Looking back at 2009, it occurs to me that I haven’t been very social since Baby Champuru arrived on the scene. Being a stay-at-home mom caters to my innate tendency to, well, stay at home. I’m not sure why or how it happened, but the extroversion of my youth took a complete 180 and now I’m a bona fide, card-carrying introvert. I am certain that Baby Champuru’s aversion to people stems, at least in part, from my own lack of social activity. Well, a new year brings a clean slate and new opportunities for improvement. My list of resolutions is long, but topping the list is this: In 2010, I will stop being a hermit.
I have started researching possible activities to participate in with Baby Champuru, all geared toward getting us out of the house. Here’s what I have so far:
- Enroll Baby Champuru in a program or class (note: information below pertains to classes held in Hawaii on the island of Oahu)
- Gymboree – I intend to sign up for a free sample class. According to the website there is a one-time new member initiative fee of $31.41 and monthly fees are $76.43.
- Wee Play and Learn - An interactive play center. No pricing information, but looks like there are some great programs and learning opportunities for wee ones of all ages. Sample class also available. This location is a little far from home, so although I may still do a sample class, I don’t know if the logistics will work out.
- MyGym – A children’s fitness center in Kailua. Also a little far, but if the program meets our needs and is affordable, we may consider it. (Diane Ako had some nice things to say about MyGym on her blog.)
- Ohana Music Together - This looks like a great program to help deepen Baby Champuru’s love for music. They also offer a preview class and I hope to sign up for one in January.
- Join a playgroup
- I discovered a playgroup that meets in my area every Thursday, so I just need to kick myself in the okole and take Baby Champuru to join them!
- Organize a Family-friendly Tweetup
- There are many Honolulu tweeps with children, maybe a tweetup at Chuck E. Cheese might be in order?
- Visit local attractions for children
- Children’s Discovery Center
- Honolulu Zoo
- Waikiki Aquarium
- Sea Life Park
- Leapin’ Lizards (play facility with inflatable bouncers – toddler time available)
- Windward Mall (children’s soft play area)
Moms and Dads in Hawaii, please share your ideas for getting toddlers active and out of the house. I would especially appreciate recommendations in the Central Oahu area if it’s for a class and multiple visits per week may be required. Leave a comment here or send me an email using the Contact Me form. Thanks!
I can personally vouch for Ohana Music Together. My son went from about 18 months to 5 years old and my daughter from in utero (with me) to about 3 years old. They loved it! The music is fun and the exercises you do in class are designed to develop parts of the brain. The instructor explains the concepts as you go along without bogging down the class in theories and boring the kids. I highly recommend that you do the free intro class.
There’s baby boot camp at CORP every Mon. Wed. and Fri at 9am. I plan on doing that when I start working from home.
I’m all for the TweetUp! That would be fantastic!
Good luck lady!
I’m not local to Hawaii (oh don’t I wish!!) but if you find the private gyms like Gymboree and the like to be too expensive, see if your city offers similar classes. Another good thing to note are organized mother’s groups — they tend to offer playgroups as well as things like Mommy’s night out, etc. I know that my Mom’s group often does sample classes together at places like Gymboree, either at a free or reduced cost which is great
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Look around for a Mothers of Preschoolers group near you. http://www.mops.org/ These are great groups of moms that get together with their kids.
Wee Play is expensive. I signed up earlier this year for an unlimited month @ the Baby Expo in May for $25. After that its pretty pricey and you have to pay 3 months in advance. I’ve been looking into checking out Leaping Lizards, I think my DS would love that. You might also want to contact Baby Hui, they have organized playdates for 10 weeks, but there is a waiting list and you have to wait a while. I signed up in May and didn’t hear back till October, but by that time, I had appointments, etc. scheduled and couldn’t join the group.
Hi! I’m visiting from MBC. Great blog.
[...] toddler resources and activities Thank you to the gracious moms who responded to my plea for recommendations for toddler activities! Yesterday, I received a very informative e-mail from a reader named Kris [...]
Check your library for storytime- they usually have a toddler time and preschool time.
Baby Hui has quarterly free events at local parks.
KEY Project in Kahaluu has a toddler/preschooler program on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. It’s drop-in and caregivers stay with their keiki. Lots of fun arts & crafts and activities. C and I are going next Thurs if you’d like to join us!
Keiki o ka Aina parent participation program is excellent.
Many gymnastics schools have a toddler program, beginning at age 18 months, and classes are much more reasonable than Gymboree (about $35 per month).
During the summer, many of the district parks offer free 10-15 minute one on one swim lessons.