He is one. His attention span on any single thing is about .0005 seconds. You don't have to go much farther than around the block to keep him amused and educate him at the same time. Think about all the cool trucks, trollys, the BART, garbage trucks, fire trucks, delivery trucks, birds, ships, airplanes, etc. that are in a big city. If you feel the need to spend money, don't they have some sort of marine park thing there, or other things like that. If you want to have a great day, pack some sidewalk chalk, bubbles, a couple of bottles of water, a ballon or two, and a ball in a back pack and head to the park.

If you are worried about him breaking stuff, don't. That fragile looking stuff is much sturdier than it looks. Trust me. Also, go behind the group of two or three women that are so busy talking amongst themselves, that they have no idea what their kids are doing. If yours breaks something, scoop him up and walk quickly but very nonchalantly about 20 feet away and deny everything.

When in doubt, call the fire department. Unless there is violence involved.

A one year old – as you know – can be tough. Give it some time. He needs to get used to you as much as you do him. The easiest way to start is with a schedule. A schedule is beneficial to both of you in that your day will have a moderate and flexible structure. Make sure he gets his naps on time (‘Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child’ by Marc Weissbluth should help on that front) this will ensure that you get rest too. Don’t overload like a museum a playground you can hang out at for a while, a locally library story time, or even a walk is enough for a 1 year old. I’m sure the Bay area is filled with playgroups toddler times at book stores etc. Make sure they are age appropriate and make sure you keep plenty of snacks to keep the crankies away.

Good Luck.

Be Seeing You.

Go out to a huge open park and let him walk around wherever he wants to go. You just follow and make sure he doesn't get kidnapped.

Go swimming.

Put him in a bucket swing.

Go to Toys R Us and follow him around and let him play with whatever he wants.

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Shopping carts work great. We can go into a Target or a grocery store, spend like 6 bucks on milk or something, and get an easy 1/2 hr out of zipping around in the cart. Other stuff: Walks in a back pack/bjorn, pet stores or any where with a fish tank/ bird cages, water is great, too. I agree about the timely naps. Naps and snacks. Snacks and naps.

"We don't need a license for this or anything?"

In addition, get some outdoor push toys (lawnmower, buggy, truck). This is great when they want to walk. Gives them purpose, and you don't have to go any farther than your own sidewalk. If you have a lawn I suggest a small inflatable pool with some water toys. They will splash in it while you kick back in a chair and soak your feet.

I also agree strongly with the shopping cart. Multiple trips to Target were key at that age.

I second the notion of getting child on a schedule. My 1 year old daughter and I have the following schedule:

7:00-9:00am- wake-up, eat, play time.
9:00-11:00am- nap time
11:00-11:30am- wake-up, eat, brush teeth, get dressed
11:30am-12:30pm- workout while the gym nursery watches child
12:30-2:30pm- swimming, museum, lunch with mom, run errands, story time at library, play at the park, take dog to dog park or for a walk, etc.
2:30-4ish- nap time
4ish to 8pm- make dinner, play with mommy when she gets home, watch a little Sesame Street, read books, play on play-set in the yard, bath time, bed time.

We try to do something different everyday of the week, whether it be going to the dog park so she can look at and watch all of the dogs playing, going to the zoo, going to the museum, story time at the library (although she can only sit for ten minutes or so, we end up leaving early to go find books to checkout), going to Sam's Club (Fridays and weekends are great because they have a lot of food samples), taking Mom out for lunch, going for a walk around the neighborhood or to the local park or just running errands.

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My wife asked me if I had signed up for the 401k yet. I told her I hadn't. She asked me why and I told her I couldn't run that far.

I agree with everyone, but especially with Kirk. You gotta get your kid on a schedule. Ours is very similar to Kirk's.

Since we live in the Bay Area, too, I can give you some specific suggestions. During the morning or afternoon awake time, we venture to the local parks, stop by Peet's Coffee, run errands, walk around Lake Merritt, etc. Below is a list of places that I developed for our parents group. If you are near the East Bay, let me know and I can add you to our list. We try to get together once or twice weekly.

PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
Berkeley Marina
In addition to the trails for walking (with strollers or carriers), there are two parks in the marina area. Parents with little kids can hang at the small playground; parents with bigger kids may want to go to Adventure Playground (where the kids can get wood, hammers, nails, saws, and other real tools to build climbing structures and forts). There are also some rocks to climb on, shoreline to explore, etc. There are a few picnic tables in front of Adventure Playground.

The marina is at the west end of University Avenue, just past the Cal Sailing Club. Park by number 19 (Cal Sailing Club), and walk in to number 24 (little playground). Adventure Playground is 23.

Cedar-Rose Park
The park is located at 1300 Rose Street between Hopkins and Cedar Streets in Berkeley. The park offers a fence-enclosed tot play area. For directions, please visit: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=12072.

Chidren’s Playground in Golden Gate Park
The park is located at MLK and Bowling Green drives within Golden Gate Park. It is adjacent to the carousel. This is a great children's park with something for children of all ages. For directions, please visit: www.golden-gate-park.com/index.php/attractions/childrens_playground. Let's meet in the park at 11:30.

Lafayette Reservoir
There is a really nice park near the reservoir.

Montclair Park
This park offers a fenced-in tot area as well as a bigger playground for older kids. The park also has picnic tables where we can eat lunch. The park is located at 6300 Moraga Avenue between Moraga and Mountain Boulevard, just north of the Montclair business district. There isn’t much info on the Website, but if you are interested, visit: www.oaklandnet.com/parks/facilities/rc_montclair.asp.

Moraga Commons
A great park with two play structures, a grassy area, a water feature (bring extra clothes and shoes that can get wet), lots of shade, horseshoes, bocce ball (bring your own shoes and balls) and BBQ grills.

Virginia-McGee Totland
This park offers multi-purpose turf, tot and school-age play areas, and an area to set up for lunch! The park is located at 1644 Virginia Street, at the corner of Virginia Street and McGee Avenue. Fore more info, please visit: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=12936.

Walk along the Berkeley Marina
The Marina is located at 160 University Avenue. For directions, please visit: http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=11932.

Walk around Lake Merritt

Willard Park (2730 Hillegass Avenue at Derby Street, Berkeley)
Willard Park offers a nice play area for children under 4. For directions and other info, please visit: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=12952.

OTHER
Children’s Fairyland
The main entrance is located at 699 Bellevue at Grand Avenue. For more info, including fees and directions, please visit their website: www.fairyland.org. Note: On Monday and Tuesday Children’s Fairyland is closed.
Telephone
510 452-2259
Voicemail
510 238-6878
Recorded information
510 238-6876

Crown Beach and Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda

Little Farm
Little Farm, which is located in the gorgeous wilderness area of Tilden Park in Berkeley. The farm itself provides hands-on feeding and learning experiences for children with a variety of animals: goats, sheep, cows and pigs. You may feed and pet the animals, while enjoying the setting among eucalyptus trees and park trails. The hours are 10a to 5p. On Monday, Little Farm is closed. For directions and more info, please visit: http://sanfrancisco.about.com/od/kidfriendly/ss/littlefarm.htm.

The Judah L. Magnes Museum
The museum is located at 2911 Russell Street in Berkeley. The hours are 11a to 4p Sun to Wed, and 11a to 8p Thurs. For directions and more info, please visit: www.magnes.org.

Oakland Zoo
The zoo entrance is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, just off I580. If you don't have time to pack a lunch, the Zoo offers two cafes. You may be able to order food to go, but please check their website to be sure. For more info, including fees and directions, please visit their website: www.oaklandzoo.org/.

SF MOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art)
The MOMA is located at 151 Third Street (between Mission and Howard Streets). Park in the parking garage on Mission just across from the Sony Metreon. For directions, fees and other info please visit: www.sfmoma.com/visit/visitinfo_hours.asp.

San Francisco Zoo

Studio Grow
Unlike Tumble and Tea, Studio Grow does not offer lunch, so you ARE allowed to bring food. They charge an admission for adults and children over 1 year. Studio Grow often has music classes, has a dedicated room for painting, as well as many other play/romp rooms. Studio Grow is located 1235 10th Street in Berkeley. For directions, fees and other info, please visit: www.studiogrow.com/

Tumble and Tea
Tumble and Tea is a cafe for adults and kids, offering coffee, tea and a decent menu for adults as well as a romp area for the tots. I will say this... they are strict about NOT allowing outside food. Also, they charge an admission for children over 1 year. The cafe is located at 4210 Telegraph Avenue. For directions, fees and other info, please visit: www.tumbleandtea.com.

All of the above are great suggestions. Also keep in mind that a 1 year old is still quite a chick magnet, no matter where you are.

not so much the dude magnet, though. ;-)

LOL mikeSAHD! Forgot about that one! Sorry, man! :-)

In fact, I dare say that a 1 year old may actually act as a dude repellent.

You know, it's not that I'm looking for anything, but I used to enjoy getting the looks when I was out and about town. Now, when I have my son with me, I'm cruised more by the chicks than the dudes! I'm not complaining...I should be happy that I still got it for a 40-year-old. ;-)

I work and take care of my little girl (she is now 14 months old) and it is tough to keep her entertained all day so I hear you.  At a minimum we try to get out on walks at least once a day.  We also have a big tree out front that I put a bucket swing in and that has saved my ass more times then I can count.  But I have also found that 1-2 hours of solid input a day is about all a one year old really needs.  Some dads in my area try to go swimming a few times a week with the kiddos, but we also get together to do other things.  We have a private music together that we do once a week (you would be surprised how cheep it is when you have enough people).  We also try to get to the local library once a week for story time.

I know that most of these things have already been said, but it can't hurt to reitterate them.

If we can't get outdoors then she likes it when I chase her all over the house.  That can go on for hours if I let it.

All that said, just try new things.  Your child will let you know if they like it or not, but if they do not like it now they may like it in a week or a month, so all ideas should be recycled if they are not liked at first.

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