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This was posted originally in July 2013.
If you’ve missed any of my previous Frugal Summer Fun posts be sure to click below and check them out!
Frugal Summer Fun Idea: Kids Summer Movie Program
Frugal Summer Fun Idea: Summer Reading Program at the Library
Frugal Summer Fun Idea: Visit the City Pool
Frugal Summer Fun Idea: Kid activites to do a home
Frugal and Summer Fun in Northeast Ohio
Frugal Summer Fun: Visit the Drive-In Theater
Frugal Summer Fun: Visit Your Local Metro Parks
Since our family is all about frugal fun we regularly visit different Lorain County Metro Parks for FREE activities. Recently our family visited the Miller Nature Preserve in Avon, Ohio. If you haven’t visited here yet, you’ll definitely want to put it on your to-do list! Keep in mind that even if you aren’t local there are many parks to check out in your own area. Look below for some links to area park systems.
Miller Nature Preserve is located on Route 83 in Avon, Ohio. This beautiful Metro Park is nestled on 78 acres of wooded land and includes a visitor center with a café, a gift shop and a demonstration kitchen for cooking classes and a 5,000 square foot conservatory (the first in Lorain County). There is also a seasonal FREE Butterfly House that is open through Labor Day, 10 am – 5:30 pm daily.
My friend and I took our kiddos last week and they loved finding all the beautiful butterflies inside. While the house is small, the kids spent about 20 minutes searching for the butterflies that were pictured on the handy chart that is located at the entrance. We even spotted a cocoon.
At the Miller Nature Preserve you may also want to check out the Conservatory. This area is much larger than the butterfly house and displays various plant specimens from all over the world. Within this exhibit you’ll find orchids, bromeliads, ferns, bonsai, desert plants, palms and cycads, and other tropical plants. This area is open 10am – 6pm daily. While there is a small cost of have a small cost of $2 per person, children under a certain height are FREE!
While at the any Metro Parks be sure to bring along a lunch or snack and have a picnic! All Metro Parks offer picnic tables or eating areas where eating lunch will top off your perfect afternoon. If you’re game, you also may want to try one of the many hiking trails offered where you and your family can explore. Make a game of it and try to spot different leaves, birds or flowers along the way. Not only is it great exercise but it also can be a learning experience…shhh don’t tell them.
With FREE programs offered all year round, your local Metro Parks is something to check out regularly throughout the year. To see all that the Metro Parks can offer you and your family check out the websites below:
