Winter Activities for Kids

Everything Rubbermaid store (Wooster) - 3rd floor has Step 2 play structures, kitchens, etc to play with for free

Massillon Rec center -  Daily Visit pass - Ages 4 & up - $6, Under 3 is free.The aquatics area features four bodies of water; a two-lane lap pool; a lazy river; a multipurpose splash down pool; a dry sauna, and a kiddie play pool.  The 19' high water slides just add more to the fun.  

Orrville Y - 3 free family swim on the Orrville PTO card.

Evergreen RV Park Swimming Pool - just outside Mt Eaton on 241. swimming pool - Sunday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.  Friday & Saturday: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.  I think it's $5/2 hours

Massillon McDonalds on 172 towards Target - I've heard good things about their playground.

First Christian Church (Canton) - FREE The playland has 4 levels with tubes, stairs, and slides for your kids to explore and enjoy. There is even a designated area for toddlers ages 2 and under to play safely. Spring hours: Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5pm and Sundays 1-3pm. Hours will be extended during summer months.

Amazone Family Center - Medina  Toddler playground for children under 3 – $4 for same day unlimited play.  Large playground for children 3 and above – $8 for same day unlimited play.  Watch for deals on Groupon or Living Social. Mon-Thurs 10-9, Fri & Sat- 10-midnight, Sun - noon-9pm.  Tues they have an animal show, Wed story time, Thurs craft.   All at 11 am.

Harry London Chocolates (by Akron-Canton airport) -
Tour Times:       Monday-Friday 10-4  Tours commence every hour on the hour; year-round. Free

Toyrifix (Smithville) -  toys & trains to play with in the store.

Orrville Library - story time, special events, trains & puzzles

Putt N Stuff (Orrville) - Look for discounts on I Shop Stark, Town Money Saver, the Orrville school card

Akron Art Museum -  Free to children 12 & under with an adult.  Thurs are free days.

Cleveland Art Museum - Free.  Within walking distance of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History & Cleveland Botanical Gardens.

McKinley Museum & Monument - Canton. Dinosaurs, live animals, hands on science experiments, history, huge model train display.  Museum Adults $8, Kids 3-18 $6.  Monument Free.  Mon-Sat 9-4, Sun Noon-4.   Planetarium-- Saturday at 1:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. During the summer months public shows are held at 1:00 PM Monday-Friday. Planetarium shows are included in your admission price. Please note that children must be 5 years of age or older to attend a planetarium show.  

MAPS Museum - off of 241 near the Akron Canton Airport.  39 planes in various stages of restoration.  A good hands on, up close look at the planes.  Adults $8, Kids 6-12 $5.  Check I Shop Stark for discount tickets. Tues-Sat 9:00-4:30, Sun 11:30-4

Akron Fossils & Science Center - Copley.  Focuses on creationism & not evolution. Open Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm for walk-in visits..  Adults $6, kids 3-15 $5.  (winter times & rates)

The Little Buckeye Children's Museum (Mansfield) Admission $7  Wed-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-6pm & Sundays 1pm-6pm


Please confirm before attending these events as dated,  times & pricing may have changed.

If you travel a lot or live near a zoo or science center you might want to consider a science center and/or zoo membership.  These are all good for a year & you can usually activate them over the phone or online.  You don't have to live near the one you buy, but these are some of the best prices I have found.  Typically a family is up to 6 people.

I tried to use my Toledo membership at Great Lakes & they wouldn't let me.  They said because I lived less than 90 miles from Cleveland I couldn't use a membership besides Great Lakes for free or McKinley for 1/2 price.  They ended up letting me pay half price because they had given me incorrect information when I called.  I just say this as a warning about the 90 mile rule.  I think this applies at all of them.

Science Center Memberships:

McKinley Museum in Canton - $56 for a family.
  Pros - 350+ science centers for free, including COSI & Clev Natural History
  Cons - Great Lakes Science Center 1/2 price (Great Lakes General Admission - Adult $14, Kids (2-12) $12), doesn't reciprocate to Pittsburgh Children's Museum

Boonshoft Discovery in Dayton - $100 for a family (up to 6 kids)
  Pros - 350+ science centers for free, 150+ zoos - most for half price
  Cons - Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Museum of Natural History 50% off,  COSI is 50% off (COSI Classic Exhibits - Adults $17.95, Kids (2-12) $12.95).  This wouldn't work at Great Lakes if you live less than 90 miles from Cleveland.

Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit and debit cardholders get free admission into 150 zoos, science centers, & children's museums around the country the first full week-end of each month.  Check out the list here.

Favorite Reward Programs

Disney Movie Program  -Even if you don’t buy Disney Movies, you can still join the club to earn free merchandise.  You can often find free codes to use.  I got a Cars watch without ever buying a single Disney movie.

Pampers Rewards - Here’s another reward program where you don’t have to buy Pampers items to earn free things, including Shutterfly gift certificates & magazines.  There are free codes at least 1-2 times a month.

Kellogg's - If you aren't currently signed up for Kellogg's Rewards, I'd encourage you to do it now.  I think I've gotten at least 2 free Shutterfly Books, 2 - $20 certificates to Shutterfly, & numerous free magnets.  I rarely buy Kellogg's products, but there are often free codes on blogs or Kellogg's Rewards Facebook page.

Coke Rewards - We don't think much pop at our house but you can find free codes on line.  You can also ask people to save their lids for you.  Occasionally they run promotions to get free things without any codes.

You can always goggle any of these for free codes