Are you finding your family becoming stir crazy or more grateful during your time home together? For most of us, it's probably a little of both!

To help keep us all smiling, we're doing our best to bring you fun and creative ideas to keep your kids learning and active while having fun! Read on for details on things to do at home and in nature. Have a great week!

We're Thankful for our Medial Professionals

We are so grateful for all of our courageous and dedicated medical professionals who continue to work tirelessly for all of us needing extra care right now!

How can we thank them for their help and kindness?⁠ This week on Facebook we offered some thoughtful ways to acknowledge our medical professionals and let them know how much we appreciate their heroic efforts. ?

Check Out Our Virtual Playdates!

Interactive Music Lesson — Emily from The Fine Arts Association shared a fun music lesson that we can all participate in.

Story Time for Kids — Our friends at the Children's Museum of Cleveland are back to share a fun, interactive story.

Buoyancy Science Challenge — Anne from Challenge Island – Summit/Medina County helped us learn more about buoyancy and challenged us to a fun at home science activity.

A Special Message from the Easter Bunny — Thank you to Spectacular Party Entertainment for bringing us the Easter Bunny to share some ways for us to continue to have Easter fun at home.

Fun Family Workout— Bridget from Play: CLE lead us through some fun activities that will get us up and moving. Enjoy!

Pointillism Craft for Kids — Wondering what Pointillism is? Stephanie from Massillon Museum is here to tell us about it and lead us through a fun pointillism craft.

If you enjoy these activities as much as we did, please share them using the hashtag #NEOhioFamilyFun!

Get Out and Enjoy Nature

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please make sure you are following recommended social distancing practices while you are out.

Looking to get out and enjoy some time in nature? These are good options.

You must put a trip to Worden's Ledges on your bucket list! Located in Cleveland Metroparks Hinkley Reservations, the stone carvings at Worden's Ledges are a fascinating treasure! The short .7 mile hike leads through beautiful scenery and moss covered ledges. Then out of nowhere you'll discover historic carvings among the stones. {Find Out More}

​During the spring the local waterfalls are often running nicely. Some easy trails for kids include hikes to Brandywine Falls at the CVNP and The Gorge in Akron.

Hike the trails at a nearby park. Looking for paved paths? Check out our list of Stroller Friendly Hiking Trails. 

Grab a frisbee and play a game of Frisbee / Disc Golf. There are lots of local courses to choose from.

Fido might want some fresh air too so you could check out a local Dog park.

Squire's Castle is part of Cleveland Metroparks' North Chagrin Reservation and is located just off of River Road in Willoughby Hills. The historic castle is well maintained and a stunning piece of Cleveland History. Guests to North Chargrin Reservation can tour the inside of the castle, hike the nearby trails through the woods and enjoy time playing and relaxing in the open grassy fields. Our article has details about the castle's history, pictures, and tips for planning your visit.

Planning to stay home? Try these ideas​:

Fun at Home

Chalk Your Walk

• Draw a mini city in your driveway – Your kids can use cards and trucks and drive around the roads.
• Play tic tack toe
• Create a Maze 

Family Sing-A-Long & Dance Party

• Crank up the music and start dancing. The kids will have a blast and you will too.
• Introduce them to some of your favorite old songs 
• Show them how to dance the Macarena
• Do the Sing Along with Cafe O'Play
• Learn a new dance from Arlene Cassara Dance & Theater Center

Have a LEGO Building Challenge

• Create a LEGO challenge with a theme – Animals & Nature Sculptures, Buildings, Food, Christmas Ornaments and Monuments are just a few ideas.
• Spread out the LEGOS, set a timer and use your imagination!
• You could also spend some time organizing your LEGOs. Separate them by color or assemble any kits you have.

Teach Your Kids to Cook

• If you're like me, you are in the kitchen A LOT. Let your kids help too.
• Show them how to fry an egg
• Let them make cookies

Science Experiments

• Do Science Experiments at Home. Balloon Rocket, Walking Water and Magic Milk are really fun and use items you may already have at home.
• Check out this DIY Lava Lamp from Nutty Scientists
• See experiments with Liquid Nitrogren from the Great Lakes Science Center

Plan Ahead

Use our HUGE Summer Camp Guide to daydream about a time when this is all behind us!

Have a great weekend!