By Joannie Peters
As a rookie parent (and lifelong list-maker), I find it helpful to map out a schedule of nearby, child-friendly spaces, offering developmentally appropriate activities, so that I always have a goal/plan/back-up plan for my son’s awake hours.
All activities in the chart below are FREE. Story times are 30 min long.
|
MONDAY |
||||
|
SPCA Burlingame |
Mr. Moo’s Story Time |
11am |
All ages |
1st Monday of every month |
|
Story Time |
10:30am |
0-18 months |
||
|
Stulsaft Park, Redwood City |
9:40-11:30am |
0-6 years |
||
|
TUESDAY |
||||
|
San Mateo Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
10:30am |
0-12 months |
|
|
San Mateo Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
11:15am |
0-12 months |
|
|
San Mateo Public Library (Marina) |
Story Time |
10:15am |
0-5 years |
|
|
San Mateo Public Library (Marina) |
Story Time |
11am |
0-5 years |
|
|
Burlingame Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
10:30am |
3-5 years |
|
|
The Reading Bug (San Carlos) |
Story Time |
11am |
Pre-K |
|
|
Edgewood Park, Redwood City |
9:40am-12pm |
0-6 years |
||
|
WEDNESDAY |
||||
|
San Mateo Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
10:30am |
3 & 4 years |
|
|
San Mateo Public Library (Hillsdale) |
Story Time |
10:15am |
0-3 years |
|
|
San Mateo Public Library (Hillsdale) |
Story Time |
11am |
0-3 years |
|
|
Burlingame Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
10:30am |
18-36 months |
|
|
The Reading Bug (San Carlos) |
Story Time |
11am |
Babies & Toddlers |
|
|
Stulsaft Park, Redwood City |
9:40-11:30am |
0-6 years |
||
|
THURSDAY |
||||
|
San Mateo Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
9:30am |
1 & 2 years |
|
|
San Mateo Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
10:30am |
1 & 2 years |
|
|
Burlingame Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
10:30am |
18-36 months |
|
|
Burlingame Public Library (Main) |
LEGOs @ Your Library |
3:30-5pm |
All ages |
1st Thursday of each month |
|
The Reading Bug (San Carlos) |
Story Time |
11am |
Pre-K |
|
|
FRIDAY |
||||
|
Burlingame Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
10:30am |
0-18 months |
|
|
Story Time |
10:30am |
3-5 years |
||
|
The Reading Bug (San Carlos) |
Story Time |
11am |
Newborns |
|
|
Little Hands Art Adventures |
11am-12pm |
2 years and up |
||
|
SATURDAY |
||||
|
San Mateo Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
10:30am |
0-3 years |
|
|
San Mateo Public Library (Main) |
Story Time |
11:15am |
0-3 years |
|
|
The Reading Bug (San Carlos) |
Story Time |
11am |
All ages |
|
|
Origami Time |
1-2pm |
All ages |
||
|
SUNDAY |
||||
|
The Reading Bug (San Carlos) |
Stories + Crafts |
11am |
3 years and up |
|
The businesses listed below offer Parent and Me classes. Payment and registration and required, but most offer a trial class for FREE.
● Gymboree in San Mateo
● The Little Gym in Millbrae
● My Gym in San Carlos
● Lil’ Kickers in Burlingame
● Peninsula Music Together, various locations
● La Petite Baleen Swim in San Bruno & Redwood City (FREE swim classes for infants 2-5 months)
● King’s Swim Academy in San Mateo
● Nandi Yoga in San Mateo
● Broadway Babies and Kids in San Carlos
● Small Fry Dance Club in San Mateo
● Fit4Mom in San Mateo and Burlingame
● Rec Room Creative in Burlingame
Drop-in Play Spaces are listed below.
● Safari Run in San Mateo (children under 1 play FREE)
● Rec Room Creative in Burlingame
● Imagination City in San Bruno
● Diddalidoo in San Bruno
● Hop N Play in San Bruno
● My Busy Town in San Bruno
The cafés listed below have a dedicated play area for children.
● Kingston Café in San Mateo
● Mints & Honey in San Carlos
The local gyms listed below offer childcare while parents exercise.
● Peninsula Family YMCA in San Mateo
● PJCC in Foster City
● Prime Time Athletic Club in Burlingame
Curiodyssey in San Mateo is a museum for kids focusing on environmental science and wildlife with indoor exhibits and an outdoor zoo. Membership is good for one year and includes parking.