A trip to San Jose's Children Discovery Museum

Who knew that the Children's Discovery of San Jose would be so fun - even for the adults. I chaperoned Alyssa's school field trip, boarded the bus from SF and headed to SJ. When we arrived at the museum, the staff gave us a quick run through of all the cool exhibits and activities in a warm and friendly way.  The museum's 28,000 square feet of space bridges both educational and cultural themes through out the play spaces. Alyssa and I enjoyed making cornhusk dolls, creating gigantic bubbles at Bubbalogna, and climbing up and down a real-life fire truck! This place is packed with so much that my daughter left with an even bigger imagination.

Rainy Days - Keep your toddler occupied with this indoor game.

Pretend Grocery Store

 
Materials:
Paper bag with handles or small basket
Empty food boxes and containers


Directions:
Save up empty food boxes and containers. Pudding or Jell-O boxes work well, as do cereal boxes, small yogurt containers, and empty vitamin bottles.


Seal the boxes with tape, then use a glue gun to permanently attach the lids to the small containers. (They may be a choking hazard.)


Store all your "groceries" in a box or laundry basket.

Your child will have fun "going shopping" with a paper bag or small basket.

5 Fun Kid Friendly Places in SF Bay Area

Here are 5 go-to places that get you and your kids out of the house for some much needed family time.

 1) California Academy of Sciences
The aquarium is worth the trip alone and your kids will love visiting the Butterfly habitat.
55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco
(415) 379 8000


9:30 am -  5:00 pm Monday - Saturday
11:00am - 5:00 pm Sunday
http://www.calacademy.org/


Kids under 3 are FREE
Child ages 4-11 - $19.95
Adult - $29.95
Senior 65+ - $24.95

2) SF Zoo

Open daily 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

1 Zoo Road
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 753-7080www.sfzoo.org

Children 3 and under are FREE
Children 4-14 - $9.00
Adults - $15
Seniors 65+ - $12 



3) Randall MuseumThe Randall Museum has live animal exhibits and offers classes and workshops - both scheduled and drop-in.

199 Museum Way
San Francisco
(415) 554 9600


http://www.randallmuseum.org/

4) Daly City Party Playhouse
Although known for their private party space that includes a constructed indoor playground with slides and mazes, they also have open play times. (Tues - Friday 10am - 6pm)  Note: Call ahead of time on Fridays to make sure they do not have any private parties.

Admission is $6 per child for one hour and parents always play free.

56 Hill Street
Daly City
(650) 756-7529
 http://www.mypartyplayhouse.com/

5) ExploratoriumLocated at the Palace of Fine Arts and a great place to let your kids explore science and art.  

3601 Lyon Street
San Francisco
(415) 561-0360www.exploratorium.edu

Open Tuesday thru Sunday
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed on Mondays

Children under 3 are FREE
Children (4-12) - $10
Youth (13-17) - $12
Adult - $15
Senior (65+) - $12

Daycare Blues

With my father-in-law's passing, my MIL decided she didn't want to babysit Drew anymore, so I searched high and low for a good daycare facility. To make a long story short, I found one that I really liked and Drew started this week. Both Al and I took, the poor guy was clueless, smiled as I walked in and then suddenly I saw the panic in his eyes. He started clinging to my shirt and practically clawed my arms. I made the departure short and sweet promising him my fast return. Of course, I left with a lump in my throat but what is a working mom to do?!

First Day Back

After the long holiday weekend and Aly's 2 week vacation...I am happy to say or more like relieved to say that I survived. Taking care of two kids during winter break was no joke. It was often cold outside so we couldn't go to the park or the zoo. I didn't want to make the drive across the city to go to the Academy of Sciences...so we mainly stayed indoors, had a few playdates and did arts and craft projects. I'm exhausted and believe it or not...happy to be back in the office! (no judgements, please :-)