Fun and Free Family Activities in Dayton, Ohio

Going out with your family can quickly become a costly affair. With the price of gas on the rise as well as paying for parking and admission you may feel like you'd rather stay home. You can put your fears to rest. Here are a few local family and budget friendly activities:

The Dayton Art Institute is a beautiful art museum located just outside of downtown Dayton. There is a large permanent collection that you can explore free of charge. The museum hosts traveling exhibits often that you may view for an additional fee. There is a large children's area on the lower level. The space, called the Experiencenter, helps children to get a better understanding of the exhibits in the museum. There are also gallery hunts and events to engage children's interest in art. In fact, Child magazine named the Dayton Art Institute in The 10 Best Art Museums for Kids. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am - 4:00pm with extended hours on Thursdays. Free parking is available on-site. Please visit www.daytonartinstitute.org to learn more about the Dayton Art Institute.

The Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark has a collection of five gardens, with the latest addition being the Children's Discovery Garden. The Children's Discovery Garden features eleven themed areas including a musical maze, a stream leading to a pond, the sensory garden, a large sandbox and a playhouse. After enjoying all the fun offered there, you can stroll through the other gardens in the park. Don't forget the boardwalk through the swamp! The Garden is open from 10:00am - 8:00pm April 1 - October 31 and 10:00am - 4:00pm November 1 - March 31. Admission and parking are free.