to.
Morgan's Gymnastics... OK - I emailed Morgans today because I couldn't get their open gym Friday's info to pull up on their website. Their reply back didn't make any sense...they don't have open gym Friday's during the summer, it won't open again until the Fall. Why wouldn't it be open on Friday during the summer when everyone's home with their kids? And how do people take their kids during the fall when kids are in school? I guess it's only for very small kids?
They don't have open gym during the summer because they have summer camp. If they were smart they would have open gym time during the summer camp outings; that way they can still help out the little ones that are fortunate enough to have stay at home Momma's.
That's what I was thinking. I saw on their summer camp info that they take the kids swimming and things like that, why don't they plan them at the same time? Unless they don't have enough employees maybe? But that stinks, I was hoping to do that with the boys this summer. I did email the woman back and let her know I thought they would do good if they had it in the summer as well.
Raleigh: Pullen Park (if you havent been yet, the kids will LOVE it!); Marbles kid musuem, Playspace (my personal fave!), matinee kids movies (they have them pretty cheap during the summer), Pullen park indoor pool, and also pick up an Independent or kids weekly magazine. They have all sorts of musuem things going on! (Sorry, I'm from Raleigh. These are some of the things I did with my daughter when she was that age) I also second Little Gym!
Playspace is no more-they merged with Exploris and became Marbles. Another good option for younger kids is KaZoom. It's an interactive puppet theater in Raleigh.
I don't go into Raleigh much, but do love Pullen Park, and will be going there I'm sure. I have been to Playspace, but years ago. They have moved now that it's Marbles right? What part of Raleigh is it in now? (just for a general idea?) And what is that Kazoom? Never heard of it before. We've got a pool in the neighborhood, but don't go during the day unless I have another adult with me, because 2/3 of my kids can't swim! But I do turn on the sprinklers in the yard and let them play in them, they love it! Of course, last summer we couldn't due to the drought, hope that isn't the case this year. We'll probably attempt the library once with the little one and see if he likes it, and the same with the movies. He doesn't last through a whole movie usually, unless he either has a lot of snacks, or is really into it. I wish there was a Dora or Diego movie, he'd sit through those!
DMJmom - I cannot remember how old your children are, but what about swim lessons... That teaches them something and is fun at the same time.... Most places they have to be at least 3, unless you do a Mom and me class. YMCA gives lessons Pullen Park Some of the subdivisions also, Ann Stephenson (she is listed in the classifieds here) gives lessons in her pool during the day - she is wonderful. She is all business though, so if your children are tender hearted it may be tough for Momma... I like that about her as one of my children is stubborn and would not cooperate with the kids that teach through the Y and Pullen so those were a waste of money for me. I believe she does a Mom and me class if they are younger than 3.
Might be something to look into...I wanted to do them for my 5 yo, because he is scared of the water. 2 yo isn't, which scares me! It might be hard though, because I'd have them both with me, and I couldn't help both at the same time. Which is why I don't go to the pool alone with them...ugh! I love my kids, but sometimes having so many is hard!! I wouldn't trade them for the world though!! :mrgreen:
Hi DMJ, I am part of Mothers Unlimited and we do playgroups all the time for all ages. We were just at the park this morning. I know we will be going to the park again next week. Of course we go in the morning to try and beat some of the heat. The kids play hard all morning, then go home for lunch and naps. That is our routine anyway. Then I do the sprinkler thing in the afternoon, if I let them out at all. With the temps coming up later in the week, we may have to borrow different movies from my sis!!! 99, three days in a row!!! Yikes!!!
I understand what you are saying...I need an extra hand for my 2 and 3 year old if I attempt to go out on my own.
I still think we should start our own playgroup. It bothers me to pay $40 to sign up to play (and still have to pay to get in to the activities.) (I am not 'dissing any group, I would love to have a free option!)
