Experitots

This week Samuel and I went to Experitots at MOSI in Manchester. We have been before but as it's only once a month it's really nice to see how Samuel has developed in the past month; what new toys he's attracted to, how fast he can get around and whether he's interested in the stories and songs. This time, all he wanted to do was make noise and walk around with a yellow plastic ball in each hand...Still, he had fun!

 

The Experiment! Gallery on the first floor of the main MOSI building is closed until 12pm to children over the age of 5 making it a lovely safe environment for toddlers and babies. As well as the usual soft play area and the child-focused experiments and displays, the MOSI staff cram hundreds of toys - blocks, dolls, play tents, balls, trains etc - into the space, meaning there is something different to do around every corner. For each Experitots session there is a theme - this month it was Out of This World - and for the last half hour two of MOSI's education team lead a story and song session around the theme. It's great fun!
 

The cafe at MOSI is fantastic with plenty of space and a huge number of highchairs. There is a kids section where they can pick 5 items for £3.95 (or just buy them seperately) and the adult menu is great too. I can't wait until next month to visit again!

Experitots runs one Friday a month (check the website for details of dates and theme) and is £3 for one child and an adult. It's advisable to email to book in advance as it fills up quickly.

The Creation Station

Today Samuel and I (along with Samuel's daddy) tried out The Creation Station in Glossop. The Creation Station is a nationwide franchise of art and craft sessions for children aged 1-11. As Samuel is only 13 months I did wonder whether he would be ready for a class like this, but as it was the Valentines Day session I decided to show a little love and take him along.

The children are all given protective clothing, either full suits for the toddlers or plastic coats for the older children. The class then started with a welcome song and then some magic words and movement to open a box filled with the art materials that would be used that week.

 Once we had the materials unpacked, everyone took a seat and began to create! We made pictures of 'lovebirds' using paints, foam rollers, paintbrushes, sequins, feathers and tissue paper. We then made clay hearts which were then coated in red glitter and hung with ribbon. The children could then take these home with them. The class ended with washing of hands, and a goodbye song.

 

Overall I thought this was a lovely activity and one I will look forward to taking Samuel to in the future, however for now I think he may have been a little young as he mainly wanted to run around the room and explore. Having said that, he is a very active child and perhaps a child who is more willing to sit on their parents knee would get more out of the session.

You can book a class by emailing Sarah Kooper at sarahkooper@thecreationstation.co.uk. The Glossop classes are currently 10am on a Friday at the Glossop Girl Guiding Hut on Dinting Vale.

Little Dudes

Just thought I'd share this fab website I discovered whilst exploring the things Samuel and I can do together:

 

Cleverly (and usefully, for me), it has a search facility that allows you to find things happening on specific days. Also you can search by age group, activity type and area. It covers most of South Manchester as well as Manchester City Centre, I've already found a few things that might prompt me to revisit my old haunts Didsbury and Chorlton. Have a look, there are some great ideas on there.

So many plans

So next week is my last week before I return to work, Samuel's daddy is off work as well so I'm hoping we'll have lots of fun together. Today I have been researching things for us to do all next week, along with Friday treats for Samuel and I; it turns out there's a lot to do on a Friday after all so hopefully we won't be bored!

I have been making copious notes and so far have plans to go to the family sessions at Manchester Art Gallery, MOSI , Manchester Museum and The Whitworth Art Gallery, plus the NCT's Bumps, Babies and Beyond group at Mr Clowns Fun Zone and The Creation Station.

Today however, it's time for a playdate at a friend's house :) We're looking forward to playing with some different toys!

Samuel with his good friend Adam at Mr Clowns Fun Zone

The Countdown Begins...

My maternity leave finishes in just under 2 weeks, 13 months and 1 week from the day it started. I know I've been incredibly lucky to have had this time with Samuel but can't help feeling sad about all the time I will be missing now that he'll be in nursery three days a week. I will have Fridays with him (and weekends with him and his dad) and would like to make sure I spend that day with him giving him as many new experiences as possible.

We're lucky enough to live in a great town with lots to do for children and we're a 30 minute train ride away from Manchester so I am going to spend the next few days researching all the exciting Fridays we can have together. I'll then post here to report back on all the fun we've had and hopefully you will find some inspiration too.