Munchkins And Music: Alaska Kids

1. Go to story time at the Alaska Zoo every Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. Story time is in a heated green room and lasts about 30 minutes. Every week the zoo staff teaches about a different animal. (Bundle up during the winter because the children will go outside to see the animals.) A family zoo pass costs $75.00 for a 1 year membership.

2. Attend an art class at the Dimond Center Mall. On Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. you can take your toddler to a craft class. The class is located right across from the Dimond Regal Theaters on the third floor in the Dimond Center Mall. There is no need to call ahead so just show up, the class is free!

3. Take Ice Skating lessons on Tuesday and Saturday. Classes are offered to toddlers ages 3 and up at the Ben Boeke Ice Arena. The classes are $100.00 for 2 months of lessons. The lessons include the ice skates and open family skate times. The teachers are really nice and make the children feel comfortable in the skates and on the ice.

4. Go Swimming at H2Oaisis Toddler Swim every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. The cost is $6.00 for children ages 1 and up. Parents get in free.

5. Burn off energy at the Arctic Gym Open Play Time Monday - Friday from 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. for children ages 2-11. The kids can play and exercise on 2 big trampolines, a foam pit, lowered balance beams and bars, and big exercise balls. The cost is $5.00 a child. Parents get in free.

6. The Children's Gallery at the Anchorage Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. and Sunday from noon- 6 P.M. The Children's Gallery offers activities and exhibits for your toddlers to play in and to look at. Admission is $8.00 for adults and free for children.

7. Go to Story Time at the Loussac Library. The Loussac Library offers Mothergoose for children ages 0-18 months and Lapsit for children ages 18 months - 3 years of age. The story tellers read great books and sing fun songs to keep your toddlers entertained.

8. Borders Books and Barnes and Noble offer story times and free store events every month. Check out Boarders Books calender here. Check out Barnes and Noble's calendar here.

9. Attend Pre-School Science Hour at the Anchorage Imaginarium on Mondays at 10 A.M. and 11:30 A.M. During Science Hour toddlers will learn different things about science and then make a craft about what they learned.

11. Visit Kardio Kids at The Alaska Club. Kardio Kids is for children ages 3 - 5 and is on Monday and Wednesday at 10:45 A.M. Kardio Kids is a fitness class that helps your toddlers to exercise and release energy.

12. Visit animals at Petco. Petco has a grooming service with big windows so your toddler can watch the animals being groomed. Petco also has fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles that are fun to watch.

13. Take your toddler to see a music concert. The Anchorage Concert Association offers concerts every month to take your toddlers to. This is a great way to integrate music into your toddlers life.

14. Enroll your toddler in ballet lessons at the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy. The Academy offers a Creative Movement class for children ages 3 and 4 on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

15. Enroll your toddler in dance lessons at the Children's Dance Theatre or the Alaska Dance Theatre. There are ballet classes, creative movement classes, and the Children's Dance Theatre offers a Moms and Me class. Check out their websites for more information.

16. Enroll your toddler in swim lessons. There are multiple swim class locations in Anchorage to enroll your child in. Swim Like a Fish Foundation even offers scholarships for those children who meet low income guidelines.

17. Pet a reindeer, watch a video, and get a treat at Alaska Wild Berry Products. Alaska Wild Berry Products sells chocolates, jams, smoked salmon, sausages, and has a fun theater and park to visit.

18. Play and make crafts at the Spenard Community Recreation Center. The Spenard Community Recreation Center offers toddle time for children ages 0-2 years old and Tons of Fun for Tots for children ages 3-5 years old.

19. Burn off some energy at For the fun of it located at 2840 Commercial Drive. For the fun of it is full of air inflated slides, jumpers, and domes. There are balls to throw around and fun games. For the Fun of it is open 7 days a week and costs $10.00 for 2 hours ages 2 and up. Adults get in free.

20. Visit a specialty toy store such as Classic Toys and Over the Rainbow Toy Store. These stores are open 7 days a week and sell high end specialty toys, wooden toys, and many other toys that most toy stores don't sell. These toys are very durable and fun to play with.

21. Jump, slide, and run around at Bouncin' Bears located in Anchorage, Wasilla, and Palmer. Bouncin' Bears is a lot of fun, but you will need to help younger children (18 months to 2 years old) on a lot of the ladders. Check out their website to get times and prices.

22. Sign your child up for a music, dance, martial arts, or or playgroup class at the Alaska Moving Arts Center. Check out their 2009 schedule for an idea of what your child would be interested in. There are classes for children of all ages including new born babies!

23. Take a day trip to Seward to visit the Alaska Sea Life Center. There are many great things to see and learn there. Seward is about a 3 hour drive from Anchorage, so the kids can nap on in the car.

24. Go to the preschool open gym time at the O'Malley Sports Center located in Anchorage. There is plenty of room to run around and get out some energy! Visit their website for more information about times and prices.

25. Visit a craft store like Michaels and walk around, you will more than likely be inspired for which craft your child would like to do. Also see my music craft post for more craft ideas.

For more winter activity ideas visit Scribbit's great list of Winter Activities for Kids.