Richmond For Kids
Richmond Virginia Kid Friendly Activites and Information
Pigtails & Crewcuts
0584 days
I tried to put it off for as long as possible, but I knew it was time for their first haircut when women kept asking me if I had a girl and a boy. They really didn’t need much more than a trim to get it out of their eyes and off their ears, but I still wanted to do something special to commemorate this first cut, and I certainly didn’t trust myself to do it. So I started asking around and was told to take them to a little place called Pigtails and Crewcuts. They not only cater to kids but also have a special first haircut package. Perfect!
I called ahead to find out if walk-ins were welcome and was told that they only accept walk-ins. Keep that in mind. We went after lunch on a Thursday afternoon and were the only customers. I have to assume that they are much busier after work and on weekends. The salon was painted in bright colors and full of things to occupy children of all ages. There were several train tables set up in the waiting area which was great for our guys even though we didn’t have to wait. I also noticed several racks of dress-up clothes. Perhaps those were for kids who had no interest in the trains or other toys available for everyone to enjoy. Instead of typical salon chairs there were vintage cars that were turned in to chairs on lifts for the kids to sit in. On the walls in front of the car chairs were televisions playing cartoons. They seemed to have a little something for everyone.
They wasted no time getting our little guys in to the chairs. With the first cut package you get a picture of the cut and a 
lock of their hair all put neatly in a dated card for their baby books. While the stylists were trimming another employee was working hard to get a good picture of the event for each. Getting them to sit still is never easy and I was pleased with the photos that she took. The stylists made sure that they did exactly what we wanted and I was happy with the end result. After it was all said in done, we were out of there in about 15 minutes without any meltdowns. Major triumph for Mom and Dad!
Although we visited the salon in the West End, it turns out there is also a salon in Midlothian. You can find the addresses and a list of their services and prices here: https://www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/locations.aspx. I definitely think that we will go back for future trims.
Family Night at Mexico Restaurant
0591 days
This week the baby and I were craving Mexican food so we decided to head to our local Richmond Va Mexico Restaurant for Family Night. Every Tuesday you can get a free kid’s meal, from the Children’s menu, with each adult meal that is ordered. What a deal! We have always been fans of Mexico, not only because the food is good, but also because it is prepared so quickly. All parents can appreciate how important this can be, especially if you have a cranky child and not much time to linger.
Luckily, everyone was in a good mood this time. While we were in the process of getting the boys strapped in to their high chairs, our drink orders were taken and the chips and salsa arrived. I immediately turned my attention to the Children’s Menu to choose their meals. I decided on one cheese and one chicken quesadilla because they are easy to cut up and not as messy as some of the other options. And when I say messy, I mean messy for two 14 month-olds who eat with their hands. All of the options were good, but I am always trying to think of how much clean up is going to be required on the back end. Both of these options come with French fries, so I also ordered a side of Mexican rice. Next time I will ask if we can substitute the rice for the fries.
While we waited for our food to arrive we all snacked on chips and the boys drank their juice which was included with their kid’s meal. I think we waited all of 7 minutes or so. Once the food was cut and placed in front of them they dove right in. It was at about this moment that I realized that I forgot to pack their special bibs with built-in food-catchers, which I HIGHLY recommend. I will not make this mistake again. Hard as they tried to get the rice in their mouths, 50% of it wound up either in their laps or on the floor. Luckily this is a family restaurant and they seem to be used to this type of thing. I did my best to clean up as much as I could before our waiter asked me to stop and said that it was his job to clean it up. I was happy to leave him a nice tip for being so helpful and understanding. 
All in all the food was good, as usual, and the kids had a great time. They were laughing so much that several people commented on what happy little boys they were and how nice it was to hear. I have to assume that people understand that going to Mexico on Family Night is not going to offer them a quiet meal. Please visit their website to view the menu and most convenient location for your family. http://www.mexico-restaurant.com/. For more Richmond Resturant choices check out our sister site Eating In Richmond
Water Play at Stony Point Mall
3598 days
Like most busy moms, I strive to take care of my daily to-do list with as few stops as possible, and make sure that
everyone is happy. I knew it was going to be hot today and I needed to do some shopping for Father’s Day, so I loaded everyone up and headed over to Stony Point Mall in Richmond Virginia. If you have ever been to Stony Point during the summer you have surely noticed the fountain that attracts parents and young kids to this shopping center. It is located just outside of Chipotle and is usually full of squealing kids in swimsuits. Today was no exception.
After we finished up my errands I took the boys over and their eyes were wide with excitement. They couldn’t wait to get out of the stroller and join the fun. Although I was a little nervous since this was our first experience with the fountain, I set them down and they ran right in to the middle of it. They looked a little surprised when they first felt the water and I’m still not sure that they understood that it was coming out of the ground. They didn’t seem to care though. Along with all of the other kids there today, they screamed with excitement and joy each time it shot up in to the air, and tried over and over in vain to grasp it with their hands. They were so busy chasing the water that they failed to notice that the area is not enclosed. Normally they are off and running in two different directions making life very difficult for their pregnant mother. I will have to take them again to see if they are actually turning over a new leaf or if they were just too preoccupied to run.
If you have not ever taken you kids to play in the fountain at Stony Point you now know that it is not enclosed. You should also know that there is not any cover or shade so come prepared with plenty of sunscreen, hats and protective clothing. As long as your children do not mind getting wet, they should have a blast. Please visit the mall website for hours and merchant information. http://www.shopstonypoint.com/
Cooling It at Granite Swim Club
2605 days
This year we were lucky enough to be offered a membership to one of our local Richmond Va swimming pools. Several of our friends with kids also belong to this pool so we were ecstatic, to say the least. This pool is great for families and seems to have something for everyone. In addition to the pools and playground for the kids, they also have several tennis courts and lots of activities during the summer, including live music.
We just took the boys for the first time last night and we all had a great time. We headed to the baby pool first. It is completely enclosed which comes in handy when you have two 13 month olds that are usually moving in two different directions at all times. The boys headed straight for the water which I am guessing to be about a foot deep. They were very excited to get in and splash around with the other kids under the very watchful eyes of mom and dad. There were lots of pool-provided toys for them to play with as well, so no need to haul a bunch of stuff from home. It wasn’t extremely warm outside but the water felt great. I am certain that is due to the fact that it is so shallow and easily heated by the sun.
After playing in the baby pool for some time we decided to grab the floats and move over to the larger pool. It was a busy night and there were lots of older kids splashing about, but our boys didn’t seem to mind. They enjoyed being pulled around in the safety of their own little flotation devices. I must note that the large pool was also quite warm. I wouldn’t want to take the babies in if it were too cold, so hopefully it will remain at a comfortable temperature for the duration of the summer.
There are plenty of tables and chairs around both of the pool area and lots of families were eating dinner that they
either brought from home or had delivered right to the pool. There are also several grills available for everyone’s use. I made a mental note of this for our next visit later this week. Additionally, there is a concession stand which will open in the next week or two.
When we headed back to the baby pool to dry off and gather our things the boys spied the playground just off to the side of the baby pool. It is in its own separate enclosed area. The equipment is definitely for younger kids but I unfortunately forgot to pack shoes for them to wear so we will have to test it out next time. Something for them to look forward to!
Granite Swim Club is located just off of Forest Hill Avenue on the Southside. You can visit their website for more info www.planetgranite.org. If you live on another side of town, I recommend doing a Google search for local pools in that area. Richmond summers are just too hot to go without the use of a swimming pool!
