WNY Mothers & More

Making Connections. Making a Difference.

Active Play

Albright Knox Art Gallery (Gusto at the Gallery): every Friday from 3 pm to 10 pm admission and parking are free, features guided tours of the gallery’s regular collection, concerts and activities; child oriented activities are every 2nd Friday of the month; Link; 882-8700; 1285 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo; map and directions

Boulevard Mall Buddies: snack and art project first Tuesday of every month near food court, pre-registration required; Link; 834-8600; 730 Alberta Dr, Amherst; map and directions

Boulevard Mall Play Area: large foam/plastic cars that children can climb on, also a carousel, near food court entrance; Link; 834-8600; 730 Alberta Dr, Amherst; map and directions

Chuck E. Cheese play area:  you don’t have to buy food or tokens to enjoy the tubes, toddler area and sitting on rides without putting in coins; Link; Amherst location: Amherst location: 839-3543; 4990 Harlem Rd; map and directions; Blasdell location: 822-2221; 4408 Milestrip Rd; map and directions

Cornerstone Playgroup: every Tuesday 10:30 am to 12 pm, kitchen available for your use; 834-3069; Cornerstone Free Methodist Church, 49 Capen Blvd, Buffalo; map and directions

Eastern Hills Mall: tiny play area sponsored by Fisher Price outside of JC Penny’s; Link; 633-1600; 4545 Transit Rd, Williamsville; map and directions

Grocery stores: play areas often have activities posted; free cookies at play area or bakery; free balloon at customer service.

Home Depot:  kid’s workshops designed for children ages 5 to 12 (although members have successfully taken younger children), build project from a kit (example: bird house), every 1st Saturday of the month at all stores between 9 am and 12 pm; children must be accompanied by an adult. Blasdell: 825-0872, 4405 Milestrip Rd, map and directions; Buffalo: 871-8800, 2100 Elmwood Ave, map and directions; Cheektowaga: 895-6680, 300 Thruway Plaza Dr, map and directions; West Amherst: 639-9600, 2065 Niagara Falls Blvd, map and directions; West Seneca: 677-7445, 1881 Ridge Rod, map and directions Williamsville: 633-9200, 4139 Transit Rd, map and directions;

Knox Mommy and Me Playgroup: every Thursday 9:30 am to 11:15 am; children play in large gym area; small amount of circle time type activities; Link; 873-2423; Knox Presbyterian Church, 2595 Elmwood Ave, Kenmore; map and directions

Lowe’s: kid’s workshops designed for children ages 5 to 8, build project from a kit (example: bird house), every 2nd Saturday of the month at all stores from 10 am until approx. 11 am; children must be accompanied by an adult. Amherst: 831-5990, 1659 Niagara Falls Boulevard, map and directions; Orchard Park: 677-1500, 3195 Southwestern Blvd, map and directions; Williamsville: 639-2500, 8150 Transit Rd, map and directions.

McDonald’s: indoor play area; use Link to find a location with one near you

Quality Markets:  kids love shopping carts sized just for them; 632-7411; 5174 Main, Williamsville; map and directions

Shea’s: free family movies Fall through Spring on every Sunday at 2 pm, doors open at 1 pm, tickets available 7 days prior to show at Wegmans’ customer service desks or Shea’s Box office; Link; 847-0850; 646 Main St, Buffalo (Metro Rail: Theater Station drops you at front doors); map and directions

Southgate Plaza: many family oriented activities, (including Spring Carnival and Halloween costume parade) around holidays; call and they will send you a free calendar; Link; 674-5050; 950-A Union Rd, West Seneca; map and directions

SPCA Petting Zoo: open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 am to 5:30 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 11 am to 7:30 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm; Link; 875-7360; 205 Ensminger Rd, Tonawanda; map and directions