As a Youngstown photographer and a mom of three energetic boys, I know firsthand how endless winter days can feel when your kids are climbing the walls.
While sunny days make it easy to head to a park or explore the outdoors, finding ways to keep little ones entertained indoors can be a real challenge when it’s cold, wet, or dreary outside.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of 20 fun and family-friendly places in Youngstown, Ohio (especially in Poland and Boardman) where you can take your kids to burn off energy and make the most of a winter or rainy day!
Feel free to invite me along to document your fun day out! If the timing is right, I may be able to join you on a weekday at a discounted session rate!
1. Your Local Library – FREE!
Mahoning County has so many great libraries offering much more than books! Check out their calendar of events to see the classes and activities at each branch. Be sure to check out the newly remodeled Main Library on Wick Ave. which has a wonderful Family Engagement area with an Interactive Children’s area, a space for STEAM learning, a place for teens, a DIY area, and much more! The Boardman branch has a Sensory room, Canfield has a play area for small children, and the Michael Kubosa branch has a Maker Space with a 3D printer, laser engraver, and more!
2. Oh WOW Children’s Museum – Youngstown
The Oh Wow Museum (The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology) is a wonderful place aimed at kids ages 5-14 and I have spent many afternoons here with my kids!
“There are now thirteen galleries, or WOW! Zones and more than sixty-five hands-on, interactive opportunities, or exhibits, linked to the educational content standards of Ohio & Pennsylvania in OH WOW!®. OH WOW!®’s permanent exhibit collections promotes understanding of the Scientific Process of Inquiry, encouraging visitors to make observations, draw conclusions from those observations, and adjust or modify their experiments (or actions) to get a different (or better) result.”
3. Climb Youngstown – Boardman
“At Climb Youngstown, we believe everyone can be a climber. We’re not just a gym – we’re a friendly community where people of all ages come to have fun, stay fit, and make friends.”
Although this is not aimed for the very little ones, Climb Youngstown is a great place for kids and adults of all ages!
4. Extreme Air – Boardman
Mahoning Valley’s premium indoor trampoline park and family entertainment center! My boys have attended a few fun birthday parties here! (2nd location in Niles)
-Two basketball lanes
-Two dodgeball courts
-Two jump bags
-20 foot drop onto our Mountain Dew stunt bag
-Kids Corner
-Main court
Along with the trampolines:
-Laser tag
-Rockwall
-Arcade
-Concession stand
5. The Deep Freeze Ice Arena – Boardman
Located in the same building as Extreme Air Boardman, this is a great place to teach your kids how to ice skate!
“Lace up the skates, hit the ice and see for yourself why ice skating at Deep Freeze Ice Arena is one of the area’s favorite activities for people of all ages! Whether you are with friends, with family, on a date or just out for some exercise, ice skating is a great activity for all occasions. Budget-friendly and always fun, ice skating is great for all ages and experience levels, and a perfect addition to a healthy lifestyle.”
6. Southern Park Mall – Boardman
The Mall is always a wonderful free option to let off some energy, grab lunch, and get some steps in! We love to hit the food court and play in the free game area that has a ping pong table and corn hole. There is a small children’s area in the center of the food court, pay to ride the mall train, rent a ride-on animal to cruise around the mall, or ride in one of the change-operated ride-on machines.
7. Planet X Arcade – Boardman
This fun-filled arcade is located in the Southern Park Mall in Boardman. Our classic favorite game to play together is Skee-ball!
8. Fun-n-Games Rewind – Boardman
Fun-n-Games is just like the name, a small and fun arcade located on Market Street in Boardman Ohio.
9. Chuck E Cheese – Boardman
Chuck E Cheese is a classic play place for kids and I think some adults love it more than the kids do!
10. Youngstown Skate – Boardman
Our family always loves going roller skating and Youngstown Skate is the best rink in the Mahoning Valley!
11. OK Go Play – Canfield
“We offer Open Play to the public with no reservations. We have 2 giant play structures and a toddler area for little ones who are starting to crawl or walk. With many hands-on activities like blocks, climb-ups, rocking horses, wall panel activities, and tunnels, your little one will have an amazing time. Our Toddler Area is designed for children 3 and under.”
12. Ford Nature Center – Youngstown
Check out the newly renovated and expanded Ford Nature Center located in Mill Creek Park.
“…expansion of interior spaces has increased public programming and educational opportunities with new interactive exhibits, interchangeable displays, and interpretive signage. Accessibility throughout the facility has been improved and new public spaces have been added.
“Nature Exhibit Hall – Interactive exhibits for all ages focusing on nature and wildlife found within the MetroParks. The ground level, full length glass observation area features a stunning view of the Native Wildflower Meadow and outdoor classroom.
History Room – Spend time learning about the history of the Ford family and Ford Nature Center. Navigate through the interactive map table to learn more about the Nature Center grounds, trail system, and other areas in the MetroParks.
Bird Observation Room – Relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of native bird species as they feed on various feeders and nest in the multiple bird boxes located in the Wildflower Meadow. Record your observations or explore the different species at the e-bird desk located in “Nancy’s Nook.”
13. Fellow Riverside Gardens – Youngstown
The Riverside Gardens are a wonderful place to visit when the weather is nice, but you can also visit the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center which is the beautiful building located at the entrance to the Gardens. Inside you can find a beautiful gift shop, a small gallery with changing exhibits, and grab lunch or a snack at the Garden Cafe by Kravitz located within the same building.
And the best part is the Maxine Antonucci Library which contains collections of horticulture books for both adults and children and has a beautiful reading nook with a beautiful view out the large windows as well as puppets and other things to entertain the kids!
14. Ward Beecher Planetarium – Youngstown
Check out the newly renovated Planetarium! “Construction and installation of a new roof, dome, carpeting, cove lights, and many other improvements as a result of our January 2023 fire.”
“In its over 50 years in service to the Mahoning Valley, the Ward Beecher Planetarium serves as a YSU astronomy classroom, a premium field trip destination to area schools, and an immersive, unique educational experience for the public.”
Showtimes: Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and Saturday at 8:00 pm.
Reservations are not needed – first come, first seated
All shows are free and open to the public
15. YMCA
Our family has spent many many hours at the YMCA! From swimming and art classes, homeschool gym time and working out with the gym equipment, it’s a healthy and fun way to spend a few hours. The Boardman location has a pool with a children’s area with a slide.
You can visit with a daily guest pass or become a member.
16. Butler Art – Youngstown
Free admission! Although the art museum is not the best place to let the kids run off their energy, it is still a great place to visit! “The Butler prides itself on the quality of its wide-ranging programs and community events and activities. It remains a cultural center and an important part of our regional and national visual arts culture.” Check out their calendar which includes events for kids and families like Stroller Art, Young Friends Adventure, and Family Days. They also offer many art classes that my kids have loved!
17. All the Little Birds – Boardman
“All the Little Birds welcomes little ones ages 5 and younger to explore the world around them through play. We offer over 3,000 square feet of space for imaginative play from our tot sized kitchen to our train table and even an indoor slide! Join a class today and create unforgettable memories with your little one through music, play, art, and ballet all while fostering early development and strengthening your special bond!”
18. Bowling
Youngstown has a handful of great lanes to choose from for a fun afternoon of family bowling!
Camelot Lanes, Boardman Lanes, and Westside Bowl are three of our favorites located in Boardman and Youngstown.
19. Movie Theaters
Taking the kids to the movies is a great way to spend a few hours on a cold and rainy day and there are a few great theaters to choose from! Some of them even have a small arcade inside! Check out Cinemark Tinseltown by Southern Park Mall, Regal Cinema on South Ave Boardman, and Movies 8 in Boardman by Target.
20. The Art Cafe – Boardman
A pottery painting studio located inside Southern Park Mall. “The ladies of The Art Café are always ready and willing to guide new painters through every step of the creative process. They find a way to unlock the artistic side in everyone who walks through the door.”
I hope that you found this list helpful in finding places to visit in Youngstown during the winter when you and the kids need to get out of the house.
Feel free to share this list with other parents or even better, invite a friend and their kids along when you go!
If you’re looking for a Family photographer in the Greater Youngstown area, please get in touch to inquire about a session! I’d love to plan a unique photo session for your family!
Here are some other blog posts that you might want to check out!
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All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography
Mary Beth Miller Photography specializes in family and newborn photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Youngstown Ohio, and many surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over fifteen years of experience photographing families, newborns, and babies in Youngstown, including Boardman, Poland, Canfiel,d and Columbiana. Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family!
WOW! This is an amazing list!!!
Love this post so much. Such a fantastic resource!
SOO helpful for people! Especially the cold rainy day! Would come in handy for sure during times like these with littles.