1. Become a Regular at Family Fun Fridays at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Each Friday from 11-1, take part in fun (and FREE!) drop-in activities in the Family Garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Learn about the different parts of plants and what makes them grow. Special guests visit each week with activities like yoga, crafts, storytelling, and more.2. Camp at Mill Creek Park!
Mill Creek Metroparks has always offered fun and educational programming for kids each summer, but this year they have taken it to another level with some exciting new summer day camps for kids of all ages to include sports, adventure, and agriculture. Here is a complete list of camps and registration info.
Also back this year is Family Camp in The Park for those who would love the experience of staying overnight at Mill Creek. June 24-25, 2017. Registration by June 17th.
If you don't have time for a camp, you can explore the parks many hiking trails by doing a Nature Scavenger Hunt using one of these handy guides.
Also back this year is Family Camp in The Park for those who would love the experience of staying overnight at Mill Creek. June 24-25, 2017. Registration by June 17th.
If you don't have time for a camp, you can explore the parks many hiking trails by doing a Nature Scavenger Hunt using one of these handy guides.
3. Play a round of short Holes at night under the lights.
Golf is fun, but even more exciting under the lights! Fortunately, the Mill Creek Park Par 3 Golf Course at the Wick Recreation Area is open until 11PM on Fridays and Saturdays for lighted play. On lighted play days, the last tee time will be one (1) hour prior to dusk/or lights off so it’s usually best to get there by about 8PM or call ahead-330.740.7114. Kid-sized clubs and golf balls will be provided at check-in.4. Attend a Make Workshop or explore the Inspire Works Lab at Oh Wow! The Roger and Gloria Jones Center for Science and Technology.
On most Saturdays, Oh Wow! will be offering Make Workshops or Hack It! Workshops for kids of all ages. Topics include, Make! Marshmallow Launcher and Hack! Circuits, to name a couple. There will also be special activities in the Inspire Works on certain days during the week. Check the Oh Wow! Event Calendar for more information and hours of operation. Make Workshops and the InspireWorks Lab are free with general admission to the museum. Families who plan to visit Oh Wow! multiple times during the summer should consider purchasing a Membership for free admission all year, which is a great value.
Also, kids in grades 4-6 can participate in the Summer Manufacturing Institute during the week of June 19, 2017 and July 10, 2017, and July 24, 2017. Students will experience an inside look at the latest manufacturing techniques and tools being used in the Mahoning Valley. YWCA of Youngstown and OH WOW! work together to make sure the week is packed with hands-on engineering challenges, visits to local facilities, and time with manufacturing professionals while learning the tricks of the trades! Space is limited. Scholarships are available to those who qualify. Advanced reservation is required.
Oh Wow! will also be wrapping up the summer with their annual Silly Science Sunday event on September 17, 2017. The event is a great celebration of all things STEM related and kick off 7 Days of STEM.
5. Explore Touch the Moon Candy Saloon and other kid-friendly establishments in Downtown Youngstown.
After a visit to Oh Wow! kids will enjoy exploring the candy and ice cream selection at Touch The Moon Candy Saloon, a candy store founded in 2005 to support the Purple Cat and it’s adults with disabilities. Touch the Moon specializes in retro and regional candies that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Heading North on Phelps Street you’ll also find Suzie’s Dogs and Drafts, which is a fun, kid-friendly atmosphere during the day. Kids can choose from multiple toppings for a creative hot dog experience. Add a milkshake or lemonade, but be sure to ask for a sample of the crickets! After, take the short walk to One Hot Cookie for a fun treat. Kids will enjoy choosing a cookie with a variety of toppings, including oreo, gummie bears, and peanut butter.
6. Grab some blankets and chairs and head to the Covelli Centre for the Youngstown Summer Movie Series.
The Youngstown Summer Movie Series will kick-off on the lawn next to the Covelli Centre on Monday June 19th at dusk. Movie rainouts will show on the next day (Tuesday) at dusk. Visit Youngstown Summer Movie Series for a list of movie titles.
7. Check out the Youngstown Flea or a local Farmer’s Market.
The Youngstown Flea comes to life once a month on Saturdays in the parking lot next to the Covelli Centre. Over 40 artists and makers set-up for the day to sell a diverse array products. Several food trucks, many from Cleveland and Akron, are on-site selling creative food items. Kids won’t mind standing in line for "Alligator Bites" from A Taste of N'Awlins or picking out a new outfit for the family dog at Little Paws Apparel. Several kids have been spotted at Yoga at the Flea, a FREE outdoor yoga class which starts at 11AM that morning.
Also, stop by one of the local Farmer’s Markets and let kids choose fruits and veggies for a new summer recipe. The Northside Farmer’s Market is every Saturday from 9-1. The Idora Neighborhood Farmer's Market is Tuesdays 4:30PM-7PM.
8. Take in a ball game at Mill Creek Junior Baseball League Field and teach kids how to keep a scorecard.
The Mill Creek Junior Baseball League has a rich history in the Mahoning Valley, beginning play in 1955 with six teams. In 1967, the league moved to its current location at the intersection of Schenley Avenue and Bears Den Road on the City’s West Side and now has over 40 teams and nearly 700 players. Even if kids play on their own teams they will enjoy watching a ball game in a different neighborhood from a different perspective. Grab some snacks and teach your kids how to keep a scorecard using this guide.
Also, be sure to ask the kids to check out the baseball-inspired artwork around the fields and dugout. The non-profit group Museum Without Walls recently installed the pieces to inspire and increase interest in art around Youngstown. The originals can be found at the Butler Institute of American Art.
9. Participate in Summer Discovery, the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County’s summer reading program or one of the Library's many Summer activities.
The Public Library in one of the many valuable resources for children in Youngstown. Once again, the Library will be hosting Summer Discovery. Children will have an opportunity to earn incentives by completing badge activities, such as reading a book, visiting a museum, writing, drawing, doing a science experiment, and much more! Just by signing up, kids get a welcome packet full of several great coupons for other local establishments. Many of the activities on this list are eligible for an incentive, so register for the program and begin working through this list!
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will also offer a wide variety of events for kids this summer in addition to the reading program. Learn more at Summer Happenings. Some highlights include a traveling petting zoo, Family Story Time, Grab and Go crafts, a recycling education program, and the chance to try on a real astronaut suit.
10. Pack a Picnic lunch and explore Youngstown’s playgrounds.
Several of Youngstown’s playgrounds have undergone upgrades and renovations in recent years and they are better than ever. Pack a picnic lunch and check out the changes! The playground at Wick Park on the City's North Side was renovated to incorporate elements of universal design through the work of Youngstown Cityscape.
The playground at the Wick Recreation Center in Rocky Ridge (not to be confused with Wick Park) was also beautifully upgraded in part due to proceeds from the sale of Mill Creek Maple Syrup and the work of the Rocky Ridge Neighborhood Association. There are several fun and innovative play elements and kids can also
enjoy the on-site volleyball court and batting cages. NEW this year- a Wet Playground!!!
Take a stroll down the hill towards the Morley Pavilion to discover the Mill Creek Sugar House where maple syrup is made. Ask kids to take a closer look at the trees in the maple grove to see if they can find the holes where trees were tapped to capture sap.
On July 23rd from 7PM-9PM, there will be a Scavenger Hunt Hike leaving from Wick Recreation. Participants will look for mother nature’s hidden treasures as well as hike down to the Lily Pond.
enjoy the on-site volleyball court and batting cages. NEW this year- a Wet Playground!!!
Take a stroll down the hill towards the Morley Pavilion to discover the Mill Creek Sugar House where maple syrup is made. Ask kids to take a closer look at the trees in the maple grove to see if they can find the holes where trees were tapped to capture sap.
On July 23rd from 7PM-9PM, there will be a Scavenger Hunt Hike leaving from Wick Recreation. Participants will look for mother nature’s hidden treasures as well as hike down to the Lily Pond.
11. Enjoy an outdoor music concert.
Outdoor music will also be available at Wick Park starting in August. Take a look at the Wick Park Concert Series Facebook page for a list of events.
12. Register for a local kids Fun Run or enroll in the Healthy Kids Running Series.
Several local races offer shorter runs for kids of all ages, which is a great way to introduce kids to fitness and running. The Youngstown Road Runner Club publishes an annual race guide and calendar.
The Healthy Kids Running Series, which begins in September, is a series of race events on Sunday afternoons for 5 weeks for kids from Pre-K to 8th grade. Kids compete each week for a chance to earn points and at the end of the Series the top boy and girl with the most points in their respective age division receive a trophy. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow your kids run because all participants receive a medal and gift bag for their achievements.
13. Rent a paddle boat at Lake Glacier.
Paddle boats are easy to use and a fun way to hit the water. Paddle Boats and Kayaks can be rented at the Lake Glacier Boat Dock in 30 minute increments. $3 for Mahoning County Residents/ $4 for non-residents Life jackets are provided and kids under 12 are required to ride with an adult.14. Participate in a Community Clean-Up Day.
Summer is a great time to teach your kid about the joy of service and volunteering in the community. Several local groups organize Community Clean Ups and days for city beautification. One such group, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation organizes work days on a regular basis. Give them a call or check out their website for more information.
An alternative is to talk to your kids about areas in your own neighborhood that may need some work. This great guide explains how you can create your own Community Clean-Up Day.
15. Interact with Butterflies at the Butterfly Festival or Experience a New Culture at An Ethnic Festival.
The Southside Community Garden is located on the corner of Williamson and Erie on the City's South Side. The garden has been operating for 6 years and holds an annual Butterfly Festival. This year the event is July 15, 2017 from 1PM-4PM. Kids will get the chance to feed butterflies in an enclosed area and check out the gardens. There will be live gospel music, food, and opportunities to learn about butterflies. Rain or shine. Event is free but donations are welcome. Several of Youngstown's ethnic festivals have added kid play area. At Simply Slavic, kids can play a variety of Slavic games, have their family crest painted on their face, or be recorded telling their Slavic family stories. Slavic countries include Poland, Croatia, and Slovakia to name a few. Kids attending the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest will have access to Oh Wow! this year as opposed to the typical amusement rides available in the past. Here is a complete list of Summer Festivals.
16. Pick Your Own berries at a local farm and make a summer dessert.
White House offers Pick Your Own Berries at a location about 5 minutes away from the main farm.
After, let the kids be creative and set-up an ice cream sundae bar with berries, whipped cream, and other toppings.
17. Visit one of Youngstown’s Historical Museums and interview an older adult about what life was like growing up in Youngstown.
Youngstown has a rich history and one of the best ways for kids to learn is by talking to an adult who grew up in our community. On a rainy day, take the kids to the "Steel Museum", one of Youngstown’s lesser known historical museums dedicated to the life and times of Youngstown’s steel era. Follow the visit by meeting with an older friend or family member who lived in Youngstown or worked in a steel mill. Let kids create their own questions, but follow this guide for inspiration!
The Mahoning Valley Historical Society is also offering a Summer Day Camp called "My Town, Your Town, Youngstown" for kids ages 7-14 during the week of June 10th. Participants will explore aspects of Youngstown history, from the first inhabitants through the pioneer settlement, the rise and fall of the iron and steel industries, and the emergence of Youngstown as a cultural and business center.
18. Watch fireworks on the Fourth of July
The City of Youngstown and Phanton Fireworks will host a fireworks display in Downtown Youngstown on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 at 10PM, near the Covelli Centre.
19. Enroll in a Musical Workshop with Easy Street Productions or the Oakland's Kids First Theatre Initiative.
Easy Street Productions has been doing plays and musicals in Youngstown since 1988. They are well known for their annual Christmas spectacular, "Miracle on Easy Street," which has entertained over 8,000 people every holiday season for over 21 years. Each summer, the group offers the "Little Rascals Musical Workshop" at the Deyor Performing Arts Theatre in Downtown Youngstown. These fun-filled age appropriate classes are perfect for beginners as well as the more advanced. Participants will focus on singing and performing while joining others classmates in a wide variety of musical games and theatrical activities designed specifically for their age level. Classes are held every Saturday for 6 consecutive weeks. Registration is required and the cost of the workshop is $100. Each workshop ends with a final performance for parents, family and friends!
Another up and coming community theater program for kids is the Oakland's Kids First Theatre Initiative. The Oakland has had 3 successful performances in 2016 and 2017, including "Aladdin", "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever", and "The Wizard of Oz". Tryouts for their next performance of "Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory" are happening in June. They will also be hosting a summer theater camp July 12-15 and 19-21 from 9AM-1PM.
20. Do a Youngstown "Art Hop".
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| Minecraft Art Gallery |
For a fuller celebration of art, plan to attend the Summer Festival of the Arts.The event features food, music, dance performances and the work of more than 70 artists, on Saturday, July 8th and Sunday, July 9th, 2017 at and around the campus of Youngstown State University. Family activities are central to the event and include the popular hands-on art tent, where children create various pieces of artwork under the guidance of a professional artist.
