Baby- and Toddler-Friendly Activies you might like (Cheaper and closer than Disneyland!):

Weekly Playgroup - meets at Pacific Heights Playground near the gate every Thursday at 10. All are welcome.

Tiny Picassos - meets every Tuesday from 10-12. Note new location - now meeting at Tierra Vista Office (next door to the Clinic at Ft. Mac). This is poorly advertised in the Force - it's appropriate for ages 0-5, and it's really an open Mommy and Me time. There are toys to play with, art supplies to use, but nothing structured. It's fun, free, and great for inclement weather days!

Music Classes - Mommy and Me - The teacher is exceptional and these are free - take advantage! There is a class on Tuesdays at 2:30 for Toddlers (any baby that can walk counts as a toddler) at the Ft. Mac Youth Center. There are classes on Wednesday mornings at the CDC in El Segundo - Toddlers at 10, Babies at 11. Absolutely worth the drive - you can incorporate a visit to the PX, Commissary, or the Thrift Shop as part of your excursion.

MOPS - (Mothers of Preschoolers) - this is an international organization - visit http://www.mops.org/ . Several of us attend the MOPS group at St. Peter's by the Sea Presbyterian Church - 6410 Palos Verdes Drive South in Rancho Palos Verdes - it's 10 minutes away. They meet bi-weekly on Mondays from 9:15 - 11:45 and childcare is provided (children range in age from newborn to age 5), and breakfast is included! Speakers vary - the programs are designed to help you network as a mother, but also to feed your soul. There is an annual membership fee, but you can come to a meeting and see what it's all about with no pressure to join. You do not have to be a member of St. Peter's, and MOPS is non-denominational. Talk to me if you have any questions. The next MOPS meeting is this Monday, October 11th.

Kids Concepts - a fun indoor play place - 22844 Hawthorne Blvd in Torrance. $7 per toddler, one adult can enter free with each child. Socks for adults and children are required. They have all kinds of fun things to do - a huge playstructure and ball pit, an arts and crafts room, a puppet theater, dress up corner, and a separate room only for children 3 and under with age-appropriate toys. The concession stand is stocked with reasonably priced child-friendly selections... I highly recommend it! Visit their website - www.kidsconceptsusa.com for hours and more info.

Monday Morning Mommy Movies - I've never gone but friends tell me it's fun. They keep the lights up and the sound not so blaring as usual. The entire movie theater is empty except for the moms and kids. This is probably more geared towards small babies (when they sleep most of the time) but she says older kids are usually running around playing too. Sounds a bit crazy but a chance to see (at least part of) a movie. This is from the website http://www.pacifictheatres.com/MMMM.htm:
Select Pacific Theatres locations offer adult themed films scheduled at 11:00 am on Monday Mornings to accommodate parents with infants. The schedule of upcoming product is outlined below and available at the Pacific Theatres locations listed at the bottom of the page.
10/4/10 - The Social Network
10/11/10 - Life As We Know It (Manhattan Village will be showing Waiting For "Superman")
10/18/10 - Red
10/25/10 - Hereafter
Showing At:
Beach Cities 16 Cinemas
Beach Cities will be closed for the conversion to ArcLight Cinemas starting 9/7/10.
Manhattan Village 6
3560 Sepulveda Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Ticketing Info: (310) 607-0007
Guest Services: (310) 640-1258

Hope this is helpful info! It's nice to know some of the fun things there are to do with little ones besides going to Target every day... :)

Cheers,
Lorie