Indoor Adventures: Turn Cabin Fever into Family Fun

Get a little competitive at one of LivCo’s indoor fun or sports centers. While Minnehan’s Fun Center, in Lakeville, is a favorite during the summer months, it’s just as beloved by locals in the winter as well, when you can head inside and enjoy classic arcade games like Skee-Ball and air hockey, as well as video games, a bounce house, and giant ball pit. Your elementary-age kiddos will love the variety and you may just find that the colorful, lively environment helps you channel your inner kiddo, too.

If you have children that are a little bit older, consider upping the ante with a trip to HD Sports Zone, in Dansville, where you can hang out and enjoy the ultimate indoor golf experience in a VIP lounge.

You don’t have to get out on the ice yourself to appreciate those who can. Take the entire family, regardless of age, to an Ice Knights hockey game at the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena at SUNY Geneseo. You’ll quickly see why nearly everyone you meet in LivCo is a hockey fan, as the excitement fills the stands and cheers fill the air. This is an incredibly budget-friendly activity, too, with tickets going for under $10. That’s something any parent can be happy about!

Was your little tumbler inspired by the recent Olympics to pursue a future as a gymnast? Take them to an open gym session at Dansville Gymnastics. These hour-long sessions are open to everyone ages 5 and up and are led by a qualified instructor. 

For slightly older children, Sunrise Bouldering in Geneseo is a good pick for trying something new. This is not your average rock-climbing gym. Bouldering doesn’t use ropes or harnesses and usually features shorter, trickier climbing walls that will challenge you both mentally and physically. It’s a fun exercise that offers an excellent bonding opportunity! (Pro tip: After you and your preteen or teen have conquered bouldering, conquer a burrito next door at Cosmic Charlie Café!)

Looking for a unique souvenir to take home? Why not make one? Hands-on arts experiences throughout LivCo give you and your family a fun activity, plus a meaningful memento that your child can keep for themselves or give to a loved one back home. At the Adventures & Art: Center for Creativity in Caledonia all ages can join in on the fun, with arts and crafts workshops that range from creative play sessions for children as young as 2, to more advanced workshops for those up to 12 years of age.

Plan a visit to Studio Sales Pottery in Avon where you can book one of the studio’s classes during which you’ll learn about the ceramics process and how it relates to LivCo’s history, as well as get a chance to use the potter’s wheel. Similar private classes are available with a focus on clay.

For the older creatives in your crew, sign up for a class at Ironwood Studios where hands-on welding workshops for women are the name of the game. Workshops are open to everyone who identifies as a woman, trans, queer or non-binary, with other classes for families and couples.

SUNY Geneseo hosts tons of events open to the public that make for a fun evening outing. Check out the college’s calendar for their annual Cultural Club Dinners hosted by the college’s many diverse clubs and organizations including the Black Student Union, Caribbean Student Association, Chinese Culture Club, Latinx Student Association, Pride Alliance, and Shakti. The clubs come together to host dinners featuring dances, skits, presentations, and unique dishes. Bring the whole family and enjoy an evening on campus.

LivCo is home to a plethora of family-friendly museums where you can while away the day with hands-on learning opportunities for all ages. In Geneseo, the Livingston County Historical Society & Museum hosts a free museum that’s suitable for school-age children. You’ll learn about 200 years of Livingston County history as you explore the museum’s multiple buildings, including an 1838 cobblestone schoolhouse and a former fire cart building, circa 1890s. Exhibits touch on the region’s historic communities, salt mining heritage, and farm-to-table focus. 

Similarly, the Big Springs Museum in Caledonia will teach visitors about the region’s agricultural history and historically important populations, such as the region’s African American and Native American communities. The museum also takes a look at the local New York State Fish Hatchery, founded by Seth Green and known as the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. If your kids don’t have the attention span for historical artifacts pertaining to husbandry and industry, you may want to introduce them to some high-flying artifacts. At the National Warplane Museum, in Geneseo, you can check out fleets of aircraft, dating back to the earliest days of air travel.

No matter your age, bowling is a game that everyone can love. Luckily, you have plenty of lanes to pick from in LivCo. Livingston Lanes in Geneseo is a classic family bowling alley with per-hour pricing and shoe rentals. If you’re traveling on a budget, go on a Tuesday, when you can get games for as little as $3. Stick around for lunch or dinner, when you’ll find classic pub fare like pizza and quesadillas that are sure to appeal to your picky eaters.

Similarly, Mt. Morris Lanes offers affordable bowling and affordable dining, with kids meals going for $4.99. Have older kids who like to stay up a little later? Late-night bowling is a can’t-miss. Finally, take your bowling with a little side of history. Raider Lanes in Caledonia sits in an 1893 structure, but the bowling experience is hardly outdated. Enjoy a delicious menu with homemade pizza, glow-in-the-dark bowling and live music.