If winter has cast a groggy spell on your family, banish boredom for good by grabbing the kids and engaging in some good old-fashioned winter fun. Whether you choose to venture out or stay in where it’s warm, there are exciting activities for children of all ages. Let this winter be the most memorable on record. Here are some ideas we came up with to lift everyone’s spirits.
Try a "Staycation" at Hilton Garden Inn
1050 Interstate Drive West
567-250-2525
Get out of the house, refresh, and take the kids on a “Staycation,” even for just a night, at Findlay’s newest hotel, The Hilton Garden Inn. The Inn opened in December and boasts an indoor saline pool, hot tub, fitness center and restaurant. Take some games and play by the pool or in the hotel’s other cozy lounge areas.
Watch the Silverscreen at Carmike Cinema 12
906 Interstate Dr.
419-423-7414
Taking the family out for a movie can be expensive, but not during the Super Bargain Matinee. Movies starting between 4pm and 5:30pm qualify for Super Bargain Matinee pricing and cost $5.75 per person, child or adult ($2 surcharge for 3D). For refreshments, kids can get a combo pack for $5.75, which includes popcorn, fruit snacks and a drink. Or, buy a 200 oz. bucket of popcorn for $20. Take the plastic bucket home, bring it back and pay $4 to refill all year.
Go Bowling at AMF Sportsman Lanes
616 West Trenton Ave.
419-422-9757
Try your hand at the lanes and keep those little ones from getting discouraged by using bumpers or bowling ramps. Monday-Thursday before 5pm, 2-hour lane rentals for $10.19, or $2.79 per game. Monday-Thursday after 5pm and all day Friday-Sunday, 2-hour lane rentals for $14.19 or $4.29 per game. Shoe rentals $4.37 per person. Also enjoy the arcade and pool table and get a bite to eat from the snack bar.
Be Adventurous: Try Tubing at the Snow Trails
3100 Possum Run Rd., Mansfield
419-774-9819
www.snowtrails.com/snow-tubing
Sledding is fun, but swooshing down one of six speedy chutes while clinging to your trusty tube is just that much more of an adventure for both you and the kids. Don’t worry about getting back up the hill, ride the Conveyor Carpet Lift. Warm up and get a snack inside the tubing lodge and enjoy panoramic views of the slopes. Plastic-bottomed adult and kiddie-sized tubes, as well as double, soft-bottomed tubes for a slower ride.
Get Hands On at the Childrens Museum of Findlay
Findlay Village Mall, 1800 Tiffin Ave.
567-250-9616
The museum offers a number of community-sponsored, hands-on exhibits for kids to explore under the categories of the arts, engineering, mathematics, pretend play, science, technology, infant and toddler, and a traveling exhibit. Special program Cool Coverings at 1pm February 7. Kids learn why animals have coverings like scales, feathers and fur through animal presentations and activities led by Toledo Zoo staff. Admission: Ages 16 and over $6.50; 3-15 $4.50; Under 3 free; Members free. After school from 3 to 5pm discounted admission. Also try the Single-Day Family Pass for all-day play for one family of two adults and all of their children under age 18 for $25.
Enjoy Nature While Cross Country Skiing or Snowshoeing at Racoon Run Winter Sports Center at Riverbend Recreation Area
16618 Twp. Rd. 208
419-424-1555.
Call ahead to check if open.
www.hancockparks.com. Click on “Things to Do,” then “Racoon Run Winter Sports.”
Get some fresh air and enjoy nature with the family, then warm up with refreshments and a crackling fire in Shelter #3 when you’re finished. Every trip on the trails is an adventure! All events dependent on good snow conditions of at least 3 to 5 inches. 11am-5pm on weekends. Night ski from 7-9pm February 14, not recommended for beginners or small children. Beginner cross country skiing workshops from 9-10:30am on February 7, 14, 21. Cost for workshops is $12, register in advance. Children to be at least 8 years of age and accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Rentals available for cross country skis or snowshoes, $7/hour or $20 all day on a first-come, first-served basis.
Get Creative at Awakening Minds Art
515 S. Main St. (Also locations in Delphos and Lima)
419-302-3892
Drop the kids off at Awakening Minds Art for painting class, or stay and paint along with them. All ages and abilities welcome. Try open studio Drop & Date from 6 to 8pm on Fridays in February. Kids can get crafty at the studio with staff while their parents enjoy that time together they’ve been missing. Group Painting: Tuesdays from 5-6pm and 6-7pm and Saturdays from 10-11am. $10/student plus $5/additional sibling for both Group Painting and Date & Drop.
Lace 'Em Up for some Ice Skating at the Cube
3430 N. Main St.
419-423-8533, for recorded message with public skate hours.
www.findlayohio.com. Under the “Recreation” tab, click on “The Cube,” then “Public Skating Schedule.”
Glide across that ice and get the kids moving. Public skate, Mom & Tot skate, and skate rental available. Large utility buckets available at no charge for beginning skaters to hold onto while learning. Public skate typically offered on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and evening, and Sunday afternoon. Mom & Tot skate 10-11am Monday-Friday, Adult Open Skate 11am-noon Monday-Friday. Mom & Tot skate $3/skater, skates included. Adult open skate/$5, skates included. Weekend public skate $5 with $2 skate rental.
Books, DVDs, CDs, and more all at your fingertip at Findlay-Hancock County Public Library
206 Broadway St.
419-422-1712
Sometimes it’s easy to forget what a wonderful resource the library is. Take the whole family and explore the topics you’ve always wondered about. Check out DVDs for your next family movie night or CDs to listen to during game night. Also look for special programming for kids, from toddler to teen. Monday-Thursday 9:30am-8:30pm, Friday 9:30am-5pm, Saturday 9:30am-5pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm.
Spen a Day Being Active at Findlay Family YMCA
Downtown Branch, 231 E. Lincoln St., 419-422-3174
East Branch, 1400 Manor Hill Rd., 419-422-9922
Get a day pass and go play, whether you’d like to take the kids swimming, play some basketball or racquetball, or hit up the game room for some ping pong, foosball, air hockey or pool. Youth sports and activities, such as gymnastics, dance, tennis, swim, judo, racquetball, basketball, art and more are available for a fee to both members and non-members. Non-members can get a guest day pass three times per year. Cost is $5/kids 18 and under, $7/college students and $10/adults. Or, for family rate of $20, a family of two parents and their kids, or one parent and two kids or more can enjoy the YMCA for a day.
