Recently my husband left for school and I really would like the time to "fly by" with nice activities for my daughter. Just to give you a little heads up, I have her enrolled in a gym class already that she can go to twice a week, so I am not looking to spend a whole lot of money. I would like to know if anyone knows about any current events or just shops that might have a kids hour or 1/2 hour going on. I don't mind spending a little money, but I don't want any commitments. She is 4, so she goes to pre-k. I am pretty much free after 12:00 to take her places. I can travel, but not as far as NC. I'd like to stay in the Norfolk, VA Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk areas if I can. Any suggestions...I am really open..thanks moms, for the hardest but most rewarding position in life!
Have you checked out the library? They usually do stuff for kids, story time, etc. Also, check the rec centers. I hope this helps.
Hi E., I have a daughter who is 5 and she is enrolled in the Early Adventures program. We live in Chespeake, VA and the program runs from 7:30 until 2:20 Monday-Friday. It is free and she seems to enjoy it. It is a partnership with the YMCA through the local public schools.
I have not heard of any other free programs, but the local libraries usually have a reading time for children during the day. You may want to check with them.
Hi and nice to see another mom from VA Bch. I totally recommend Birdies as well. It's VERY VERY clean and kids have a blast! Also check out some local areas play groups. Don't go to MOPS, they require a membership fee. There are TONS of play groups that don't cost anything. I run one, but most of our kids are 3 (turning 3 this year), so I think your daughter would feel out of place (girls advance faster than boys). If you need some local playgroups...let me know... they do things anytime!
B.
Try joining some of the local museums (Marine Science museum in Va Bch, Portsmouth Children's Museum, Norfolk Zoo, or Botanical Gardens in Norfolk) It will cost a little up front, but you can go as much as you want and many of them have new things frequently or stuff going on all month for moms in your shoes, esp if you can get there by 12:00 or a little later.S. E.
Hi E.!
Being a military wife...we are very familiar with "daddy" being gone. Somethings that have been suggested in our support groups to help the kids look forward to daddy coming home is to make a chain of construction paper..one for everyday he is gone and let the kid(s) take one link off each day closer to daddy's return. You can cut the links and let her put it together. It'd be a good craft. Also, you could have a jar of gummy bears or kisses that they can eat one each day closer to his return. Its something for her to look forward to each day while daddy is gone. As far as activites, other than going to parks or the Childrens Museum in Portsmouth...my daughter is still a little young but maybe doing a craft or two sometimes might be fun for her.
Hope this helps =)
Hi E.,
My son and I enjoy a membership to Birdies (a very clean and stimulating indoor playarea). They have a low monthly fee that you can cancel anytime. They have a jumping float thing, play kitchen, dress-up area, climbing thing, train sets, etc, etc. You could also check out the free magazine "tidewater parent" it has lots of community activities listed for the month. Also if you look online there are beach events listed (most are free). Have Fun!
Every library in the Virginia Beach system has toddler storytimes for kids 3 to 5. Some libraries require signing up in advance, other ibraries just let you sign in that day. I think each library has storytimes on a different day. Great Neck usually has their storytime on Thursdays, Central on Monday and Tuesday. I know Central has an afternoon storytime, you have to pre-register. Barnes & Noble also offers storytimes, and they are a bit more laid back.
My daughter loves the Jumping Monkey. You can get a punch card for $27.50 which is good for six visits. And, you can stay at two hours for the price of one. I know there are other jumping places in the area.
If you were staying in the area I would recommend a membership to the Marine Science Museum or the Zoo. Our membership to the Marine Science Museum has already paid for itself many times over.
Animal Jungle pet shop is always an interesting place to visit. Sometimes pet shops get on my nerves because I wonder about the care of the animals, but my daughter likes Cookie, the hyacinth mccaw who is in residence. We can spend over an hour just looking around in there.
I hope this helps a bit!
E. - Welcome to the area. I am also from Baltimore.
I am in a similar situation. I don't want to spend a lot of money but want to wear my child out. Have you looked into the community center in your area? The one in Chesapeake is close to the Central Library on Cedar road. You can join for $15 per year and they have an exercize/weight room. I mention this because they also offer a wide veriety of classes for children - ballet, dance, tap, arts, music etc. They're inexpensive and while your child is at class you can work out. I plan to start my 3 1/2 year old the next time they begin classes which may be next month. Here's the website: http://www.chesapeake.va.us/services/depart/park-rec/leis.... Also, Story hour is offered at each local library and is free, Greenbriar Mall has a great kids area, the City Park on Greenbriar Parkway is out of this world and there are a few Mommy and Me groups around. This is what I've come up with so far. Hope this helps. Enjoy the area!
L.
Howdy! I'm all about free activities! Get a subscripion to The Virginian Pilot, I find so many free things sometimes we get too busy. All of the libraries have story time and some of the rec centers have mommy and me classes for art and music at a low cost. Also, there is MOPS (www.mops.org) and that is an awesome organization. They meet 2ce a month, have child care for the kids, always a big pot luch breakfast for the moms, great activities for the moms, and good solid moral speakers. I think I paid $40 for the Jan-June semester.
then there's all of the museums in the area: Children's Museum in Portsmouth is great, VA Zoo, Nauticus, VA Marine Science Museum, and the Air and Space Museum.
We also do a lot of day trips. We went to Surry one day and toured a working dairy farm. We love to drive to Williamsburg and just walk around, forget getting tickets, there is so much to learn just by walking around and reading the signs. There is a petting zoo at the Peninusla SPCA and for that matter, we also like to wander in Petsmart and find several things that look interesting and then google research them when we are home. A trip to the local fire station is always neat as is the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. There are also some local farms that you can pick your own. We;ve done strawberries in May, Pumpkins in the fall, and there's also an apple orchard somewhere in Pungo.
Good luck and have fun!
