With the Iowa Caucuses concluded, the 2016 presidential election is now officially in full swing as candidates duke it out in a series of state contests across the country over the next few months in hopes of being his or hers party nominee on the November 8th Election Day ballot when voters ultimately determine the next President of the United States. For those folks who may become irked by the barrage of television ads, telemarketing calls, and direct mail that sweeps through communities during the campaign season or stressed out by knowing that one of these candidates, probably the one you find the most ridiculous, offensive or obnoxious, could very well be the next leader of the free world, USA TODAY is providing a way for voters to unwind and relieve their stress. Color your anxiety and stress away with USA TODAY's free presidential election themed coloring book "Shades of the Campaign."
This 14 page coloring book can be downloaded at no charge from the USA TODAY website at your leisure. Color portraits of Democratic and Republican front-runners Clinton, Sanders, Trump, Cruz, and Rubio. Shade in a map of the country predicting which states will be declared Red or Blue on election night. Decorate images of political operatives sporting donkey and elephant campaign buttons on their lapels. Or just engage in some silliness coloring an Uncle Sam poster or image of a jackass boxing against a pachyderm. There are a couple of non-political sheets promoting voting filled with patterns for people to decorate included in the coloring book as well.
USA TODAY's Shades of the Campaign coloring book can be used as a civics lesson to spur a discussion with children about the presidential elections and American democracy. It is also detailed enough to fall within the trend of adult coloring books that have emerged as today's hot pop culture sensation. Adult coloring books aren't just the newest entertainment fad, health care professionals are encouraging this new trend noting that for
adults taking some time out to color can reduce stress, spark
creativity, maintain fine motor skills, help keep your mind sharp, and
can be just plain fun to do. Ever wonder what reporters are doing while they are waiting around for candidates to take the stage at debates or arrive at public appearances on the campaign trail? I bet they are coloring!
So the next time you read or hear a presidential candidate stating something your sensibilities find particularly obnoxious lower your blood pressure and put a smile back on your face by grabbing some crayons or colored pencils and a copy of USA TODAY's Shades of the Campaign coloring book. CLICK HERE to download and print out one for yourself for free.
We always make a special effort a few times per year to take a road trip with our kids to visit the TOLEDO ZOO because it really is a great park and a nice change of pace with different exhibits and animals on display to enjoy from our own local Detroit Zoo which with our annual membership itself is a pretty frequent destination for our family. So it really wasn't that much of a surprise when we heard that this Midwestern factory town's zoo was named by USA TODAY as the "Best Zoo in the USA" and "one of the top 10 zoos in the U.S." by Family Fun Magazine. The Toledo Zoo is home to more than 9,000 animals representing over 800 species. It also just completed a new 178,000 gallon aquarium so that a visit to the zoo not only lets you observe land animals but also takes you under the sea.
Because the Detroit Zoo is just a few minute drive from our house we've become pretty accustomed to that place so making a trip to the Toledo Zoo is always a special treat to check out new things. My kids favorite three features of the Toledo Zoo ( the hippoquarium, elephant exhibit & salt water aquarium) aren't available to see at our local zoo making the experience out of the ordinary and extra special for them. These exhibits really provide a close up views of these creatures allowing for some extraordinary experiences.
The Hippoquarium
Visitors to this exhibit are treated to a view of the underwater world of Nile hippopotamus. This 360,000 gallon pool has a filter system that cleans 8,000 gallons of water every 90 minutes to help provide a clear closeup view of the hippos as they lounge and wander about underwater. My kids always are thrilled when they have an up close encounter with these humongous creatures.
Elephants of the Savanna
Speaking of larger creatures, right next door to the hippoquarium is the elephant enclosure. Whenever my daughter brings up a trip to the Toledo Zoo the first thing she references is wanting to go see the elephants. The Toledo Zoo enlarged and renovated this exhibit in 2012 providing for expanded viewing areas for people and more stimuli for the African elephants that call it home including elevated feeders, enrichment walls and trees that creating a dynamic space for the animals.
The Hippoquarium and Elephants of the Savanna exhibits are part of a larger themed African Safari themed display area called the Tembo Trail. As you venture along the Tembo Trail in addition to elephants and hippos, you'll also encounter lions, white rhinoceros, spotted-necked otters, slender-snouted crocodiles, naked mole rats and meerkats.
Aquarium
After a two and half year closure for a $25 million dollar expansion and renovations just re-opened in the Spring of 2015. This
exhibit has transformed a 46,000 gallon aquarium that had mostly
displayed local freshwater varieties of fish into a 178,000 immersive
underwater experience where people can view more than 3,000 creatures
from a variety of ecosystems around the world.
We took a road trip this summer to the Toledo Zoo just to check out the new aquarium facility and I have to say it really is fin-tastic! CLICK HERE to check out A Geek Daddy's review of the Toledo Zoo's aquarium "Sea-ing the Toledo Zoo Aquarium is Fin-tastic!"
Playgrounds
It just figures though that my kids enjoy playing at the Toledo Zoo almost as much as venturing around observing all the wonderful animals. The zoo has a nice area called Nature's Neighborhood that has a playscape area featuring a kids only tree house to explore, rock walls to climb and a stream to wade in. There is also the Jumpin Junction indoor workshop area that has projects to do and presentations to see throughout the day all year long. At Jumpin Junction kids can see themselves on a large TV screen with backgrounds from the natural world behind them or they can play around with animal costumes and puppets for a fun experience.
During the warmer months there also are daily performances at 2 pm each day featuring Toledo Zoo animals at the outdoor Fisher-Price Discover Stage for families to enjoy or you can pet African pygmy goats in Nature Neighborhood's Goat Yard.
As part of the aquarium renovation, the Toledo Zoo also just installed a great aquatic splash pad play area directly behind that facility that also includes oceanic themed play structures like a giant crab holding a tire swing in its pinchers.
A few other highlights of trip to the Toledo Zoo include taking a train ride around Africa! which circles a field filled with zebras, giraffe, wilderbeest, ostrich, and wild dogs; trekking through the Arctic Encounter to view polar bears and seals; meandering through the Primate Forest filled with lemurs, monkeys, and red pandas; and a walk through the reptile house which features a giant saltwater croc. CLICK HERE for a map with a full layout of the zoo.
Of course we can't head home for the day until we've taken a ride on the old fashion carousel situated by the park's main entrance.
If you happen to be visiting the area the Toledo Zoo has a nice Out-of-town Visitor Guide on its website to help with planning a trip to the zoo. If you can make it to Toledo, A Geek Daddy recommends that a visit to their zoo is well worth it. You'll always discover something that will put a smile on your at the Toledo Zoo!
