The new year always brings new ideas to me or my family about what we can do together to try something new or continue classes or series events that we have been doing. With an active three-year-old at home while I work part time from my house, I love being able to find some things we can do around the city to keep us entertained and keep learning fun, lively, and engaging. (And burning off a little bit of steam helps too). Here are some options I'm exploring for us; they are suitable for mostly this age range of about 3-5 years; some are good for toddlers as well.
Heartland Music Together is a wonderful parent/child music program with classes offered in many locations, including New Albany and Shelbyville. Winter registration has already begun and 10 week sessions run $165.00. There are coupon codes out there for 10% off such as the one run through LouisvilleFamilyFun.net. The winter session begins on January 5, 2015.
My Gym Louisville is launching two new programs to their lineup for 2015: Art Explorers and Zumba for Kids. My 3 year old and I are going to try out the Art Explorers sessions and according to their website: "This is the perfect program for children who love art and the world of imagination! Each week, our young artists have tons of fun as they learn about an artist, (an art concept, a foreign country or another fascinating subject) create individual masterpieces around that lesson and explore through additional Free-Art experiences and physical activity." There is a class for 2-4 year olds (parent participation) and 5-9 year olds (independent).
At The Parklands of Floyds Fork, the Wednesday Wonders program continues through the new year weekly on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30pm. Explore a wonder of science with a story and experiment. It's best suited for children under age 7 and is free for Parklands members; $5 for non-members. Online RSVP is needed.
The Brown Bag Preschool Storytime is ongoing at the Middletown branch of the Louisville Free Public Library. It's every Wednesday at 1pm, details here.
Stop into locally owned and community-driven center and natural parenting store Mama's Hip in the Highlands. Classes such as toddler art, yoga, crafting afternoons, sing and sign, playgroups, and music jams happen every week. It's a great time to explore those classes and meet someone new. Check out their new Community website and forums/message boards at www.mamas-hip.com/join-community.
Storytime is always a sure bet for children and parents at this age, and you can find a story time at your local library of course, but also at local shops like The Diaper Fairy Cottage, Carmichael's Kids, and A Reader's Corner Bookstore.
For a limited time, head to Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory for their new year promotion. All children ages 12 and under will be admitted free to the museum from December 20-January 5. While you're downtown, check out some other places along Museum Row. Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft has a great MakerSpace area for children and is always offering workshops and drop-in make an art activity programs for children and families. The Kentucky Science Center is launching their newly renovated early childhood education exhibit, Science in Play, in 2015 that is sure to delight the toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergarteners in your life. Frazier History Museum hosts Second Saturdays programs designed for families and kids. It is every second Saturday of the month from 11am-3pm and is free with paid admission to the museum. On January 10, the focus will be on history with everyday objects around you.
Use this list to try out something new together in January!
Photo courtesy of www.theparklands.org
