Kidzu Children's Museum

What it is: Although Kidzu is called a museum it's really more like an interactive, indoor play area for kids. Located in Chapel Hill on Franklin Street, Kidzu is one room broken into many different activity zones. It is very colorfully decorated with a kitchen, building block zone, ball area, art area, and many, many more types of activities. Kidzu is appropriate for very young kids, with their special fenced in area for the little ones, as well as older children, with activities to make kids think and challenge them.

What we like: It is a great place to play when the weather is bad outside. There is so much to do and explore that it is difficult for the kids to get bored. One of the best parts about Kidzu is that it is free on Sunday afternoons from 1pm-5pm. While it can get a bit more crowded on these days, it is a great opportunity for the kids to come and have fun without having to pay money. Another advantage is that it is located on Franklin St. so that you can combine a trip to the museum with a bite out at one of the many restaurants nearby or just a sweet treat at nearby Locopops or Sugarland.

What we would change: The one negative about Kidzu as a bad weather alternative is the parking situation. The options are to park on the street or to park in one of several parking lots nearby in Chapel Hill. This can lead to a little walking which is uncomfortable if the weather is poor.

Directions and other important information: Kidzu is located in downtown Chapel Hill on Franklin street near the intersection with Columbia St.

Address: 105 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Website: http://www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org

Hours: 10 am-5 pm Tuesday through Saturday, 1-5 Sunday, closed Monday

Admissions: $4 for adults and children over 2, free on Sundays.

Photos:

Piney Wood

Park Amenities: This park has a lot to offer! There are three distinct play structure areas, one for the little guys with smaller slides and climbing areas, one that is very tall with a spiral slide, and one area with climbing nets and other structures for the older kids to climb on. There are also swings for the both the older and younger kids. The park is surrounded by trees so there's some nice shade. There's also benches and picnic tables. One of the big draws of the park is the dog park next to the playground.

What we like: This park is great just because of the variety of things for the kids to do. They can spend hours wandering in the woods, swinging, or playing on one of the play structures. There seem to be more choices than at some other parks. One of the most unique features is the dog park nearby. The kids love watching the dogs walk by to go into the park, heading up to the fence to watch them from there, or even heading into the entrance pen of the dog park where they can watch the dogs in a contained setting where they are still separated from them by a fence. The shade also makes this park nice on a summer day.

What we would change: While the dog park is a benefit in many ways, it can also be a nuisance. If your kids are like mine, they love dogs. Sometimes kids will see one go by when they are happily playing on the playground and try to run over and pet it. Even though all dogs that pass by are on leashes, parents still have to be watchful that their kids don't run off to pet a dog that may not want to be petted. Piney Wood can also be a little tricky to find. The first time I went there I actually got out of the car in the parking lot and couldn't see the playground. It's hidden behind the trees, but definitely worth the extra look to find it!

Directions and Website:

http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/gis_apps/parkapp/park.cfm?selVal=park&ParkNam=Piney+Wood+Park

You can find the park which is located in South Durham near the Woodlake subdivision using the link above. Once you get to the park, turn in the entrance, then turn left. Once you turn left the parking lot for the playground will veer off to the right a little (don't take the dirt road that continues straight.) You'll see some buildings off to the left and some trees on the right. The playground is located behind the trees on the right accessed by a sidewalk that can be found at the far end of the parking lot.

Photos:



1. The play area for small ones



2. The two larger play structures



3. Swings with a view of the wooded surroundings

Bean Traders

What it is: Bean Traders is a coffee shop located in S. Durham near Southpoint mall. It sells coffees, other specialty drinks as well as some pastries and other snacks. This shop includes two different rooms for seating, one with a large, contained kids area in the back.

What we like: The kids area!! This coffee shop is unique because parents can go, have coffee, talk with their friends, or do some work while their kids play happily nearby. The kids area includes a playhouse, picnic table, several kids tables, other interactive play boards, and a few books. It also has several tables where adults can sit and monitor their children inside the contained area. In addition to the kids area, the staff is friendly every time we come in and very accommodating to parents. Starting Monday, February 1st they will also be offering a story time at 10:30 am.

What we would change: Parking out front can be tight. The shop is in a strip center that includes a gym, so parking can be crowded. Although it can be difficult to get parking right in front of the coffee shop, there is always extra parking in the same lot a little further away in the area for Harris Teeter.

Directions and website: Bean Traders is located just off Hwy. 54 in a shopping center called Homestead Market at the intersection with Fayetteville. They have two other locations-one on Ninth Street in Durham and another in Meadowmont Village in Chapel Hill, but we have never been to them. Let us know what they're like if you've been there.

249 W Nc Highway 54
Durham, NC 27713-2491
(919) 484-2499

http://www.beantraderscoffee.com/

Photo:

1. The kids area

Lap Sit Story Time at Durham Main Library

What it is: Stories, fingerplays, music and more for children from infancy to 23 months of age. It is held every Monday at the Durham County Main Library from 10:30 to 11:00 am.

What we like: It is one of the best places in the area that provides a story time appropriate for toddlers. The room where the story time is held is very large with plenty of space.

Each child gets his/her own cushion and stuffed animal. Tom, who typically does the story time each week is very entertaining and good with the kids. He provides musical instruments and encourage the kids to get up and dance during the music portion of the story time.

The library also offers a toddler story time (for ages 2+) from 10:30 to 11:30 am every Wednesday and a Saturday morning story time (up to 1st grade) that incorporates in a craft time.

The library has a wonderful kids area outside of the story room with lots of books, puzzles and wooden activity cubes.

What we don't like: It can get a bit crowded and chaotic especially when there a lot of kids or older siblings there.

How to find it:

Main Library - Durham County Library
300 North Roxboro Street
Durham, NC 27701-3414
(919) 560-0100

Story Room: 1st Floor

Contact: Tom Czaplinski
Contact Number: 919 560-0130


To register click on this link:
http://host4.evanced.info/durhamcounty/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?EventType=ALL&Lib=ALL

Then click on 'Lapsit Story time' on Monday (2 and under) , 'Toddler Story time' on Wednesday (2 and up) or 'Saturday morning Story time' on Saturday .

Pump it Up Playtime

What it is: Pump It Up of Raleigh is an inflatable playground. It is filled with gigantic inflatable bounce houses, slides, jousting arenas and more.

Pop-In Playtime Pre-K (Ages 2 to 6)
Mondays 10:00am - 11:00am & 11:00am - 12:00pm
Fridays 10:00am - 11:00am & 11:00am - 12:00pm

What we like: They have a few bounce houses with basketball hoops and a few slides that are appropriate for toddlers. The slides seem safe and are pretty easy to climb up with your toddler. It also appears to be relatively clean.

What we don't like: Many of the inflatable areas are for older kids and there are many older kids running about. You really have to keep a close on your toddler. I think it is more appropriate for kids aged 4 or 5 and up.

How to find it:

10700 World Trade Blvd.
Suite 112
Raleigh, NC 27617
(919) 828-3344

http://pumpitupparty.com/nc/raleigh/home-p1q44.htm

Photos:

Toddler area with basketball hoops


Giant slide that is not so hard to get up with toddler

North Carolina Museum of Life and Science

What's there:
Welcome to a veritable treasure trove of learning and play. With equal amounts of fun indoors and out, the DMLS is an excellent choice for an outing no matter the weather. Inside you'll find a sound room, an extensive play area for toddlers (with separate quarters for those under two and those from 2-6), a large room stocked with blocks and tables, live animal displays, space, weather, geology, math and health exploration areas and a gift shop. Outside, there are "music" stations, a giant play structure with giant sandbox, a water play area, a caboose, a barnyard with live animals, a dinosaur trail, a wind exhibit, remote-controlled sailboats, and a pretty walking path that takes you by bears, wolves and lemurs. Additionally, there's a separate indoor butterfly garden/insect zoo complete with its own gift shop, in addition to a nice cafe. And did we mention the train? The museum offers programs and special exhibits as well.

What we like:
The museum is huge and has so much to explore that no child will ever complain of being bored. It's spacious, with plenty of open areas so even when it's busy, you don't feel too crowded. There's plenty to interest a wide, wide age range--you can enjoy it with a 6-month-old or a 10-year-old (or, um, a 29-year-old). The animals are very well-kept and always look comfortable. Best of all: if you're a Durham resident, you can visit the museum for free on Wednesdays after 1:00. Once you're hooked, buy the membership for $85.00, and enter free for a year (starting at 9:00 am, by the way, instead of the 10 am allotted to the general public). It's worth it.

What we would change:
At $12.50, the price admission is quite high, we thought, so it'd be hard to cough up that much money unless we could spend the whole day, which most people with napping kids can't. The free Wednesday afternoons get fairly crowded in inclement weather and in the summer when kids are out of school (however, at other times they're surprisingly manageable since the museum is so big and spread out).

How to find it:
http://www.ncmls.org/
The museum is in north Durham, not far from the hospital. Directions are provided on the website.

Photos:
You'll find more photos on their website, but here are a few from our last visit (a dreary day in January)

Inside:















A play stable in the toddler play area. A play kitchen is behind it. The horses are "ride"-able.















An inspiring room in which to build with blocks (or, my favorite, see what everyone else is building--there are usually some pretty structures!)















Indoor live animal displays















A weather exhibit area (fossil exhibits are in the background)

Outside:















"Music" station with play structure in the background















Barnyard area















Dinosaur trail, with Fossil Dig area in the background

Butterfly house:

Locopops

What it is: Locopops is a small unique chain of popsicle shops. These aren't just ordinary popsicles, they are based on Mexican style cream or water-based "paletas" with a variety of unique flavors. There are four different locations in the Triangle area including 1 in Durham.

What we like: We love the unique flavors! There are some regulars such as mexican chocolate (my favorite) and then guest flavors that change. Some of the ingredients that I have seen in their flavors include lavender, tomatoes, hibiscus, lemongrass, chili, pomegranate, etc. (Don't worry, they don't put all of these flavors together!) We also like how kid friendly the locations are. There is not a whole lot of furniture in the shops so you don't feel bad when your kids are running around and moving in between popsicle bites. Another benefit are the puppy popsicles in flavors like chicken. Great for a dog after a hot walk while their owners get some popsicles for people. I know they took them off the menu for a while, but I hope they're back on. Maybe someone could comment if they know for sure.

What we would change: We love this place, so there's not much we would change. They don't offer much to drink if anything, and after one of their cream popsicles I usually crave a big glass of water, so that would probably be the one thing that I would add.

How to find it:

Head to www.locopops.org for the addresses of their 4 locations.

Rockwood Park

Park Amenities: This park is well-shaded with huge trees surrounding all of the play equipment. It has two play structures, one large and one small for the younger kids. There are also swings as well as some rocking toys. The park also has a basketball court and trail surrounding it. There are lots of benches along the path next to the playground where parents can sit.

What we like: We love the trail around the park. It's a feature that makes it unique from the other parks in the area. Kids can bring their bikes, tricycles, scooters, or anything else that rolls and scoot around and around on the path. We also really like the surroundings of the park. It's set back off any roads and surrounded by trees so toddlers are nicely contained with some grass to run around in. Another great benefit of this park is it's proximity to some great local restaurants. It's right around the corner from Q-Shack and Local Yogurt so you can easily stop by to get a bite to eat after your trip to the park.

What we don't like: The larger play structure is a bit dangerous for the little ones. There are few railings on the pathways so adults need to be up there with them. Also, since it is so far set back from the road, it would probably be better to go with friends on off hours. However, I have been there by myself before and felt completely safe.

Directions and Website:

http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/gis_apps/parkapp/park.cfm?selval=park&parknam=ROCKWOOD%20PARK

Photos:

Play Nation

What it is: A large indoor play space with large wooden swing sets featuring tube slides, wave slides, tire swings, tree houses, punching bags, rock walls and much more. They have a large moon bounce and inflatable slide. Breckenridge Village features two wooden playhouses with kitchen sets, market place and play food and a Step 2 Playhouse all appropriate for the little ones.

The cost is $6.99 per child (Ages 3-13) and $4.99 per child (Ages 2 and under). There is no cost for parents. They are working on a punch card or year long membership.

What we like: This place is perfect for toddlers! All of the play equipment is appropriate for toddlers and extremely safe. The floor is made up of foam mats. It is very clean. They have a great designated snack area at the front with small wooden picnic benches. Also, unlike many other large indoor play areas it is not over run by older kids.

How to find it:

300 Dominion Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 459-1945

Located in Commonwealth Business Park. Minutes from I-40 and RDU.

From I-40. Take exit 285 and head towards Morrisville. Take the very first right after Crabtree Lake (into Commonwealth Business Park).

Take another right at 300 Dominion Drive and follow around to the front of the second row of buildings.
Suite 425.

http://www.playnationparties.com/

Photos

Toddler Time at Campus Hills

What it is: Toddler Time at Campus Hills is a great opportunity to let the little ones expend some of their energy during the winter months. Campus Hills, a rec center, opens its gym for toddlers between 10:15 and 11:30 a.m every Monday and Wednesday.

What we like: Lots of play equipment like mats, parachutes, scooters, tunnels and balls. You can also bring in other ride-on toys, bikes, etc.

It's a very safe and large space. So unlike an outdoor playground you can sit and chat with other moms while the little ones run around.

The cost is $3.00 per child (adults are free) if you live in Durham. You can also buy a Play More card (cost is $20) that gives you a discount off of Toddler time and some of the other classes Campus Hills offers for toddlers (i.e. dance and swim classes). With the Play More card you can buy a pack of 10 'Toddler Time' visits for $18, 25 visits for $43 or 50 visits for $80. This makes it really affordable.

How to find it:

Campus Hills Rec Center
2000 S Alston Ave
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-4444

Photos:

Barnes and Noble Storytime

What it is: This story time takes place in the childrens' book area of Barnes and Noble at Southpoint Mall. Children and parents gather around a small stage area and sit on small benches. This story time includes the reading of a story and a small craft at the end of the reading. When we were there it was a coloring activity.

What we liked: I liked how this story time did not feel as crowded as some do. There were quite a few kids there, but it felt a little more laid back and less hectic. Also, the leader of story time did not mind when my son got off his bench and began climbing around the stage as some toddlers like to do. I liked the craft at the end of the time. It was simple, but the kids enjoyed coloring the page, and it was a good craft for a variety of ages. Kids could participate as they were willing and able. In addition, there's a train set off to one side of the stage so if your child is not interested in the story, they can head over to the trains.

What we would change: There is truly not much I can think of that I would change. The reader of the story did not do much discussion of the story or ask the kids many questions about it before or after reading. Perhaps that would have gotten some the kids more interested, but keeping toddlers interested is a tricky job, and she did do a great job keeping the actual reading of the story entertaining.

How to find it: This story time takes place on Friday mornings at 10:30. It is located at the Barnes and Noble at Southpoint Mall in their upstairs childrens' book section. The bookstore is in the outdoor section of the mall, and the elevators are located in the back, left corner of the store.

Photos:

1. the entrance to the childrens' book area with the stage for story time in the back.

Southpoint Mall: Beyond the play area

What's there:
We love Southpoint Mall's play area (see previous post). But there's so much more to the mall we just had to share. We found that these "hidden treasures" worked best if you don't plan to stay at any of them for long, but simply wander from one to the next, at your child's own pace. Here's a rundown:

- The fountains. There are at least 3 along the outdoor pedestrian walkways, and all are kid-friendly, at least for viewing (playing in the fountains is discouraged, although we've seen people get away with it). Not only are they fun to watch, they're great for backache-free walking lessons as the edges are the right height for a pre-toddler to stand on and walk around while holding mommy's hands.

-The rocks outside Anthropologie. Located in the outdoor area, this store can be recognized by its rocky landscaping. Perfect for young toddlers in the "grabby" stage, although you'll want to watch younger kids because each one of these smooth, round treasures is a choking hazard. You might not believe us, but our toddlers were engrossed for a good 20 minutes here. Don't try this on a busy day, though--the store gets a good amount of traffic. Most were enchanted with our adorable kids, but we still didn't want them underfoot.

-The raised sculpture areas inside the mall. Kids can explore statues and wander around these structures found in the middle of the mall and near Sears. Also good for beginning walkers.

-The mall's upstairs. If you didn't bring a stroller, the escalator could be exciting enough (be prepared to do laps on them). The food court also provided some fun. Clear in the back, almost as far as you can go, are some munchkin-sized tables and chairs. You actually can't see them until you're almost next to them because they hide behind their adult counterparts. There's also a long padded booth to sit on. Bring some crayons and the kids can color in a new place, use the area for snacktime, or simply explore and push the chairs around. Nearby the food court, there's a hallway that crosses in front of a large window overlooking the pedestrian street. This is a great place to let toddlers run around, as it's a fun, open environment that doesn't get a lot of traffic.

-Barnes and Noble. There's a nice train table, and storytime in the kids book section. Not to mention the lovely array of titles to try out.

-The Apple store. Buttons to push, screens, fun chairs to sit on. You'll want to keep this short, though, as the machines are rather expensive to replace.

-Pottery Barn Kids. Toys and a storytime attract moms here. Kids are supposedly welcome to play with the toys, although it's still a store so you'll want to supervise closely. We thought close supervision to be more stressful than it's worth, but this could work for some kids.

-Landscaping. It's all over the outskirts of the mall, and is worth exploring for young toddlers.

-Live entertainment. On the weekends, look for Balloon Animal Guy (in the middle of the mall) and various musicians and magicians outside. Bring some spare change so your kids can drop some in their cups and support the arts.

-Looking for quiet places to nurse? Try Nordstrom's restrooms (couches!) or the far back of the food court upstairs.

Why we like it:
The mall's hidden treasures can be found both indoors and out, so you can take advantage of the mall's offerings in any kind of weather. They're varied, and great for inspiring kids' imaginations with a variety of materials.

Our suggestions:
Depending on your child's age and interests, you may have to really closely supervise to make sure everyone and everything remains safe. Since most of these activities aren't designed for kids, we'd recommend you exercise really good judgment before using them.

Your comments needed:
Find another "hidden treasure" at the mall? We'd love to hear, leave us a comment!

Southpoint Mall Play Area

What it is: This is a great spot to take little ones to play when you can't go outside. It is an enclosed area with lots of slides and structures for the kids to climb on and explore. There's also fun activities on the wall for them to spin and twirl and investigate. There are benches surrounding the play area on the inside where moms and dads can sit and watch while the kids play.

What we liked: We love the fact that this is an indoor place for the kids to play. We also like the benches around the outside for the adults. It's also right next to Panera so it's great to stop by and get some coffee or breakfast before you head over to play.

What we would change: One of the major things that we would change about this play area is the entrance and exit. They don't have a gate, so kids are frequently escaping and heading towards the escalators. In addition, although it's geared toward younger kids, sometimes there are kids in the area that are too old for it. They can run around and make it dangerous for the little ones. One negative of this play area is that it can be crowded during mall hours. However, if you go around 8 or 9 am before the mall stores open, it's great! There's almost no one there, but the play area is open and so is Panera! It's the best of all worlds.

How to find it: Head to Southpoint Mall. Directions are on their website (http://www.streetsatsouthpoint.com/about). Once you get to the mall, park outside of Panera. Just head in the entrance next to Panera and walk straight ahead to the play area.

Photos:

1. View of the play structures inside the play area














2. The ungated exit of the area














3. An outside view of the area

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Science

What it is: The museum is a great collection of exhibits on nature and the world around us. They have exhibits on everything including dinosaurs, butterflies, bugs, other live animals, and North Carolina wildlife. They have hands-on discovery rooms as well as a story time where children can learn about animals and even touch a few. It is four floors with a cafe on the top floor and lots to explore everywhere. I have to say that I can't wait to go back because I didn't get a chance to see much of it on my first visit.

What we liked: The exhibits seemed geared for children of all ages. The area was easy for my toddler to walk around on his own and get a look at the exhibits himself. There was also so much to see, so we definitely wore out before we saw all that was there to see. One of the best parts is that it's free!! They request a donation when you visit but don't pressure you about it when you come in like some museums do.

What we would change: It is a bit of a drive from Durham, so it takes a while to get there and back. Their story time was interesting, but I think it was geared toward kids that were a little bit older than 2. Many of the children in the room had difficulty staying focused and in their seat during the story reading which was a bit long. I loved how my son got to touch the animals, but he didn't get anything out of the first part and it was a bit lengthy.

How to find it: Directions and more information can be found on their website-

www.naturalsciences.org

Parking is not very clear on their website, but there is a pay parking lot for the museum just across the street from it on Jones St. So, just continue down Jones St. past the museum and you'll find it.

Photo:

Kid Friendly Restaurants with Kids' Nights

Monday
*McAlister's Deli-5218 New Hope Commons Dr, Kids eat free after 4pm. (one kids meal per paying adult)

*Armadillo Grill-Duke University in the Bryan Center, Kids eat for half price off the kids menu.
*Cinelli's Pizza-607 Broad St., Kids eat free off the kids' menu. (2 kids free with each adult entree)

Tuesday
*Chick-Fil-A - Kids eat for free with 1 paying adult
*Tomato Jakes – 5:30-7:30pm. - $1.50 cheese slice, $2.00 Pepperoni slice. Balloon entertainer
*Bakehouse Bistro – 6905-104 Fayetteville Rd. (Renaissance Center at Southpoint) Kids eat free
*Champps – Streets at Southpoint – Kids 12 and under eat free after 4pm
*Golden Corral - 4055 Chapel Hill Blvd. – Tuesdays – Kids under 12 eat for $0.99 – under 3 are free all the time
*Moe’s Restaurant – 6807-122 Fayetteville Rd. – Renaissance Center at Southpoint. Kids under 12 eat free with purchase of adult meal.
*Lonestar Steakhouse-5307 New Hope Commons Extension-Kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.


Wednesday
*Doc Greens – Kid’s eat free – 1 per paying adult
*Earth Fare-10341 Moncrieff Rd.- Kids 12 and under eat free from 4-8pm with the purchase of one adult meal.


Thursday
*Bear Rock Café – University Mall – Chapel Hill. Kids 12 and under Eat free after 4pm

Sunday
*Nantucket Grill - 5826 Fayetteville Rd (Sutton Station) and 5925 Farrington Rd. (at I-40 and NC 54) Kids under 10 eat free from the kids menu
*Dickey's BBQ Pit-5318 New Hope Commons Dr, Kids 12 and under eat free from the kids menu with the purchase of an adult meal. And ice cream is always free after a meal.
*Jersey Mikes-Two kids eat free with the purchase of a regular sandwich.
*Souper Salad-202 W. NC Nighway 54, Suite 107, Kids ages 3 and under eat free everyday.  Kids 4-10 eat for $2.49 Sunday all day.

Monday-Thursday
*Torero's Mexican Restaurant-Kids Eat Free (one child per adult) This offer is at the 15-501 location.


Anytime
*O’Charleys – Kids eat free all day, everyday – 2 kids per paying adult
*Golden Corral – Kids 3 and under eat free all the time


Source: Durham Mother's Club, www.durham.macaronikid.com, specific restaurant information

Chick-Fil-A

What's there:
We visited the Chick-Fil-A by the Southpoint-area Target. Inside, you'll find nice high chairs (with tray liners!!!), comfortable tables and, most importantly, a play area. The space includes a padded bench for parents (also, it's set up with a window to several booths, so parents can theoretically monitor the space from there), a few wall toys and a climbing area that leads through a tunnel to a giant slide. Near the entrance to the top of the slide there's a car kids can sit in and overlook the play area. We've confirmed that the play area is designed for parents to play with their kids, so the weight limit is generous.

What we like:
Seriously, the restaurant is so clean I would almost let my child eat off the floor. Almost. Staff is friendly and helpful, and there's a nice variety of healthy (and unhealthy!) food for snacks or meals, including fruit and soft serve ice-cream. The wall games are entertaining for a variety of ages, and the slide is pretty cool. It's well-padded, so parents of new walkers need not worry. What's more, there's a fair amount of floor space, which gives it an open feel. Finally, I believe there's Wi-Fi. During off-peak hours, the restaurant and play area aren't too busy, especially since most groups cycle through fairly quickly.

What we found challenging:
Chick-Fil-A is best for a short playdate--probably an hour tops, including eating--so don't expect your child to be entertained all afternoon. Also, the play area can be a bit challenging for kids who want to climb, but aren't good at it yet. Even good climbers who are still pretty little could be intimidated by the slide, so if any of this describes your child, wear comfy clothing and plan to navigate the oversized stairs, tunnel and slide with your little one.

Website (includes a link to directions):
http://www.chick-fil-a.com/localsite.aspx?id=02138

The Durham Mothers' Club

What it is: The Durham Mothers' Club is one of the most valuable resources for a mom in Durham. Once you become a member of the club you access to their playgroups, playdates and social outings, and e-mails and archives. Once you join the group, they can place you in a playgroup with other kids your child's age that live in approximately the same area. They also plan activities for the whole group such as last week's trip to Planet Child. You can also access all of the e-mails that are sent out to the group and their archives of e-mails filled with advice and resources.

What we like: Since the Durham Mothers' Club has so many parts, there are lots of benefits. One of the most valuable parts for me is the access to the e-mails. People can e-mail with questions, advice, and items for sale. Many of these e-mails are very helpful. In addition, they also put out a preschool directory each year that confused parents can use to sort out the chaotic world of Durham preschools. To top it all off, even though the group is so large, they can place you in a playgroup of about 5-10 other kids so that you can really get to know some other moms in the area.

What we would change: If you do choose to receive e-mails from the list-serv, sometimes it can be a hassle to sort through a bunch of e-mails that do not interest you. In addition, since the group is so large, it is hard to feel connected to the group as a whole. This is compensated for, however, by the bonds that can be formed in your own small playgroup.

How to find it: To find out more about the Durham Mother's Club and join, simply go to their website:

http://www.durham-mothers-club.org/