Winter break is just around the corner. The kids will be out of school – and maybe a little restless with all that time on their hands. What’s a parent to do?

While I’m not a parent myself, I do consider myself a bit of an overgrown child – in the fun-loving, goofy, adventurous sort of way. As I see it, you’re never too old to jump around, get creative, or explore the world. And any time is a great time to be a kid in Trumbull County. Here are some activities you can do with the kids – or all by yourself – this winter.

Create!

From acrylics and watercolor paint to wooden signs and ceramic painting, Party Art Café & Studio on Main Street in Niles offers art classes for all ages. You can stop in during the studio’s open paint or ceramics nights, catch a story time event for the little ones, or schedule a private class. You can even book a private event with a group of eight or more.

If you want to sharpen your stained glass skills, you and the kiddos can take a class at Glass Act Stained Glass & Art Studio in downtown Newton Falls. No experience is necessary, so these classes are perfect for young artists. All supplies are included, except for a table easel. 

You can also check out Trumbull Art Gallery on Courthouse Square in Warren for classes like stained glass and pottery. Classes are typically geared toward adults but are also designed for beginners, so they can be perfect for older kids.

Learn!

Just because the kids are out of school doesn’t mean they need to take a break from learning. There are plenty of affordable fun things to do at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. The library has locations in Brookfield, Cortland, Howland, Liberty, and Lordstown. The main branch on Mahoning Avenue in Warren recently underwent a stunning renovation and expansion – so there are practically endless books to read and plenty of space in which to read them! Each library has a children’s section and a teen space with computers. Check the library’s website for a list of activities, from story time to Lego club and teen parties!

The McKinley Memorial Library on North Main Street in Niles also has a great reading space and programs for kids and teens. Teen Scene Thursdays are from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and children’s story times are on Tuesdays from 2 to 3 p.m.

Need more books in your life? (Who am I kidding? Everyone needs more books!) Stop by Papa’s Booke Shoppe in Cortland to browse a wide selection of used books, music, and artisan crafts. Papa’s specializes in biblical research, history, and music, but with three floors to explore, this store has a bit of something for everyone. Plus, you can keep an eye on the schedule for open mic nights and Bible study groups. Pop in Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, to find a good read for the kids – or maybe for yourself! 

Watch!

Sure, everything is streaming these days, but there’s still something special about going out to the movies and getting one of those big buckets of buttery popcorn. There’s no better place to do that than at Regal Boulevard Center at the Eastwood Mall. With more than a dozen screens, there are plenty of movies to choose from.

If you’re raising a theatre kid – or are one yourself – Trumbull County’s local theatres, have you covered. Check out what’s on at the Kent Trumbull Theatre in Champion, and the Robins Theatre in downtown Warren. Not all shows are appropriate for kids – but plenty are!

Move!

Trumbull County has some classic, affordable fun that the family won’t forget roller skating. Located on High Street, Cortland Roller Rink is a fully renovated roller-skating rink with a 180-by-80-foot hardwood maple floor that’s perfect for doing laps and having lots of laughs! You can rent roller skates there and enjoy the DJ and party lights. Or, if your ankles aren’t what they used to be (mine sure aren’t) you can grab a bite from the snack bar and check out the retro arcade games – including my favorite game, skee ball.

Need to burn some energy? Or have you just always wondered what it’s like to (attempt to) flip into a giant pit of foam? Extreme Air trampoline park at the Eastwood Mall has that foam pit you’re looking for, plus two basketball lanes, two dodgeball courts, and plenty of room to jump on the main trampoline court. There’s even a “kids’ corner” for the little ones. It’s all indoors, so you’ll stay nice and warm, and adults can jump, too! Tip from a veteran bouncer: hold on to those trampoline socks so you can use them again when you come back to jump some more.

And of course, if those winter blues are getting you down, why not go for a swim? Spend a night at The Grand Resort and you get access to the resort’s 25-meter indoor Olympic pool. The pool is open from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. for family swimming, but children under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by an adult. The pool is also available for kid’s pool parties, which include a fun, kid-approved menu with everything from build-you-own-pizza and chicken tenders to sliced fruit and chips and dip. 

Step Outside!

This next one is a little weather-dependent, but nothing says winter fun like sled riding. Eastlake MetroPark on Mecca Street in Cortland is a designated sled hill with a great incline and plenty of room to keep on going…and going…and going.

Another less official but popular sledding spot is Packard Park in Warren.

The Turkey Run Trail in Cortland offers wonderful opportunities for kids to explore the beauty of nature during the holidays. The trail is perfect for all ages and skill levels and offers a great outdoor experience for the whole family. Kids can enjoy hiking, observing wildlife, and taking photographs. All for free!

If you enjoy a good winter walk – and want to get your little ones reading – you can check out one of Trumbull County’s storybook trails! The Mosquito Lake State Park Storybook trail in Cortland offers an easy, unpaved walk through the trees, while Stevens Park Storywalk in Niles and Perkins Park StoryWalk Trail in Warren are a little less woodsy. The stories change regularly, so you can keep coming back.