Doing the Group Thing

DOING THE GROUP THING
GATHER YOUR MOMTOURAGE TOGETHER FOR THESE FUN, MOMMY AND ME ACTIVITIES

Can’t bear another day at the playground? Beat your boredom by gathering together your mom friends and their kids
for an activity-based group outing. Whether you’re looking to shape up, expand your culinary horizons or get cultured,
there are numerous options for mommy and me (and friends) fun that extend far beyond the swing set. Below, find a
few of our favorites:

Luna Moms Club powered by Stroller Strides
These moms’ groups are a partnership between LUNA, the makers of womens’ nutritional bars, and Stroller Strides.
Held nationwide, they offer fun and playful activities for mother and child, building a tight community of likeminded
moms where they can share advice, tips and, most importantly, laughter. The club’s “Moms with a Mission” program is directed at helping better the communities in which members live and play through organized activities focused on giving back to children, families and the environment. Visit www.strollerstrides.com for more information.

Gymboree’s Global Kids Program
This 12-week multi-cultural "journey" explores universal play, music, dance, customs and activities from the international community. Global Kids encourages the youngest "travelers" to be global citizens through experiencing world culture with a creative, age-appropriate approach. With a world-class selection of music and a travel journal to record the experience and learning from each destination, parents and children will capture their adventures and create a lasting souvenir. Visit www.gymboreeclasses.com for more information.

Baby Om—Yoga for Mothers and Babies
Baby Om is a 75-minute yoga class designed to get the postpartum mother back in shape while playfully bonding with her new baby. For the mother, the class focuses on postpartum needs such as regaining alignment, toning the pelvic floor and re-establishing core strength. Through Iyengar-influenced teaching, the class challenges the mother, giving her a sense of physical fitness and well-being. The babies participate with mothers throughout the class, enjoying age-appropriate stimulation exercises as well as being integrated into the breathing, chanting and asana practice. Mothers who take Baby Om classes say it leaves them happier, healthier and with new appreciation for their babies' developing awareness. Babies age four weeks through crawling are welcome, unless age group is specified otherwise.
Visit www.babyom.com for more information.

Whole Foods Cooking & Lifestyle School Classes
Many Whole Foods locations offer child-focused programs where bringing your kids is welcome. These fun, informative classes offer tips on making your own organic baby food, nutrition for your baby, baby sign language, baby yoga, infant massage and homeopathic remedies for babies. Visit your nearest Whole Foods and inquire at the Customer Service desk for more information or visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

Baby Boot Camp Fitness Classes
Baby Boot Camp mom-and-baby stroller-based fitness classes are designed specifically to help moms get fit. Classes combine strength-training exercises, cardiovascular drills, Pilates, yoga and abdominal exercises and to help improve core strength, the use of your stroller, resistance tubes and even your child. A variety of class formats are available to meet your fitness needs, including indoor, outdoor, prenatal and express. The program offers a free trial class so you can try it out before you commit. Visit www.babybootcamp.com for more information.

Being physically active and teaching your child to be physically active of the utmost importance for your mind, body and soul. Click here to read about how to raise healthier children while keeping yourself in shape.

Baby Signs Sign, Say & Play Classes
Sign, Say & Play is a six-week baby signs play class with fun games, songs, and activities which highlight important developmental skills and introduce families to baby sign language. Classes are taught by an Independent Certified Instructor for Baby Signs Programs and are offered as beginner or intermediate classes. Visit www.babysigns.com for more information.

NEED A LAST MINUTE PLAN? CONSIDER THESE OPTIONS:
1	Many local public libraries offer free story hours. Contact your local branch for more information.
2	Check with your local theater or puppetry arts center for kids’ performances and show times.
3	Most museums offer children’s education programs. Call or visit your local museums’ websites for more information.
4	Many book stores, children’s stores and toy stores (like Barnes & Noble and Pottery Barn Kids) offer free story hours. Visit them or call for times and schedules.

—Chelsea Kaplan

Click here to read all about Deputy Editor/Beauty Director Chelsea Kaplan's life with child in her blog, “I'm Somebody's Mother?”