During the long, winter months, many families are searching for fun activities that get you out of the house and keep your children occupied and happy. There are plenty of great places right here in Northeast Ohio, both indoors and out. Check out the list of 12 below:
1. The Akron Zoo
500 Edgewood Ave, Akron, OH 44307
www.akronzoo.org
Open 11-4 daily during the winter season.
The Akron Zoo is a 50-acre non-profit zoo located just west of downtown Akron. The Akron Zoo is home to over 700 animals representing over 90 different species.
2. Lake Farmpark
8800 Euclid Chardon Rd, Kirtland, OH
www.lakemetroparks.com/parks-trails/farmpark
Lake Metroparks Farmpark is a working farm located in Kirtland. Opened in 1990, the farm is located on 235 acres with fields, gardens and standard farm buildings. Horse or tractor-drawn wagons provide visitors rides to all destinations throughout the park. See the sugar house operate on weekends from mid-February through March.
3. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park
www.cvsr.com
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a Class III railroad operating diesel-electric, and steam-powered excursion trips through Peninsula, Ohio in the Cuyahoga Valley, primarily through the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
4. Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Ave, Cleveland, OH
www.greatscience.com
Hundreds of hands-on exhibits. Fun for the whole family!
5. Hudson Montessori School
7545 Darrow Rd, Hudson, OH
www.hudsonmontessori.org
Drop in Saturday mornings in January and February for fun, free-of- charge children’s activities/crafts with your 2½ to 9-year-old from 10 am to noon for some creative, indoor fun during the cold winter months! Register on their website.
6. Kent State Ice Arena
650 Loop Rd, Kent, OH
www.kent.edu/recservices/ice-arena
The Ice Arena contains two ice rinks, one used mostly for recreational skating and another for hockey and figure skating. Skate rentals available.
7. Hudson Library
96 Library St, Hudson, OH
www.hudsonlibrary.org
The Children’s Library strives to create an exciting place for fun and learning. Materials include books, audio books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, puppets, and video games. Programs include Saturday family events, enrichment programs, story times and computers.
8. Sledding at Kendall Hills
5465 Quick Road, Peninsula 44264Parks
Part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Parks
9. The Glass Bubble Project
2421 Bridge Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 696-7043
www.glassbubbleproject.com
Located in Ohio City, the Glass Bubble Project offers glass blowing classes to kids, teens and adults ages six and up. This is an opportunity for kids to learn a specialized art form from local artists. The Glass Bubble Project does offer a birthday package for groups of five or more.
10. The Jump Yard in Cleveland
13700 York Rd, North Royalton, OH
www.jumpyardcleveland.com
The Jump Yard was designed with both parents and children in mind. They provide a clean, safe and fun environment for children to play.
11. The Cleveland Botanical Gardens
11030 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH
www.cbgarden.org
The Glasshouse offers a thrilling year-round escape to the fantastic spiny desert of Madagascar and the butterfly-filled rainforest of Costa Rica. 50 different types of butterflies, birds, reptile and amphibians flutter, climb and crawl through naturalistic habitats.
12. The Cleveland Zoo and Rainforest
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH
www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Zoo
The Zoo’s all-new 4-D Theater is NOW OPEN! Located near the Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter, feel like you’re a part of the film with an experience that is fun for the whole family.