Things to Do!

Hi E. you should check out local moms groups like meetup.com. I am an organizer of a group in Woodbridge - Marvelous Mamas and we always have something going on. I'm sure there are a lot of good groups that are probably doing a wide variety of activities.
Also, you can check with local libraries they usually have a couple of storytimes and craft times during the week. There is also a place in Woodbridge called kids in motion that has a lot of inflatables that the kids can play on. My 3yr old loves it. I hope you find something.

I am also looking for this sort of thing (we just moved last week). I don't really know of any activities, but I have a 3yo and a 1yr old that are at home during the day while their sisters are at school and we are looking for a few friends to have playdates with. I am near Onville and Garrisonville, to give you a reference point. If we are close to you and you are interested, let me know!

N.

Hi E.,

I also live in North Stafford with 2 at home during the day. Stafford County offers a play group during the week. It is in their brochure for parks and rec. We enjoy going to the indoor pool also. They have a tot swim on Tues, Thurs, and Fri from 10-12. It is $3 for mom and tot and $1 for each additional tot. That keeps the price down. They also have the jungle gym up by the Giant. It is a little more expensive though. Hope this helps if all else fails my kids are always looking for kids to play with also. We could just meet at mcdonalds and my kids would be happy.

Check with your local parks and rec department. They always have something going on for kids. And it's usually very inexpensive to participate. Some things are even free. That is your best bet. Also try locating your local YMCA. They also have many great activities for kids, although their memberships are a little on the expensive side. The Rappahannock Area YMCA association has several locations, some in Fredericksburg.

Hello E.,
I live in Woodbridge, and I know that the library has several kid friendly(usually free) activities through out the week. If you go to the Prince William County web site, you can find the link to the library system and even get reminders in your email about upcoming events for the month.
Also, try places like the Dale City Recreation Center, or the Chinn Center, they usully have fairly cheap activities, and sometimes even a play group or two that meet there. Even a church might have some play groups.

In addition to libraries, book stores like Borders have storytime for free.

Hi E.,

I am also in FB, and I take my kids to ChickFilA or McD's playlands...they love climbing around in there...also - there are some places like Kids N'Clay that have activities like crafts, etc that they can do and take things home with them. Paragon (behind Wal-Mart) is a nice place for them to get some exercise, as well. American Family Fitness is a gym off of exit 126 and it has programs for younger kids while you work out. The Spotsylvania Mall also has a playground in the center, so a nice day of window shopping for mom and playing for kids...and a food court.
Additional ideas from the FreeLance Star:
l Bug Box Insect Zoo and Gift Shop, 10822-A Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania . See and learn about several types of live insects and reptiles, browse through bug-related merchandise. $2 for ages 2 and up (for a self-guided tour that lasts about 30 minutes). 540/710-0776 or bugbox.net.

l Central Rappahannock Regional Library, branches in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Colonial Beach, Montross and Hague. Each branch holds storytelling and other free activities for children year-round. librarypoint.org.

l FunLand, 1351 Central Park Blvd. Fredericksburg. Eighteen-hole mini-golf course, laser tag, video games and more. Activity prices vary. 540/785-6700 or cpfunland.com.

l LibertyTown Arts Workshop, 916 Liberty St., Fredericksburg. The pottery school and artist hub offers classes for children throughout the year. Times, dates and prices vary. 540/371-7255 or liberty townarts.com.

l Putt-Putt Fun Center, 2401 Plank Road, Fredericksburg. Miniature golf, arcade games, batting cage, bumper boats. 540/373-4401.

l Riverside Center, 95 Riverside Parkway, Stafford. Children's matinee every Saturday . Tickets are $14 per person. 540/370-4300, riversidedt.com.

l Tea Tyme and What Nots, 907 Caroline St., Fredericksburg. The shop holds etiquette classes for ages 4 to 14 every Tuesday and Friday at 4 p.m. Registration is required, and the class costs $4 per person. 540/368-0675.

T.'s Online Learning Activities for Babies and Toddlers

Hi, I made this website for my 16 month old son Glenwood:
http://sites.google.com/site/tellysonlinelearningcentre/
So basically I collect and take pictures of words Glenwood knows or is learning and make them into flashcards, so I can review them with him. There are music and videos too. He really enjoys it and it gives us some relax learning time together during the day. He now knows most of the words in the cards, and he’s learning counting and spelling right now.
I think you might appreciate it and find it useful too. I will be continuously developing it, adding pictures, music and videos. Please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions. Hope you will like it.

ITs really sad E.,
I have lived here for 8 years and hate the fact there is NOTHING close by for the kids to do. Just wait till they are teenagers and it gets worse. I to struggle with finding things for the kids to do that are close by. Ice skating is fun in Fredericksburg but your maybe still to young for that. You can only do chik fil a and mcie d's so much. There is always a place called MY GYM or My little gym. Funland is pretty dirty and nothing ever works in there. Summer is best to go there to do the out side activities. The Spotsy mall has a climbing thing inside of it for the kids. I was trying to think of things that are low budget since it seems everyone is broke. Riverside is very expensive and I dont think your kids would still though a musical show. "Youngs chef Academy" is cool .