Fun/Educational Places to Take a Toddler

All of these things are free: the city libraries have story time usually MTW around mid morning (check their websites), mine love to go to Petsmart and look at the fish, hamsters, birds, cats etc., Celebration Park in Allen is great for the summer time because they have the park play area and the sprinkler park, Towne Lake in McKinney is great for feeding the ducks and fish and playing at the park, and the soccer fields are a great place to fly a kite on a windy day.

These things cost but most are reasonable: the Dallas Aquarium, the Dallas (its fun to take the Dart Train and then they don't have to be in their car seat) and Ft. Worth Zoo, the Wiggles Play Center in Frisco,& Sharkarosa Ranch (in Celina I think).

Also watch for seasonal events: Thomas the Engine is coming to Grapevine at the end of March first part of April, McKinney has the Trout Fishing Derby in February and Allen's is in May, the Pumpkin Farm in Celina makes a fun day before Halloween, the Plano Hot Air Balloon Festival in Sept.& the McKinney Christmas Parade.

A GREAT source for this info is AroundTownKids.com. It is a site that specializes in activities, events, COUPONS, give-aways, and reviews of businesses & free events in the McKinney/Frisco/Plano/Allen area! They also have an email (the sign-up box is in the upper-right corner) that comes out on the weekends. I hope this is helpful! It has been a great resource for me since we moved here 3 years ago. :)

The Allen Early Childhood PTA has GREAT field trips, community service projects, family outings, fun activities for Dads and kids, and much more! Start getting the newsletter for monthly events. You DON'T have to be a resident of Allen to participate.

www.aecpta.com

Good luck!
C. Courtade

The Heard Museum in McKinney is great. It's $8 for adults and toddlers are free. They have a mini zoo, fun indoor exhibits and some walking trails.

Great suggestions below, you may also try Dallas Child. You can get a free copy by the front door at most Tom Thumb stores, other stores carry them too. They always have a break down of what is going on during the month in the back of the magazine. It also gives you pricing, etc.