Surviving Maryland's Rain-Mageddon 2018 With Kids
It’s going to rain a LOT in Maryland. Pretty much straight until Tuesday of NEXT week. And all this rain makes for some stir crazy children. Running out of ideas?
Let these get you through!
Nerf Gun War
I know, I know. If you're a Mom of boys, you've learned that rough needs to be carefully controlled. Let them loose in the basement or play room with some soft darts. Make targets to shoot even. Our favorite game is lining up super hero action figures, putting down a tape line a ways back and making the kids knock each down for points. This can last a WHILE!
Visit a Wildlife Refuge or Local Park Center
Now is a great time to get familiar with the wildlife you can't see outdoors by learning about it indoors at one of the low cost or free refuge and wildlife nature centers the region has to offer. You might even learn something yourself about the Chesapeake Watershed in the process!
National Wildlife Refuge
We love it here! The displays, trails and look out points are all located indoors, and the free (donations encouraged) location makes a great indoor discovery center for rain outs.
Address: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708
Robinson Nature Center
The Education facility is situated on 18 acres of park land and includes a beautiful interactive indoor display and a bright, open play room with a water touch tank of wildlife.
Address: 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044
Meadowside Nature Center
This center features hands-on natural & cultural history, 8 miles of trails & native bird aviaries.
Address: 5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20855-Eastern Shore Nature Center
Attend a Library Class
The public library systems have many age-appropriate crafts, themes and story times to explore. Some even have some 'new to you' activity centers in the middle of the children's section. Grab a fluffy bean bag and plop down for some reading!
Or Visit Storyville
If you're looking for more pretending than reading, you can do both in the breathtaking Storyville locations in Baltimore County. With a grocery store, house and kitchen, bus, construction site, stage and children's library, you can spend hours here - making it worth any hike.
Woodlawn Branch Address: 1811 Woodlawn Dr, Gwynn Oak, MD 21207
Rosedale Branch Address: 6105 Kenwood Ave, Rosedale, MD 21237
Open Play Center
The very place for all that hyper activity to get out in one shot, without clean up required. There are MANY in our region, but here's a snapshot of some that have open plays that range from all day to select hours per week at a minimal fee.
Hyper Kidz
One of the only locations with different areas for big and small, Hyper Kidz also sells snacks and has tables and chairs lining the facility with free WiFi for adults to watch AND get some work accomplished.
Address: 9309 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21046
Wiggle Room
Parent owned and operated, Wiggle Room is designed for the 5 and under crowd. Free WiFi and coffee, a quiet nursing room, classes during open plays and an all day play location make this a highlight!
Address: 2225-G Defense Hwy, Crofton, MD 21114
Play N’ Learn
Since it's too rainy to take the playground on outside, have your kiddos test out the store's variety of display models INSIDE! Many of the Rainbow branded, intricate swingsets, trampolines, basketball nets and more are available during the daytime for open playing.
Address: 9033 Red Branch Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
Stroller Class at the Mall
Need to get your work out in? Head to the mall with Fit4Mom Severn, Fit4Mom Annapolis, Fit4Mom Howard County or Baltimore and catch your breath afterwards with a much deserved Starbucks, chat with fellow Moms and a romp into one of each mall's children's play locations. Or head to the Lego Store, where you can have your children build figurines without the guilt of a purchase.
Head to the Aquarium
All that water needs to go somewhere, right? The Aquarium is a great escape on a rainy day, and not too far of a walk from the garage to get your fill of ocean creatures!
www.aqua.org
Or the Science Center
Just on the other side of the harbor, daily events, planetarium shows and IMAX productions are a welcome change from Netflix. Catch some experiments, stretch your legs, and see the dinosaurs!
www.mdsci.org
Try a Hand at Bowling
Think bowling balls and toddlers don't mix? Think again! Daytime lanes are fairly inexpensive, and some alleys don't even make you rent shoes for the kiddos. Plus, most have a cute ramp that the kids can roll the ball down to hit the pins for instant fun.
Hopefully this rain won't last forever. If you have to get out, be safe, have fun, and break up the day with some of these ideas to get you going!
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