Kid-Friendly Activities and Travel Ideas for Families in Ohio

There are plenty of fun family activities in Ohio, such as those at Olentangy Caverns where kids can feed various woodland and barnyard animals or go on a fun and educational cave tour. Courtesy of Olentangy Caverns

Kid-friendly Activities and Travel Ideas for Families in Ohio

You may know that Ohio is the 17th state, the birthplace of aviation, and the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But did you know that the Buckeye State is also a great place for kid-friendly travel? With so many exciting attractions, fun activities, and amazing accommodations to choose from, you and your children are sure to find plenty of awesome things to do on your Ohio trip.

Where To Relax and Unwind

When choosing accommodations for your family trip to Ohio, it’s important to pick a location with amenities that your kids can enjoy. Children need a break from their busy schedules just like adults do, so you’ll need to stay at a fun yet relaxing place that can help kids de-stress and have a good time. Thankfully, Ohio has plenty of cozy and unique retreats to choose from.

Landoll’s Mohican Castle

Staying at Landoll’s Mohican Castle is a great way to give your family the royal treatment. Located in the heart of Loudonville, OH, this gorgeous estate combines old-world charm with stately, luxurious appeal. Each stunning suite features European-style decor, and many have fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and cable television.

During your stay, your family can order the castle’s movie-night package and enjoy snacks and drinks while watching movies together. When you want to stretch your legs, tour the castle grounds or take a relaxing carriage or sleigh ride through the surrounding woodlands. If your kid loves fun and spooky adventures, visit in the fall to attend the estate’s Haunted History Tour and ghost hunt.

Cannaley Treehouse Village

Got kids who love the great outdoors? Pack up your camping gear and take a trip to the Cannaley Treehouse Village in Swanton, OH. Here, your family can enjoy a unique experience camping in the treetops of Oak Openings Preserve Metropark. A network of connecting boardwalks, a canopy bridge, communal campfire pits, and a crow’s nest offer an elevated experience for outdoorsy children.

Reserving an overnight stay at the only public treehouse village in the United States is a unique way to help your kids connect with nature. Youngsters can pitch tents on a lifted platform with electricity, heat, and air conditioning, while older teens can hang up hammocks and sway among the leaves. With restrooms and showers nearby, this rugged outdoor setting offers all the comforts of home.

Berlin Resort

Nestled in beautiful Millersburg, OH, Berlin Resort turns a trip to Amish Country into a luxury experience. Amenities like a saltwater pool, sauna, private movie theater, and a designated Children’s Village offer plenty of ways for your family to relax and have fun. There’s also a full spa where parents can pamper themselves while the kids are at play.

Need a break from the glitz and glamor of the hotel? Take your kids shopping at some of the local Amish stores to discover unique toys and trinkets. Stop by one of the bakeries and enjoy a sweet treat with the family. Or, give your kids a taste of the simple life by exploring the open landscapes and quaint farms in the area.

Where to Explore and Have Fun

While you may have heard of Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky or the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, there are lots of other kid-friendly places in Ohio that you may not be familiar with. Think about stopping by some of these exciting locations next time you want to get out and have fun with your family.

COSI: The Center of Science and Industry Museum

Courtesy of COSI

Fun for children of all ages, the Center of Science and Industry Museum is sure to keep your family smiling and thinking. COSI has classic and virtual exhibits, as well as a planetarium, a dinosaur gallery, and a giant-screen theater where you and your kids can enjoy an immersive experience watching science-related videos.

Courtesy of COSI

While your school-aged kids and teens explore the museum, parents can have lunch at the COSI’s Atomic Café. Younger kids and toddlers can hang out and play in the engaging and colorful Little Kidspace. Here, your little ones can use their imaginations and explore their curiosity as they check out the treehouse, health clinic, shadow workshop, and farm-to-table-inspired areas.

Go Ape!

Go Ape is the perfect place to go if you’ve got energetic kids looking to get into some monkey business. Located just south of Cleveland, this attraction offers fun outdoor activities like zip-lining, archery, hiking, and horseback riding. Kids can also form groups and go on exciting treetop adventures full of problem-solving games.

Along with encouraging family exercise, Go Ape provides fun ways to help your children learn unique skills. Kids over the age of ten can try something new and take an hour-long ax-throwing class. During this adult-supervised activity, kids learn safety guidelines and techniques before completing five marksmanship games. At Go Ape, your kids are sure to have a blast.

Olentangy Caverns

Courtesy of Olentangy Caverns

Perfect for adventurous youngsters, the Olentangy Caverns in Delaware, OH, has plenty of engaging, kid-friendly activities for the whole family. Kids can feed various woodland and barnyard animals at the petting zoo or explore the caverns on a fun and educational Olentangy cave tour.

Curious kids can go gem mining in the caverns and search for arrowheads, fossils, and semi-precious uncut gems. Or, your little ones can go on a fun-filled treasure hunt for small goodies that they can take home. Looking for an activity that the whole family can enjoy? Go on a nature walk along the trails or score a hole-in-one on the 18-hole miniature golf course.

Kid-friendly Travel Tips

Once you’ve created a kid-friendly itinerary for your Ohio trip, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to prepare for your journey. Along with planning your pit stops and creating a travel playlist of your kid’s favorite songs, consider some of these kid-specific travel plans to make getting there just as fun as being there:

• Food and Drink: Few things can derail a fun-filled adventure faster than a hungry kid. If you’re planning a lengthy trip, packing your children’s favorite snacks and drinks (bottled water, healthy fruit juices, fresh fruit, cereal bars, etc.) can keep everyone in a good mood throughout the journey.
• Proper Accommodations: Planning a trip that will take more than a day? Rather than staying at a traditional hotel, consider staying at a unique air BnB in the area to give your kids a cozy and enjoyable night away from home.
• Fun Activities: Car rides can be long and boring, so remember to bring a few things to keep your kids entertained. Having a few of their favorite toys, games, or books can help keep them happy and in a good mood on the way to and from your destination.

Remember: It’s Their Day

Every child has their own likes and interests, and that includes places they’ll want to visit. Sit down with your kids and discuss which of these Ohio destinations sounds the most fun to them. Giving them a say in the places they go and the activities they try is a smart way to ensure your kids enjoy an out-of-this-world experience that they’ll remember for years to come.

This article was originally published on mommytravels.net.

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