Soon I will be heading back to teaching full time, which means my nearly 17-month stint as a stay-at-home mom will end. And once a week Jack will be home from day care in my better half's loving care and guidance. I asked hubby what activities he was planning with our toddler, and he gave me a shrug. "I don't know....we can go to Lowe's. Or maybe he can help me work on the car?" Images of our 17-month-old covered in diesel weilding a ratchet flashed before my eyes.
Immediately my type-A, micro-managing self springs into motion like one of those annoying wind-up toys. I want to give my husband some ideas of what to do with Jack on their days alone together; a baby "bucket list" if you will. My husband had visions of me sending him to "Mommy and Me" classes, but I've put together a cool and fun itinerary that even the most discriminating dads will enjoy.
So here is my list of of kid friendly activities around Louisville (that won't suck for dads):
Dads can unleash their inner rock star at at Wee Rock Music Classes: Think parent and music classes are just for mom? Guess again. These hip music classes will definitely keep dad entertained and coming back for more. Instructor Heidi Howe whizzes through a forty-minute class with drum playing, Woody Guthrie singing and strumming tunes on her guitar by generational favorites like Sublime and Social Distortion. Classes are at Mama's Hip and the Clifton Center.
Do some spelunking at Louisville's Mega Cavern
. What dad wouldn't enjoy this massive man-made creation? The Mega Caverns contain corridors that span 17 miles underneath the Louisville Zoo. An SUV-pulled tram will guide you underneath the earth for a tour that is rich in geology and history (this cavern was the largest bomb shelter during the Cuban Missile Crisis!). The tour has many highlights including "the worm tasting and recycling room" that will delight any dad.
Grab some beer (for dads) and free lunch (for kids) at Cumberland Brewery. There's nothing that my husband loves more than beer and free food. Put them both together at Cumberland Brewery and it's sheer perfection. Yes, it's confirmed to be true...children eat free off of the kids' menu with the purchase of an regular entree for adults. And dads get to enjoy a tasty beer with lunch.
Ahoy Mateys! It's time to walk the plank to the Frazier International History Museum to catch their exhibit on Pirates: Treasure and Treachery. A lot of the exhibit is geared towards kids and kids at heart with interactive and hands-on features. But hurry...ye ole' Pirate exhibit ends September 7th. Arrrggh.
My husband might balk at the idea of schlepping Jack to the zoo by himself. But a 600 acre farm with over 100 animals, many roaming freely among visitors is way more his thing. That's why Henry's Ark in Prospect is definitely on my list of "must-sees." Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted.
I'm still taken aback by all the cool stuff that Art Sparks at the Speed Museum offers for families. They have fun, interactive multi-media activities for all ages--including dad. I mean, what dad wouldn't want to captain a 17th century ship, dance in front of a psychedelic screen or chill out in a teepee? This is stuff dads dream of.
So here is my list thus far. What are your recommendations of kid activities in Louisville that don't suck for dad?
Photo: flickr: jeromyj
