Have you been to Lake Mayer playground lately?

If not, you’ll be as surprised as we were to find the once dismal equipment gone & replaced with three new climbing structures complete with climbing walls, tunnels; plus new swing sets, new baby swing sets, new mulch, new swivel seat, new twirling toy & oh-so-modern sleek see-saw! We love it. When we visited on a sunny weekday afternoon, the spot was teeming with moms and kids. Such a switch from how the playground used to be. No longer do you need to try to talk your kids out of a playground visit while you’re doing Lake Mayer laps. It is finally a fun, clean spot for playing! Thank you, Savannah, for the much needed facelift to the Lake Mayer playground!

Lake Mayer Community Park, 1850 E. Montgomery Crossroads Savannah, GA 31406

Time to register for Junior Ranger Saturdays at Skidaway Is. State Park, Savannah.

Starting Saturday, Feb 4, 2012, children ages 8-12 can participate in 6 weeks of hands-on programming and earn your Jr. Ranger patch along the way. Weekly events to include birding, hiking, fishing, and exploring the park’s Interpretive Center and meeting the critters that live in the reptile room.

6 Saturdays from February 4 – March 10
12:30pm-4pm (March 10th is from 4pm-8pm)
Ages 8-12

Come and join the staff from Skidaway Island State Park as they take an adventure into our natural and cultural heritage. Join the group for six Saturdays full of crafts, hikes, games and more as they learn and have fun. The program only accepts 12 kids so sign up as soon as possible to guarantee a spot. Please make sure to have your kids eat lunch before coming to camp. Light snacks will be provided.

Cost: $60 for 6 weeks. If you have any questions, contact the park at 912-598-2300

Fall means time to explore Georgia State Parks.

Start planning your leaves-changing getaway by checking out  got all September & October 2011 events happening at state parks and historic spots across the state. The events are listed on the SouthernMamas.com Georgia State Parks Events page here.

Gorge hikes, group hayrides, outdoor music festivals, full moon hikes & more.

To find out state park event details, visit the new SouthernMamas.com Georgia State Parks Events page by clicking here.

Enroll Now for October classes at  Mommy & Me Play and Fitness in Richmond Hill.  Classes begin on Oct. 3. If you would like your child to enroll in classes, please visit Mommy & Me Play and Fitness website by clicking here for the October schedule (slight changes) and to enroll online.

If you have classes that you will make up in October and you intend to enroll in an October class, email owner Charlene Ford so that she can invoice you the proper fee. (email: mommyandmeplayandfitness@live.com) Two of the September classes were full and most likely will fill again, so make sure to get in early to ensure the class time that works best for your child.

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness.

2552 US Highway 17, Richmond Hill
912.756.2828
Any new student who mentions you read about Mommy & Me on SouthernMamas.com will have the Lifetime Membership Fee waived!
Military & Multi Child/Class Discounts
www.mommyandmeplayandfitness.com
email: mommyandmeplayandfitness@live.com

Like Mommy & Me Play and Fitness on Facebook here.

Story Time w/ Make and Take every 1st Thursday @ 1 PM
COST: FREE!
Reservations Required. Call 756.2828

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness in Richmond Hill offers Classes; Birthday Parties; Mommy’s Morning Out & More!

Hours: Mon: 9 am-2 pm
Tues – Thurs: 9 am -2 pm & 5-6:30 pm
Fri: 9 am – 2 pm
Sat: 9 am – 12 pm

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness, www.mommyandmeplayandfitness.com, 2552 US Hwy17, Richmond Hill, 31324, 912.756.2828, email: mommyandmeplayandfitness@live.com Mommy & Me Play and Fitness is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Free kid-friendly structured activities are regularly held at the park. For a complete listing of September 2011 Free Skidaway Island State Park Kid-Friendly Events, visit our new Skidaway State Park children’s activities page by clicking here.

The park’s Interpretive Center (i.e. Nature Center) is surrounded by easy hiking trails including the 1-mile Avian Loop Trail, 1-mile Sandpiper Trail Loop, and the 3-mile Big Ferry Trail Loop.

The Interpretive Center includes a display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica (pictured here); wildlife exhibits; live reptiles including a terrapin turtle; and birding station.

Interpretive Center hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10 AM-5 PM at Skidaway Island State Park. Cost: $5 for parking.
52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, 31411, 912-598-2300, http://www.gastateparks.org/SkidawayIsland

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness in Richmond Hill offers Classes; Birthday Parties; Mommy’s Morning Out & More!

Enroll Now for September. Classes Filling Fast at Mommy & Me Play and Fitness.

2552 US Highway 17, Richmond Hill
912.756.2828
Any new student who mentions you read about Mommy & Me on SouthernMamas.com will have the Lifetime Membership Fee waived!
Military & Multi Child/Class Discounts
www.mommyandmeplayandfitness.com
email: mommyandmeplayandfitness@live.com

Like Mommy & Me Play and Fitness on Facebook here.

Charlene R. Ford, EdD
Owner/Program Director

Story Time w/ Make and Take every 1st Thursday @ 1 PM
COST: FREE!
Reservations Required. Call 756.2828

Hours: Mon: 9 am-2 pm
Tues – Thurs: 9 am -2 pm & 5-6:30 pm
Fri: 9 am – 2 pm
Sat: 9 am – 12 pm

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness, www.mommyandmeplayandfitness.com, 2552 US Hwy17, Richmond Hill, 31324, 912.756.2828, email: mommyandmeplayandfitness@live.com Mommy & Me Play and Fitness is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

The hot weather will subside someday. We promise.

And when it does, you want to be ready to explore Georgia State Parks. We’ve got all the info on September events happening a state parks and historic spots across the state. Gorge hikes, group hayrides, outdoor music festivals, full moon hikes, Labor Day festivities, butterfly safari, fishing rodeos, even a couple of special days when you can actually swim in the waters at Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site in Warm Springs, Ga. (which are normally kept empty for preservation).

To find out details about all that and more, visit the new SouthernMamas.com Georgia State Parks Events page by clicking here. You can also find it listed as Georgia State Park Events on our home page left sidebar under Pages.

Here’s great news for parents looking for a fun indoor place where you can get fit or stay fit with your child:

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness just opened in Richmond Hill.

The brand new venue at 2552 US Highway 17 offers parent/child classes, birthday parties, Mommy’s Morning Out, free play, pay to play and more!

Classes begin Mon. Aug. 1. Limited slots remaining. Enroll online here or call 912.756.2828.

For children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness also hosts a FREE storytime every first Thursday of the month at 1 PM. Reservations Required. Call 912.756.2828

Lifetime Membership Fee waived for those that register on-line July 23-July 30. Military & Multi Child/Class Discounts also offered.

Stay connected and learn more about upcoming events by liking Mommy & Me Play and Fitness on Facebook by clicking here.  

SouthernMamas.com often hears from moms who say they wish our area had more indoor play spots, so please support this new kid-and-parent friendly business. Mommy & Me Play and Fitness is also open Saturdays, ideal for work-outside-the-home parents looking for parent-child weekend activities.

Hours: Mon: 9 am-2 pm
Tues – Thurs: 9 am -2 pm & 5-6:30 pm
Fri: 9 am – 2 pm
Sat: 9 am – 12 pm

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness, www.mommyandmeplayandfitness.com, 2552 US Hwy17, Richmond Hill, 31324, 912.756.2828, email: mommyandmeplayandfitness@live.com Mommy & Me Play and Fitness is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

UPDATE: Winner is Sarah Peay Baxter! Congratulations Sarah!

This week, SouthernMamas is giving away: one Friends of Georgia State Parks Annual Family Membership, which includes two annual park/historic site passes, two free rounds of golf OR two camping nights, and one adult/one child SAM shortline ticket and special park discounts.  Here’s how to win.

Fall is here – the perfect time to enjoy Georgia’s fall colors and get the family fit and moving. What could be better than hiking through freshly fallen leaves at our Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites? Share your favorite part of fall and the harvest season by posting a fall photo on the SouthernMamas Facebook fan page for a chance to win a Friends Of Georgia State Parks Annual Family Membership. Click here to go the SouthernMamas Facebook fan page.

This year Georgia State Parks is partnering with the Georgia Forestry Commission to provide weekly updates on the best places to see foliage this Fall, you can check it out at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/LeafWatch. Plan a fall foliage weekend with the family. Georgia State Parks & Lodges offer a variety of comfortable hotel-style lodge rooms at affordable prices. Or, simply head out for the day, park fees are just $5 per day and there are tons of recreational offerings for the entire family, from hiking and biking trails, to canoeing, kayaking and golf, there is an activity to fit every lifestyle. Best of all you can enjoy the tranquility of the great outdoors in style with a comfortable bed and hotel-style amenities.

About Leaf Watch
To help leaf peepers plan their fall escapes, Georgia’s State Parks have launched “Leaf Watch 2010” in partnership with Georgia Forestry Commission to track fall color as it moves across the Peach State and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether heading north for hiking and waterfalls or south for canoeing and camping, “Leaf Watch 2010” offers advice on where to find the best color at Georgia’s state parks. Found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/LeafWatch throughout October and November, travelers can get updates on fall color, learn safe hiking tips, and make reservations for the many campsites, cottages and lodge rooms offered at Georgia’s state parks. New this year is a partnership with Georgia Forestry Commission and a webcam at Black Rock Mountain State Park near Clayton, Ga. Expert foresters will advise travelers about overall color, specific tree species and even the weather’s effect on leaf watching. The webcam will provide a glimpse of color progressing across the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Deadline to enter to win is Sun. Oct. 31. We’ll announce the winner here Sunday.

UPDATE: Winner is Sarah Peay Baxter!

Bouncing Angels, a Savannah inflatable play and party center, has new rates that started Sept. 1, 2010.

Here are the new admission fees:
Children 0 to 2 years old: $5 weekdays; $5 holidays and weekends
Children 3 to 5 years old: $6 weekdays; $7 holidays and weekends.
Children 6 to 10 years old: $7 weekdays; $8 holidays and weekends
*Children 11 to12 years old: $8 weekdays; $9 holidays and weekends

Each Parent: $2 weekdays; $2 holidays and weekends. (Parents only pay if playing on the inflatables, not for bringing the kids)

*Bouncing Angels is designed for kids 10 or younger. If older kids want to play, they must behave properly or will be asked to stop using the inflatables or leave the premises

Special Discount: Monthly 1 Child Unlimited Admission Rate: $20. Monthly Unlimited Family Admission Rate: $35

Bouncing Angels inflatable play & party entertainment center is @ the Victory Drive Shopping Center, 2123 E. Victory Drive near Skidaway Road.  Check out the Bouncing Angels Web site here. For more info. call: 912.691.8797.

The new Georgia State Parks Geo-Challenge invites GPS-toting geocaching explorers to travel trails in search of hidden caches.

Adventure seekers use a GPS unit to find hidden treasures, then share their experiences online. Caches usually contain trinkets that geocachers can keep, replacing them with something else. Some trackable items, called travel bugs, make their way across the country and create a story as they go.

With the new Georgia State Parks Geo-Challenge, players download a PassPort by clicking here, find hidden stamps in each cache to spell out the PassPort’s message and collect custom geocoins.

Forty-two state parks have hidden caches with “first to find” prizes of a free night of camping. Three parks also have more elusive “bonus caches.” Players go to www.Geocaching.com to find the GPS coordinates for each hidden box. After their journey, players can talk about the parks and what they found.

Caches are hidden in public-access areas, so treasure hunters will not venture off trails or into remote locations.

 Island Playground, an indoor playground featuring inflatable fun & creative play for kids, will host a special night for moms in May.

The FREE MOMS’ NIGHT OUT EXPO to honor all moms will be 5:30-8:30 PM Thurs. May 6 at the playground. Grab all your girlfriends and enjoy FREE admission for all moms, FREE gifts and samples, FREE massages, FREE facials, FREE manicures, FREE makeovers, FREE margaritas, a raffle to benefit the Boys & Girls Club with a chance to win fabulous prizes, and special event-night discounts from Island Playground and other local businesses.

For more information contact Island Playground at (843) 837-8383 or click here.

 Island Playground, 1538 Fording Island Rd, Suite 104, Bluffton, S.C. near the HHI bridge on the Bluffton side (843) 837-8383

Georgia State Park Lodges

Welcome to week No. 2 of the great Spring Break Escape giveaway: two nights at one of five Georgia State Parks Lodges.

SouthernMamas reader Carla Reed won two nights at a lodge of her choice last week. This week could be your turn. Just share a photo of your family’s favorite outdoor spring activity on the SouthernMamas Facebook Fan Page and have a chance to win a two-night stay at choice of five state park lodges including: Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, Ga., Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga., Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, Ga., George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge in Fort Gaines, Ga. or Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge in McRae, Ga.

One winner will be chosen at the end of this week (March 26). To win, just visit the SouthernMamas Facebook Fan page and post a photo of you, your kids or your family doing something fun outside. We’ll pick two winners and announce them here.

Spring Break is a great time for families to get outdoors as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Georgia State Parks & Lodges offer a variety of comfortable hotel-style lodge rooms at affordable prices with their new “Spring Lodge-ical” rates starting at $69 per night. Or, simply head out for the day, parking fees are just $5 per day and there are tons of recreational offerings for the entire family, from hiking and biking trails, to canoeing, kayaking and golf, there is an activity to fit every lifestyle.

Best of all you can enjoy the tranquility of the great outdoors in style with a comfortable bed and hotel-style amenities. One winner will be chosen per week to win a two-night stay at choice of five state park lodges including: Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, Ga., Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga., Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, Ga., George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge in Fort Gaines, Ga. And Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge in McRae, Ga. For Spring Break ideas that don’t break the bank, visit  www.galodges.com or www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge

Participating Georgia State Park Lodges include:

• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, Ga.: Only one and a half hours north of Atlanta, The Lodge at Amicalola Falls is a stunning 57-room hideaway, complete with a window-lined restaurant. Whether you want to visit the famous 729-foot cascading falls, go trout fishing or hike the park’s 12 miles of trails through towering forests, there is plenty to discover at Amicalola Falls. Amicalola Falls is one of Georgia’s most popular state parks. 
  

  Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge

•  Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga.: Just north of Atlanta are the sandy beaches of Lake Allatoona and the pine-scented nature trails of Red Top Mountain. At the Lodge at Red Top Mountain, you can choose one of the campsites, a secluded cottage with lakeshore views or a peaceful lodge room. Guests can enjoy 12 miles of hiking trails and water sport galore on Lake Alatoona Including boating, fishing, skiing and swimming. There’s also a miniature golf course.

•  
  

  Unicoi State Park Lodge

  Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, Ga.: In the midst of the Chattahoochee National Forest, located just two miles from the Alpine Village of Helen, the Lodge at Unicoi State Park is a beautiful setting for all of your family’s needs. Guests can enjoy the park’s 12 miles of nature and hiking trails, lake and trout stream fishing, four lighted tennis courts, softball and volleyball area, picnic facilities, world class mountain bike trail and year-round schedule of activities.

•  
• George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge, Fort Gaines, Ga.: Head to Southwest Georgia for the pristine forests, championship golf and scenic dining. The Lodge at George T. Bagby is the perfect retreat, whether you choose a room at the lodge or a cottage in the woods. Guests can enjoy plenty of activities on beautiful Lake Walter George, from boat rentals and full-service marina to swimming, fishing, beach volleyball and tennis.

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Carla Reed is the first of two winners in the current SouthernMamas giveaway: a family vacation at one of five Georgia State Parks Lodges.

Thanks for sharing your photos of your family’s favorite outdoor spring activity on the SouthernMamas Facebook Fan Page . You still have a chance to win a family vacation at one of five Georgia State Parks Lodges because we’ll be picking a SECOND WINNER at the end of next week (March 26).

Two SouthernMamas readers will win a two-night stay at choice of five state park lodges including: Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, Ga., Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga., Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, Ga., George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge in Fort Gaines, Ga. or Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge in McRae, Ga.

To win, just visit the SouthernMamas Facebook Fan page and post a photo of you, your kids or your family doing something fun outside. We’ll pick a second winner and announce her here next week.

The newly remade Ellis Square in downtown Savannah is open.

Ellis Square – one of Gen. James Oglethorpe’s original six squares – is now restored to public use and features an ellipses interior, interactive spray fountain, life-sized chess board, movable furniture and public restrooms.

It is the most environmentally friendly of Savannah’s squares, with water-efficient plants, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC system in the glass-walled visitors center, and a green roof on the public bathrooms to help reduce runoff.

The new kid-friendly interactive spray fountains at Ellis Square and the new spray fountains at Forsyth Park mean lots of cool options this summer!

The Visitors’ Center and Café is now open at Forsyth Park’s renovated fort, next to the park’s two playgrounds.

That means Starbucks coffee, breakfast, lunch, desserts, juices, ice cream, even wine and beer as well as organic dog treats! Even better: finally the park has indoor bathrooms – complete with a baby-changing station and oodles of hand sanitizer. The Mansion-run cafe and center – open 7 AM-7 PM – are a welcome addition to Forsyth Park. All that’s missing are high-chairs!

Read more here.

Newly renovated fort next to the toddler playground includes a canopied stage and spray fountain

Newly reopened toddler playground at Forsyth Park includes a rocking toucan

Forsyth Park’s toddler/preschooler playground is reopened after being closed for a few years during the $4.7 million refurbishment to the fort adjoining the playground. 

The playground is one of two playgrounds at Forsyth. The other one, for older children, remained open during the renovations.

When the fort’s visitors’ center and Mansion-run cafe open on Feb. 5, there will finally be access to clean public bathrooms at Forsyth Park!  No more porta-potties.

The Mansion-run cafe at the center serves Starbucks coffee, breakfast, lunch, desserts, juices, ice cream, even wine and beer as well as organic dog treats! It’s open 7 AM-7 PM.

The spanking new fort now has a canopied stage and spray fountain, where kids can play in the water during the warm months similar to the spray fountains at Hull Park in Ardsley Park.

The Forsyth Park playground, which now has a rocking toucan and duck replacing the old alligator, is ideal for younger children. My 3-year-old especially loves the low overhead bars because he can reach them on his own. Other features include baby and standard swings, low-climbing area with slides, tunnel etc.; benches; water fountains for people and dogs.

SouthernMamas reader Trish Caparelli emails with this terrific tip and alternative to the conventional “indoor” playground: an open gym for all ages at Coach Wayne! Gymnastics in Savannah Mall .

From Trish: “At Savannah Mall, (across from Champs, next to Payless shoes on the 2nd level) every Friday from 4-8 PM Coach Wayne ! Gymnastics has supervised open gym for all ages. Just take off your shoes and go. Usually Coach Wayne or his wife, along with several instructors, man this time and oversee and encourage children to play on their gym equipment. There is a nominal fee of $5 for 30 minutes for non-members or $5 for 60 minutes for members. What a different variety to the soft play playgrounds or bouncing houses!

“We found this place during the holidays and go pretty much each week. Our 4-year-old son loves that he could run and jump around on the bouncing gym mats, climb on the equipment and just blow off steam. The other thing that is nice, you have the option of dropping off your children to do a little shopping in peace or grab a quick bite to eat with your honey or simply sit and watch your child play and maybe learn a little tumbling. I know we like how it tires him out so it is a little easier to get him in bed at night especially when it is too cold or rainy to go out and play.”

Thanks, Trish. I definitely plan to drop by one Friday night with my kids and try it out.

The weather is entirely too polar and piercing for daily dashes to the outdoor neighborhood playground. Here are some indoor playgrounds to check out during this big chill.

• Rainbow Jump N Fun play center at Rainbow Play Systems in Richmond Hill.
  82 A Longwood Drive (Exit 90)
  1-800-259-7880
  912-920-(PLAY)7529
  An indoor jump place and an outdoor play center including a trampoline.
  Features include a special area for kids 2 and younger.
• Monkey Joe’s Savannah 
  311 Eisenhower Drive.
  The indoor playground and birthday spot offers bouncing, sliding, and jumping fun for kids 12 years-old and younger.
  912-349-2528. For Monkey Joe’s Savannah business hours and more info click here.
• Bouncing Angels
  Victory Drive Shopping Center, 2123 E. Victory Drive Savannah, GA (former Jumping Bean’s)
  912.691.8797
  An indoor Party and Play center featuring inflatables, interactive games, toddler activities.
• Savannah Mall Soft Playtime Center
  14045 Abercorn Street (Savannah Mall, lower level)
  Monday-Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
• Soft play inside Oglethorpe Mall
  Monday-Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
• Flying Frogs
  1100 Eisenhower Drive
  912 356-0075
  Indoor play area for children under 12, with arcade games and tubes to climb
• Skukuzoo
  14045 Abercorn Street (Savannah Mall, Upper level, next to Dillards)
  912-921-7216
  18 hole indoor mini golf course and 13,000 sq. ft. of jungle playground, tubes, mazes and ball pools sure to entertain children and adults as well. Full concession stand.
• Leapin’ Lizards , jumping/inflatable play center,
  Rincon. 912.691.8797
  For hours and info click here

Bluffton area

The Island Playground
indoor playground featuring inflatable fun & creative play, near the HHI bridge on the Bluffton side.
1538 Fording Island Rd, Suite 104, Bluffton
(843) 837-8383

On Thurs. Dec. 31, Monkey Joe’s Savannah will have a countdown to NOON, with a bubble wrap fireworks celebration. Bounce, stomp, and jump into the New Year with family friendly popping fun at the indoor inflatable playground at 311 Eisenhower Drive.

Standard admission rates apply. Monkey Joe’s will close at 6 PM on New Year’s Eve.

On New Year’s Day, come watch the Bowl Games while the kids jump. Monkey Joe’s will be open regular hours, 10 AM – 9 PM New Year’s Day. 912-349-2528.

Tell them SouthernMamas sent you.