After the whirl of holiday activities calms down, children (and sometimes even adults!) can get bored. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun activities for families in Northeast Ohio this winter, with 100 of them listed by NortheastOhioFamilyFun.com. Here, we take a deeper look at two of their suggestions. Be sure to check out the list for many more!
Located at the Avon Lake Public Library, DiscoveryWorks “provides a place where people of all ages can explore a variety of multi-sensory experiences to enlighten and enhance their lives.” Hands-on displays are divided into two separate areas: one is for babies to children aged 7, with the other area providing activities for children ages 8 and up.
DiscoveryWorks is located at 32649 Electric Blvd. in Avon Lake. Check the website or call the library for hours; at the time of writing, the center is open several hours a day, Monday through Saturday, plus Monday and Tuesday evenings, but hours may be subject to change.
A wide variety of interesting activity bags and kits can be checked out for 21 days. Activity kits for children, ages preschool to grade 2, include many choices, such as:
Backpacks for children in grades 3 and up include these choices, among others:
Plus, through a grant from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, 11 science kits have been purchased for general circulation, where children can learn about robotics, current and static electricity, electronics, alternate energy sources and more.
For young children, these kits are recommended:
Sledding is a favorite activity for kids of all ages, and Northeast Ohio Family Fun has compiled a list: “From state parks to top neighborhood hills, browse through the list of top sledding spots organized by county.” There are approximately two dozen listed in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties alone, along with other spots in these counties: Columbiana, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Wayne.
Before your children begin to sled, make sure the hill you’ve chosen is “easy to climb back up, without rocks, trees or other obstructions that might make the downhill ride dangerous. In the city, make sure you stay clear of roads or areas with cars.”
Dress your children warmly in waterproof clothing that allows them to move easily. Include snow boots, hats and gloves. North Shore Pediatric Therapy also recommended eyewear to protect your children against “snow-reflected sunlight and flying wintry mix.”
The therapy center lists these benefits of sledding as a family:
Looking for more ways to enrich your child’s learning and life? Horizon Education Center provides affordable quality care including educational and enrichment opportunities for children in the following Northeast Ohio locations.