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We love to hear from our readers, so please comment on this page to be entered to win a pass for Studio Grow or Sadie Dey’s Cafe. (Let us know if you are a new mom with blobby baby phasing into toddlerdom or a the parent of a crazy wobbler teetering toward preschool so we know which prize to give you!)
Without further ado, here are our top 10 playdate destinations for Rookie Moms.
- Yerba Buena Gardens/San Francisco Shopping Center
Best for: true rookie moms who see Nordstrom women’s lounge with its changing table and nursing room as a safe haven in between shops and cream puffs. - Twirl, Alameda
Best for: Baby mamas and toddlers through preschoolers — enjoy the structured play area and art projects for days. - Studio Grow, Berkeley
Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers — endless play possibilities with snack room (pack your own food). - Brushstrokes, Berkeley
Best for: Mom’s group playdates to paint baby feet onto tiles or for older ones with ideas of their own. - Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
Best for: Toddlers — spend time with your friends while your small people roll on the water beds, try on costumes, or lose themselves in the waterfall (bring dry clothes!). Also great for preschoolers on up, but don’t count on seeing your friends then. - Little Farm in Tilden Park
Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers — bring some lettuce or celery to feed the animals. - Frog Park, Oakland
Best for: Preschoolers without little sibs so they can enjoy the creek, dog part, and gateless playground - Your dining room, Bay Area
Best for: Babies on up — new mama hosts an easy Breakfast Club party while little babies just chill. - Grocery Store, anywhere
Best for: Babies to toddlers — you meet your friend to do grocery shopping while plying the kids with Cheerios or bunny crackers; moms can talk and kids learn about commerce. - Backyard, your place
Best for: Babies to preschoolers — set out the necessary accoutrements for your backyard festival and let the kids figure it out while the mamas relax and sip cold drinks.
Comment with your own favorite playdate idea to be entered to win one of two prizes: $25 Gift Card to Studio Grow in Berkeley or a one-month pass to Sadie Dey’s Cafe in Oakland. We will select a winner on Monday, April 20th and allow seven days for the winner to respond before selecting someone else.
