Penny Pinching: Having Fun On A Budget

Warmer weather guarantees a more active season. Everyone wants to be outside and on the go. You want to create memorable moments for your family, but you don’t want to break the bank. No problem. Here are some family activities high on fun, low on cost.

No time to spare!Forest-view

Hit up the lanes. If you’re feeling cooped up on a rainy day or want to be active in the heat of the summer, take the crew bowling. Just across the Michigan line, Forest View Lanes is a great option for families. It’s just $9 to bowl two games and rent shoes. For $2 more, you can bowl three games. Forest View Lanes also has sand volleyball courts, indoor golf simulators, cornhole and other yard games.

Forest View Lanes | 2345 W Dean Rd, Temperance, MI
734-847-4915 | forestviewlanes.com

Kick up your heels.rosen

Spend a day down on the farm. Kids of all ages will enjoy spending time at Rosenbloom’s Farm, a “quaint farm close to home.” Soak up the sun as you stroll through the pasture, stop to smell the seasonal flowers in the garden and get up close with horses, llamas and donkeys, all without venturing too far. Have some fun getting creative in the craft room, too. Rosenbloom’s also offers a variety of summer camps for kids.

Rosenbloom’s Farm | 2738 Shetland Rd, Toledo
419-841-3320 | rosenbloomsfarm.weebly.com

Fore you!

Go for a round of mini golf. There’s no putts about it – this is one activity that everyone will enjoy, regardless of age or ability. Par 2 Golf is a perfect choice for families. It offers three different 18 hole courses, and each hole is 32 feet or less in length, which makes it a bit easier for young ones to play. One course is just $5 per player or you can play all three courses for $10. Kids 4 and under play with a plastic putter for just $2.50.

Par 2 Golf | 5315 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo
419-865-2622 | par2golf.com

Adventure awaits!

You’ll find plenty to do at one of the many parks in the Wood County Park District this summer. Hit the pond with a free paddle experience (with certified instructors) every Monday throughout the summer from 4-7:30pm at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve. Take the plunge and rappel down a cliff at Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve or embark on a family geocaching adventure. There’s also archery, fishing and hands-on learning programs offered at various parks, so you’re sure to find something for everyone all summer long.

Wood County Park District | 18729 Mercer Rd, Bowling Green
419-353-1897 | wcparks.org

Take it outside.wildwood

Toledo is teeming with great parks and greenspaces so find a favorite one and go for a picnic! Wildwood Preserve Metropark is a great option. The 493-acre park is home to the historic Manor House, and also offers a system of trails that traverse varied terrain, an inclusive playground, and in the summer, a spectacular display of prairie wildflowers and grasses. Pack a picnic lunch or dinner and spend a few hours soaking up everything this park has to offer.

Wildwood Preserve Metropark | 5100 Central Ave, Toledo
419-407-9700 | metroparkstoledo.com

Get wild!creek

Enjoy an animal encounter. If you’ve got an animal lover in your family, a trip to Indian Creek Zoo is a must-do this summer. Located three miles north of Toledo in Lambertville, Michigan, this zoo provides the perfect atmosphere for getting up close and personal with a variety of exotic animals – think giraffes, kangaroos, emus, peacocks and camels. Day passes are just $10 each for adults, $8 for children and youngsters two and under are free.

Indian Creek Zoo | 2744 Consear Rd, Lambertville, MI
734-224-0390 | indiancreekzoo.com

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