Family fun

6 Activities for Ohio Families During Thanksgiving Break

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The end of the year is quickly approaching, but not before the holiday rush! First up, we have Thanksgiving, and you might be looking for fun things to do with your family during the break. Here is a list of activities throughout Ohio for you and your family to enjoy.

 

Columbus Turkey Trot 

November 23rd, 9:00AM

“We are proud to partner with Easterseals Central and Southeast Ohio to bring you a fun and rewarding experience that brings together family and friends from across the country. A great Homage designed t-shirt, handsome finisher’s medal, and more.

Participants have their choice of a 5 mile or 2.5 mile course, plus a special “Dick’s Tot Trot” for kids 9 and under. Those who wish to participate remotely can also register through our virtual option. Bring a camera and a smile and we look forward to seeing you Thanksgiving morning!”

Learn more: https://www.columbusturkeytrot.com/ 

 

Tobogganing – Cleveland Metroparks

Opening November 24th

“The 2023-2024 Toboggan Season is scheduled to open Friday November 24, 2023. Reservations will begin Friday November 17 at Noon. Experience the icy thrill of tobogganing at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation, 16200 Valley Parkway Strongsville, OH 44136, located on Valley Parkway between Routes 42 and 82 in Strongsville (a short distance from both I-71 and the Ohio Turnpike). The twin, 700-foot refrigerated ice chutes operate with or without snow through late February, weather permitting.”

Learn more: https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/visit/activities/activity-types/tobogganing

 

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo

November 17-January 7  |  Sunday-Thursday: 5:00PM-9:00PM  |  Friday-Saturday: 5:00PM-10:00PM

“The yuletide season comes alive as we celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Wildlights! This holiday event features millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, and other holiday festivities that can only be found at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. 

Admission to Wildlights is included with your Zoo admission or with your Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Membership.”

Learn more: https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmNeqBhD4ARIsADsYfTfugNldwJv05jiCijg2tFOPEmBwwm95JBWnhrSEHkchek-1AwaH9cUaAiBBEALw_wcB 

 

Cleveland Pops Orchestra Concert: Holiday Cheer!

November 26 2:00PM-4:00PM

 “Get in the holiday spirit with the Cleveland Pops and Pops Chorus! Listen to your favorite tunes, join in the sing-along and enjoy the famous Dancing Santas. Don’t forget to stop by the lobby to visit Santa Claus and adoptable puppies and kittens from area shelters plus more holiday magic!”

Learn more: https://www.thisiscleveland.com/events/event-calendar/cleveland-pops-orchestra-concert-holiday-cheer! 

 

Portsmouth Winterfest

November 17-December 31, 2023

“Open skating will be from Thursday to Sunday. Private Parties on Monday to Wednesday (click here to email for more info on party bookings). Ice hockey school is from Monday to Wednesday. Vendor booths and food trucks on weekends. FOP Christmas Store. Merchant Saturdays featuring 20 to 30 booths leading up to Christmas setup on National Church Residences Square. Choirs and bands on Sunday afternoons. Vehicle props and Manger Scene. Downtown lights on 2nd and Market Streets. Old-time trucks at 2nd and Courts streets. Grinch hut with hot chocolate, coffee, sweets, and s’mores. Jingle Bell 5k run/walk. Character Saturdays in December at the ice rink. Visit Winterfest and create memories. Click the links above for more information.”

Learn more: https://www.ohiotraveler.com/portsmouth-winterfest/ 

 

Dayton Holiday Festival

November 24th

“Dayton Holiday Festival in Dayton, Ohio:  The holiday season is everyone’s favorite time of year! With family, food, and entertainment, what’s not to love? Throw in some gingerbread homes, carriage rides, a holiday village, and one of the largest tree lighting ceremonies in the region and that’s only a taste of what the Dayton Holiday Festival has to offer! The Dayton Holiday Festival was started by Mrs. Virginia Kettering so that everyone in the community, regardless of their economic means, could enjoy the holiday season. And today, it still offers most activities to all for free. The festival has since expanded to include carnival and horse drawn carriage rides, holiday crafts in the Holiday Village and Gingerbread homes on display in the Old Courthouse! The fun doesn’t end there! The tree lighting will occur on Courthouse Square at 7:45pm and the Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular and Lights will immediately follow. All this and much more at the Holiday Festival in downtown Dayton. Other activities are featured throughout December.”

Learn more: https://www.ohiotraveler.com/dayton-holiday-festival/ 

 

Free 4-H Project Books For Ohio Military Families – Order by 10/20

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We are excited to announce that once again, Ohio Military Kids is offering free projects books for you and your family! Continue reading to learn more about how you can get your hands on a free project activity book.
Our partners at Ohio 4-H are proud to present a collection of project books to military families – at no cost to you! Ohio Military Kids is an organization that benefits from the youth development education offered from Ohio 4-H and the organization resources contributed from Ohio National Guard Family Readiness and Warrior Support. Together, we hope that your families may benefit from the education opportunities found in the collection of project book titles listed in this survey.
Here are the books we are offering:
  • Scrapbooking: A 4-H Guide to Preserving Memories – “This project is designed for youth with limited or no experience in scrapbooking. Requires completion of project activities and creation of a scrapbook. Can be repeated by completing additional activities and a new scrapbook each year.”
  • Superhero You – “Who are you? What makes you unique? Find your superpowers and those of your family and friends. Discover your super future by exploring how to put your super skills to work. Have fun and learn about your self-identity.”
  • Let’s Start Cooking – “This project takes a fresh look at basic cooking and baking skills. You’ll learn about kitchen equipment and food prep, and how to read recipes and measure ingredients. Then you’ll tackle how to slice and dice food, and how to cook in a microwave oven, on the stove and in a conventional oven, all while keeping safety in mind. Appropriate for members of all ages with little or no cooking or baking experience.”
  • Science Fun with Kitchen Chemistry – “Join the Terrestrial Alien Defense Academy and figure out how to outsmart the aliens by doing experiments in your kitchen. Learn about what matter is and how it changes form; explore the different properties of matter; find out about acids and bases; and discover how everyday items and kitchen ingredients can be used in cool tests!”
  • Pantry Panic – “This advanced-level project is for community-minded youth who want to take a step back and look at food in a broader context. “Food insecurity” is an issue affecting much of the world’s population and many people right here in our own communities. Learn about hunger in your community and develop the skill and imagination to prepare healthful meals from ingredients you have on hand or might receive from a food pantry. Consider it a challenge!”
Please note that we have very limited supply of each book. You may only select one of each book per order. If a book has “sold out” it will not be displayed as an option.
Requests must be placed by Friday, October 20. Orders will then be processed and sent to families approximately 3-5 weeks after the order deadline.
For additional information about this program or enrollment in Ohio 4-H, please contact State 4-H Healthy Living and Ohio Military Kids Student Assistant, Matthew Swearingen (swearingen.96s@osu.edu)

Fall Craft For Families – Turkey Windsocks

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Happy Fall, ya’ll! As the weather gets cooler, you might be wondering what kind of activities can keep your kids entertained indoors. Check out this fun and cost efficient craft for your family!

thanksgiving kids craft turkey windsocks

(Image from Happiness is Homemade)

What you’ll need:

  1. Recycled Aluminum Can
  2. Brown Paint
  3. Craft glue
  4. Orange Paint Pen
  5. Large Googly Eyes
  6. Ribbons-Fall Colors
  7. Feathers, Felt, and/or Construction Paper-Fall Colors
  8. Scissors
  9. Masking Tape (optional)

Directions:

  1. Start by painting the Aluminum Can with the brown paint. 
  2. After the brown paint is dry, use your orange painter’s pen to draw an upside-down triangle as the turkey’s “beak.”
  3. Then, attach the googly eyes using your craft glue.
  4. Using your choice of feathers or construction paper, create the turkey’s “tail” by gluing the feathers/construction paper to the top of the back of the can on the inside rim. The can will have sharp edges, you can apply the masking tape there to protect your fingers.
  5. Cut 10-15 pieces of ribbon at about 18” in length.
  6. Apply a thick layer of craft glue to the inside rim at the bottom of the can, and then place your ribbon streamers. Allow the glue to dry.
  7. Cut out a red waddle (in either felt or construction paper). Use your craft glue to attach it beside the beak.
  8. Attach ribbon to the inside rim of the top sides of the can using craft glue to create a handle.

Adapted from: Happiness is Homemade. For more fun, Fall crafts, check out their website:

https://www.happinessishomemade.net/thanksgiving-kids-craft-turkey-windsocks/