Things for kids to do in the lakes Region

jniff101 · 03-24-2008, 08:18 PM

I have a 2 year old daughter and I have found myself looking for things to do with her that don't include the outdoors. I am so sick of the cold so i would like to stay inside. I've lived here all my life but I'm new to motherhood so I never had to worry about this. The only place that I know about is the childrens museum in Meredith but they close at 4:00 and that's when I get out of work. Any suggestions???

Pepper · 03-24-2008, 10:01 PM

I feel your pain. That's a really tough age to entertain when the weather outside is brutal week after week! Sadly, it's been many years since I needed to entertain wee ones, and I can't come up with any new ideas for you.

Thankfully the weather is slowly beginning to turn and in a few weeks you'll be able to go outside and make mud pies!

mets3007 · 03-25-2008, 12:08 AM

The only place is the kids area of Funspot and thats about it right now. alot of places dont open til Memorial Day weekend.

CanisLupusArctos · 03-25-2008, 01:11 AM

Having entertained the kids of friends a lot in recent years, I would say a 2-year-old probably isn't going to remember much (if anything) so a place like Funspot or museum or something would be lost on her, and at that age they're usually easily impressed by just about anything. Everything has novelty to a tot. Therefore no need to spend much money or even leave the house... just invent games, draw pictures, whatever. A stationery or art supply store (Staples?) has stuff that represents hours of endless messy fun for a tot... not to mention a boost in early learning/creativity... Get a huge peice of paper and make a mural or banner together. In just 10 short years you may watch her run off with friends all the time and then you'd thank yourself.

upthesaukee · 03-25-2008, 08:17 AM

A great source of one on one is, as they say, to read to a child for 20 minutes a day. Find a series of books that your child enjoys, nestle down in a comfortable easy chair, just the two of you, and read the story aloud. If there are pictures, enjoy talking about the pictures. You may find that your 20 minutes of one on one will turn into a half hour or more.

The art thing is also a great idea, although you may need to buy a new side by side refrigerator on which to post all those priceless objects D'art.

(Of course, Pepper can help you at Lowes with that new purchase.

)

Cristen · 03-25-2008, 11:11 AM

Try the Markeplace at Mill Falls in Meredith. Innisfree Bookstore has a great section for children. There is a lot for them to look at, and you can also bring home some new books.

Weirs guy · 03-25-2008, 12:28 PM

Ah yes, the terrible 2's. Thats tough for entertainment purposes, DVD players were always a good babysitter, err, idea.

Some ideas for others and maybe you:
Dynamic Ceramics in Gilford
String 'em up Beadshop in Laconia
Logs 'o Fun and their nice climbing wall
A dip in either the Gunstock Inn or Margates indoor pool
Grab a baseball, gloves and head to a plowed parking lot

Good luck!

nj2nh · 03-25-2008, 02:52 PM

I remember those days. My oldest was born in the winter of 1993. We didn't see grass until March. My youngest was born in April of 1996. My Xmas lights were up until he was three weeks old!

I know our local library here in Jersey has a lot of children's programs. Our children's room also has tons for kids to do including a play house and a tent! I know your child is only two, but I would bet he or she (sorry, didn't catch that part) would find some of the games on the library computer doable. My kids started with that around 3, but only because we didn't know about them and there weren't that many back then. I don't know how extensive your library is, but it might be worth a look.

Those giant toddler Legos have also provided my children with endless hours of entertainment.

And, you would be amazed by what a kid can do with a really, really big box (check at an appliance store) and some crayons or even a huge laundry basket and some towels. Again, loads of entertainment there.

Hope this helps!

nj2nh

03-24-2008, 08:18 PM	#1
jniff101 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 113 Thanks: 23 Thanked 18 Times in 12 Posts	Things for kids to do in the lakes Region I have a 2 year old daughter and I have found myself looking for things to do with her that don't include the outdoors. I am so sick of the cold so i would like to stay inside. I've lived here all my life but I'm new to motherhood so I never had to worry about this. The only place that I know about is the childrens museum in Meredith but they close at 4:00 and that's when I get out of work. Any suggestions???

03-24-2008, 10:01 PM	#2
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	I feel your pain. That's a really tough age to entertain when the weather outside is brutal week after week! Sadly, it's been many years since I needed to entertain wee ones, and I can't come up with any new ideas for you. Thankfully the weather is slowly beginning to turn and in a few weeks you'll be able to go outside and make mud pies! __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

03-25-2008, 12:08 AM	#3
mets3007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 170 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The only place is the kids area of Funspot and thats about it right now. alot of places dont open til Memorial Day weekend. Last edited by mets3007; 03-25-2008 at 12:08 AM. Reason: spelling

03-25-2008, 01:11 AM	#4
CanisLupusArctos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,049 Thanks: 15 Thanked 472 Times in 107 Posts	My guess is, it probably doesn't take much Having entertained the kids of friends a lot in recent years, I would say a 2-year-old probably isn't going to remember much (if anything) so a place like Funspot or museum or something would be lost on her, and at that age they're usually easily impressed by just about anything. Everything has novelty to a tot. Therefore no need to spend much money or even leave the house... just invent games, draw pictures, whatever. A stationery or art supply store (Staples?) has stuff that represents hours of endless messy fun for a tot... not to mention a boost in early learning/creativity... Get a huge peice of paper and make a mural or banner together. In just 10 short years you may watch her run off with friends all the time and then you'd thank yourself.

03-25-2008, 08:17 AM	#5
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,609 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,984 Times in 1,084 Posts	20 minutes a day A great source of one on one is, as they say, to read to a child for 20 minutes a day. Find a series of books that your child enjoys, nestle down in a comfortable easy chair, just the two of you, and read the story aloud. If there are pictures, enjoy talking about the pictures. You may find that your 20 minutes of one on one will turn into a half hour or more. The art thing is also a great idea, although you may need to buy a new side by side refrigerator on which to post all those priceless objects D'art. (Of course, Pepper can help you at Lowes with that new purchase.) __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

03-25-2008, 11:11 AM	#6
Cristen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 143 Thanks: 25 Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts	Fun for little ones Try the Markeplace at Mill Falls in Meredith. Innisfree Bookstore has a great section for children. There is a lot for them to look at, and you can also bring home some new books.

03-25-2008, 12:28 PM	#7
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ah yes, the terrible 2's. Thats tough for entertainment purposes, DVD players were always a good babysitter, err, idea. Some ideas for others and maybe you: Dynamic Ceramics in Gilford String 'em up Beadshop in Laconia Logs 'o Fun and their nice climbing wall A dip in either the Gunstock Inn or Margates indoor pool Grab a baseball, gloves and head to a plowed parking lot Good luck! __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

03-25-2008, 02:52 PM	#8
nj2nh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 533 Thanks: 81 Thanked 47 Times in 27 Posts	Try the Library I remember those days. My oldest was born in the winter of 1993. We didn't see grass until March. My youngest was born in April of 1996. My Xmas lights were up until he was three weeks old! I know our local library here in Jersey has a lot of children's programs. Our children's room also has tons for kids to do including a play house and a tent! I know your child is only two, but I would bet he or she (sorry, didn't catch that part) would find some of the games on the library computer doable. My kids started with that around 3, but only because we didn't know about them and there weren't that many back then. I don't know how extensive your library is, but it might be worth a look. Those giant toddler Legos have also provided my children with endless hours of entertainment. And, you would be amazed by what a kid can do with a really, really big box (check at an appliance store) and some crayons or even a huge laundry basket and some towels. Again, loads of entertainment there. Hope this helps! nj2nh __________________