Summer Fun!

So, here it is, a list of summer activities for kids in the Cleveland or Akron area.  Some of these things are free and others have a cost associated with them.  Not all of them are very close to Brunswick, where we live, but I don't mind the drive. 

I will post a blog with pictures and a "Kaylee and Lindsey" rating for each activity that we do.  Since we have already been doing some of these activities for a few weeks, I will post those activities we have done here.

Paddle Boating: This past weekend, we took the girls on a paddle boat at Hinckley Lake.  The lake is part of the Cleveland Metroparks.  The paddle boats fit either 3 or 5 people, and from what I was told, it sounded like the suggestion is that only 2 of those passengers be adults.  In the 5 person paddleboat, we pedaled while the girls sat in the back.  The fee was $17 plus tax for an hour.  One adult must leave a driver's license while the boat is out.  Kids are required to weat a life jacket and adults are strongly encouraged to do so.  The phone number for the boat house is 330-278-2160. 

Kaylee and Lindsey Rating: 3/5.  The girls reported that they were somewhat "bored" in the boat because there was nothing for them to do.  The thing between them opens to make a cooler.  They said that they would have had more fun if we would have packed a lunch and had a picnic on the water.


Medina Splash Pad: This is something that we do with the girls every summer.  It is free!  The Splash Pad is located in Medina and is part of the Fred Greenwood Park, across from A.I. Root Middle School, on Sturbridge Dr.  It is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 
There is also a playground near it, but usually the slides are hot after being in the sun all day.  There is a pavillion to offer shade from the sun, but it is usually pretty crowded.  There are also a few port-a-potties.   Be sure to bring buckets or toys to play with in the water! 

Kaylee and Lindsey Rating: 5/5-parents can sit and watch the kids play without worry that the water is too deep. 

Butterflies:
By far, Lorain County has the best metroparks.  We went to Avon to see the butterfly exhibit at the Miller Nature Preserve.  They will only be there until the beginning of September, so you have to get it in during the summer, warmer months.  The Miller Nature Preserve is located at 2739 Center Rd, Avon, Oh.  There is a small greenhouse looking structure that is enclosed by screens.  This is where the butterflies are located.  If you are gentle and slow, the butterflies will crawl onto your hand when you place it near the flowers they are on.  The butterflies and outdoor part are free!  There is a conservatory that costs $2 per person.  There is also a cafe that has cold drinks, sandwiches, desserts and some dinner entrees.  Bring a camera!!

Kaylee and Lindsey Rating: 6/5...one of their favorite things that we did this summer!

Mapleside Farms:
Since it is located in Brunswick, we sometimes go to Mapleside.  We will stop there after dance class, occasionally, because the girls like the bakery.  There is a restaraunt there as well, but we have never tried it.  This summer, we went to the kids jump park.  There are some playsets set up, a large spider web to crawl on and a sandbox filled with corn.  There is also a slide that is made of a large black tube.  This is free.  There is a huge jumping pillow there as well, and if the kids are on the playground, they can't avoid seeing it.  This is not free.  The cost is $5 on weekends and $4 on weekdays.  The kids will get a bracelet to jump all day.  There is also an ice cream stand right there, which we also had to visit.  Mapleside Farms is located at 294 Pearl Rd., in Brunswick.  It is open Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sun. 11 a.m. -8 p.m.  The website is www.mapleside.com.

Kaylee and Lindsey Rating: 4/5....the kids had a good time, but also said the big pillow was too hot.  Be sure to bring socks, or it might be too warm to jump on!