When it hits the month of March, your kids’ spring break isn’t far away. While you might be planning to stay home this year, your activities don’t have to be limited to your hometown. Many places provide daily fun with special spring events. Also, for parents who have a variety of age ranges, the region provides opportunities for little ones to teens.
Animal Attractions
The Akron Zoo is offering students in grades 7-12 an opportunity to be a zoo professional for a day. Zoorific Career Days are offered March 24 and 31, April 19, 21, 26 and 28 and May 5 and 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will spend time with keepers, animal trainers and education staff to learn about what it’s like to work at a zoo. Registration is required. Call 330-375-2550 ext. 723.
500 Edgewood Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers Spring Break Camp March 23-28 and April 21-25. Children ages 5-8 will explore the zoo, focusing on the activity of the animals during the spring and what the zoo does to keep them comfortable year round. The camp includes tours of zoo exhibits, Get-Close encounters with small animals, arts and crafts, and conservation-themed games and stories. Call 216-635-3391 or email [email protected].
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, clemetzoo.com
Fun on the Farm
Bring the family down to Hale Farm & Village March 15, 16, 22 and 23 to celebrate the annual Maple Sugar Festival & Pancake Breakfast. The process of maple sugar production is an age-old tradition in the Cuyahoga Valley. Enjoy the craft and trade demonstrations, make your own maple sugar candy and explore the history of the Hale family.
2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, 330-666-3711, wrhs.org
Maple Sugaring Season at Lake Metroparks Farmpark on Weekends through March 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take a wagon ride to the Woodland Center to witness the entire maple process as sap is collected, boiled and turned into maple syrup and other products. Adults, $6; Youth 2 –11, $4; Ages 2 and younger, and Farmpark members, free.
8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, 440-256-2122, lakemetroparks.com
Spicy Lamb Farm in Peninsula offers Shearing Days and Lambing Days. Visit the farm and watch a sheep shearing demonstration. Or Adopt-a-Sheep and help shear and get a custom heirloom blanket. Or see newborn lambs, ducklings, chicks and bunnies. Shearing Days: March 29 and 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Lambing Days: April 5 and 12, 9-11 a.m. and April 6 and 13, 2-4 p.m. $10 for adults and $5 for children.
6560 Akron-Peninsula Road, Peninsula, 330-657-2012, thespicylamb.com
Go Out, Get Moving
Spring is almost here! On March 22, 12:30-2 p.m., children ages 6-11 will explore the Mill Creek Metroparks Spring Gardens in search of signs of spring. Learn why plants start emerging and growing, plus make your own sundial. Held at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Registration required. Fee: $5
123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, 330-740-7116, millcreekmetroparks.org
Come enjoy the New Moon at West Creek Reservation in Parma. Learn about the constellations overhead and check out the park at night. March 29, 7-10 p.m. This free event is for all ages.
2277 West Ridgewood Dr., Parma, 440-887-1968, clevelandmetroparks.com
Theatre, Museums & Tours
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland offers “Terrific Tuesdays,” occurring on the second Tuesday of the month, 5-7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Explore the interactive hands-on exhibits after normal museum hours.
10730 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-791-7114, clevelandchildrensmuseum.org
Art Reach Tour Theatre presents “Sleeping Beauty,” at the Akron Civic Theatre, March 23, 2:30 p.m. An enchanted spindle curses Sleeping Beauty to 100 years of sleep. Although protected by her fairy godmother, will anyone be able to save her? ArtReach brings the classic fairy tale by Charles Perrault to life in this enchanting adaptation.
182 S. Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com
Fannie May Chocolate Tours. The aroma of chocolate will envelope you as soon as you arrive at the Fannie May/Harry London facility in North Canton. During the free, 45-minute guided tour, visitors will get an in-depth look at how cocoa beans transform into chocolate. The tour ends with a free tasting of the chocolates. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
5353 Lauby Road, North Canton, 800-321-0444, ext 119. fanniemay.com/chocolate-tour
Alternative Spring Break Experiences
These unique opportunities just might turn into something the family does together regularly.
Volunteer for a Day. Cleveland Browns Linebacker Jabaal Sheard is recruiting volunteers to take the pledge to be a reader, mentor or tutor.
1331 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-436-2100, unitedway.org/teamsheard.
The United Way of Summit County offers Done in a Day Opportunities where a group of volunteers can make a valued contribution by volunteering a half day or full day at a local nonprofit agency. The Volunteer Center will work with your group to match interests with a project needed in the community. Contact Andrea Metzler at 330-643-5512 or [email protected].
90 N. Prospect St., Akron, 330-762-7601, uwsummit.org
Staying in Northeast Ohio for Spring Break doesn’t have to turn into a week that would more likely be called Spring Boredom. There’s plenty of fun happening in the region to make the days pass as if you really were on vacation.
Enjoy Spring Break Without Breaking the Bank
Brown-Bag It: Pack a lunch for your outing. A hiking trail or a walk through the park could lead to the perfect place for lunch. Sandwiches are travel-friendly and can be catered to individual tastes. Fruit, nuts and trail mixes are easy to make and don’t need temperature regulation. Be sure to bring lots of water or juice to keep everyone hydrated.
Time It Right: Many indoor parks are priced fairly and some even offer group discounts. Some locations might have lower admission rates at different times during the day. Plan your outing the night before to see if you can save a few bucks.
Free Outdoor Fun: A neighborhood playground, a park, just about anything can be enjoyed with some simple planning. Bring games, sports equipment and snacks. Hike the trails at a Metropark, bike the Towpath Trail or visit the area nature centers.
