Candy Land Goes Wild, Nature-Style, At Penitentiary Glen

MENTOR, OH -- Northeast Ohio’s “wildest” holiday tradition -- Candy Land has gone WILD! -- will thrill guests throughout December. The Candy Land interactive exhibit is an indoor, life-sized game board; set up like the iconic board game CANDY LAND, but with a “natural twist.” As visitors draw cards, they become the game piece and move along the game board from space to space. As they play along, their travels take them through a beautifully-decorated wonderland where they can discover the many natural wonders that nature provides throughout the year. The exhibit opens at noon each day at Penitentiary Glen Reservation, located at 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094.

Along with the game, children will also enjoy scavenger hunts, crafts and working on seasonal activity pages. It’s wild fun for the whole family.

Reminisce through vintage holidays and see Mr. Jingeling memorabilia from the Halle Department Store era. (The property and Nature Center building were once part of the Halle family estate.)

Take an adventurous walk through the park on snowshoes (rentals available through the season with at least 4” of snow and as weather permits).

Join us for special, free activities on weekends during Candy Land has gone Wild

• Saturday Campfire with s’mores (1:00-3:00 pm) – Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
• Saturday Animal chats (1:00 and 3:00 pm) – Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
• Sunday Wildlife Keeper chats (1:30 and 2:30 pm) – Dec. 3, 10, and 17.

Free to all and all ages welcome. The event is closed Christmas Day, and will open from noon to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve.

Click here to learn how to volunteer at this event and help make memories!