It seems like spring is around the corner, so hopefully there won’t be too many cold days left on the horizon, but I am sure there will be plenty of “spring showers” to keep the little ones stuck indoors. Never fear – besides Amazonia at the National Zoo, there’s also lots of fun to be had at the Bird House – which is where Cameron and I ended up earlier this week.
Besides the regular bird exhibits, the Bird House has something going on each weekday morning which the kiddos will really enjoy:
On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings you can Meet a Kiwi up close and personal at 11am.
On Tuesday morning at 10:30am there is a story time in the bird resource center.
I haven’t been to these things so I can’t really speak to them. But they sound fun!
On Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 11am they do a feeding. We watched this and it was really cool! All the birds come up close to the zoo worker and you can get a really good look at them. Cameron thought it was totally awesome.
Also, in the Bird Resource Center (which is in the back of the Bird House) there are lots of cool feathers that the kids can touch and other things. Cameron had a blast checking everything out. Of course, all of this is free. And remember, if you are a FONZ member you can park for free too.
To get to the Bird House we usually park in Lot B and then walk past the Asia Trail (Panda Area) and over the bridge (and the Elephants). Also, if the weather is good check out all the outdoor bird exhibits. There’s lots of cool things to see in this section of the National Zoo.
Cameron and I have been looking for fun things to do since we’re in DC – and Library story time seemed like a great (free!) idea since he enjoyed it so much at the Clinton Hill Library in Brooklyn. I checked on the DC public library website to see what kinds of things were going on. It turns out, there are lots of options, and their website makes it really easy to see what is going on each day of the week at each location. This is awfully handy when you wake up and it’s pouring rain and you wonder what in the world you are going to do with your busy toddler (like yesterday!)
I live near the Chevy Chase library (5625 Connecticut Ave. N.W DC), and they have two kids of story times there. There’s a “lap time” for kids up to 24 months, and a “toddler time” for ages 2 and up. I have checked out both since Cameron is right on the dividing age line. Both of them were really fun for him – the lap time is more low key with some singing, less moving around, and is a little shorter (30 minutes). The toddler time had more music (most played from a boom box and you sing along), moving around to the music, more reading of longer books, and lasted longer (45 minutes). After each session we went to the children’s section to look for books and hang out with the other kids.
Check out the Story time Calender on the DC public Library website to find out what activities are going on at the library near you.
Also I wanted to note that on nice days, it’s fun to check out the small playground behind the library. It’s made especially for kids age 2-5 which was perfect for us. Cam had a ball. It’s a great way to spend a few hours.
Yesterday Cameron and I headed towards Clinton Hill Library for Story Time, but we were a little early, so I decided to pay a visit to Greene Playground (located next to PS 11 on Greene between Waverly and Washington Ave in Clinton Hill). I went to this playground for the first time a few weeks ago with some other moms for a playgroup. I fell in love! Although it is just one block away from Underwood Playground, it is often MUCH less crowded. In fact, yesterday, Cameron and I had the whole place to ourselves.
Greene Playground has two sets of equipment – one is great for toddlers because it has a big ramp instead of lots of stairs. It’s also got some bells, and a twisty slide which ends pretty close to the ground – no big drop off at the end. There are 6 baby swings as well. The other set of equipment has some rings to swing on, a few bridges, a bigger twisty slide, and a few steps – although none of them were too big for Cameron to handle. There is also a set of “big kid” swings. The base of the playground is that soft rubbery stuff, which is nice for babies learning to walk that happen to fall a lot (namely Cameron!) There is also a small sprinkler (not on yet – but soon!)
So, if you are at Underwood and it gets a little too crowded and crazy, consider walking down the block to Greene Playground. It’s a breath of fresh air, and a gem of a playground!
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
Clinton Hill Library (and all the Brooklyn Public Libraries) are asking for our help! And, given how much time Cameron and I have spent there (for Story Time and just hanging out on cold and rainy winter days) I am more than happy to oblige. If you are interested in supporting the Library and it’s programs here’s info on how to do it:
Donate to the Clinton Hill Library today!
Online: You can visit the Brooklyn Public Library website and make a donation there. You can send your money anywhere – even specifically choose the Clinton Hill branch.
By Phone: You can call 718-230-2738 and make a donation.
Via Text Message: You can text BOOKS to 50555 to make a $10 donation.
By Mail: You can pick up an envelope at the front desk of the Libarary and mail in your donation.
If you have any questions, email them at supportourshelves@brooklynpubliclibrary.org
I am guessing you’ve spent money on Music Together or other types of classes for your child – so please consider sending some money to the Library. They offer a great, free service to the community and deserve our support!
Hi all – I had two bits of Fort Greene / Clinton Hill news I wanted to share.
First – I was at Story Time yesterday at the Clinton Hill Library and it seems that the usual woman has moved libraries and is gone for good. They have a stand in named Steve (I think) and he didn’t give the impression that he was going to be the permanent person in charge. He seemed a little awkward, but everything worked out fine. I saw another mom who was at the later session and she said Steve told her class that they might not have the funding to keep Story Time going for more than 6 weeks. I hope this isn’t true! It’s such an amazing resource in the neighborhood. Yesterday there was quite a crowd!
Lots of strollers yesterday at Clinton Hill Library
Secondly, I also went to the Pratt Post Office on Myrtle to get the mail from my P.O. Box. I wasn’t sure what to expect since they quietly and quickly announced their closing. There was a truck outside that was selling stamps (no money orders, according to the postal worker).
Get your stamps here....
They were also letting people in to use the APC machine and drop items in the big box in the foyer. I was also allowed to walk into the actual post office and pick up my mail. The postal worker said they decided to keep it like this until actual construction begins. Sounds reasonable to me! After that, she said, who knows. Yikes…. She recommended that people with P.O. Boxes check their mail daily for now.
Cameron and I visited the Clinton Hill Library last Tuesday in the hopes of catching Story Time – but the program was on break. We still had a great time though! Anyways, the Babies for Books Story Time is starting up again today, March 2nd. There are two times : 10:45, and 11:30. Maybe we will see you there!
The Clinton Hill branch is located at 380 Washington Ave. at Lafayette Ave, right around the corner from Underwood Park.
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
I am so fortunate to know a lot of moms who share with me their ideas and advice. This post is based in their experiences, as well as information gained from the Fort Greene Babies Yahoo Group and Parents Around the Hill (PATH). I haven’t checked out all these places myself – so I can’t speak to every one of them personally – but my mom friends haven’t steered me wrong yet. The reason I have decided to post about them before being able to check them all out is I am guessing that a lot of you are starting to feel a little desperate with all this snow and cold weather – I know I am! So here are some ideas of places to take your baby in the Fort Greene / Clinton Hill area:
The Booklyn Flea – The Flea has moved indoors for the winter months. It’s new home is at One Hanson Place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. The Flea is on the main floor and lower level. According to one mom, the lower level has food options, and the upper level is where the sales go on. She said the lower level is a great place to take kids and let them roam around, and that there is space for strollers. So if you are looking for a weekend activity – check out the indoor Flea!
Story time at Greenlight Bookstore – Greenlight Bookstore is located at 686 Fulton Street and has a free story time on Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM. Check it out for more weekend fun.
Playgroup at Brooklyn Junior – Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon there is a free playgroup at Brooklyn Junior (150 Clinton Ave – corner of Myrtle) from 3:15-6. Please email info@brooklynjunior.com if you would like to go. Children of all ages are welcome.
The Clinton Hill Library – Not only does Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) have a great and free Reading for Babies program on Tuesdays at 10:45 and 11:30, but I’ve also been told it’s a great place to take your kid to let them roam around even when no scheduled activities are going on.
Chuck E Cheese – Now this one, I never would have thought of! Last Thursday a few of us were hanging out at Der Schwarze Kölner and one of the moms said that she had just been at Chuck E Cheese with her baby (he is an early walker). She said that it was her nanny who had originally suggested it, and although she was skeptical – it turned out to be a great place for him to roam around, and it was free (since they aren’t playing any games). Chuck E. Cheese is located in the Atlantic Terminal Mall.
Der Schwarze Kölner aka the Beer Garden – As I mentioned above I’ve been going to the Beer Garden (710 Fulton Street) with Cameron and some other moms + babies. It is a great winter option – and they are so welcoming and nice! Read more about Der Schwarze Kölner at this other post I wrote a few days ago.
If you have other ideas to share, please leave a comment!
