I need ideas for a boy that is 18 month old that we can do at night with other children his age I do not know anyone who has children this age.
Please help have to get him around children his age. I live in the Shakopee area anything close.
I want to thank everyone for there ideas I have checked out the Community Center and they have a couple of night class that involved younger kids swimming and music that we will be going to go to. THANKS EVERYONE
Have you ever heard of Kindermusik? It is a wonderful program and they usually offer evening or weekend classes for parents who work outside the home. It is well worth the money!
Hi D.!
That is a hard one, most of the activities for the little ones are during the day. I do not live in your area, but is there an indoor play area around there? I know there is one in Edina called Edinborough Park, it is right off of France Ave. www.edinboroughpark.com
It is a huge indoor playground for kids, it is fantastic for kids of all ages. The website shows pictures. They have seperate things for the toddlers too which is great so they don't get trampeled. Good Luck!
D.,
If you work out at the YMCA, they often have childcare available. Another idea is to check with your public school (community ed.) for the Early Childhood classes they have available. I believe they have something for children 1-2 years old. It's a neat program where you spend time with your child and then time only with other parents and children alone. Also, could grandma take him to story hour at the local library? Good luck!
I run a daycare and someone suggested doing yoga with the kids, especially during the indoor seasons. I've always wanted to start yoga so i'm going to start attending classes and then teach my daycare kids what I learn. A good incentive for me to stick with it. During the summer we go to the beach everyday and could do it there too. How fun would that be?!
Hi D.,
We have had tremendous success with ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education). They have tons of classes, both age-specific and mixed-age. Our district even has specific classes for needs like raising boys, a "spirited" child, nutrition, positive discipline, etc. Most classes start with "mingle time" in a preschool classroom, where parents and kids hang out with other sets of parents and kids, following the kids' lead on what they want to do. Then many times the classes separate, where the moms and dads go into an adjacent room and leave the kids with the teachers, and have discussions about parenting. It's been wonderful for me to tap into other parents, as well as letting my boys hang out with other kids and teachers without me. There's a sense of independence and getting acclamated to a school environment.
We also belong to the local MOMS Club. It's mostly geared toward SAHMs, but I will tell you that our chapter has LOTS of working moms, so we have activities all hours of the day, a MOMS night out once a month, and family activities on occasional nights or weekends. You might want to find a chapter near you at momsclub.org. My 4yo has made some great friends this way, and because there are other babies in our group, I see my 10mo following the same path. Good luck!!
You could sign up for a Parent/Child class somewhere. Swimming, Gymnastics, tumbling, etc. Lots out there. Check with your City or community ed.
I would look into your local rec department. Ours has a toddler gymboree class for 1 to 2 years old, music/dance classes, and swim classes. You can also check your local library for programs. Some have programs at night and play groups that meet. Through programs like this, we have met other children my childs age, and have been able to set of playdates. Hope this helps.
Hi D.,
18m olds do not need children their age to play with. Anybody will do. Mommys and Daddys are a favorite. He would probably love to play in the sink with water and bubbles, maybe some cups.
He would love to play in sand, put cotton balls into the different spaces of a muffin tin. He would love to play peek a boo, this little piggy and other hand songs.
He would love you to read to him, hold him. In fact he would probably love to help you do your hair (not overly recommended though).
He is too young to play with another kid, and would only play next to another kid. So just let him play, in a few years he will need those his age around, but for now enjoy him as he is.
What about a swim class with mom? That's a great age for it - they like to play. Plus you'll get to meet kids the same age and parents.
Hi D.
I live in wisconsin and worked a Family Resource Center. They offered a evening playgroup for working parents. In minnesota you have something called ECFE. I would look into there classes to see if they offer night groups. Good Luck :) T.
