Last week we provided a fun list of things to do on rainy summer days to keep the kids entertained at home. But we all know that sometimes, even in wet weather, you need to get out of the house and entertain them around town. Here is a list compiled from both our own family experiences and from some of our nannies who know where to go!
- New York State Museum – Albany: with exhibits about the earliest life forms in the area, the bones of the Cohoes Mastadon, dioramas about the native peoples of the region, a real New York City subway car, part of Sesame Street’s set, and a 9/11 exhibit, there is literally something for everyone at this museum. “The kids in my family always love the NYS Museum,” says nanny Ginny. And it’s free! There is also a discovery center with hands-on activities for the little ones, and an historic carousel on the fourth floor ($1 per ride).
- Children’s Museum of Science & Technology (CMOST): CMOST’s mission is to “instill a sense of wonder and discovery in young minds, inspiring a lifelong exploration of science and technology,” and they live up to it! A wide variety of hands-on exhibits, live reptiles and other animals, and craft areas offer fun and educational experiences for toddlers up to 8 or 9-year olds.
- Children’s Museum at Saratoga: If you have little ones, you must visit this museum. Their imaginations will run wild as they can dress up in different uniforms and play inside detailed recreations of a grocery store, bank, classroom, post office, and a 50’s diner. They can try on real firefighter boots and jackets and slide down a fire pole, or put on a hard hat and build with construction toys. And that’s just the upstairs! Downstairs they can make human-sized bubbles, ride a trolley car, or put on a theatrical show with lots of costumes. Located just a few blocks off Broadway, it’s sure to bring a smile to the kids’ faces.
- Museum of Innovation and Science: Located near downtown Schenectady, the thing we love best about this museum is the planetarium – the kids are always fascinated by the night sky in front of their faces! Plus they feature exhibits on things like the human body, weather, and building creation. They also have rotating exhibits from the famous San Francisco Exploratorium, and GE also provides a variety of exhibits to engage kids with technology.
- Via Aquarium – Rotterdam: one of the Capital Region’s newest attractions, the Via Aquarium has become very popular. Fish, jellyfish, stingrays, and sharks are just some of the creatures you’ll see. Plan on going early, as you may have to wait a little while in line before getting into the aquarium.
- Giggle Lounge – Clifton Park: our nanny Courtney says, “Giggle Lounge is a fun place for those looking for some indoor sensory play experiences.” Ideal for ages 8 and under, kids can play at cooking up their favorite meal, heading to the doctor, or going on an adventure in the camping center. Or they can grab a book and sit down for a little quiet time.
- Billy Beez/TreePaad: not only do these places offer huge padded fortresses filled with climbing, fast slides, and soft balls to shoot at others, but grownups will have a lot of fun too (if not more)! They also feature video games and bouncy things to keep everyone occupied. Billy Beez is in Albany’s Crossgates Mall, and TreePaad is in Malta.
So now you have ideas for some great places around the area to take kids when you want to stay indoors, just not at home. Contact us for more information at (518) 348-0400.