Things to Do with an 18 Month Old Boy

Hi S.,
While Monterey Bay Aquarium is a great place to go with kids, even young ones, their kid specific area "Splash Zone" is currently closed while they completely redo it. It should be even more amazing when they finish. I would recommend keeping an eye on their website for progress and reopening information.

As has already been stated, Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose is great and much of it is very much geared for the toddler set. It too will be undergoing some major renovations and rebuilding and closed for about a year, however I believe it is still open at this time. There is a parking fee on most weekends. If your family like it and want to go regularly I strongly recommend a membership and they also sell parking permits (which are good for all San Jose City parks).

I also agree with those who recommend Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, it has some great play areas and a toddler specific room. There is another Discovery Museum in Marin? that is also fun. There is a level of membership you can purchase that will allow entrance for both (and others).

The free magazine "Bay Area Parent" often has articles or advertisments that will help you find other appropriate places, and their calendar can be very helpful for ideas of what specific events are coming up. They have an online version too though I haven't checked it out yet.

While I think it is great your son wants to go adventuring with his son, don't forget the value of some quiet, quality time together (playing, reading, napping, singing, sitting in the bath together having a good splashy time, and all those other wonderful, simple activities that really help a child grow and develop, while also potentially building a great relationship).

What ever he decides, I hope all have fun.

K. H.

1 mom found this helpful

Discovery Museum has an excellent toddler area. My son is 2 and we go often and he never gets bored (we have a year membership. Tell him to bring an extra set of clothes if the little guy wants to play in the water part. Happy Hollow is also a great outdoor place to run around. Some libraries have storytime on Saturdays and then go to the park afterwards.

1 mom found this helpful

There is a place in San Jose called Happy Hollow. It has a small zoo and amusment park type rides(very baby friendy) and a huge grassy area for a picnic or just to relax or run around. My daughter loved it. Now we go to Gilroy gardens(Bonfante Gardens) wich is very small kid friendly.

I also got a book called Fun Places to go with children in Northern California. It has helped me so much. I never knew all the stuff that was around here and I grew up here!

1 mom found this helpful

The parks are always good, on rainy days, you could go to the mall playareas. He could go to Pump It Up Jr., Children's Dsicovery Museum...I wonder if they have a list of kid friendly placesaround here???

Good Luck! I am sure his son is just happy to be with his dad, and that any quality time is fun :-)

1 mom found this helpful

http://hubpages.com/hub/Things_to_do_with_a_Toddler_in_th...

That list has helped me and my 16 month old daughter when we get bored :-)

~M.

1 mom found this helpful

Gymborie in the Los Altos Rancho Shopping Center is great for little ones. They have regular classes but also have drop in hours four afternoons a week. The Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo is also geared to the little ones. It is very hands on and even 12 month olds can have fun. It is on Middlefield Road. My two year old and 11 month old grandsons love both of these places.

I don't think it's too young to take a boy that young to any museum. It's a great way for them to start learning what they like and don't like, and learning about all kinds of creatures in the world and how to care for these creatures. Most of those places have hands on areas where the kids can touch and feel some of the animals. I took my son to all kinds of places when he was that young.

Other places I recommend: Tech museum, Children's Discovery museum, Exploratorium, Fishing, parks.

The "Children's Museum" in San Jose is a great place to take kids, fun things to explore and do. I think he would have a great time! I guess I should of looked at the other responses first:)

Palo Alto Jr. Museum which is also next to a park and pool. has a small zoo, very hands on, kids can run around, and very cheap. off of the embarcadaro. my kids who are now much older just asked to visit again, they miss it.

you can get a membership to the children's discovery museum in san jose. a family membership is $95. they have a room especially designed for toddlers.

gymboree also has playgym times. he can look up a local gymboree and take his child there. the cost is $10 per child on a drop-in playdate, or he can see if there is a class that suits his schedule.

First off, from where will the Saturday trips depart? I'm thinking of travel time.