You know what makes my heart skip a beat? Watching a toddler’s eyes light up when they discover something new in our beautiful Music City. As a nanny working with Seaside Staffing Company, I’ve found that Nashville isn’t just about country music and hot chicken. It’s a magical playground where every corner holds a new adventure for little ones.
Indoor Adventures for Curious Minds
Let me tell you about the time we visited the Adventure Science Center and my 3-year-old charge spent 20 minutes completely mesmerized by the bubble wall. Pure magic! The Nashville Public Library has become our second home. Between the puppet shows (which, let’s be honest, I enjoy just as much as the kids) and the musical story times, we’re building a love for books that’ll last a lifetime.
On those days when Tennessee weather throws us a curveball, you’ll find us getting artsy at the Frist’s Martin ArtQuest Gallery. There’s something special about watching tiny hands create their first masterpiece, even if most of the paint ends up on their smocks… and occasionally in their hair!
Outdoor Fun Under the Nashville Sun
Centennial Park is our favorite outdoor classroom. We’ve turned duck feeding into math lessons (though sometimes the ducks are better at counting bread pieces than we are!). The Warner Parks have become our go-to spot for what we call “nature treasure hunts.” Last week, we found what my 4-year-old was convinced was a dinosaur footprint. It was actually a deer track, but hey, imagination counts!
The Nashville Zoo never disappoints. We’ve learned that giraffes have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans (who knew?), and we’ve perfected our penguin waddles. The kids think I look ridiculous doing it, and they’re probably right!
Music and Movement, Nashville Style
Being in Music City means music is everywhere, and thank goodness for that! We make instruments out of everything. Empty paper towel rolls become rain sticks, plastic containers transform into drums, and sometimes we just dance around the living room like nobody’s watching. Our cleanup songs have become such hits that other nannies at the park have started using them too!
Holiday Magic in Music City
During the holidays, Nashville turns into a winter wonderland (even if we don’t always get snow). We drive through neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights, playing “I Spy” with different colors. The Opryland Hotel becomes our enchanted castle, and yes, I’ve been known to join in the excitement when we spot Santa!
Creating Magic at Home
Some of our best days are spent right at home. We’ve had legendary baking fails (those cookies were supposed to be round, not blob shaped), created abstract art masterpieces that only a parent could love, and built blanket forts that would make an architect proud.
Through Seaside Staffing Company, I’ve connected with other Nashville nannies who share my philosophy that learning should be fun. We swap stories about our adventures, share activity ideas, and sometimes meet up for playdates where the kids play and we get to chat about our favorite spots in the city.
Every day brings something new in this wonderful city. Whether we’re counting steps at the Parthenon, learning about plants at Cheekwood (while trying not to pick the flowers), or creating our own music on Music Row, Nashville offers endless opportunities for little ones to learn through play.
Being a nanny in Nashville isn’t just a job. It’s an adventure filled with giggles, discoveries, and those precious “aha” moments that make this the best job in the world. And let’s be honest, sometimes I’m having more fun than the kids! There’s something truly special about watching children grow and learn in a city that has so much to offer, especially when you get to be part of their journey.
-Stephanie White, a Nashville Nanny
