stuff for little kids in Bedford and Londonderry? (Manchester, Concord: YMCA, elementary schools)

[maestramommy]

I am wondering whether there are any programs for little kids (under 5yo) in Bedford and Londonderry. Either toddler classes or playgroups or anything? Or would I have to go to Manchester for that?

Also, does either town have a YMCA? Or to most people go to Manchester for that as well?

ETA: Found websites for both towns, and sorta answered my question. Except that Londonderry doesn't seem to have anything for little kids provided by the town. That can't be right, can it?

[miakelly]

Hi! Did you get my message the other day? Here are some things to do:

Bedford:

Their town library is very nice and has a cute kids section with various storytimes throughout the year.

Their town park has a great playground, and they also have a town pool. There are 2 pools, one for older kids and a small, gated kiddie pool with a little waterslide.

Here is the town website:

Town of Bedford

There is also a My Gym in bedford

Gymnastics and birthday parties for children | Mommy and me | My Gym - Children's Fitness Center

There is no YMCA in Bedford. There is one in Manchester (downtown), there is one in Goffstown and then there is Hampshire Hills in Amherst (depending upon where you live in Bedford, one of these should be within a 10 - 15 minute drive). All of these gyms have TONS of kids classes and activities for kids. We have a family membership to the YMCA and can use the one in Manchester and Goffstown. Between the two, there are plenty of swimming, dancing, gymnastics, soccer etc classes. They also have a childwatch service if you want to work out and they have different family fun nights, etc.

The elementary schools in Bedford also have a playground that you can use after school hours & in the summer. I believe there are three schools.

I don't know Londonderry as well as Bedford, but they have the Discovery Stop:

Welcome to The Discovery Stop

Also, close by in Derry is the Children's Metamorphosis museum. Perfect for little kids. We have an annual membership ( I think it was around $100) and you get unlimited visits to the museum and also free membership to hundreds of other places.....TOTALLY worth the money. We can go the the Childrens Museum in Portsmouth free, the SEE Science Center in Manchester, the Planetarium in Concord etc. The SEE & the Planetarium are just OK for the younger kids but worth a stop for an hour or so if you're bored.

Here is the Met website:
The Met - Welcome to Southern NH's Children's MUseum

There is Mack's Apple Orchard in Londonderry which is cute to visit. I haven't been in a while, but they used to have a few animals.

Londonderry has a YMCA but I don't know anything about it.

There is Stonyfield Farms in Londonderry where you can go for a tour to see how yogurt is made....they also sell organic dairy products in their little shop and have a few toys for the kids to play with. It's a cute thing to do on a rainy day.

I can also give you a ton of things to do that is a little further out and in other towns if you want.

Other things in NH that are a must with small kids: Storyland in Glen (we usually stay overnight in North Conway), Santa's Village in Jefferson (again, try to stay overnight), Canobie Lake Park in Salem, Charmingfare Farm in Candia......let me know if you want more info!

[maestramommy]

Miakelly, I"m sorry but I didn't get a message from you. Did you DM me?

This is a great list to start with thanks! We have a family membership with the YMCA out here, so I am really hoping to join one out there. I did manage to find a Music Together class in Bedford and Manchester, so I hope to check that out as well.