I work at a Boys & Girls Club in the swimming department so my son goes swimming a couple times a week. He loves going to the park and we even tried going to the library to read books (that didn't last too long once he started screaming- he likes to do that when it's quiet). He's also in daycare twice a week. My dad and stepmom watch him 2 days a week. I am off on Fridays and am trying to get some ideas of places to bring him that are educational and fun. We've gone to Van Saun park and he loves it but with the weather changing, I was hoping to find someplace indoors. A mother told me about My Little Gym but it seems a little expensive to me. Another parent told me of Toddlers in Motion in Montclair (or maybe Belleville) but it was $145 for 8 classes to dance around. (sorry but we can do that at home). I guess I'm looking for a fun place to run around and play indoors, possibly even learn something, but somewhere I can go and be there with him. I'm not looking to drop him off and run. I want a place we can have fun together. Any ideas?
Everyone's ideas was sooo helpful! Thanks so much! I noticed I didn't mention where I lived before but I live in Clifton and most of the ideas are very close to where I live. I have been looking around and have some great ideas for activites for my son. Thanks so much for all your help! I truly appreciate all your input!
I don't know where you live, but we love Fun Time Junction in Fairfield. He may be too young for Chuck E Cheese. Winter is tough. I have heard great things about Little Gym as well.
Good luck!
Barb
How about the children's museum in Paramus.
I'm not sure where you live but there is an indoor playspace called "Time In." It's located in Randolph, which from our house in Maplewood was about a half hour/40 min drive. This place is awesome: The space is LARGE. They have an area with gymnastics mats, soft climbing equipment and blocks/shapes. PLUS, they have a gigantic indoor climbing structure (those things you see at Chuck E Cheese or McDonalds) with a ball pit. All of the equipment is vacuumed, mopped and sanitized daily. (they do some sort of special process for the ball pits.) There is a separate mesh enclosed area for babies and toddlers up to two with a tiny ball pit and soft climbing/stand up equipment. They have tons of open play hours:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Wednesdays 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. They charge 9.25 per child for unlimited play time. They also do private parties.
www.timeinfun.com
Another option for open play (not having to register for classes) is Wiggles and Giggles in East Hanover. It's well suited for an 18 month old (my son is 3 1/2) and there's not enough for him to do there anymore.
www.wigglesandgiggles.com
hi C.,
I went to Barnes and Noble with my 20 month old and he loved it there. We went to Clifton Commons
395 Route 3 East ,Clifton, NJ 07014 which is near to our home, they have area for kids and rail road(he loves that rail road and trains) ,and toys to play,they have area for reading to kids, there always a lot of kids and parents . I just went there by chance and was surprised how much he liked it there.
You can find good books for him for a good price too,
Hope your son will like it ,
Good luck,
J.
PS: By the way in wallington on Paterson Plank road when you turn to samuel nelkin park there is a building with karate classes ,etc, we have dancing classes forming( Mammy and Me). It is $50.00 for 8 or 10 sessions ,I sign for that but I think they dont have enough people yet. Check it out too.
Hi, C. --
In a shameless act of self-promotion I'm going to suggest Music Together, a music and movement program for children ages 0 - 5 and their parents or caregivers. Before I became a teacher/director myself, I attended classes with my daughter when she was that age and we both loved it. Because the classes focus on parent/child interaction it was a great bonding experience for us, and you can do the activities at home with your child or make up your own. Tuition may initially seem high, but when you average it out over the ten weeks it's not expensive at all, and it includes a songbook, 2 CDs and a Parent Guide. Go to the class locator on Music Together's national website (www.musictogether.com) for a center in your area.
Barring that, have you looked into playgroups in your area or free activities in your town's public library that are geared to that age group?
I'm not sure where you are located, but since you mentioned Van Saun, I'll assume you are near Bergen County. Some good indoor play places are In the Swing in Waldwick and Kids Clubhouse in Midland Park. Both charge a small fee for open gym (about $5). If your son is a little older, he might like Unbelieva-Bills (also in Waldwick) or Funtime Junction in Fairfield. There is a small play area at Garden State Plaza (larger play areas at Rockaway Mall and Woodbridge Mall). Borders and Barnes and Noble also have storytimes that usually include a craft. Hope that helps.
Seems like he's getting lots of educational activities already. A lot of times they learn through play, so fun is what I would stick with. My son is 22 months now, but even at 18 months we did a lot of little trips here and there. To him a trip to Trader Joes for a short food shopping is fun, he gets to see the little train and gets a balloon on the way out. I take my son to little gym on Saturdays, and it's good, he loves it. If I'm looking for other indoor stuff, we sometimes walk around Paramus Park mall, or go to Barnes and Noble and he loves that too(they have a Thomas the train table in the kids section). There is the children's museum of NJ in Paramus, but it's not the cleanest and it costs $10 each for the child and parent so it can get expensive. There is always funtime junction in Fairfield, an indoor play ground (a winter time favorite). Unbellivebills in Waldwick, is also an indoor playground but they have a very small section for the kids that age. You can also try joining a parent group, they always have activities going on. If you go to meetup.com, you'll see all of the ones in your area.
There's always Wee Play in I think Nanuet. It's right off of Rt. 304. It's a big play place for kids, and only $12 for as long as you want to stay.
Check out there web site.
http://www.weeplayusa.com/
HI
I did the whole Toddlers in Motion with both of my boys, now 8 and 3. I have to say I did it longer with my oldest than I did with my youngest. He just refused to participate and I got frustrated paying for the class when all he wanted to do was be shy. I agree there is not much to do around Bergen County. It's tough because now that the weather is getting cooler there are not much options other than paying for a class. I think that you should try the Toddler in Motion class.....they do let you try 1 or 2 classes for Free. I did the location in Rutherford and it was pretty ok. I did see alot of the younger children love the class so you never know your son may like it. It's not just about dancing around which I agree you can do at home...it's really about the interaction with the other children. You should call and ask to come to a class and try it out. If you are still unsure ask if you can try 1 more class out and see what happens. They also have art classes for the kids but I am not sure if it starts at that young age.
I also know the YMCA has some classes with for Moms and kids...I wish I was able to do the Mommy and Me classes but my work schedule didnt permit. They didnt have much classes on Fridays which were my days off. This is why I opted for Sat Toddler in Motion classes.
I also think you can try the Little Gym classes for free as well but they are pricey also.
I heard there was a Music Studio (similar to what they do in Toddlers in Motion) in Secaucus, NJ. I read about it on Mamasource...I will let you know if I find the name of it so you can look into that as well.
Good Luck
Linda
www.wah4yourfamily.com
in bergen county there is
