New Things to Do.

Hey S.,

I highly recommend DCmom.com - it's got listing of things to do on a daily basis with kids around the DC area. Sign up for the newsletter to - great tips for weekends.

There is an aquatic center up in Glen Burnie (North Arundel) that I think you can just walk in during open times.

Why not try bowling - Severna Park has the small pins and balls, you just have to watch little fingers in the ball return.

I think there is also something at the Severna Park Community Center - we have been invited to a birthday party.

Hope that helps you some.

I live in Hampton Roads, but I'm sure there are some of those paint-your-own-pottery studios where you are. My son who is now 5, loved going even when he was 3 and 4 yrs. Let them pick out a small knick-knack to paint in their own chosen colors. Also, try an indoor gym. Some have play areas with lots of toys, climbing equipment, or indoor putt-putt. There may also be an indoor bouncy inflatable climber place like we have called Kangaroo Jacs or something similar. Try a Build-a-bear workshop. If you are able, join a YMCA that has an indoor pool and play area. That way, they can be entertained while you relax, or exercise, or you can all swim. Good luck!!

there are some nice hiking trails in AA county. go for nature treasure walks, making a list of things you'd like to collect (bright red leaves, birds' nests, fairy stones, acorns) and see how many you can get. have a camping expedition in your living room, make smores, tell stories by candlelight, and sleep in sleeping bags. join the maryland science center and make weekly trips. your kids will not get tired of it for years. visit a nursing home. volunteer at the humane society. foster some kittens. take a tour of days end horse rescue. go to kids' story telling sessions at the library, and start your own at home. restage the civil war using stuffed animals. put on a puppet show. start a band using household stuff as instruments, with all original songs. build a cairn outside your front door with rocks you've collected on hikes.
:) khairete
S.

Once the weather gets a little better, try the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Children love animals, the fees are not as high as for the aquarium, and you can spend the entire day there and still not see everything. They have an outstanding children's zoo. http://www.marylandzoo.org/

It's never too young to begin an appreciation for art. The Walters Museum in Baltimore is free admission, and a few blocks from the light rail. The collection has a lot of jewelry, knick knacks, and other 'stuff' that children could enjoy. Even armor from knights. http://www.thewalters.org/

Your 3 year old may not enjoy the Museum of Industry much, but the 6 your old may really like it. There are many hands on things to do, and activities for children. http://www.thebmi.org/

A trip to Fort McHenry is a must for anyone who lives in the area. You can picnic there, see a movie on the bombardment of the fort and the writing of our national anthem, and see how this battle changed the history of our nation. Check their web site for events.http://www.nps.gov/fomc/

There's some ideas, and most of those places can be visited year after year as the children grow. I still love to visit them all.

The Annapolis mall has a kids day...I think it's the first Wed of the month. You can call or go online to learn more. The movies at the mall offer a free movie day once a month and then there are discounted days for moms and kids. Pump it Up is in Glen Burnie on Ordinance rd, it's always fun. There is also Xtreme Bounce Zone in millersville just off of 97 at the business park.

Book readings/library visits.
Outdoor playground/jungle gym.

Our pediatrician's office has a little magazine that discusses what to do with kids in our area. I forget what it's called, but look around at those "freebie" stands. This time of year, look for holiday things like a garden of lights or caroling or crafts. The library is a great place for kids, too.

Columbia has a fun children's museum - Playwise Kids. You can spend a couple of hours there and it is educational. If you look on the website for National Association of Children's Museums you can find out if there is one closer to you. My kids and my husband and I love them so much that we have gone to different areas (up to 2 hours away) to visit them.

S.,

Swing by your local Parks and Rec department, or look them up on the internet. This is a great resource for family fun in all seasons. I know that in my county they have several programs for kids every week. I'm a home schooler so my 6 yo is home all day with me and the baby (14mo) and we'd all go nuts from cabin fever if we didn't get out. So we go to story time at the library once a week and a program called home school gym once a week. They have other things available, but these two along with Cub Scouts and Wrestling for my oldest is about all I want to heap on my plate. I do advise you to check out your community resources for recreation, that's what they're there for. Good Luck!

D.

http://www.aacounty.org/recparks/ Here's a link to local parks and recreation...they should have some fun activities...and the kids can get some fresh air! Also, there's always fall festivals, etc. Near me there's a Kids'N Clay - the kids can create their own things and bring them home...and Paragon Gymnastics...where you can let them run around and flip on stuff...it's all padded. I'm sure there are places like that, or even the YMCA near you. Swimming pools can be fun as well...and provide good exercise. The library is a nice place for them to have story time, participate in activities and get interested in books - even for 30 minutes...they're never too young to start looking at picture books. Good luck!!

I have found a fun spot in Pasadena called Pic N Paint. It's a pottery painting place and VERY kid friendly. When my son gets done with his little project or gets tired of it there is a small enclosed toddler area. Look at the calender online as there are always special events and discount days. I know on Black Friday shopping day after Thanksgiving the owner is having a drop and shop event. The young ladies that work there all love children. They will staff those events with an appropriate amount of caregivers as reservations are required. This Black Friday event is also a way to help kids make gifts for their families on their own. Here's the link www.picnpaintpottery.com

EXtreme Bounce in Millersville is great to wear out your kids. They also do story time and parents nights during the month.

The Pool in Glen Burnie has an indoor water park with slides (one big and one little).

There is a playground near BWI that my daughter can watch the planes take off and land.

If you drive up to Baltimore/Inner Harbor the MD science museum is AWESOME! Lots of hands on and touch exhibits. I think both your kids would enjoy. They have a dedicated room for the younger ones. Also Port Discovery is a fun day trip or the Aquarium.

I heard about a place that you can make your own tye dye shirts, but never found it?

Do you work? I highly recommend the Mom's Club of Glen Burnie. We have a variety of activities during each month. Some of the things we have done recently have been: Docksiders Gymnastics in Millersville has open play several times a week. Bounce Around near the airport also has open play times.

Check Anne Arundel Public Library "Happenings" to find out about story times and other activities at the county libraries.

Marley Station Mall and Glen Burnie Mall both have play areas that are free.

On nice days, Lake Waterford has a wonderful playground and there is another neat playground on Dorsey Rd near the airport. From there you can watch the planes come in...they really come in low!!