Summer Activities for you and your Little Wonder

By Elizabeth Euresti

Summer is fast approaching! Do you know how you and your Little Wonder will be spending your days? Here is my current list of toddler-approved activities:

Little Wonders Summer Session
Summer classes start June 12! Standard classes (AM, PM & Wed evening classes) meet seven times between June and August.  Class format includes:

  • Informal circle time including singing, movement, and stories

  • Free play time for the children at all stations with half the parents watching the designated station areas each week

  • Snack / meal time for the whole class

  • Facilitated discussion time for half the parents every other week

The Baby Play Class also meets seven times during the Summer. Baby Play Class format includes playtime and informal discussion with parents and children together.

Visit https://www.littlewonders.org/class-schedule-summer-2017 for more details and to register today!

Summer Reading
Tired of your own children’s book collection? Check out someone else’s while simultaneously enjoying some social time AND air conditioning!

  • Toddler storytime at your local library - visit https://smcl.bibliocommons.com/events/ to find up-to-date schedules

  • Storytimes at your local bookstore - Barnes & Noble at Hillsdale in San Mateo has children’s storytime every Saturday at 11am! Too far from home? Ask your local bookstore if they have a similar program!

Swim Classes ($)
Maybe you swim year-round, or maybe you swim nearly never. Regardless, your toddler may be interested in dipping his or her toe into the water sooner rather than later! There are parent-and-me classes available throughout the Peninsula at a variety of price points. Check out your local Parks & Recreation listings within the next month or so, or start the sign-up process at one of the private swim academies ASAP (spots fill up fast).

Outdoor Play Spaces (Free!)
Grab your sunscreen, water bottle, and hat! Your toddler is probably already letting you know that outside in the beautiful sunshine is the place to be, so why not go for it? If you do not already have a favorite local park, here are a few that we like to frequent:

Indoor Play Spaces ($)
Sometimes it just gets too hot to play outside during the summer months, even when the drive to play is still strong. Luckily, there are a number of drop-in indoor play spaces on the Peninsula as well! Here is a quick reference for when you just can’t fathom sitting outside in the summer heat:

Outings/Day Trips
Let’s be real—sometimes you need a major change of scenery. When a huge trip to Japan is just not on the table, a day trip to somewhere fantastic and different can be a great alternative. Here are some fun places for parents and kids within a (relatively) short drive from Little Wonders:

Peninsula

San Francisco & North Bay

South Bay

East Bay 

Santa Cruz & Beyond (possible overnight trips)

Farmers’ Markets
We are fortunate to live in the Bay Area where produce is often fresh, local, and even organic—not to mention widely available. While many of our local farmers’ markets are open year round, summertime markets boast additional vendors—not to mention local strawberries, nectarines, tomatoes … (pardon me, I’m drooling now.) So take advantage of the beautiful summer weather to expose your little wonder to the natural wonder of this produce! You can sample fruits, vegetables, and local products together —if all goes well, you might discover some new favorite flavors. Take an ice chest and a blanket so that you can prolong the outing to include a picnic lunch or dinner! Here is a quick overview of some of the farmers’ markets on the Peninsula:

Millbrae

Millbrae Farmers’ Market
Saturday 8am to 1pm
Year-round
Millbrae City Parking Lot in the 200 block of Broadway between La Cruz and Victoria Avenue.  

Burlingame

Fresh Market, Burlingame
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (year-round) and  
Thursday 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (May through mid-September)
Park Road at Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame, CA 94010

San Mateo

25th Ave Farmer’s Market
Tuesdays 4:00pm to 7:30pm
May 2 - October 10, 2017
194 W 25th Ave, San Mateo, CA

San Mateo Farmer’s Market
Saturday 9:00am to 1:00pm
Year-round
1700 W Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo, CA

San Mateo Bay Center Farmers’ Market
Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Year-round
951 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA
(Across from the Bridgepointe Shopping Center)

Foster City

Foster City PJCC Farmers’ Market
Wednesdays 9am to 1pm
Peninsula Jewish Community Center
800 Foster City Blvd, Foster City, CA
(Inside of the building)

Foster City Farmers’ Market
Wednesdays 2:30pm to 6:30pm
Saturdays 9am to 1pm
Year-round
Charter Square Shopping Center
791 Beach Park Boulevard, Foster City, CA

Belmont

Belmont Farmer’s Market
Sundays 9:00am to 1:00pm
Year-round
1299 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA

San Carlos

San Carlos Downtown Farmers’ Market
Sundays 10am to 2pm
700 block of Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA
(Shops are also open; live music often plays)

Redwood City

Redwood City Kiwanis Farmers’ Market
Saturday 8am to 12pm
 April 15 - November 2017
500 Arguello St
Redwood City, California

Kaiser Redwood City Farmer’s Market
Wednesday 10:00am to 2:00pm
Apr 5 - Nov 22, 2017
1150 Maple St, Redwood City, CA

May your summer with a toddler be educational, entertaining, and ever so WONDERFUL!