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Fun Indoor Games for Kids
December 17, 2018Great ideas to try during your next snow day.
Living in the Midwest means dealing with harsh weather during the winter months. What to do when you and your family are stuck inside and your kids are bored and grumpy? How about trying some indoor games! We’ve put together a list of some easy to replicate games to try with your kids the next time that you can’t go outside and play. These will keep your kids entertained and give you a chance to spend some quality family time.
Build a Fort
A classic indoor game! At a young age, there’s nothing more fun than building a fort inside and playing in it, reading books, or watching a movie. Set up some kitchen chairs on a wide open floor, drape blankets over them, and build it up with couch cushions. Alternatively, if you have an old appliance box sitting out in the garage, cut some holes in it for doors and windows. Draw some lines on it to look like stone blocks, and you have a castle.
Build a City and Knock It Down!
Collect some juice or milk cartons and paint windows and doors on them. Alternatively, make buildings out of Legos or other blocks, if your kids have enough. Set them up on the floor like a city and then let your kid rampage through it, kicking the buildings down, like Godzilla!
Storytime
If you like telling stories, then gather the kids around and read one of their favorite books. If you rather listen to stories instead, try looking for narrated stories online or try audio books. You can often find great audio books for free through your library’s website. To make your snowy day extra special, make some hot chocolate to warm you up while you read surrounded by pillows and blankets.
Paper Airplane Race
Have your kids fold paper airplanes. Show them some different styles of paper airplane and use different color paper or have them draw designs on their planes. Stand at the end of a long hallway and see whose airplane can go farther. Alternatively, have them try to hit a target with their planes.
Indoor Obstacle Course
Set up a fun indoor obstacle course with ordinary household items. Put two chairs close together and place a broom stick across them, for something to crawl under. Put some masking tape on the floor to make a starting line, and a couch cushion a little way away, and have the kids jump over the “chasm” (unless, that is, you live in an upstairs apartment!). Set unbreakable Tupperware containers for the kids to run around. Mark out a path with some masking tape. Put coins on the kitchen tiles and have them make it across the kitchen without stepping on any square with a coin in it. You can make your obstacle course as short or as long as you want, and your kids will be entertained and get some exercise at the same time!
There is, of course, one other thing you can do: drop them off with us, and let us keep your kids motivated, interested, and properly exercised throughout the day. We know a lot of fun indoor games for kids and many other activities for them to learn and enjoy. Browse our website to for information about our different child care programs, or give us a call at 216-481-6700.
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Christmas Activities for the Whole Family
November 29, 2018Kid-friendly holiday events near Euclid, OH
The holiday season is a great reminder to take some time to make some memories with our children before they get older. In northeast Ohio, we’re very lucky that our area hosts a variety of events that provide us the perfect opportunities to do just that. From life-size board games to music and light shows, we have put together a list of some of the best local kid-friendly Christmas activities to fill the whole family with holiday cheer and precious memories.
Festivals
Holiday festivals are the perfect way to welcome the season and enjoy some family time. These have plenty of kid-friendly activities, as well as entertainment for the older kids and adults in the family.
Big Bang Family Holiday Breakfast
The Big Bang’s Family Holiday Breakfast is back this year and it features real live snow princesses for the little ones. Other features are dueling pianos, sing-alongs, kid crafts, face painting, cookie and snow flake decorating stations, and of course, a breakfast buffet!
- Price: Adult tickets $20, kid tickets $15, kids under 3 enter for free!
- Date: Sunday, December 2, 2018 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
- Location: The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar 1163 Front Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113
- Tickets & more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2032627363463146
Wickliffe’s Tree-mendous Wonderland
Haven’t gotten your Christmas tree yet? Wickliffe has you covered! At this event, you can find fresh Christmas trees and wreaths for sale, as well as other little crafts and ornaments. There will also be kids activities, raffles, music, and food!
- Price: Free admission
- Date: Saturday, December 8, 2018 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Location: Green Ridge Public Golf Course 29150 Ridge Rd, Wickliffe, Ohio 44092
- More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1100067193509247
25th Annual Holiday CircleFest
University Circle Inc. is bring the holiday cheer once more by hosting their 25th CircleFest. Some of the attractions that make this 3-day festival one of the most popular in the area are the ice skating rink, holiday market, horse-drawn carriage, pictures with Santa.. and much more!
- Price: Free admission, certain attractions require a ticket
- Date: Friday, November 30 – Sunday, December 2, 2018
- Location: Wade Oval 10820 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
- More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/315560912561199/
Christmas Light Shows
There is something about streets decorated with Christmas lights that instantly lifts your spirit. Fortunately for us, we have more than one Christmas light show to enjoy nearby!
Light Up Lakewood
Source: www.lakewoodalive.org Light Up Lakewood is the holiday extravaganza of your dreams. It starts with a pizza lunch with Santa and ends with music, carolers, and holiday lights. You won’t want to miss the holiday market, parade, Santa visit, or fireworks!
- Price: Free
- Date: Saturday December 1, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Location: Along Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107
- More info: https://www.lakewoodalive.org/event/light-up-lakewood-2018
Jack Frost Festival of Lights
Source: www.cleveland.com Businesses and organizations around the community come together to create a beautiful float parade that culminates with the tree lighting and fireworks. After the parade, families can enjoy musical entertainment, free cocoa and cookies, ice skating, inflatable games, and more.
- Price: Free
- Date: Saturday December 1, 2018 at 5:30 pm
- Location: Downtown Berea
- More info: https://www.cityofberea.org/220/Jack-Frost-Festival
Christmas Lights in Cleveland’s Public Square
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/edrost88/11617779105 While Winterfest already took place earlier this month, you can still admire the beautiful holiday lights that decorate Public Square.
- Price: Free
- Date: Now until January, 2019
- Location: 50 Public Square, Cleveland OH, 44113
- More info: https://www.clevelandpublicsquare.com
GE's Nela Park Holiday Light Display
Source: www.cleveland.com Six blocks of Christmas lights with more than 500,000 LED lights and a replica of the National Christmas Tree located in Washington D.C. create a true winter wonderland right here in northeast Ohio.
- Price: Free
- Date: Now – January 2, 2019
- Location: Nela Park, East Cleveland, OH 44112
- More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1067628530064966
Glow at Cleveland Botanical Garden
Source: www.cbgarden.org Beautifully decorated Christmas trees, whimsical gingerbread houses, train rides, holiday lights, and much more make Glow by the Cleveland Botanical Garden a true local holiday tradition that you can’t miss!
- Price: Adults $16, children 3 – 12 $12, children 2 or under enter free
- Date: Now – January 5, 2018 (click here for times and special hours)
- Location: Cleveland Botanical Garden 11030 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106
- More info: http://m.cbgarden.org/glow.aspx
Free Christmas Family Activities
Organizations throughout our area offer great holiday entertainment for free. We have found some of the best free activities around Euclid and Cleveland to enjoy with your family this holiday season.
Jolly Storytime Trolley
Source: https://lollytrolley.com The Cleveland Public Library is presenting once again their Jolly Storytime Trolley with Lolly the Trolley. Bring the whole family and experience the joy of riding in an old-timey trolley while enjoying holiday stories, sing-alongs, and a guided tour of the city.
- Price: Free
- Date: Thursday, December 6, 2018 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm (various time slots)
- Location: Cleveland Public Libraries (various meet up points)
- More info: https://cpl.org/jolly-storytime-trolly-with-lolly-the-trolly
Reserve your spot here.
Pictures with Santa
Still looking for a holiday photo to use for your Christmas cards this year? Bring your kids to this 100% free photo session with Santa! The event, sponsored by Keller Williams, will also feature a letter writing station, a coloring and crafts station, and snacks!
- Price: Free
- Date: Sunday, December 9, 2018 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Location: Keller Williams Realty Greater Cleveland Southwest 18318 Pearl Rd. Strongsville, OH
- More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/281300672727697
Life Size Candy Land
Source: http://www.lakemetroparks.com Did you like playing Candy Land when you were a kid? If yes, then this event is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Penitentiary Glen Reservation is once again creating a giant version of the popular board game for families to enjoy. In addition to the main attraction, there will also be activities throughout the day such as scavenger hunts, campfires with s’mores, photo ops with farm animals, and snacks, to name a few!
- Price: Free
- Date: From now until January 1, 2019 12:00 pm – 5: 00 pm
- Location: Penitentiary Glen Reservation 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd. Kirtland, OH 44094
- More info: http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events-activities/events/candy-land-has-gone-wild
We hope you enjoyed this round up of holiday festivities and that it gave you some ideas for things to do with your kids this holiday season. Cheers!
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Fun Indoor Games for Kids
December 17, 2018 -
Christmas Activities for the Whole Family
November 29, 2018