Mid-March is when I feel Northeast Ohio has entered the last slog of winter. There are some sunny mornings, yet freezing temperatures and snow is still in the weather forecast. Here are four ways I fill our weekends with fun activities for both parents and kids.
1. Akron Main Library
My family frequents the branch closest to our home, but if we want to spend hours at the library, the Akron-Summit County Public Library’s Main Library is a great destination. There are multiple floors to explore, they do an AMAZING job with weekend events like Potter Faire and have free movies for viewing weekly. The library’s website is always updated with new events to look forward to, so it’s an easy win for an afternoon of educational and fun activities. The Main library also has a café and holds free shows, reading and concerts in their auditorium. It’s a huge resource available to the community and my kids love going to the “big” library.
2. Indoor adventure parks
Trampoline parks are bouncing up everywhere (pun intended). These are a great option for kid fun, but what I love about Urban Air Adventure Park is how much is offered for parents to do, too. My family easily spent 4+ hours at Urban Air and cannot wait to go back. The ball pit underneath the “American Ninja Warrior”-style obstacle course is a great place to relax — lazy river style. There is honestly something for everyone, from climbing walls, battle beams (like “American Gladiators” — remember that?), bumper cars, ropes course and more. Now, let’s get serious. A word from the wise from one mama to another — wear a pad. The second I made my first bounce and felt the inevitable tinkle, I thought, “Oh shoot, I forgot to put on a pad!” This made me cautious about how much bouncing I could tolerate. Nevertheless, we extended our stay to eat lunch, then did a few more rounds of activities because my kids couldn’t get enough. It’s a great way to spend the day as a family, or with friends.
3. $5 Theaters
The Linda Theatre plays blockbuster movies for just $5 a ticket. The Highland Square Theatre plays movies for $5 a ticket, as well.
This makes going to the movies as a family of 5 very affordable and provides yet another great option for a kid-friendly family outing during the long Ohio winter.
4. Lots of play dates
My children are (thankfully) at an age where they can enjoy nice loooong play dates at a friend’s house. This is the first winter we gladly accept a play date invitation and extend invitations to friends, as well. Just like me when I was a kid, my kids love playing with someone else’s toys, so going to a friend’s house is like going to an amusement park. Another key piece of information is how important it is to set the groundwork for safety, so be sure to ask these questions before you have your own play date. I am so used to just rattling off questions about allergies, pets and gun safety that I think nothing of it. Safety first! The bonus here is giving the grown-ups a break from entertaining kids (this is fun for me!). We have strategically planned play dates to allow for other appointments or running errands. Take advantage when you can!
