Tuesday, June 28, 2011
As a stay-at-home mom for ten years, I learned quickly that summer equals bored kids. Kids who look forward to summer break for months quickly become bored with all that free time on their hands. To help keep boredom (and the accompaning whineys) at bay, I began to schedule the week out. We began to model our week after the school day schedule, and found out it really works well at keeping the summer fun--but still relaxing. We'd schedule in arts and crafts time, summer reading time, music time, and of course--quiet time. (Momma needed those naps!) We used to get a season pass somewhere like Kings Island or the Zoo, and we'd go every Tuesday. (Tuesday's are typically the slowest day of the week at entertainment parks and attractions.) We'd arrive around 10 am and leave at 4 pm, in time to beat traffic home. Now I work outside the home three days a week, so I make sure to maximize the two days I'm home with the kids. We have a day when we just hang out together, and then on Fridays we have Field Trip Fridays! We meet up with a friend of mine and her kids, and we all head out somewhere fun for a few hours. Our kids really look forward to Field Trip Friday, and so do we, as my friend and I get a guaranteed few hours a week to hang out together. We don't spend a lot either on these Field Trips--there's so many free activities and discounts available in Cincinnati that we don't have to spend a fortune to make sure the kids have a summer to remember! Here's some of my favorite activities for Field Trip Friday:
- The Art Spark specializes in creative arts and crafts for the kids, helping them not only create their own unique creations, but also to be learning to solve problems creatively and develop their own imaginative ideas. They have summer camps, classes and open studio times. My daughter is very creative so we're going to be going up for an open studio time in the next few weeks!
- Jump Zone is always a favorite for my kids. They can run and jump and play for hours, and bounce their little brains out. It's a hit for us moms too--they come home and pass out. They're quiet for the next 24 hours! Here's some different coupons and deals for Jump Zone:
- Save $2 off 1 Open Play admission (Florence location)
- Buy 6 visit pass get 1 visit free (Florence location)
- HalfPriceCincy deal: 5 passes for only $25! (Florence location)
- HalfPriceCincy deal: 6 passes for only $30! (Milford location)
- Kings Island is always a summer favorite. When we go we arrive early, ride the kids rides, have some lunch, then head over to the pool area for the afternoon. Right now you can save $16 on Kings Island adult tickets with this coupon from our local coupons section.
- Firehouse--many local Fire Stations will arrange a tour for groups of five or more for free. In the past we've taken kids and gotten a fire safety demonstration, a tour of the firehouse, and to climb in a fire truck. The tours are always contigent on the station's schedule--if there's an emergency they obviously have to handle that first. Contact your local fire station to find out if they do tours. Some will even bring the trucks out to you if you have a group of ten or more!
- When can a trip to the grocery be full of fun for the kids? When you visit Jungle Jim's! From the animated characters that are around the store, to the giant tanks of exotic fish, to the monorail--there's something around every corner to delight kids. How about the "port-o-potty" bathrooms that aren't quite what they appear? Or the spiky orange fruits from Japan? Jungle Jim's is like taking a trip around the world without ever leaving Cincinnati. Here's a little trivia for you: when you're in the English section, look up at the tree with Robin Hood and his loot in it. I'm told that's the old Keebler Elves tree from the commercials!
- Top of Carew Tower--did you know there is an observation deck at the top of the Carew Tower? It's one of the most stunning views of Cincinnati you'll ever see, and a great way to get that big-city skyscraper experience right here at home. Take the elevator to the 45th floor, then board the smaller elevator for the 48th floor, then climb one flight of steps to the Observation Deck. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for kids, cash only. You can see all of Cincinnati from the top. For more information call them at 513-579-9735.
- ToyLab is one of my all-time favorite activities with the kids. ToyLab is a place where kids create their own toys! ToyLab features a zany professor in an interactive learning class at the start of the adventure, where kids learn the process of taking a toy from concept to design to reality. (The kids--and adults--are laughing all the way through!) Then the class moves into the ToyLab, full of bins of recycled plastic toy parts. Children pick out several pieces, then design the toy of their dreams, and the ToyLab staff helps put it together to make it a reality. Kids name their toys and identify it's 'superpower.' It's zany and creative--and soooo FUN! We've had two parties there, and two years later my kids' friends are still talking about it. There's no discounts that I know of, but it is affordable and worth every penny!
- Is there anyone who doesn't love the Cincinnati Zoo? I've visited many zoos around the country and I can honestly say that ours is one of the best around. I love seeing the Gorillas and the Manatees, and my kids love to feed the Giraffes. One time we were visiting the zoo and parked in the back lot when what comes walking through the parking lot? A cheetah--on a leash with a handler, of course! But my kids eyes flew open wide--I know they'll never forget getting up close and personal with a Cheetah! There are a few different discount options for the Cincinnati Zoo:
- Kroger offers $2 adult and $1 child discounts when you buy the tickets at their stores.
- Specially marked Pepsi cans have $2 adult/$1 child coupons on them.
- Members of the military with a valid ID receive a $3 adult/$2 child discount.
- The Beach Waterpark is another Cincinnati summer favorite! I was just there a week ago to see their new Rainforest Rapids ride. Tip: moms, head to the back area by Rainforest Rapids. They have a super-nice seating and sand play area along with a kids splash pool. Not many people know it's there yet!
- If you've got young kids, then you know Totter's Otterville is the place to be! When my kids were younger we couldn't go there often enough. Filled with 20+ different imagination-play areas, there's something there for every kid. (Comfy seats for moms and dads too!) Don't forget to take a ride on the Trolley while you're there!
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