I'm a first time mom and would like to know if there are any baby/kid friendly activities to do around the San Jose area? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Hi J..
Camera Cinemas offers Diaper Days Movies where movies are shown at a discounted rate and they accommodate the attendance of babies and children. Here's the link for more info: http://www.cameracinemas.com/diaper.shtml
I also have a little girl named Kira - born September 2007 :-) If you like to get outside, I recommend http://www.strollerhikes.com. They organize stroller "hikes" (really walks) three times/week throughout the mid-Peninsula and South Bay. They are a lot of fun and a great way to meet other moms.
You may also want to connect with a MOMS Club - http://www.bayareakidfun.com/pages/mothersclubs.html.
I also agree with the Children's Discovery Museum. They have a crawling area if your daughter isn't walking yet.
it's warmer, so parks?
have you checked out gymboree yet? it's on the expensive side, though.
you can check out happy hollow also. that's in san jose. they'll be closing soon for renovations, but it's still open.
We have always liked The Jungle. They have a separate small area just for toddlers. And they are a real good deal on Toddler Tuesdays. You can get more info at thejunglefun.com.
We have also frequented the Playtown areas of Valley Fair and Oakridge malls. It's free, and the floor and equipment are all padded, to it's a great place those who are still crawling or learning to walk. My daughter is 4 and still loves it there. But make sure to go when elementary schools are in session, since otherwise older siblings seem to overrun the place.
My daughter enjoyed the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose a lot since she was 1. She loved the water play area (bring a change of clothes), the garden, the art area, and the puppet/books section upstairs.
Look for the Bay Area Parent magazine. It's usually in the free publication racks at places like Longs Drugs. I took my twins to My Gym. There's one in San Jose owned by Richard (don't remember his last name)& a $50 lifetime membership to My Gym in the US & Richard offers the infant class (up to 6 mos) for free! Playdates with other moms is great. I carry a business card for my twins (8 1/2 mos old) to handout to other like moms I meet. Las Madres moms groups are good.
Try www.lasmadres.org - they have play groups forming often, and arrange all sorts of outings with children born in the same year as your child.
Also, Happy Hollow Zoo, and the San Jose Children's Discovery Museum are good choices.
