27 Things I wish I would have known as a First Time Mom in Manhattan
Whether you’re a brand-new parent or just new to Manhattan, here are 27 local tips that can make the early years of motherhood in Manhattan a little easier and a lot more fun!
- Join a local mom’s group early
One of the best ways to adjust to motherhood is finding other moms going through the same stage of life. Local groups often share playdates, events, babysitter recommendations, and encouragement. Learn more.
- Parents as Teachers is an incredible free resource
Parents as Teachers offers home visits, developmental screenings, parent support and daily free playdates! It’s like having a non-judgmental child development expert in your corner from birth through kindergarten. Learn more. 
- The Manhattan Public Library becomes a second home
The library offers baby and toddler Storytime’s, play areas, and family programs. It’s also one of the best free places to go during Kansas winters or hot summers. Learn more.
- The Riley County Health Department has helpful family programs
New parents can find resources for maternal health, child safety, vaccinations, and parenting support. Learn more.
- Childcare waitlists can be longer than expected
If you plan to use daycare or preschool, it helps to research options early and get on waitlists sooner rather than later. Learn more about daycare here and preschools here.
- Manhattan’s parks become your parenting lifeline
From toddler play to stroller walks, parks become a regular outing for families with young kids. You will quickly find your favorite park in the area. Many friendships between families begin casually at playgrounds. Learn more.
- Sunset Zoo
Many families chose to get an annual membership to the Sunset Zoo. Visiting a few times a year covers your membership and it’s the perfect spot to stop in for a few hours. Combine a zoo visit with their fun playground for a full morning outing. Learn more.
- Hiking in the Area
Manhattan offers several amazing family friendly hiking trails! While several local trails are great for older kids and adults, there are several that are perfect for stroller walks, toddler bike and kids on scooters. Living in Manhattan means kids grow up surrounded by prairie views, open skies, and incredible sunsets. Those everyday moments become some of the sweetest memories. Learn more. 
- Visit the The K-State Gardens and K-State Insect Zoo
If you are looking for some educational fun, take a self-guided tour of the K-State Gardens and stop in to visit the K-State Insect Zoo, which is located inside of the Gardens. Learn more.
- Visit Aggieville during the day.
While Aggieville will fill up with the bar-crowd at night, check out Aggieville during the day with your family! From a planned event such as a parade or a trip to Varsity Donuts, there is something for everyone! Learn more.
- Manhattan summers are HOT and winters are COLD
Indoor activities become essential during the hottest and coldest months, especially with babies and toddlers. Make sure to know local indoor kid spots such as the Flint Hills Discovery Center, Wonder Workshop, Manhattan Public Library, MHK Play Studio, The Recs, among others. 
- Check out the Local Art Studios
Manhattan offers several art studio options for children of all ages! From clay creations, learning to draw or to paint, Manhattan does not disappoint on the options. Learn more.
- Kids sports fill up faster than you expect
Registration for Youth Sports often opens months in advance and usually fill up quickly so plan ahead! Learn more.
- Just like sports, camps also fill up fast too
Weather it is for a day off school or for the summer, day camps fill super quick! Learn more.
- Kansas State University adds a lot to family life
Kansas State University offers so much for the community. From community events, cultural programs, and beautiful campus spaces make K-State a big part of local life. Learn more (not sure which article you would want to link here since there are so many options!).
- Many families here didn’t expect to stay long
Manhattan is full of families who came for school, work, or the military and ended up staying long term. Get involved in the community to meet people from all over! Local parents are often happy to share advice, resources, and encouragement.
- Farmers Market Mornings Become a Family Tradition
Many Manhattan families build Saturday mornings around the farmers market. Kids love the music and baked goods, and it’s a fun way to get outside and see familiar faces in the community. Learn more. 
- Dance Classes
Many families choose to sign up for dance or gymnastic classes. Manhattan and the surrounding area offer several options to explore! Learn more.
- Call Hall ice cream is a childhood tradition
Many Manhattan kids grow up with memories of their first cone at Call Hall Dairy Bar! Try one of their daily favorites and grab some goodies to go from their jumbo fridges like local cheeses or some pints of ice cream to go! Learn more.
- Manhattan has several different swimming lesson options
With research pointing to swimming lessons being one of the top things you can give your children at a young age, most families choose to sign up for swim lessons yearly! With year round options available, make sure to sign up early. Learn more.
- The Flint Hills Landscape Becomes Part of Childhood
Living in Manhattan means kids grow up surrounded by prairie views, open skies, and incredible sunsets. Those everyday moments like stroller walks, backyard play, and evening skies become some of the sweetest memories.
22. Manhattan Town Center
When you are looking for something to do indoors, Manhattan Town Center has you covered! With options to walk around shopping, hanging out by the fountains or there are several options to explore. From the theater to the arcade, to jumping on the jumbo trampolines to the ride on animals, there is something for all children to enjoy! Learn more.
- Play Places
Manhattan offers several different play places depending on what you are looking for! Check out the Flint Hills Discovery Center, Wonderwork Shop and MHK Play Studio among more more options! Learn more.
- Local Farms
If you are looking for outdoor farm events, look no further than A&H Farm, Britt’s Farm and Rohling Homestead. With similar experiences, each farm / homestead also has very unique features which make it easy for families to find the best option for them! From sunflower days to pumpkin patches, you will find the options that are best for you! Learn more.
- Manhattan has so many events, you just need to know where to look!
Between sports games, festivals and town events, there is always something going on in town! Follow along Manhattan Moms for the newest info about all the local attractions! Learn more.
- Local Day Trips
Manhattan is really in the ideal spot to take quick day trips or even overnight weekend trips to several big attractions in the area! Check out Wamego, Topeka, Kansas City, Emporia, Wichita, Hutchinson, Salina, Milford, Junction City, Clay Center among many more! Learn more.
- Raising Kids in a Small Town Has Unexpected Benefits
One of the things many first time parents discover is how nice it is to raise kids somewhere where parks are close, community events are frequent and people recognize each other around town. Over time you start seeing the same families at parks, storytime, and community events and that’s how your village forms. Manhattan may be small, but it offers a wonderful place to grow a family.
Motherhood often feels like you’re figuring things out as you go, especially in the early years. But one of the beautiful things about raising kids in Manhattan is how quickly the town begins to feel familiar. The parks, the library story times, the Saturday farmers markets, the same families you keep running into; little by little they become part of your rhythm.
Before you know it, the places that once felt new start to feel like home. And somewhere along the way, the village you were hoping to find quietly forms around you right here in Manhattan!
