Splash Pad at Gamble Park

The City of Toronto runs many recreational activities for families. One of them is outdoor splash pads. They have an interactive map that shows where each of them are located. As per City of Toronto, most of them run from May 31st to September 18 daily from 9 am to 8:30 pm.

The one Logan and I tried out today is at Gamble Park. This park is a gem located in the East end of the City on the quiet Gamble Street. The park is not very big; however, once you approach it you can tell it is customized to be suitable for preschoolers.

There is a giant black fence that runs the length of the park with big heavy duty gates on either sides ensuring that little hands are not strong enough to let themselves out and little feet cannot run onto the street.

Trees are strategically planted on the outskirts of the park to ensure plenty of running space for wobbly bodies while in the park. There are very clear signs indicating this is a dog free and smoke free park.

The strength of the water coming out of the splash pad is strong enough to shoot it up a few feet, but weak enough that if little bodies ran across it they would not get hurt by the force of the water coming out.

Cost: FREE

Convenience: There are 93 City run splash pads so there must be one near you and using the interactive map to find it is very easy.

Diapering and Feeding: Due to the placement of the trees there is very little shade. When the park is not busy, you might be able to find a nice shady spot around the perimeter of the park to sit and feed or even lay out a pad to change baby. However, if it gets busy, it would be a little more difficult to do so especially if you want to do it in shade. All the benches are situated in the centre of the park near the splash pad in full exposure of the sun.

Final Thoughts: A lot of thought was put into this park to ensure that it is child friendly. There are no basket ball courts or picnic benches to attract teenagers or couples. That being said, both the splash pad and the playground is fully exposed to the afternoon sun so little ones must be well equipped with sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, rashguard, etc.

Movies for Mommies at Rainbow Cinemas Market Square

Movies for Mommies is a weekly movie event for mommies with young children. Each week a movie is selected and played in a baby friendly environment. For example, movie is played with reduced sound and there is a change table provided. The event is not organized by the theatre showing the movie, rather by the Movies for Mommies site. You look for the location closest to you and they will show you the movie being viewed that week, the time and the theatre showing it.

Today, Logan and I went to Rainbow Cinemas at Market Square to view Finding Dory. Due to my distance from the theatre, I gave myself plenty of travel time and arrived 30 minutes before showing. I was only the 2nd mommy to arrive to a relevantly relaxed and slow theatre. After you pay for your ticket and make your way to your theatre, you will find the Movies for Mommies table. There, someone will greet you to the show. If it is your first time, you will be asked to register, once you are done you will be given:

1. Some promotional materials (not shown)
2. Free samples (shown below)
3. Membership card, attend 6 movies and the 7th one is free (shown below)

Free samples and the membership card

Once you have received your samples, you are free to purchase concessions or go directly to the movie and enjoy the experience!

Cost: Fair, you pay for the movie, which you would have paid anyways if it is a movie you wish to see

Convenience: Depending on where you reside, you may not find a theatre near you. Even for me the closest one was almost an hour away by public transit. There is only one showing so if you are adamant on baby keeping their sleep schedule, you may not be able to accommodate this activity. It took me awhile to be flexible enough for it.

Diapering: I thought the change table set up for Movies with Mommies was a little hap hazard and gross (covered in stains). My feelings are, if you are going to provide something, then do it well to leave a good impression otherwise, it is better not to have it. Rainbow Cinemas has change tables inside the bathrooms as well, but I didn't use it.

Feeding: I felt comfortable nursing Logan without my nursing cover in the environment. Event is welcome to all caregivers including parents, grandparents and friends. I brought a friend with me to see the movie who does not have children. She did not need to register.

Final Thoughts: Although the Movies for Mommies website indicates this is an event geared towards mommies, still keep in mind that babies have a certain demeanor. Logan is considered calm and well behaved, but to ask an infant to sit for 1.5 hours is difficult. I still had to step out half way, even though this is meant as an event for babies too please be considerate of other people and step out when you need to. Yes, I would go again and have recommended it to other moms already!