Part 1: Fun Things for the Kiddos to do in the Bay Area

When you have toddlers, every weekend is consumed with finding ways to keep their thirst for learning quenched. RJB and I have actually become quite adept at "changing it up" every weekend with something new and fun for them to experience. So I figured I'd blog about it and share our faves here, as well as share places we've heard or read about that we hope to check out soon. This is Part 1 (since there are sooooo many places to share, it needs to be broken up into parts - this is why I LOVE Cali!).

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Monterey Bay Aquarium

* GET THE MEMBERSHIP!!! It's $150 for the whole family. Go twice and the membership has paid for itself. Plus you get to partake in special events only offered to members, the aquarium opens earlier and stays open later for members only, and members get to experience sneak peaks at new exhibits.

* It's perfect for toddlers - they can run, explore, and touch. There are many fun activities to keep them busy and engaged, plus several different play areas with slides, things to climb on, tunnels to walk through. There's even a little gated toddler area where they can don water-proof aprons and play with toy fish in the water. This area also has a waterbed-like thinga-ma-jig where they can jump and bounce. Fun - I wish I was a toddler :)

* Jack's favorite exhibit: The Outer Bay

* Nora's fave: The Kelp Forest

* Taylor's fave: The Jellies

While in Monterey, check out the following:

Cannery Row

Rip Squeak and Friends Gallery Monterey

Ghirardelli's Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop

Nestle Toll House Cafe