While our Exhibits Hall is not yet open, we thought we’d share our suggestions of kid-friendly and kid-focused activities that happen on the regular around the Central Maine community!
Just a reminder we’ve got weekly programming at the Children’s Discovery Museum and check out our Programs & Events page for programs like vacation camps, afterschool programs, stage performances, fun events and more!
Free or Cheap Weekly Kid Events in the Community
(be sure to check websites to make sure times haven’t changed since this post)
Mondays
Toddler Power Hour at the Children’s Discovery Museum, 9-10am, (fee)
Art & Nature Workshops led by Wholehearted Goods, held at the museum, 10-11am (fee)
Science Supplements at the Children’s Discovery Museum, 1-2:30pm (fee)
Tuesdays
Crafternoons at the Waterville Public Library, 2:30-4pm
Art in the Woods, a free activity offered by Wholehearted Goods, 1pm
Wednesdays
Storytime at the Lithgow Public Library in Augusta, 10am
Storytime & crafts at Fairfield’s Lawrence Public Library, 10:30-11am
Thursdays
Storytime at the Winslow Public Library, 10-11am
Story & Play at the Lithgow Public Library, 10am
Fridays
Rhyme Time for Babies & Their Grownups at the Waterville Public Library, 10:30-11am
Move & Groove Child & Caregiver Class at Greene Block + Studios, 9:30-10:30 am
Other Free Activities & Community Resources
Adventure Playland at the Alfond Youth & Community Center is a cool place for kids to jump in giant bouncy houses, play and rock climb. Check their website for current hours.
Family swim in the AYCC’s heated therapy pool daily weekdays and weekends. Check their website for current times. (AYCC membership also includes childcare while grownups work out, check schedule for hours)
The Waterville Public Library has a nice space to play and connect with other families, as well as some weekly programming. Here is their Children’s Room Calendar.
The Winslow Public Library has a fun rocket-ship shaped reading nook and a nice selection of games. Check their Facebook page for their weekly schedule, including story times, mindful kids, homeschooler activities and crafts
The Lithgow Public Library in Augusta has a large children’s room with toys, puzzles and games
The Vassalboro Public Library has hands-on learning activities and STEAM time throughout the month. Check their calendar here.
The events calendar at Waterville Creates is often a good place to find kid-friendly activities. And there’s always kid-friendly art carts at the ready in the lobby of their Paul J. Schupf Art Center in downtown Waterville daily from 11am-7pm. And especially look out for fun art on the First Friday of every month.
There is a StoryWalk along the North Street Community Connector Trail.
Playgrounds: In Waterville: North Street Playground, playground at the George J. Mitchell School (after school hours), Winslow: Halifax Street Playground
Viles Arboretum is a lovely place to walk any time of year and sled or rent skis and snowshoes when there’s snow. They have a nice child-focused nature exhibit in their lobby.
Discovery Play Group: While this link is their summer schedule, it has the contact number for Desiree, who runs the program through KVCAP. You will need to contact Desiree if interested in attending. This is a wonderful playgroup for toddlers and preschoolers.
Nature Trails: Quarry Road Trails in Waterville; Kennebec Messalonskee Trails throughout Waterville, Winslow, Oakland, Benton; Vaughan Woods trails in Hallowell/Augusta
Colby College Museum of Art has kits at the front desk to take with you as you wander through the exhibits to help kids engage with the art, like sketching material, puzzles, and often have special family activities the first Saturday of the month.
LC Bates Museum is full of cabinets of curiosities and Maine wildlife dioramas, open Thursday-Saturday with nature kits for children also available.
Further Afield (and cost associated):
Trampoline City in Skowhegan
Children’s Museum & Theatre of Portland
Western Maine Play Museum
Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor
Stay up-to-date on kid’s activities and our own hosted programs and events on our Facebook page or by signing up for our newsletter here.
Do you know of any more we should add to the list? Please let us know!