Winter is cold, but this year, instead of clutching onto blankets like your life depends on it, check out some cool things to do to have some fun in Cleveland.

Eighth-grade social studies teacher Ms. Strietman has a few ways to forget about the freezing temperatures, one of them being coffee and another being a big, snuggly puppy. She also stated that when she was a kid, she used to go sledding a lot and would have snowball fights with her sister.  But if you prefer to stay inside? Last year, according to cleveland.com, in February, the average temperature was 5.2°, the coldest in history.

Make the most of a chilly Cleveland winter with some fun activities. You can ride the Polar Express, ice skate, or even take a visit to the house used to film A Christmas Story. Make this winter better than last year, and the year before that, and even the one before that…

1 – Take a trip to the Christmas Story house!

Want to do something fun but also stay inside? Here is an opportunity! But be careful not to shoot your eye out with a classic Red Rider BB gun! Back in 1983, when the movie A Christmas Story was released, the Red Rider BB gun was in its prime–the Segway Hoverboard of its time. You can see the one used in the movie as well as the pink bunny suit, the leg lamp, and other items from the film.

3159 W 11th St, Cleveland, OH

Friday and Saturday, 10a – 9p

Sunday through Thursday, 10 am – 7 pm

 (216) 298 – 4919

2 – Listen to the bells at the Polar Express!

“Choo! Choo!” In the famous movie, The Polar Express, kids were all alone on a train at night going to see Santa. They were returned by the train before their parents woke up.

Families can duplicate the experience by riding Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Polar Express. Kids are welcome to wear their pajamas and are served hot chocolate and a cookie, just like in the movie. The train passes by the Peninsula station, decorated to look like the North Pole with volunteers dressed as elves and even live reindeer.

This year’s trains are sold out; but consider it for next year. Tickets go on sale on CVSR’s website each October.

3 – Love chocolate? Head over to Harry London’s Chocolate Factory!

For free, you can take a scheduled tour of the factory and get some samples, too! The tour is about 45 minutes long, full of information and delicious samples of chocolate buckeyes (peanut butter with chocolate) and other bite-size snacks.

5353 Lauby Rd, North Canton, OH

Except Sunday, the factory/ store is open from 9 am – 6 pm.

For information, call (330) 494 – 0833

4 – Go ice skating!

Even though it is involving ice and cold, you can get the family out for some fun.

The Cleveland Foundation Ice Skating Rink at newly-renovated Public Square will be open through the end of February, where you can skate for $10, including skate rental.

Or, the Cleveland Heights Rec Pavilion, which you can find on Mayfield Road, is open all day so you do not need to worry about having to wait for it to open or missing its daily hours.

5. Fly High at Sky Zone Trampoline Park!

For $16 for one hour or two hours for $24, you can enjoy air time by dunking on a basketball hoop, diving into a pit filled with square foam blocks, or dodging balls on the trampoline dodge ball court.  You even get your own Sky Socks, ankle high orange socks with thin rubber on the bottom to provide grip on the trampolines.

Many of these activities are cheap, or even free. You should go try some, take the family out, and make this year’s Cleveland winter full of memories!