Free or Nearly Free Entertainment and Activities for Toddlers in Memphis, TN

The play area at Wolfchase is good when the weather is bad, and Davis Kidd at Poplar and Perkins has a play area (good for any time) and story time. I think also the botanic gardens has activities that are free.

I'm in the same boat - looking for cheap or free activities for my toddler in the D.C. area, where we're moving in a couple weeks. I'd suggest the things that I'm going to try, which any town or city should have - play spaces at the malls and story times at the libraries and book stores. There may also be nice parks nearby. Look online for play date groups, like the mommy network or Meetup. Good luck.

There's so much for toddlers in Memphis! I just moved here from the Washington, DC area and I'm amazed by it (the DC area activities are more geared toward older kids). For free activities, try Davis-Kidd Booksellers, free day at the zoo (although I hear it gets crowded), the library, and free concerts at Levitt Shell (see http://www.memphisparent.com/calendar/). The farmers market in South Main also has musical performances and kid-friendly activities such as face painting. And you don't have to go all the way out to Collierville for a sprayground. There is one at Peabody Park, between Cooper Young and Central Gardens. If you're able to spend a little, the children's museum and zoo are both in Midtown, both fantastic, and worth an annual membership - it will pay for itself in no time. The botanical gardens also has My Big Backyard which is fantastic for little kids. Mud Island River Park is also fun. There's also Memphis Rock-N-Romp, which is on Saturday afternoons every month or two, where great parent-friendly bands play music and kids get to know each other. We also do a Memphis Aardvarks class, which is $235 for the semester - similar to Gymboree, but we enjoy it more, with the instructor singing and playing the guitar.

There are several MOPS groups in the area, the area libraries do children's times, Pink Palace Museum, Zoo et are free on certain days at certain time frames. Here is an addy to find some stuff: http://www.memphistravel.com/visitors/free.aspx
Also a number of churches have moms groups, some do playgroup once a week in their gyms. If once you have expolored some of the stuff your kids have an affinity for the zoo, etc a membership is great so you can run over there anytime you want.

I understand completely where you are at I have a 5 year old, a 1 year old and an 8 week old. Someone told me about story time at Davis Kids book store on tuesdays at 10 or 11 in the morning it last for a hour or so, I know the Poplar library do it as well. I would call both places to confm but it is free and the kids love it. Best of luck.

I don't know about Memphis, but our local library is a great place for little kids. In addition to just being a cool place to go and browse with your child on any random day (rain or shine), they also have all kinds of activities and programs for kids. They can probably direct you to other great kid programs that aren't at the library, too. Our library has a monthly email newsletter that you can sign up to receive, and it tells all about the various activities going on at the 5 or 6 local branches. Another bonus... they also have movies, so every now and then we can have "movie night" for free.
Best wishes to you and your family! Have fun!

Even though the weather's crummy this time of year, I still love Shelby Farms in Germantown. There are tons of walking trails (perfectly suited to a stroller) and a great playground. Just bundle everyone up and go! I know there's a Children's Museum also, but have no idea if it's good or cheap. Good luck!

I don't live there but the county libraries usually have story time and other activities. Also, Chic Fil A restaurants if you have it...play areas are fun. Also, the area YMCA or any other type of rec center usually has classes that kids can take. Here the classes are only about $3 per time and they have dancing, music and motion, story time, gymnastics, etc

story time at the library, tn residents day at the zoo and pink palace, (Children's museum might do one too I can't remember), Collierville water park in the summer. Pump it Up in Bartlett and Germantown or Bounze in Southaven has times during the weekday that they're open to the public and don't have parties. I think it's about $5-7 though, but the kids can go jump in all the blow ups and slide down the huge slide. You don't have to eat the food at Chuckee Cheese to play the games so all it has to costs you are the tokens. Although usually they have coupons for free tokens with a food purchase on their website. The one in HornLake right off I-55 is probably the closest one to you.

In the summer time there is a water sprinkler park in Collierville. That's all I know about....this area is rather boring in my opinion.
Jen

I am new to the Knoxville area but in MO we had programs at the public library for children of all ages. The other thing we engaged in when my children were young was a group called MOPS- Mothers Of Preschool Children. It was a group that was held at a local church or library. You had to have a child or children in a specific age group. The meetings were monthly. At the church they had volunteers who took care of the children for about an hour so the adults could eat lunch and talk. We brought sack lunches for us and our children. There was a leader to facilitate the topic of the month. After our meeting time and lunch we would go to our children and play together. It allowed the children to have playmates and the adults to form friendships with other Moms. Check into those things. Good Luck!

It's difficult to find anything for that specific age group, particularly free or cheap things! I know there's a little play area in Wolfchase Mall that I see lots of kids in during the weekdays. Depending on your finances, there are KinderMusik classes, and I highly recommend the Little Gym (but that's $400/semester though you can break it up into payments). The Pink Palace is free on Tuesdays from 1-4. I think the Zoo also had a Free admission day for Memphis residents (it may also be on Tuesdays).

You might also see if you can make some connections with some playgroups - whether it's through signing up your daughters through Little Gym and talking to parents there, through a church you attend, or any other groups you come in contact with.

Once spring gets here, there are so many parks and playgrounds around, you can take the kids there. Lots of nice families around, and they may have some other ideas/suggestions.

You can get a family membership to the zoo for $79 so after two visits the membership pays for itself. A family membership to the children's musuem is $80.00 and there is a section for the younger kids to play in. Davis Kidd has storytime on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 11:00, with singing and a story. The other libraries in the area all have storytimes as well, you may have to register with them to attend. Up in Arlington, on Fridays the Champion Sports Institute has an open gym for toddlers to run and around and play, the cost is $5 the time is from 9:30-11:00. Hope that helps with some ideas!