Temps are rising, days are getting longer, & summer is just around the corner! Grab the sunblock, beach towels, and snacks and get the kids to a splash pad, waterpark, or pool! Here’s a guide of some local and surrounding areas pools, splash parks, and waterparks find a favorite to frequent all summer or challenge the fam to hit them all! As always call before you visit to confirm hours of operations and admission.
It was late July and I had just posted a meet up with our playgroup, our destination, Rolling Hills Water Park in Ypsilanti, MI. As a mom I was slightly terrified, how was I going to watch all three kiddos go in three different directions at a water park? Turns out one of the best thing I ever did was to make the event a playdate meet up! Many eyes and hands make for light work when it comes to watching children. Playgroup moms are like an extension of oneself. We each divided and conquered the water park that day. Two moms took a group of kiddos to the lazy river, another two took kids to the water slides, two stayed by the splash area with toddlers, and it was such a relaxing, enjoyable, and fun day for all of us, moms and kiddos. Seven years later and we are still continuing the tradition!
“Mom, I’m bored!” “Mom, the Wi-Fi isn’t working!!” (This legit just happened to us the other day, modem and router died at the same time and it was practically the end of the world as we knew it, lol!) “Mom is it cool if we surf down the stair on sleeping bags?” For those moments during Summer Break when you need to bust their boredom, when the Wi-Fi goes out, or when their imaginations highjack all common sense, busy bags to the rescue! So, what exactly are Busy Bags? Busy Bags are bags filled with age appropriate activities, arts, crafts, games, etc. to occupy your kiddos. If the thought of having to research various activities and purchase all those supplies to place in your kiddo’s busy bag sounds overwhelming and totally something you don’t want to be doing I am right there with ya!! Which is why I invited other mommas to participate in a Summer Busy Bag Swap, after all, many hands make for light work! A couple years ago was our first Busy Bag Swap and it turned out so successful that we did it again and again…and with so many families opting to Staycation for Summer Break this year I’m looking to do this again! Who’s interested?
–A close mother-son relationship is good for a boy’s mental health. A study presented at the American Psychological Association showed that boys who are close to their mothers tend not to buy into hyper-masculine stereotypes. They don’t believe, for instance, that you have to always act tough, go it alone or fight to prove your manhood every time you are challenged. These boys remained more emotionally open. Not only did they have better friendships, but also less anxiety and depression than their more macho peers.
-Teenage boys who are close to their moms engage in less risky behavior. It has long been known that good parent-teen communication can help lessen the influence of negative peer pressure. But new research shows that it is a boy’s mother who is the most influential when it comes to her son’s decision making about alcohol, drugs and sex. Some researchers speculate that the nature of mother-son communication accounts for the difference: mothers usually don’t have one big “drug talk” or “sex talk” but instead tend to weave the topic into other conversations or family activities.
–Far from making boys weaker, the love of a mother can and does actually make boys stronger, emotionally and psychologically. Far from making boys dependent, the base of safety a loving mother can create—a connection that her son can rely on all his life—provides a boy with the courage to explore the outside world. But most important, far from making a boy act in ‘girl-like’ ways, a loving mother actually plays an integral role in helping a boy develop his masculinity.
Sources: https://www.familyeducation.com/life/mother-son-relationships/what-sons-learn-their-mothers
http://www.telegram.com/article/20120509/NEWS/120509477
NickelWorld is a unique concept in Family Entertainment. They have Over 100 Games!! All Games Operate with NICKELS!! While some Games Take Two or Three Nickels, MOST Games are one Nickel each to play!! PLUS, they have 13 FREE GAMES!! Most Games also WIN TICKETS to trade in for all sorts of PRIZES!!
Address: 2545 S Reynolds Rd, Toledo, OH 43614
Hours: Open 7 days a week, 11AM–10PM
Phone: (419) 385-3297
Website:http://www.nickelworldtoledo.com/
Admission: $2.50 to enter and then however many nickels you would like…$5 is usually more than enough
This seasonal go-kart racing facility also offers an 18-hole mini-golf course & batting cages.
Address: 5950 Angola Rd, Toledo, OH 43615
Hours: Tues-Thurs and Sundays 11AM–11PM Fri. and Sat. 11PM-12AM
Phone: (419) 867-1006
Website:http://sportwayinc.com/
Admission: Single Go-Kart $6 / 3 laps and Double Go-Kart $7 / 3 laps
Batting Cage…$1 = 1 token (15 pitches) $5 = 6 tokens (buy 5 get one free)
Mini-gold…18 Holes Adults $6 Kids – 6 & under $3
Northwest Ohio’s only full service hunting and shooting sports specialty store. Their ranges give you a place to practice year round. Use the indoor pistol range or indoor archery range throughout the year, in climate-controlled comfort. The outdoor 3-D range is available from March thru October.
Address: 10306 Airport Hwy, Swanton, OH 43558
Hours: Monday-Friday 10AM–7PM Saturday 10AM-6PM Closed Sundays
Phone: (419) 865-4713
Website:http://www.clelands.com/
Admission: Varies
Classic, original dinner experience! Opened in 1948 and is still going strong! When you walk in you step back in time, the 13 chrome stools at the lunch counter have been there from the beginning, as has the wooden phone booth in the corner. And the food is still good, plentiful and inexpensive.
Address: 2103 N Reynolds Rd, Toledo, OH 43615
Hours: Monday-Saturday 5AM–11PM Closed Sundays
Phone: (419) 535-9116
This entertainment center known for its large laser tag arena also has arcade games & hosts parties.
Address: 5836 Monroe St, Sylvania, OH 43560
Hours: Monday, Thursday, & Friday 4–10PM Closed Tuesday & Wednesday, and on Saturdays & Sundays 12pm-10pm
Phone: (419) 885-3460
Website:https://www.qzartoledo.com/
Admission: Laser Tag Prices -$8.50 One game of laser tag, $15.00 Two game pack, & $19.00 Three game pack
All You Can Play Sessions $19.00 per person Monday, Thursday & Friday: 4pm – 7pm and Sunday, Monday & Thursday: 7pm – 10pm
Family-friendly chain offering a sports-bar-style setting for American food & arcade games.
Address: 5001 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43623
Hours: Monday-Thursday and Sundays 10AM–12AM Fridays & Saturdays 10AM-2AM
Phone: (419) 481-9800
Website: https://www.daveandbusters.com/
Admission: Varies
The restaurant is a kid’s favorite!! Request a table in a car…yep, you read right, a table inside a classic car! This bar & grill serves American, Italian & Mexican fare in a relaxed setting with eclectic decor.
Address: 930 N Telegraph Rd, Monroe, MI 48162
Hours: Open 7 days a week 10:30AM–2AM
Phone: (734) 243-0343
Website:http://www.petesgaragemi.com
Admission: Varies
100% reclining seats! And Matinees, anything showing before 6PM is only $5!
Address: The Mall of Monroe 2121 N Monroe St
Phone: (734) 457-9080
Hours: Varies
Website:http://www.phoenixmovies.net/loc_frenchtown
Admission: General Admission-$8.75, Child, (11 and under) $6.00, Seniors, (60 and over) $6.00 Matinees before 6 PM $5.00
Pink floral china patterns adorn with gold trim, frilly tablecloths, doilies, pocket pies, shortbreads, & truffles, a light hum of classical music, gorgeous ladies draped in beautiful flowing sundresses relaxing, sans smartphones. That is the fantasy image that often comes to mind when one thinks of a tea party & Sweet Shalom Tea Room makes that a reality.
Whether you are looking for a way to spend the afternoon with your Valentine (perfect mother/daughter or son date), are in dire need of a Mom’s Day Out with friends, or are looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift for Mom (May’s Menu is Up), Sweet Shalom Tea Room is where ladies can linger a bit longer while enjoying the relaxing atmosphere, being waited on, and the comfort of warm tea and uplifting conversations.
“What should we get the kids for Christmas?” tis the season for parents to be asked that $64,000 question repeatedly by relatives and friends. To answer the question parents often ponder 3 things….
1- Storage Space: As each year passes children seem to accumulate more toys, games, puzzles, “stuff” than one has storage space. One shouldn’t have to rent out a storage unit just to accommodate all their children’s “stuff”.
Due to this year being unlike any other in history I would advice always calling ahead and double checking that nothing has changed before visiting any orchard, farm, etc.
Rent the Chicken
Vegetable gardens, compost pile, chickens, oh my! Now those are some serious backyard goals, right!? But, what better way for children to learn about the lifecycle of plants and appreciation for their food than by growing and raising it themselves!? And with the weather finally warming up, ground is thawed, and days are getting longer, tis the season to begin to get these projects underway! While the vegetable garden and compost pile are fairly painless, I have to be honest; I don’t know the first thing about how to make a chicken coop or how to raise chickens, lol! But, check this out, you can rent EVERYTHING!!!
Featuring skilled Monster Jam® athletes, Toledo fans will witness a fierce battle for the championship with each competitor tearing up the dirt gravity-defying feats in 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks going head-to-head for points in Freestyle, 2-Wheel Skills Challenge and Racing competitions.
Plus, fans in every city can become part of the action by voting for the winner in the 2-Wheel Skills Challenge and Freestyle competitions via real-time, in-arena fan voting on their smartphones.
Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles per hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world.
At the Monster Jam Pit Party, you can see the massive trucks up close, meet your favorite drivers, get autographs, take pictures and enjoy other family-friendly activities. It is an unforgettable part of the Monster Jam experience where special connections are made and lifelong fans are born.
Friday, March 6, 2020 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Pit Party open from 10:30-12:00 PM
*Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m. event ticket & Pit Party Pass required for entry
1:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Pit Party open from 10:30-12:00 PM
**Sunday, March 8, 1 p.m. event ticket & Pit Party Pass required for entry
1:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Huntington Center – 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, OH 43604
Tickets are affordably priced for the whole family with seats starting at just $15 each*
Discount Opening Night tickets for select seating available for only $15
Pit Party Passes available to purchase for $15 each
Tickets & Pit Party Passes will be available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com, or in-person at the venue Box Office. **ticket prices subject to change – venue/ticketing fees may apply. **
To be entered complete the following steps:
1-Share this post on Facebook
2-Comment with your answer to this question….if you built your own Monster Jam Truck what would you call it?
Winner will be randomly selected on February 24th. Winner’s name will be announced the on this blog post thread and on Mom on the go in Holy Toledo’s Facebook page. Good luck, loves!
