Metro Monthly

By Krystle Hivley
Special to the Metro Monthly

Summer break can be a fun time to play at the park, take your dog for a walk, go swimming, or simply enjoy the outside weather. But as we all know, the weather in Ohio can’t be great every day. Some times it will pour down rain.

Other days, the weather can hit a scorching hot temperature, leaving children with nothing to do and nowhere to go, except for in front of the television or computer. That’s why Metro Monthly compiled a list of activities for the whole family to enjoy, especially the kids.

The list ranges from arts and crafts to hands-on museums. The next time the weather isn’t looking that nice, don’t be upset: there are plenty of free and/or low cost activities to do inside (and they’re educational too!).

• Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, various locations. The Public Library’s Web site (www.libraryvisit.org/programs.htm) lists numerous free activities for children at Main Library and its branches. For more information about the Library’s schedule of events, call 330-744-8636.

• Mahoning Valley Historical Society, 648 Wick Ave., Youngstown; 330-743-2589. The Mahoning Valley Historical Society offers a variety of children’s activities. “Family Day” is the second Saturday of every month from 1-5 p.m. Visit a pioneer cabin, play historical games, read books, and make crafts (no fee). Become a member of the Historical Hounds Club (for ages 6-12). Registration is required. The club meets one Saturday a month from 1-3 p.m. (no fee). Lastly, attend the History Hounds Summer Camp (for ages 8-12), which occurs the last week of June. It’s billed as “history with unique hands-on activity.” It occurs Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-noon. ($20 fee). For more information, call 330-743-2589.

• Michael’s Arts and Crafts. This craft store chain has two local locations: 365 Boardman-Canfield Road in Boardman and 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road in Niles. Michael’s offers plenty of craft activities. First off, children’s parties at Michael’s allow you to enjoy being with friends and also learn how to create your own craft to bring home. (A 10-day notice is suggested and the parties are between 1.5 to 2 hours long any day of the week. A six- child minimum is required.) The parties are for children ages 5-12 years old and cost $30. The stores offer another activity, called “The Knack Saturdays” (for ages 5-12), where a child can create his/her own craft. The fee is $5, including supplies, and is 30 minutes long. Sessions occur all day. Michael’s is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 330-629-8555 (Boardman).

• Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown. The Butler Institute was the nation’s first museum dedicated to American art and houses over 20,000 individual’s works, including painting and sculptures. The Butler is open from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Wednesday; and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. For information on tours, visit their Web site at www.butlerart.com, or call at 330-743-1107. Admission is free.

• Mill Creek Metroparks. Even though a lot of park activities occur outdoors, there are a few inside. The first location is Lanterman’s Mill. You will get to see machines grinding corn, wheat, and oats, just like it did several years ago. (The wheat and cornmeal flour are sold at their gift shop.) The mill is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. To arrange a tour, call 330-740-7107.

Another park facility to visit is the D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center, which is located at the Fellows Riverside Gardens. There are exhibit spaces, an art gallery, a horticultural library, a historical museum, a café, and a gift shop. The building is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

• Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo and Rainforest, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland. Explore the jungles of the rainforest and various animals at the zoo. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children (ages 2-11), and free for children under age 2. No fee for parking. Starting Memorial Day, the zoo and rainforest will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Call 216-661-6500 for information.

• Ward Beecher Planetarium, YSU campus, Lincoln Avenue, Youngstown. Learn about general astronomy at 8 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. another presentation takes place, which is geared more toward children. No reservation or fee required. For more information, call 330-941-3616.

• Blazed and Bedazzled, 850 E. Western Reserve Road, Poland. Offers a place for interactive paint on pottery and a studio to design mosaic pieces. A summer camp will occur every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (ages 6-9) and every Monday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (ages 10-15 years old). $20 fee per week. To register for camp, call 330-758-2868.

• McDonough Museum of Art, 525 Wick Ave., Youngstown. A center for ideas, art, education, and the community. No fee required. The building is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Phone: 330-941-1400.

• Children’s Museum of the Valley, 139 E. Boardman St., Youngstown; 330-744-5914. Offers educational, interactive exhibits for children. 10 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

• Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children’s Way, Pittsburgh. The museum has tools, building materials, paints and clay, sprinklers and boats, and much more. Classes and programs are offered daily, along with the performances, which are shown everyday too. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 (ages 2-18) and seniors, and free for children under 2. On Thursday admission is $7 for all. For information, call 412-322-5058.

• Trumbull Art Gallery, 196-198 E. Market St., Warren; 330-395-4876. Offers quarterly classes for children, teens and adults, including the upcoming “Summerfest 2008.” Call for more information, or visit TAG’s Web site at http://www.trumbullartgallery.com.

• COSI (Center of Science and Industry), 333 W. Broad St., Columbus. Offers over 300 interactive exhibits, a café, and a gift shop. COSI is open on Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Information can be found by calling 614-228-COSI.

• Bodies . . . The Exhibition, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati. See specimens of the human body up close. The exhibits are meant to educate and show people how the body functions. For more information about the museum, call 513-287-7000.

• Historic Roscoe Village, state Route 16 & 36 in Coshocton, Ohio. Fun for the whole family. Offers a living history with tours, hands- on activities, shopping, dining, and festivals. The “Heritage Craft and Dulcimer Music Festival” occurs June 20-22. The village is open on Sundays. For more information, call 1-800-877-1830.