Archive for the ‘Fun’ Category

A “Free” Sunday in Four Parts

Monday, January 16th, 2012

The five of us were out and about yesterday taking advantage of these four free activities:

1) Handfeeding the chickadees at Brecksville Nature Center. I think it’s every Sat. and Sun. in Jan. and Feb. from 10-12. Sunflower seeds are provided.

2) Lake Erie Nature Center in Bay Village.

3) Huntington Beach in Bay Village. My youngest daughter and I picked up beach glass while my other daughter, son and husband knocked icicles off the rocks. It’s the first time we’ve taken the kids to a Lake Erie beach in winter. The lake’s not frozen over, so dodging waves added to the fun.

4) Sled riding. The last time I went sled riding was about 12 years ago with my then-boyfriend (now husband). We took a spill and he landed on me. My thigh was bruised for four years, I swear. I had no interest in going again, so my husband’s been taking the kids by himself for the last couple years. But for some reason I decided it was time to try again. I have to admit I was terrified that while riding down the hill in the same sled as my daughter we would tip and I would crush her. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, nor did I mess up my still-mending ankle (whew!).

Fun, I like. Free AND fun, I love!

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Posted in Free or Nearly Free, Fun, Places to Go - Ohio | 2 Comments »

Homemade Angry Birds

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

My husband recently started letting the kids play “Angry Birds” on his little electronic device. They like the game and aren’t happy when we limit their play time. So my very creative son came up with his own version. He stacks up the Jenga blocks in various formations and strategically places little erasers on it. The player has to knock down the little colored ones, not the character ones like the chicks, with four other erasers. Every time you pass a “level” he devises a new formation. The other day I actually got up to Level 8. I like it a whole lot better than the electronic version, that’s for sure. Anyhow, I was at Target this morning and of course there are two lame versions you can buy at the store for $17 and $20. Our homemade version is much less expensive and more creative and fun.

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Pictureka: a board game I actually like!

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

I blogged a while ago about how I felt guilty because I didn’t play board games with the kids. But now that they’re older (and beyond “Candyland” and “Hi Ho Cherry-O”) I thought I’d see what’s out there now. Two of my three children love “I Spy” books so I bought the game Pictureka for my daughter’s birthday. And you know what, I actually enjoy playing it with the kids! What’s more, although it’s a level playing field, the kids usually win — fair and square. (Guess I’ll have to practice when they’re not home!) 

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Segway tour is fun, fun, fun!

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Ever since the Segway was unveiled in December 2001, I’ve wanted to ride one. By now, pretty much every big city in the world offers tours, which would be a really cool way to see the sights (if you’re at least 12-16; age requirements vary per company). Our kids are too young and to take the five of us would be way too expensive anyway, so I resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn’t be riding a Segway anytime soon. So I was really surprised to see an article in Ohio magazine last fall about four companies that do tours in Ohio — Cincinnati, Columbus, Little Hocking and the Cleveland area.  I filed the idea away in my head, then pulled it out when I was trying to find a special way to celebrate my recent birthday. So last weekend my husband and I took a 7 mile tour of the North Chagrin Reservation with Bob and April Considine, owners of Tomorrow’s Transport. Let me tell you, after a few minutes of getting adusted to riding this two-wheeled “personal transporter”, you are hooked! It was SO fun!! I could have ridden all day! Bob and April do a super job of making sure you are comfortable and safe. We passed a waterfall, went through a tunnel and over bridges, traveled on and off the paved trail, and even stopped to admire an inchworm, who was going a bit slower than our 9 mph max speed. If you’ve got out-of-town visitors, Bob and April lead tours in downtown Cleveland and the city of Mentor and a longer tour in the North Chagrin Reservation. Cost was $39.95, which I thought was reasonable for a  birthday adventure I’ll never forget!!  

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Legend Lanes: Penny-a-Pin bowling all summer

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

If you’re looking for something to do this summer when it’s too hot, too cold, or too rainy, I copied this from their Web site www.legendlanes.com:

This SUMMER (May 1-August 31, 2010) We Are PENNY -A-PIN All Summer Long!
You Pay What You Bowl! (IE: You Bowl A 90, You Pay $.90 For That Game!)

Women Bowl 180 Or Better-FREE GAME!
Men Bowl 200 Or Better-FREE GAME!

(Penny-A-Pin not valid Fridays 8p-Midnight OR during Saturday COSMIC BOWL 10p-2a)
Friday 8p-Midnight: $10 unlimited games-Includes Shoe Rental OR $3.50 a game.

The Sunday AM Special Moves to SATURDAYS! (May 1-August 31)
10:00a-1:00pm
$1.00 Per Game OR $8 Unlimited Games For 3 Hours!
(Even Better Prices Than PENNY-A-PIN!)

 SUMMER Saturday Only COSMIC Bowling

 10:00pm-2:00am

 $10.00 per person (shoes included)-Unlimited Games!

(Penny-A-Pin not valid during COSMIC Bowling)
(Friday Night Cosmic Will Return In September!)

Shoe Rental  $2.00

 

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Posted in Free or Nearly Free, Fun | 1 Comment »

Indoor miniature golf lights up area malls

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

fireflys

I rarely go to Summit Mall, so I was a bit surprised when my hairdresser mentioned taking her nieces to the glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course there, next to Dillard’s. Last month I checked it out with my daughters and my BFF and her daughter. My daughters got a kick out of it, but my BFF said if we really wanted the indoor glow-in-the-dark miniature golf experience to go to Firefly’s in Southpark Mall (Strongsville). Our family trekked to Southpark yesterday, and yes, Firefly’s is 10x better than the Lunar Mini-Golf at Summit Mall. The only problem was the group of six playing in front of us. Groups are supposed to be limited to 4, which was the first issue (and no, my husband and I didn’t play, so our group was just three children). Second, they waited until every single person finished before moving on to the next hole, instead of continually moving. Third, when they were done, sometimes they remained standing on our “green” while watching the next hole, instead of getting their behinds off the course. Fourth, their slowness caused a backup of three more groups behind us, though this family seemed oblivious to it all. The other nice thing about Firefly’s is that for just $1 you could do the course a second time (we passed on that). It’s funny because no one I have talked to in this area ever even heard of glow-in-the-dark indoor mini golf, although apparently for a while there was one right by Chapel Hill Mall. Anyway, if you want to give the kids a fun time indoors, put on some white clothes and head to Firefly’s.

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A day at the beach

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

kites

As well as biking on Sunday, I was looking for another super-special way to enjoy the splendiferous gift of a sunny 70 degree day in November in Northeast Ohio with my family. The beach sounded perfect, so we headed to Cleveland’s Edgewater Park. We flew our kite, played in the sand, walked to the pier — and all around were people of all ages, colors and sizes with one thing in common — big smiles on their sunlit faces. People were playing with their dogs, taking photos, drawing, pushing strollers, biking, jogging, flying kites, using metal detectors, strolling hand-in-hand — all the time, smiling. It was really beautiful to see! edgewaterpark

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Posted in Day Trips, Exercise, Free or Nearly Free, Fun | No Comments »

Summerpac was a great deal

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Cuyahoga Falls’ Parks & Recreation Dept. introduced “Summerpac” in 2008 as an affordable, fun way for families to enjoy “staycations.” I bought one this summer and boy was it worth it! It cost us $59 but saved us tons more (especially since we are not Cuyahoga Falls residents). There were 4 passes each for: the Nat, WaterWorks, Downview Mini Golf and Driving Range and Falls River Cruises. Plus, there were BOGO discount coupons to lots more places like the Akron Zoo and Weathervane Playhouse (where we saved $24 alone on tickets to see the very entertaining “Madeline and the Gypsies”). So if you live anywhere in the area, think about Summerpac for next summer – your $59 or whatever it is if they offer it again next year – will go a long way!

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Great class for kids at Quirk Cultural Center

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009

quirk

I just had to give a shout-out to Amy Steiner and her pottery classes at Quirk Cultural Center (part of the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Rec program). I enrolled my youngest in the “Mudpies” class, where parents can take the class with their 3-to-5-year-olds. What a great experience for both of us! In just three 45-minute sessions (one per week), my daughter made 5 bowls, a snake, a hand-print plaque and a heart shelf-sitter. With help, she made things with her hands, used the pottery wheel, glazed and painted her pieces, and more. Amy is so supportive and passionate about pottery and children’s exposure to the arts. The price was great too – just a total of $13 for residents and $16 for nonresidents. She also has classes for older kids (6-9, 8-10 and 11-16) as well as adults which I’m sure are just as excellent (though prices do go up). Anyway, we’re going to take the class again it was so much fun!! Plus, we’ve got these great ceramic bowls that fit just the right amount of candy!!

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Snow for the Summer

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

If you have snow outside and some space in your freezer, put some in a plastic container and freeze it. My plan every year is to let the kids throw snowballs on the summer solstice, but sometimes I don’t remember until, say, October, to do this. It’s always very freaky whenever you do it “off season”.

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