Maybe you’re like me and can only play peek a boo or blocks for so many minutes before you need to try something else. I’ve scoured the internet for other ideas to try at home with an active two year old (still looking for simple suggestions) and still manage to try to think of other things to do to keep us both occupied. Sometimes I just need to get out of the house, which can be hard to do in the winter. Where do you go?
Here are some ideas:
Story times. I posted about this in the summer because my local library didn’t have one and so I would drive to find different ones in surrounding towns. Maybe you want to know when your local library holds one or you want to try something new.
COAS (Community Open Arts Studio). This is amazing! My son loved this. This was the first time he used a paint brush or really got to paint like this. He had his own place to sit and I could sit right behind him. He got a large white piece of paper to paint all over and a smock. Any paint he did get on him came right out. For $5 a child, this is such a wonderful opportunity for kids to explore art. Toddlers are Fri. 9:30 – 11:30 am and regular COAS is Sat. 11 – 4 pm (no age guidelines on their site). It runs Sept. to May. You can see him in action here and here on my Instagram.
HopStop. Enjoy free cultural performances to introduce kids to song, dance, story telling, and art in Claremont and Hanover, usually 11 am in Hanover and 3 pm in Claremont. Shows are about an hour and food and drink are allowed. Seating is casual and first come first serve basis. HopStop is at the Claremont Community Center and in Alumni Hall at the Hop in Hanover. Can’t wait to go to one.
Bounce House. Monday and Thursday. 10 am to 2:30 pm for kids ages 0 to kindergarten. The bounce house isn’t open on major holidays and Feb. and April vacations. The fun is at RW Black Recreation Center in Hanover. Cost is $3
See the Working Train Display in Lavalleys. My son loved this. There are buttons to push to make things light up or move. Fun for the whole family to look at (or just train enthusiasts). Wonderful display with plenty to look at. Enjoy the display Monday – Saturday during the open times of the store in West Leb. The display is on the second floor with signs pointing your way. You can see a picture and video on my Instagram.
Roller Skating in Enfield . I used to love roller skating as a kid. I’m looking forward to doing this with my son too. They are open Saturday and Sunday 1 – 4 pm and Friday and Saturday night from 7 – 10 pm. $10 includes skates.
Public Skate: Indoor Ice Skating. Wendell Barwood Arena has indoor ice skating open to the public on Saturdays from 4:15 – 5:30 pm and Sundays from 4:15 to 6 pm until March 10. During the week you can go to public skating at the Champion Rink in Hanover on Monday and Thursday from 12 – 1:30 pm amd Wednesday from 11 am – 12:30 pm. For rates and more read here.
Aquatic Center Splash Park. This great facility in Hartford includes a lazy river, waterfalls, interactive water features, and kiddie pool. Great fun for kids and teens alike: $7 youth 3-18, adult $15.
Toddler Open Gym. Hartford Parks and Rec has toddler open gym on Sundays, 10-11 am at Dothan Brook School Gym. It’s $2 to drop in or $10 for the season (for both residents and non-residents). Any child age 0-4 can play with scooters, bean bags, jump ropes, and more.
Toddler Romp and Stomp. Take your child to the Kilton Library in West Lebanon for some fun. Two times are availaable on Thursdays: 10 and 10:45 am. These classes are offered year-round for a multiple week sessions at the Kilton Library for children ages 2-5. The cost is $25-37. For kids ages 2-5. There will be music activities, finger play, parachute games, and more.
CCBA Swim Classes. The CCBA offers swim classes for all ages, including infants 6 months old. The Guppies are for 6 months to 3 years and is to get children accustomed to the water and water safety. It’s not a learn to swim class. There are classes to teach swimming fundamentals at age 3.
Upper Valley Music Center Music Together. The Upper Valley Music Center offers music classes throughout the year for infants, toddlers, and young children following a program called music together. Classes run ten weeks for 45 min a session. Classes include babies, mixed ages, rhythm kids (learn to drum), and generations (where kids can play with seniors). You can read more about what the instruments look like on my post about the program here. You can learn more about pricing here.
Michael’s Classes. There are a lot of classes for kids 3+: personalized frames, ponybead snowflakes, and more. Only $2, supplies included. Classes are often on Sat. from 10 am to 12 pm.
Joann’s Classes. Joann has classes for kids 5+. These classes can teach your child sewing, cake decorating, knitting and more.
You can also enjoy Vins in Quechee and see the live animals like owls and raptors or explore the Montshire in Norwich. You can read about activities to do with toddlers here. I also created activity cards to do with your little one. You can also do this with elementary age kids.
Got an idea? Share it in the comments section.
