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Now that school is back in session, you may be looking for after school programs to help your children discover new interests and talents. Or perhaps you simply need ideas for things to do once the bell rings. We’ve got your covered!
Read on for a list of organizations guaranteed to keep kids engaged and excited about learning outside the classroom. Plus, you’ll find ideas for places to explore for potential field trips—perfect for the class during school hours or the family on the weekends.
KEY:
FT (great for a field trip!) | AS (great for after school activities!)
Boys & Girls Club (FT)
2250 N Detroit Ave, Toledo
419-241-4258 | bgctoledo.org
With a belief that success is within the reach of every child, the Boys & Girls Club works hard to provide a safe place where children can learn and grow through new experiences, various programs, and adult mentors. The club focuses on helping kids become productive, caring, and responsible citizens.Programs include Power Hour, an after school homework help program, Cadet Corps, a weekly brainstorm and goal setting session for kids 7-9 years old, Leadership Development clubs for kids of all ages, Computer Technology, Sports and Fitness, and Arts and Crafts.
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Maumee Valley
2244 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo
513-619-1431 | gswo.org
A great way for girls and young women to experience adventure, success, and leadership opportunities is through Girl Scouts. Girls of all ages can get involved in engaging and fun activities such as outdoor opportunities, developing life skills, entrepreneurship opportunities, and involvement in STEM subjects. And, of course, this is a great way for girls to make lifelong friendships as well.
Toledo Turners Gymnastics (AS)
26280 Glenwood Rd, Perrysburg
419-873-0511 | toledoturners.com
Looking for a fun way for your son or daughter to get active after school? Toledo Turners are enrolling new students interested in gymnastics. This non-profit organization helps children to be physically active while building self-confidence in a fun way. Classes are organized by age and skill level. They offer competitive teams and cheer tumbling along with gymnastics classes, great ways for kids to burn off the extra energy built up during the school day.
The Toledo Ballet (AS)
5327 Monroe Street, Toledo
419-471-0049 | toledoballet.net
It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a seasoned dancer on your hands or a beginner, Toledo Ballet offers a wide range of dance classes for students of all ages and abilities, making it a great option for an activity after the bell rings this fall. Toledo Ballet offers classical and contemporary dance as well as conditioning classes (cross training for dancers or anyone who wants to stay in shape). Toledo Ballet also offers an adaptive dance class for children and young adults with Downs Syndrome. Call today for a tour of the state-of-the-art facility or to register for a class. The fall session starts September 4!
Simply Stated and Painted
2534 Parkway Plaza, Maumee
419-214-0224 | simplystatedandpainted.com
For the young artist, a visit to Simply Stated and Painted is a great after school activity. Visitors can choose from hundreds of ceramic pieces to paint. Select a mug, plate, figurine, ornament, or one of hundreds of other pieces and then apply paint and other supplied decorating elements. After the painting is complete, the piece is fired in a kiln and you can take it home. Painted pieces make great gifts! Simply Stated and Painted also hosts parties and painting classes.
After School All Stars (AS)
1500 N Superior St, Toledo
419-680-2821 | toledoasas.org
After School All Stars is a great after school program for Toledo area kids. The organization focuses on three main goals: academics, enrichment, and health & fitness. With academics the students can get extra support in core subjects like English and math. Enrichment focuses on providing kids with unique extracurricular opportunities that help build social, artistic, and emotional skills. Lastly, the focus on health & fitness teaches the benefits of living healthily.
Mini Motions (AS)
2437 Tremainsville Rd, Toledo
419-473-0999 | minimotionsdance.com
Mini Motions Dance Center is a great place for kids of all ages (even as young as 2) to gain confidence, coordination, balance, strength, listening skills, and social skills. Mini Motions specializes in classes which allow students to learn several dance styles. Classes are offered during the evenings from Monday-Thursday and Saturday mornings. Some of the dance styles that are offered include jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, and lyrical/contemporary. Mini Motions also offers cheerleading and gymnastic classes.
YMCA of Greater Toledo
1500 N Superior St, Toledo
419-729-8135 | ymcatoledo.org
The YMCA of Greater Toledo has many opportunities for youth development at their numerous locations across the Toledo area. The Y allows kids and teens to explore their interests and discover new talents which naturally helps kids become more confident. One program is the Youth Opportunities Program which is an after school program for disadvantaged teens from 14-21 in Lucas County. The program offers tutoring, life skills training, work experience, mentoring, group events and field trips, financial advising, and so much more. In addition to Youth Opportunities, the Y also offers many youth sports opportunities, child care, and camps.
Toledo Zoo (FT, AS)
2 Hippo Way, Toledo
419-385-4040 | toledozoo.org
We are lucky to live in a city that has such an awesome zoo. The Toledo Zoo is a great place for both kids and adults to visit. With over 700 different species of animals, the zoo teaches kids to learn about the world around them. Be sure to also explore the aquarium which has a touch tank that allows kids an up close look at the ocean’s wonders. For an additional fee, visitors can sign up for Behind the Scenes Tours to see the zoo from the perspective of a zookeeper, an awesome opportunity for any kid with the plan to someday work with animals.
Olander Park (FT, AS)
6930 Sylvania Ave, Sylvania
419-882-8313 | olanderpark.com
Sylvania’s Olander Park is a great place for kids to play, learn, and explore nature surrounding them. Olander Park offers a 28 acre lake which is a great spot for fishing and boating. Additionally, a 1.1 mile paved path surrounds the lake which is nice for walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, and bicyclists. Kids will love the four playgrounds that the park offers, and older kids and adults can enjoy the two sand volleyball courts. The park also offers spaces to rent for weddings, meetings, and reunions.
Country Lane Tree Farm (FT, AS)
3525 N Bolander Rd, Genoa
countrylanetreefarm.com
Get everyone out of the house and spend a day down on the farm. Your whole group can explore the grounds, get up close and personal with the animals and even milk a cow! Country Lane Tree Farm is still a working agricultural and animal farm that has been owned by the same family for more than 126 years.
Toledo Botanical Garden (FT, AS)
5403 Elmer Dr, Toledo
419-536-5566 | metroparkstoledo.com/explore-your-parks/toledo-botanical-garden
The Toledo Botanical Garden is a beautiful 60 acres with numerous garden displays. The gardens offer many opportunities for visitors to learn about a variety of annuals and perennials. The gardens also host the Artisan Village which includes original sculptures located throughout the garden, and award-winning art available during the annual Crosby Festival of the Arts in June. Kids can explore nature through pioneer living activities, and hands-on plant exploration.
Sauder Village (FT, AS)
22611 State Route 2, Archbold
419-446-2541 | saudervillage.org
Put the cell phones down and take a step back to simpler times. At the historic Sauder Village, visitors explore what it would have been like to live from 1803 to 1928. Costumed guides may convince you that you are in a different era. Visitors can explore historic homes and shops, such as the one-room school house, Dr. McGuffin’s office, a printer, a cider mill, and much more. Craftsmen, located throughout the village, demonstrate working with glass, metal, fiber, wood, and clay. Also, be sure to stop by and visit the farmyard animals.
Johnston Fruit Farm (FT, AS)
2790 US-20 ALT, Swanton
419-826-1453 | johnstonfruitfarms.com
The fall is a perfect time to get out and enjoy a tour at Johnston Fruit Farms. The local, family-owned farm offers behind-the-scene tours to groups of 12 or more, hayrides, and a chance to pick pumpkins and apples. You’ll also find delicious peaches, apples, donuts, you-cut sunflowers and a free petting zoo. With a class of students or just your family, this is one farm you’ll want to visit.
The Kelsey Museum of Archeology (FT, AS)
434 South State Street, Ann Arbor
734-764-9304 | lsa.umich.edu/kelsey
The Kelsey Museum has a fantastic K-12 field trip program with tours and hands-on activities. Check out Kelsey’s popular Egyptian, Roman and Greek artifacts including objects from Karanis and Seleucia, a colorfully painted Egyptian mummy coffin, magical amulets from the ancient Near East, Greek pottery, and Roman sculptures. A special exhibit, running through January 6th 2019, called Urban Biographies, compares the evolution of Greece, Rome Turkey and (our local) Detroit to examine the cities and how they grow and change over time. Another perk—every dollar goes to the development of educational programming and resources for students and the community.
Toledo Museum of Art (FT, AS)
2445 Monroe St, Toledo
419-255-8000 | toledomuseum.org
The Toledo Museum of Art is an impressive museum which also offers free admission. Founded in 1901, the main purpose of the museum is to provide arts education. Not only can visitors learn about the artwork displayed throughout the museum, but TMA also provides youth and adult art classes, art demonstrations in the glass pavilion, and guided tours.
