Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Cleveland, OH

Since Kindergarten is on the brain of those parents with little guys and dolls who will be entering the big world of school this Fall, I wanted to provide you with some fun area "TO DOs" before they start school, and all of that free time has gone to the wayside!


1.  Plan a Stay-At-Home Vacation.  It's easier than it sounds, I promise! 

Choose a weekend with no pre-planned activities.  Pick some of the following activities and stay at home, while doing some out-of-the-ordinary things to enjoy your family.

• Let every child pick a movie from the local movie store.
• Go to the grocery store and instruct each child to pick out  (1) a veggie, (2) a chip/dip selection and (3) a breakfast item. 
  
• Visit your local thrift store and purchase some gently-used board games ... ones your family hasn't played before.
• Take inventory in your battery and flashlight supply.  If you are low on batteries or flashlights, visit a local dollar store for replacements.
• Gather up blankets and sleeping bags and ... if you are feeling motivated, make a blanket fort.
• Fashion fun "grown up drinks" with a little kid twist ... add sparkling cider to their apple juice, or put a lemon twist in their lemonade.
• Make a music playlist of all music that reminds you of the sun, beach and swimming.
• Let the kiddos wear their swimsuits in the bathtub (I know, sounds corny, but it's a blast!)

Keep thinking of fun ways to bring the vacation inside and spend a weekend at home!

2.   Host a Scavenger Hunt Playdate for little friends who are also entering Kindergarten.  Ask each mom to bring a school supply (enough for all young participants) and fashion a scavenger hunt around your home with clues that lead them to their own little school supply stash. 

3.   Schedule a mid-afternoon dance party.  Once school starts, it will be more difficult to get the little friends together.  Compile a playlist of all dance-able music (try to incorporate songs that will get the moms groovin' too!).  Invite friends over and dance the afternoon away!

4.  Take Daddy out to lunch.  Schedule a time that works with his schedule (or Mommy's too!) and pick up your special parent for lunch out.  Give your child some dollar bills and let THEM pay for lunch too!

5.  Go see Earth on April 22nd for Earth Day and make it a matinee showing. 

6.  Take your child out to dinner.  Make it a very special dinner, dress up, make reservations and present them with a flower (boys too!).  Let the host know that you're celebrating a "I'm going to Kindergarten" dinner and ask for dessert to be brought out with a candle after you've finished eating.

7.  Plan a picnic lunch at the playground of your child's Kindergarten school.  Send invitations to those you know are also entering Kindergarten and let them familiarize themselves with the school grounds and the playground equipment.

8.  Take your little guy or girl mini-golfing. 

9.  What else?  What suggestions do you have for something that you should do before your kiddo enters Kindergarten this fall?