Fun Things to Do in Toledo With Kids

If you travel with children, you know how important it is to find fun and engaging activities for your kids.

Toledo, Ohio is located at the intersection of two major highways, I-75 and I-80, making it an easy location to visit.

And if you've never been to Toledo before, you will find so many fun things to do in Toledo with your kids. Whether they’re adventurous, artistic, creative, or quiet, this Ohio gem has something for everyone to enjoy.

You can trust us because we've been in Toledo for a long time and regularly take our kids to these places.

The next time you’re visiting Toledo, or even driving through and need a break from the road, here is a list of our favorite family and kid-friendly activities and attractions in the Glass City.

1 - Explore the Toledo Museum of Art

Art is a wonderful experience for kids, and taking them to the Toledo Museum of Art—one of the country’s finest museums—is definitely an experience they’ll remember for life.

Located at 2445 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH 43620, this museum boasts an expansive collection of over 30,000 of the world’s finest works of art. 

The best thing to do with children at TMA is visit the Family Center. It's designed for kids to enjoy and learn art with their parents. 

It's a hands on experience where you'll be given a chance to make and create art all on your own. 

The art pieces range from classic to contemporary, with some drawn by some of the most incredible artists in history, such as Joseph Turner, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Exposing your kids to such a spectacular range of paintings done by artists with different techniques and styles will teach them to appreciate art and diversity. 

It may even activate their own creative juices and inspire them to make their own masterpieces when they return home. And who knows their work might also line the walls of this majestic museum one day.

As you and your kids explore the museum, your self-guided tour will take you through over 35 galleries, as well as the Sculpture Garden and the Glass Pavilion, where you can stroll and admire the curved glass walls.

Edward Drummond Libbey, the founder and president of the museum, envisioned a space where art could be enjoyed by all. As a result, he established the museum's enduring policy of free admission, which remains unchanged to this day.

The museum is open to the public every Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, except on Fridays and Saturdays when it extends until 8 pm.

However, it remains closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and other special holidays such as Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Sign your kids up for the museum’s Children’s Classes (for ages 6–13) so they can learn the basics of art and try different mediums such as drawing, sculpting, and mixed media.

Also, make sure you and your kids dress appropriately for the occasion. The Toledo Museum of Art Vintage Logo Shirt, for instance, is an ultra-soft, well-fitting heather gray t-shirt with the logo of the museum from 1908 imprinted on the front.

2 - Cheer for Toledo Mud Hens at Fifth Third Field

If your kids are baseball fans, watching Toledo Mud Hens in action at Fifth Third Field needs to be on your bucket list as you explore Toledo. 

Watching a classic ball game live in the stadium is an excellent family activity choice for sporty kids. Baseball fun, stadium food, and all the game day entertainment will surely make their day memorable.

One great thing about Fifth Third Field is that it has an onsite playground that kids can play at during the game. 

Fifth Third Field, a 9,000+ seater stadium located in the heart of Downtown Toledo, is the home of the Toledo Mud Hens and provides fans with a great view from every seat.

With 71 regular season games played per year, you can easily plan a day or even out with your kids to watch Toledo Mud Hens play in the stadium. The special promotions schedule and fan experience opportunities won’t disappoint either.

If you need special game day foods, the stadium offers a wide range of fan favorites and dining options, including Marco’s Pizza, Toft’s Ice Cream, specialty drinks, and their popular Muddy Dog.

Visit Toledo Mud Hens’ website to purchase game tickets online, learn about upcoming promotions, and get the latest news. 

And, of course, if you visit in the winter, check out a Toledo Walleye hockey game and experience Toledo's most passionate fans.

3 - Spend a Family Day at the Toledo Zoo

You don’t need to travel the world with your kids to see the wonders it holds. 

The Toledo Zoo can take you from Sub-Saharan Africa to the Arctic Tundra, or from the Chihuahuan Desert to the tropical rainforest, all from the comfort of one location.

This massive and popular zoological institution boasts animals from over 700 different species. 

Your kids will get the opportunity to learn about the different native species of birds, reptiles, and arthropods. They’ll even get an up-close look at exotic animals, like cougars and white lions that they might never get a chance to see anywhere else.

The Toledo Zoo also boasts other fun activities that your kids can enjoy, such as a(n)

• Safari Railroad
• Huge playground
• Carousel
• Conservatory
• Aerial course
• Natural History Museum
• Aquarium

We recommend planning for the entire day so your kids can experience all the fun the zoo has to offer. 

The zoo also offers behind-the-scenes tours where you get to see the animals up close and learn how they’re cared for.

With all these activities and so many others, you’ll never run out of fun things to do with your kids at the zoo.

While you're at the Toledo Zoo, be sure to stop by their gift shop which features some Jupmode designs and many other shirts and sweatshirts that we printed exclusively for the Toledo Zoo.

“Cool selection of high-quality apparel items and collectibles that are Toledo-centric, especially retro and historic themes. Staff are super friendly and helpful.”
— Tobias C., Verified Buyer

4 - Explore Great Lakes History at the National Museum of the Great Lakes. 

Situated along the scenic Maumee River at the Toledo Maritime Center, the National Museum of the Great Lakes offers an ideal destination for families seeking to explore and discover the rich tapestry of local history. 

It's a perfect spot to take your kids and engage them in learning about the fascinating heritage of the region.

With over 300 artifacts, 40 hands-on interactive exhibits, and lots of audiovisual displays, the rich story of the Great Lakes comes to life at the local museum.

History lovers of all ages will learn about the fascinating past of Great Lakes through the engaging exhibits and stunning photographs throughout the museum. 

However, school-aged kids, especially 10 years and above, will better appreciate the artifacts and rich photography in the museum.

The local museum also offers tons of educational activities for children of all ages. With a guided tour, your kids will get to explore Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and learn why it was referred to as the “Queen of the Lakes.”

They’ll also get to learn about Great Lakes' most famous shipwreck and the lake's biggest mystery—The Edmund Fitzgerald.

It will take you about 2 hours to explore these and many more exhibits that the museum has to offer, leaving you ample time to head over to the original Tony Packo’s just around the corner for lunch or dinner. 

Learn More: 9 Cool Great Lakes Souvenirs for Visitors and Tourists

5 - Discover the Wonders of Science at Imagination Station

Toledo has become a hub of creativity and innovation, and Imagination Station is here to prove it.

Located in downtown Toledo, the Imagination Station boasts two floors of hands-on, fun-filled activities where kids get to learn more about different scientific concepts.

From interactive exhibitions and demonstrations to hands-on learning about the laws of motion or how sound moves, the local science center will cater to your kids’ curious and growing minds.

There is a fenced area for kids and babies that includes the following amenities:

• Quiet room in case your child gets overstimulated and needs to relax 
• Separate infant room if you have a small baby
• Play hospital 
• Building area
• Grocery store

The science center also includes a simulator theater where your children will get to participate in hands-on learning. They’ll be taught how to control a robot, create a domino maze, see how solar power works, and even build and design race cars.

On your way out, make sure you pass by the Science of Guinness World Records traveling exhibit. Your kids will get to hear the stories of the world’s great record holders and the secrets behind their successes while enjoying interesting video games, interactive challenges, and tactile puzzles. 

Imagination Station is open every Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. The center remains closed on Mondays and special holidays.

The admission rates vary depending on the age of the visitors: $15 for adults (ages 13–64), $14 for seniors (65+), $13 for children (3–12), and free entry for kids under two. 

The science center also offers great entry discounts for groups (15 people or more), Lucas County residents, teachers, and military personnel. Check out the entire pricing list here.

Bonus: The Imagination Station has a “Little KIDSPACE” area designed for children under five. The area features exhibits and activities tailored to young children's developmental needs and abilities.

6 - Hike, Play, and Picnic at Glass City Metropark

Toledo's newest Metropark, Glass City Metropark, has quickly become the hotspot in Toledo for young families. 

It has a blend of outdoor activities that makes it truly unique. 

With nature trails that wind alongside the Maumee River, two playgrounds area, a splash pad, and, of course, the Ribbon for roller skating in the summer and ice skating in the winter, it's no wonder that Glass City has quickly become the most sought-after destination among the Metroparks.  

These awesome avenues within the Metropark provide tons of fun kids' activities, like running on the grass, doing picnics, playing on the huge kids’ playground, and more. 

While we consider Glass City Metropark to be the most kid friendly park in the system, truly all of our Metroparks are a ton of fun. They provide great spaces for kids to get outside and enjoy nature and they all have unique playgrounds that are accessible and engaging. 

You can't go wrong with our Metroparks.

Best Things to do in Toledo With Kids

The list of fun things to do in Toledo with your kids could go on and on. Above we've highlighted six of our favorites. 

If you're new to the area or traveling to Northwest Ohio, we want to make sure you love it as much as us. And we know how important it is to find great activities for your children.

Without further ado, here is a more comprehensive list of our favorite things to do and see in the Toledo area:

• Toledo Firefighters Museum
• 577 Foundation
• Maumee Bay State Park
• Lucas County Library Main Branch
• W.W. Knight Preserve
• Toledo Botanical Gardens (the playground is magical)
• Promenade Park
• MacQueen's Orchard 
• Carter Historic Farm
• The Sandpiper
• Create Studio
• Gathered Glass
• Handmade Toledo
• Nature's Nursery
• Tabby & Fidos Cat Cafe
• Fossil Park
• Woodlands Park (with a disc golf course)
• Simpson Garden Park
• Toledo Farmer's Market
• Sylvania Playland
• Fleitz Pumpkin Farm
• Snook's Dream Cars
• Copper Moon Studio
• Boyd's Retro Candy
• Sylvania Historical Village
• Local Roots
• Lucky Road Lavender Farm
• GardenView Flowers

Shop Jupmode for Toledo Gifts and Souvenirs

If you're looking for something to commemorate your trip to Toledo, there's no better place than Jupmode.

We’ve created tons of Toledo Apparel Gifts and Souvenirs for you and your loved ones’ kids, which they can wear with pride and share their hometown love to the world.

We have clothing for kids of all ages—from newborns to up.

“Bought one for myself and my husband. Our daughters also wanted a hoodie. We all LOVE our local Oak Openings and wear our hoodies with pride. We each give two thumbs up equally 8 total.”
— Sarah S, Jupmode Verified Buyer

Additionally, we have a dog-friendly store (which kids love) and a pinball machine set to free play, and a vintage photo booth.

We'd love to see you when you're in town. Our address and store hours are:

Jupmode Adams Street
(419) 318-2029
2022 Adams Street
Toledo, Ohio 43604 (click for directions)
(Mon–Fri 11 am–6 pm, Saturday 11 am–4 pm)