With the winter season officially here, many Ohioans are hopeful for snow. Check out our list of the top 6 spots to go sledding in and around Dayton!

 

Wright Memorial Park
2380 Memorial Rd., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton
The hill is an area favorite. Located off of Route 444 on Kaufman Avenue next to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, this hill has great access and parking. The designated sledding area is a grass surface ranging from smooth to bumpy. The slope is approximately 40 degrees with a lengthy run of about 700 to 800 feet. Many great spots act as ramps for those who like catching air. The only real obstacles are trees, but they’re at the top of the hill — well out of the way of a good run.

Englewood MetroPark
100 E. National Rd. entrance (US 40 at R 48), Dayton
Englewood MetroPark’s sledding hill is located in the West Park. Use the 100 E. National Road entrance (U.S. 40 at State Route 48) and follow the park road for parking. There is a short walk through the woods to the hill from the parking lot. The entrance to the wooded trail is signed at the south end of the parking lot. There’s lots of room to have multiple launches for races or stunt competitions.

Indian Riffle Park
2801 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering
Hidden behind Kettering Middle School off of Glengarry Dr. and Stroop Rd. is a beautiful sledding secret. The Indian Riffle Park hill is more of a mound, giving sliders more than one side to slide down. No obstacles with pretty smooth rides.Perfect for all ages.

Taylorsville MetroPark
2000 SR 40, Vandalia
With sufficient snowfall, glide down the sledding hill at the Taylorsville West Park, 1200 South Brown School Road. Bumpy, grass turf with a gentle grade, this obstacle-free hill offers safe long-distance sledding down a slope of 30 degrees with a 400- to 500-foot run. Sledding is not permitted on the dam.

Germantown MetroPark
7101 Conservancy Rd., Germantown
Kids will love the sledding hill! The hill is located at 6206 Boomershine Road, just north of Manning Road. This big hill is well worth the drive for sledders, tubers and beginning snowboarders alike.

John Bryant State Park
3790 State Route 370Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
Under the proper winter conditions, park guests can enjoy sledding and cross-country skiing.

Community Golf Course 
917 Berkely St., Kettering
Located next to Hills & Dales MetroPark at Community Golf Course.

Other parks with good sledding hills: 

Triangle Park, 1700 Embury Park Rd., Dayton

Washington Park, 100 N. Wright Ave., Dayton

Bomberger Park at the corner of E. Fifth and Keowee Streets, Dayton

Stubbs Park, 255 West Spring Valley Pike, Centerville

The post Where To Go Sledding in Dayton appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

Check out these awesome Ideas for Fall Fun in Dayton!

Mound Golf Course

Golf together at Mound Golf Course this Fall! Youth can golf at Mound for $5 a round through the Youth on Course program. Players can sign up at www.youthoncourse.org/join. Please call ahead to book a tee time and enjoy some time golfing together outdoors at the historic Mound Golf Course.

Phone: (937) 866-2211
Address: 757 Mound Avenue, Miamisburg, OH 45342
Dates: Now- November 30

Greene County Parks & Trails

Fall is for Fun! This season join the Greene County Parks & Trails for some family-friendly, outdoor adventures! Any day anyone can visit one of the many parks in the area, but on special days some parks are transformed! On Sept.26th, Caesar Ford Park will be home of the Ranger Classic- a day of classics- cars, a movie, music, food trucks and fireworks! Mark your calendars for Oct.28-31 for our Light the Night Pumpkin Hike also being held at Caesar Ford Park- Stay up-to-date and follow us on Facebook @GreeneCountyParksTrails

Phone: (937) 562-6440
Address: 635 Dayton-Xenia Road, Xenia, OH 45385

Lucas Bros Fall Fest

Lucas family is excited to welcome back guests to their farm to enjoy picking their own pumpkin from the field, a hayride, corn maze, a small straw maze, farm animals and more. Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 11am-6pm. Field trips, birthday parties and private groups available by reservation.

Phone: (937) 212-8020
Address: 3329 Ferry Rd, Bellbrook, OH 45305
Dates: September 25th – November 1st, 2020

Young’s Dairy

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Looking for a preschool? Check out these options for great preschools in Dayton!

Inspire Center for Learning/Creative World of Montessori

Mini University

Mini University is a high quality childcare center serving children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. We are nationally accredited through NAEYC and 5-star rated. We utilize Creative Curriculum, Conscious Discipline, and have tuition assistance options available. We are currently enrolling for fall!

Locations: Wright State University: 937-775-4070, Miami Valley Hospital: 937-224-3916, Montgomery County: 937-461-9027, Sinclair Community College: 937-512-2234

St. Helen School 

St. Helen School is excited to announce we are now a partner with Preschool Promise! Our Preschool Program welcomes children from age three to five. It includes a Catholic-Infused curriculum. With a variety of full and part-time schedules, parents can select the best option for their family.

Phone: (937) 256-1781
Address: 5086 Burkhardt Road, Riverside, OH 45431

The Miami Valley School 

The MVS Soin Early Childhood School combines the best of the Reggio, Waldorf, and Montessori approaches to create a unique, exploration-based curriculum. Our 7:1 student-teacher ratio means every child receives individual attention. Schedule a visit online and see what MVS can do for your family!

Phone: (937) 434-4444
Address: 5151 Denise Drive, Dayton, OH 45429

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Everyone loves a good summer treat on a hot day! Check out our guide to the local Ice Cream Hot Spots in Dayton!

Graeter’s Ice Cream

An Ohio favorite and longtime ice cream parlor chain serving small-batch scoops plus baked goods at some locations.
Beavercreek: 2330-A N. Fairfield Road, 45431, Centerville: 2 N. Main Street, 45459, Oakwood: 2412 Far Hills Avenue, 45419

Young’s Dairy

We make all of our own ice cream right here on the farm. Our ice cream is made from a 15% butterfat mix (pasteurized milk, cream, and sugar mixture). 15% butterfat ice cream is very rich in taste. It has a smooth, creamy texture and blends well with many flavors.
6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs

Young’s Dairy

Ritter’s Frozen Custard

Frozen custard is made fresh every day. Whether it is our vanilla, chocolate, fruity flavor, nutty flavor or one of our many specialty flavors-enjoy the creamy smooth taste that will keep bringing you back for more.
Kettering: 2226 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, Beavercreek: 2531 Dayton-Xenia Rd. Beavercreek, OH 45434

Sweet P’s Handcrafted Ice Pops

Looking for a healthy alternative? Try Sweet P’s their water-based pops are handcrafted from nature’s freshest fruits, vegetables, premium spices, herbs, chilis, peppers and varying sweeteners such as cane sugar, honey, agave, maple syrup. Visit them at the 2nd Street Market on Thursday & Friday 11-3, Saturday 8-3
600 E 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402, (937) 985-7086

Sweet P’s Handcrafted Ice Pops

Airline Dairy Creme

Soft serve delights — from our famous peanut butter shakes to Oreo cyclones, from banana splits to hot fudge sundaes. Peanut butter is our special flavor.
224 N Dixie Drive, Vandalia, (937) 898-3100

So Your Yogurt 

So Your Yogurt

In the mood for something sweet? Soyo offers a variety of tasty products that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you want to get your sweet fix but are afraid of the calories, we encourage you to try our guilt-free, low-calorie frozen yogurt and toppings bar. No matter what your flavor is, we have the perfect treats to satisfy any craving
971 South Main Street, Centerville, (937) 496-5574

JD’s Old Fashioned Frozen Custard

Made fresh daily, their frozen custard is like nothing you have ever had before!
322 Union Blvd. #A Englewood, (937) 839-9219

Jet Freeze

Local spot, find all the normal flavors plus many fun ones to try!
4014 E Patterson Rd, Beavercreek, (937) 429-5845

Rita’s

Italian ices & frozen custards star at this counter-serve chain with a range of other cold treats.
3371 E Stroop Rd, Dayton, OH 45440, (937) 296-0822

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]]> https://daytonparentmagazine.com/ice-cream-hot-spots-in-dayton/feed/ 0 https://daytonparentmagazine.com/summer-fun-in-dayton/ https://daytonparentmagazine.com/summer-fun-in-dayton/#respond Tue, 23 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://hopeful-davinci.104-238-165-7.plesk.page/summer-fun-in-dayton/ Summer Fun in Dayton

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Check out these ideas for Summer Fun in Dayton! 

 

 

 

Miami County Visitors and Convention Bureau

For a limited time, sign up for the National Aviation Heritage Area’s (NAHA) free boarding pass and take advantage of discounts on rides, retail, flight experiences and more at over ten aviation sites in southwest Ohio. See a full list of participating sites at www.visitNAHA.com/boardingpass.

Phone: (937) 231-5804
Address: 16 S Williams St, Dayton, OH 45402

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Summer Adventures to Go!

An at-home camp experience offering nature-focused crafts, activities, games, and education. Counselors lead daily activities following a weekly theme. Guest speakers take campers on virtual field trips. Activity instructions, camp t-shirt, and supplies are included in a backpack! Ages 3-12.

Phone: (937) 433-5155
Address: 221 N. Main St., Centerville, OH 45459

 

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Greene County Parks & Trails

Greene County Parks & Trails is here to save the summer! Starting the season with bike rides and walks, we will start to introduce more family fun programs such as the Wiggle Worms, Car Shows, Farmers Market, Summer Fest and more! Follow us on Facebook for current updates for events & programs

Phone: (937) 562-6440
Address: 635 Dayton Xenia Rd, Xenia, OH 45385

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AR Workshop Centerville

AR Workshop®: a boutique DIY studio that offers hands-on classes for creating custom and charming home decor from raw materials. Join an instructor-led workshop to make customizable wood signs, frames, canvas pillows, round signs, lazy susans, centerpiece boxes, trays, chunky knit blankets and more

Phone: (937) 602-2945
Address: 101 E. Alex Bell Road, Ste 162, Centerville, OH 45459

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Ritter’s Frozen Custard -Beavercreek

NOT ALL ICE CREAM IS CREATED EQUAL. One bite and you’ll agree—Ritter’s frozen custard is simply the creamiest, best-tasting ice cream ever to cross your palate. Ritter’s is made fresh all day, every day, using the highest-quality dairy ingredients. Also available – dairy-free superb Italian Ice!

Phone: (937) 435-0503
Address: 2531 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Beavercreek, OH 45434

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There are some hidden gem playgrounds around Dayton- try one or all of them while the beautiful weather lasts!

 

 

 

 

*Playground reopening has been approved by the State of Ohio. Playground use is at your own risk. Please ensure children under your supervision are following the safety guidelines that each park has in place. We encourage you to visit their websites or follow social media accounts to have the most up to date information.*

Playgrounds to Visit in Dayton:

Forest Field Park

2100 E. Centerville Station Rd., Dayton
Forest Field Park is an arboretum as well as a community park. The Park District has planted 14 varieties of evergreens and 41 species of deciduous trees around the park. The play equipment in the park was updated in 2018 and includes a natural play area adjacent to the traditional playground. (featured photo) 

Russ Nature Reserve

2380 Kemp Rd., Beavercreek

Hiking trails through mixed prairies and woodlands, apiary, nature study, photography, bird watching, Nature PlayScape are a few things this playground offers.

Owen’s Place & Tree House Village

2338 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek
Owen’s Place is a universally accessible playground, designed for individuals of all ages and ability levels.  The playground is the inspiration of Trish Gustafson, whose son, Owen, uses a wheelchair.  Owen’s Place is located in Victory Park, which is accessible through Rotary Park in Beavercreek.

Countryside Park

Countryside Park

895 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Washington Township
This 26-acre park behind the recreation center includes a fitness trail, play field, historic log cabin, spacious picnic shelter and three ponds, PLUS their Butterfly and Nature Sounds playgrounds. Update: Capacity is limited to 6 individuals on the playground at one time. Playgrounds will not be routinely sanitized so please practice proper hygiene and thoroughly wash your hands before and after playing. Individuals must practice physical distancing while on playgrounds.

Stubbs Park

255 W Spring Valley Pk., Centerville 
The largest playground at Stubbs Park has undergone some improvements. The City installed drainage tile around the playground area and put in recycled rubber mulch to provide better protection from a fall. The rubber mulch, made from old tires. Definitely, a must go!

Patricia Allyn Park

7256 OH-48 Springboro 
Playgrounds, Soccer Fields, Sand Volleyball Court, Tennis Courts, Walking Trails 1-Mile Paved Walking Loop Disc Golf Course, (9 baskets with 18 different tee boxes) Pond with Catch & Release Fishing Allowed and much more!

Patricia Allyn Park

Hills & Dales MetroPark

2606 Hilton Dr., Kettering
Offering a traditional play area and a nature play area on the tree-covered hill where children engage with nature. Kids can move back and forth between the two play areas. Caretakers can walk on nearby paths or enjoy the comfy Adirondack chairs. Park in the lot off of Hilton Drive or access by a three-quarter-mile trail walk from Twin Oak Camp off of South Patterson Boulevard.

Hills Dale & White Oak Camp

Orchardly Park

336 Orchard Dr., Oakwood
This was designed with a state-of-the-art accessible playground designed by children for children, a splash pad, a full basketball court, two tennis courts, a picnic shelter and greenspace, all tucked into 1.9 acres!

City Park

35 Parkwood Drive, Tipp City
Lots to enjoy here… Nature Center close by and aquatic center minutes away. You have 3 shelters to choose from if you are looking for a family cookout (one shelter holds 75 people!) Definitely a must go for all types of families!

Wenzler Park

3535 Sharewood Ct, Kettering
Improvements made to Wenzler Park include accessible pre-school and school age playgrounds, a renovated picnic shelters, walking trails and signage improvements. The playground was inspired by a woodland treehouse theme as because of the great number of mature trees in the park and a nice size woodland on the western boundary. Within this small neighborhood park you can play tennis, climb on the playground or stroll through the shade of the trees.

Photo Credit: Wenzler Park

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Ohio’s Miami Valley region provides over 340 miles of paved, multi-use recreational trails. Stretching across county lines, these trails connect schools, parks, historic landmarks and area attractions.

On the Miami Valley Trails you can travel through meadows, scenic countryside, forested areas and city centers while on the path. The Miami Valley Trails enhances both the wellness and quality of life of Miami Valley residents and visitors. All trails are free and open to the public every day of the year, from dawn till dusk. 

Miami Valley Trails: 

Ohio-to-Erie Trail

Length: 29 miles
Area Attractions: National Afro-American Museum & Indian Mound Reserve

Little Miami Scenic Trail

Length: 78 miles
Area Attractions: Ft. Ancient, Xenia Station, John Bryan State Park, Hartman’s Rock Garden

Creekside Trail

Length: 15 miles
Area Attractions: James Ranch Park, Beavercreek Station/September 11th Memorial, Eastwood MetroPark

Photo Credit: Creekside Trail

Simon Kenton Trail

Length: 32 miles
Area Attractions: Westcott House, Heritage Center Museum, Cedar Bog Nature Preserve, Grimes Field, Urbana, The Top of Ohio – Campbell Hill

Photo Credit: Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

Xenia – Jamestown Connector

Length: 17 miles
Area Attractions: Frank Seaman Park

Wright Brothers – Huffman Prairie Trail

Length: 5 miles
Area Attractions: Huffman Dam, Wright Brothers Memorial/Huffman Flying Field, Wright State University

Stillwater River Trail

Length: 5 miles
Area Attractions: Island MetroPark (featured image), Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Englewood Dam

Mad River Trail

Length: 6.6 miles
Area Attractions: RiverScape MetroPark, Eastwood MetroPark, National Museum of the Air Force, Huffman MetroPark

See a complete list of trails and everything they have to offer on their website https://www.miamivalleytrails.org/

*Please note The Miami Valley Trails all remain open to the public through this State of Emergency. THAT SAID, trail users should be advised that most (if not all) restroom facilities located along the trails ARE CLOSED. We encourage you to check their website for updates about current trail restrictions.*  

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There’s no denying that our world has been turned upside down. Schools are closed, businesses have shut their doors, and we have been asked to stay home as much as possible for the safety of our families, as well as everyone around us.

Although no one truly knows how to navigate these uncharted waters, many of the places we know and love are trying to remain sources of entertainment, engagement and creativity.

Check out our list of local organizations, and the virtual experiences they’re offering to keep your family connected while at home.

Dayton Art Institute

Your preschooler’s favorite art program can still be a part of your routine, even though the Dayton Art Institute (DAI) is closed for now. PNC Tiny Thursdays continues to take place each week online.

Visit the DAI website to find a virtual story time, weekly featured artwork and a digital lesson plan, complete with project instructions for you to do at home with your little artists!

Boonshoft Museum

The Boonshoft at Home program is here to bring you a unique online museum experience each day until they re-open. Beginning at 9 a.m., join in on a science experiment with instructions for at-home discovery, a virtual tour of exhibits, an up-close and personal look at one of the animals that live on-site or a glimpse at a rare item from the vault!

Missed a day or two? Don’t worry! Visit their website to find links to each of the previous programs.

Cincinnati Zoo

The pandemic won’t stop the zoo from sharing all of the animal residents with their biggest fans. Log in to Facebook each day at 3 p.m. for a Home Safari Live session and visit with one of the animals! There will also be a related activity accompanying each session that you can do at home. If you don’t have Facebook, recordings are posted to YouTube and the Zoo website after the live session has ended.

If your kiddo completes one of the activities or crafts, take a picture and share it on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #ZooHomeSafari — their artwork might be featured on the Zoo website!

Dayton Metro Library

There’s nothing quite like browsing the aisles at your local library to find the perfect book. And even though we aren’t able to go inside in the traditional sense right now, you can still access the amazing collection of e-books and audio books on the library website.

Additionally, in partnership with ThinkTV Network, Dayton Metro Library is presenting Mister C Live! The beloved local scientist will be making an appearance each weekday morning at 9 a.m. Your entire crew will love watching his fun-filled experiments and DIY science projects.

Little Gym of Dayton

Our friends at the Little Gym want you to keep moving even though you might feel stuck inside, so they found a way to bring the Little Gym to you! Check out their YouTube library full of virtual movement classes the whole family can enjoy. Online classes are free and available to the public.

Little Gym of Dayton

Goldfish Swim School

Pools are closed for now and that might mean no poolside swim lessons — but it doesn’t mean lessons have to stop altogether. Goldfish Swim Schools have incorporated Goldfish at Home into their teaching techniques. Head on over to their YouTube channel, and choose the level closest to your kiddo’s abilities to find a video series that’s perfect for them!

The best part? These programs are for anyone — you don’t have to have a prior membership with Goldfish to join the online fun. The goal is to engage current swimmers and reinforce safety skills, provide an introduction to kids interested in swim, as well as help beat boredom.

Music Together of South Dayton

Coming together to create music and express oneself through movement are the passions of Music Together. With the stay-at-home order in place, the Music Together organization has worked hard to give their members a virtual alternative to in-person classes.

Music Together Online is a new tool to introduce the “Maracas Collection” to families. Online tuition will include two Zoom sessions per week, a digital copy of the new songbook, bonus video content from Music Together Worldwide, and access to downloadable music, games and more!

OPEN* Downtown Dayton

OPEN* is an online platform committed to keeping families informed of the creative ways to support our local economy. It has also become an amazing resource for finding new virtual experiences like the ones mentioned in this article.

Visit the Things To Do, Restaurants or Retail/Services sections of the website. You’ll discover local businesses working hard to overcome the current challenges, in order to remain open and serving our community.

It will be a great day when we are able to visit our favorite spots in person again. For now, we are grateful that they have all stepped up to keep us connected during this unprecedented time.

The post Visit Your Favorite Dayton Spots Virtually appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

While some kid-friendly summertime favorites may not be on the table this year, nature is always available, and it’s as easy to access as stepping into your back yard. Last spring, parents were asked to wear multiple hats: mom, dad, teacher, meticulous sanitizer and social distancing enforcer.

Let Five Rivers MetroParks pack your summer full of outdoor fun with some easy ways to keep your kids entertained and engaged in all the benefits nature has to offer.

Grow Something from Seed

Whether you choose to plant a tiny pot of herbs, small garden bed or big plot of veggies, gardening is a great way for kids to be active, learn something new and use their senses. According to community gardening coordinator Kate Lowry, Ohio is in zone six, which means it has a medium-length growing season. Visit metroparks.org/natureisopen to find more information about what is optimal to plant and in which month. For more information on gardening, landscaping and more, sign up for MetroParks’ monthly gardening newsletter at metroparks.org/newsletters.

Go Birdwatching

You can spot a variety of birds in Ohio during the warm-weather months. Make a DIY birdfeeder and place it in your back yard to see which birds you attract. Head to your favorite outdoor space, be still and see how many birds you can view. Visit metroparks.org/natureisopen for links to resources and information on Ohio’s native and migrative birds.

Stargaze

Warmer nights with clear skies create a great opportunity to explore the night sky. Download a free astronomy app on your phone — such as SkyView, SkySafari or SkyWiki — to learn more about the stars and constellations. Mark your calendar for August, when the Perseid meteor shower lights up the sky. According to Space.com, you can expect the Perseids to peak in the early hours of August 12, when you can see up to 75 meteors per hour.

Blow Bubbles and See How Far They Float

Bubbles are a go-to for summer fun. Have a friendly competition to see who can make the biggest bubble, the longest-lasting bubble and whose floats the furthest. Out of bubble solution? For the best bubbles, The DIY Network uses 2 cups of hot water, 1/4 cup of dish soap, 1 (0.25 oz) packet of gelatin and 2 tablespoons of glycerin.

Listen for Nocturnal Animals

Heading to your back yard or local greenspace at night is a great way to discover sounds — and maybe even sights — you won’t experience during the day. Let your eyes adjust to the dark and keep your ears open. You may see the glowing eyes of nocturnal animals and fireflies, and hear many insects, birds and other wildlife. Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the night. According to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, some native nocturnal animals are opossums, southern flying squirrels, certain species of mice, voles, bats, badgers and racoons.

Go on a Bug Hunt

Warm-weather months are perfect for observing all kinds of insects. While some may think of all bugs as pests, many insects are integral to the environment. For example, bees and butterflies are responsible for pollinating much of our food. In fact, one in three bites of food is either indirectly or directly affected by pollinators, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Visit your favorite nature spots or step into your back yard to flip over rocks, peek at leaves and flowers, and see what’s crawling on trees. Take pictures of your favorite insects and then identify them later by visiting metroparks.org/natureisopen to find helpful links to naturalist smartphone aps and more.

Play Sensory Activities

Parents with early learners can explore nature through sensory activities. Splash in rainwater, make mud pies, touch rocks with different surfaces, smell and touch a variety of flowers and paint with leaves. Important for early learning development, sensory play helps little ones build motor skills, encourages problem solving and builds nerve connections in the brain.

Know Before You Go

While these activities can be done in your back yard or neighborhood, some can also be done in a MetroPark. However, many park amenities were closed due to COVID-19, so visit metroparks.org/covid for the most recent news on closures.

Whenever you and your family are spending time outdoors, follow the CDC’s recommendations, especially for social distancing, so you’re safe and healthy while exploring the outdoors.

The post Nature in Your Neighborhood appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

Warmer weather has arrived, and it’s a great time to explore the outdoors with your family. Here are some fun, easy ideas for connecting with nature and enjoying the wonderful colors, smells and sounds of the season.

Check out these Fifteen Fun Things to Do Outdoors This Spring from Five River MetroParks: 

1. Grow something from a seed: Get a jump on your garden and start seeds indoors to be replanted later in spring.

2. Go birdwatching: Spring migration is happening, so look for new species of birds each day. Keep your eyes out for robins, mourning doves and cardinals, Ohio’s state bird. To report your sightings and view migration maps, visit journeynorth.org.

3. Stargaze: There are many happenings in the night sky that are exciting to watch. Many smartphone apps allow you to learn more about what you’re seeing in the sky.

4. Have a picnic: Head to your favorite park, neighborhood greenspace or back yard to enjoy a meal with your family. If you are headed to a MetroPark, pack a blanket to sit on, as you should not use communal picnic tables. Additionally, prepare to pack out all your trash, including dog waste, as many trash cans have been removed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

5. Set up camp in the back yard: Set up a tent or make a blanket fort. Read books, play board games and eat a snack.

6. Stop and smell the flowers: Take a stroll through your neighborhood or local park to see what’s in bloom. Spring flowers and blooming trees and shrubs smell wonderful and provide a pop of pretty color — especially on days when the skies are a little grey.

7. Take a ride: Go for a bike ride around your neighborhood or on the region’s 340 miles of paved recreation trail – the nation’s largest paved trail network.

8. Nature play in your own yard: Use natural materials such as branches, rocks and leaves to make a fort, play games and more.

9. Get some exercise: Run, walk or jog in your neighborhood or your local park or on the paved trails.

Photo Credit: Five River Metro Parks

10. Discover insects: Amazing bugs — such as ants, beetles, worms, beautiful moths and cool spiders — are popping up everywhere. Search for insects in your garden, under rocks, on trees and elsewhere. Identify your discoveries by taking pictures of your buggy friends and visiting ohiodnr.gov.

11. Listen for nocturnal animals: After night falls, visit your back yard or grab some flashlights and head to your local neighborhood greenspace to listen as your natural surroundings come to life after dark.

12. Start a nature journal: Grab a notebook and a bunch of colorful crayons, pencils and markers to sketch what you see in your favorite natural space. Record what you discover and how the space changes throughout the season.

13. Create a masterpiece with sidewalk chalk: You may have noticed Dayton’s sidewalks, windows and yards are filled with rainbows and other positive messages that inspire happiness and community during a time when we must be apart in terms of distance. Families can draw amazing things outside and share pictures on social media.

14. See how many native plants you can spot in a park or neighborhood: This April is the first Ohio Native Plant Month! Learn more about some of the state’s beautiful native plants and why they’re so important to our local environment by visiting ohionativeplantmonth.org or ohiodnr.gov/gonative.

15. Relax outdoors: We all need to decompress and de-stress. Take those activities outside, such as reading a book under a tree or doing yoga outdoors. Nature provides myriad healing benefits for your physical and mental health, and doing relaxing activities outdoors can double that calming effect.

Show Five Rivers MetroParks how you’re spending time outdoors solo or with members of your household by posting pictures of your outdoor adventures on social media. Use the hashtag #natureisopen to let others know how important it is to spend time outdoors this spring and year-round.

Always follow the CDC’s recommendations, particularly for social distancing, when spending time outdoors. For more information and to learn how you can help keep your MetroParks open, visit metroparks.org/COVID-19. Stay up-to-date on alerts, closures and ways to get outside by following MetroParks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The post Fifteen Fun Things to Do Outdoors This Spring appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.