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​10 Things To Do In Culver City With A Baby

With a baby due in October and a spirited toddler running around, there’s no shortage of strangers warning me: “You’re going to have your hands full.” Or my other favorite, “Two kids in diapers, good luck!” No one said it was going to be easy--except for that one mom of three I met who was suspiciously well rested.

10 Things To Do With A Baby In Culver City

With all the unsolicited comments, I received one valuable piece of advice from another mom in my situation fast forward 10 months (read: both children are on the outside). She said, “Go somewhere everyday.” Something that your delirious new-parent self vaguely doesn’t know or blocks out is that x-factor of needs—structure! Yes, sleeplessness is tough, wrangling and/or meeting the needs of little ones: seemingly impossible. But she was right. 

Being with a tiny person makes it tough to get out. And you run the risk of feeling bored, or worse yet, isolated on top of all those other challenges.

So… what can you do out with a baby? Some moms only see the light of day when they’ve crawled out of the cave of diaper changes and nursing. While other moms seem to effortlessly run around town with their newbies in tow hopping from baby classes to play dates like it’s going out of style. I’ve always envied moms who could muster that sort of energy and creativity for their days. I, however, have always been more the disheveled, wondering how I can get us to Starbucks type. And if you’re like me, a healthy balance of activities and downtime is key. Here are some ideas on what to do with newborns to tiny tots in and around Culver City…

1) Go For A Walk (All Ages)

Ok. This one is obvious—except to us lazier, more delirious moms. The fresh air is good for both you and baby. And even though it’s exhausting, it can help calm the inexplicable crying. I’m referring to both of you.

Don’t worry about going for distance, just a low-key stroll anywhere. Strap on the Bjorn, throw in the baby, open the door and go. If you’re lucky enough to live in a walking neighborhood, take the opportunity to go somewhere, anywhere where there are people with which to interact… Jackson MarketIMCLa Dijionaise, anywhere. Or if you can manage a drive, go to Kenneth Hahn and walk around the lake or the upper deck with a view of the city. Feeling more ambitious than that? You can hike up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overview—it’s a little steep, but not terribly far, even if you park near the base. If you don’t have a stroller that can handle the bumpy trail up, you can always take the road less travelled. I mean it is literally a road, and it is not as busy. Some babies rest better on a bumpy ride, so just know those stroller wheels might get a little jostling in the process if you choose the trail route.

2) Yoga (6 weeks and up)

This doesn’t have to be full-on touch your toes, happy mama pose yoga. Culver City’s Zooga Yoga (on Overland and Braddock) offers a number of classes geared for you and/or baby. If you’re looking for an actual yoga class, there are “Happy Baby” classes that let you bring your little one along to your yoga practice. But there are also classes for baby ranging from “Baila Baila” for music and dance to “Sign & Play” to kick back and learn some baby sign language. While their one time class prices are not super cheap, they have great package deals!

3) Stroller Fitness (All baby ages)

For the athletic mom, or any mom needing to get moving again, this is a great outlet to be outside, meet other moms, and get a workout in. For Baby Bootcamp, there are classes both in Culver City and nearby Play Vista. And Stroller Strides also has a Culver City location as well as Marina Del Rey & Playa Vista locations-- lots to choose from!

4) A Magic Forest (Crawlers and up)

In theory, you could bring your new baby to A Magic Forest, but this is a better spot for babies who can play… and even better if they are mobile. It’s truly meant as an indoor playground for infants to toddlers. Fully baby proofed and clean with all wood and cloth Waldorf-style things to play with. And if you come at the right time, it’s nice and quiet. This place is a godsend on a hot day. And another bonus, they have free wi-fi if you need to catch up on your emails on the sidelines, too. Oh, and before we forget, they have a café with snacks and delicious coffee.

5) Mama Needs A Drink (Up to 1-year-old)

Mama Needs a Drink is a moms group (and yes, dads are welcome) that meets every Thursday with their babies. Every week food and beverage (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) is provided, and it’s a safe place to learn (or vent), nurse, and generally bond with other mamas. The facilitators Kazia & Robyn always make this group feel like home. If you need something to look forward to during the week, this is a great way to jump to the weekend a little early.

6) Sing & Play With Me (6 months - 18 months)

A perfect outing for you and baby because the vibe is relaxed and the songs and Sign Language are great for learning at this age. Lauri is a natural with the kids and has a program that they seem to dig. She brings little parachute that they love. She also lets the tots strum the guitar—which is a big hit.

“Sing & Play With Me” has changed locations a few times, so check their website for time & location.

7) Play Dates & Play Groups (All Ages)

Let’s be honest, until the kids are walking, play dates are mostly for the parents. But that doesn’t mean they’re not important. It does help your mini-me learn to socialize. Also, some of the best tips and commiserating you can get will come from your kids’ peers’ parents. Just don’t tell your mother-in-law her advice isn’t #1. If you’re looking for a playgroup, Culver City East MOMS Club (or if you’re on the west side Culver City West MOMS Club) has a number of playgroups split up by age. Membership is $35/year and comes with many more perks than just the playgroups.

8) Monday Morning Mommy Movies (All Ages)

Culver Stadium 12 Movie Theater in downtown Culver City hosts Monday Morning Mommy Movies every Monday at 11am. The lights are up higher, the noise a little extra, but it’s your opportunity to get to see new movies in the theater when life with baby makes such an outing seem otherwise impossible. Check the schedule of upcoming movies on their website.

9) Swimming (6 Months and up)

The Municipal Plunge Pool on Overland has Parent & Me classes for 6 months & up. The Culver City YMCA similarly offers affordable swim classes. There’s also a Parent & Me class at West LA College for some splashing around. Or for more personal attention, local Culver City mom JJ teaches swim lessons as well. But with more hot days this year than LA ever having, swimming has seemed like a much more regular option!

10) Get Creative (All Ages)

This is everything else there is to do that isn’t necessarily baby or Culver City specific because being a parent is all about improvising. Ideas Like: Go to the library and read some books. There are some baby friendly toys there as well, but probably not too interesting for under 6 or 7 month olds. Stroll downtown. Put out a blanket and relax in the park. Bum around the mall—how retro! Or if they are old enough to partake in activities, comb through Pinterest for some easy DIY toys and games that are baby specific.

Those are our 10 favorite things to do with a baby in Culver City. Let us know if we missed anything good!

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