Activities with a 3 yr old?

Question

I'm thinking about taking my niece to a hands on museum. Is she ready at 3? (Would it be worth the $40 for all of us to get in?) Also I was wondering about other activites for us to do this summer?

Answer 1

yes! i took my daughter to museums starting at 3....even if she doesn't really 'get it', she'll have a blast and it'll help develop her appreciation for museums, science, the arts, etc... at an early age.

other activities for the summer....i like how someone mentioned the library. all libraries i know about have summer reading programs. also, there are probably learn to swim programs. check your local YMCA for classes like tumbling. also, around here there are things that go on at the city run play grounds.

do you live near in a town with college? at our local college, there are tons of classes offered for kids aged 2-18 in the summer.

don't forget that nothing can substitute for just good old fun! go walk on a nature trail and explore! go to a playground! just spend the day in the backyard with the hose or sidewalk chalk! 3 year olds are so much fun! you can make a day out of anything!

Answer 2

My 2 year old liked the children's museum ...did he get much "learning" not really...but the exploration and some of the verbal explanation did take root. :-)  At 3 we want children to appreciate and therefors we encourage more exploration than anything.  So yes, go for it.  Can you get a summer pass?  Usually not much more than initial visit.  Our 5 year old went from thing to thing to thing...he would have benefited from being able to go back routinely after the "excitement" wore off.

*  We visited a different park (with children' playscape) each week.  Took our own lunch and had a picnic.

*  You can usually get a pass to a children's zoo or such for the summer and it's not much more than the cost of going once.  This way you can go slowly and enjoy yourself and make it a routine outing.

*  Library library library...any story times?

*  Anybody around the same age?  Get together for a weekly playdate.

*  Make garden... work in it daily with the child.  They have so much fun and they feel so proud of the flowers/veg. etc.

*  Get the sprinkler out.  :-)

*  I put fingerpaint in the bottom of our plastic wading pool and they had so much fun!  Then we just hosed them off.  Neat to make prints on paper as well.

Have fun!

Answer 3

Most libraries have summer programs where they do read alouds, puppet shows, etc. Get a schedule for yours.

Parks and picnics are fun.

Many museums have one free night per week. Big corporations sponsor these, so check that out before buying tickets.

Also, many movie theaters do free or $1 movies one week day morning per week. These are movies that are 1-5 years old, but for children.

Answer 4

I don't know your niece, but at three, most children will really enjoy such a trip.  Depending on the content in the museum, and the amount of breaks she can have, it should be really fun and educational.  Call ahead to find out what activities are available.  If you're looking for less-expensive activities, the library is always a winner.  You can also try the local pool, picnicking, and the petting zoo.