Made by Mom Gift Guide: SnickerDoodles stays busy with craft, stories, free play

SnickerDoodles offers free drop-in play for kids and their caretakers, along with snacks, coffee, art projects and more for a fee. The north Raleigh business opened in September.

Posted 7:24 p.m. Dec 11, 2016 — Updated 7:24 p.m. Dec 11, 2016

I like giving my kids experiences instead of things for Christmas and other holidays. That's why places like SnickerDoodles, the north Raleigh play space for young children that opened a few months ago, are on our Made by Mom Gift Guide this year.

SnickerDoodles offers free drop-in play for kids and their caretakers. (Yes, you really can walk in and let your child play for no fee). The spot is best for babies to preschoolers. To support the business, SnickerDoodles sells coffee, snacks, gently used books and craft projects (including space to do those craft projects so you don't have to bring the mess home) and offers birthday parties and packages for playgroups and meetings.

Since opening in September, SnickerDoodles' owners Nicki Medford and Jenn Spencer tell me that they have expanded their cafe offerings, including locally made baked goods.

The space's events and activities calendar also is filling up with stories, crafts and a new enrichment program called Lil' Noodles, led by Medford. More than a dozen families enrolled in the first session of the 30-minute program that introduces kids to the "circle time and centers" format based on a theme of the week.

"This is something we really hope will become a highlight of our offerings, in addition to other structured group classes eventually," Medford tells me.

And, there's a little something for parents, too, including a monthly book club and a mom "crafternoon" where, for a fee, moms can come in and do a "Pinterest" style craft or project for themselves while their kids play. To support local mom-owned businesses, SnickerDoodles also has started monthly networking nights to support other moms in business and showcase specific businesses.

A gift card to SnickerDoodles for art activities or snacks and coffee would make for a perfect gift for a little one (or their mom, dad or caretaker).

Check SnickerDoodles' website and Facebook page for the latest.

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