Things to Do with Toddlers & Preschoolers in Vacaville, California

As the mother of a toddler I am always looking fun things to do with my daughter and because I am a full time college student and not working I don't have a lot of money to spend on entertainment. So, I thought I would share some of the things I enjoy doing with my daughter.

Free and Fun

1. Go to the park: Not very creative, I know, but it's fun, free and a great opportunity to get some exercise and expend that extra energy. Another variation of this activity that my daughter enjoys is going to Keating Park and watching baseball/softball games. Although there is no playground equipment at this park there is a lot of room to walk or run around, lots of shade trees and bathrooms. To find a list of all the parks in Vacaville including their locations and amenities check out this link to the city website. http://www.cityofvacaville.com/departments/community_services/facility_rentals/parks.php

2. Story time at the public library: Both of Vacaville's public libraries (Cultural Center and Town Square) Have story time for babies and preschoolers. The Cultrual Center Library has "Lapsit" on Fridays at 10 AM and 11 AM for babies ages 6-18 months and "Preschool Story Hour" on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 AM for children 3 to 5 years of age. The Time Square Library has Toddler story time on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11 AM for children 18 months to 36 months and has preschool story time on Tuesdays at 1PM for children age 3 to 5 years. I have been taking my daughter to Lapsit at the Cultural Center Library sense she was 6 months and she loves. They read stories, play with toys and puppets and sing songs. It is also fun talking to other moms with kids in the same age group as my daughter. Plus the librarian who runs Lapsit is awesome and all the kids really love him.

Not Free But Still Fun

3. McDonalds Play Place: The McDonalds on the corner of Alamo and Marshall has an indoor place. This is a great choice for a rainy day when you can't go the park but the kids are going nuts being stuck indoors. You can feed them lunch and let them play too. The food is cheap and playing if free. They also have healthier choices such as juice instead of soda and apples instead of fries for those of us who would rather not feed our kids fast food.

4. Nutt Tree Theme Park: This a great place for all ages. There are kid friendly rides such as a carousel and "airplane" ride, as well as Koi pond where you can feed the fish and you can even take a ride on the 70 seat "choo choo" train. While there is no admissions charge to the park the rides do require tickets which are sold at the ticket booth near the entrance. However, kids 2 years old and under can ride for free but some of the rides require the adult riding with them to pay with tickets. For more information on the park including the ticket information check out http://www.nuttreeusa.com/.

5. Chuck E. Cheese: Okay so Chuck E. Cheese is actually in Fairfield, but close enough. Although Chuck E. Cheese is geared more toward older kids there are still things for the little ones. The main reason that I enjoy taking my daughter to Chuck E. Cheese is that I don't have to worry about her being too loud or too messy, cause that what it's made for. It really is a place "where a kid can be a kid" and where a parent doesn't have to worry about their kid disturbing the couple at the table behind them. Sense it opens at 10am I would recommend that you go early while older kids are still in school. The downside is that Chuck E. Cheese can be pricey especially when you have a tight budget, but they do have coupons available on the website http://www.chuckecheese.com/.

These are the things that enjoy doing with my toddler. For more information on activities for kids and all ages in Vacaville check out the Community Service Events

Guide at http://www.cityofvacaville.com/departments/community_services/__documents/CommunityServicesEventsGuide.pdf. Hopefully you will find this information useful and try some of it with your own little ones. Be sure the comment and let me know how it works out or about in other activities you and your kids enjoy.