International Day of Play
If you need a suggestion for celebrating International Day of Play (September 27 or October 1 – I’m not quite sure), look at the following websites for inspiration:
Stepping Stones Museum has a schedule of activities (and it’s FREE tomorrow).
KaBoom! is a listing of local playgrounds and play spaces. Be sure to log in and add any that aren’t listed yet.
Nick Let’s Just Play World Wide Day of Play
Suzy Said Blog has listings and information in and around the Fairfield area, but does cover all of Fairfield county.
Suzy Said Blog has other listings and information for in and around the Wilton/Weston/Westport area, but, again, covers Fairfield county as well.
YouTube – for little ones
If you’re familiar with YouTube, you know that there are videos on there that aren’t appropriate for children. The answer to that is TotLOL.com. It is a filter for YouTube videos. The videos are all moderated and rated by registered users (parents).
Safety Website
Well, Sally posted on my last post & she has a great site for baby gear safety.
Go check it out
*N.B. It’s a blog that links to an online baby product store, so occasionally the posts are slanted to sell more of a certain product. Like everything else in life, use your head and take the source of the information into account.*
ParentChild411
ParentChild411 is a directory for parent and child services throughout Connecticut. There is a great search engine located at each tab.
Local Museums
I was trying to figure out what to do with my daughter today and realized that there is so much to do in this area that I haven’t a clue where to start!
U.S. Military Museum
Danbury Rail Museum
Danbury Historical Society and Museum
Links to other local historical societies
This is just the beginning, I’m sure!
Car Seats
If you have a child under 60lbs or under 6yrs or both, it will behoove you to read the information on the following websites:
CT Department of Transportation – Child Safety Seats — This website spells out the laws regarding child safety seats. It also has a list of other resources with information about child safety seats.
National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration — This site will enable you to locate a car seat inspection station near you. It’s a free service and will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your child’s car seat is installed properly.
CT Safe Kids — This site has general information about keeping your children safe (bicycle, car, skateboard, rollerblade, etc).
Department of Children and Families
DCF has put out a new website just for parents, grandparents, foster parents, and other caregivers. It’s called CT Parenting.
Exercise
I was asked at one of Family Network’s Mom2Mom groups if I knew of any exercise programs around that are “child-friendly.”
My response was that I thought Stroller Strides might have been what they were thinking about.
I have wanted to take a class and try it out for ages, but have simply been too lazy. One of these days I’ll go try it out. If you get there before I do, drop me a line or a comment and tell me/us of your experience! I’m sure we’d like to know what you think (I know I would).
Internet Safety
Here are a few links that address internet safety for families, children, and teens:
Google’s “Tips for Online Safety”
Google’s “Family Safety Guide”
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – Internet Safety
NetSmartz Kids – teaches children what to watch out for in a fun and interactive way
Don’t Believe the Type – Cyber Tip Line
U.S. Department of Justice’s Project “Safe Childhood” web site
Ad Council (the people who make the public service announcements on TV, in newspapers, magazines, and on the radio)
Wired Safety – Information for Parents about Internet and cell phone safety
Federal Bureau of Investigation – A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety
Department of Children and Families
Department of Children and Families’ website
This is a link to the resources and information available at DCF.
