10 local outings to try with your baby
- Go to the theater where crying is allowed
Babies are welcome at "Baby Brigade" showings which take place on Tuesdays at 6.30 and 7:00 in El Cerrito. Tickets $6. Information at 510-814-2400, www.picturepubpizza.com - Practice yoga, baby style
Postpartum yoga classes are offered at 4th Street Yoga and Yogalayam. Our favorite is Yogalayam where helpers assist with your baby and massage is included. Classes 2 hours at 10 am on Tuesday and Friday. $14 per class or $130 for ten classes. 1723 Alcatraz Ave. Berkeley, 510.655.3664 - Go for a swim
The warm pool at Berkeley High offers a drop-in swim "lesson" for parents with babies, starting at three months old. Put your baby in a swim diaper and enjoy this therapeutic pool during the special parent and tot hour from 3.30 to 4.30 on Fridays. $6.00. The building is at 2246 Milvia and you enter near the softball field. 510.644.6843. - Promise yourself a rose garden
Wear your baby and enjoy a stroll through any natural environment. Bring a visiting grandma or girlfriend, park on Euclid, and walk down through the Berkeley Rose Garden, especially at sunset. 1200 Euclid Avenue in Berkeley. - Fondle the veggies at a farmer's market
Take a stroller with a basket underneath and check out any of the East Bay's Farmer's Markets. Feed your baby outdoors. There are several to choose from: Tuesday at Derby St. at MLK (2-7pm). Thursday on Shattuck at Rose (3-7pm). Saturday on Center St. at MLK (10-3pm) Sunday on Claremont Ave in the DMV parking lot (9-1pm) - Test drive some music classes
Lots of the franchised music classes for babies offer a trial class for free. Music Together is our favorite and in several East Bay locations. Join a trial class pull together friends for a free demo class for a group. Call 510-848-SING (7464) or email juliet@eastbaymusictogether.com to set one up. - Visit a farm
Little Farm in Tilden Park has sheep, cow, goats, and more. Even better, it is free. Bring celery to feed the big animals and let your baby see what Old MacDonald is talking about. Open daily from 8.30 to 4 pm. - Join Crawlers Anonymous
Buy a membership to a place where babies and parents gather to play so you have somewhere to go when you need a change of scenery. Studio Grow has a special area just for babies (and Under Ones get in free!). www.studiogrow.com - Meow, bark, and tweet at the pet store
Petco in the El Cerrito shopping center is like a tiny zoo for babies. There are tons of fish tanks, mice, guinea pigs, and birds, but and you can hold your baby right up to the cage. We like to hit Petco and then the train table at Barnes & Noble across the way. - Pitch a tent at an outdoor store
An almost-toddler will appreciate the slick paths at REI on San Pablo. Go during off-peak hours, unzip the demo tents for her, and let her climb inside. 1338 San Pablo at Gilman.
Do what YOU want to do: where's your favorite place? Can you bring your baby there?
