Winter can often be thought of as a drab, cold, grey, dreary time when you live in the northeast, but it doesn’t have to be so! There are a variety of activities that families with children of varying ages can do keep busy and active, even through the winter months.
Some of the following are some great ideas to start with for those living in the northeastern Ohio area who want to pass some of the coldest months of the year while still having fun and keeping busy:
Outdoor Ice Skating:
Many local rinks are located outdoors, such as Wade Circle, for example and the cost to get on the ice is only $5. This makes it a cheap, fun afternoon with the family. Plus, the entertainment of everyone trying to keep from falling down adds to making the price of admission worth it! The pond is open for families to enjoy throughout the winter months!
Snow Tubing:
Another great outdoor activity for the whole family is snow tubing. There are many great hills in the northwestern Ohio area to go try out including Boston Mills or Brandywine to name a few. Moreover, there will also be tubes you can rent at many of these locations if you do not have your own. Tubes also go a lot faster than just traditional sleds so you are in for a heart-pumping, adrenaline-racing good time that is sure to bring smiles to the faces of everyone in the entire family.
Go Skiing:
Northeast Ohio is home to the Boston Mills Brandywine ski resort which offers 17 trails with varying levels of difficulty spread out over more than 88 acres of land. It is home to the steepest slopes in the entire state and also has more “beginner friendly” trails for those who are just starting out and for the youngest family members. If you’ve never been skiing before sign up for some lessons so you can learn something new this winter!
Give Snowshoeing a Try:
It may not be something you considered, but giving snowshoeing a try provides a great cardiovascular workout while also allowing you to try something new and entertaining. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a popular snowshoeing location in Northeastern Ohio and they offer rentals for $5 for those who do not have their own snowshoes to use. Enjoy the local ecosystem and wildlife while snowshoeing and getting in a great workout at the same time!
Go Hiking:
It seems a bit odd, but bundling up and going for a hike through some of the best trails in Northeastern Ohio in the winter months can make for some great sightseeing you won’t get to see any other time of the year. Afterwards, gather around a bonfire and warm up with s’mores and hot chocolate or cocoa with the entire family.
Visit a Sugar Shack:
The maple syrup harvesting season in Ohio runs from January to March. During this time, there are a variety of sugar shacks available throughout the Northeastern Ohio area that locals can come and experience. You can see how sugars are made into syrups that end up on all of our breakfast tables. The list of sugar shacks available to visit throughout Ohio is available on their website.
Brite Winter Festival:
On February 21st, 2018, Ohio City will host it’s annual, classic indoor and outdoor music festival supporting many local bands as well as also more regional acts. Bring the entire family out for a fun-filled day of music and local festivities. Also enjoy winter refreshments like s’mores and hot chocolate and enjoy standing around the campfire to keep warm.
These are just a few great activities you can do with the family in Northeastern Ohio in the wintertime. Wintertime does not mean staying cooped up inside all day, however, getting out and getting some fresh air and doing fun wintertime activities will help the days go by faster and let you have more fun while doing it!
