Seeking Playgroups and "Free" Activities...

I wrote this response the the previouse e-mail about playgroups by Jenn, but wasn't sure if you would see it. So, here's a duplicate. I think you might really enjoy it.

You sound like a lot of the moms in my MOMS Club group. I don't know if you've heard about it. There are about 25 of us that are all stay-at-homes who were going nuts without contact with other "adults" and needed a way to keep our kids occupied. We meet once a month for a large group meeting, have a couple of activity opportunities a week to choose from, have playgroups set up by age groups and a have a monthly Mom's Night Out where we get together at someone's house or go to a restaurant. It has totally saved my sanity. Check them out at www.momsclubofshawneeks.org

I'm 38 and a mother of an almost 2 year old. It's funny how it doesn't matter how old you are when you have a kid...it's hard to find stay at home mom's to hang out with.

I don't know about any playgroups, but as for activities, here's a few:
Deanna Rose Farmstead at 35th and Switzer is a free petting zoo/playground/trails etc...We love it. It's big and there's alot for little ones to run around and do.

During the School year, the Roger T. Sermon Center in Independence MO has an open play time for preschoolers from about 10-2. You can search their website and get the details. I think it was Mon., Wed., and Fridays.

The Nelson Art Gallery has free admission. They charge to park, but you can park on the west side of the gallery on Oak St. for free. Plus they have a nice huge lawn with more art sculptures on it.

Parks: At about 31st and Gillham, there is a great park that has some really cool stuff to play on. There's a huge pirate ship, fiber glass cars, fire engine and stuff.
There are a couple of sprayground parks in Independence. One is at McCoy Park at 24 hwy and Deleware and the other is at Rotary Park at 24th and Hardy.

Burr Oak Woods is in Blue Springs. They have an indoor nature museum and outside there are several trails.

Kaliedescope is around there too. It is for kids 5 and over...and it's free. It's run by Hallmark. You can find it online too to find out when the sessions are. I always took my 4 year old...what are they gonna do? Check ID?

Hope this helps you out.

K.

I am not sure about free activities, but the best thing I did this year was join the YMCA. My kids love to make friends in nursery or soft play and it freed me to get some much needed "m"e time as well. A routine we developed was to let them play in child watch for about an hour and then we all go swimming together. It might be worth looking into. I have met plenty of stay at home moms and plenty who home school.

Also, I complete relate to what you are saying about a young mom and not being taken seriously. I was 18 when I got married and 19 when I had my son. When he was 3 1/2 he was diagnosed with a learning disabilty and I had to deal with the school system. They all looked at me and saw teenage mother who didn't know what I was talking about. I have been fighting that for years. My son will be 11 in November and it does get better. I also have 2 little girls as well. They are 7 and 6. I too am looking for mother's in the area. I have lived here for 2 years this fall and I still have not met anyone I can relate to.

I hope this helps.

A.,
Once it cools down, the Deanna Rose Farmstead is a fun day trip activity. You could also look into story times at your local library and KC Parents is a free magazine in town and they have some good activities in there also. I don't know of any playgroups,but I also have a 3yr old daughter. I live in Overland Park, so if you ever want to see about starting a play group I would love to talk to you. I have a daughter starting AM kindergarten this year and I'm afraid that Sophie will be lonely. ____@____.com

Hi A.,

My suggestion for a free activity is the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. It's a LOT OF FUN! Here is their web site link and some info. from their web site.

http://www.opkansas.org/_Vis/Farmstead/index.cfm

Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1-May 29
9 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 30-Sept. 3
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 4-Oct. 31
*138th and Switzer
###-###-####

The Farmstead is a 12-acre park. It has farm animals, birds of prey, vegetable and flower gardens, a one-room country schoolhouse, old time fishing pond, horse drawn wagon rides and pony rides. Admission is free.

Regarding sports, I would suggest trying Blue Valley Rec. Here is their link.

http://www.bluevalleyrec.org/

Happy Hunting,

D.

There are several free or nearly-free things to do around town. Besides what has been mentioned, Wonderscope is $3, Stinky Saturday's at the zoo, Gymboree, Funky Mama plays around town. Plus, many restaurants have free or like .99 meals on certain day's. Go to www. KCParent.com to find out what is close to you.

A.

You can hook her up with my daughter! Annalise loves to meet new friends and hooks up with them very well, it's the getting/staying in touch that doesn't seem to work to well. She doesn't have much friends to play with. She's a girly-girl and a tomboy rolled up in one.

Where are you from? I am from Raytown, Mo. We have a group of moms from our church that try to get together as often as we can to do cheap/free stuff. Not this week, but next week we are all going to meet at a spray park in Indep. Mo, it is free and we are just taking picnic lunches. There are a lot of churches that have mom's groups, so if you don't live near me you could check into churches near you. Best of luck. C.

Hi! My name is M. and I am 24 years old with 2 daughters also! Where do you live? I live in Independence, MO and I go to a couple of playgroups. My youngest daughter is 3 and my oldest is 6 1/2. If you contact me and live close then I would love to meet your family!

Don't know of any play groups...however, Deanna Rose Farmstead is a really nice petting zoo that is totally free. Also there is a place with Hallmark down at crown center called Kalediascope that is totally free. The Great Mall of the Great Planes in Olathe has two or more really nice play areas. One is at the food court and my kids always love playing there. The other one is in front of Burlington Coat Factory.

I am 29 and have a 15 month old and I would like to know the same thing. I have been unsuccessful in finding groups around here.

I am 27 and have two children and live in the Raytown-Independence area. If you contact me we could meet up for a playdate. Dylan is 8 and Kinzley is 1. We are not currently in any playgroups, but always seeking new friends!! :)

N.