Seeking Play Centers for My 2 Year Old

Hi,

I too live in S Austin and have an (almost) 2 yr old. I know a lot of my friends like Little Gym on William Cannon. Also, on Monday's at the Children's Museum they have Baby Bloomer's which is a lot of fun, there is also storytime at the Library on Convict Hill a few days a week my daughter loves.

Austin Children's Museum is great fun! I take my three boys weekly. (ages 7,5 & 2)

There is the Gymboree on South Lamar. My daughter enjoyed her time there when she was 2. They also have art and music classes.

I joined a local gym. I needed the work out, and I met women at the classes. My kids played with others at the day care. My local Golds gym on Willian canon has a pretty good kids room and the classes are prety good.

I am also a fan of Library storytimes. My preschooler loves hers and I have found some mums that at least say hi.

Playdates are the best. You get some good adult time, they are free and they get to play with each other's toys.....

K.

If you are looking for indoors, here are my usual hotspots: Tuesdays and Wednesdays there is storytime at Bookpeople on Lamar. If the day is nice, it's always fun to walk over to Whole Foods, grab a coffee, and let my daughter play at the jungle gym on the terrace. Also on Wednesdays, there is a community night at the Children's Museum, which is downtown. There is a $1 entry fee, and on Sundays from 4-5 the admission is free! Another indoor activity with lots of fun families, is Sunday morning, 10:30, at Ruta Maya on South Congress. They have children's musical shows, which are free--although the musicians do accept tips. :)

Outside is where it's at, though, here in South Austin: Zilker Park, where you can ride the train and visit the water exhibit at Barton Springs; the Science and Nature Center, where they have a Dino Pit, protected trails, and a wildlife exhibit which features coyotes, owls, snakes, and lots of other critters. Don't forget about the fabulous wading pool at Deep Eddy, and the water fountain park across from Auditoreum Shores. Little Stacy park is also really nice, in Travis Heights. Finally, don't forget about the Greenbelt. My little girl loves it, and she is only 27 months old. I used to think that it would be too challenging for her, but with enough supervision and help, they really learn to get around in the outdoors! Good luck!

WE love the Circle C Park, Dick Nichols Park, Zilker Park to ride the train and play in the cave/water visitors center, the Austin Zoo to see the animals and ride the train, Barnes and Nobel for books and the Thomas table, and Life Time Fitness has a great pool area! We have also been to the Little Gym and My Gym (I prefer My Gym because they have open play hours and they are more relaxed).

Hi B., It's not in South Austin but "my" kids used to love Inflatable World in Lakecreek Mall. It has those backyard inflatables you see at birthday parties all the time, but it has 15-20 of them. I used to take the kids I was advocating for during the week and even though it was I'm sure less busy than on weekends, I never failed to connect with other moms. They have a punch card to get a free visit and also Wednesday is I believe $2 off. Anyway, it was a great indoor playground. Also, this is not indoors but the fountains/play area over at Southpark Meadows are great. I don't think they turn the fountains on this time of year but summer is rapidly approaching and there are severl things for the kids to climb and play on, and it's another good place for moms to connect. And it's in South Austin, where I live also. Good luck!!!

I know you said you live in S. Austin, but I am in Steiner and there is a place on 2222 almost to 620 called J.W. Tumbles and parents are almost always involved. I do not beleive that they allow un attended children. But it is brand new and just opened (i.e. clean). You can look it up on-line, they have class schedule, where they have specific times for the same age groups. But also have a "free time" also where you can just drop in. I checked the web site out but haven't been yet. I work full time so usually we have family errands to run on the weekend. Hope this helps.
P.S. my son is 2 also, let me know how it goes if you end up going.

J.

Hi there! I take my two year old to the south park meadows play area often as well as Zilker park to the Dino Pit. We've also have been to both Radijazz and Goin' Bananas. Our next stop is Austin Children's Museum. I just tell myself that as long as I get out, friends (connections) will come!