Hi, I just stopped working some weeks ago. I've been looking for fun activities to do with my daughter, or places to take her other than the "around the corner park". I used to work from home, but decided to spend more time with my daughter, and stopped working. We live in North Santa Clara, and its been just 2 years since we move to the area. We have gone to the park, some shopping centers play grounds, but not sure what else we can do. Any advice?
Have you thought about joining Las Madres see www.lasmadres.org. Its a playgroup based on city and year of birth. You will meet lots of other moms and arrange playdates and outings.
Regards
P.
Check out your local library. Most have story time one morning a week and it's ok if the noise level gets a little loud. Also, the local book stores like Barnes and Noble also have story time once a week in the children's section for a change of pace. Good luck!
Check out Community Centers. They all have "mommy and me" type of classes during the day.
Hi,
You can also try meetup.com. It's a website that connects different groups(i.e. Mom's groups) and other interests in your area. I belong to the Almaden Valley Meetup and they have a lot of fun activities every week for toddlers, there might be one in Santa Clara that's convenient for you.
Good luck!
Hi C.,
I live in Sunnyvale, so not too far from you. We used to take our daughter to Happy Hollow Zoo/park in San Jose. They have small rides,a petting zoo and a playground. I'm not sure of the cost to get in these days, but it used to be fairly cheap.
Join a MOPS group at a nearby church. They usually meet every other Friday. Sometimes the alternate Friday they do a craft day or a get-together of some sort. They have child care so you can meet with other mommies, but they also do lots of activities outside the group with the kids together. You might also look into a Las Madres group. Las Madres gather as a small group of mom's of kids born in a particular year who live near each other. I have a friend who still goes away for a Las Madres weekend and her kids are 21 and 23. She made great friendships there!
I have been at home with my son pretty much since he was born. I like to go to different parks around the bay area, Happy Hollow (which unfortunately will be closed for 1 year very soon for remodeling). How about the jungle in Westgate. We also do swimming every Thurs. (waterbabies at DACA in Cupertino) Playdates make an ordinary day more fun. My son loves zoos and aquariums. Too bad there are none within 1/2 hour driving.
Hi, C.,
I, too, live in North Santa Clara. Have you checked out the Parks and Rec classes through the city? Some of the classes you can attend with two registered kids (like I do). They have soccer/mom & me art/music/movement for babies, etc, etc.
When I was at home with my son, now 4, I used to try out different parks all the time. But I realized that I really wanted the consistency of one park, and seeing the same kids and moms on a regular basis. I would recommend trying a few, finding one you like that is BUSY at the time of day you would attend, and then start talking to the people you see! I am still in contact with moms I met almost 4 years ago just from chatting at the park.
I find Thamien Park very social in the late afternoons on weekdays (off Lickmill). Rivermark, Live Oak Park is a great place to hang out with fun people in the mornings on weekdays. Evenings tend to be pretty windy. Weekends you will see lots of dads here. Fuller Park (on Fuller St) is hit or miss, usually busy in the later afternoons.
I will second the vote for the Children's discovery museum, riding the VTA lightrail is fun, Happy Hollow is closing July 8 (we just went there today), Valley Fair mall has a play area, indoor for cold days.
So, now you know what I do with my time. If you see me with a 4 year old son and an 11 month old daughter at one of these places, come over and chat!
H.
Another great moms support group is the MOMS Club (www.momsclub.org). I believe there is one in your Santa Clara/Sunnyvale area. This group focuses on the stay at home mom and they have fun activities planned during the day. I've been a part of this organization since my oldest was 2 months old (now 5) and its been the best thing that I have done since becoming a SAHM. Its given me and my children great friendships, fun activities to do during the day and an opportunity to get involved and use my "work skills" in a great organization. They are very welcoming to families with multiple siblings. There are multiple chapters all across the South Bay.
enjoy this time with your daughter and upcoming baby!
strollerhikes.com is a great organization.
harmony in campbel has alot of resources.
public libraries and book stores like barns and nobel and borders often have story times. the children's dicovery museum is awsome!!! sign language class, swimm class....have fun!
