Activities this summer for a 1-year-old?

Submitted by clk122327 t3_zirda9 in springfieldMO

Hello! We recently moved here from Kansas City. Our baby will be one in May and I stay at home with him. I’m wanting to ask the grandparents for a season pass to something the baby and I can go to this summer. I’m wondering about the Discovery Center? I’m also wondering about Silver Dollar City? Thanks in advance!

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Punnchy t1_izt3kbb wrote

Honestly I don't feel that a one year old would have much fun at sdc, but I can suggest a few places that are more local to Springfield.

Jump mania has a specific under 5 area for jumping and the paren/guardian can go with them into the jump areas if wanting to do the bigger ones.

There's also itty bitty city and jungle gym, but please review other posts about them and impetigo as there have been several reports of kids getting a different then daycare sick after attending.

Jungle gym doesn't charge for the parents whereas itty bitty city does, and jungle gym has an annual pass.

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CetiCeltic t1_iztp5hc wrote

A lesser known one is Imaginasium! They have a bounce house and swings and tons of other stuff. My little one has a two year pass and we got it on sale half off, so I think it was like 125 or 150 for two whole years!

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armenia4ever t1_izxi7kf wrote

This is valuable information. We've got a 5 month, 5 year old, and 6 year old and are always looking for deals like this. Thanks very much.

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CetiCeltic t1_izxiqj9 wrote

Of course! It was a fantastic deal. I think they ran it over the summer. You can check their Facebook for deals and specials :) I don't work for them, just glad to have a clean place to take my kiddo that she loves.

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TrxpThxm t1_izts799 wrote

Plenty of parks in Springfield and it’s free.

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armenia4ever t1_izxjp1j wrote

1)We have a yearly pass to the Bass Pro's Wonders of Wildlife and Aquarium which has been perfect for young children. With a one year old, its stroller friendly enough that they have elevators for each area where there are stairs to the next exhibit. ( I wouldnt advise the wrap because you will have to wear your backpack as well and its like 1.5 miles worth of walking, though alot of places to sit all around.)

  1. The Discovery Center is probably worth it as well. There's also Chesterfield. It's bit pricier for the membership, but there's actually babysitting on site there. (It's similar to a YMCA, though I'd argue much better as more features than the YMCA.)

Battlefield Mall actually has a play area for toddlers that's pretty close to the food court. There's seating right on the wall of the play area with charging outlets so you can bring your laptop and phone with you if needed while eating and keeping an eye on your little one.

  1. Parks. Lots of actually really great parks in Springfield which surprises me considering how low property taxes are around here. (Shocking to us having recently moved from Illinois.)

People have already mentioned itty bitty city, jungle gym, and jump mania, but Id seriously look at some of the parks. Nathaniel Greene stroll gardens has alot of heavily shaded gardened areas that are free and a Japanese stroll garden thats a couple bucks. There's actually alot of gardens there and it initially surprised me.

Wilson-Rutledge is an interesting park that is almost a very small zoo/petting zoo with various activities depending on the time of year and a play area. I'd highly recommend it for young kids and its pretty stroller friendly. There's also the Jordan Valley park, just watch out in that area for tweakers/meth addicts who might accost you.

  1. This may surprise you but.... Wire Road Brewery - on the southeast side of town - which also is a hybrid coffee shop. If you want to grab a drink at any point - or coffee, you can bring your kid with you. Id advise a stroller, but their inside is nice and the outside is really good too. (They dont sell food there so you'd have to bring your own, though they do have some great food trucks there often.)
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toucansammi t1_j002bsf wrote

My most used one is the aquarium, especially as my daughter started walking. This was a good place for us to practice being out together too. Like me practicing being a mom and her practicing being a human lol. Lots of things to look at, many bathrooms, stroller accessible, super educational. And it’s just as good to get out of the cold as it is to get out of the heat in mid summer.

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