Toddlers are vibrant, busy and full of energy — sometimes, it seems too much energy! It can become challenging to find age appropriate activities that keep your toddler entertained, intrigued and out of trouble. The city of Gilbert is packed with families and also packed with fun ideas to fill your day. Try out some of the toddler-friendly activities available for you and your toddler in the Gilbert area.
1. Outdoor Activities
Freestone Park (full link in Resources) takes the park experience to a whole new level. Your toddler will enjoy the traditional joys of visiting a park by utilizing the playgrounds, feeding the ducks at the lakes, flying a kite or picnicking at the ramadas. If that’s not enough excitement in one day for your toddler, the carousel, train ride and other child-friendly attractions at Freestone Park will bring a smile to the face of your toddler. If the Freestone Park is not exactly what you are looking for, Gilbert has more than 20 public parks to bring out the fun in every child. Between the months of September and December, your little one will have a hay day at Mother Nature’s Farm (full link in Resources). Start the day off with a hayride, let your child pick out a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, visit the farm animals or make their way through the adventurous hay maze. If your little one is not tired yet, let him bounce around in some hay piles or have his face painted. Don’t forget to enjoy some cotton candy!
2. Indoor Activities
Toddlers love to bounce and move and the City of Gilbert offers several indoor inflatable bounce locations to keep your little one bouncing and get ready for a good nap. The calendar of events at these locations include activities geared especially for younger children or events for the whole family. Activities such as Preschool Playdates, Family Bounce Night and All Ages Bounce — sure to make it an exciting trip for everyone! If you want to beat the heat, stay indoors at The McQueen Park Activity Center (full link in Resources). This facility hosts Wiggle Worms, an open play session that encourages toddlers to climb over, under and through age appropriate hoops, tubes, cars and other props, providing an inexpensive, fitness filled opportunity for you and your little one.
3. Water Activities
The City of Gilbert welcomes residents to enjoy a day in the sun at one of their four aquatic centers (full link in Resources). During the open aquatic season, these facilities are perfect for your toddler, as they include zero depth areas, kiddie slides, play features, tumble buckets and splash pads. At a minimal cost, you and your child can appreciate the facilities in a safe and age-appropriate environment. The SanTan Village (full link in Resources) retail and dining area also provides an area for children to cool off and release some energy at their splash pad, which is covered, to protect your little one from the sun.
4. Story Time
All children love a fun book and the Southeast Regional Library (full link in Resources) offers free story time especially for toddlers several times per week at local branches. Local booksellers also host story time for young children. With multiple locations in Gilbert, you can work around errands and nap time to soak in a good book. The McQueen Park Activity Center would also love to have you and your toddler join them on select Friday mornings for a special story with Bear, followed by a coordinating craft project (full link in Resources).