A Few of Our Favorite Things: Animals and STEM

By

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December 9, 2020

Sick of the cumbersome and pointless toys that fill the toy bins in most playrooms? Check out a few of our favorite things: toys to entertain AND teach (without the bulk or a million tiny pieces).

Schleich Veterinarian Practice with Pets

For all the aspiring little veterinarians and zookeepers out there, this veterinary practice set from the Schleich® Farm World is a must-have. Use medical accessories for treating animals, including an x-ray for examinations, rotating examination lamp, and a figurine with movable arms and legs. Creative play combined with fine motor skills plus STEM learning! Available at Toledo Zoo Gift Shop.

Professor Maxwell VR Science Lab

Discover 25 favorite science projects with step-by-step instructions that come alive in augmented and virtual reality with Professor Maxwell’s VR Science Lab! This comprehensive STEAM science kit for kids explores the wonders of science by combining physical science experiments with immersive digital technology. Watch as Professor Maxwell appears in the book to introduce the projects, then follow each step as pictures turn into videos to guide you through each experiment. Then, put on the VR goggles and teleport to a virtual world to connect the science with real life examples. Available at Target and Walmart.

Under the Sea Play Tent

Kids love tents, but for all the type-A caregivers out there, tents are oftentimes yet another bulky toy to hide in a corner. The Under the Sea Play Tent, however, folds into a small circle for easy storage with the included bag and pops up easily to form a tent! The deep sea-themed play tent features a mermaid, rainbow narwhal, sea creature illustrations and a kaleidoscope toy. Available at Walmart and Home Goods.

GUND Stuffed Animals

My Pet Puddles Puppy is the furry best friend every child wants–without the clean-up and commitment of an actual puppy! This interactive plush puppy reacts to pets and cuddles just like a real dog: touch his head, back or nose for life-like movements and sounds—from tail wags to adorable barks, whimpers and kisses. Want the cuddles without the sound? Kai Bear is the magically soft and cuddly plush toy that kids can’t help but love. Available at GUND.com and Amazon.

Arggh Giant Stress Ball

Is virtual learning causing your kids to scream, “Argghhh!?” Try this giant stress ball — perfect for emotional stress relief therapy and also an effective AD(H)D/Autism toy to help kids relax and focus. The tactile, non-toxic sensory ball is so squishy that kids of all ages simply can’t keep their hands off of it. Available at Toledo Museum of Art.

Where to See Santa Safely in 2020

By

Laurie Bertke

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December 3, 2020

COVID-19 precautions at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s include a “Magic Santa Shield” between guests and Santa.

COVID-19 has already taken so much from us — must we also sacrifice that time-honored tradition of visiting Santa Claus? While there may be no classic photographs of wailing children on his lap this year, the good news is there are still plenty of ways your kids can see Santa in person and even virtually over a video chat.

In-person visits with Santa:

The Town Center at Levis Commons
Dec. 11-13 & Dec. 18-23; Check Calendar for Hours
3201 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg, OH | 419-931-8888
shopleviscommons.com/event
Free

Snap your own photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Plexiglass between Santa and visitors “magically disappears” for photos. Groups must stay “two reindeer” (10 feet) apart in line. Facial coverings required (small children exempt) and hand sanitizer/wipes are available. If you can’t wear a mask or you’d rather visit with Santa from outside the Santa House, there is also an option to chat over walkie-talkie and pose with Santa through the window!

*A group poses for a photo with Santa at Bass Pro Shops*.

Cabela’s
Daily through Dec. 24
110 Cabelas Blvd. E., Dundee, Mich.
Free, Reservations Required

Bass Pro Shops
Daily through Dec. 24
10000 Bass Pro Blvd., Rossford, OH
Free, Reservations Required

Santa’s Wonderland returns to Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops with safety protocols in place that include facial coverings, temperature screenings, a transparent “Magic Santa Shield” between Santa and families, and a sanitation squad cleaning surfaces between each visit. Families receive a free 4×6 photo, with the option to purchase additional prints.

The Shops at Fallen Timbers
Dec. 10-24; Reservations Strongly Encouraged
3100 Main St., Maumee, OH
cherryhillprograms.com
$39.99-49.99 for photo packages

Santa is ready to welcome visitors with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Facial coverings are required for Santa, employees and all visitors ages 2 and older. While not able to sit on Santa’s lap, visitors will still be able to chat with Santa while maintaining physical distance.

Franklin Park
Dec. 8-24; Reservations Strongly Encouraged
5001 Monroe St., Toledo, OH
cherryhillprograms.com
$39.99-49.99 for photo packages

Santa is ready to welcome visitors with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Facial coverings are required for Santa, employees and all visitors ages 2 and older. While not able to sit on Santa’s lap, visitors will still be able to chat with Santa while maintaining physical distance.

Letters to Santa Drive-Thru
Dec. 20, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
University of Findlay, 1000 N. Main St., Findlay, OH
calendar.findlay.edu/event/letters-to-santa/
Free

Santa will be waving from a safe distance and accepting letters through this special drive-through event on the University of Findlay campus! No need to leave your car — simple pull through the half circle drive off of Main Street and drop your letters into Santa’s bag. The first 200 vehicles will receive a free Christmas goodie bag from the University of Findlay.

Virtual visits with Santa

*Tom Pruss, aka 419 Santa, heads out for a home visit in November.*

419 Santa
facebook.com/419Santa or [email protected]
$10 per 15-minute visit

Local favorite Tom Pruss, aka 419 Santa, is available for live visits over Zoom. This fun-loving jokester has been working on his beard all year and promises a great visit for kids and adults alike.

JingleRing
jinglering.com
Starting at $24.95

Meet with Black Santas, Spanish-speaking Santas, and Santas fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) through the virtual Santa business JingleRing.

Create Holiday Magic
www.createholidaymagic.com
Packages run $9.99-$99.99

Offering a variety of options for a live, personal Santa visit through your phone, computer or tablet. You can also upload a photo to create a free picture with Santa.

Portable North Pole
www.portablenorthpole.com

Free for a basic personalized video; premium videos and calls start at $4.99. Send a personalized video message or phone/video call from Santa through the website or app.

ImagineAR
IOS App Store or Google Play
Free

It only takes a few minutes to take a photo or create a video of Santa in your home through this augmented reality app! It works on Android or iOS devices and allows photos and videos to be saved and shared.

Nordstrom Santa Chats
nordstromrsvp.com
$20

Your $20 buys you not only 15 minutes with the Santa of your choice (Black, ASL with interpreter, white, Asian, or Latinx), but 100% of proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Club and Operation Warm.

Coronavirus: Forced Rest

By

Phoebe Samuel Rapp

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December 2, 2020

Dealing with COVID-19 and housebound children

We live in a culture that values business, and we wear our exhaustion like a badge of courage. In fact, if you have managed any level of balance, you might be regarded by others with an undercurrent of skepticism, if not outright suspicion.

Perhaps COVID-19 can be seen as a way to force us to slow down…to enjoy the present moment. We as a species were running ourselves and our planet ragged, showing no signs of slowing down. The consequences on a microcosm of individual lives were not enough to force any significant change, and so we find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic. We are once again trapped in our houses, with our families, our stockpile of necessities, a lot of time on our hands.

Panic! Resignation. Repeat as needed.

The panic that crept through the population is understandable. “How are we to go on as we had been?!” people keep asking, but that is the type of thinking that got us here to begin with. We were “functioning” at an unsustainable rate.

Now forced to a screeching halt, we are left with nothing but lots of space (physical, emotional, intellectual). That is literally what is required to resolve the pandemic of COVID-19, but also the global pandemic of wearing our “busy-ness” like a badge.

Once the panic wears itself out, we may find ourselves in a place of healing. With nothing but time, we can look to find what is truly of value, that which has been there all along but utterly drowned in our striving to keep up with contemporary expectations.

The creativity required to adapt to our current circumstances is the hallmark of humanity. New ways to work, new ways to share community, new ways to spend time with loved ones…without strangling them. We have it within us; our species is resilient and brilliant when we tap into the space we normally don’t have time for.

A few “old-timey” things to help stave off cabin fever with kids:

Go on a walk. Go further than you normally would…why not?
Write a letter, perhaps to someone who might be alone right now.*
Read a big chapter book together.
Have a family dance party.
Spring clean.
Bake something new.
Cook a new meal using only the ingredients at hand.
Play “the exquisite corpse” game.
Tell tall tales around the hearth.
Go to your room and journal, draw, or play alone to reset.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @toledoareaparent for more tips and updated information. Tag us in your best social distancing antics! Use the hashtag #toledoparents.

Some Like It Hot: Bombay Kitchen

By

Erin Schoen Marsh

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December 2, 2020

Bombay Kitchen: Indian Street Food
5228 Monroe St., Toledo
419.214.1790
Sun-Thur: 11AM-9PM
Fri-Sat: 11AM-10PM
bombaykitchen419.com

In a previous life, my apartment building sat catty-corner to an Indian restaurant. As a public school teacher in a big city, my income was limited, and that neighboring Indian restaurant offered an all-you-can-eat carryout buffet for $5. Filling up a styrofoam clamshell container, with as many options as could be crammed into those three sections, provided me with enough food for at least two meals. I was a regular.

While the Toledo area has several phenomenal Indian restaurants, West Toledo had none prior to the opening of the Bombay Kitchen. I sorely missed the convenience of a delicious, affordable Indian meal. When the announcement was made that Bombay Kitchen would move into the space previously occupied by Amango on Monroe Street, which is only a short drive for me, I was beyond excited.

Rita Jassal opened Bombay Kitchen for this exact reason: “I always wanted to own a food establishment, and when we came here from New York, we didn’t find any Indian restaurants in this part of town. We thought, ‘This is an opportunity to explore what people get in other parts of the country.’” While Peter and Rita’s extended families have owned restaurants and they were “always involved on some level,” Bombay Kitchen is their first venture as restaurant owners.

Peter Jassal confesses, “We are liking it, but the timing was not perfect. We opened in March 2020, and the very next day, we were closed due to coronavirus restrictions. Things were a little tough–and still are–but the local population has been very supportive.”

Bombay Kitchen is a franchise, and the franchise company, Rajbhog, which means ‘royal feast,’ stuck to traditional and cultural lines, offering strictly vegetarian Indian food. The Toledo establishment is the first one in the entire U.S. to include traditional Indian meat dishes.

Date night, quarantine style
Since the start of COVID precautions last March, my husband and I have had one date night. We rode our bikes down the University/Parks Trail with the intention of having a beer at Patron Saints Brewery and then dinner at Sidon Grille, but a flat bicycle tire when we arrived at Patron Saints put a hitch in our plans.

A month later, we attempted a second date night, this time inviting our friends to our porch for a sampling of Indian food from Bombay Kitchen. Each couple ordered selected dishes with the intention of sharing.

Naan can compete
For appetizers, we ordered the aloo samosas, fried pockets of dough filled with peas and potatoes, as well as lamb samosas, similar pockets filled with spiced lamb. We also included papri chaat, a blend of chips, sprouts, spice, yogurt and chutney. My husband prefers the lamb samosas, and while they are delicious, I can’t get enough of the aloo peas and potatoes. Each fried pocket is the size of a fist, and there are two to each order. Ordering a curry dish to accompany the aloo samosas, could feed me for two meals.

The papri chaat was new for me, but I will be adding it to my ordering rotation as I enjoyed the crispness of a salad but the spices and heartiness of a meal.

We dipped garlic naan in our various curries: aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower), kofta curry (vegetarian version of meatballs with mashed beans), chicken tikka masala (marinated chicken in a curry/tomato sauce), and lamb vindaloo (spicy braised lamb dish seasoned with bold flavors). We requested a medium heat level for all of the dishes we selected, which provided just the right amount of spice for each of us (and left no residual heartburn!).

As our kids are some of the world’s pickiest eaters but they enjoyed the regular naan, white rice, and a mango lassi.

Bottom Line:
We ate to our hearts’ content, yet we still had enough leftover for one lunch, and the bill for 4 meals plus appetizers was a fraction of the price we’d pay most other places. Food is consistently delicious, affordable, healthy and hearty.

The short course:

Outdoor patio: On hold.
Online ordering: Yes.
Carryout: Yes.
Delivery: DoorDash.
Kids’ Menu? No, but kid-friendly options for the non-adventurous.

Bombay Kitchen is now hiring! They guarantee to pay over minimum wage. Stop in or email [email protected] for details.

How to Make the Weekend Feel Special During COVID-19

By

Erin Schoen Marsh

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December 2, 2020

Fun kids activities to make the weekend still feel like a weekend

If you’re a stay-at-home or work-from-home parent, this coronavirus quarantine may not feel especially different…until the weekend arrives. Weekends are the time to step away from work and routine and indulge in play dates, trips, and Toledo area activities–most of which are off-limits due to COVID-19 restrictions and closings (again).

So how do you make the weekend still feel special for the kids (and you)? Consider one or all of these safe, quarantine-approved activities:

Take a Hike: Grab some hiking shoes and explore outside! This could be a walk around the neighborhood or a hike through one of our local Metroparks Toledo. Our Metroparks were recently voted the best in the country, and it’s for good reason. Secor, Oak Openings, Wildwood, Middlegrounds–they are all completely different and equally beautiful.
Family Spa Day: Draw up a bubble bath, bust out the nail polish, and take some selfies with your sheet masks (and tag #toledoparents). We all could use some extra pampering during this stressful time, plus we demonstrate to our kids the importance of self-care.
Family Game Night: Rediscover board games with the family! Don’t have any on hand? Some crowd-pleasing, all ages games that are easily accessible online or with everyday material include charades, pictionary, or the question game.
Go to the Opera: The Metropolitan Opera is providing FREE nightly Met Opera streams. Grab some sparkling grape juice and/or wine, cuddle on the couch, and expose the kids to the opera (perhaps for the first time).
Listen to the Symphony: Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) wants to “keep the music playing” and has made replays of the DSO Replay free and available to all. Dance as a family, play it in the background while you silently read, blare it on the speakers as you clean…the possibilities are endless.
Try Geocaching: Download any geocaching app of your choice, hop in the car and navigate from one spot to the next. Alternately, you could find a trail or neighborhood with a few hidden caches and start walking!
Virtually Tour an Art Museum: Some of the most famous art museums in the world–Guggenheim, Musee d’Orsay, Van Gogh Museum, and more–are offering FREE virtual tours. Make it seem like an event by drinking hot cocoa (and coffee) while the family peruses some of the most famous art in the world.
Go “Out” to Dinner: Order takeout from your favorite local restaurant, don a special outfit–for kids, this could be a superhero costume or their Sunday finest–and sit down together as a family to eat some delicious food. Maybe light a candle and play some music! You get a break from cooking while supporting a local restaurant during tough times. We have been covering local restaurants that are going above and beyond to provide safe options, so check out our recent Food Fights, and many locally-owned restaurants are offering free delivery and/or free kids meals with an adult purchase; check out our updated list.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @toledoareaparent. Tag us in all your antics and parenting glory! Use the hashtag #toledoparents.

Holiday Cheer During Covid-19

By

Digital Media

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November 23, 2020

By Delray Busch

Holiday Carriage Rides at Levis Commons

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season with a Clydesdale-drawn Holiday Carriage Ride through Levis Commons!

Upper’s Winter Fantasy of Lights
Harrison Smith Park, just east of downtown Upper Sandusky, transforms into a fabulous light show for the month of December. Through the volunteer efforts of many individuals, organizations and businesses, the 33 acres of the park are ablaze with millions of lights and a myriad of unique light displays along the drive through the park. A donation per car is requested: proceeds benefit a local charitable organization that is selected yearly.

DTE Christmas Light Experience

Magic of Lights is a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience to celebrate the season. Pile everyone into the car and experience from the safety and comfort of your own car as you wind through the sparkling 1.5 mile path. At every turn, the magical route is overflowing with spectacular light displays that bring your favorite holiday themes and characters to life.

Winter Wonderland in Fremont, Ohio

Holiday scenes and lights are displayed by local youth and community organizations and local businesses, all available for drive-through from the safety of your car.

Virtual Toledo Ballet’s 80th Anniversary Nutcracker: A Tribute to Marie Bollinger-Vogt

Tickets required, in person also available

Holiday Walk

Wednesday, December 25 (two sessions)

Wildwood Preserve, Metz Visitor Center

Celebrate the beauty and peacefulness of season as you enjoy a walk to observe some gifts of nature. Warm up afterwards with a cup of sassafras tea. All participants and staff must wear masks and abide by proper social distancing guidelines for the duration of the program. Participants must bring their own mask.

VIRTUAL Holidays at the Manor House

December 5-13, 2020

The 45th annual event is going virtual! COVID can’t keep this long-standing tradition down. This year, Holidays at the Manor House will be brought to you “virtually.” Holidays at the Manor House has been driven by volunteers since the earliest days of Wildwood Metropark. Not only do volunteers decorate the 30,000 square foot house, but they also serve as stationary guides, welcoming and directing visitors on the self-guided tour of 32 displays. The process of decorating the stately mansion begins almost a year in advance when decorators submit proposals for displays to a committee, which makes the final selection. This year, decorators were asked to incorporate a Metroparks theme into each display. Each day a different area of the fully decorated Manor House will be highlighted along with special holiday performances featuring local musicians.

Holiday Tree Climbing

December 6, 7, 13 and 14

Wildwood Preserve, East Entrance

Take this festive season to new heights with our annual holiday tree climbing experience! The Wildwood Preserve climbing tree will be lit up with lights and holiday decorations and climbers will use headlamps as they climb. Metroparks staff will also provide a fire and hot cocoa. All participants and staff must wear masks and abide by proper social distancing guidelines for the duration of the program. Participants must bring their own mask.

Fair Fantasy Lights Drive Thru in Adrian Michigan

Friday, December 18, 2020 at 6 PM EST – 9 PM EST

Winter Wonder Lights in Oregon, Ohio

Toledo Zoo Lights: Reservation required

Contactless Breakfast with Santa at the Maumee Senior Center

Breakfast with Santa—On the Go will be a contactless, free event for children 12 years of age and younger. The event will offer children and their families the opportunity to drive through the Maumee Senior Center’s parking lot pausing at different stops featured at the North Pole. From hand-made Christmas goody bags filled with treats to waving at Santa in an antique fire truck, children will be able to experience a safe holiday event during this public health emergency. Although the event is free, donations will be accepted and registration is required to participate. To register, just call 419-893-1994 or email [email protected] with the names of the adults, children and their ages, phone number and email address. Supplies are limited. Reservation deadline is Nov. 25.

North Pole Express

Hop on board for a magical trip through a winter wonderland of sparkling lights and festive decorations. See delightful toy trains running in a beautifully decorated museum and train barn plus hundreds of decorated trees inside and out, as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus on select nights. Be sure to bundle up for the train ride!

Local Lights*
The Ageless Childs Christmas: FM 97.7

107 Birch Drive Rossford, Ohio

Hours: 5:30-10:00pm SU-TH/ 5:30-11:00pm F-SA

Bateson Family Christmas: 93.1 FM

108 E. St. Clair Swanton, Ohio

Hours: 5:30-10:00pm SU-TH/ 5:30-12:00pm F-SA

Lights On Milton: 98.7 FM

15251 Milton Grand Rapids, Ohio

Hours: 5:30-10:00pm

Holiday Lights on Rome Court: 87.9 FM

7705 Rome Ct. Holland, Ohio

Hours: 5:00-10:00pm SU-TH/ 5:00-11:00pm F-SA

Christmas AF Lights: 99.3 FM

5957 Meteor Ave Toledo, Ohio

Hours: 6:00-10:00pm

Christmas on Wynn Road: 87.9 FM

1265 S. Wynn Rd Oregon, Ohio

Hours: 5:30-10:00pm SU-TH/ 5:30-11:00pm F-SA

Macklights: 89.7

340 S. Reynolds, Lot 189 Toledo, Ohio

Hours: 5:00-10:00pm SU-TH/ 5:00-11:00pm F-SA

Lite- N- Up: 106.9 FM

1128 Anderson Ave Maumee, OH

Hours: 5:00-10:00pm

Lights on Kellie Lane: 106.9 FM

8747 Kellie Lane Sylvania, Ohio

Hours: 6:00- 10:30pm

Katadiasz Light Show: 98.9 FM

2230 N. Irwin Holland, Ohio

Hours: 6:00-9:30pm

Richler Christmas Lights: 88.1 FM

705 Center Ridge Rd. Bryan, Ohio

Hours: 7:00-10:00pm

Do You Hear What I See?: 88.1 FM

460 Burdine Dr. Oak Harbor, Ohio

Hours: 6:00-10:00pm

Small Businesses Spreading the Holiday Cheer:

Holiday Open House Georgette’s Grounds & Gifts
Lemon Sprinkle Cookie Company Hot Chocolate Bombs

AMAZING Charcuterie with Avocado and Cheese LLC
Buy local toys at Learning Express in Sylvania

To Go Pottery Kits with Peace and Love Pottery Studio

At Home Activities:

Christmas movie night. Make some chex mix!
Cookie Decorating Bar (we get our cookies at GFS, we aren’t superheroes) and we get sprinkles and icing from ALDI.
Hot Chocolate Bar. Peppermint sticks, marshmallows, sprinkles… The possibilities are endless!
Make Santa Letters: Here is some extra magic with USPS help!
Give money to a local non-profit. My personal favorite and one close to my heart is Bethany House which is a long term domestic violence shelter in the NW Ohio area.
Get some snacks and hot chocolate and drive through your neighborhood to look at lights.
Do fancy popcorn! We like this recipe but get creative. Many out there for sweet and savory options.
Make your own ornament! Here are some ideas.
Make some fancy punch. We are doing this one and for those who drink, there are directions to make it alcoholic.
Make Christmas Eve boxes. We use shoe boxes and put reindeer food, hot cocoa mix, and a new pair of pajamas in them. Sometimes I will put a Christmas related stuffed animal in there too.
Track Santa! One of our favorites thanks to Google.
Call Santa!

FOR THOSE WILLING TO MAKE SOME LONG DRIVES