I will be honest, when I heard the kiddos break started on Friday Dec. 20th I got my calendar out and counted how many days until school resumed, in case you’re wondering, 18 days including weekends, 18! Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my kiddos but 18 days without a routine, scary! Thus in order to minimize the meltdowns here’s a guide of some fun ideas, day-trips, & places to take kiddos that’ll help make it a joy filled winter break! 😉

Toledo Museum of Art Presents, The Great Art Escape

Address: 2445 Monroe Street Toledo, OH 43620

Phone: (419) 255-8000

Website: https://www.toledomuseum.org/visit/events/great-art-escape-0

Cost: FREE

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, 2019-Jan. 1, 2020. 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 2020 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 mostly FREE!!! Click HERE for dates & times.

Play:CLE

Address: 38525 Chester Rd, Avon, OH 44011

Website: https://www.playcle.com/

Phone: (440) 695-3565

Hours: Vary, click on website for schedule

If you’re looking for the place to mix fun and fitness, you’ve come to the right spot. Play: CLE has created a unique mix of attractions that will have kids and adults’ alike running, jumping, climbing and challenging themselves!

Zip line
Ropes course
Climbing wall
Ninja warrior course
Parkour course
Bouldering wall
Dining area (The Biner)
Kids’ area

Outdoor Adventure Center

Phone: 844-OAC-MDNR (844-622-6367)

Address: 1801 Atwater Street Detroit, MI 48207-4020

Website: http://www.michigan.gov/oac/

Hours: Varies during the holidays, see website for schedule

Cost: Children 2 & under are FREE, Children 3-12-$3, & Adults- $5

Experience exciting outdoor adventures with hands-on activities, exhibits and simulators — walk behind and touch a waterfall, step into a fishing boat and reel in a big fish, hit the trail on a mountain bike or snowmobile, and much more. At the OAC, you’ll learn about how the DNR manages state parks, forests, wildlife and fish as you climb the roots and explore the canopy of a massive bur oak tree, hop aboard a real airplane, and see what’s swimming in our aquarium.

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

Address: Biological Sciences Building, 1105 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1085

Phone: 734-764-0478

Website: https://lsa.umich.edu/ummnh

Museum Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM-5PM

Admission: Free (suggestion donation of $6)

Parking: Good luck, lol! Just kidding…there is a parking garage on Forest Ave. Cost us $6

You too can deny your child a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle and allow your inner child to come out and play at A Christmas Story House!!

A Christmas Story House Tour

Address: 3159 W. 11th St., Cleveland, OH 44109 in the Tremont neighborhood.

Phone: (216) 298-4919

Website: https://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/

Hours: Varies during the holidays, see website

Cost: Children 2 & under are FREE, Children 3-12- $10, Adults-$13

Harlem Globetrotters Pushing the Limits World Tour

This is more than a basketball game. It is more than a show. It is the one and only Harlem Globetrotters in an all-new, larger-than-life world tour! You’ll be on your feet, out of your seat, laughing until it hurts and loving every moment. The 5th Quarter – The game isn’t over after the final shot! Meet your favorite Globetrotter court-side after the game to get an autograph and photo. Don’t miss out – get your tickets today!! Take the fam, your local basketball team, scouts/troop, and/or any tween/teen