There are so many great places to take toddlers in Rochester! The Seneca Park Zoo or Museum of Play are legendary and great fun. There are playgrounds galore, farms that celebrate seasons, and lots of nature exploration. Below, I’ve included just a few of my favorites that might not be at the top of your list (yet).
Rochester Museum & Science Center
For my toddler, the Rochester Museum & Science Center is SUCH fun! For the price of a ticket (2 and under is free), it’s a zoo, indoor (and air conditioned) play and exploration center, and water fun. There are “bricks” to move and sort, electrical connections to make, dinosaur bones to excavate, and an exceptional play structure to navigate. While fun, there is also so much to learn about the area’s Native people and natural world. I often am looking for a wide range of ages to entertain, and RMSC offers a whole range of interests something to experience.
Lamberton Conservatory
The turtles and quails that wander along the stone paths of Lamberton Conservatory is just one reason to visit this hidden gem of Highland Park. It was a favorite of mine to wander when my baby was teeny just to get out of the house and be amidst beauty. The Conservatory’s small but chock full of leafy greens, warm air, and hidden nooks to stop for a few and take it all in. It’s free for little ones under five and a very inexpensive option for an easy outing. It is even a great place to visit in the winter and at Christmastime, it is decorated with poinsettias and lights.
There is a playground just across the road that delights and a stroll through Highland Park never gets old. Even if you spend 30 minutes in the Lamberton Conservatory, you will feel like you escaped a little, thanks to the tropical displays and gentle sound of running water. Who doesn’t want to pretend they are in Hawaii – even with a toddler – for a minute?
A Serene Stroll through the Lamberton Conservatory
Spending the day at the Lamberton Conservatory is a great way to slow down and appreciate a piece of Rochester’s history. The Lamberton Conservatory was originally built in 1911 as…
Read MoreThe Mall at Greece Ridge
This is a small cost but big fun: The Mall at Greece Ridge. Hear me out! The far end is Barnes & Noble (Starbucks included) with a large children’s section available for play and reading and the closer end has a Lake Ontario-themed play place. This one is designed for little ones in mind. The walk from the bookstore to the play place includes a water feature, food court, and plenty of lights & windows to talk about colors and patterns along with people watching. You could make this a totally free event OR treat yourself and the littlest mall walkers to a soft pretzel or cold drink. Again, it’s a great place to be inside on a hot or rainy summer day!
Indoor Play with Coffee
Pure Imagination Cafe, Mamaste Cafe, and Ladybugs Play each offer open play for toddlers complete with coffee! For a relatively small fee, toddlers can enjoy side by side play. Any of these are an enjoyable place to meet up with another mom friend, kids in tow. Though you might not drink the coffee hot, camaraderie and air conditioning makes up for it (or order yours iced, as I’ve started doing since becoming a mom). These local businesses are built and run by parents who “get it”.
Toddler-Friendly Playgrounds
Rochester has numerous parks and playgrounds scattered throughout the city. Places like Highland Park, Cobb’s Hill Park, and Ontario Beach Park offer playgrounds with toddler-friendly equipment and open spaces for picnics.
Some playgrounds also have splash pads to cool off during hot days. These water play areas are especially enjoyable for toddlers during the hot summer months. Places like Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park and Ontario Beach Park have splash pads that are popular with families.
Guide To Splash Pads In Rochester
Looking for a way to beat the heat? There are so many free (or almost free) splash pads in the Rochester area. We have collected all of them here for…
Read MoreThere are many playgrounds near library branch locations which can make it convenient to get some energy out at the playground and then head into a cool library.
Libraries Near Playgrounds in Rochester
Library cards are free to Monroe county residents and can be used at any of the 31 locations within the Monroe County Public Library System. All locations offer summer reading…
Read MoreLibraries
Speaking of libraries, here are my top three and why I love them. Our library systems (Monroe County and City of Rochester) make it so easy to get a library card and engage kids of all ages. There are over 30 branch locations, but here are some of my favorites:
It’s exceptional and very hard to describe. My jaw dropped when I first entered the children’s area. Just go, I promise, it is worth your time!
This library has an incredibly robust calendar of events for all ages but the Drop-In Story Time is terrific as is the Children’s section. Thanks to Brighton Kiwanis, families can enjoy the Discovery Room chock full of a wide range of toys, games, learning support, and more. Be sure to check out the monthly Library Learning Lab and a variety of story times to suit your child’s age. There is also a simple playground located just outside the library. The librarians are extremely knowledgeable and up to date on all things book-related for their young audience and families.
Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County
The Children’s Center is located on the second floor of the Bausch & Lomb Library Building. Most days there is an activity to spark curiosity which ranges from passive to active like bilingual (Spanish-English) story time, crafting cork boats, or learning about pollinators from local experts. Particularly of note, however, is the collection of digital books for kids in world languages created for children to enjoy books and learn languages through storytelling in 65+ languages with English translations. Shhhhhhh… there is a secret room.
Guide to Library Storytimes In Rochester
The Monroe County Library System offers a variety of storytime events for young children. Our Guide to Library Storytimes in Rochester can help you find a storytime at your local…
Read MoreWe are so fortunate to live in an area with many opportunities to encourage hands-on learning and family time. Above are just a few of the places we find super fun for all ages but are particularly engaging for the 18 months to 3 crowd.
