I gave birth to my daughter Zia last year, and as a first-time mom, I knew the type of parent I wanted to be even before she was born. Every moment of motherhood is a decision you’re worried about; is it good for my child? Will the other moms judge me? Am I making the most of my time with him or her?
With complete honesty and transparency, let me share that there have been many mornings when Ms. Rachel or Super Simple Songs have been Zia’s primary source of entertainment while I get breakfast ready or need a moment to just unwind.
And to overcompensate for the mom-guilt that follows, I take Zia out and do a wild amount of activities. Here are some of my favorite ways to spend time with my daughter in Baltimore:
Go for a Walk
As most babies are, Zia is curious about everything, and she has some of the most fun during our daily walks. Sometimes, we just pack up our stroller and walk around the neighborhood – she loves people watching near Johns Hopkins University.
Another favorite is Main Street in Hampden where we can take a walk, get some shopping done at one of the cute stores, and get a bite to eat. Side note, at this age, it’s best to pick a spot that has outdoor seating because the loud music and chatter sometimes makes her fussy.
Some of our other favorite spots include the Inner Harbor and Waterfront Promenade, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Federal Hill Park, and the Patterson Park Trail.
Spend Hours at the Playground
There are very few things in a park that a baby/ toddler can play with, especially if they’re not walking yet. So, all of the parks mentioned here either have a specific baby play area or a baby swing or slide that is suitable for little ones.
- Patterson Park Playground (BMORE LICKS is nearby and perfect for a cool treat after running around in the playground. May I suggest the “cookie monster” on a cone?)
- Federal Hill Playground
- Mt. Vernon Children’s Park (They have a nice-sized sandbox!)
- Thames Street Park Playground
- Our Playground at Stadium Place (This park is fully surrounded with only one entrance/ exit, which I love.)
- Arnold Sumpter Park (Soft foam playground floor that is perfect for little ones just starting to walk.)
- Elm Park
A special mention of the Thomas A. Dixon Jr. Aircraft Observation Area, which has a playground situated right next to BWI airport. Children can see the planes fly above them in close range as they enjoy playing around on swings, slides, and more.
Splash Pads, Swimming Pools, & Sun
Summers in Baltimore can be HOT so what better way to cool off than at a splash pad or in a swimming pool. Every once in a while, we’ll make a day of it, pack a picnic lunch, and head to a nearby beach or swimming hole; few people know this, but Baltimore has a ton of great ones.
- Riverside Park Swimming Pool
- Patterson Park Swimming Pool
- Druid Hill Park Swimming Pool
- West Shore Park Splash Pad
- Clifton Park Swimming Pool and Splash Pad
- Otterbein Swim Club (Note that their waitlist is going into 2028 but if you know a member with guest passes, this is a great private pool!)
- Hammerman Beach (Located within Gunpowder Falls State Park, this small stretch of beach is usually quiet and calm during the weekdays.)
- Beaver Dam Swimming Club (Note that only four-year-olds and older can swim in the quarry, but there are two swimming pools.)
The Maryland Zoo
With membership starting at $69, it only made sense for me to get one to The Maryland Zoo. The zoo is just a short drive from the city and is a wonderful place to have a daily walk and let your kid see the animals.
While a stroller or wagon is handy to lug around a diaper bag, water bottles, and snacks, I also suggest packing a baby carrier. Most of the enclosures are above a certain height, and I learned on my very first trip to the zoo that taking Z in and out of her stroller was a huge hassle; a baby carrier keeps your hands free while also ensuring that your little one can actually see the animals.
The National Aquarium
Another favorite for our daily walks, the National Aquarium was our go-to during the colder months. Fully indoors, Z loved looking at all of the colorful little fishes and sea creatures.
Keep in mind that the aquarium is a stroller-free environment. There are lockers where you can store your strollers but definitely come prepared with a baby carrier of some sort unless your kid is already walking.
Storytime at the Baltimore County Public Library
All of the branches of the Baltimore County Public Library host Infant Story Time: Babies and Books on different days of the week. They’re mostly between 10:30 and 11:00 am and are for infants from newborn to 12 months.
They also have a Family and Friends Story Time for toddlers between one and 3 years old and preschoolers between 3 and 5 years old. These are completely free to attend and are a wonderful way for little ones to interact with others their age and get introduced to new books.
Storyville at the Baltimore County Public Library
Storyville is a children’s amusement center that is available in both the Rosedale and Woodlawn branches of the Baltimore County Public Library. Designed for children up to five years old, Storyville is a wonderful play-and-learn center that promotes early literacy with developmentally-appropriate books.
The learning and play areas include a baby garden, toddler woods, grocery store, mail room, puppet stage, theatre, home living area, construction zone, and a comfortable reading area full of books.
Clark’s Elioak Farm
A short drive from Baltimore, Clarks’ Elioak Farm is a gem! I was excited to take Zia there and excitedly waited for them to open for the season. Zia loved it, just as I thought she would.
Clark’s Elioak has a petting farm, a fairy forest, Enchanted Express train rides, cow train, pony rides, hayrides, and so much more. There are designated picnic areas, mazes, slides, and so much more. You’ll spend the entire day here with your little one(s) and leave wanting to come back again.
