I am looking for some fun things to do with my 8 month old daughter. We have walked every mall a million times, had a few play dates but are looking for something more. I would like to have a planned activity to go to since the weather is now miserable. Anything with music,gymboree, or even unstructured drop-in's. In early fall we participated at a music class at the Nokomis Community Center and we had a blast.
My baby needs some socialization and so do I.
I am new in the Twin Cities so I'm not too familiar with all thats happening around town. I have been on the internet but nothing has really caught my attention.
When my first son was that age we did music, swimming, and ECFE in the winter and we were also members of the Meetup Stay at Home Moms groups in Minneapolis and St. Paul. I HIGHLY recommend that you join one or both of them. I know that the St. Paul group has infant play groups for new moms and both groups have stuff going on all over the cities every day. I think there is a Hip Mama Meetup group, too.
Have you looked to see if there is a MOMS club in your area. I am a member of my local MOMS club. They generally go by city or zip code to form clubs. They are not in all areas but you can go to momsclub.org and email them to find out if there is one in your area. It is a wonderful organization to get to know other moms and kids. They have playgroups, activities, parties, outings, etc. Also, we belong to the YMCA and they have lots of activities for parents/kids to do together and also free childcare while you excercise.
We love Music Together classes. It's great music for kids under 5 and their parents. Many classes per week. There's singing and dancing, and lots of emphasis on rhythm and development of music appreciation. Classes are 10-12 weeks long, and the repertoire changes every cycle. More info at www.ensemblemusic.net. Good luck!
I am a SAHM in Mpls too and have 2 kids, now 2 and 4, so I have lots of ideas for you :) Storytimes at libraries, Auntie Ems, Red Balloon (in St.Paul) or Wild Rumpus, Toddler Tuesday at the Mall of America, ECFE!!!, Playtimes or Music class through MPLS parks (I've taken Movin' and Grovin' several times and it's GREAT! The teacher is Paula), Edinborough indoor play area (your daughter is free until she is 1, it's a fun, free activity, even if she's just crawling and they have free concerts on Thursdays at noon), MN zoo, Como Zoo (better in the summer), children's museum...here are a few websites for you...
http://www.mpls.lib.mn.us/
http://ecfe.mpls.k12.mn.us/
www.minneapolisparks.org/
http://www.mallofamerica.com/adults_toddler_tuesdays.aspx
Have fun!
H.
Hi-
I don't know Mpls as well but in St. Paul, there are alot of rec centers here that offer free activities, low priced activities and open gym.
Also, story time at the Red Balloon on Tuesday morning, Barnes & Noble Thursday am etc.
We go to Bob's Choo Choo Store and they have fun playing with the Thomas and other train sets. Jackson Street roundhouse - same concept or Twin Cities Model Train Museum at Bandana Square. I find all young ones love trains.
I take my 1 year old to a Music Together class every Sat. that he loves. If you want that info, let me know.
Welcome to the Twin Cities!!
It might be a little bit of a drive to some locations, but Three Rivers Park District (http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/) has some really great programs, including some for your daughter's age, and all of their nature centers (they have indoor buildings with exhibits and play areas) are free to visit and explore.
And don't forget about library storytimes...Central in downtown Mpls has tons of special events too!
Other ideas that won't break the bank:
Toddler Tuesday at Mall of America
Science Museum Preschool Playdate Tuesdays (St. Paul)
Macy's 8th Floor Holiday display (Nicollet Mall) free, The Nutcracker is the theme this year
Family Village (New Hope) free play area and great classes
Sovereign Grounds (South Mpls) coffee shop with play area
Baby Loves Disco (Mpls, Foundation Nightclub) Dec. 15
Please also check out http://twincities.parentzone.com (I'm a local freelance writer...and SAHM to 2 and 3 1/2 year old girls...and that's my current project). There's a lengthy list of Classes for Kids. Within the Family Fun area there are subcategories for indoor play areas, free things to do, and there's also a calendar of local events. You'll also find a list for Playgroups and Parent Groups and you're likely to find one nearby. Good luck!!
How about ECFE classes (offered through your local school district), a MOMs club or a YMCA? Have fun! I highly recommend the ECFE classes for socializing both of you.
I highly recommend looking into ECFE classes through your school district. (ECFE = Early Childhood Family Education). I'm not sure what they have for your daughters age, but when my boys were small, the format was play time with mom, then some seperation time where mom's got to chat and kids played (and learned to be away from mom a little bit), and then we got back together for some group fun time. At the younger age you probably stay with your child. Anyway - you learn some fun things to do with your child and one of the best things is you connect with other moms from your area with kids at the same age level. Check it out! They have classes and groups that start at various times over the year. If nothing is available in your school district, check out one nearby.
