Jenn in Toronto is working her way through our Rookie Mom Challenges with her son Sebastian and sent us this wonderful week of fun as her response to Challenge #17 (become the cruise director). A huge Merci to Jennifer for sharing her picks.

If you live in Toronto, here’s a superfun way to spend your maternity leave:

Monday: Mochas and music
Start the week off with some play and music for baby. Spend the morning at Lil’ Bean N’ Green. It’s a café and play space for babies over 4 months old ($5.00/day) . Babies and children can play with their equipment (hammocks, swings, reading corner), and if your little one is on solids, they sell local/organic baby food for less than $2 per serving.

In the afternoon check out a music class designed for babies. Most infant/toddler music programs allow you to come for a free demo class, and you can find many classes around the Greater Toronto Area. Play along with instruments as you learn new songs and build your repertoire. Some music programs to check out are:

• Fun with Music Together
• Rainbow Songs
• Kindermusik
• Lap Rhymes and Lullabies

Tuesday: the Arts
Find one of those paint-your-own-pottery places and go have baby’s feet painted. At the Clay Room you can select a piece (a trivet is always easiest and inexpensive), and they will help you stamp your baby’s feet onto the pottery. You can also buy a frame for the trivet to complete the look. Your piece will be ready for pick up one week after your visit.

Tuesday afternoons at 1:30pm, Gymboree runs a 0-6 month Play and Learn baby class. This class is also offered on Mondays and Thursdays. These classes are 45 minutes long and include songs, tactile and visual stimulation, tummy time, bubbles, puppets, a parachute, and parent discussions. There are also classes for older babies and children up to 5 years. Play and Learn classes are $88.14/month which include drop in gym times. They also offer a free preview class to new families. If you’re planning on getting a membership, keep an eye out. They have introductory specials from time to time so your first month is at a reduced rate.

Wednesday: Exercise then movies
If baby is older than 6 weeks, workout together at a Strollerfit class. These classes are offered by a number of different teachers and organizations throughout parks in the city. One class on Wednesdays at 10am is offered by Mom and Baby Fitness. The class is an hour long and is followed by a parent discussion. A single class is $20.00.

If you get tired just thinking about a Strollerfit class, maybe check out a mom and baby yoga class instead. Breathe Yoga Studio offers post-natal yoga classes on Wednesdays at 1pm at their Junction location. You can work on your core while bonding with your baby. This class has the added bonus of allowing you to attend when baby is as small as 3 weeks old. Drop in is $22.00.

In the afternoon, take your baby on a date to the movies. Movies for Mommies is a popular Mom and Baby movie group that has showings at theatres around the city on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at either 1 or 1:30pm. They provide stroller parking, a diaper changing station (with diapers and wipes), and offer free samples of other baby products. The cost ranges from $7.00 – $9.50 for you and no charge for baby

Thursday: Strolling and supper prep
Take a morning stroll in the city. High Park is always a hit. There are many paved pathways to walk along and enjoy. For older babies, Mike Holmes recently lead the building of a brand new beautiful playground after the original playground was burned to the ground in early 2012. If you go in April, be sure to check out the cherry blossoms. They’re only in bloom for a short period of time each year, and are a stunning sight to see.

Or check out the Toronto Botanical Garden, another stroller-friendly space to walk with baby. The gardens are open daily dawn to dusk.

Admission is free to both High Park and the Botanical Garden.

In the afternoon, pick up some food for baby at a Farmers’ Market. There are Farmers’ Markets daily at different locations around the city. Two great ones to check out on Thursday afternoons are at Dufferin Grove  and East Lynn Park. Both markets are open 3-7pm and if you’re in East Lynn Park, they even have a Kids’ Corner with sing-a-longs and crafts around 5pm.

In the evening, let your partner watch the baby while you prepare some meals in advance at Supperworks. Choose your entrees online and then book a session to go prepare these freezer-friendly meals. They are perfect for nights when getting dinner on the table seems like an impossible feat. There are three Toronto locations to choose from and this is also a fun outing to do with another rookie mom.  Ask about their Stork Special. For the first two months after baby is born, they will prepare your meals for you in advance and all you have to do is come pick them up. Added bonus – if you prepare your meals during an evening session, they’ll offer you a complimentary glass of wine.

Friday: Library and more
In the morning check out a local library. Many libraries offer morning Baby Time Story Time programs for babies birth to 18 months. Though advanced registration is required, this program is free and includes songs, stories, and rhymes for baby.

In the afternoon find an Early Years Centre that offers a Baby and Me program. The Toronto Danforth location has one on Fridays at 2pm and is also free, though advanced registrations is required. Each week an early childhood educator runs an interest program for moms and babies up to 12 months. Sample programs include Mom and Baby Yoga, Salsa Babies, Circle and Play time, Early Literacy, and each month there is at least one program with a public health nurse if you have any questions about yourself or baby.

Saturday: Me time
Saturday is all about mommy. Treat yourself to a spa service at Sunny Mummy Spa and Boutique. The first of its kind in Toronto, Sunny Mummy Spa is a child-friendly spa that also has a childcare room. Using Aveda products, they offer services such as facials, massage, manicures, pedicures, waxing, or a number of different packages designed for mommy. The spa is generally open 11am – 5pm or by appointment. Supervised childcare is available on site for an additional $5.00 per visit.

After your spa treatment, take your little one and indulge in some shopping. If you have little willpower when it comes to cute baby items, buyer beware. These stores sell adorable clothing, toys, and accessories for babies and toddlers:

• Silly Goose Kids
• Fab Baby Gear
• Baby on the Hip
• Jet Baby
• Moms to be and More

Finally, if you’re up surfing online during a late-night feed check out  www.babysteals.com. Twice daily they offer high-quality, brand name baby products at a significantly discounted price. Shipping to Canada is usually reasonably priced and quick.

Sunday: Pandas and monkeys
Spend the morning walking around the Toronto Zoo. There are stroller-friendly paths throughout the zoo, and baby will enjoy the new sights, sounds, and smells. General admission from May – October is $25, and children under the age of 3 are free. Generally, the zoo is open from 9:30 to 4:30 in the winter and 9:30 to 6pm in the summer or over March Break. This year, the Toronto Zoo is getting a panda exhibit with 2 giant pandas that will stay at the zoo for 5 years. It will be an amazing outing for little ones to be sure!

On a warm afternoon, put baby in some Splashers and check out one of the city’s many many splash pads. Splash pads are free, unsupervised water play areas located at various parks and playgrounds. They often include engaging water features such as shower heads and spray jets that will keep baby entertained for hours.

+++
Jennifer is a French and social studies teacher in Toronto on maternity leave this year with her son Sebastian who was born last May. She’s been working her way through the 52 Rookie Mom Challenges with Sebastian, her husband, Rob, and other rookie mom friends in the city. We can’t wait for the full report.

[Photos from Jennifer B and Yelp]

I’m very excited to share this guest post by Ann, a rookie mom, who started the blog Busy Little Baby when her son was 6 months old and she was looking for an easier way to find things to do with her baby.

When I discovered her blog from my late night tweet-surfing, I felt like I had discovered a kindred spirit. If you are currently living with a baby in the Minneapolis St. Paul area, you will be happy to find her too. She shares her top picks for a fun week in the Twin Cities no matter the weather:

Monday

[Summer] Como Zoo is a Minnesota must for you and baby in the summer time. Donations accepted for admission, it’s the perfect smaller size zoo for your little one. Bring a picnic lunch and wander the outside gardens and conservatory afterwards for some great photo-ops!

[Winter] Visit the independently owned bookshop Wild Rumpus in Linden Hills [Minneapolis]. New mamas, I would avoid the crowded story time at 10:30 and go a little later to cozy up in this enchanting store with your little one- just watch out for the live chickens running around! Afterwards, feel free to do a little window-shopping for baby at cute stores like Creative Kids Stuff or Oscar & Belle.

Tuesday

[Summer] Minnehaha Falls is a perfect spot in the city to go for a daytime hike with your baby. A beautiful area with various walking paths and ample parking close to the park [in case baby is fussy and you need to make a quick emergency exit.] Don’t forget to swing by the Sea Salt Eatery before you leave & order a cone of Minneapolis’s award winning Sebastian Joe’s ice cream.

[Winter] Baby story time [10:30 – 11:00] at Red Balloon Bookshop on Grand Ave. is a “can’t miss” event for you and baby. Sara Waters [Sara’s Stories] reads stories, sings silly songs and even plays the violin to keep these babies entranced. Afterwards meet up with some mommy-friends at Café Latte for a delicious lunch! The friendly staff is more than willing to lend a hand when yours are full with baby.

Wednesday

[Summer] Cool off at the Splash Pad at Wabun Park in Minneapolis [near Minnehaha Falls]. While you might not be ready to take your baby to the big pool, this splash pad & wadding pool is the perfect way to get your feet wet and let your baby enjoy splashing around.

[Winter] Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis hosts “Wee Wednesdays” every week [10:30AM] which includes anything from live animals from the zoo, to cooking for your baby and even story times and sing-a-longs. After enjoying this free event, make sure to stop by Salty Tart to satisfy your sweet tooth with a “melt-in-your-mouth” cupcake or cookie.

Thursday

[Summer] Take a day trip to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. Meet up with a girlfriend and bring the stroller for a nice long walk to enjoy the beautiful flowers and landscapes. Don’t forget the camera, another great place for some memorable pictures!

[Winter] Need to get some exercise but not ready to leave your baby? Hit up Stroller Strides [9:15AM] at the Mall of America. This mommy boot camp is free your first time with additional classes being as low as $2.75 with certain membership packages.

Friday

[Summer] Take advantage of those small babies that will sleep anywhere and head to the Vali-Hi Drive-In. No need to even take your snoozing baby out of their car seat and you’ve got instant date-night up front!

[Winter] Every Friday from 11:00-12:00 Amma Parenting Center in Edina has drop-in baby playtime. Bring yourself and your baby and Amma will provide a nursing friendly environment with music, toys, blankets and babies! A great place for new mom’s to venture out of the house for the first time and make new mommy friends!

Saturday

[Winter] Check out the Habitot room at the MN Children’s Museum that is especially designed for little ones on the move. This is another hot spot for meeting new mommy friends while your baby is exploring the soft and sensory little world built just for them! [Bonus: children under 1 are FREE and there is also a nursing room.]

[Summer] Hit up the shops of Woodbury Lakes with your little one. This outdoor mall has the right balance of boutiques and national retailers for baby AND mama!

Sunday

[Summer] Head to the St. Paul or Minneapolis Farmers Market. Strap your baby to your chest and enrich their sensory experiences with the bright colors and smells of the fresh produce. Let older babies help pick out fruits and vegetables to encourage healthy eating.

[Winter] BYOB [bring your own BABY that is] mommy & me yoga at Blooma. A great way for new mama’s to get some exercise while stimulating baby at the same time. Running late? Fussy baby? Need to nurse in the middle of class? NO problem! Even major blowouts mid class are understood here.

+++

Huge thanks to Ann for going all over-achiever and sharing fun for all seasons. If you’re in the Twin Cities, be sure to check out her beautiful blog for more inspiration and current events, busy little baby.

JJ Keith shares some fun-filled toddler and preschooler activities to keep mom having fun in and around Pasadena, CA. She writes the JJust Kidding blog about raising babies in Hollywood (without raising Hollywood babies).

Kasper and Beatrix enjoy the swings

Monday: Explore the Arroyo
Go for a walk in the jog stroller-friendly watershed of the Arroyo Seco (entrance at Norwood Drive and South Arroyo Boulevard) and skip down the 110 to the Audubon Center at Debs Park (4700 North Griffin Avenue; FREE) where they have a miniature arroyo for kids to explore and learn about watersheds. You might want to bring a change of clothes because there’s ample opportunity for romping in the mud.

Exploring the Audobon Center

Tuesday: Sing-Along
Drive a few minutes east of Pasadena to join Mothersong, a family music class in American Legion Hall in Eagle Rock (2109 Merton Ave), where toddlers are free to bang on drums and sing their little hearts out (suggested $5-10 donation, classes are at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.). Afterwards dip on down the street for brunch at the Coffee Table, which features a $5 kids menu and a staff heroically tolerant of toddlers.

Wednesday: Romp in the Park
Garfield Park in South Pasadena (park on Park Street at Mission Street) has a large well-shaded playground with a variety of structures suitable for crawlers through school kids. When the kids have swung and slided themselves out, dip over to Wild Thyme Cafe and Bakery (805 Fair Oaks Avenue) for a crepe or a seared ahi sandwich.

Thursday: Farmer’s Market
The South Pasadena Farmers Market (Meridian Avenue and El Centro Street, Thursdays from 4-8 p.m.) is mecca for kids. Check out the roasted sweet potatoes, corn, ice cream, and nearby train watching for your junior engineer.

Friday: Story Time
South Pasadena Public Library (1100 Oxley Street) has a famously great Friday story toddler time at 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. Once your toddler is storied out you can wear him or her down at Amy’s Playground (1115 Mission Street, $7-9 per child). And bonus: you can get your kid’s hair cut at Amy’s as well.

Saturday: Horticulture
Descanso Gardens, just northeast of Pasadena on the 210 in La Cañada Flintridge (1418 Descanso Drive; $8 for adults, $5 for children 5-12), is the ideal place to let your toddler roll around in the leaves. In addition to 150 acres of gardens, woodlands and chaparral, there’s a yummy café and gift shop loaded with kid-friendly goodies.

Sunday: Children’s Museum
KidSpace, located in the west end of Brookside Park (480 North Arroyo Boulevard; $10 per person, children under 12 months free), is the kind of place where you can let your kid go bananas without having to do too much supervision. In addition to indoor play structures and exhibits appropriate for even the wee-est of wee ones, there’s a slew of outdoor water features for sunny day mayhem. You can even bring a swim suit and water shoes and let your kid get soaked the bone in the play pond.

Kidspace at the Children's Museum

Thanks so much to JJ for sharing her great ideas and adorable pictures. Read more from her at jjustkidding.blogspot.com.

If Hollywood is not in your neck of the woods, find your hometown in our Staycation guides for new moms.

Maggie Martin left her teaching career to become a professional mom to her twinfants, Linus and Veda. They live in Albuquerque, NM. She offered to share her lessons learned about being a rookie mom in her hometown.

Monday, trek the Rio Grande
Start the week off with a trek along the Rio Grande at Bosque Nature Center with Baby in a carrier. If you’re a twin mommy rocking a side-by-side stroller, you’ll have a hard time getting through the gate to the trail. In that case, park at High Desert Park and meander around the foothills of the Sandias. When you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Sweet Tomatoes. What appears to be a mere salad bar to the average customer is actually a finger food smorgasbord for young eaters. Best of all, it’s a FREE smorgasbord for anyone under 2.

Tuesday, storytime and sandwiches
Grab a sandwich at the Barnes and Noble café at Coronado Center. Then head upstairs to the children’s section where Baby can explore the storytelling area or nurse while you eat lunch. Then host your very own story time on the story time stage that doubles as a climbing platform.

Wednesday, Explora for little ones
Head to Explora! on Wednesday. Baby may not be ready to interact with all of the exhibits just yet, but there’s plenty to hold Baby’s interest at the water experiment stations, toddler room, and bubbles table. Be sure to pack a picnic to enjoy on the roof.

Veda playing in the toddler room at Explora!

Thursday, zoo day
Invest in a membership to the BioPark, which is one of the best values in family entertainment EVER. A Couples membership (babies under 3 are free) can be had a for an annual fee of a mere $59. That gets you into the Rio Grande Zoo, Botanic Gardens, and the Albuquerque Aquarium as many times as you feel like going. Yeah, it’s a really good deal. Once you’ve purchased your membership, wander through the zoo.

Friday, boogie and bounce
Get ready to head out the door a little early on Friday for a 9:15 Baby Bounce class at Bounce N’ Boogie, another great Albuquerque value. For just $45 a month ($60 for two kiddos), you can attend unlimited music and movement, yoga, exploratory art, and signing classes. If you’ve checked into Gymboree-type classes before, you know what a bargain that is.

Saturday, botanic gardens
Remember to take your BioPark membership pass and some stale bread with you when you explore the Botanic Gardens. It will take at least a couple of visits to see all of the gardens, but on this first one, make it a priority to see the Japanese Garden. Enjoy some zen moments with Baby near the waterfall, and then feed the giant koi. (That’s why you brought the stale bread.) If you’re hungry on the way out, make a pit stop at the Aquarium Café near the entrance, where you can nosh on some fresh chips and salsa or guacamole while Baby is mesmerized by the sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays swimming in front of your table.

Linus mesmerized by the koi in the Japanese Garden

Sunday, find the shade
End your week by relaxing in the shade (well, shade relative to the Albuquerque sun) at Academy Hills Park. Blow bubbles in the grass, swing in the bucket swings, brave the toddler slide, and stroll along the paved trail.

+++
I want to thank the fabulous professional twin mommy, Maggie for sharing her city and her cutie pie kids with us.

Thanks to Lia Keller for sharing her favorite fun activities for babies and toddlers in Anchorage, Alaska. Lia was born and raised in Alaska, leaving only for school and marriage, and vows to never leave again (except for vacations that is). She has two little boys, Duke (1) and Huck (2). She runs the Alaskan Mom Approved website, with honest harsh-weather product reviews, and Skedaddle kids, an all-weather playgroup that meets year-round on Tuesday mornings. She is also working to start an outdoor family non-profit.

Monday
Indoors – Head to the Cuddlers group at Providence Hospital to meet with other parents of kiddos 0-2. This free group is a great way to meet other new mothers while your babe lays on a blanket looking at other babies. There also are other Cuddlers days, double cuddlers, groups for dads and also cruisers for babes on the move.

Outside – The summer brings free music in the park and Mondays are for the kids. A great band plays child friendly songs, blows bubbles and leads dances. The lawn fills with kids dancing and parents chat when not pulling kids off the stage or out of the trees.

Grab lunch at Middle Way Cafe where you and your little one can eat a sandwich and get a smoothie.

Tuesday
Indoors – Children of all ages have fun at the Anchorage Museum’s Imaginarium. Older children enjoy the hands on exhibits and the younger set enjoys playing on the slide, jumping on the water bed and exploring the toys and puzzles. There are always parents to talk with and a cozy little nook for breastfeeding. The toilets in this area are child sized!

Little man at the Imaginarium

Outside – Play outside with the Skedaddle all weather playgroup where the kids can run off some energy and you can chat with other parents. This group meets at a different park each week so you can find new play spaces as well.

Grab some of your new friends and eat at the Moose’s Tooth for pizza or a salad. They open at 10:30 so you can arrive then and have a bit of space before eating. They have a coloring menu and kids can order just a slice of pizza.

Wednesday
Indoors – A great place to meet other parents is at H2Oasis for toddler time when school is in session. The child area with pirate ship and small slide are open for the kids. With two kids under two, I could have one in the sling and one run around. There also were lots of parents willing to lend a hand!

Outside – The Alaska Zoo is all outdoors and they have a great story time on Wednesday complete with animal encounter. While some kids sit and listen to the story, others (like mine) often wander around the greenhouse until the animal arrives or we leave to see one.

Call on your way to Snow City Cafe to have them hold a bench for your crew. They are welcoming to children and have a menu to please them and you. Breakfast is fantastic!

Thursday
Indoors – Another great place if you have two young children is the Spenard Rec Center for toddler time. For $5, your kids can be contained in an area with playmate, balls, ride on toys, ropes, hull a hoops and other play equipment. I loved being able to talk to other parents without being worried about run away kids!

Outside – Join the Taiga Trekkers for a family friendly hike. This group hikes each Thursday allowing you to get out, hike and talk with adults. It is casual with all manners of kids, stamina and rests!

Brrr. All-weather hiking with the Taiga Trekkers

After some fitness, regain those calories at Road Runner. They have an amazing outdoor eating location on Campbell Creek. They have salmon burgers and a great grilled cheese. The kids can be messy and run around between bites. Duck often wander in and you can see fish during the summer!

Friday
Indoors – Arrive a little early for story time at the Loussac Library. While they offer story time on other days, Friday is most popular. You can do some puzzles and look at books before it starts. A woman leads finger songs, reads stories and sings songs. Children run around and some don’t stay the whole time, but that is fine.

Outside – Grab a picnic lunch and head to Valley of the Moon Park. You are guaranteed to see other families and the play equipment is top of the line (remodeled in 2010) with areas for all ages of children.

Saturday
Indoors – Alaska Natural History Museum is truly a hands on museum where you can touch anything (except for Mr. Lion). You can pick up shells, dinosaur bones, claws, pet a bear and try on furs. There is a great kid area with puzzles, books, dinosaur digging pit, play dough and many other activities. It is free for kids under 6 as well!

Outside – A great place to let an older child run is the Botanical Garden. There are stroller friendly paths for pushing a younger sibling, clearly marked plants and little fear of losing a child!

Holding onto two boys at the Botanical Garden

Sunday
Make a date with one of the parents you met during the week and drive out to Girdwood. The drive takes about 45 minutes and you can often stop to see whales, sheep and salmon depending on the time of year. The Girdwood Playground is amazing and many families from Anchorage make the drive. Plan to take a picnic or get some pizza at Chair 5 (very family-friendly) or the Bake Shop for a cinnamon roll or soup.

+++
Thanks again to Lia Keller for sharing her favorite spots in Anchorage. If you want more of Lia, see Alaskan Mom Approved and Skedaddle kids.

My family was lucky enough to have a great friend to visit and crash with in Østerbro. We spent ten days touring around Copenhagen and can condense our highlights into a tidy little week of fun with toddlers and preschoolers.

Copenhagen is baby-friendly to a degree I couldn’t even comprehend before visiting: the attractions either accommodate strollers or provide easy parking; changing tables abound; most restaurants provide child-friendly menus and highchairs. For real. When I left Copenhagen, it made me feel like by comparison America hates babies.

Copenhagen is a mix of super-expensive and totally FREE activities so it takes a little planning to balance the fun with the budget.

Monday: Experimentarium
Holden’s favorite thing about the Experimentarium was “all the things” and we had to agree with him. If you have a geeky streak and imagine the coolest hands-on science museum you could ever go to, it might look like the Experimentarium. Can you fit inside a bubble? Measure the strength of your scream? Feel the force of an earthquake? Yes, yes, yes.

If you have a toddler, I recommend the membership. It will pay for itself after a couple visits. The cafe was only ok. You can bring your own food (recommended) and eat it downstairs.

Tuesday: Remisen indoor play area
Visit this totally FREE indoor play space to let your toddler run off his energy near Trianglen (at Blegdamsvej 132). An enormous climbing structure — that likely would not pass stringent safety laws in the U.S. — dominates the room. Older kids can climb up the sky and descend through the swirly slide. Younger toddlers can climb underneath and find plenty to explore. Other cool features: a pirate ship, zipline, fireman’s pole, ride-on toys, balls and separate rooms for crafts, dolls, and Legos.

Again, you will find ample stroller parking, changing tables, and cubbies for your belongings. Did I mention it is FREE? Tuesday and Thursdays are the days open for the four and under set. You’ll probably want to come back again and again.

There is no food or beverage in the Remisen complex but if you walk over toward the lakes, you can find a super delicious hamburger at the Franco-Danish café, Den Franske Café. Toddlers will also enjoy watching the ducks year-round.

Wednesday: Akvarium
We took the 14 bus north toward the coast to Charlottenlund to visit the Denmark’s Akvarium. The Aquarium (Akvarium, get it? Just say it out loud) is a short walk from the main road (away from the water). Cool features include sea turtles, sharks, and all the characters from Finding Nemo in one tank (for reals!)! The petting pool is open after 10:30.

No need to pack your own food. The cafe is decent and we enjoyed hot dogs (polse m/ brod or “sausage with bread”) and cocoa. And yes, there is a cloak room with stroller parking and plenty of changing tables in the men’s and women’s restrooms.

Admission prices are reasonable (kids under three are free and many reciprocal arrangements exist with other museums). At the end of the day, my sons loved the bus ride and seeing piles of snow then fields of snow (“c’mon boys, we’re in Europe! we have snow in California” oh well, the heart wants what it wants).

Thursday: Louisiana Museum
Take a 30 minute train ride out of town and visit the amazing Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. You will also need to take about a 20 minute walk (so bring a stroller for tired legs).

You might think that a toddler shouldn’t mix with a modern art museum. Talk to me after you visit Louisiana.

The art museum is arranged in a labyrinthine loop making the children’s wing tricky to find when you arrive. But oh my! Once you find it, you will be blown away. And don’t stop at the first level, there are three levels of DIY art projects with each floor focusing on a medium and artist. We got entangled on the Calder mobile level for a half hour using scissors, glue sticks, and bendy wire to create our very own mobiles and attach them to the display wall. In fact, our family of four was so immersed in this project that we forgot our plan of “divide and conquer” to see the rest of the museum in solo shifts.

Little Calder

Luckily, in a moment of selflessness, Holden declared that “we should do what you want since we spent so much time doing what I want.” After a delicious and pricey meal in the cafe, we strolled around the remaining exhibits. I mentioned that the layout is a little confusing (see excellent use of the word “labyrinthine”); eventually we had to ask a security monitor how to find the exit.

On the plus side, this is a fantastic museum and we all enjoyed our visit.

On the down side, the Louisiana Museum is expensive. We used our Copenhagen Card to get admission and train fare and this is a good way to go. Since it is quite a hike to reach, I recommend it for little babies who will nap on the go or preschoolers who can skip a nap.

Friday: National Museet

10 lb. helmet on 30 lb. child

The National Museum of Denmark, or NatMuseet, is a FREE gem of a place to take toddlers and preschoolers. If you can get your kiddos to look at piles of bones and armor, then you might stand a chance of seeing the national artifacts before you discover the great play area.

On the other hand, the kids’ zone is FREE and chock full of interesting historical items that you can climb on and wear in the name of play. We climbed aboard a pirate ship, a small viking boat, a huge horse, a medieval wall, and into a Pakistani market. We tried on armor and swung wooden swords.

The cafe is pricey and the menu did not look kid-friendly. We left hungry and cranky. Oh well. I’d love to know in the comments if there are good food options nearby.

Saturday: Statens Museum for Kunst
The day we went to the National Gallery of Denmark, or Statens Museum for Kunst, we did it all wrong, so let me help you do it right. To take advantage of the hands-on children’s workshop (for a small fee), you must go on a weekend. During the week, it is used by school groups [we went on a week day].

Adjacent to the workshops is a bouncy mattress that allows little ones a chance to get their jumpies out [my kids wouldn't leave]. Try to discover this fun surprise at the right time in your visit so you might have a moment to see the art.

We had some luck looking at the cool timeline of art and then doing a scavenger hunt to find the various pieces. Holden was particularly happy to find the installation below.

Also, the cocoa looked wicked good, but neither of my kids would share. So, order your own.

Since the museum has FREE admission, our failure was a cheap one.

Sunday: Swim at DGI-byen:
DYI-byen is simply the most amazing swim complex that I’ve ever had the pleasure to visit. It features many levels of swimming and splashing with family-friendly amenities at every turn (stroller parking, baby carriers and tubs, changing table at the pool).

The main kids’ area has spray fountains and a water table for older preschoolers as well as an inches-deep level for infants. Kids will also enjoy watching parents and big kids jump from the diving board with a ground-level viewing window.

The cafe is run by ChiliMili and it is delicious and healthy.

Admission prices are not cheap, but it is totally worth it. A few tips: bring your own towel and come early! We saw many families lined up to enter as we were leaving around lunchtime.

Other tips and observations:

• Danish demeanor. Folks in Denmark don’t queue up, they push to get ahead. Also, if you need help, you better ask for it; locals will give you helpful and direct advice (and are very quick to point out when you’re “doing it wrong”) but will let you stand around all day simply looking clueless. So, speak up.
• Biking.Copenhagen has a beautiful biking culture. If you don’t already have a cycle, borrow or rent a bike so you can feel the freedom and the joy. Another friend lent me her cargo bike and we had a fantastic adventure cycling from Charlottenlund to Østerbro in the dark.
• Food. All of our food was delicious and most of it was very expensive. Danish families do not eat at restaurants as much as Americans do. Yet, all restaurants we visited and cafes were family-friendly.
• Cold. We planned our visit to coincide with our friends’ availability. Brrr. If we come back — and I hope we do — I want to visit in the summer. There’s even more we could see and do when the weather is above freezing. Then again, I think my boys would miss the snow.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone. Celebrate by wearing green, drinking a pint or so of Guinness and enjoying this guest post from Kate Moran.

Kate is an American girl living in Ireland with her two small children. She founded MummyMaps.com, the stylish guide for Irish parents, and shares these insider tips for living in Dublin or traveling to Ireland with little ones.

Ireland is famous for gorgeous landscapes, charming villages and relaxing family time. Here is the perfect week in Ireland with kids (including best restaurants with changing tables and highchairs and advice for beating the weather):

Monday: City walk
The country’s capital and cultural heart, Dublin has lots for families to enjoy. Wander through Trinity College’s cobblestone paths, up the main shopping street, Grafton Street and to St. Stephen’s Green, where the kids can spend some time at the playground. Entry into most museums is free, so they are great to pop into to get out of the rain. In fact, the National Gallery of Ireland has a fantastic gift shop to buy gifts for home as well as a reliable cafe.

Tuesday: Guinness tour
The Guinness Storehouse is a requisite stop for many adults – and we can report that it’s pretty family-friendly. The displays (like the massive waterfall in the front hall) can engage most children for a while and the Gravity Bar is bright and lively. There are baby changing facilities and well, there is something strangely gratifying about taking your baby’s picture next to a pint of Guinness.

Finally, for older children, visit Kilmainham Goal for a tour of the famous jail where the leaders of the 1916 uprising were jailed and executed. Just across the road from Kilmainham is the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). It hosts an eclectic variety of exhibitions to suit every taste.

After strolling the lengthy corridors, head to the café Itsa-at-Imma. Wholesome hot meals, salads, (including coeliac options) and a full kid’s bagel menu is available. Just off the main café is a family room with little tables, highchairs, play mats, a microwave and lots of wooden toys and colouring and chalk boards to keep the monkeys amused while you enjoy that long awaited coffee. And to top it off…the ladies loos would put the Ritz to shame – you could fit at least four buggies in the baby change area! (Ah, it’s the little things…) If the weather is bearable, let the wild ones run freely in the wide open spaces or shout it all out in the formal gardens where an art installation in the form of a volcanic metallic fountain is a little treat for tiny ones with big imaginations.

Wednesday: Countryside
The amazing green countryside isn’t far from Dublin city. Take a drive through the Wicklow Mountains and Powerscourt House & Gardens – it’s one of our all-time favourite daytrips from Dublin. Drive south of the city to the Wicklow Mountains to find Powerscourt Estate. On a sunny day, the drive is spectacular. The tour/video show of Powerscourt isn’t all that interesting (the original building burned down and the existing interior is a recreation) but the planned gardens and Japanese garden are lovely to walk through – and the kids can run wild.

The café and shop are feasts for the eyes and stomach – the café, run by the venerable Avoca Café, serves Irish food with a twist and is delicious. There is always a children’s meal that comes with an enormous cookie (“biscuit”) the size of their head. The shoppe is an eclectic mix of Irish goods, kitchen treats and funky clothing and books for adults and kids. If you can, take turns browsing the shop, as it’s usually a bit hectic to bring the kids into, as there are a lot of breakables and it’s hard to navigate a stroller.

Note: There are several Avoca cafés throughout the country; the food is fantastic and they are always great for kids. The cafés are casual and usually noisy and crowded, but there are always highchairs, places to park a buggy and helpful staff to help carry your trays if you have a baby on your hip!

Thursday: Howth
The hills of Howth are magnificent and well worth a short trip just outside of Dublin to check out. You can drive or take the DART from the city. It’s the Cliff Walk you want, however, the cliff walk literally hugs the cliff’s edge and is only appropriate for adults with babies in a pouch or backpack – the paths are narrow and the drops very steep. There are other less perilous routes to the top , so some of your gang can take the more navigable route and meet at the top. The views are stunning and you can’t beat the fresh air!

And, the rumors are true, a great pint awaits at the end of your hike at The Summit Inn. (During the Cliff Walk, you are really exposed to the elements, so if it’s particularly windy and rainy, skip it. The views won’t really be all that great and cliffs and windy days don’t mix. However, a little drizzle “a soft day” need not be a deterrent.)

Howth has some great eating establishments, so working up your appetite is a brilliant move. Our suggestions? The House is our new favourite home away from home. Imagine warm crumbly scones, great coffee and a bacon sandwich served with greens dressed in vinaigrette and a perfect selection of seafood for dinner. They welcome families with open arms – happy to stash buggies at the door, pull a highchair out for your little one and provide coloring supplies. The adventurous children’s menu offers smaller portions from the regular menu.

Close runners up include Italian eatery, Casa Pasta or make a picnic with fish & chips from Beshoffs of Howth.

Friday: Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo is set within the largest park in Europe, Phoenix Park (there’s enough here as well to entertain the family) Here are some top tips from seasoned zoo members:

1. Get there early. Whatever the season, most of the big draw animals are out strutting their stuff between 10:00 am and noon. Get out & up early so you won’t have to keep explaining to your little ones that the tiger/chimp/wolf “is having its nap.”
2. Dress warmly. The zoo seems to have its own arctic microclimate and there are several cool playgrounds, so waiting around can be tough on the grown ups. On really bad days, retreat for a break to the (centrally heated) indoor exhibits like the Reptile House or the Discovery Centre.
3. Do your research. The zoo’s website lists a schedule of Keeper Talks for various species during the day, kicking off around 11:00 am. These generally combine feeding time and a mini-lecture, pitched at children of all ages. The website also offers a map of the zoo to download in advance, and lots of animal information to impress the children, as well upcoming event details.
4. Bring your own picnic. There are benches and tables around to make this easy and the zoo’s own restaurant, though improved lately, is nothing to write home about. If you don’t want to prepare your own food, the tiny Phoenix Park Tea Rooms kiosk, located opposite the zoo’s entrance, does very good paninis, home-baked cakes, organic coffee and some tasty children’s options to eat there or bring along.

[more tips from Kate on the Dublin Zoo]

Saturday: Phoenix Park
Head back to Phoenix Park and recapture the pleasures of your youth with help from Phoenix Park Bike Hire, at the park entrance. This brilliant endeavor caters to tourists, locals and families, alike. Completely kitted out with everything the gang could need — kiddie helmets, bike locks, baby seats and baby carriers -– there is no better way to enjoy the park on a gorgeous day. The staff is lovely and patient and willing to look after your personal affects that you’d like to leave behind during your excursion (i.e. buggies, nappy bag). Explore the grounds of the park and check out the super cute toddler-height maze for the kids to adventure through by the Visitor’s Centre.

The centre has a great café and cobbled courtyard and the food in the café is organic, very healthy (and tasty) with plenty of options for the little ones. Highchairs are available and basic change facilities are on site too.

Sunday: Playground by the sea
Ireland has some seriously impressive playgrounds – really! Take a lovely drive up to the seaside town of Skerries to indulge the kids with a visit to Ardgillan Castle. The adults will marvel at the gorgeous grounds and view of the sea while the nautical themed playground provides a bounty of entertainment guaranteed to thoroughly tucker the kiddies out. The view alone makes this our favorite playground in all of Dublin (to date!).

If you are hankering for a snack before arrival, nip into Olive on the main drag in Skerries for take-out sandwiches, lattes, and sweets. If you’re planning on a meal after, visit the excellent Stoop Your Head in Skerries harbour for its first lunch seating (they open at noon). If you’re in a big group, try to score the tables in the right corner and dig into some of the freshest, most delectable seafood around. Despite it being a popular (and small) place, they are happy to have children and offer a children’s menu and highchairs.

If you have more time, here are some favourite spots beyond Dublin:

The Cliffs of Moher: These majestic cliffs rise out of the sea and are truly awe-inspiring for both parents and kids, alike. The visitor’s centre provides some background to this natural wonder. If you are approaching the cliffs from the north, make your drive to the cliffs doubly stunning by getting there via the Burren.

Ring of Kerry: The Ring of Kerry is a tourist favorite, so some try to avoid it – but, it’s a favorite for good reason. Dotted with beautiful Irish villages, dramatic overlooks and stunning beaches tucked below the cliffs – it’s beautiful! Again, opt for driving yourself and be sure to spend lots of time out of the car – make stops wherever inspires you!

West Cork: Magnificent natural landscapes makes West Cork a delight to visit. In particular, Schull is one of the loveliest villages. While there visit the Mizen Head Signal Station for a thrilling walk and view and stop at gorgeous Barley Cove Beach for a stroll.

Galway city: Galway’s streets are lively, full of university students and feels like a very small city compared to Dublin. Stroll the streets, listen to the music and be sure to get some great seafood.

Connemara: Driving through Connemara offers breathtaking scenery (I know we keep saying this, but it’s true!) Nestled behind the mountains is Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Gardens. The children will be delighted to see this amazing castle on the shores of Lough Pollacappul. There are lots of wooded paths to explore and the walled gardens will inspire the gardener in you.

TRAVELING TIPS:
BABY GEAR:
If you plan on bringing a stroller, smaller is better. The doors to most shops and restaurants tend to be narrower than in America – forget about surviving with those double-wide strollers – most mums of two little ones in Dublin seem to have the buggies that stack one kid on top of the other like the Phil & Ted’s (note: we’ve lived in Dublin for 4 years without a car – the P&T double-stroller is our family car – love it!) Oh, and ALWAYS have your rain cover in the bottom of the stroller, even if it looks bright and sunny. Trust me.

WEATHER:
A word about the famous rainy weather. Yes, it does really rain a lot. It needn’t slow you down too much, but if you plan spending the day outside, always bring a light windbreaker with a hood – the kind that can be scrunched down into the bottom of your bag or stroller are perfect.

====
We thank Kate for sharing her great tips with our readers. Want more ideas for shopping, eating, and enjoying diversions in Dublin? Visit MummyMaps. If I didn’t just get back from a family European getaway, I think she’d have me packing my bags for Ireland!

If you’re in Utah and looking for some destinations that are just as fun for mom as they are for your kids (toddlers to tweens), Vanessa from INeverGrewUp.net and UtahsNaturalKids.com has got you covered with whole week’s worth — and then some.

{Still in your rookie year with a baby? Check out Vanessa’s favorite baby spots in the Salt Lake area.}

After growing up near huge cities like Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Boston, Utah was not her first choice to raise a family. But she admits Utah has grown on her, and she has found many incredible places to explore with her girls.

Monday — history
Start off your visit to Utah exploring History, Utah’s history as well as world history. The Utah Museum of Natural History is one of our favorite places that we just recently discovered. On the first Monday of the month admission is FREE and open late to 8pm. Kids under 3 are always FREE.

Vanessa's girls enjoy the Utah Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is one of the BEST places in the world for dinosaur bones! They put a lot of love and care into making the dinosaur exhibits educational, and we love it. The museum has hands-on exhibits including the rock & mineral hall (my girls’ favorite), bugs and creepy crawlies, and beautiful Native American artifacts. I can spend a few hours in this museum and not get bored.

If you’re not exhausted from all that natural history, This Is the Place Heritage Park is a great place to explore as a family to learn about Utah history in a visual and creative way. It is a giant step back to the pioneer days. The staff dresses in thematic clothes and lead tours of old-timey homes. There are puppet shows, craft demonstrations, and animals to pet. Also children under 3 are FREE.

The nearby outdoor Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City has fun free activities on Monday nights. In the winter they have an ice skating rink and in the warmer months they have many outdoor free concerts.

Tuesday — hiking
When in Utah you need to take advantage of the FREE and beautiful landscape and explore the outdoors no matter what the season. We are very lucky to have numerous State Parks, Canyons and the very interesting Salt Lake. Look up a hike for the ages in your family in one of the many canyons here in Utah. I suggest Doughnut Falls up Cottonwood Canyon or the Nature Trail Hike up American Fork Canyon, both great hikes for younger children. Pack a picnic and sit by one of the many little rivers in the State Parks for lunch along with a field guide to learn about the plants. Then head on up to the Great Salt Lake, it is a must see, take it a bit farther in and visit Antelope Island.

Wednesday — gardens
There are many beautiful gardens to explore in the Salt Lake City area. The International Peace Gardens are stunning very rich in diversity, culture and beauty. And did I mention FREE?

The Red Butte Gardens is a botanical garden and arboretum, full of great educational programs and outdoor concerts. Lastly, the Thanksgiving Point Children’s Gardens is fantastic year-round but is a definite must-see in Tulip Season (re-opens for the season in March). Both Red Butte and Thanksgiving Point charge admission, but it is worth it.

Thursday — Provo
Provo is an easy drive from Salt Lake City, and worth the trip. Down at Brigham Young University they have a world famous ice cream shoppe, called BYU Creamery and many cheap or free museums.

Walking around the college campus is a leisurely walk, especially at a kid’s pace. Visit the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, another excellent FREE place for children, for weekly live animal shows, collections of unique plants, and invertebrate and vertebrate animals.

The Museum of Art at BYU has beautiful exhibits that are always changing; once we saw very religious paintings and the next time they had pieces of art made from trash. Best of all, FREE.

If you didn’t fill up on ice cream, you have to stop by the famous Sweet Tooth Fairy Shoppe to pick up some of the world famous cake bites and cupcakes for the drive home.

Friday — Liberty Park
Liberty Park is a fantastic area full of inexpensive museums and FREE areas to explore. The park itself is a fun place to hang out as a family. Our favorite museum is Tracy Aviary; it is one of only two free-standing aviaries in the United States and is over 70 years old. Admission prices are reasonable.

Liberty Park also has Children’s Garden and boating pond, playground, amusement park and snack bar, tennis courts and a swimming pool and also is a great place to bike. The Utah Museum of Folk Arts is also right there.

Afterward, you can head on down to Sugarhouse Park, another beautiful walk, and browse the Mom & Pop run shops.

Saturday — farmer’s market
Downtown Salt Lake on Saturday mornings is ALIVE during Farmers Market season! My girls and I spend a good 3-4 hours every Saturday morning at the Farmers Market. We eat breakfast and lunch there, stop to watch the entertainers and love to talk to the farmers and learn more about their products.

Once you’re fueled up from the market, you can head on over to the Utah Musem of Fine Arts which has very high-profile art exhibits and still manages to be family-friendly. My girls were able to see Monet and Picasso pieces in person on one of our visits!

Every third Saturday from 2-4pm the Utah Museum of Fine Arts has a special (and FREE) kids’ art activity along with FREE admission. At the front desk ask for one of the family exhibit backpacks to explore some of the interactive features of the museum.

The nearby Salt Lake City Library is fantastic; the library has beautiful glass walls and elevators, art exhibits, shops inside. My girls love it.

Sunday — temples
Being in Salt Lake City, Utah means experiencing and exploring the culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as Mormons or LDS). You will notice the church buildings, conference centers, chapels, museums and temples wherever you go in Utah.

Downtown, Temple Square is open and FREE on Sundays. You can wander through the Visitor’s Centers, walk along the outside of the Salt Lake Temple, enjoy the beautiful gardens, tour the tabernacle, and perhaps listen in on a rehearsal of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. You might even get lucky and run into a free concert on the grounds.

Bonus: Our Favorite Places to Eat in Downtown SLC with Kids
– Caputos Market, an Italian Deli
– My Dough Girl Cookies
– Moochies as seen on Guy’s Drive Ins & Dives
– Kneader’s Bakery
– Red Iguana
– Blue Plate Diner
– The Mad Greek
– The Pie

====
Thank you Vanessa for another amazing itinerary and the restaurant recommendations. Want more Vanessa? Check out her rookie mom tips for SLC, I Never Grew Up, Utah’s Natural Kids, or try to find her at one of SLC’s family-friendly restaurants.

Vicky, a mom of toddler boy/girl twins, blogs at TheCityCradle.com. I’m not sure when she found the time to write up her favorite spots in Las Vegas for moms and babies, but I’m glad she did.

Vegas babies: Vicky's twins at Lake Las Vegas

Vicky tells us:
While Las Vegas doesn’t carry the reputation for being the most baby friendly city around, I find it to be filled with attention-grabbing baby activities. Living here the first year of my twins life forced me to get to know the more family-friendly side of this city. Here are a few of my favorite finds from my rookie year of momhood:

Monday: Experience the Springs Preserve
The springs preserve might be one of the best kept family secrets in Las Vegas. A beautiful 110 acre park filled with nature trails, a western-themed playground, live desert animal exhibits and a learning discovery center. The whole park is super baby friendly offering stroller rentals (even double!), and enough sights to fill your kid’s senses for the day.

A cafeteria style Wolfgang Puck restaurant with outdoor highchair seating offers you a chance to experience the gourmet chef side of Las Vegas in a kid-friendly atmosphere. Spend the afternoon just crawling around the grassy amphitheater, and stay for an evening concert in the summer.

Tuesday: Walk the strip
When you think of Vegas, you think of the strip. My favorite strip spot to take the babies is the Bellagio Hotel. One of the nicest hotels right in the center of the action, the Bellagio has very clean and extra large bathrooms that all have separate sitting (nursing) areas. You’ll wish your nursing area at home was just as lovely. Walking outside the singing and dancing fountains will capture a good 15 minutes of baby bliss for you. Inside there is a flower conservatory which changes each season and is an amazing display to enjoy. While visiting why not take a quick stroll through Tiffany’s and remind the hubby what a great job you are doing as a rookie mom!

Wednesday- Hit the gym
The Las Vegas Athletic Club (or LVAC) is a truly amazing gym. If you are looking for a relaxing yoga class or a week of workouts, this is your place. With each week (or year) membership you get two hours of childcare a day for up to 2 babies included. The kid’s play area has a gigantic play structure and very gracious staff who really seem to love on the kids. Most wonderful of all they have video and sound monitors that you can plug into at any machine throughout the club. It was perfect for me as a rookie mom to check in when I was nervous about leaving our babies. The club also has a full cafe and espresso bar so you can use part of your two hours to rest, read and sip a latte.

Thursday- Enjoy Town Square
Town Square is wins the “most valued baby outing” award. This outdoor shopping area has hundreds of my favorite stores, large sidewalks and good coffee. The outdoor play area has a water pad for the hot summers, a stage with real curtains for make-believe plays, and tree houses complete with toy kitchens. Plus the whole area is gated off- a major plus for rookie moms.

There is also a tall (perfectly manicured) grass maze for older kids to explore. After playing for a while, head to one of my favorite restaurants, Yard House, which has an amazing happy hour from 3-6pm, including kids meals. It is loud, cheap and has over a hundred different kinds of beer on tap making it a great place to take your somewhat fussy babies.

Friday: Explore a boutique
Sadly, Las Vegas doesn’t have many independent baby boutiques which makes Pattycakes that much more special. It is worth a peak into for its adorable baby lines with hand crafted and unique touches. It also has a lovely princess tea room in the back where you can schedule a mother/daughter tea party complete with jeweled crowns and fancy white gloves.

Saturday: Enter into a Western
A short drive from the lights of Las Vegas proper and you will find yourself in what seems like an old Western Movie. Bonnie Springs Ranch was one of my favorite outings growing up in this city. There is an old Western town set up where they do reenactments of old fashioned gun fights and hangings. There is a petting zoo and a handful of ducks you can feed at their outdoor pond.

Sunday: Head to the Lake
End your week with a jaunt out to Lake Las Vegas. This is a private lake with a beautiful shopping area. We love the wine and cheese tastings and there is a wonderful gelato shop right on the water. They have a huge grass area with large trees for shade and small hills for the babies to practice their crawling or new-found running skills. They also host a skating rink in the winter and movies by the water in the summer to enjoy together as a family.

Thank you so much to Vicky for sharing these great tips for residents and visitors to Vegas, baby. (sorry, couldn’t help myself!).

Need help finding a kid-friendly hotel in Las Vegas?

Traveling to the Olympics with kids? Have fun!
Shana from Wee Travel tells us the best way to spend a week in Vancouver with little ones. Wee Travel (started by two moms who are sisters living on opposite sides of the country) rents baby gear and toys delivered to your door. All equipment is like-new and safety checked and sanitized prior to every rental. They also service Victoria, BC and Toronto.

Vancouver is a gorgeous city summer and winter (even when it rains!).

MONDAY — Le Petit Spa
Start the day off right with Mondays for Mums at Le Petit Spa. You’re always running for everyone so fight the exhaustion. Try out Le Petit Spa’s amazing Mummy and Me Spa Package. They offer a Reflexology Treatment for Mum – 30 minutes, an express pedicure – 30 minutes and reflexology for baby – 10 minutes. All for $80.

TUESDAY — Granville Island
First tourist stop is definitely Granville Island. Babies will enjoy the busy sounds and sights of the market and older kids won’t want to leave the Kids Only Market. (You do this first as it’s probably a place the kids will want to go back to so you can use it as a bribe if necessary!)

There are many things to do in the market: The Adventure Zone is a great climbing activity and Camelot Kids is a wonderful toy store. They are very selective with their picks so you can select from top-notch toys.

After an exhilarating couple of hours playing, walk over to the Granville Island Market for some great eats. Lots of different foods to choose from for everyone in your family. Lee’s Donuts is a great treat, as is Terra Breads. Fresh fish, meat and poultry are in abundant supply and always fresh. There are too many great spots to name them all here. Admission is free.

WEDNESDAY — Stanley Park and Vancouver Aquarium
Stanley Park has great walks for strollers and toddlers alike. Be sure to check out the garden paths and the lovely views.

If you have time and money, the Vancouver Aquarium is a “must see”. You can watch the beluga and dolphin shows and my son’s favorite is Tag the sea lion. He is humongous and fun to watch, especially at feeding time when he is on “best” behaviour. If you stand right up next to the glass you’re sure to get wet!

There are hands-on activities downstairs and an array of beautiful fish. Another favorite area is the tropical garden where the birds fly around freely. At certain times of the year the butterflies have hatched and there are hundreds and hundreds flying about. Sometimes they will land on your arm! Children under 3 get in free.

THURSDAY — Science World [bummer: closed 'til March 8 2010]
Science World is unbelievable for every age — babies in a front-carrier will get an eyeful (not recommended for strollers) and toddlers will be in awe. Most of it is “hands-on”. We can easily spend a whole day in there. Depending on age, you can also go to the CN Imax (top floor) and check out the movie. It’s on a gigantic screen and you almost feel like you’re right in the movie. For a lunch break the White Spot, right in Science World, is a nice treat. The Triple-O burger is legendary! Their gift shop has some pretty unique items as well. Children under 4 are free.

FRIDAY — Aldergrove Zoo
Ready for more animals? The Aldergrove Zoo makes you feel like you are in another country! Lions, tigers, giraffes, and almost every animal you can think of. They have these great bike/carriages that you can rent for a family of four. The zoo is spread out over a very large area and there is a little train you can take around. Be prepared to do lots of walking- it’s worth it. The zoo is about an hour outside of Vancouver.

SATURDAY — Shopping
Perfect day for shopping! Be sure to check out Robson street, 4th ave, Commercial Drive and most certainly Main street (between 17th and 25th avenues). There are lots of unique, funky little stores for everyone to enjoy. South Granville also has a nice selection of stores and the Chapters on the corner of Broadway and Granville is a great place to unwind. You can browse through books while sipping your coffee (Starbucks is inside if you are so inclined) while your little one plays at the train table upstairs. It’s especially nice on a rainy Saturday and they often have story time in the kids’ section as well. Call ahead to confirm times.

SUNDAY — Kits Beach
You have to hit at least one beach during the week. Kits Beach is the perfect one for a number of reasons: great playground, wonderful people watching, gorgeous views, tasty food, and a really nice walk that can go on forever if you choose. The Watermark Café is there and if you want something less “restauranty”, there’s take-out at the side of the restaurant.

Shana suggests another great resource for the family-friendly happenings in Vancouver is FindFamilyFun.com.

Vanessa Brown was awesome enough to share a week’s worth of fun activities for rookie moms that are just as fun for mama as for baby. She is the busy mother of two girls that have a blast living in Utah enjoying nature and all of the wonderful attractions here. She is married to celebrity dog trainer Ty Brown and is also the mother of two dogs.

Vanessa Brown blogs over at INeverGrewUp.net, UtahsNaturalKids.com and is part of the Utah blogger review site SassyScoops.com.

Vanessa with her family. Photo by Sanae James.

Vanessa tells us:

Visiting or living in Utah provides you with a bit of an advantage for finding establishments that are friendly towards babies, breastfeeding mothers, families, etc. because we are sure the capital of BABIES! But even after having two babies right in a row, it took me a while to figure out where I could go that would work with a newborn and a 17 month old. I am afflicted with a constant sickness of “Cabin Fever” and need to be out and about. And now that I have passed this sickness on to my girls, they have to be out and about as well!

So here are some of our favorite places in the Salt Lake City area for “Rookie Moms” to test the waters and have some fun together.

Monday: Outdoors.
When living or visiting Utah you have to take advantage of the outdoors, even with your “itty bitties,” by roaming around outside and enjoying the beautiful mountains we have. Here in Utah we have quite a few canyons that can seem intimidating, but don’t be daunted! I still remember my first outing with my oldest daughter. We went up Provo Canyon with a picnic and found a spot along the river. We lay in the grass and stared at the mountains and clouds while listening to the river. Whenever we went on one of these outings, we would just venture up the canyon only a little bit. We would stop at the first park or trail that we could find so it wouldn’t be too chilly or steep if we decided to walk around.

Tuesday: Storytime.
Utah has amazing libraries that are very baby and toddler friendly. After all, most of us out here have a baby or toddler! The libraries put on great story times, lap times and singing times. In lots of the local libraries, these programs are taught by other mothers who have their own babies on their laps or by very friendly and understanding librarians. All upcoming Salt Lake County library activities are listed online; from reptile shows to story times to puppet shows to magic shows. It’s a real treat all around.

Wednesday: Stretch.
Looking for a great class for you and Baby or Tot to have a chance to relax and bond? Utah is full of Yoga Centers. The Yoga Center in Salt Lake City is an amazing place to be rejuvenated in a yoga class along with Baby.

Thursday: Movies.
Are you itching to go to the movies with your little one but afraid of being asked to leave? At the Scera Movie Theatre, they have movie times during the summer three days a week when you can bring your noisy kids! When I was a nanny watching three little ones, this was their favorite thing to do. Crying babies fit right in.

Friday: Window Shop.
The charming Mom & Pop children’s boutiques are quite family friendly and provide a good afternoon of fun window shopping. They have a large section for kids of all ages to sit and play and have very “kid friendly” displays so you don’t have to be stressed bringing your little one into the store. The Red Balloon Toy Store, Children’s Hour and Oopsie Daisy are fantastic stores where you will find hidden gems to buy for your child’s future birthdays and holidays.

Saturday: The Arts.
Want to explore art but are nervous to walk into an art museum and be shushed out immediately? Then visit the Utah Museum of Fine Arts on the third Saturday of the month from 2-4 pm during “Family Day” where tons of other noisy children will be. My girls have loved to just stare at the different sculptures and paintings from the time they were only a few months old. Even if they last 30 minutes it is a nice trip for Mommy and Baby.

Sunday: Temple Square.
Take a walk to explore Temple Square which is extremely family friendly. It’s bustling every Sunday night with large families full of kids of all ages. You can visit the visitor’s centers where they have interactive displays for children. There is room to run around outside in the gardens. You can even catch an outdoor concert with your little one.

====
Thank you Vanessa for this terrific itinerary! We look forward to your jam-packed week of fun for toddlers and preschoolers next month.

Christina from A Mommy Story is a friend we met at BlogHer years ago and a mom of two impish daughters, Cordy and Mira. And if that’s not enough, she’s also a nurse with a huge heart. She tells us how to spend the best week ever with a toddler in Columbus, OH.

Cordy and Mira

Monday – The Columbus Zoo
The Columbus Zoo was recently declared to be the #1 zoo in America, and a visit to the zoo will prove why. You can’t possibly see it all in one day, so pick your favorite animals and oil the wheels on your stroller for a day of animal spotting. Don’t miss Asia Quest, where you can see the Amur tigers, and catch a glimpse of the new baby elephant. The African jungle area features the gorillas and bonobos and provides a nice indoor area to sit down and view the gorillas. (The indoor food court is also nearby.) Also be sure to check out North America where your little one can pet the goats in the petting zoo. End your day with a relaxing train ride next to the petting zoo. In the winter, come to the zoo in the evenings to see gorgeous light displays at the annual Wildlights event.

Tuesday – Easton Town Center
Easton Town Center is the mecca of shopping in Columbus. Unlike a traditional mall, this collection of shops resembles a small town, with a small interior mall in the center and streets full of shops surrounding it. Not only will you find stores that appeal to you, but there are several places to shop for your child, including Build-a-Bear/Friends 2B Made, Pottery Barn Kids, Gymboree, and the Discovery Channel Store. There’s also Color Your World, a paint-your-own pottery store. (If you’re just visiting the city, ask them about mailing your child’s masterpiece after the necessary days of firing the clay.) The sidewalks are wide and easy to maneuver a stroller, and parking is close and plentiful.

If you’re looking for a little fun while shopping, Game Works offers a wealth of arcade games. Or stop by the Barnes & Noble to see if there is a storytime being held that day. When hunger strikes, grab a meal at Max & Erma’s or the California Pizza Kitchen, or just grab a snack at Planet Smoothie or Emilee’s Italian Ice, a good choice for families with food allergies.

Wednesday – Columbus Metro Parks
The Columbus Metro Parks are located all around the county, preserving natural areas and providing walking/biking paths to enjoy Ohio’s wildlife. Most of the parks have at least one path that is stroller/new walker friendly. Inniswood Metro Gardens is one of my personal favorites because of the wealth of paved paths and open grassland to wander. Be sure to check the monthly schedules for each park — there are several programs designed to introduce nature to older infants and toddlers.

Thursday – COSI
One of the best places to take a curious baby or toddler on a rainy or cold day is COSI. The Center of Science and Industry, the #1 Science center in the country, is full of fun and engaging activities designed to teach your child about science in a way that they don’t even realize they’re learning! While COSI features several regular exhibit areas, with topics ranging from Space to the Body to the Ocean, the real hit for the under five set is Little Kidspace.

Splashing at COSI, photo by mama Christina

Little Kidspace is full of hands-on activities designed for babies and toddlers – older kids aren’t allowed in to play, reducing the chances of your new crawler getting stepped on. Specific activities in Little Kidspace are designed specifically for babies, including a seated water play table (with raincoats!) and several other sensory activities. There is also a changing station, a nursing room, and snack area in Little Kidspace to meet your every need. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more laid back while baby sleeps, you can catch a film on the Extreme Screen theater.

Friday – Columbus Metropolitan Library
Your child has his own library card by now, right? No? The Columbus Metropolitan Library will happily give out library cards to children of any age so they can begin browsing the shelves of the bright and colorful children’s library found in this grand, historic building. Sit under the large painted tree in the middle of the children’s area and read a book together, or come for one of their many story times. The library not only has regular story times, but they also have frequent guest appearances by musicians, magicians and other children’s performers.

Saturday – Ballantrae Water Park
If you’re looking to get wet without the large body of water, try one of the local parks that has a play fountain. Our favorite is Ballantrae Park in Dublin. Ballantrae’s fountains are a lot of fun for little ones to play in – you never know when the next burst of water will be! On warm summer days, kids can run through the water-play area (complete with waterfall!) or climb the hill to get an up-close view of the statue of three dancing hares. (Look closely at the statue and see if you can find the several everyday household objects hidden in the bronze!) One tip: there’s no shade in sight, so bring your own umbrella and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Indoor option: Weather cold and gloomy? Enjoy lunch at the North Market, where you can sample foods of all kinds: organic, ethnic, exotic, homemade, and downright indulgent. During the growing season, Saturdays are also when local farmers bring their fresh-picked produce to the market — get there early for the best selection!

Sunday – Franklin Park Conservatory
In the summer the outdoor areas of the Franklin Park Conservatory are filled with gorgeous flowers and lots of green everywhere. But even in bad weather, Franklin Park Conservatory still has plenty to do on the inside. Tropical flowers bloom year round indoors, and in the spring the indoor areas transform into a butterfly haven for the Blooms and Butterflies exhibit. On gloomy days, close your eyes in one of the warm, humid rooms and forget, for just a moment, the dreary weather outside.

—-
Thanks a ton to Christina for sharing her great ideas for fun in Columbus. Next time I have some time to kill in Cleveland with the boys, I think I’ll pay her a visit.