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Kids Eat Free! Or Close To It

Breakfast, lunch, dinner… this is your guide! Call ahead to make sure.

Fricker’s | frickers.com | Daily

1418 S Reynolds Rd, Maumee | 419-891-9464
27390 Helen Dr, Perrysburg | 419-874-3605
1720 E Wooster St, Bowling Green | 419-354-2000
6339 Monroe St, Sylvania | 419-885-2141

Kids under 10 eat free with purchase of adult meal and kid’s beverage.

IHOP | ihop.com | Daily

4045 Talmadge Rd, Toledo | 419-474-6701
6535 Airport Hwy, Holland | 419-868-9831
10151 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg | 419-873-0505

Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. Valid daily from 4pm – 10 pm.
Find a location near you here. *Please call your local restaurant before visiting.

The Original Pancake House | originalpancakehouse.com | Daily

3310 W Central Ave., Toledo |  419-578-0342

Kids eat free buttermilk pancakes with every adult meal.

Golden Corral | goldencorral.com | Daily

5730 Opportunity Dr, Toledo | 
419-470-3729

Everyday kids 3 and under eat free from the buffet with purchase of an adult meal.

Paddy Jacks | paddyjacks.com | Mon-Thurs

6725 Central Ave, Toledo | 419-725-9048

Monday – Thursday: Kids eat free with purchase of a sandwich meal or large salad and any beverage. Also must be accompanied by an adult


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Mon

 

 

Doc Watson’s | docwatsonstoledo.com

1515 S Byrne Rd, Toledo | 
419-389-6003

Half off kids meals Monday-Wednesday. For dine in only and kids 12 and under

Frisch’s Big Boy | frischsnwo.com

925 W. Alexis Rd., Toledo | 419-476-5251
2669 Woodville Rd., Northwood | 419-693-4401
1405 S. Reynolds Rd., Maumee | 419-893-8709

One free kids mini-meal (ages 12 and under) with an adult purchase of at least $6.98.

Tues

Bob Evans | bobevans.com

4805 Monroe St, Toledo | 419-475-2070
1220 E Alexis Rd, Toledo | 419-729-0682
6215 W Central Ave, Toledo | 419-841-4117
2849 Navarre Ave, Oregon | 419-691-6402
6435 Centers Dr, Holland | 419-865-7119
2433 S Reynolds Rd, Toledo | 419-381-1422

Kids eat free after 4pm with the purchase of an adult meal.

Denny’s | dennys.com

26415 Warns Rd, Perrysburg | 419-837-2033
Kids eat free from 4-10 pm, with the purchase on each adult entree.

El Vaquero | vaquerorestaurant.com 

24 Main St, Toledo | 419-690-8330
3302 Secor Rd, Toledo | 419-536-0471
26611 N Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg | 419-872-1230

Kids eat free all day with the purchase of a regular entree.

Local Thyme | localthyme.pub

6719 Providence St., Whitehouse | 567-246-5014

Kids under the age of 10 eat free all day with the purchase of a qualifying adult meal.

Ralphie’s Sports Eatery | bennett-enterprises.com/ralphies

3005 Navarre Ave, Oregon | 419-693-2500

Kids 10 & under receive one Minor League kid’s meal per adult entrée.

Steak Escape | steak-escape.com

1385 Conant St, Maumee | 419-794-9959

From 4-9pm, one free kids meal with each paid adult meal.

Roosters | roosterswings.com

5702 Monroe St. Sylvania, OH 43560 | (567) 312-4050

Kids eat for $0.99 with the purchase of an adult entree $6.99 and up. Valid Tuesday from 4-8 pm. Find a location near you here. *Please call your local restaurant before visiting.

Wed

Sidelines II | sidelinessportseatery.com

Various locations

Free kids meal per adult meal from 4-9 pm.

Sun

Old Bag of Nails | oldbagofnails.com

615 Riverside Drive, Toledo, Ohio 43605 | (567) 315-8048

Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. Find a location near you here.
*Please call your local restaurant before visiting.

Dickey’s Barbecue | dickeys.com

10411 Fremont Pike, Ste. A, Perrysburg | 567-331-8623

Diners can get one free kids meal per check with a minimum $12 purchase every Sunday.

Tea Tree Asian Bistro | teatreeasianbistro.com

4100 Chapel Dr. | 419-874-8828

Kids 12 and under eat free kids’ menu items all day when they dine in.

Toledo Area Kids Invited to Audition for Toledo Opera Production

Boys and girls ages 9-14 years old with unchanged voices are invited to audition to sing in the children’s chorus of “Carmen” with Toledo Opera. The commitment is August-October.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, May 17 from 10am on Sunday, May 18 from 3-6pm at the Toledo Opera Offices, 425 Jefferson Ave., Suite 601.

“Carmen” by Georges Bizet will be performed on October 10 and 12 at the Valentine Theatre. The story revolves around Carmen and a love triangle that arises between her, a soldier and a bullfighter. Romance, deceit and jelously are all themes in the opera.

This production of “Carmen” stars mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven as Carmen, tenor Brendan Boyle (Toledo Opera’s Tosca and Ragtime) as Don José and baritone Joshua Jeremiah (Toledo Opera’s Ragtime).

Races, Walks & Wild Zoo Fun at the Dart Frog Dash

Participants in the Dart Frog Dash
Participate in this year's Dart Frog Dash and explore the Zoo while on the run (or walk).

Rain or shine, the Toledo Zoo’s beloved Dart Frog Dash presented by Buckeye Broadband is back on Saturday, May 17! This annual community favorite combines fun, fitness and wildlife in a unique experience that winds through the Zoo and its surrounding neighborhood.

Scheduled with something for everyone, the event features a competitive 5K race, a more casual 5K walk, the lively Kids’ Fun Run and an inclusive Zoo For All Walk. Whether you’re aiming for a personal best or just enjoying the day with family and friends, there’s a place for you in this family friendly event.

The 5K route takes participants beyond the Zoo gates, into the neighborhood west of the Zoo, through the scenic Tembo Trail, and finishes in the heart of the Main Plaza. Meanwhile, the Kids’ Fun Run and the Zoo For All Walk offer a safe, stroller-friendly option entirely within the Zoo’s grounds.


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Registration includes both Zoo admission and parking, adding even more value to this feel-good event. All participants are asked to park in the Anthony Wayne Trail lot on race day.

Spectators are more than welcome to cheer on their favorite racers! Zoo members can enter free of charge, while non-member spectators can take advantage of reduced admission:

  • Adults: $16

  • Children & Seniors: $13

  • Parking is free for all.

Planning to attend with a group? Group registration is available for the 5K and Zoo For All Walk — just call 419-385-5721 ext. 2078.

Packet pick-up will be held on May 15 & 16 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Dave’s Running Shop, located at 5700 Monroe Street in Sylvania.

To ensure everyone’s safety and keep the event running smoothly, the Zoo is coordinating with the Toledo Police Department. Streets along the course will close briefly in a “rolling pattern,” reopening as soon as the final participant passes through.

So lace up your running shoes, grab your family, and don’t forget your sense of adventure — the Dart Frog Dash is more than just a race; it’s a wild way to kick off your spring!

8 Reasons Why You Should Start a Garden With Your Teen

teenager gardening
Plant a garden with your teen this summer.

Warm weather and sunny afternoons often inspire people to start gardens. They’re fun forms of self-expression and excellent opportunities to spend extra time with your teenager. You could learn important life lessons together and become more connected with the Toledo community. Learning about the benefits of starting a garden with your teen could motivate you both to embark on a gardening adventure.

1. Your teen might develop more self-esteem

The teenage years are infamous for fostering self-doubt. Young people are growing into their identities, so questioning their worth and comparing themselves to others is nearly unavoidable. Gardening together could prepare them for adulthood by boosting their self-esteem when they need it most.

Caring for plants teaches young people that they can learn something new and thrive with that skill. Teenagers with higher self-esteem also perform better in academic courses, so your child may improve their grades if they learn to garden. Seeing their plants grow and their grades flourish may be the boost they need.

2. Gardening encourages autonomy

Teens may resent that they still have to ask permission to do what they want. Those years are an awkward phase between being a child and an adult, but you can make it more comfortable by giving your teenager autonomy wherever possible.

Let them decide what plants you’ll grow, how you’ll care for them and how much time to invest in gardening. Follow their lead. Your child may even feel confident enough to start a public garden by applying on the Toledo city website if they learn to trust their decision-making abilities within the safe realm of gardening.


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3. You could both feel less stressed

Spending time in nature reduces stress through exposure to soothing sounds and sights. You may need that support more than ever as your teenager works their first job or worries about applying for college. Extra mental health support is one of the many benefits of starting a garden with your teen. You can visit your plants whenever you need extra peace of mind.

4. Gardening resources create bonding opportunities

Putting plants in soil isn’t the only time you can bond with your child over gardening. Use every opportunity to forge a better connection by supporting their interests. If your teen loves Minecraft, they might map your garden in the game and play around with details like size, planting locations and types of seeds. After bringing their vision to life in your backyard, you can use a spreadsheet to maintain your plants’ long-term care.

You and your teen can even attend local gardening classes hosted by Toledo’s non-profits to learn more about spring foraging, beekeeping and other hobbies that would support your outdoor adventures. Your garden will feed your relationship as much as your passion for plants.

5. You’ll reduce your teen’s screen time

Many aspects of the modern world rely on computers and smartphones. While that’s not entirely preventable, you may feel concerned about how much time your child spends with their devices. Experts with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that half of teens spend four hours or more on screens daily. Gardening gets young people away from screens while challenging them to refine their decision-making abilities and understanding of the natural world.

6. Your teen’s friends might join in

Gardening can become a group hobby. Invite your child’s friends over to work on your plants together. Your teen could also make new friends by joining Toledo’s youth programs that teach about soil content and culinary traditions supported by vegetable gardens. You never know where your young person will foster connections that result in lifelong friendships.

7. Your teen will get more active

Whether your teen is gardening at home or volunteering at a community garden — which could involve hauling harvest crates or carrying watering cans — caring for plants can be physically demanding.  

Research shows that 80% of teenagers are insufficiently active, which may include your child. An improved exercise routine is one of the benefits of starting a garden with your teen if it gets their heart rate up regularly.

8. You’ll get to know yourselves better

Trying something new will inspire self-reflection. Discovering things about yourself — like a surprising interest in vegetable gardening — can direct you and your teen down different life paths. They might feel fascinated by water runoff affecting their backyard plants and become an environmental scientist, a career they might not have considered if they hadn’t explored gardening with you. 

Art Classes for Kids to Enjoy: Toledo Area Favorites

Create art at one of Toledo's options for creativity!

*With contributions by Sneha Kamath

Whether school’s in session or out for the summer, learning doesn’t have to stop. Keep your child’s mind stimulated with something that is hands on, creative and fun — Art! Sculpt your child into a young Picasso with a wide variety of art classes. Let them get their hands dirty and their creative juices flowing. After all is said and done, your kids will have learned something new and you get to enjoy their hand crafted masterpiece.

577 Foundation


Get the whole family involved in the arts at the 577 Foundation. During one of their many family friendly classes, learn how to create handcrafted pottery, paint with watercolors, make a rain barrel, and more. Additionally 577 offers online classes through Zoom where you can learn a new art skill from the comfort of your home. Check out their website for a complete list of classes.

577 E. Front St., Perrysburg. 419-872-0305.

The Art Supply Depo: Sylvania and Bowling Green 

With a location in Sylvania and Bowling Green, The Arts Supply Depo has plenty of art classes to choose from. Make something today and the day after that! Classes are always going on at The Art Supply Depo and plenty are made available for kids to create and enjoy. Classes are led by knowledgeable working artists who are dedicated to educating inspired people both young and mature.

29 S. Saint Clair St. 419-720-6462.
435 East Wooster St. Bowling Green. 419-352-9501 

Classes include supplies and range in price.

Cookies and Canvas

Wine and Canvas couldn’t let the adults have all the fun, so they opened their doors to children with their special event, Cookies and Canvas. With step-by-step instruction, this class is a great experience for budding artists ages five and up to unwind and express themselves. Keep your eyes peeled each month for the experience to have your kid paint and socialize over cookies!

5221 Monroe St. 419-705-0911.

Copper Moon Studio

Perfect for both the young and the young at heart, Copper Moon Studio offers the Lil’ Chips Fused Glass class to bring a new way to try fused glass projects. The class uses pre-cut chips to create works of art like suncatchers, magnets, and nightlights. Kids will be able to create the perfect piece of art or gift. For teens, they also have more advanced fused glass projects and classes as well as classes on macrame.

Create Perrysburg

 

There are always classes to inspire creation at Create Perrysburg. A wide variety of classes allow your child to dive into hands first into something new. Along with the art classes that Create Perrysburg has to offer, there are also a variety of summer camps with different themes and/or artistic focuses. There’s plenty of creation to go around, all you have to do is check out their website to get started.

422 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. 419-873-6240.
Classes include supplies and range in price.

Toledo Artist Club

Mold your child into a little Picasso at Elaine’s Little Picassos class held at the Toledo Artist Club. Students will get to become familiar with different art mediums such as paint, crayons, pastels, watercolor and colored pencils.

5403 Elmer Dr. 419-531-4079 

Toledo Museum of Art
2445 Monroe St.
419-255-8000 | toledomuseum.org

Toledo is the perfect breeding ground for young artists, especially because of the great regimen of classes offered at our very own Toledo Museum of Art. Offering classes for kids and teens, the museum is inspiring young minds to express themselves through a wide variety of classes like drawing, sculpting, glass blowing, blacksmithing, painting and printmaking, just to name a few. Recently TMA has also started offering virtual classes as well, so you can learn from anywhere. Pieces of artwork from the exhibits are the inspiration for all art classes at the Toledo Museum of Art.  

YMCA
Various locations
419-720-8135 | ymcatoledo.org


Check out your nearest YMCA for a wide variety of art classes for kids of all ages and talent. Let your little artist explore the art of creating with classes focusing on different mediums such as clay, drawing, and even puppetry. Prices vary for members and non-members. Check out the website for all the dates and times for these various art classes.

Peace Love and Pottery Studio
Peace Love and Pottery Studio welcomes kids and adults alike to relax and create alone, or in a group of friends and family. No appointment is needed. At Peace Love and Pottery Studio, visitors get to select a piece of pottery from the large selection of pre-fired bisqueware, choose glazes, and then paint three coats on their piece. Once done, the piece will be fired in the kiln and available a few days later for pick-up. It’s a great way to spend a rainy afternoon, and your little artist will get a chance to take home a piece they’ll cherish!

6750 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania. 419-517-4414.

Fuller Art House

Owner Dani Fuller offers one-on-one classes for children of all ages. Contact this amazing Sylvania center for creativity to find out more details about their current offerings!

5679 Main St., Sylvania. 419-882-8949. 

Pop It Paint It 

Visit Pop It Paint It’s website to see upcoming public art classes and registration details here. 

1197 Farnsworth Rd., STE D, Waterville. 419-878-4693. 

RiverFront Studios 

Whether you’re a preschooler, kid, or adult, RiverFront Studio has classes for you! Art classes focus building skills in painting, ceramics, sculpture, and drawing. Visit RiverFront’s website or email [email protected] for more information. 

36 North Third St., Waterville. 567-952-0045.


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Sunshine Studios 

A community art studio for artists of all ages and abilities! Classes happen at Sunshine Studios throughout the week, including Saturdays. Stop by on a weekday to see featured work by local artists, jewelry-makers, photographers, and painters. Learn more about Sunshine Studios and what classes are happening here.

419-891-8877.305 Conant St., Maumee. 

Creators visit the selfie studio to post with their product in front of a greenscreen feature.

Spin & Splat

Get creative at Spin & Splat through one of their many artistic experiences. Use the spin tables, splat paint or create a fluid bear. 

2785 Central Ave. Toledo. 734-807-2050.