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. Go on a special hunt at Ford Nature Center and hike a trail at Mill Creek Park.
In celebration of Mill Creek Park’s 125th anniversary, Ford Nature Center is hosting Ford Hunt (and Hike) during the months of June and July, 2. Kids will have fun locating 25 turtles or sunshines hidden throughout the center to commemorate the park district’s 125th anniversary. Then go for a hike of your choice, at one of the park’s many hiking trails detailed on this map. This fun and free activity if a great way to get outside and enjoy the summer weather! Add some extra fun by doing a Nature Scavenger Hunt along the trails, using one of these handy guides.
3. Play a round of short Holes at night under the lights.
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 for kids of all ages. Topics include, Make! My First Robot for kids ages 3-6 and Make! Musical Instruments for kids ages 8 and up, 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 20, 2016 and July 11, 2016. 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 18, 2016. The event is a great celebration of all things STEM related.
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 Summer Outdoor Movie Series.
Youngstown Cinema will be presenting the Summer Outdoor Movie Series at the Covelli Centre Monday nights at dusk. Movie rainouts will show on the next day (Tuesday) at dusk. Visit Youngstown Cinema 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. 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.
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. 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 at Southside Community Garden.
The Soutside 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 16, 2016 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. 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 27th. 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 Monday, July 4 at 10PM, near the Covelli Centre.
19. Enroll in a Musical Workshop with Easy Street Productions.
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!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 9th and Sunday, July 10th, 2016 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.
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