Go Girl!  You can do it…Even without help!

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So far this is my favorite stage! They can go to lots of places, listen better, climb things, play with other children, eat snacks without choking, etc. I hardly use the stroller anymore (this is about 2 1/2 years old).

Hints to Make it Easier

They still need large, soft, open spaces to practice running and falling!

Keep a few band aids and Bactine with you.

During this time frame, it becomes important to have enclosed, safe places they can go AND to start instilling discipline to hold your hand (especially in parking lots and near streets).

Often at this stage you will still need to use your stroller to get them from the car to the park (or other safe area). Its a pain in the — well, you know…but worth it peace of mind. Just put them in the stroller (and tell them firmly that is the way it has to be but you will let them out as soon as you get to the park) for those few feet from the car to the park or mall or whatever. They WILL do it and the bonus is you still have the stroller to hold snacks, toys, blankets, etc. Soon you will be losing the need for the stroller and you won’t believe that its over!

NEVER leave home without hand & face wipes!

List of Places

1. Try and get hooked on CVMOM playgroups. Better yet, host one and enjoy the company of another MOM or two. Baby proofed houses are one of the best options for this stage. So share your home and try and find another friend or two who will do the same with you.
2. NOW is the time (or earlier even…) to sign up for Horizon Hills parent participation classes. Get on the waiting list now. These classes become VERY full and impossible to get into for the 2 – 3 year. They are one of the few places that allow you to go with twins and only 1 parent.
3. Jungle Land is great for 6 months to 6 years old. Often very empty in the afternoons and busy during the morning but watch out for days with extreme weather. Air conditioned!
4. Oaks Mall playground on the bottom floor of the Oaks Mall, directly in front of the food court.  There’s only one way in, so if you’ve got the entrance covered, the kids won’t be able to get out.
   
5. Old Meadows Park has a large, flat, grassy area that is away from traffic. Also, this park is completely fenced in, so you don’t have to worry about them running away.
   
6. Thousand Oaks Community Center The Dinosaur Park has two play sets — the one with the big purple dinosaur is somewhat easy to manage with twins (only one “falling off” point). The larger gym is a nightmare until they can climb, so avoid it. Lots of other good things here (far from the road, tennis courts that you can run around in if nobody is playing, a huge walking path all around the baseball fields, hills to roll down, etc.)
7. Conejo Valley Recreation & Park District offer Kindergym: Three’s Company that is available for 1 1/2 – 4 year olds. It is a fun class and pretty cheap. Besides the general gym stuff; there’s a play dough table, circle time, bikes to ride and more. It’s held a Conejo Community Center so you play at the park after class.
8. Feed the ducks at the Conejo Creek Park South but go early, before 10am, the ducks get full and disinterested.
9. Any park that has toddler friendly (read: smaller, shorter play toys) – your kids will now want to start walking up ramps and climbing small ladders, etc. Old Meadows Park its for handicapped children and has many unique playthings that work well for MOMs with two small kids, like a teeter todder that holds 4, swings with seat belts, and lots of rubber matting.
10. The park on Miller Parkway in Moorpark has two play sets, one is really great for the small kids. You can reach Miller Parkway off Tierra Rejada Road or New L.A. Avenue of the 23 Freeway.