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Endless options to keep kids engaged outside the classroom
With the school year underway, as the routine sets in, 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 you covered! Read about these organizations that will keep kids engaged and excited about learning outside the classroom. Plus, find ideas about places for field trips— perfect for the class during school hours or for the family on the weekends.
After School Activities
Boys & Girls Club
2250 N. Detroit Ave., Toledo, OH 43606
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 making session for kids 7-9 years old, Leadership Development clubs for kids of all ages, Computer Technology, Sports and Fitness, and Arts and Crafts.
Elite Karate Academy
10 S Holland Sylvania Road, Ste. 202, Toledo
419-930-8050 | facebook.com/EliteKarateAcademy
Offering karate, fitness kickboxing and self defense seminars, Elite Karate Academy has something for everyone.The Little Ninjas class for youngsters (ages 3-6) helps improve focus, discipline and coordination while the Juniors (ages 7-12) helps improve concentration while building confidence.
If your teen is looking to try something new this year, check out the Teens class, which can help improve self esteem in a positive atmosphere.
Other options include a fitness kickboxing class, a demonstration team that performs throughout the Toledo area and a competition team for those who really want to showcase their skills.
Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts
Home of the Toledo Ballet and Toledo Symphony
5327 Monroe St., Toledo
419-471-0049 | toledoballet.com
The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), home of the Toledo Ballet and Toledo Symphony, is dedicated to providing exceptional live music, dance performances and education for the region. With deep community roots and a combined 155 years of serving 260,000 individuals annually through performances and educational programs in Toledo and surrounding areas, TAPA presents new and invigorating programs and integrate the performing arts through shared educational missions. This fall, check out what Toledo Ballet and the Toledo Symphony School of Music have to offer. The young, and young-at-heart, are welcome to learn new skills and join a family of people who enjoy the arts!
Sylvania Children’s Center
3421 Talmadge Road, Toledo
419-537-1122 | Sylvaniachildren.com
Serving children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old, Sylvania Children’s Center is a great option if you’re looking for a place where your child will be engaged, cared for and allowed to grow and develop at his own pace. Sylvania Children’s Center gives kids the opportunity to explore, create, play and learn while developing positive self-concepts as they discover the world around them. Early and extended care is available.
Ridge Run Vaulters
24789 Hull Prairie Road, Perrysburg
419-779-5922 | ridgerunperrysburg.com
Everyone can vault! 7-week small group classes are forming now at Ridge Run Vaulters in Perrysburg. Equestrian Vaulting is a sport for a wide range of ages that combines gymnastics and dance on the back of a moving horse. Controlled in a circle from the ground on a long line by a lounger, vaulting is done on soft footing and practiced first on a stationary barrel before moving on to the horse. The sport teaches harmony with the horse and promotes overall fitness, balance, coordination and teamwork. As one of the safest and most affordable equestrian sports, vaulting can be competitive or recreational, individual or team. No previous gymnastics, dance or horse experience necessary.
Find more information online at ridgerunperrysburg.com.
New Heights Gymnastics & More
6539 Weatherfield Ct., Maumee
419-795-2132 | Newheightstoledo.com
New Heights Gymnastics & More is a great after school option for kids with energy to burn! With two locations (Maumee and Wauseon), state-of-the-art facilities and multiple options, your child can hone their skills, build confidence and have fun at the same time. New Heights offers gymnastics classes for young beginners as well as highly competitive teams, cheerleading and tumbling programs, American Kenpo Karate and a Ninja Zone, for kids ages 3-12 that combines martial arts, gymnastics, obstacle course training and freestyle movement.
Field Trip Destinations
EMU Planetarium
303 Strong Hall, Ypsilanti, MI. 48917
734-487-4144 | emich.edu/planetarium/
Load up the bus and take a field trip north for a day of exploration and learning about stars, dark matter, the planets and the constellations at Eastern Michigan University’s Planetarium! Built in 2011, this 37-seat facility has a domed ceiling that features shows on a variety of space-related topics. The planetarium is in use Monday through Thursday, September through April, for University Astronomy courses, but visits for outside groups can be scheduled for Fridays and some weekends during the school year. Budget friendly, the Planetarium field trips only cost around $2 per person.
Johnston Fruit Farms
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, 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.
Olander Park
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 around them. Offering 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 a nice spot for walkers, joggers, rollerbladers and bicyclists. Kids will love the four playgrounds at the park, and older kids and adults can enjoy the two sand volleyball courts. The park also has spaces to rent for weddings, meetings and reunions.
Toledo Botanical Garden
5403 Elmer Dr., Toledo, OH. 43615
419-407-9710
metroparkstoledo.com/explore-your-parks/toledo-botanical-garden
The Toledo Botanical Garden is a beautiful 60 acre area with numerous garden displays, offering 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 grounds. Kids can explore nature through pioneer living activities and hands-on plant exploration.
Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way, Toledo
419-385-4040 | Toledozoo.org
We are lucky to live in a city that has an awesome zoo. With over 700 different species of animals, the Toledo Zoo is a great place for both kids and adults to learn about the world of animals. Be sure to explore the aquarium touch tank that allows kids to get 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 a kid with the desire to someday work with animals.
Sauder Village
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 over 200 years ago. 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, provide working demonstrations with glass, metal, fiber, wood, and clay. Be sure to stop by and visit the farmyard animals.