Since moving to North Carolina last year, we’ve been hunting around for some fun spots to take our busy toddler to. Our house is baby-proofed, yet he still manages to get into things I don’t want him to so I like to take him out to local spots that are especially for kids like parks, play centers, and museums. Not only does he have a blast playing with all the fun toys and games he doesn’t have at home, but he also gets to socialize with other little people around his age and I get to meet other parents. It’s a win-win! Now that we are more settled in, I thought I’d share our favorite 3 fun spots for toddlers around Wilmington NC.
In no particular order, here are 3 fun spots for toddlers around Wilmington NC.
Fun Spot #1 – Hullabaloo – Hampstead, NC
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We are here a lot! What is there NOT to do at Hullabaloo? There are play kitchens stocked with toy food and dishes for those little ones who are learning to cook, a grocery store complete with a cash register, conveyor belt and shopping carts, a large play pen for babies learning to walk, two train set tables, a car wash, garage workshop, play nursery, doctor’s office, gas station, plenty of room for the kiddos to run free and so much more! Plus, they offer Spanish lessons, a Pre-School program, Drop-In Childcare, Yoga for Adults and many other events and activities for families to enjoy. The special thing about this place is it’s like walking into Cheers, where everybody knows your name and your kids name. It’s made up of regulars who go to simply hang out and socialize – adults and kids, alike. It’s more than just a kid play center. It’s the local hangout! Check them out online at www.hullabalooplay.com
Fun Spot #2 – Port City Gymnastics – Wilmington, NC
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We recently found this fun spot, and so glad we did! I’ve taken my son to PCG only a handful of times and afterwards I always wonder why I don’t take him more often because he naps like a champ after every visit here! We’ve only been for the Preschool Open Gym: Tues, Wed & Thurs from 9:00am – 11:30am, but there are many other programs to explore. The place is a heaven for kids that can’t sit still! It’s basically a huge space full of gymnastics equipment like bars to hang from, balance beams, different shaped mats to roll down and jump off of, trampolines, nets to climb, a slide, hula-hoops and more! Seriously, do want your kid to burn off all their crazy energy? Take them here for the open gym. Plus, the huge trampoline is fun for adults big kids too. 🙂 Check them out online at www.portcitygymnastics.net
Fun spot #3 – Marbles Kids Museum – Raleigh, NC
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I titled this post “3 Fun Spots for Toddlers Around Wilmington NC” because of this place, which isn’t exactly local. It’s in Raleigh which is a couple of hours away from Wilmington. However, it’s a great place to take kids if you’re on a day or weekend trip to Raleigh. The name is a little misleading since it’s less like a traditional museum where you’re not allowed to touch anything, and more like a play center where you’re encouraged to play with everything! It’s a huge two-story building that is split up into exhibits based on different themes. The Around Town exhibit basically brings the world down to kid size with a little farm, grocery store, kitchen, hospital, ambulance, news helicopter, fire engine, vet hospital and more. Another fun exhibit is Splash, where kids can have hands-on play and experiments with water. They do provide plastic smock aprons to help keep the kids dry, but I suggest also bringing a change of clothes just in case (for sure!) they really go crazy with the splashing. Toddlers Hollow was a great one for us. It’s made especially for kids under 3 and provides a place where they can practice crawling, walking and balancing all in the setting of a woodland adventure. There is so much more to this place and most definitely one to check out if you’re in the mood for a trip to Raleigh. Check them out online at www.marbleskidsmuseum.org
