Today I am sharing 7 kid-friendly activities in Toledo to check out this winter. The cold winter months in Northwest Ohio can make you want to hibernate in your home, but these activities encourage learning, exploration and are enjoyable for both kids and parents. This winter break we visited many of these places and had a blast!
7 Kid-Friendly Activities in Toledo
1 | Toledo Art Museum
The Toledo Museum of Art is my FAVORITE place to take the kids in winter or summer! We are so lucky to have such an amazing art museum in Toledo that is free. The museum always has fantastic exhibits – I have highlighted a few of my favorites below. The museum also offers a kid’s area in the basement where you can take your kids to play and create art.
2 | Local Library
Many of the local libraries in Toledo have been recently renovated and offer wonderful kid’s areas! Head to your local library for storytime or to browse the book selection and learn how to borrow books.
3 | Imagination Station
Imagination Station is another fabulous, kid-friendly place to visit in downtown Toledo. Let your kids explore the experiments and exhibits and learn all about science! My kids would spend a full day in here if I let them. My son’s favorite exhibit is the flight simulation attraction.
The tightrope bike was always my favorite exhibit growing up, but my kiddos are still terrified of it at their age.
4 | Toledo Zoo
The Toledo Zoo is ranked as one of the top zoos in the United States! During the holiday season, visiting the zoo lights is a MUST! They do such a beautiful job with the Lights Before Christmas exhibit and the enormous Christmas tree is a showstopper. This is another activity that is fun for people young and old!
5 | Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Museum
Take your children on a little field trip to the 19th President’s home & Museum in Fremont, Ohio. During the winter months, you can take a sleigh ride around the grounds which the kids love. You can tour the home of the Hayes family and visit the museum that is packed with historic artifacts and displays.
Rutherford B. Hayes was the first President to save much of his correspondence during his time in the White House. He was fascinated by genealogy and his family history and spent his life preserving objects and letters from important parts of his life. This included his time served as a lieutenant during the Civil War and his Presidency. If you love old homes and history, this place is a must.
A good portion of the museum also shared the history of his wife, Lucy Hayes, who was a nurse in the Civil War. She was a strong female figure during her time and the museum has many preserved artifacts from her life as well.
6 | Wildwood Metropark & Manor House
Northwest Ohio is home to some of the most beautiful Metroparks around. Wildwood Metropark was originally the property of a prominent family, the Stranahans. The property became a public park in the ’70s and locals have been enjoying it ever since!
During Christmas time, locals can visit the manor house and tour the home decorated for the holidays. Outside they offer free s’mores for visitors and a large train display in the old limousine garage. I love walking through this beautiful, historic home every year and my kids love the s’mores station!
7 | Playland
If your kids start to get cabin fever, Playland is the prescription! Let your kids run around on swing sets and bounce houses for an hour and they will be happy as clams. There is not much for parents to do during this time except watch, but the kids love it.
Toledo may not be the biggest city, but it definitely has a lot to offer! What winter activities for kids do you love to do?
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