Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

Sherwood Gardens

Spring has sprung and now is a great time to visit Sherwood Gardens in Guilford. The story of how Sherwood Gardens came to be says that John W. Sherwood was a "serious hobbyist gardener". No, no, no. Obsessed is more like it. Wonderfully, positively, undeniably obsessed and we all are better off because of it. He started with beautiful plantings around his home, but then expanded his plantings into Stratford Green, the park next door, to fill some bare spots. Fill some bare spots? Okay, fine. By 1937, there were 42,000 tulips, 5,000 azaleas and 10,000 Swiss pansies. I'm guessing we got those bare spots pretty well covered.

The gardens are now maintained by the Guilford Association, and they plant 80,000 bulbs a year. There is no admission and the public is welcome to stroll the grounds.

Sherwood Gardens
Stratford and Greenway
Baltimore, MD

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IKEA with Smaland

Despite the fact that all of my children are practically perfect, people aren't exactly lining up to watch them for me while I gallivant around town on shopping expeditions. Of course, if you are a close friend or trustworthy relative who would like to volunteer, please sign up here.

I thought not.

IKEA gets it right in so many ways and here again, I love them. Smaland, located right at the entrance, is a supervised play area where you can drop your kids off for up to 1 1/2 hours (the schedule changes depending on day and time of year) and go shop. Quietly.

There are a couple of rules to follow. Kids must be 37"-54" tall without shoes. Yes, they check. And they must be fully potty-trained. For the first time ever this is a question I can answer somewhat confidently, or at least without visibly flinching. There are places to climb, pictures to color and a ball pit. Ahhh... the ball pit. My kids didn't even look back at me as they headed in. The best part is, it's completely free, at least not counting all the stuff you buy, now that you have a moment to think clearly. Come to think of it, this might be the most expensive free thing you can do with your kids.

410-931-5400

IKEA Baltimore
8352 Honeygo Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21236

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IKEA Restaurant

This must be the only restaurant ever that has a bottle warmer and microwave station located right smack dab in the middle of the dining area. We are talking serious kid-friendly stuff here. And, as if that weren't enough, right on the other side is a kitchen play area for the older kids. Everything is cafeteria style and that suits me just fine. Kid's meals cover the basics: mac and cheese, pb&j or meatballs. Grownups will find plenty to eat too; I chose a Greek salad.

Not fancy, just clean, easy and affordable.

410-931-5400

IKEA Baltimore
8352 Honeygo Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21236

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