Baby Story Time at The Red Balloon Bookshop

Story time is a great event to take your baby to, no matter what age! "Reading will help build your child's vocabulary, stimulate his imagination, and improve his communication skills." [BabyCenter.com]

And you are in luck, because no matter where you live, story time is a popular activity to find. Try checking out your local libraries, big chain bookstores like Barnes & Noble and local book shops. Which brings me to my post today about story time at The Red Balloon Bookshop on Grand Avenue-- a personal favorite of mine.

Let me be the first to say that if you haven't been to The Red Balloon Bookshop, this could be an outing in itself! Focused on children's book, you can spend hours with your little one reading new books in the renovated house turned bookstore. And if you're like me, it's hard to leave without at least buying one new book, which is why it's great that they even have a "secret" lower level dedicated to bargain books.

If you're budget doesn't allow for new books every week, I bet it allows for a free story time!? Every Tuesday morning from 10:30AM -11:00AM, Sara Waters transforms The Red Balloon into an interactive baby story time adventure. Come early, because by 10:29AM the store is packed with moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, nannies.... and BABIES!!! Baby story time focuses on children 0-24 months, but older siblings are more than welcome and even encourage to participate.

I don't know how Sara does it week after week, but she is always there with loads of energy and a smile on her face! And she brings the energy that babies LOVE and I even find myself singing along to the silly "Dingle Dangle Scarecrow" song!

It's a great mix of stories, singing, musical instruments [sara plays the violin!] puppets, playtime, education and fun--all wrapped up into a short thirty minute session, just perfect for little ones with short attention spans! It's also great for learning new songs and games to play back at home with your baby.

[NOTE: Sara will also be at The Red Balloon Bookstore this Saturday, August 6th for Baby Story Time ENCORE for a new take on the old game of peek-a-boo.]

Hope to see you all at the Red Balloon!