5 ways to get your house guests out of the house during the holidays

Electric go-carts zip around the track at Scene75, a perfect destination for indoor family fun. TY GREENLEES/STAFF

Electric go-carts zip around the track at Scene75, a perfect destination for indoor family fun. TY GREENLEES/STAFF
Arts & Entertainment
By Michelle Fong
Dec 27, 2018
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Sometimes during the holidays, you have a house full of people. We know you love them, but sometimes there can be a little too much togetherness.

If it’s time to get people off the couch and out doing something, here are five ways to entertain your relatives:

1. FRIENDLY COMPETITION WITH THE FAM

How about an epic game of laser tag with your favorite relatives? Figure out who earns the crown of king or queen of mini-golf or mini-bowling? Maybe you just want to let the kiddos bounce off some energy someplace more suitable than your beds on inflatable slides, obstacle courses and more? Or maybe you want to let the kids spend some of that holiday cash on arcade games?

Scene75 entertainment center is a one-stop destination for gaming and indoor fun, from go karts, to spinning bumpers, to indoor mini-golf, mini-bowling, inflatable slides, courses, laser tag and arcade games. Restaurant and snack bars on site.

WHERE: Scene75, 6196 Poe Ave., Dayton

MORE INFO: Website  | (937) 619-3200

Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Washington Twp. can help your kids unleash some energy. FILE PHOTO

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2. BOUNCE OFF SOME ENERGY

They don't have to bounce off your walls. At SkyZone, literally bouncing off the walls is encouraged. This indoor trampoline park features traditional trampolines, dodge ball arenas, basketball hoops for dunking and foam pits.

Be sure to fill out the online waiver and pick a jump time in advance.

WHERE: Sky Zone Dayton, 976 Senate Drive, Washington Twp.

COST: 30-minute jump, $13; 60-minute jump, $17; 90-minute jump, $21; 120-minute jump, $24

MORE INFO: Website | 937-396-6600

Zombie Dogz on Brown Street in Dayton.

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

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Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

3. DEVOUR DAYTON FOOD, DRINK

It’s the holidays, so why stop eating now? Dayton is famous for some of its signature dishes. Square-cut pizza like you find at Marion’s and Cassano’s, for one. Take your relatives out to enjoy some of Dayton’s more classic dining destinations like the Pine Club or the Oakwood Club or the new generation of must-try foods from Zombie Dogz, to Corner Kitchen, to Lily’s Bistro, to Salar, to Wheat Penny, to Old Scratch.

>> RELATED: 7 foods that scream Dayton

Explore>> RELATED: Home for the holidays? 10 Dayton must-haves

If this is a grown-up outing, a visit to some of Dayton's most famous craft breweries is simply a must. 

>> RELATED: Best new Dayton ‘gems’ to show your holiday guests

Inside the U.S. Air Force Museum.

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4. VISIT ONE OF DAYTON’S BEST MUSEUMS

One of the best ways to explore Dayton's aviation history, whether you're a kid or a grown-up, is none other that at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Dayton is home to the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. It's fun, and it will make you smarter. While you're there, see some bad-ass planes, pretend you're a pilot in a flight simulator or check out a film in the IMAX theater.

WHERE: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson AFB

HOURS: Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

COST: Free admission and parking

MORE INFO: Website | (937) 255-3286

Ohio’s largest tree of lights, 200 feet tall, is now lighting up the night sky at Carillon Historical Park in Dayton. The holiday fun continues with a month-long celebration filled with holiday-themed activities at the park. TODD JACKSON/STAFF

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5. SEE A HOLIDAY LIGHTS DISPLAY

In case you were too busy to make it out to one of Dayton’s best holiday displays before Christmas, you still have time, weather permitting. Here are two of the very best for you to still enjoy:

Clifton Mill: The legendary light show – complete with 4 million lights – takes three months to set up but the result is nothing short of breathtaking as the historic mill transforms from complete darkness to a colorful, twinkling holiday wonderland with the flip of a switch. This display has gotten a ton of national attention this year as the winner of $50,000 on ABC's "The Great Light Fight" and runner-up in USA Today's best Christmas light displays contest. The display continues nightly through Dec. 31. (closes at 8 p.m. New Year's Eve). Admission is $10 for ages 7 and up (6 and younger are free).

Info: Website.

Carillon Christmas: Dayton's newest holiday tradition is at Carillon Historical Park with Christmas lights aplenty and the dazzling Carillon Tree of Light. Live holiday music, historical craft demonstrations, traditional holiday fare and visits with Santa are just part of the fun. The little ones won't want to miss taking a spin on the Carousel of Dayton Innovation, riding the Midnight Express train rides (weather permitting) or watching a puppet show. Round out the night with a gingerbread cookie and hot cocoa. Open nightly this week through Dec. 30 from 5-10 p.m. The cost is: $10 per adult (ages 18-59), $9 per senior (ages 60+), $7 per child (ages 3-17) and free to children under 3 and Dayton History members.

Info: Website

Explore>> RELATED: The BEST places to see holiday lights

About the Author

Michelle Fong