{"id":5752,"date":"2015-01-16T19:37:19","date_gmt":"2015-01-16T19:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.reinhartrealtors.com\/blog\/?p=5752"},"modified":"2015-01-16T19:37:19","modified_gmt":"2015-01-16T19:37:19","slug":"8-great-cold-weather-kid-friendly-activities-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michaelbahr.reinhartrealtors.com\/blog\/8-great-cold-weather-kid-friendly-activities-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Great Cold-Weather Kid-Friendly Activities To Do"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brrrrr\u2026. It\u2019s cold out there! With no end to the winter blast in sight, it can be hard to think of things to do especially with kids cooped up in the house.
\nBelow is a list of 8 great, kid-friendly things to do in Ann Arbor when the snow is swirling and even the university students seem scarce. All are indoors and either free or quite affordable. There are age-appropriate things to do for babies, teens, and adults should have their fair share of fun, too.
\n8. Go to the Library<\/strong>
\n\"library\"<\/a>
\nThe\u00a0five-star<\/a>\u00a0Ann Arbor District Library is one of the best places to enjoy in A\u00b2 in the winter. There are hundreds of\u00a0upcoming events & activities<\/a>\u00a0planned for 2015 across its five branches<\/a>\u00a0for babies to teens to adults. Enjoy organized playgroups, concerts, story time, games, crafts and many other events this winter and throughout the year at the wonderful AADL. Don\u2019t forget to check out some books to take home for you and the kids!
\n7. Go to a Museum<\/strong>
\n\"Hands<\/a>
\nWith over 250 exhibits for kids to explore, the\u00a0Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum<\/a>\u00a0is a great place to visit during a frigid winter day. Open seven days a week with many\u00a0special events\u00a0<\/a>on their calendar, the Hands-On Museum is an Ann Arbor must-do with children!
\nTake older kids to enjoy the collections and special exhibits of the University of Michigan Museum of Art<\/a>. A cultural gem in the heart of the city, take advantage of all that the UMMA has to offer! Open Tuesday through Sunday.
\n6. Go Get a Bagel
\n\"bagels\"<\/a>
\n<\/strong>
\nFamily-friendly\u00a0Barry\u2019s Bagels<\/a>\u00a0in the Westgate Shopping Center off of Jackson & Maple is one of Ann Arbor\u2019s favorite bagel places. Meet up with friends for coffee or lunch as little kids are entertained watching bagels being made through a window towards the back.
\nBruger\u2019s Bagels<\/a>\u00a0on Ann Arbor-Saline Road also has a bagel-viewing window if you\u2019re closer to the center of town.
\n5. Go Ice Skating<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Ice<\/a>Photo from\u00a0Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a perfect time of year to brush up on those ice-skating and hockey skills! Get some family exercise while having a blast during Open Skate at\u00a0Veteran\u2019s Indoor Ice Arena & Pool<\/a>, U-M\u2019s\u00a0Yost Arena<\/a>, or the\u00a0Ann Arbor Ice Cube<\/a>. Or take advantage of the organized hockey drop-in games for all ages and skill levels. Be sure to check each location\u2019s schedule for these affordable open skate & hockey times.
\n4. Go Stargazing
\n\"stars<\/a><\/strong>
\nThe University of Michigan\u2019s Museum of Natural History & Planetarium<\/a>\u00a0has some wonderful public indoor stargazing viewing events that are educational, inspiring, and far away from the cold, outside air. Be awed by the solar system alongside your kids from the comfort of your seat. View the planetarium\u00a0public schedule<\/a>\u00a0to see view upcoming monthly events.
\n3. Go Swimming<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Mack<\/a>Photo from\u00a0Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Fun in the water might not be the first thing you think of for winter fun, but there are several pools in the area that offer open swim time to the public year-round. Have fun on affordable one-day pass with your kids at local recreation centers like the\u00a0Mack Indoor Pool<\/a> or the\u00a0Meri Lou Murray Rec Center<\/a>. Or access a free one-week pass to the Ann Arbor YMCA<\/a>\u00a0by applying\u00a0here<\/a>.
\n2. Go Exploring<\/strong>
\n\"Cobblestone<\/a>
\nCobblestone Farm & Museum<\/a>\u00a0is an Ann Arbor historic location built in 1845. Tours of the farm and museum are available by request and every Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. More information available here<\/a>.
\nOr check out the Great Lakes Zoological Society\u2019s\u00a0A World of Discovery<\/a>. With educational and fun events for toddlers and older kids, this cool spot fosters a sense of conservation in kids as they view \u201cover 100 animals representing over 70 exotic and Michigan indigenous species.\u201d
\n1. Go Nuts!<\/strong>
\n\"party_20021012c[1]-jpg-550x550\"<\/a>
\nWhirly Ball of Ann Arbor<\/a>\u00a0is a fantastic time for both kids and adults! Gather some family and friends, and have a blast zipping around in your WhirlyBug as you try to score against your opponents. Or book a party for kids eight and up, too. May the best whirlers win.
\nAnd the kooky fun continues with\u00a0Zap Zone in Ann Arbor<\/a>. From laser tag to bumper cars to a classic arcade and even a cannon blaster, how could your kids not expend some pent-up energy here this winter?
\nSo bundle up on your way there, and enjoy your indoor family fun in Ann Arbor this winter.
\nClick here<\/a>\u00a0to visit Brooke Fajardo\u2019s \u00a0blog.<\/strong><\/em>
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