EDITOR’S NOTE: This story came from a question submitted via our Open Source tool, which allows readers to ask a question or suggest a story.
MANSFIELD – When I was a kid, my grandmother used to tell me that only boring people get bored. It was her mother’s old adage, which she used on me whenever I complained that there was nothing to do.
I hated it.
Boredom seems to plague every generation. Otherwise, my great-grandmother wouldn’t have had a quick-witted reply to it.
One of our readers appears to be struggling with boredom. A submission to our Open Source platform read as follows:
“Will anyone bring back a skating rink or Chuck E. Cheese? Somewhere fun to take our children? There’s literally nothing fun to do out here with your children anymore.”
There’s nothing to do – it’s a complaint we hear a lot in Mansfield. I get your frustration, reader. I don’t have kids of my own, but I do volunteer with the Mid Ohio Youth Mentoring program, so I’m constantly looking for kid-friendly activities in the area.
Many of Richland County’s best attractions are its parks and nature spaces, which means finding things to do can be more of a challenge in the winter.
But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. I’d argue that there are things to do in Mansfield. They just aren’t the same things that existed 15 or 20 years ago. We can lament that some of our favorite institutions are gone, or we can embrace what’s here now.
Frankly, there’s a lot. Maybe not as much as a larger metropolis would offer, but I’d venture to say most people can find something to do if they look hard enough.
So what is there to do in Mansfield-slash-Richland County at large?
I’ve compiled a list below. There are no arcades serving mediocre pizza on this list, but hopefully you can find something you and your family can enjoy.
Remember – only boring people get bored.
Indoor adventures
Altitude Trampoline Park is the perfect way to burn off some energy and feel like a kid again. The facility features foam pits, a rock climbing wall, basketball hoops, dodgeball courts, battle-beams, arcade games and of course, tons of trampolines.
Art lovers can check out the latest masterpieces on display at The Mansfield Art Center.
Richland Carrousel Park — no explanation needed. This place is a Richland County classic. Rides are just $1 per person (or get six rides for $5, or 50 for $35. You don’t have to use your tickets the same day you buy them.)
Little Buckeye Children’s Museum is a not-so-hidden-gem in the heart of downtown. Children can learn through play with nearly 40 interactive exhibits. The museum is designed for children between ages 2 and 10. Frequent visitors may benefit from a membership.
Go bowling at Lex Lanes or indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golfing at Glo-In-One.
Channel your inner Viking with some axe throwing at Axe Social Lounge. Please note that each child must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian and there must be a responsible adult with the child during the entire session. There is also a maximum of three children allowed with each responsible adult.
See a movie at Cinemark movie theater in Ontario.
How about a game night? There’s lots of local retailers who can help you pick out a new board or card game including Post Board Gaming, The Realm Games or Heroes Haven Games Collectibles. If you’d rather try it before you buy it, area residents can also check out a board game from the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library.
Check out a collectibles store like Toy Hunters or Operation Fandom for vintage and modern collectibles, toys and comics.
History lovers have plenty of options, including the the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum, the Ohio State Reformatory, Oak Hill Cottage, the Mansfield Fire Museum, Richland County Museum, Mansfield Memorial Museum, Shelby Museum of History (by appointment only during the winter), Crestline Ohio Historical Society museum or the Bellville Jefferson Township Historical Society.
For a more unique museum experience, check out BibleWalk, which depicts over 100 scenes from the Bible with life-size wax figures.
Or head over to SMILE The Selfie Spot to capture some social media-worthy shots.
Get fit at the YMCA. The Mansfield Y also offers swim lessons, youth sports leagues, racquetball, swimming, rock climbing and scuba lessons (by appointment). The Shelby Y offers swimming, youth sports, karate, scuba and more.
The Friendly House also has a seasonal basketball league, swim lessons, open swim hours and family swim hours during the summer. Call 419-522-0521 for pricing and hours.
Whether you want to be onstage or see a show, there are opportunities available at The Mansfield Playhouse and the Renaissance Theatre.
Head to your local branch of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library and pick out a book, movie or video game to enjoy as a family. Looking for something different? Explore the Library of Things to check out a board game, jigsaw puzzle or a even telescope.
Don’t forget, the library also offers regular programming for children, teens and adults. Each branch also has weekly story time sessions.
Outdoor excursions
If you’re willing to brave Ohio’s chilly winters, there’s plenty of outdoor activities available in Richland County as well.
Snow Trails offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing, with lessons and equipment rentals available onsite.
Bellville has an outdoor ice skating rink, but usability fluctuates based on weather conditions. Drive by or check the Main Street Bellville Facebook page for updates.
Guests are also welcome to hike, sled, snow-shoe, cross country ski or visit the animals at Malabar Farm State Park, weather permitting. Reservoir #3 in Shelby also has cross-country skiing trails.
The Warren Rupp Observatory is open to the public the first Saturday of each month, March through November from 7 to 10 p.m. for stargazing and observatory tours. Bring your own gear or gaze through the Big Blue telescope.
Weather permitting, Richland County has plenty of beautiful parks and hiking/biking trails.
Gorman Nature Center offers scenic hiking and programming throughout the year. The free Oaks & Acorns program takes place outdoors at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. Check the calendar of events for more information. Or hop online to find information on your nearby city or village parks.
Kingwood Center Gardens hosts free weekly story time sessions every Tuesday at 11 a.m. Don’t forget to check out the Storybook Trail, where a new title is displayed for young readers a few times each year.
The Ohio Bird Sanctuary is a one-of-a-kind destination where families can see birds of prey, feed songbirds, hike the trails and take advantage of year-round educational programming. Trained volunteers work with the birds and offer a unique opportunity to see them up close during keeper demonstrations every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.
You can also feed alpacas or take a class at Shady Lane Alpaca Farm.
Last but not least, there is an abundance of seasonal events and annual festivals in Richland County. Check out Destination Mansfield’s event page for more info.
Learn something new
Want to strengthen your bond with your child? Try taking up a new hobby together! There’s lots of great places in Richland County to learn something new.
Richland Academy of the Arts offers children’s dance, music, art, theater and martial arts classes. Applications for tuition assistance are available.
Kids interested in competitive or non-competitive dance have a number of options in Richland County. Drop the Beat Dance Center in Mansfield offers jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tumbling and private dance lessons, according to their Facebook page. Sophistication Dance Company offers jazz, hip-hop, lyrical/contemporary, pom and tumbling courses. Ohio Adrenaline Elite in Lexington offers cheerleading, tumbling and fitness training. Heart of Ohio Athletics in Bellville has gymnastics and tumbling classes for children as young as 14 months old.
More interested in martial arts? Black Belt Pro Fitness, Budokai Martial Arts and Team Chitwood Martial Arts & Fitness all have options for children, teens and adults.
Budding artists might enjoy taking a class or series of classes at the Mansfield Art Center. MAC’s course catalog has offerings geared toward a variety of age levels as well as family art sessions.
Spring fever? We get it.
Once things warm up, don’t forget about the Infield, The Springmill Drive-In Theater, Battle Zone Paint Ball Park, Roselawn Mini Golf, Kelly’s Dairy Bar and Mini Golf, Rock City Cave, the biking and hiking trails, Der Dutchman mini golf and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
