I'm trying to
come up with a list of free or cheaper activities to do with our boys this
summer. This isn't our whole list but some ideas we used.
Please
comment on things you have found. We love to check out new places
Everything
Rubbermaid store (Wooster) - 3rd floor has Step 2 play structures, kitchens,
etc to play with for free
Kidron
Auction (Thurs) - watch them sell animals. Auction starts at 11 but can
walk around the look at the animals before.
Massillon Rec center - Daily Visit pass - Ages 4 & up - $6, Under 3 is free.The
aquatics area features four bodies of water; a two-lane lap pool; a lazy river;
a multipurpose splash down pool; a dry sauna, and a kiddie play pool. The
19' high water slides just add more to the fun.
Massillon
McDonalds on 172 towards Target - I've heard good things about their
playground.
FirstChristian Church (Canton) - FREE The playland has 4 levels with tubes, stairs,
and slides for your kids to explore and enjoy. There is even a designated area
for toddlers ages 2 and under to play safely. Spring hours: Monday – Friday
1:30 – 5pm and Sundays 1-3pm. Hours will be extended during summer months.
Wooster
Sprayground & Kiddie Pool - Knights Park is very appealing to families with
young children because of the newly developed Kiddy City and spray ground.
Kiddy City is a 12,036 square foot area for children to ride there bikes or big
wheels. Along with Kiddy City there is a 19,500 square foot spray ground with 6
different spraying features to keep the children entertained. If that is not
enough for the kids there is a 4,929 square foot playground for them to run
around in. Someone thought it was $3 a kid. You can get your hand
stamped as you leave & then go swim for free at Freelander Park.
Kroc Center
Spraypark (Ashland) - open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, weather
permitting. Free. The spray ground consists of three areas --
a toddler area, a teen area with water cannons and a common area. Several
pieces of the park are new products Rain Drop has developed, including the
water cannons, an alligator in the toddler area that shoots water out its nose
and cool tails -- water spouts resembling cattails
AmazoneFamily Center - Medina Toddler playground for children under 3 – $4 for
same day unlimited play. Large playground for children 3 and above – $8
for same day unlimited play. Watch for deals on Groupon or Living Social.
Mon-Thurs 10-9, Fri & Sat- 10-midnight, Sun - noon-9pm. Tues they
have an animal show, Wed story time, Thurs craft. All at 11
am. You can't bring your own food.
Tuscora Park(New Philly) - includes three pools, year-round picnic pavilion and outdoor
shelters, vintage kiddy amusement rides, miniature golf, and much more,
surrounded by our beautiful green hillsides and shade trees.
Any
time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, plan to visit Tuscora Park and see
what families from all over Ohio have been enjoying for decades!
Mon-Thurs 4:30-8:00, Fri-Sun noon-8:00 Prices:
All Rides - $1.00 each, Book of 10 tickets - $8.00, Miniature Golf - $1.00 per
person, Batting Cages - $1.00 for 20 balls. They have a promo going
Mon-Thurs. 4:30-9 pm. Rides $0.75 or 10 for $5
Harry London Chocolates (by Akron-Canton airport) -
Tour Times:
Mon-Fri 10-4 Free. 45 min tour. Tours start at top of the
hour. Free piece of chocolate at the end of tour.
Toyrifix (Smithville) - toys & trains to play with in the store.
Orrville
Library - summer reading program, story time, special events, trains &
puzzles
Parks -
Orrville - Orr Park & Gailey Park. Wooster - Christmas Run &
Freelander; Kidron, Dalton - 2 parks. Jackson - a nice fenced in park
across from the high school. Massillon - a nice one on 241 north of 30
Johnson's
Woods - Fox Lake Rd - North of Orrville, nice place to walk on a raised path.
Towpath -
starts in Dalton. nice place to walk or ride bikes towards Massillon
Secrest
Arboretum - (Wooster) - a HUGE slide
The Barn
Restaurant (Smithville) - feed the ducks bread crusts
Mohican State
Park - hiking
Putt N Stuff
(Orrville) - Look for discounts on Town Money Saver, the Orrville school card
Cinemark
(Wooster) $5 on Tues & $1 Wed summer moviews
Cinemark
(Canton) $1 movies on Wed, but very cheap other days as well
Drive in
Theaters - Barberton, Wadsworth, & Strasburg
Akron Art
Museum - Free to children 12 & under with an adult. Free on
Thurs
Cleveland Art
Museum - Free. Within walking distance of the Cleveland Museum of Natural
History & Cleveland Botanical Gardens.
McKinley Museum & Monument - Canton. Dinosaurs, live animals, hands on science experiments, history, huge model train display. Museum Adults $8, Kids 3-18 $6. Monument Free. Mon-Sat 9-4, Sun Noon-4. Planetarium-- Saturday at 1:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. During the summer months public shows are held at 1:00 PM Monday-Friday. Planetarium shows are included in your admission price. Please note that children must be 5 years of age or older to attend a planetarium show. See the note below about a membership
MAPS Museum -
off of 241 near the Akron Canton Airport. 39 planes in various stages of
restoration. A good hands on, up close look at the planes. Adults
$8, Kids 6-12 $5. Check I Shop Stark for discount tickets. Tues-Sat
9:00-4:30, Sun 11:30-4
Akron Fossils& Science Center - Copley. Focuses on creationism & not
evolution. Includes a zip line & mini golf. Starting May 28
open Tues-Sat 9-5. Adults & kids $10, kids 3 & under free.
You can do the zip line, mini golf, & outdoor play area for $5. We
did this & really liked it. The museum part isn't big but love the
focus on God.
The Farm(Walnut Creek) Admission - 7.75/person with groups of 15 or more, Admission
& Wagon Ride 10.25/person for groups of 15 or more. Beautifully
landscaped. Giraffes. Found discount tickets on the Fish website.
Hershberger
Farm & Bakery - Rt 557 Berlin on the way to Charm, right off of 62.
They have a free petting zoo with pigs, horses, rabbits, chickens, sheep,
tons of goats (including ones of the roof of the barn), cows, dogs. You
can buy food for the animals $1 a cone or 6 for $5. You can ride a pony
or horse for $3. You can also take a buggy or wagon ride for $5 a
person. They also have a very good bakery and produce section. In
the fall you can ride the wagon out & pick your own pumpkin.
Lodi Outlet
Mall - Ride the train for $3.50, discount for AAA, coupons available on line
Orrville
Railroad - ride train or track cars $3 for adults & $2 for kids usually in
Aug & Oct.
Kids BowlFree allows your family to bowl 2 Games FREE everyday all summer. Plus, there
is a family pass option where parents, grandparents, older children that don't
qualify for the Kids Bowl Free passes and babysitters can join in the fun and
get the same great 2 FREE Game offer every day. Locally this is available
at Triway Lanes.
Hall of Fame
Balloon Launch – near the end of July
Water SkiShow - Free - Watch Water Ski Team Practice for 1 hour on Wed nights in summer
at Emerald Lake in Norton (click on link for details)
Orrville YMCA
family swim - 3 free on the Orrville PTO card.
Beech Creek –
butterfly garden - $3 a person
Baylor Beach - 3 and under free. 4 and up (Mon-Thurs) $6. Fri-Sun $7
June, July, and August
Mon.-Thurs - 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Sat., Sun. & Holidays -
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Caskey's - 11:00am-7:00pm (closed Monday). 15 & up $4, 14 & under $2, 2 and under free
Water WorksAquatic Center - Cuyahoga Falls - Water slides & pools. $8 for kids
3-12, Adults $12
Aug/Sept
Bauman Orchard - pick your own apples, wagon ride, straw maze
Wayne County Fair - week
after Labor Day
Missions at the Airport
- Preferred Airport - Sept every other year
Christmas
Oak Grove Mennonite -
Search for the Christ child - usually first Sun of Dec
Journey to Bethlehem -
Walnut Creek
Polar Express - library
Please confirm before attending these events as dated, times & pricing may have changed.