Mom&Baby

THINGS TO do in SILICON VALLEY WITH kids

Fellow Bay area baby blogger, Catherine, sent us this agenda for a week’s worth of preschooler activities in the South Bay. “Our family loves exploring the Bay Area,” she writes, “and I write a blog about our adventures, explorations, and food finds. I’ve comprised a list with a bit of everything for each day of the week, so enjoy!”

Sunday, San Jose:

Start the afternoon by hitting up the Children’s discovery museum in downtown San Jose. This museum is packed full of activities for kids of all ages, and because I have a toddler and an elementary school kid, finding places that can entertain both at the same time are high on the priority list. The CDM has a full range of child-centered, hands-on activities that encourage creativity and imagination. There are various places to explore, and a bit of everything for every developmental level (even a pre-walker exhibit!).

After the educational home entertainment check out Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glenn. This cute little neighborhood has a terrific strip with fantastic restaurants and shops. Aqui Cal-Mex is known for serving healthy Mexican fusion foods, thus “Cal-Mex.” They boast all natural, organic ingredients, and daily and seasonal offerings. If you’re searching for authentic Mexican food this certainly isn’t the place, but the grub is tasty and the margaritas are large. The kid’s menu is affordable, and I like they offer a side of beans, rice, or fruit along with the main meal. After lunch sidle over to Powell’s sweet Shoppe. Entering Powell’s is tantamount to stepping back in time. Victorian England concerns mind. Charlie bucket would not feel out of place in this shop (not surprisingly, Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory plays on a film screen in the back of the store). There is candy everywhere; some of it mainstream, some of it nostalgic, some of it obscure, and all of it mouth-watering.

Monday, Santa Clara:
First, stop by Barefoot Coffee Roasters and pick up some java “to-go” (you’re going to need it for what’s coming next). Barefoot reminds me so much of the amazing “hole-in-the-wall” coffee houses we’d frequent in Portland, Oregon. It seems an unlikely addition to a suburban strip-mall, but it has an ultra hippie vibe, the baristas do that amazing latte art thing, and the coffee is incredible.

Now that you’ve had a jolt, you and junior can mosey on over to sky High sports on Mead for toddler jump from 12-2pm. This indoor trampoline arena is the ideal place to burn off some energy (and let’s face it, calories). have a blast bouncing on the trampolines, jumping in the foam pit, and playing with the dodge-balls. Yes, the place smells like gym socks, and yes, it’s during core nap-hours, but there is nothing quite like the delight of an exhausted toddler and 3 hours to yourself when he finally crashes.

Tuesday, Palo Alto:
Set up a play-date to meet a pal at Palo Alto Children’s museum and Zoo! This little museum is a well known hang out for parents of toddlers in The Valley. The Palo Alto Jr. museum is a small, hands on, interactive facility full of kid friendly exhibits. Alexander especially likes the “plink-o” boards, and the ball tubes. There is also an outdoor zoo with ducks, fish, birds, and bunnies to look at. Admission is free, but they request a donation to help fund future projects. Also, Rinconada Park is located best next to the museum…great spot for after going to the museum because they have a good little play park and picnic tables.

Hora do lanche! travel over to Fraiche on Emerson. This little organic fresh and frozen yogurt shop specializes in European- style tart yogurt. The base is organic, non-fat, and low sugar (I counter this by adding lots of Callebaut chocolate shavings). You then can add any number of delicious toppings like fresh berries, puree sauces, homemade granola, nuts, etc. I’ve got to say, this is one of our favorite spots for dinner as well!

Wednesday, Sunnyvale:
We go to birthday parities A LOT. and one of the hottest birthday venues in the South Bay is Pump-it-Up. What’s not to love about huge inflatables and bounce-houses? On N. fair Oaks there is a Pump-It-Up Jr that opens it’s doors for drop-in from 10-11:30am on Mondays and Wednesdays for the under 6 crowd.

Once you’re done running and climbing, head over to Giovanni’s Pizzeria. This is another unlikely “hole-in-the-wall” joint nestled in-between a liquor store and a Vietnamese noodle shop. If you love NY style, thin crust, artery clogging goodness the buck stops here! Lunch crowds can get a little dense (so get here a bit before 12), but the service is fast, the food is great, and the setting is very kid-friendly and casual.

Thursday, Campbell:
Diaper Days is a completely amazing idea! You get to go to a grown up film WITH your kid(s), and no one is going to complain if they eat, whine, yowl, or show off an exorcist-style vomit session (well…maybe the latter). Strollers are not allowed in the auditorium so it’sProvavelmente uma boa ideia fazer o bebê usando coisa. Eu tentei isso com Alexander por algum tempo, e muitas das crianças eram totalmente angelicais! Eu deveria admitir que também me encantou em assistir a um filme que não tinha um personagem adorável de desenho animado como o papel principal pela primeira vez. Isso também é, sem dúvida, a melhor maneira de ver todos aqueles que seu cônjuge prefere comer vidro do que sentar. Os filmes são mostrados na Câmera de Video Camera 7 Pruneyard em Campbell (às 12:30) nas quartas -feiras 1 e 3 de cada mês. Além disso, a noite de data da fralda agora é fornecida duas vezes por mês se você e o marido se sentirem particularmente ambiciosos.

Após o filme, o que melhor do que algum grub do galinheiro Sonoma? O Sonoma Chicken Coop é um restaurante sem frescuras e no estilo cafeteria. É muito amigável para crianças, tem uma ampla seleção no menu e é sempre saborosa! Ah, e o fondue de chocolate para a sobremesa é mm, mmm, bom.

Sexta -feira, Cupertino:
Ok, então talvez eu seja um pouco tendencioso porque meu marido trabalha para a empresa, mas não há nada como ir à loja da Apple Company em Cupertino. É a única localização do mundo a pegar equipamentos e presentes da marca Apple. Nosso filho recebe um chute substancial de todos os suprimentos escolares do logotipo da Apple (lápis, lancheiras, cadernos – sim, investimos em todos eles). E eles também têm uma coleção bem fofa de roupas infantis.

Após a terapia de varejo, siga o Steven’s Creek Boulevard até a Whole Foods, pegue um piquenique e depois coma sob o mirante no Memorial Park. Há boas trilhas para caminhada, um lago com pássaros e patos e um fantástico parque infantil. Certamente uma boa maneira de começar o fim de semana!

Sábado, Mountain View:
Inscreva-se com antecedência para fazer uma aula de Finshop de um dia de sábado na Community School of Music and Art. Por US $ 35, você e Junior podem se deliciar em uma sessão de música e música em duas partes com algumas das melhores instalações de educação infantil do mundo. A aula é dividida em duas sessões de 45 minutos com um lanche no meio. As aulas são apropriadas para o desenvolvimento e são fantásticas de exploração para qualquer jovem. Após a aula, vá até Sushi Tomi para obter uma arte comestível! Este pequeno restaurante japonês possui peixe constantemente fresco (os chefs de sushi são apaixonados por qualidade) e entradas saborosas de estilo japonês.

Então é aqui que eu te deixo! Espero que você tenha se encantado nesta pequena viagem do Vale do Silício!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *