From Longhorns to Legos: Kid-Friendly Fun in Belmont Co.

Summer provides us with more hours of daylight and beautiful weather. Bring the kids to Belmont County for fun from dawn to dusk at these 7 activities the whole family will enjoy.

1. Dickinson Cattle Co./Longhorn Head to Tail Tours,35000 Muskrat Rd., one mile south and 1.2 miles west of I-70, Exit 202. Four miles North of Barnesville, Ohio.

Your family’s adventure will be as big as the open, rolling pastures and the horns of the Longhorn cattle at this family-owned working ranch where you can get a close-up look at Texas Longhorns, Watusi, and BueLingo cattle herds. Ride a colorful bus through the pastures on this 75-minute interpretive tour. Hand out special cow-candy (for purchase), fish the ponds (extra charge), learn about the history of the ranch and the area, and see exotic and wild birds, and local wildlife. Be sure to stop in the Heads to Tails store for souvenirs and Longhorn beef for purchase. Photos and videos are welcomed and encouraged. Reservations are required for all tours. Open April-October. Visit www.longhorntours.com for ranch and tour information.

Longhorn cattle rest in the sunshine at Dickinson Cattle Co. You can often see them in the field while driving on I-70.

2. Barkcamp State Park, 65330 Barkcamp Road Belmont, Ohio 43718.

At this 1,005 acre park, you can rent a kayak for $10! Camp for the night (or longer) or just spend a day. The picturesque hills and Belmont Lake are the perfect place to try an array of outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, archery, hunting and horseback riding (if you have a horse, of course). During the winter months you can sled, go snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice boating and fishing. Volleyball and basketball courts, as well as horseshoe pits, can be found at the campground and in day-use areas of the park. The park also has a charming general store, nature center (open during the summer months), planned activities for campers, and an 18-hole miniature golf course. Visit www.parks.ohiodnr.gov/barkcamp or call the park office at 740-484-4064 for more info.

You can rent a kayak at Barkcamp State Park for just $10.

3. Zion Christian Retreat & Nature Center, 334 East High St. Flushing, OH (main office)

Relax, unplug and have fun at Zion Christian Retreat & Nature Center. Zion is open to the public with year round cabin and pavilion rentals. Their nature trail, playground,​ seasonal boat rental, fishing, ​and aqua-zip (by appointment) are also open to the public. Wagon (hay) rides are also available by appointment. Visit www.zionchristianretreat.org for more info.

Fishing at Zion Christian Retreat & Nature Center in Flushing.

4. Adventure Creek, LLC , 46426 Crabapple Rd., St. Clairsville, OH 43950

Adventure Creek offers zip lining and a ropes challenge course. The tours will take approximately three hours to complete. The canopy challenge consists of different courses with various difficulty levels to accommodate your friends and family. It also includes spectacular zip lines going over ponds, creeks, and tree canopies. The course accommodates anybody from 60 lbs to 260 lbs. A waiver must be signed by the participant or the responsible party if children are under 18 years old. The season runs late April through late October. Hours are Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – dark. Gift certificates are available. Phone: 740-310-7277 call for reservations or visit www.ropetrekking.com

Challenge yourself at Adventure Creek’s ropes courses and zip lining.

5. Tilt Studio (Ohio Valley Mall, 67800 Mall Ring Rd., St. Clairsville, OH)

Have “fun at full blast” at this indoor family entertainment center featuring over 100 arcade and video games, two-level laser tag, black light golf, mini bowling, bobsled, restaurant, and party rooms. Events, gift cards, and specials available. Visit www.tiltstudio.com/locations/st-clairsville-oh for more information.

TILT Studio in the Ohio Valley Mall offers indoor fun.

6. Escape Zone, 2011 Belmont St., Bellaire, OH 43906

At this escape room experience you are “locked” in a room with up to nine other participants, and must use the elements of the room to escape. You only have 60 minutes to complete your task of searching for clues and solving puzzles. Teamwork is essential for your success! Participants under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Cost is $20-$25 per person. Gift vouchers are available. Visit www.escapezoneohio.com or call (740) 232-4544 for more information.

Escape Zone in Bellaire, Ohio.

7. Bellaire Toy and Plastic Brick Museum, 4597 Noble St., Bellaire, OH, 43906 www.brickmuseum.net Open May -Oct., Tuesday-Sunday, 10-5. Call 740-671-8890.

The three-story “unofficial” Lego Museum has the largest, private collection of Lego toys. Over 4 million bricks have been used to create three dimensional mosaics that turn a simple child’s toy into works of art. New pieces are added each year.

The Bellaire Toy and Plastic Brick Museum contains three floors of creations.