The winter break period with kids home from school can be a tough void of time to fill. While they may have new toys and activities from the Holidays, having everyone couped up in the house for days together can require a change of scenery and entertaining. Not to mention it can be nice to do things together we might not otherwise have had time for during the year.
Out of the House
- Bowling: Check out some of these bowling alleys all over the 419. Miracle Lanes & Bowlero Lanes– West Toledo & Fostoria. Timbers– Maumee. AMF Sportman– Findlay. Al-Mar– Bowling Green. (Coming in 2024 Incredibowl)
2. Indoor Play/Jump Centers: Get Air Trampoline Park– Toledo, Funigans– Sylvania. Sylvania Playland– Sylvania. Urban Air– Maumee/South Toledo. Sky Zone– Toledo/Holland.
3. Painting/Art: Spin and Splat– Toledo. Create Art Studio– Perrysburg & Sylvania. ArtLab419– Toledo. Board and Brush– Sylvania. Art-a-Site– Bowling Green.
4. Pottery Painting: Peace Love and Pottery– Sylvania. Painters’ Pottery– Findlay.
5. Ice Skating and Roller Skating: Tamo-Shanter– Sylvania. Slater Family Ice Arena– Bowling Green. Funigans– Sylvania. Ohio Skate– Maumee & Toledo. The Ribbon– Toledo. The Cube– Findlay.
6. Visit a Local Library: Not just for the book and play opportunities, but also the FREE activities, story times and more. The award winning Toledo Lucas County Library system. Hancock County Library. Wood County Public Library.
7. Head to Imagination Station in Downtown Toledo. Learn, Play and explore.
8. A possible day trip depending on where you are starting in the 419, Hands On Museums like Children’s Museum of Findlay, or Ann Arbor Hands On Museum.
9. Day trip to Bryan Ohio and tour the Spangler Candy Factory. Home of the Dum Dum suckers and candy canes.
10. Hike or Play at one of the MANY Metroparks. From miles and miles or trails,to unique playgrounds.
11. Volunteer at a local organization. Food for Thought offers Friday night sandwich building to feed local unhoused people. Here is a resource to help find local volunteer opportunities and needs in our community. (Great for long term volunteer ideas) https://www.volunteermatch.org/search
12. Movie Theatre: Great for when the weather isn’t great. The holidays tend to offer at least 1 new family friendly movie release. Cinemark has 3 locations in 419: Levis, Franklin and Fallen Timbers. AMC CLASSIC Findlay 12 – Findlay, Ohio 45840 – AMC Theatres is also an option for that area.
13. Head Rock Climbing at Adventus Rock Climbing. Located in Toledo between Ottawa Hills and Sylvania.
14. Hit an Escape Room. Obviously for the older kids, but what a fun way to interact, work together and have a blast! Escape Game Experience in Maumee. Trapped Toledo. Expired Time in Findlay.
15. Visit the Toledo Museum of Art. Have younger children? Hit the FREE Family Center where they can create their own artwork, paint and play.
At Home Ideas
16. Break out a Puzzle. Pick a challenging one the whole family can contribute to. Have young kids that cant contribute: set up their own age appropriate puzzle next to yours.
17. Pick a new recipe to try! Make sure the kids lead the way. Have them decide what sounds good. Bonus, they make the grocery list. Now we have life skill learning and they are invested in the outcome of the meal. https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/fast-kid-friendly-dinners/
18. Card/Board Games. Maybe the kids received a new one for the Holidays? Have a classic card game your kids are finally old enough to learn and play? Let’s break em out, make some snacks and connect over friendly competition.
19. Tackle a DIY project that only takes a weekend and under $50. Here are some ideas.
20. Get organized! Clean out the toy bins. Donate what the kids no longer play with. Let them have a say but maybe set a standard that they have to let x amount go to make room for the new ones. Tackle the closet and remove the items they never reach for.
