Reader Participation Week: Hangouts!

I have discovered that the key to a happy day with a toddler is to get out and do something. Each. And. Every. Day. What I probably need to do is make a big, long list of places, so in those moments of craziness I can close my eyes and point to one, and out the door we go. That is, after nursing Hadley, changing everyone’s diapers a couple times, getting the dog to come inside and make sure she’s clean, applying sunscreen, gathering snacks, packing the bag, putting babies in car seats, getting babies to stop crying in their car seats… I digress.

So far our spring stand-bys include:
Kensington MetroPark Farm Center
Maple Beach (also at Kensington)
Central Park Playground
the Library (though hesitant to go there with a newborn who is prone to screaming in inappropriate places)
My parents’ house
Inglenook Park at Lahser and 12 Mile Road (we try to meet up with friends from the East side here)
The mall’s indoor playground

We are severely lacking in rainy day locations. But the good thing about toddlers is that they are easily tricked! Let me explain.

This week we really needed groceries AND it was raining out. Talk about bad luck for a toddler. But somehow I managed to wheel both kids quietly through the aisles of Walmart. So ecstatic was I about this MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT, that I decided to reward Bastien by introducing him to their Fun Center. This is really just a tiny room that other moms probably dread, complete with video games and rides (think Meijer penny horse, but in the shape of Dumbo and Pumba and 49 cents more expensive). While Bastien had no interest in the rides, he could have spent all day driving the arcade car game. I even put money in to play with him, but he was MUCH more interested in watching the demo with the car crash over and over. Such a cheap date. And so, the day was saved!

So what I’m wondering is, do you moms and dads have any tricky hangouts like that? If so, I’d love to add your ideas to my list. Go ahead and comment, if you will.