Oh, ho, ho, ho – it’s our favorite time of year! Christmas is upon us, and we could not be more excited to hear of the incredible holiday memories your family will soon make. To help you get into the spirit of the season, our Children’s Discovery Center childcare staff has collected this holly jolly list of Toledo-area holiday activities to share with your preschooler during this special time.

Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo, 

Dec. 1, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

Light up the night alongside your favorite furry, scaled and feathered friends at Toledo Zoo’s “Lights Before Christmas” extravaganza! This annual event is a “wild” spin on a classic holiday lights event, featuring more than 200 illuminated animal displays made of over 1 million lights. 

Learn more about this event at toledozoo.org/lights.

Nativity Festival at St. Paul’s Luther Church by HeArt Gallery

Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays through Dec. 18, 2022

Explore the beauty and the reason for the season in this nativity art gallery. HeArt Gallery’s “Nativity Festival” is hosted at St. Paul’s Luther Church and features 300+ creches, decorated trees, a kid space and a holiday market for the family to explore.

Visit heartgalleryandstudios.com to learn more about this year’s festival.

Ornament Decorating at Mott Branch Library

Dec. 15, 2022

Create a keepsake (and memories) that you and your child will always cherish at Mott Branch Library’s ornament decorating event. This crafting event is perfect for children of all ages and features sessions for youth (0-17) and teens (11-17) groups.

Learn more about this event at toledo.libnet.info.

Annual Drive Through Nativity at All Saints Lutheran Church

Dec. 17 & 18, 2022

Experience the magic of the Nativity story from the warmth and comfort of your car. All Saints Lutheran Church’s annual “Live Drive Through Nativity” event is free and open to the public, with visitors encouraged to make free-will offerings of a non-perishable food item to Epiphany Lutheran Church’s Feed Your Neighbor food pantry.

Learn more about this event at visittoledo.org/events/annual-drive-thru-nativity.

Lucas County Holiday Light Show at Lucas County Fair Grounds

Dec. 1-31, 2022

Bundle up with friends and family, pack your favorite snacks, and get ready to set off on a holiday-light adventure! The Lucas County Holiday Light Show is back for its second season and promises to dazzle guests with its larger-than-life drive-through light show.

Visit www.holidaylightshow.com/lucascounty to purchase tickets.

At CDC, family fun is a year-long event.

With more than 40 years of service, Children’s Discovery Center is proud to support Toledo’s families. Contact us today to learn more about our Reggio Emilia philosophy and childcare programs, and schedule a visit to our state-of-the-art discovery centers.