What to do on a Saturday Morning?

Oh, of course, you could sleep in but is that really going to happen? 

If not, the best antidote to the Saturday-morning-wanna-sleep-in blues is a great plan to keep yourselves and the little ones busy.  Below are some ideas, some have been mentioned in other posts, others are new to this post.  Try one, try them all....enjoy.

Playgroups:

There aren't that many Saturday morning playgroups but these are worth checking out:

The Hilson Avenue Java Jumpers - what a fitting name, I love it.  Led by the ever energetic Jenn Whiten this group meets every Saturday morning from 10 till 1 at Hilson Avenue Public School.  You guessed it, coffee is served, and this weekend they have the added bonus of hosting a performance of Hey Buster!, the local Dads turned cool kids band!  Registration is through Dovercourt at http://www.dovercourt.org/.

Mothercraft playgroup - a quieter version of what is often a very busy weekday playgroup, it also features more Dads than usual, providing a sometimes welcome change to the "mom" buzz and a chance for the neighbourhood Dads (and moms too of course) to get together.  It runs from 9 to 11 every Saturday except on long weekends and except on the last Saturday of every month.  It's located on the second floor of the Mothercraft building at 475 Evered Avenue.(2 streets east of Churchill and just south of Byron).  For more information and to check dates, visit http://www.mothercraft.com/. 

The Library

Family storytime at Carlingwood Library - Saturday mornings from 10:30 - 11:10 am - we went to this regularly for years; it's pleasant, it's low-key, it's free and who knows you might get to sign out some books for yourself while you're there.  Regardless you're guaranteed to find new kids titles, meet some other parents and perhaps start a post-library coffee tradition at Carlingwood Mall.  Check http://www.biblioottawalibrary.ca/ for more details and to confirm dates.  No registration required.

Swimming

Another typical Saturday morning "dad" activity - parent and tot swim lessons at Dovercourt http://www.dovercourt.org/

Drumming

Drumming?  Yes, drumming.  And not just any drumming, it's drumming with "Baobab Buds" at Baobab Tree on Piccadilly.  This is a new group for parents and tots that is running for 4 weeks starting on January 29th (that's this Saturday).  The cost is $60 for the 4 sessions.

The class is described as "A hands-on class for parents and children aged 12-24 months, exploring sounds, rhythms and movement through the lens of Ghanaian drumming dancing and singing.  It's  Taught by Baobab instructor Julia Walmsley."  If you're not familiar with Baobab Tree check them out at http://www.baobabtree.org/ - they're a terrific organization that successfully blends music and international awareness for all ages.

Theatre

The Ottawa School of Speech & Drama has classes ranging from pre-school drama through to musical theatre for 8-10 yr olds, all on Saturday mornings.  While parents are welcome to stay for the preschool class it is not required.  Check out the OSSD offerings at http://www.ossd.com/

Infant Massage

Mothercraft is offering a 3 week infant massage course starting on Saturday, February 5th.  Registration is required so please contact Mothercraft at 613 728-1839 to inquire as to space. 

Cherish the Child also offers infant massage as well as Sing, Rhyme and Sign classes at the Milkface location on Churchill Avenue.  Their offerings include a Dad Zone-ly version of the class to give Dads equal time with baby.  Check their website for more info at http://www.cherishthechild.ca/CherishTheChild/Infant_Massage_Class.html

Dovercourt Cooperative Playgroup at McKellar Park

This popular volunteer-run playgroup is back at the NEW Mckellar Park fieldhouse this year (at Wavell near Byron).  It's for anyone with children who wants a little playtime, crafts, stories, songs and fun (as well as meeting with other parents, of course!). 

There are two sessions:

• Monday and Friday mornings from 9:30-11:30 and
• Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:15-3:15

The cost is $45 per family per session or $80 per session.  The sessions run from September to January and February to June.  Registration begins on Friday September 10th at the Fieldhouse from 10:00-11:30.  The group is run by volunteers so please let them know if you can help out.  For more information please contact Amanda at amullen@rogers.com.

There is a really nice playground outside, with shade!, as well as tennis courts, a large field and a wading pool in the summer.

For a complete list of neighbourhood playgroups see http://kitchissippibabies.blogspot.com/2010/03/kitchissippibabies.html

Playgroups

Chapel Cafe and Drop-in Playgroup - on Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30, the All Saints Anglican Church, located at 347 Richmond Road (between Churchill and Roosevelt) hosts a weekly free playgroup for infants and toddlers aged 0 – 4 and their caregivers (of course!). Although the church website refers to registration, it's not required and you're better off just dropping by.  It's a friendly and welcoming group and everyone is welcome.  The morning starts off with coffee, tea and juice in the cosy Chapel (the door at the front left of the church) and with the arrival of older children makes it's way up to the spacious gym where there are ride-on toys, mats and lots of space to run around..  Jennifer is in charge and she'll answer any questions you might have.  She can also put you on an e-mail list of kids events in the neighbourhood that she circulates on a regular basis.  For more information see http://www.allsaintswestboro.com/Education.html

Childrens Village of Ottawa Carleton hosts a drop in playgroup for parents and caregivers from Monday through Friday from 9:00-11:15. Healthy snacks are provided and there is also a resource centre available and staff able to answer parenting questions. There is a snall fee for public participants (eg. who are not Childrens Village caregivers). They are located at 333 Churchill Avenue north (between Richmond Rd. and Scott St.). For more information contact 613-725-2040 Ext: 160 or visit http://www.childrensvillage.on.ca/.

Dovercourt Co-operative Playgroup - this used to be held in the McKellar Park fieldhouse but the fieldhouse is being reconstructed and the playgroup has relocated to the Dulude Arena at 941 Clyde Avenue (just south of the Queensway) for 2009-10. The playgroup meets on Monday & Friday mornings from 9:15 - 11:15am, from September to June and costs $35 per family for the season. To register drop by the playgroup or for more information contact Amanda Mullen (amullen@rogers.com).

Fisher Park Playgroup in Room 16 of Fisher Park High School at 250 Holland Avenue is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-11:30. Call the Fisher Park Community Centre at (613) 798-8945 for fee information or to register for a session. Drop in for $7.50 / day.

Hilson Avenue Java Jumpers - meet at the Hilson Avenue Public School at 407 Hilson Avenue between 10 am and 1 pm on Saturday mornings from October through March.  Registration is through Dovercourt Recreation Association at http://www.dovercourt.org/ and the fee is $50 per family for the season.

Hintonburg Tots N' Friends Playgroup - meets at the Hintonburg Community Centre at 1064 Wellington on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 to 11:15. There is a fee and the sessions do fill up.  For more information call 613-798-8874.

Laroche Park Playgroup is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 – 11:00 in the Laroche Park Fieldhouse at 7 Stonehurst Avenue (near Parkdale and Bayview). Drop in free of charge.

The Ontario Early Years Centre for Central Ottawa is located at Canadian Mothercraft at 475 Evered Avenue (two streets east of Churchill and between Byron and Carling). It hosts a playgroup for french speaking families (or those simply wishing to speak french!) on Tuesday mornings an english playgroup on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings (9:15-11:15 except for Saturday which runs from 9:00 to 11:00). There are also english playgroups on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30. The Toy Lending Library is open following each playgroup. The schedule occasionally changes so check the calendar online to be sure: http://www.mothercraft.com/prenatal_parent/OEYCContacts.php.  The last time I visited this playgroup was 6 years ago (clearly baby and I need to do some research!) and at times it was very busy - if you go, go early.  Mothercraft also hosts a daycare centre, many parenting courses and other resources.

The Salvation Army Bethany Hope Centre hosts a playgroup for young parents (under 25) in its playroom at 1140 Wellington St. West every weekday morning from 10:00-12:00 and afternoons from 1:30-3:30. Contact the Centre at (613) 725-1733 for details.   The Centre also accepts donations