Hamilton, Ontario is a great place to raise a toddler. There are innumerable activities and events geared towards the under four crowd and there is no need to spend a lot of money, most activities are either free or close to it. Whether it is a warm, sunny, July afternoon or a cold, damp, February morning there is always something to do with your little one in Hamilton.
1. Parks
Hamilton has some of the best children and family parks in the country. Almost all have some type of wading pool or splash pads, and baby swings. The larger ones have washrooms and changing areas.
Check out Gage Park for a nice afternoon of exploring the paths, smelling the flowers in the garden, climbing on the playground and splashing in the fun splash pad. Even in winter, this large park is a fun destination for building snowman, collecting pinecones or catching snowflakes on your tongue.
Pier 4 park is also a great place to take your toddler. The tugboat playground is angled to the waterfront so the kids get the feeling of being in a real boat. There is also tons of green space, a terrific waterfront trail and a small beach. A fun park to spend an afternoon or a day.
There are also a host of small parks along the Waterfront Trail at Hamilton's beach. Kinsmen Park is especially nice with its wading pool. Your toddler will enjoy going from park to beach to pool. A great way to indulge the short attention span.
For more info on Hamilton's city parks, check out the Hamilton Park Website.
2. Libraries
It is never too early to introduce your child to the joys of reading. Hamilton's public libraries have a number of geared towards toddler programs available at different locations throughout the city. They have Family Story Time for 2-5 years; Toddler Story Time for 2-3 years and Preschool Story Time for 3-5 years. The kids love this; it is not just stories but songs, finger plays, and puppets. They last about 30 minutes. Check the Hamilton Public Library Website for schedules and locations.
To make a morning or afternoon adventure out of it, take Hamilton Public Transit there. Your little one will love riding the bus especially if you point out sites of interest along the way.
3. Ontario Early Years Centres (OEYC)
Check their website for a location near you and you will be glad you did. These drop-in centres for babies to preschool children are a lifesaver for stay at home parents. They offer gym activities, play activities and crafts for the kids as well as a supportive community for the parents. They even offer daily lunches for both the kids and parents. All this is free. It is a great place to go spend a few hours on a rainy or snowy day. Especially good is the daily open gym to burn off that toddler energy.
Occupying a small corner of Gage Park, this seemingly humble building is a fun place for your toddler. They have many interactive exhibits, games, stories and lots of play areas. Your little one gets to have a great time and learn as well. Who knows, you may even learn something yourself. Admission for two costs less than a Happy Meal ($3 for toddler, $1 for an adult) and the time you spend together is priceless. Check out the Museum's website for operating hours and exhibit information.
5. Indoor Playgrounds
Hamilton has a couple of wonderful indoor playgrounds for those cold or rainy days. There is Chatters with its great big slides, ball room and toddler area and Zoom Zoom's in Ancaster, which is a little bit smaller, but still a nice size. Both facilities are clean, well staffed and offer a snack bar. Make note though, that although these are enclosed facilities you are responsible for supervising your toddler and keeping him safe.
This list of things to do with your toddler in Hamilton is by no means exhaustive. Check out local Mom boards for recommendations, or your local YWCA and Boys and Girls Clubs for their programs. Do not forget about family swims at local pools, local petting zoos and seasonal activities such as pumpkin patch visits and holiday parades. Very few cities have paid as much attention to their youngest citizens as Hamilton has, make sure you take full advantage of all this city has to offer to them.
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