I will be honest, when I heard the kiddos break started on Friday Dec. 18th I got my calendar out and counted how many days until school resumed, in case your wondering, 17 days including weekends, 17!! Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my kiddos but 17 days without a routine, scary! Thus in order to minimize the meltdowns (by both, mom & kiddos) I have put together this quick little guide to make it a joy filled winter break! And FYI, I know that wallet is much lighter after Christmas thus, I included some FREE activities!!
1.) The Great Art Escape is a FREE holiday tradition at the Toledo Museum of Art, where a number of special programs are planned Dec. 26-Jan. 3. Bring your family and friends to this annual event for live performances, art activities and more. This year will include a series of live dance performances in the galleries and in the Peristyle. A variety of genres will be represented, including ballet, swing, Mexican folk, Irish and Indian dancing.
The 2015 Great Art Escape is sponsored in part by Taylor Cadillac and by members of the Museum. Here is a day-by-day schedule of events, all of which are FREE!!! Click HERE for dates & times,
2.) Pajama Day!!! Declare a pajama day where everyone stays in their PJs and enjoys all their new gifts, play games together, watch movies, put batteries in all the new toys, etc. Just veg out ALL day, you deserve it!! FREE!
3.) Noon Year’s Eve! Join the celebration as Children’s Library kicks off 2016 in style with dancing, music, snacks and crafts a little early on New Year’s Eve! FREE! Watch as we countdown to noon with our giant “Book Drop” and raise our juice boxes to ring in the New Year! Thursday, December 31, 2015 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Main Library – Children’s General Space
4.) Road Trip!!! There is nothing I love more than a good road trip with the kiddos! And since the weather doesn’t seem to be too treacherous, why not!?! National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton is one of my kiddo’s favorites!! And admission is FREE!!! Looking for something in Cleveland, Youngstown, Akron, or other awesome city in this beautiful state? Thanks to Play Today Ohio you can check out all the sweet happenings going on around Ohio (and while you’re there be sure to check out their favorite Toledo blog ;) ) Make a fun play list with everyone’s favorites, throw some snacks in a bag, and hit the road!
5.)FREE Youth Skate Day at Ottawa Park!! (Jan. 2nd 9am-1pm) Once again, Councilman Riley is sponsoring a free ‘Youth Day’ at the Ice Rink for kids under 16. Don’t know how to ice skate? No problem. Instructors will be there to provide training and skates.
Snacks are available. So bring all the kids and have a great time.
For more info Click HERE
6.) Spend a day at Maumee Bay State Park Lodge! Bundle up and enjoy a stroll along the waterside, boardwalk, go sledding or play on the playground then head inside, warm up by the fire, and then relax in the indoor pool, complete with fun splash fountains the kids are sure to love! There is also a special kid’s space, arcade, restaurants, etc. No need to spend the night, pool passes are $12 per person, children 2 and under are FREE, pass is available Sunday- Thursday 8am-10pm. Click HERE for more info.
7.) Sky Zone Open jump!!! This is one of my kiddo’s favs & I love the fact that they are not only getting exercise but also burning off all that energy! They adore all the Sky Zone activities, including the Main Court (free jump), the Foam Zone (5 year olds fav! freestyle jumping into foam), Ultimate Dodgeball, SkySlam, and more! Open jump is available during normal operating hours. All ages are welcome, and a Sky Zone liability waiver is required for each jumper (those under 18 must have their waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian). Weekends can get busy, so book your spot online and fill out a waiver in advance for hours & pricing click HERE
8.) Watch a movie at the Historic Maumee Theatre! Built in 1946, the Maumee Theatre still has its original Streamline Modern style tower that’s located above the marquee. The city of Maumee purchased the building in 2000 and restored and renovated it in 2003-2004. The theater now shows second-run films and is operated by Great Eastern Theatres. The Maumee Indoor Theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. ALL MOVIES are $4.50 and WILD WEDNSDAYS is $5 for movie pop, & popcorn!! Click HERE to see what’s showing.
9.) Did I mention I love road trip!?! FREE tour & sampling at Fanny May/Harry London chocolates! The aroma of chocolate will envelope you as soon as you arrive, whetting your appetite for some of the finest chocolates in the world.
During the 45 minute guided tour, visitors will learn about their rich heritage of making fine chocolate with a short video presentation. As you explore their facility you cannot help but see and feel the pride they take in making their fine chocolates. You will get an in-depth look at how humble cocoa beans transform into chocolate, as they are blended with real sugar and fresh local cream to make over 500 varieties of chocolate and gourmet candies in the North Canton, OH facility.
Fannie May makes hundreds of unique confections producing 10 million pounds of chocolates each year. In making their amazing array of chocolates, they use an average of 30,000 pounds of chocolate and 10 gallons of real vanilla—every day! You will likely see Pixies®, Buckeyes, Trinidads® and the like being created.
Your tour ends in their chocolate shop for fabulous Fannie May and Harry London chocolates with a FREE tasting of their famous chocolates. Visitors of all ages will love their complimentary tour!
Tour Hours for Dec. 28th -31st: Mon-Wed. 10am-4pm & Thurs. 10am & 11am
Located across from the Akron/Canton Airport, and right off I -77 EXIT 113, (AIRPORT EXIT)
Click HERE for more info
10) We LOVE our ZOO!!! Visit one of the Nation’s best zoos, and it’s right in our own backyard! I love the zoo in the winter time, all the animals seem to be much more active and there are no crowds. So bundle up and enjoy an afternoon at The Toledo Zoo!! While there be sure to take a thrilling trip down the Ice Slide located at the Amphitheatre! The popular Ice Slide has three lanes and operates daily 3 p.m. until the Zoo closes. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall.
Ride passes
*available at the Ice Slide booth or the African Carousel booth:
Three-ride pass: $6
Seven-ride pass: $11
Ride passes are valid until January 3, 2016
For more info Click HERE
Now get out there and let’s end 2015 and start 2016 making some fabulous memories!!!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!