Activities for Infants

Here's what i think...
KinderMusik
Gymboree
Little Gym
DMA
Aboretum
Galleria play area
sand box at the Science Place
Go to a park and feed the ducks (University Dr. between Hillcrest and Preston is a good one)
Owens Farm
Ft Worth Zoo (ride the train)

Hi C..
I am involved in a moms group that meets at Harris Hospital Downtown Ft. Worth on Friday's - it is called Incredible Infants! It has been a great class to learn and a great place to meet new moms. We also do things together outside the class almost weekly - i.e. zoo, story time at Barnes and Noble, meeting at a park, walking in the mall, playing at each others houses.

Join us if you live in the area. My baby girl is 8 months also.
E.

You could join a moms club. I belong to the moms club of coppell and i live in valley ranch.
We have weekly activities and my son enjoys being around other kids and learns so much from them. http://momsclubcoppell.org/

I've got a book called Slow and Steady Get Me Ready. It's got activities from age 0-5 years. I love it, so do my kids. Most activities use stuff you've got around the house.

We did Gymboree for a while with my first, but now with two we got to story time at the library. My 8 month old just loves watching her big brother sing and dance during story time. She likes to watch the teacher read the books too.

Some great books for you to read:

How to Teach Your Baby to Read by Glenn Doman (this one is found easily in libraries)

How to Make Your Child Physically Superb by Douglas Doman and Bruce Hage (this one can be a little more difficult to lay your hands on---odds are you'll have to buy it)

How to Multiply Your Child's Intelligence by Glenn Doman (this one may be in a library)

Anything by Doman would be a good read. For those not found in libraries, you can find them at www.gentlerevolution.com

C. -

I recently took my children to Baby Loves Disco. We had a wonderful time. It is outside your garden variety activities for infants.

http://www.babylovesdisco.com/locations/dallas/

Hi C.,

I would like to suggest my newly released book, "Come Into My World!" It contains 365 creative games and activities for children ages 0 to 5 and is designed to nurture and develop your child's mind, body and soul. You can order it by calling me at ###-###-####, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or e-mailing me at ____@____.com book is also available in Spanish.

You should check out Playwisely - www.playwisely.com. They have several locations around the metroplex. Einstein Kidz offers classes in Frisco.

There are lots of things to do.

You could join Kindermusic (my dd loves this), or a mommy and me swim lessons (we like Emler's) for stuff you pay for. I also like stroller strides for a workout for me -- and interaction with other kids for her.

For events that are going on around town -- check out http://metroplexbaby.com/metromoms.htm -- click on the scoop directory and calendar -- and you can see what is going on around town. Many things are cheap or free. Also, you can sign up for their weekly emails to get the calendar sent to your email box. They also host events themselves that are fun.

You could take her to the park - some parks have baby swings. My dd loves the swings.

We like the pet store at the mall.

And the zoo. (Get a membership -- at the dallas zoo it is tax deductible and totally worth it if you are going to go a few times -- but order it online before you go so you get the free parking).

Or the art museum. They have free days -- but I am not sure when they are. Again if you are going to go any number of times -- look into a membership because it is generally worth it.

At home -- we play kiss fest -- where I yell out kiss fest and then kiss her all over -- and she laughs forever. (You can alter it for tickle fest, etc). I also turn on music and we dance around -- my dd loves the 80s! (I put on something different every time and even listen to music I would not normally listen to).

Hope this helps.

We go to the library for story time once a week.

Around the house:
read books, watch an interactive Baby Einstein such as "Baby's First Moves", meet up with a friend for lunch, go for a walk or invite someone else over to go for a walk.

It's hard because my son takes 2 long naps a day so I only have the in between time to really do something with him.
I try to get out once a day to go somewhere like Target or the Grocery Store. Just helps pass the day.

I don't think I'm very creative now that I think about it.

My little ones loved to finger paint it does get messy so do it right before baths. They eat a little at first, but it is non toxic so will not hurt them. The weather is getting nicer so walks to the park are always a hit.

Go to Meetup.com and look for a mom's group in your area. I am involved in a great group in the GP/Arlington area.

My son's favorite activity is going for stroller rides and I get my exercise, too. You can turn it into a wonderful teaching experience by naming animals and insects and flowers and everything you see. You can talk about colors and the weather and shapes. Or you can just be quiet and let your baby enjoy nature!

My six month old loves the The Little Gym
oh-every friday we also meet other new mom's at the Willow Bend Mall at 10am
we walk the mall. You should join us.

Read, read, read!

When my kids were little, I got an index card holder and some index cards. I wrote one activity per card to put in the holder. Things like...

Read a book
Go for a walk
Have a picnic in the park
Have a picnic inside
Fingerpaint
etc, etc, etc.

Then, whevever I was at a loss as to what to do with my kids, I would reach in there and whatever I pulled out, we would do.

You may think she is to young to do these things, but she is not! Start now and it will be a natural thing for you two to always do these things together.

I have 3 kids (almost7, 5 and 6 months) and they all LOVE playing with shaving cream. I just buy the cheap barbasol stuff, spray it all over the table top and let the kids draw in it! They have a blast, it evaporates so clean-up is easy, it doesn't stain and it's a good wood conditioner : ) I just have to watch the little one so she doesn't eat it. Finger painting is always fun too. You can get out some pots and pans and play the "drums" with her. Paint her toe nails, Let her help you make Christmas presents (tee shirts with her hand prints on them for grandparents), take her to the airport observatory (free), go get snow cones (there is a place on Euless Main that has small ones for .25 cents!), story time at the library, play dates with other moms with kids her age, picnic at the park (or back yard),

well, thats all I can think of : ) Hope it helps.

Take her to PetSmart or PetCo. Its free, and at that age, children love to gaze at the fish and birds. Sometimes there's a pet adoption going on and she can pet a kitty, and also watch dogs getting groomed through the glass. Its seriously more fun for little ones than the zoo, which is expensive and overwhelming. Just don't bring any critters home with you. :)

Are you looking for a class?

I teach baby and toddler sign language classes for hearing children.

I have a few events coming up including:

A practice session of my teaching skills for a new class and I need participants!

Details:
I need adult participants on Saturday, October 25 for 2 hour time slots.
Choices are: 11am to 1 pm or 2 pm to 4 pm.
The class will take place in my home in Rowlett, near Dalrock and Hwy 66.

Please be prepared to get a sitter for your little one(s) as this is an accelerated learning experience, where you will practice 60+ signs and 4-5 songs. Class manual with signs and songs introduced is included.

If you are interested in helping me out, I would appreciate it very much!

Please send me a private message for more information. Hurry! Space is limited.

My other events are listed at my website:
http://www.weehands.com/weehands_with_sheri.htm

I will have Signing Babies I classes scheduled in the near future. Stay tuned!

If you are in the Fort Worth area--we LOVE our music class with Carol Spencer at Mistletoe Musikgarten. I am also part of the Benbrook Early Childhood PTA-www.becpta.org--and they do weekly activities and have events. At Harris Hospital--they have an Incredible Infants class once a week and a Terrific Toddlers Class after age 1--we formed a weekly playgroup out of this class.

Gymboree PLay & Music classes are loads of fun! Not sure where you live, but if Allen is convenient for you, we have a wonderful organization, Allen Early Childhood PTA. Here is our website: www.aecpta.com We have monthly meetings with interesting speakers for moms & childcare for a small cost, field trips to fun areas around the metroplex many which are free, monthly adult socials, craft circle for moms, book club for moms, a babysitting co-op and play groups. The moms are very friendly & welcoming and we are always happy to meet new friends! Look at our website and check us out-- you don't have to live in Allen!
Congratulations to you,
Warmly,
A.

We have a blast with Stroller Strides/LUNA Moms Club in Arlington. They have Stroller Strides class 6 mornings a week, so I get a great workout, while my kiddos are entertained and then they have at least 2 playgroups a week with LUNA Moms Club.

Stroller Strides information can be found at www.strollerstrides.com, and our LUNA Moms Club site is http://moms.meetup.com. LMC is free!

Let me know if you have any questions! :)

Flash cards with colors and shapes are great. Also using pictures of beautiful places and things, animals, family members is good. Just show the picture, let your child absorb it for a moment while you tell what it is. Pat-a-cake played with a rhyme or song is fun too.
Of course, there is no substitute for the age-old game of peek-a-boo. Children never seem to get tired of it!
Good luck and have fun with your little one.

We really enjoyed StoryTime (at our local library) from the time DD was about 9 mo. Sure, she didn't listen, and sometimes she was loud, but it is an activity designed of ages 0-4, so we fit right in. It gave us a nice, easy, free outlet to be with other people and kids!

I teach Kindermusik in the area. I would love to talk to you about our classes and I can direct you to a teacher near you.
Feel free to call or email me ###-###-#### or ____@____.com

Hi C.-
Not sure where you live, but check out your local library. Flower Mound library hosts a weekly infants program. It is lots of fun- for both of you!
The Lewisville library also has storytime.
Have you been to storytime at Barnes and Noble?
These are all free activities.

Also, google MOMS CLUB. I just joined one, and we have a weekly playdate for the kids.

Good luck with finding activities!

I love Kindermusik. My son started when he was 6 months and now 4 years later he asks almost daily if it's his Kindermusik night! Check out the website for a free class.

www.kindermusik.com

We absolutely loved storytime at the library, Mansfield has an awesome program. You could also check out a local Moms Club or Mansfield Early Childhood PTA (MECPTA). Both are a great way to meet other mommies and get your little one out and about.