Many parents describe difficulty forming meaningful friendships when they become parents because not only do you need to find someone you connect with, but their schedule needs to somewhat match yours and ideally your children and partners will feel a connection, too. Sometimes it can feel almost impossible to find other families to connect with in your area, especially if you are a first time parent or have moved to a new area.
In this post, I will share 5 free places where you can potentially connect with other families. I have kept the list fairly general in order to make this post helpful for most readers, but have also included some local links for those of you from the Eagan, Minnesota area.
Your local park
This one may not need much explanation as children generally love parks, so it is a natural place to meet other families. If you have connected with a new family elsewhere, a park can also be a safe, neutral setting for arranging a subsequent get together. If the weather is not cooperating, many areas also have indoor parks or play areas.
The library
Many library systems offer free library programs for children of all ages. Our library system even has a storytime specific to babies. Additionally, some libraries have play areas for children. There is always the added bonus of exposing your child to a variety of books, too.
The Dakota County Library System
Your city’s community center and/or parks and recreation program
Your city’s community center may have open gym times where families are allowed access to the gym. When my family was traveling this summer we even took advantage of the open gym opportunity in the town we were visiting on a rainy day. Additionally your city parks and recreation likely sponsors free events at the community center or at local parks. The local puppet wagons and music in the park are popular local events for families in our area.
Your local Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program
This may go by a slightly different name in your area.
While Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) programming generally includes a fee, the program in your area may have a free option, too. The ECFE program that serves the school district where my office is located offers free infant classes and free drop in playtime for infants and their caregivers.
ISD 196 Early Childhood Family Education
Your local mall
Does this one surprise you? I do recognize that as your children get older it may be more difficult to keep the mall as a free place to connect with other families, but while they are young your local mall may have a lot to offer. Many malls have small play areas and host free family activities. Additionally, I have noticed that lots of parents of infants and young children walk the mall as a form of exercise when the weather is not good for being outdoors.
Toddler Tuesdays at the Mall of America
What did I miss? I’d love to hear about other free places that you have found to be good places to connect with other families. Feel free to leave me a comment below.
Sarah
If you are from the Eagan, Minnesota area, you may also be interested in checking out my events and workshop page to see if any of the activities on my schedule catch your eye. All of my workshops and events are designed for families with young children.