Fun Indoor Options For Kids In Royal Oak This Weekend

The freezing temperatures closed Troy schools for parts of the week, leaving many parents in search of indoor activities for their little ones. This weekend will be just as frigid, so here's a list of fun inside places to help your family stay active and engaged while avoiding the brutal temperatures outside.

John Lindell Ice Arena
1403 Lexington Blvd.
Icy temps outside aren’t a lot of fun, but ice skating indoors sure is! Saturdays and Sundays from 3:45 to 5:35 pm, the John Lindell Ice Arena hosts open skates. Skaters over age 6 are $5, kids under 5 get in for a mere $3. Skate rental is $3. There are also evening skate hours for the older kids and grownups, SK8 Jamz takes place Saturdays from 8:30 pm - 10:20 pm includes a DJ and skate rental in your $10 admission price.

Royal Oak Farmers Market
316 East 11 Mile Road
While the farmers market is always a safe bet, Saturday, Jan, 6, they’ll be hosting the 2018 New Year, New You Wellness Expo from 8:00 am til 1:00 pm. The event is super family-friendly, and will include live music, concessions, kids activities and even free massage - something any parent needs after two snow days with the little ones. The expo runs alongside the weekly Saturday morning Royal Oak Farmers Market, also indoors. General admission and parking are free, both for the expo and the market.

Creative Arts Studio
114 West 4th Street
This art space specializes in classes and drop-in activities for kids and adults. They offer pottery painting, mosaic making, glass fusing, wax hands and spin art. Prices range quite a bit, depending on the project you choose, and whether or not you’d like to take the art home with you. Creative Arts Studios also offers projects by appointment and classes, so you and your children can learn to throw pots on a wheel or get really serious with mosaics and glass this frosty winter.

Astoria Pastry Shop
320 South Main
After you’ve skated, painted ceramics or spent serious quality time at the farmers market, stopping in at Astoria can’t miss. If you’ve ever heard the expression “like a kid in a candy store,” you have a pretty good idea of the way little ones’ faces will light up when they see all the treats arrayed in Astoria’s glass pastry cases. Stop in for cocoa and a cinnamon roll. If your kiddo has gluten or dairy issues, no worries - the macaroons (traditional coconut variety, not to be confused with French macarons) are dairy and gluten free, and delicious. Start a family tradition and take home a little white box tied with red-and-white bakery string.