Playscape at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis

If you’re like me, this can be a challenging time of year to be a stay at home parent. Cabin fever is frequently problematic now that trips to the park, bike rides and walks around the neighborhood are no longer possible (or enjoyable).

One great solution is a trip to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Because it’s the world’s largest children’s museum, it has something for everyone and kids of all ages. I was particularly drawn to the Playscape exhibit because it is designed specifically for younger kids. It truly is a baby/toddler/preschooler paradise. An employee is stationed at the entrance to ensure that only those 5 and younger (and their caretaker) enter.

My son (1 1/2 years old) could have spent hours there. He loved sitting on the construction equipment, stacking boxes, planting flowers and playing pretend in the kitchen. There were also water and sand play areas, which are such a fun way for kids to experience these delightful textures without creating a big mess in your own house. (In fact, if you have a little water bug, you might want to bring an extra shirt for him or her. Playscape has aprons for the kids to use in the water area, but those little sleeves might still get wet!)

There’s also an area within Playscape specifically designated for kids 2 and under. This is a fun, padded area for crawlers and early walkers to test their physical prowess in a safe environment. They can go up ramps, down small stairs, and through tunnels.

Playscape offers some great educational opportunities each day.

10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily: Finger puppet show

11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily: Storytime

11:30 a.m. daily: Music show

11:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Nursery rhymes

If you’re already a loyal fan of Playscape (and I know many parents of young kids are!), you’ll be happy to know that the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis recently received a grant of $700,000 from the PNC Foundation to renovate this area of the museum. Look for big changes to come, possibly as early as late 2012.

Photo courtesy of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.