Activities for a 7 Month-old

Hi E.,

Another group that has playgroups, outings, open gym, kid's club and other drop-in activities that our family has grown up with - Parent's Who Care.
www.parentswhocare.org
I joined when my first son was about 7 months old and it was a lifesaver. Now, 5 years and 2 more kids later, we have found some very good friends and are still very active with the group.

Good Luck,
C.

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I am not sure where you live but wiggleworms is a fun music class for babies or if you are near Oak Park Musikgarten. Also wonderworks has a great crawling area for the little ones. If he is crawling or cruising that could be fun. My little one loved the trains at wonderworks. We also go to the park and she can go in the swing. Also there is a mom's meet up with lots of activities in Oak Park. I think there are activities through NPN also. Have fun.

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This may be a little far for you to drive, but it certainly is free- the Elmhurst Library has an awesome children's section. Fish tanks, puzzles, puppets, toys, and of course books. There's also plenty of floor space to just crawl around. I used to nanny in Elmhurst and take the kids there all the time. Other moms/nannies with kids are always there, and the staff is great and doesn't bother you. I'm sure they have story hour too, but we didn't go for that. If this is too far for you, check out other libraries near you.

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You didn't suggest what area of the city or suburbs. I joined 2 mom's groups that had playgroups where we met other moms in our own homes with one child of a similar age. I also went to the library children's area a lot - lots of moms and great interaction.

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Hi E.,

Try looking for playgroups on meetup.com. I have found a great groups of ladies on that site. Good luck, I know it is hard. I also did the Gymboree classes and ended up finding some really great friends from that and did get togethers with them. It really helped with my daughter shyness.

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Hi E.,

Here are some places to try:

Local libraries have free baby/storytime and even just going there during the day will be stimulating for him. My local library has toys for little ones to play with while they are there and little ones wind up interacting with each other.

The Kohl Museum in Glenview would only cost you 7 dollars because I think your little guy would be free. They have places designated for young children. (There is a sign that says... this area is for children under ?? months- I can't remember the cut off for age.)

Park District classes offer mommy and baby type classes. There are even swimming activity classes for you and him. My town has an indoor swimming public pool as well as 5 outside pools.

Everyone talks about meetup.com I have not tried that, but have heard good things about it.

Lambs Farm has coupons online for the farm area and all day activity pass. My kids loved feeding the goats and sheep. I know your child is not old enough to do that on his own, but you could still push him near the gate to see the animals. There is also a Cosley Farm in Wheaton or Glen Ellyn area that is small and good for little ones. It is free, but donations are always welcomed to help them out.

Kiddie Land in Melrose Park is about twenty dollars for you and no charge for your son. Granted, he probably would not go on rides this year. Well... you could hold him on the merry go round. Well.... maybe save this trip for next summer.

When your son gets to be a little older you go to MacDonald playhouses. That's cheap enough. Sometimes we buy a kid's meal and sometimes just some apple dippers.

I know there are many other ideas that I bet moms will share with you. I have to get going now... or I'd think of more. I hope this helps some.

J.

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I would check out your local library. Our library has open storytime classes for all ages & age appropriate storytime classes that you sign up for. You read, sing, play with toys, meet other SAHMs & it's free!
Also, look into your local park district. At his age, you could take a swimming class & in a couple months maybe an open gym class.
I am not sure where you live, but the Cosley Zoo in Wheaton is a small free zoo with a lot of farm animals.

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You could join a meetup group they have get togethers just about every day of they week and a lot of the activities are free.

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We have a membership at the zoo. You can go all year long and it is so big that especially with a little one you can't get bored. The Hamil Family Play Zoo is a great place for young children. It is inside so you can go anytime during the year. My kids really love the zoo. And with a membership you can go as much as you want and spend as little as you want by bringing you own food. It has been worth it for us.

The Arboretum (sp?) is a good place as well. They have kids programs and there are places to explore.

Have fun!

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Hi,

Not sure where you are located, but if you are in the northwest suburban Chicago area, you may want to check out http://www.parentswhocare.org/index.php

It's a great group with a variety of fun activities and outings.

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I'll second the votes for 1) meetup.com and 2) your local library. I've become a lot more aware of opportunities in the are through my meetup group! If your library doesn't have activities for kids under 1 yr old like ours (Palatine), I have been to the Arlington Heights one and the Wheeling one, which do, so check around at others near you too.

Other ideas:
3) Palatine's park district has an open gym - maybe yours does too - they charge $1 per kid - soon my little guy will be able to crawl around on all of the stuff...

4) Wheeling has a parent & child drop-in time at their indoor water park for which they only charge $3 whether you're in their district or not. It would be a drive for you, but maybe fun once in a while.

5) We tried Kindermusik and loved it. It's a little spendy, but you also do get to keep a book, CD, and a toy. Actually, the library story times I mentioned above can be somewhat similar in format, but lots less intimate.

6) We also just love to stroll to our favorite park - gets Mom exercise too.

I'm with you on not enjoying all of the driving around, so please let us know if you come up with something that doesn't involve as much of that!! 7) Maybe you could start a playgroup in your neighborhood?? Good luck!

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Look for things in your community. Do you have a park district with activities for babies. Also totally free is your local Library. They usually have story time for kids. Also some of the book stores have a cute kid area and story time for babies and different ages. The park is great until winter. Also, some communities have mom groups where you can drop you child with their child care while you and the other moms get to have coffee and chat. Look in your local Herald or your library would be a great resource for finding activities for both of you. Just ask at the desk.

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Lots of awesome responses. Let me give another vote for www.meetup.com - I started my own group on there over a year ago because I couldn't find one that suited my needs, and we have mostly evening and weekend activities, but there are some daytime ones as well, and they become more frequent as we get more SAHM members. Some groups do charge small annual fees, but at the moment ours does not. Depending on where you live, another idea is to go to Odyssey Fun World on 59 by 88. The ball-pit/climbing tube area is free for kids under 2, and there is a small area with lounge chairs and TVs, or a closed off crawling area for the really young ones like yours. It's getting a bit cold now, but if you can borrow a bike seat and helmet, my son loves taking bike rides. We have a front-mounting seat so that he gets a better view than just my bum for the whole ride... ;-) There's also Cosley Zoo, Sonny Acres, Baby Loves Disco occasionally in Naperville... but for sure check out that meetup site - you'll find something for sure! Best of luck!

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try gumboree classes in 2 different areas around your house. 2 different park districts. Park districts have something for every age nowadays. Maybe you'll find 2 days at 1 place and 1 or 2 days in the other. Good luck mommy

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Kindermusic classes are great. We did the toddler Kindermusic class with my daughter, but I know they also offered an infant class. Ours was offered through the local park district. They had classes during the week and on Saturdays.

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Hi E.,
Have you looked into joining a mother's group? There are a ton out there. They provide lots of activities and ideas - many of which are free like playgroups and playdates at places like parks. You can form great friendships with other moms that way and your son can get contact with other children at an early age. I'd start by going to meetup.com and seeing what's in your area.
Best of luck!
MC

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I'm not sure where you are located but the library in Elgin has some awesome free programs. Good Luck!

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You could always find a playgroup or start one in your area. You could also join the botanic garden or the childrens museum (might be a little young for that) you should also check your local park district to see what classesd they offer

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Your local library, Cosley Zoo in Winfield, Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton, Brookdale Wildlife Center across from College of DuPage, the Riverwalk downtown Naperville, Herrick Lake in Wheaton/Warrenville. These are all free. Also, I think Community Christian Church in Naperville has a worship program for little ones and moms to go to together (music, etc). I was there for another program and just saw it through the window. Check out your local forest perserve website if you aren't close enough to enjoy these places.

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Try the website kidwinks.com. It has recommendations for activities and will let you know if there is admission cost. I didn't see which area you're in, but in the suburbs there's also the free booklet (a new one each season) called Oaklee's Guide (www.oakleesguide.com). Do you go to your local park district? They'll have lots of kids' classes and sometimes nature centers as well. Once you start meeting people at Gymboree or at the mall, they'll also have suggestions. Good luck!

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Hi E.,

I don't know where you live, but my own suburb does not seem to have a lot of activities...so I am looking into activities in the surrounding communities (park districts, libraries). I also am on two email lists where parents share resources. I am sure if you join a mom's group or look on meetup.com you can find the same wherever you live.

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You have already received a lot of great ideas so I'll just second checking out meetup.com. There are many meetup groups geared to babies/toddlers and most have activities going on several days/week. I belong to a group that is for under 3yo. When the group started it was all first time moms with babies under 8 mo. The groups usually charge a min fee to join ($5-10) to help with the cost of maintaining the site. I've really enjoyed the group and have met some great friends. I was in the same boat as you trying to find things to do to entertain my son (and me) without breaking the bank.

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