As a parent of preschooler or younger, what activities would you like to see more of? would you go to a local business to do a crafts, story time, dance with tot?
When my child was young I did a lot of the free activities at the library. Also went to little Ceazars and McDonald's play lands
It was fun for her and allowed me to see how she was growing developmentally with other children her age.
Our town now has a bouncy barn which kids love
This question is location dependent.
When I lived in SoCAL..there were lots of swimming activities, which was perfect for the number of pools and beaches.
In OH, swimming is probably only a summer activity?
All I wanted with Pre-School age children and younger was a break most of the time.
I found a fantastic Pre-K program that was totally focused on gross motor skills and active play time, such as learning to ride trikes and big jungle gyms. And I lived in a University area at the time where all these educated moms wanted an academic Pre-K.
If I could do it over again, I'd start a Parent Co-op of sorts where parents have to both provide care and give care....whether it's in play groups at each other's homes, or at a park....Pre-K kids are too young to focus on academic activities in general IMHO.
I would probably not go to a local business with such a young child to do crafts, unless it was a super experienced Pre-K type teacher who knew exactly what worked and what did not. As I would not want to pay a fee and come home with recyclable art.
It looks like you're looking for potential business ideas, so my vote is stick to something physical or musical or both. Like rent an industrial garage and load it with little tykes toys and slides and bouncing things and let the kids run free. I always wanted activities that wore the kids out, not me.
Anything free, indoors (so that it can be done during the winter) and accessible to multiple ages. For example, I love story-time at the library because I can take both of my toddlers and both have a great time. There is a wonderful indoor playground in our area, though, that I rarely use, because the equipment that my son wants to play on is too advanced for my daughter, and I can't be in two places at once.
Free! Or at least not terribly expensive. Life with a toddler or toddlers is unpredictable as best and I hate to throw away money. We did a drop in and play at a local preschool, tumbling, story time at the library, and a park program when my big kids were little, looking forward to more of the same once my two little ones are old enough. Tumbling was the only thing that we had to pay for. I also love the indoor play area at Kalahari and the one at our local mall. Great for cold winter days when the kids need to burn off all that energy (and mommy can sit and have a coffee).
I have a 3 1/2 year old who bounces off of the walls during the winter!!! Would love to see programs to run off his energy!
The North Olmsted Rec offers very limited programs for his age, and many are geared towards girls (tumbling, dance - and not that boys don't do these things, just that my son is not interested). Most programs that are offered are during the day...not great for working moms & dads. We will be checking out the open gym that Bay Village Rec offers (again during the day) and will be signing up for spring/summer sports (soccer and t-ball).
I'd love to see more activities available to do with preschoolers. I would be interested in more winter indoor swimming classes, craft activities, an indoor play gym, a kids' cooking class, dancing classes, etc. I think a hip hop dance class for preschoolers would be fun.
