Have you and your children ever started a Chol Hamoed morning with the question, “Where should we go?” and ended up still debating the issue at three o’clock in the afternoon? Where to go is the universal question for families with children. I do not have young children anymore, so it is not my dilemma, but it was interesting to gather ideas for young families or grandchildren interested in trips.
I have not been to most of these
places, so I can’t vouch for them, but seeing the ideas may ring a bell and
remind you of places you enjoyed in the past. I’ll start by mentioning some
businesses that advertise with us specifically to attract the Chol Hamoed trip
goers.
Go-Karting
is great fun
especially for children who are too young to drive. There is a go kart track
near Gunpowder State Park and White Marsh Mall. Perhaps a picnic in the park
can be combined with the go-karting. The phone number is 410-335-6393 and the
address is 10907 Pulaski Highway.
Climb
Zone is a great
place for adults and children who like a lot of physical activity. Even for
those who have no desire to climb a wall, it is exciting to watch others climb
to the top and then swing down. They have huge climbing walls with different
designs and degrees of difficulty. Very young children will probably be too
intimidated to try climbing, but they have a nice climbing area that appeals to
young children. Their phone number is 301-708-2700, and their address is 13200
Mid Atlantic Blvd. Laurel, MD.
Fire
Museum of Maryland: What little child does not love fire engines? A trip
to the Fire Museum will probably appeal to most young children. They are not
open every day but are opening on Chol Hamoed to accommodate our community on
Wednesday, April 16th from 10:00 to 4:00. They have a Kids Discovery
room with lots of fun fireman coats, helmets, and boots, and a real fire engine
to explore – everything a child-size firefighter would need. Their phone number
is 410-321-7500 and their address is 1301 R. York Road, Lutherville, MD.
The following ideas were given to
me by Fallon Saposnik. Fallon runs a WhatsApp group called Camp Mommy which is
all about kid and family-friendly activities. You can reach Fallon at fallon144@gmail.com. Join her Camp Mommy
group: Camp Mommy: your go-to for family fun ideas: https://bit.ly/3Vmo5o1
Blandair
Park is
a large park about 30 minutes away. Built a few years ago, it has
biking and walking paths, sports fields, and a large playground with areas for
different ages, as well as covered tables and restrooms. Look for the “North
Area.”
Delaware
Museum of Nature and Science: Just
under 90 minutes away, this small museum has a lot to offer. If you have a Maryland
Science Center membership, you will get in for free! You could pair it
with the nearby Brandywine Zoo to
make it a full-day trip.
The Benjamin Franklin Museum is a fantastic science museum
in Philadelphia and is appropriate for many ages. Maryland Science Center
membership and/or a teacher ID will get you in for free. I remember going
to the Benjamin Franklin Institute as a child when I lived in Philadelphia. I believe
they still have the huge model of a heart that you can walk through and hear
the heart beating.
Philadelphia
or DC Hop-On: These
bus tours take you all around the city. You can get off at any stop that
interests you and then get back on when the next bus comes around. It’s a
great way to see many exciting sights of the city without having to worry about
driving and parking! Check Groupon and Certifikid for a deal!
The
Spy Museum is another D.C. option for mystery
enthusiasts. Learn all about different missions and trade secrets! Buying
tickets ahead of time is recommended.
Lego
Discovery Center is
an hour and 10 minutes away in Springfield, Virginia. With rides and a myriad
creative activities, it is a delight to children and adults.
Crayola
Factory in
Easton, Pennsylvania is a really fun place. Recommended for age 10 and under,
there is so much to do and so much to create. It’s about three hours away, so
an overnight stay in one of the many nearby hotels is an option.
Hyperkidz indoor playgrounds in Owings Mills
or Columbia (the larger of the two) are fun for babies through age 11. I have
been there with my grandchildren, and it is always filled with very happy and
excited children and relaxed looking parents.
American
Dream Mall deserves
an article in itself. It is near New York City, off I-95 in East Rutherford,
New Jersey, so you’ll be driving for a while. The American Dream Mall has more
activities than a family can do in one day. Some of them are free, and some
require payment. They include a theme park with rides, a Ferris wheel, an
aquarium, Legoland (where you can build to your heart’s content), an ice
skating rink, and a Bubble Planet. There is also a water park with separate
hours for women and men during Chol Hamoed. The Mall has many kosher food
establishments, although I am not sure if they will be open on Pesach.
I hope you find these ideas useful.
Enjoy your Chol Hamoed trip!
