CHECK OUT ONE OF OHIO’S GREAT NATIONAL PARKS OR MONUMENTS! NEED A SPRING BREAK VACATION IDEA?
CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK’S DAY FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to mean heading to the local Irish bar and drinking a large green beverage. If you’re not interested in going out this year and would prefer to do something at home with the family, here are a few ways everyone can celebrate. IRISH-THEMED FOOD What better way to get festive than by making some St. Patrick’s Day- themed dishes? You can make rainbow cupcakes, green cookies, St. Patrick’s Day popcorn, or — for a more traditional dish — Irish soda bread. You can also cook up an array of greens for dinner on March 17, which could include Brussels sprouts, spinach, cucumbers, green beans, peas, or asparagus. A MISCHIEVOUS LEPRECHAUN To treat your kids to a fun game, leave green footprints around the house and participate in impish tricks! Empty a tissue box, hide the remote, swap out regular light bulbs with green ones, or draw rainbows on the windows. You’re only limited by your imagination. EXPLORING IRISH CULTURE Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your family is to sit down and read about Irish culture with your kids. Learn where the legend of the leprechaun came from or read other stories from Irish folklore. You can also watch videos of Irish dance performances and encourage the kids to make their own. There’s also fascinating history on St. Patrick and why he became the patron of the holiday that your family members can research together. If you have Irish roots, tell your kids about your heritage. WATCH IRISH MOVIES For a relaxing activity, settle down in front of the TV for a movie night filled with films related to Irish culture. Try “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns,” “Song of the Sea,” “The Luck of the Irish,” or “The Secret of Kells.” MAKE AN IMPACT Teach your kids how to be “greener” this month by doing more for the environment. Discuss ways to save energy and water in the home, and talk about the importance of taking a break from electronics and enjoying the outdoors.
Spring break is the perfect time to take a trip with your family. If you are looking to stay a little closer to home this month, you still have abundant options for a great nature-filled vacation. While Ohio doesn’t boast the Grand Canyon or Mt. Rushmore, the Buckeye State still has plenty of national parks that are definitely worthy of a visit. HOPEWELL CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK From about 200 B.C. to 500 A.D., the Ohio River Valley was a focal point of the prehistoric Hopewell culture. The Hopewell Culture National Historical Park contains nationally significant archeological resources, including large earthwork and mound complexes that provide insight into the social, ceremonial, political, and economic lives of the Hopewell people. CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK This picturesque park is totally worth the drive. The winding Cuyahoga — or “crooked river” — gives way to 33,000 acres of deep forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands. The park is a refuge for flora and fauna and provides recreation, beauty, and solitude for its visitors. PERRY’S VICTORY AND INTERNATIONAL PEACE MEMORIAL Need an excuse to visit Put-in-Bay? How about Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial? The memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the war of 1812, but it also celebrates the long- lasting peace between Britain, Canada, and the U.S. DAYTON AVIATION HERITAGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK Dayton’s contribution to aviation history is well known. This park celebrates three exceptional Dayton inventors: Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. The park also commemorates their work in the Miami Valley.
This list is not exhaustive by any means, but it’s a good start to get your family to create new ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You might even create family traditions that will last for years to come.
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