Ideas for Activities to Do with a 3Yo Boy in Metroplex

http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/region/dallas-tx-usa gives you options for each day. They also have a weekly email every Friday. Hope that helps!

My kids love to go to the McDonalds on 287 & Sublett. They have one of the better indoor play areas. (Great for parents too, if you have to go up and rescue your little one).
I'm not sure of the days, but Michaels has craft time on certain days of the week usually at 10am. Cost is $2 or $3 dollars. We've made some really cute things from there.
The Sonic on 1187 in Rendon has a great outdoor play area.
I haven't been, but First Baptist Church in Mansfield on Broad St. has a free music program for kids on Tuesday mornings.
The Mansfield Activity Center has toddler time. You need a MAC Card or you can pay $2.00 per visit. (MAC is located on Wisteria connected to the Library)
Mansfield Library also has a wonderful storytime. Mrs. Annette is awesome!
http://www.mansfield-tx.gov/departments/library

Barnes and Noble has a storytime.............MOMS Club and other similar organizations have playgroups which give limitless opportunities for you and your child to socialize and experience so many new things without having to pay a thing. When I was in the MOMS Club, I would organize all sorts of neat things: Cici's pizza will allow the kids to roll out dough...they will also let them apply pizza sauce to prepared, raw dough then put on all the toppings they want, then bake it for FREE. They will only charge the adult to pay for their pizza, not the child. They have done this for my son's Cub Scout troop as well. The pretzel place in the mall (forgot the name) would do the same thing, too......they would allow the kids to make their own and tour in the back. No charge for this either. They will even let the kids come back and check out the big refrigerator, etc. You would be surprised how many businesses will "bend" and allow your child to experience their facilities. Most of the time, all you have to do is ask.It's probably a rare thing for them to say no. The hardest part is to think of places to ask.

At that age, a season pass to the Ft.Worth Zoo paid for itself 100 times over. I don't think they ever got tired of that place.

Fire stations are wonderful with kids!! They will turn on the fire engine and give out stickers. They love showing the kids around. 3 year olds get a kick out of the sirens and trying on those HUGE boots. They'll even let him climb up into the truck. Pet stores are fun, too. Just pick a pet or two and ask to hold them. I'm sure your little boy would be ecstatic!

Go around with a camera on hand and be ready for some adventures. As you pass places, stop and make it a new experience. It's so much fun! I miss those days. Mine are much older now and it's all about organized sports, homework, friends, etc.

Here are a few more suggestions. Northeast mall in hurst has a free play area for little kids. Also ridgemar mall has a bigger play area just for smaller kiddos! First baptist church of Grapevine had a Play area (Not church related) that is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and it's only $1 per person to get in! It's clean and safe and a lot of fun!
It's Called paradise Pond!
http://www.fbcgrapevine.com/templates/System/details.asp?...

Hi J.,

My son loves the mini train ride over by the Fort Worth Zoo. It's pretty inexpensive and the botanical gardens is over in that area too. The children's area at the Museum of Natural Science and History is also another great idea. KLTY also has family friendly events listed on their website that are either free or cheap. The airport used to have a viewing deck (free) to watch the planes take off and land.

Good Luck!

There is a great group for Moms at High Point Church in Arlington at 360 & 20. It's called MOPS. We meet every 2 weeks on Fridays beginning Sept. 12th. The meetings start at 9am and last until around 11:30am. It's a great way to meet moms and just have a little time to yourself. You can go to www.highpointchurch.com for more information.

Hi J.,
I belong to a moms group for S. Arlington called Luna Moms Group, through meetup.com. It is also associated with Stroller Strides, which I don't do but I know it is a great program. There is also a moms group in Mansfield which I don't belong to but they are also on meetup.com

good luck!

Hi J., I just recently joined a mommy group that has a lot of activities. Go to Meetup.com and you can find lots of groups. I joined S.Arlington/GP Mommy Connection. Mainly ages 0-5 are participating and like I said, they usually have things to do 2-3 times a week. Events are usually a couple of bucks and sometimes free. I know you will enjoy it. I have a 2yr old girl and 4 yr old boy that love going on meetups.

The Dottie Lynn Recreational Center in Central Arlington has a time or two during the week that you can pay only 1.00 for your son to play with all their gym equipment...I never did this with my kids, but it was recommended to me alot...I now live in Bedford.

I hear there is a lego land store or somethign aorund Southlake Colleyville maybe googe that-Trips to Petsmart always were fun-pony rides at a near buy ranch-

pump it up has toddler time during the week and it is fairly inexpensive, also the mall has an indoor play area for little kids and you can buy a wristband for the carousel for a few dollars and they have unlimited rides all day

I just started taking my 18 mo. old to the little gym at I 20 and Matlock he likes it. The first class is free.