Three Fabulous Preschool Activities
Written by: Meghan Cooley
The Quad Cities hosts three must-do fantastic preschool activities open to visitors and Quad Citizens: Tykes on the Turf at The River's Edge in Davenport, Teaching Kitchen at the Family Museum in Bettendorf, and KinderNature at the Botanical Center in Rock Island. What I love most about these is that visiting kids can easily register for one session, while Quad Citizens can participant multiple times. If you have someone visiting or live in the area with preschool children - these are especially great for the winter months.
KinderNature at the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island
Mr. Greg is fantastic with the children and we always learn something new. (Did you know bears don't hibernate? They are really just Winter sleepers!) They start with a story, followed by discussion about the topic, a craft or two, and a snack. There's often a fun activity such as getting nets to catch and tag monarch butterflies.
KinderNature is usually offered monthly on the second Tuesday from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
For ages 3-5 years. Kids attend with an adult.
Cost: $8 for first adult and child, $4 for each additional child. It's best to pre-register online.
Teaching Kitchen at the Family Museum in Bettendorf
This is a drop-in class which means you can check the sign-in sheet when you arrive at the museum and hold your place in the class but you don't have to pre-register. The recipes are just right for little ones. Chef Becky and her helpers offer just-right-sized bowls and mixing utensils. The language and teaching is perfect for kids. After making the recipe in the Family Museum kitchen and at your table, you get to taste it!
My favorite thing about Teaching Kitchen is that they make single size recipes so we can then go home and easily make them again. We have purchased ingredients and made more than one of the recipes afterwards. The ingredients are simple and ordinary. The instructions are not complicated. My 3-year-old can pretty much make it on his own!
Teaching Kitchen is offered most Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - noon. Check the Family Museum calendar for classes.
For all ages. Kids attend with an adult.
Cost: free with museum admission.
Chef Becky and Chef Valerie are discussing the safety rules before we begin cooking.
Tykes on the Turf at The River's Edge in Davenport
The Davenport Parks and Recreation indoor facility opens up the turf arena for tons of fun. Hula hoops, soccer balls, cones, building blocks, footballs, baseball mitts, parachutes and more offer a wide variety of active adventures for toddlers and preschoolers. So basically, it's indoor recess on a soft, forgiving turf.
Our 3-year-old and I had a blast running around, chasing each other, laying, waving the parachute, playing catch, and just letting some energy lose! There were other grown-ups and kids to play (and talk) with. You can bring your own snacks and drinks.
Tykes on the Turf is offered most of the Winter months on Mondays from 10 a.m. - noon. Check the facebook event to verify it's happening.
For ages 6 months and up. Kids must attend with an adult.
Cost: $5/kid (parents and kids under 2 are free), punch cards available.
