Northeast Ohio Parent | Summer Fun Guide 2024

B 2024 Fun Guide Summer

Sponsored by:

B 2024 Fun Guide Summer

SF-6

SUMMER INDEPENDENCE

Help to encourage kids to learn self-management this summer.

SF-8

94 DAYS OF SUMMER A summer bucket list of travel places in and out of the region.

SF-12

BEACH SAFETY

From sand to surf, everything you need to know to stay safe.

SF-14

NATURE SIGHTS & SOUNDS FOR KIDS

Outdoor learning opportunities with bugs, birds and more!

SF-15

BACKYARD GAMES

Simple, family-friendly ideas for an old-fashioned summer.

SF-16

SUMMER FUN GUIDE LISTINGS

Need a fun place to go? Find plenty of options for all.

PHOTO BY KIM STAHNKE PHOTOGRAPHY

Make a Summer “Yes” Space

With school being out for the summer, parents and kids have to find a new daily routine. While structured activities from camps, play dates and other family programs are an opportunity to keep kids busy, there’s also room to teach kids how to self-manage their time. However, helping to foster independence can be difficult.

By Angela Gartner

The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health asked parents who have children from ages 5-11 about promoting their child’s independence. According to the study, while most want to have their child do things themselves, fewer parents report their children do. Most of the top reasons given were safety concerns, maturity — child isn’t ready — or they might cause trouble. Some parents with children in the 5-8 age group noted kids don’t want to do things for themselves or the task would take too long.

“There are a lot of good reasons for children to be independent. Some of the benefits of promoting independence are an increase in their creativity, problem solving and social skills. If they have siblings, they can improve their teamwork skills as well,” says Dr. Zizzy Bucchieri, pediatrician at the Akron Children’s Beachwood office.

Summer is a great time to plan for unstructured play and help encourage kids to be independent.

“The idea behind unstructured play is that there is not a specific game or activity that has a prescribed way of doing it,” Bucchieri says.

She notes for parents who have infants, their kids can start learning this early by letting them have quiet playtime on a mat while you are in the same room.

“You’re letting them look around and explore and try to reach for a toy,” she says. “As the children get older and they’re toddlers, you can create what we call a “Yes” space. This is a place that does not have sharp edges, or things they could

grab and break or objects they could climb up on and fall. In this space you won’t have say, ‘no, stop, don’t.’ They can touch it, they can put it in their mouth, they can explore it. You can have simple toys, like wooden blocks, dolls and some pretend playthings like a pretend kitchen. You remain in the room with them because they’re toddlers and can’t be left alone but you are not telling them what to do, you are just watching them.”

She notes children of appropriate ages can also help with household chores such as sorting socks or using a sweeper

Bucchieri suggests you teach your children about nutrition and encourage independence by giving them options to fill their own plates with different food groups. They can prepare a salad; they can cut up cucumbers and peppers or make a sandwich like a peanut butter and jelly or a turkey sandwich. A lot of kids also like hummus and veggies.

To facilitate healthy eating, her recommendation is to have bins in the refrigerator with the different food groups where kids can choose one thing from each bin and then that makes for a varied and balanced lunch.

Other times to let kids do it their own way could be when they are getting dressed and in supervised safe play areas.

“For example, in a fenced in backyard they can just explore and play and get dirty. Let them step in the puddles, collect sticks and bugs, leaves and plants — and check everything out,” she says. “It’s not going to be done as you would do it and you have to be willing to let go of perfection and just be happy that they did it.”

“Just go with it sometimes,” she adds. “They may make their lunch and it looks ridiculous, but it has all the food groups. They may get dressed on their own and nothing matches or even fits. If people see your kid in a crazy outfit, they are going to know that you did not pick that outfit. Enjoy your child’s creativity and complement their independent time and you will watch them take more responsibility, make decisions and ultimately grow in confidence.”

— Visit akronchildrens.org and northeastohioparent.com for info.

Days of Summer Season

By Joel Hammond

If your family is like mine, you had the first couple weeks of summer break mapped out. A “yes” day, perhaps, to celebrate another school year completed. Perhaps a longer vacation that’s a family tradition.

What, though, to do when that initial energy for summer break wears off, it’s a random Wednesday in mid to late June and you’ve exhausted all reasonable methods to keep your children occupied for another summer day?

We are here for you. Behold our 94 days of travel list, for 94 days of summer (June 20-Sept. 22): Some are close, while some are further. Some are well known, and we bet some are unknown to even the most knowledgeable Northeast Ohio to-do’ers.

Have an unheralded spot in the area – or extended area – that’s not on the list? Email joel@northeastohioparent.com and we’ll publish your best spots on our website.

1. Lake Erie Nature and Science Center planetarium, Bay Village. Immersive experience provides hands-on learning for finding constellations and identifying planets in the night sky. lensc.org

2. Chatty’s Pizza, Bay Village. Ask a West Sider for their favorite pizza, and this small, family-owned joint will be at the top of many lists. Bring some plates and take it to neighboring Huntington Beach. chattyspizzeria.com

3. Beartown Lakes Reservation, Chagrin Falls. This 149-acre park has three trails totaling 2.8 miles and, one reader says, “isn’t too bad on little legs.” geaugaparkdistrict.org

4. Sweets and Geeks, Medina. Comics, candy, pop culture, puzzles and snacks. sweetsandgeeks.com

5. Mill Creek Park, Youngstown. From Mill Creek MetroParks, Mill Creek Park was created in 1891 by Volney Rogers. Another hidden gem less than an hour away. millcreekmetroparks.org

6. Alien Vacation Mini Golf, Medina. The name says it all, no? They had us at “3D mini golf experience.” alienvacationminigolf.com

7. Paws and Claws Animal Encounters, Bremen. Find the home of Ohio’s first hands-on otter encounters and Painting with Otters! pandcencounters.com

8. b.a. Sweetie Candy Company, Cleveland. If you haven’t been, stop what you’re doing and go. If you have been, stop what you’re doing and go. I’m a sucker for Swedish Fish. sweetiescandy.com

9. Cleveland-Cliffs Bike Park, Cuyahoga Heights. New outdoor complex offers a paved pump track, outdoor competition course, jump line and youth-focused bike playground. clevelandmetroparks.com

10. Memphis Kiddie Park, Cleveland. This staple is the perfect spot to kill a couple hours … but the pavement-packed park gets hot. On really hot days, we suggest an early arrival! memphiskiddiepark.com

11. Majestic Meadows Alpaca Farm, Medina. Highly recommend feeding the goats. majesticmeadowsalpacas.com

12. Terminal Tower Observation Deck, Cleveland. The best view in Cleveland, hands down. 771 feet above the city, and you can see for miles.

13. Solstice Steps, Lakewood. One of the best views of the city (also a great fireworks spot). lakewoodohio.gov

14. Lindsey Family Play Space, Cleveland. Perhaps on the way to or way home from the Solstice Steps, stop at this fantastic playground at Edgewater Park. clevelandmetroparks.com

15. Brewnuts, Cleveland. The hippest donut shop around, choose from house, custom to letter beer-based donuts — though flavors change daily. brewnutscleveland.com

16. Akron RubberDucks/Lake County Captains games. Yes, Progressive Field is bigger, and the players are better, but the parks are smaller, you’re closer to the action and perhaps you’ll catch a Guardian on a rehab assignment. milb.com/akron; milb.com/lake-county

17. Progressive Field tours. Speaking of the big leagues, take your baseball-loving crew on a tour of the big park, with views of the clubhouses and more. cleguardians.com

18. Float the River, Cuyahoga Falls. Arrive in your bathing suit and water-ready shoes (no flip flops) for a float down the stunning Cuyahoga River. (Ages 5+) floattheriver.net

19. Go Ape! ziplining, Strongsville. Whether you’re a pro or a newbie, this zipline and adventure park has something for you. goape.com

20. Color Me Mine, Orange Village. At this paint-your-own-pottery studio at Pinecrest, choose from a wide selection of ceramic items and paint them however you’d like. orangevillage.colormemine.com

21. East Falls Riverwalk, Elyria. We are blessed with several picturesque falls in the area, though this option often gets overshadowed by Chagrin Falls and others.

22. Preston’s H.O.P.E. Playground, Beachwood. Inspired by a courageous young boy born with spinal muscular atrophy, this playground features accessible equipment for children of all abilities, shady spots, a sand area and plenty of room to enjoy lunch with the kids. prestonshope.com

23. African Safari Wildlife Park, Port Clinton. Feed a bison, go nose to nose with a giraffe and meet animals from A (alpacas) to Z (zebras). africansafariwildlifepark.com

24. Camp Fitch, North Springfield, Pa. Just west of Erie, its summer camp provides kids ages 6–17 a place to discover friendship and achievement; family camps also are an option. campfitchymca.org

25. Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Hiking, picnicking, swimming, wildlife viewing, fishing and surfing are all part of the allure just 90 miles away in Erie. dcnr.pa.gov

26. Happy Dog, Cleveland. Don’t want to make dinner? A hot dog – with Froot Loops! – is an easy solution at this Cleveland institution. Maybe a polka band will be playing, for good measure. happydogcleveland.com

27. Swings n Things, Olmsted Falls. Go-karts, mini golf, batting cages, bowling and more. sntfun.com

28. Adventure Play at Jordan Creek State Park, Painesville. A fun venue to develop confidence with physical challenges in a social and interactive natural setting. lakemetroparks.com

29. The Great Geauga County Fair, Burton. We are a sucker for Ohio’s oldest fair, now at 202 years and counting. Aug. 29-Sept. 2. geaugafair.com

30. Feast of the Assumption, Cleveland. You don’t have to be Italian to enjoy the likes of Maxi’s, Corbo’s, Presti’s, Mama Santa’s and more. Come hungry! Aug. 15-18. littleitalycle.com

31. Liberty Ledges, Twinsburg. Several hiking trail options lead you to one of the coolest caves around. Kids of all ages can manage these trails. summitmetroparks.com

32. Baseball Heritage Museum/League Park, Cleveland. The site of Babe Ruth’s 500th home run and the site of more baseball history than we could possibly list here. baseballheritagemuseum.org

33. West Side Market, Cleveland. A fun challenge our family likes: Take $25 and plan a meal and dessert with it at this Cleveland institution. westsidemarket.org

34. Pins Mechanical Co., Cleveland. Duckpin bowling, old-school arcade, foosball and beverages for mom and dad. Winner! pinsbar.com

35. The Exchange, several area locations. Need to rekindle the magic you made on Madden ’01 in college with your kids? Check out The Exchange for your old-school, rainyday video game needs. theexchange.com

36. Edgewater Park/Beach, Cleveland. Expansive beach area perfect for a family day in the water. clevelandmetroparks.com

37. Lake Erie Canopy Tours, Geneva-on-theLake. Add a little extra zip to your next ziplining experience with three ways to play. Lakeeriecanopytours.com

38. Twins Day Festival, Twinsburg. Aug. 2-4. This event has grown into the world’s largest gathering of twins since launching all the way back in 1976. twinsday.org

39. Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton. Your football lovers will enjoy the game’s ancient history and more recent history, from the Packers’ Super Bowl I and II wins to Travis and Taylor creating a global phenomenon. profootballhof.com

40. Cain Park Arts Festival, Cleveland Heights. Historic Cain Park hosts hundreds of juried artists and crafters on July 12-14. cainpark.com

41. Fam Jam at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland. Need another reason to visit the Rock Hall? Check out Fam Jam on June 29 for kids’ activities, free performances, and, in partnership with Hungry for Music, an instrument drive for donations to youth education programs. rockhall.com

42. Wade Oval Wednesday, University Circle. Free weekly concert series in one of the prettiest parts of the city, every Wednesday from June 10-Aug. 14. universitycircle.org

43. Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park, North Lawrence. Enjoy access to a new water park, swimming pools, mini golf course, jumping pillows, playground, sports courts and more. clayspark.com

44. Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Shaker Heights. Founded in 1966 to prevent a freeway from being built, the nature center offers animal exhibits, art on view and much more. shakerlakes.org

45. July 4 fireworks, many locations. We’re partial to finding a spot along the west lakeshore, so you can see Lakewood’s and Cleveland’s a bit further in the distance.

46. Cleveland National Air Show. Celebrating 60 years, the Air Show boasts three days of aerial thrills featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, military jet demonstrations, gravity defying aerobatics, parachuting and more. Labor Day weekend. clevelandairshow.com

47. Zoombezi Bay, Columbus. Make it a Columbus weekend or in-week trip, starting with this way to cool off featuring a wave pool, Roaring Rapids and plenty of slides. zoombezibay.com

48. LegoLand Discovery Center, Columbus. After drying off from the water park, LegoLand provides hours of fun with interactive games, play areas and building challenges. legolanddiscoverycenter.com

49. COSI, Columbus. For 58 years, COSI has inspired interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics and delivered experiential, hands-on learning. Bonus: COSI features a Titanic exhibit this summer. cosi.org

50. Kids Empire, North Olmsted. Recapture the magic of childhood as you explore our floorto-ceiling climbing walls, play structures, and drop-in ball pits. greatnorthernohio.com/stores/kids-empire/

51. Scene 75, Brunswick. Nine attractions including laser tag, indoor go-karts and an arcade with 150+ games. scene75.com

52. Adventure Zone, Geneva-On-The-Lake. From the thrill of a zipline and go-karts to the fun of bumper boats, putt-putt golf, climbing walls, batting cages and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. adventurezonefun.com

53. Children’s Museum of Cleveland. Check out the new bubble exhibit, behind the Wonder Lab, for even more fun for your crew. cmcleveland.org

54. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Try the Family Fun Loop, a program filled with captivating stories, delightful songs, and engaging crafts designed to make every train ride an unforgettable adventure. cvsr.org

55. Put-In-Bay/Kelleys Island. We’ve come a long way from bachelor parties in our late 20s – there’s plenty for kids to do and see on the islands. Grab the ferry and enjoy the day. putinbay.com

56. Berlin Resort, Millersburg. A peaceful getaway for the whole family, this well-kept secret features Children’s Village’s miniature houses kids can wander through to their heart’s content. The swing set invites your children to exercise their muscles, and they can exercise their imaginations among the various storefronts. berlinresort.net

57. Lake Farmpark, Kirtland. Always a summer staple, check out FarmFest on July 13 to celebrate the Farmpark’s 28-year anniversary with a sampling of Farmpark’s best programs and demonstrations. lakemetroparks.com

58. Red Wagon Farm, Columbia Station. Another category where we are blessed with options across the region – fruit picking! Try this outfit for strawberry picking, plus an on-site bakery and Red Wagon Scoops ice cream. redwagonfarm.com

59. We Rock the Spectrum, Mayfield. WRTS provides a safe, nurturing and fun environment to foster learning, exploration and safe sensory experiences for children across the spectrum. werockthespectrumcleveland.com

60. Boss Pro-Karting, Cleveland. Indoor, so perfect for a rainy day, and its new X1 Junior Race Karts are perfect for drivers 8 to 13 years old and 50+ inches tall. bossprokarting.com

61. Cleveland Natural History Museum. We always find and learn something new at this Cleveland staple; this summer, find 3D movies on exhibit, including “Titans of the Ice Age,” “Wings over Water” and more. cmnh.org

62. West Branch State Park, Ravenna. A picturesque scene just east of Cuyahoga County, visitors can camp, fish and boat –as primitively or as fancily as they prefer! ohiodnr.gov

63. Cedar Point, Sandusky. If thrill-seeking is your thing, then this is your place. We often take for granted one of the world’s best is in our backyard. cedarpoint.com

64. Peninsula Quarry. Tired of the same rec pool at which you’ve been swimming? Try this chill, old-school swimming hole in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. (Opens in June.) peninsulaquarry.com

65. Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls. Yes, logistics can be troublesome, but a warm summer night taking in Kidz Bop Live (Aug. 11) or Barbie: The Movie (Aug. 12) at Blossom clevelandamphitheater.com

66. Greater Cleveland Aquarium. The shark gallery and stingray feeding and touchpool make this a must-visit on a really hot or rainy day. greaterclevelandaquarium.com

67. Great Lakes Science Center. Young scientists can check out the International Tape Station – yes, really! – the NASA Glenn Visitors Center and much more. greatscience.com

68. Cleveland Botanical Gardens. For those kiddos with a green thumb, check out hosta hill, Japanese garden and the Madagascar Glasshouse. holdenfg.org

69. Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Education and Learning Center. The bank offers tours, events and hands-on exhibits, to better inform the public about the Federal Reserve System. clevelandfed.org

72. Cleveland History Center. While the “history” part is plenty interesting, the big draw for kiddos here is the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel, relocated to the center in 2014. wrhs.org

73. Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, Ravenna. Meet 1,000-pound farm pigs. Play with the goats. Visit the rescued horses. Hear heart-warming stories of rescue and rehabilitation. happytrailsfarm.org

74. Visit a branch of the Cleveland Public Library. If you’re like me, you have grand visions of a summer reading program for your elementary schoolers. Even though it’ll likely peter out, you can at least start strong, right? Right? cpl.org

75. Kalahari, Sandusky. We recommend going on a weekday, to minimize lines for the thrilling slides. kalahariresorts.com

76. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. We never can decide our first stop – head to the primates up the hill to get the haul out of the way, or start with the African Savanna and head up the hill? clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo

70. Looking for a Christmas in July celebration? Go to Holiday World & Splashin Safari in Santa Claus, IN. Make sure to check out the town with Santa-themes or go nearby to the Lincoln Boyhood National Park. holidayworld.com

71. Script Cleveland signs, various locations. You’ve seen your friends with these great photo opps … so where are they? Edgewater Park, North Coast Harbor, The Foundry, Tremont and Euclid Beach make for a fun challenge. thisiscleveland.com

77. Akron Children’s Museum. Exhibits include farm to table, healthy little monsters, curtain call theater and much more. akronkids.org

78. Ash Cave at Hocking Hills, It’s largest, most impressive recess cave in the state. hockinghills.com/ash_cave

79. MAGNET’s STEM-themed playground, Cleveland. Designed with the Great Lakes Science Center and Cleveland Metroparks to introduce kids to STEM. Try 3-D sand printing and the sensor-enabled basketball hoops. manufacturingsuccess.org

80. Cuyahoga County Fair. We are suckers for a good demolition derby, pig races and fair food – give me all the elephant ears! cuyfair.com

81. Whiskey Island, Cleveland. Great views, picnic areas and more on this area of the shoreline named after a distillery from the 1830s. (The more you know!)

82. Downtown Cleveland walking tours. Tour the Gateway, Warehouse and other districts downtown to learn about the city’s rich history. toursofcleveland.com

83. Goodtime III. The largest quadruple-deck, 1,000 passenger luxury ship on the Great Lakes, providing one-of-a-kind views of downtown Cleveland, the Flats, the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. goodtimeiii.com

84. Have you explored the Ohio Caverns? Explore depths ranging from 30 to 103 feet in these colorful passages. ohiocaverns.com

85. BAYarts Art and Music Festival. 60 local vendors including art, crafts, food, and more will be on hand, with food trucks and live music by Small Craft Advisory. bayarts.net

86. PEZ Mania PEZ Convention. Yes, you read that right. The biggest and longest running PEZ convention in the world fills four ballrooms at the Holiday Inn in Independence. pezamania.com

87. Taste of Tremont. Tremont is home to many of the area’s top restaurants, and at this annual event, those restaurateurs share their wares in bite-size samples. experiencetremont.com

88. Cleveland Browns preseason games. Watch the good guys battle the Packers (Aug. 10) and Vikings (Aug. 17) at Cleveland Browns Stadium. (Bonus: Preseason crowds are less rowdy.) clevelandbrowns.com

89. National Sports Collectors Convention. Want to introduce your sports-loving child to the world of collectibles? More than 100,000 will visit the I-X Center July 24-28 for this annual show. nsccshow.com

90. Let’s Sing Taylor: A Live Band Experience. It’d be a late night for littles – the Agora lists showtime from 8-11 p.m. – but it’s probably worth it! agoracleveland.com

91. WWE SummerSlam. Activate your high school self and/or expose your kids to the magic of scripted entertainment. Aug. 3 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. wwe.com

92. Tennis in the Land. One of just three standalone WTA events in the United States, Tennis in the Land is part of the prestigious US Open Series. tennisintheland.com

93. Explore the state capital for free. Visit Wexner Center for the Arts, visit the Ohio Statehouse, explore Columbus Museum of Art and take a stroll through the Columbus Park of Roses. experiencecolumbus.com

94. Got a need for speed? For your children ages 7 and up, try Full Throttle Adrenaline Park in KY. gofullthrottle.com/locations/florence

Keeping Safe SurfSand in the and

By Erin Sernoffsky

Beach season is here at last. It’s finally time for those iconic summer days of water, sand and sun.

Core memories are made at the beach, but summer fun can turn to tragedy in an instant. Whether you’re taking in the views from our own Lake Erie, or traveling to bask in salt waves, the right precautions help keep dangers at bay.

Surf Safety

According to the American Red Cross, drowning is the second-leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and only motor vehicle accidents cause more injury to children ages 1-14.

“It is all about prevention,” says Dr. Deanna Barry of Barry Pediatrics in Bath. When it comes to beach safety, she takes a holistic approach. “What’s important to recognize is that there

is no one, single thing that prevents drowning, it’s multiple layers of protection.”

Swimming lessons are a necessity, and most pediatricians agree that children who are physically and developmentally ready should begin as early as age 1.

Barry strongly recommends parents familiarize themselves with CPR which she calls, “the single most effective first aid skill that anyone could have.” Courses are available

across Northeast Ohio, but if cost or accessibility are issues, she points to free online resources through the American AED CPR Association.

A less obvious risk—knowing who exactly is watching children at any given moment. Unfortunately, more adults in a group can lead to a false sense of security.

“It’s the case of, if everybody is watching, nobody is watching,” Barry says. “When there are multiple adults around, it’s easy to assume someone else is keeping tabs on the kids and it is shocking how quickly kids can find themselves in a dangerous situation.”

Proactive planning goes a long way. “Consider taking turns in social situations when there are multiple adults watching a group of kids so one person is in a designated role,” she adds. “You can even assign 15-minute

shifts so there is an accountable and responsible adult supervising the children.”

Parents should also familiarize themselves with water conditions including riptides, currents, waves, temperature and even local marine life. Lifeguards can help, but they are not babysitters.

With her own family, Barry relies on clear communication. “I find it to be most helpful when I talk in advance with my kids so they know what to expect and what will be asked of them when we arrive,” she says. “Try to describe all of the exciting things they will get to do rather than using negative language to tell them that they can’t do this and they can’t do that. Summarize expectations when you first arrive, [such as] no one is getting in the water unless there’s adult supervision, stay with a buddy, etc.”

Sand Safety

you before you start to play. This is a great way to engage kids with the importance of pitching in and cleaning up after themselves to keep everyone safer.

Once the sand is free of hazards, most turn to another beloved tradition—burying each other, and good old-fashioned digging.

BEACH SAFETY

However, accidents from digging in the sand are relatively rare but when they do happen, they are catastrophic and quick. The New England Journal of Medicine conducted a study of beachgoers becoming trapped in a hole they dug for fun. According to the study, 60% of people trapped died. Survivors were helped because there was someone watching them nearby, though many required CPR or other medical intervention.

adults.

First and foremost, always keep heads above the sand. A good rule of thumb is to never dig deeper than your knees. Avoid digging on sand dunes, slopes, or other more unstable areas. Very dry sand collapses more easily with little impact. Tunnels are particularly dangerous. Kids may love burrowing from hole to hole, however they consistently crumble, burying a child in an instant.

“It’s just as important to keep a watchful eye on kids in the sand as it is in the water,” Barry says. “Humans tend to think they are exempt from catastrophe, that these things don’t apply to them. Kids in this age group are curious, impulsive, fast and they have no sense of danger.”

Who doesn’t look forward to feeling sand between your toes, even if you’ll be finding it everywhere for months to come? But nature’s pedicure also has some hidden dangers.

First and foremost, beware of the heat. Sand does not absorb as much energy from the sun as water or air, and therefore it can be up to 30 degrees hotter than the air. Meaning, on a 90 degree day sand temps can soar to 120, which can translate into serious burns, especially for young children or those with sensitive feet.

Consider setting up your beach camp near the water where sand tends to be cooler. If your location allows, create your own shade with umbrellas or pop-up tents. You can also lower surface temperatures by regularly spraying down your area with water or breaking out shovels and buckets to mix the hot, dry surface with the cooler, damp layer below.

The best way to protect feet from serious burns is to invest in swim shoes for the whole family, which can also shield skin from broken glass, plastic or even sharp shells. Go a step further and use kids’ shovels and buckets to collect harmful objects and litter from the sand around

The causes of a collapse can vary — unstable sand, jumping, tunneling —but once someone is buried it’s virtually impossible for them to free themselves, or to see them from the surface. Furthermore, the risk applies to all ages, from toddlers to

Be sure to fill even small holes in before leaving the beach. Holes left behind serve as a trap for fellow beachgoers and can lead to very serious injury, or in some cases even deaths. It’s an easy gesture to make sure others can make their own golden summer memories on the water.

Nature Sights and Sounds For Kids

SUMMER BUGS, BIRDS AND OTHER CREATURES OFFER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

By Aisha Taylor

Summer is a time to be outdoors, and with a little exploration, you can discover a whole world of fascinating creatures right in your own backyard or at your local park. Summer invites us to explore, transforming our backyards and local parks into vibrant ecosystems teeming with life. From buzzing insects, to chirping birds, and other creatures there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered.

“There are a lot of common insects that are out in the summer,” says Megan Hart, parks biologist at Lake Metroparks. “That’s kind of the buggy time of the year when all the insects come out.”

She says families may see monarch butterflies, eastern tiger swallowtails, cabbage whites, and the spicebush swallowtail butterflies.

“There are a lot of other common butterflies, and you will see those in areas where you have good wildflowers, and where that’s a bit more open,” Hart says.

As families are exploring, they should look for the milkweed plant because many insects use that plant, so people will usually find insects on them, such as a variety of milkweed beetles.

“Kids typically really love them, because they’re a bit bigger and are more easily viewable,” Hart says.

In addition to these insects, there are a lot of dragonflies that can be found in the parks near ponds. Eastern fireflies are common to see. There are also a variety of moths that can be seen in the evening, dusk hours – especially around areas where there are porch lights.

There are other bugs that can be seen in the parks like six-spotted tiger beetles.

“These are brilliant green beetles that you can find on the paths, and they’ve got little white spots on them,” Hart says. “Kids can actually get pretty close to these. What’s interesting is that once these beetles pop up and fly away they just fly a few feet down the path. So if you miss your opportunity to see it at the very beginning, you can usually pick it up again later down the path.”

If families want to view a number of bird species in the summer, they should consider hanging up a bird feeder.

“Birds like the Northern cardinal, tufted titmouse, black-capped chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, and a variety of woodpeckers often come to feeders,” Hart says. “This makes it very easy for families to ob-

serve them. Eastern bluebirds are often found in parks, but you can see them in your yard if it is big enough.”

In addition to birds who visit bird feeders, there are other birds that are easy to see in Northeast Ohio. These include Canada geese, mallard ducks, and even bald eagles.

Northeast Ohio is also home to several different squirrel species that can be seen including the: fox squirrel, gray squirrel, and red squirrel. Families also have a very good chance of seeing deer and chipmunks, whether it’s in your neighborhood or in a park.

If you’re visiting a pond, you may see bullfrogs and green frogs, along with snapping turtles or Midland painted turtles. Hart adds, “you also have a fair chance of seeing a beaver if the pond is big enough.”

HOW CAN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BE NATURE EXPLORERS?

Families can help foster their children’s love of nature by just being in nature. So go outside, whether it is in your backyard, neighborhood or park.

Hart encourages families to use butterfly nets to capture insects, take a look at the birds on bird feeders, grab binoculars and examine nature, and flip logs to look for salamanders and frogs.

“Your best tools are your senses so take the time to just look and listen,” says Lisa Golba, environmental educator in residence program manager at Shaker Lakes Nature Center. “You’re going to hear so many more animals than you would, you would see — especially the different types of bird calls. Also, always ask questions because that’s how we learn.”

In addition to being in nature, check out the regional programming.

These are great ways to encourage kids to learn more about nature. There are a number of different parks that families can go to including the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, the county park districts, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and numerous other state and local parks.

Local nature centers, nature clubs and parks often put on programs or organize hikes. “Having an expert there to help you identify plants and animals which can make learning a lot more fun and easier overall,” Hart says.

FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN

With younger children you can do nature-based crafts where you use items you find in nature like leaves or seeds. Also, consider going on a nature scavenger hunt where you look for different plants or animals around your neighborhood or in parks.

Golba suggests families do leaf rubbings to help identify the plant or spot things with different colors or shapes.

“I used to use paint samples you get at the store and ask the child to find a matching color, which depends on the season,” she says. “You can even allow children to dig in the dirt and get their hands dirty.”

FOR OLDER CHILDREN

Technology can also be great to use while exploring nature. Apps or field guides can be used to help kids identify what they’re seeing in nature. This is a powerful tool to facilitate learning.

“Older children tend to have their phones on them as much as adults do,” Golba says. “Sometimes we try to steer them from technology, but you can also embrace it to help them learn.”

Seek by iNaturalist. This app uses the camera on your phone. Once you hover over a plant or an animal, the app will give you its best guess of what that plant or animal is. It also has challenges each month that you have to try to meet, like seeing 10 different wildflowers, or 10 different pollinators.

eBird Mobile. This is a great app to create trip lists as you go into parks and see how many species that you observe while hiking.

Merlin Bird ID app. This app has the ability to identify birds by sound. It also has the capability to identify birds based off of photos and also has a field guide based on the birds that you could see at that time of year.

The summer is a great time to take your children outside to parks, the creek, rivers, ponds, and areas with forests or fields. Visit a variety of different habitats.

“We really have an awesome resource of all the different parks,” Golba says. “The parks are free to visit, and there are so many different things families can do together.”

Backyard GAMES

HAVE FUN AT HOME WITH THESE FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES

By Denise Koeth

Whether you invest in the hottest new yard games or enjoy classic activities that require no equipment, your yard can become an ultimate hang out destination with these fun ideas.

OLD STANDBYS

When it comes to backyard fun, old fashioned doesn’t necessarily mean outdated. These games have withstood the test of time, and they’re perfect for families.

BADMINTON — Two or four players use racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. There’s no heavy lifting and a minimal equipment investment, adding to this game’s broad appeal.

CROQUET — Played as singles or doubles, each player tries to maneuver both their own and their opponent’s balls to make points for their side, while preventing their opponent from doing the same. Sets begin as low as $40 and include mallets, balls, wickets and stakes.

BOCCE — Strategy and skill combine when two teams of two players, each using two bocce balls and one smaller ball called the pallino, try to roll their bocce balls closer to the pallino than the other team’s. Sets range in price, but can be found for as little as $20.

HORSESHOES — Requiring only two players, in this classic game players attempt to toss their horseshoes onto a stake at the opposite end of a pitch. Your family can use the classic set-up with metal stakes and shoes, or opt for a kid-friendly rubber set.

VOLLEYBALL — If you’ve got ample yard space, set up a net and grab a volleyball for inexpensive fun that can entertain a whole

crowd. While everyone knows the general idea of the game, here’s a scoring tip: the first team to reach 25 points wins the set, but must win by two points.

NEW CLASSICS

You might not have grown up with the following games, but rest assured that these unique activities have grown in popularity over the last decade or more — and are sure to bring a new brand of fun to your yard.

CORNHOLE — Kids love a good bean bag toss, and when it comes to cornhole, so do adults. Two teams pitch their bags (filled with — you guessed it — corn) toward the opposite board. Points are scored for bags that land and stay on the board, as well as those that go through the hole.

LADDER GOLF — Also called ladder ball or hillbilly golf, this game uses pairs of golf balls attached by rope (bolos), and two ladder stands with three rungs each. Two teams of two players stand opposite each other and alternate throwing three bolos at the opposite “ladder” in an attempt to score points. laddergolf.com

RIBBON NINJA — For just $17, your family can get in a cardio workout and a side splitting laugh session. Each player (Up to four or six, depending on the set size) wears two wristbands and attaches three long ribbons. The winner is the last person standing with a ribbon still attached, after running, jumping and dodging one another to try to pull off opponents’ ribbons.fatbraintoyco.com

PICKLEBALL — There’s a reason pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for three years in a row, according to the 2024 Sports & Fitness Industry Associ-

ation. It’s accessible to a wide range of ages, doesn’t require a large investment to play, and offers a great, low impact workout. For as little as $50, you can get a set with a net, paddles and balls to play in your own driveway.

SPIKEBALL — Combine volleyball with a trampoline, and you have Spikeball, a fast-paced game that will entertain your family for hours. After a player serves the ball down onto the Spikeball net so that it bounces up at his opponents, the returning team has up to three hits between them (think bump, set, spike) to return the ball back onto the net. The rally continues until a team can’t return the ball onto the net within their three touches. spikeball.com

NO EQUIPMENT NEEDED

These old-school backyard games have survived generations for a reason: they’re easy to learn and fun for all ages to play. Teach your children the playground games of your youth and enjoy the bonding that follows, from toddlerhood through the early teen years. Here are some suggestions:

• Red Rover • Duck Duck Goose

• Hide & Seek • Simon Says

• Red Light, Green Light

BIG FUN

If your family loves classic board games, grow your fun exponentially with giant yard game versions of your favorites. Most major retailers carry super-sized versions of Jenga, Connect Four, Yahtzee and other popular games.

Fun Guide Listings

Museums

AKRON ART MUSEUM

1 S. High St., Akron 330-376-9185, akronartmuseum.org

AKRON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

216 S. Main St. 330-396-6103, akronkids.org

THE BONFOEY GALLERY

1710 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 216-621-0178, bonfoey.com

CANTON CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM

123 6th St. SW, Canton 330-455-3603, cantonclassiccar.org

CANTON MUSEUM OF ART

1001 Market Ave. N, Canton 330-453-7666, cantonart.org

CASTLE NOEL

260 S. Court St., Medina 330-721-6635, castlenoel.com

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF CLEVELAND

3813 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 216-791-7114, cmcleveland.org

CLEVELAND HISTORY CENTER

10825 East Blvd., Cleveland 216-721-5722, wrhs.org

CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART

11150 East Blvd., Cleveland 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland 216-231-4600, cmnh.org

FAIRPORT HARBOR MARINE MUSEUM

129 Second St., Fairport Harbor 440-354-4825, fairportharborlighthouse.org

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

1501 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland 216-623-1111, iwasm.org

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM

515 Hilltop Drive, Kent 330-672-3450, kent.edu/museum

LEARNING CENTER AND MONEY MUSEUM (FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF CLEVELAND)

1455 E. 6th St., Cleveland 216-579-3188, clevelandfed.org/education

MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE

2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood 216-593-0575, maltzmuseum.org

MAPS AIR MUSEUM

2260 International Parkway, N. Canton 330-896-6332, mapsairmuseum.org

MCKINLEY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM

800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton 330-455-7043, mckinleymuseum.org

THE MERRY-GO-ROUND MUSEUM

301 Jackson St., Sandusky 419-626-6111, merrygoroundmuseum.org

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CLEVELAND

11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 216-421-8671, mocacleveland.org

MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS CLEVELAND

200 Euclid Ave Suite 130, Cleveland 216-350-5987, moicleveland.com

NORTHERN OHIO RAILWAY MUSEUM

5515 Buffham Road, Seville 330-769-5501, trainweb.org/norm

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton 330-456-8207, profootballhof.com

THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., Cleveland 216-781-7625, rockhall.com

TRANSFORMER STATION

1460 W. 29th St., Cleveland 216-707-6755, clevelandart.org/ transformer-station

THE TROLL HOLE MUSEUM

228 E. Main St., Alliance 330-596-1157, thetrollhole.com

Historical Sites & Tours

CENTURY VILLAGE MUSEUM

14653 E. Park St., Burton 440-834-1492, centuryvillagemuseum.org

A CHRISTMAS STORY HOUSE

3159 W. 11th St., Cleveland 216-298-4919, achristmasstoryhouse.com

CUYAHOGA VALLEY

SCENIC RAILROAD

Office: 1630 W. Mill St., Peninsula 330-439-5708, cvsr.com

DUNHAM TAVERN MUSEUM

6709 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 216-431-1060, dunhamtavern.org

GOODTIME III EXCURSION SHIP

825 E. 9th St. Pier, North Coast Harbor, Cleveland 216-861-5110, goodtimeiii.com

GRAYS ARMORY MUSEUM

1234 Bolivar Road, Cleveland 216-621-5938, graysarmory.org

HALE FARM & VILLAGE

2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath 330-666-3711, halefarm.org

HISTORIC ZOAR VILLAGE

198 Main St., Zoar 330-874-3011, historiczoarvillage.com

HOOVER HISTORICAL CENTER

1875 E. Maple St., N. Canton 330-490-7435, walsh.edu/hooverhistorical-center.html

JAMES A. GARFIELD

NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

8095 Mentor Ave., Mentor 440-255-8722, nps.gov/jaga

LAKE ERIE CANOPY TOURS

4888 N. Broadway (State Route 534), Geneva-on-the-Lake 866-601-1973, lakeeriecanopytours.com

MAPLESIDE FARMS

294 Pearl Road, Brunswick 330-225-5577, mapleside.com

ROSCOE VILLAGE

600 N. Whitewoman St., Coshocton 740-622-7644, roscoevillage.com

SAUDER VILLAGE

22611 State Route 2, Archbold 800-590-9755, saudervillage.org

ST. HELENA III CANAL BOAT RIDES

Canal Fulton Canalway Center

125 Tuscarawas St., Canal Fulton 330-854-6835, discovercanalfulton.com

STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS

714 N. Portage Path, Akron 330-836-5533, stanhywet.org

THE STEAMSHIP MATHER

601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland 216-694-2000, glsc.org

WILDWOOD CULTURAL CENTER

7645 Little Mountain Road, Mentor 440-974-5735, cityofmentor.com

Nature & Science Centers

AKRON FOSSILS AND SCIENCE CENTER

2080 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Copley 330-665-3466, akronfossils.com

BRECKSVILLE NATURE CENTER

9000 Chippewa Creek Drive, Brecksville 440-526-1012, clevelandmetroparks.com

CANALWAY CENTER

4524 E. 49th St., Cuyahoga Heights 216-206-1000, clevelandmetroparks.com

COSI (CENTER OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY)

333 W. Broad St., Columbus 614-228-2674, cosi.org

CROWN POINT ECOLOGY CENTER

3220 Ira Road, Bath 330-668-8992, crownpointecology.org

F.A. SEIBERLING NATURE REALM

1828 Smith Road, Akron 330-865-8065, summitmetroparks.org

GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER

601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland 216-694-2000, greatscience.org

HOLDEN ARBORETUM

9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland 440-946-4400, holdenfg.org

LAKE ERIE NATURE AND SCIENCE CENTER

28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village 440-871-2900, lensc.org

THE NATURE CENTER AT SHAKER LAKES

2600 S. Park Blvd., Cleveland 216-321-5935, shakerlakes.org

NORTH CHAGRIN NATURE CENTER

401 Buttermilk Falls Pkwy., Mayfield Village 440-473-3370, clevelandmetroparks.com

OENSLAGER NATURE CENTER

6100 Ridge Road, Sharon Center 330-722-9364, medinacountyparks.com

OH WOW! CHILDREN’S CENTER FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 15 Central Square, Youngstown 330-744-5914, ohwowkids.org

OHIO BIRD SANCTUARY

3774 Orweiler Road, Mansfield 419-884-4295, ohiobirdsanctuary.com

ROCKY RIVER NATURE CENTER

24000 Valley Parkway, N. Olmsted 440-734-6660, clevelandmetroparks.com

SUSAN HAMBLEY NATURE CENTER

1473 Parschen Blvd., Brunswick 330-722-9364, medinacountyparks.com

THE WILDERNESS CENTER

9877 Alabama Ave. S.W., Wilmot 330-359-5235, wildernesscenter.org

Theaters & Concerts

AKRON CIVIC THEATRE

182 S. Main St., Akron 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

AURORA COMMUNITY THEATRE

115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora 330-562-1818, auroracommunitytheatre.com

BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

BLOSSOM MUSIC CENTER

1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls 330-920-8040, clevelandamphitheater.com

BW COMMUNITY ARTS SCHOOL

Baldwin Wallace University, Berea 440-826-2365, community.bw.edu/cas

CAIN PARK — EVANS AMPHITHEATER

14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Hts. 216-371-3000, cainpark.com

CANTON PALACE THEATRE

605 Market Ave. N., Canton 330-454-8172, cantonpalacetheatre.org

Fun Guide

Theaters & Concerts Cont.

CHAGRIN VALLEY LITTLE THEATER

40 River St., Chagrin Falls 440-247-8955, cvlt.org

CLEVELAND METROPARKS

Edgewater Live & Euclid Beach Live clevelandmetroparks.com

CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

The Allen, Outcalt and Helen Theatres 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 216-241-6000, clevelandplayhouse.com

CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 216-631-2727, cptonline.org

DOBAMA THEATRE

2340 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts. 216-932-3396, dobama.org

E.J. THOMAS HALL

198 Hill St., Akron 330-972-7570, uakron.edu/ej

THE FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION

38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby 440-951-7500, fineartsassociation.org

GREAT LAKES THEATER

1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron 330-836-2626, weathervaneplayhouse.com Find Fun All Summer Long VISIT NORTHEASTOHIOPARENT.COM/SUBSCRIBE TO GET TO OUR WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTERS IN YOUR INBOX FOR HAPPENINGS AROUND THE REGION & MORE!

At the Hanna Theatre 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland 216-241-6000, greatlakestheater.org

HEIGHTS YOUTH THEATRE

3665 Monticello Blvd., Cleveland Heights 216-395-4989, heightsyouththeatre.com

LOCK 3

200 S. Main St., Akron 330-375-2877, lock3live.com

MAGICAL THEATRE COMPANY

565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton 330-848-3708, magicaltheatre.org

NORTH CANTON PLAYHOUSE

525 7th St. NE, N. Canton 330-494-1613, northcantonplayhouse.com

PLAYERS GUILD THEATRE

6000 Frank Ave. NW, Canton 330-244-3224, playersguildtheatre.com

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

TALESPINNER

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

1305 W. 80th St., Suite 214, Cleveland 216-264-9680, talespinnercle.org

WEATHERVANE PLAYHOUSE

Fun Guide

Zoos, Aquariums & Farm Parks

AFRICAN SAFARI WILDLIFE PARK

267 S. Lightner Road, Port Clinton 419-732-3606, africansafariwildlifepark.com

AKRON ZOO

505 Euclid Ave., Akron 330-375-2550, akronzoo.org

CLEVELAND METROPARKS ZOO

3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland 216-661-6500, clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo

DERTHICK’S FARM

5182 State Route 82, Mantua 330-569-8661, derthickcornmaze.com

GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM

2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com

THE FARM AT WALNUT CREEK

4147 County Road 114, Sugarcreek 330-893-4200, thefarmatwalnutcreek.com

LAKE METROPARKS FARMPARK

8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland 440-256-2122, lakemetroparks.com

MAJESTIC MEADOWS ALPACAS

4195 Abbeyville Road, Medina 330-725-2977, majesticmeadowsalpacas.com

NICKAJACK FARMS

2955 Manchester Ave. NW, N. Lawrence 330-323-9714, nickajackfarms.com

Water Parks

BAYLOR BEACH PARK

8777 Manchester Ave. SW, Navarre 330-767-3031, baylorbeachpark.com

CASTAWAY BAY

2001 Cleveland Road, Sandusky 419-627-2500, castawaybay.com

CEDAR POINT SHORES

1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky 419-627-2350, cedarpoint.com

CLAY’S PARK

12951 Patterson St. NW, North Lawrence 330-854-6691, clayspark.com

CLEARWATER PARK AT AKRON/CANTON JELLYSTONE PARK

12712 Hoover Ave. NW, Uniontown 330-877-9800, akroncantonjellystone.com

GREAT WOLF LODGE

4600 Milan Road, Sandusky 800-641-9653, greatwolf.com

Water Parks Cont.

KALAHARI RESORT

7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky 877-525-2427, kalahariresorts.com

PIONEER WATERLAND

10661 Kile Road, Chardon 440-285-0910, pioneerwaterland.com

Fun Guide

TWINSBURG WATER PARK

10260 1/2 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg 330-963-8710, mytwinsburg.com

WALDAMEER WATER WORLD

220 Peninsula Drive, Erie, Pa. 814-838-3591, waldameer.com

WATER WORKS FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER

2025 Munroe Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls 330-971-8433, cityofcf.com

WATERING HOLE SAFARI & WATERPARK

1530 S. Danbury Road, Port Clinton 419-732-6671, wateringholeatmonsoon.com

Amusement Parks

CEDAR POINT

1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky 419-627-2350, cedarpoint.com

MEMPHIS KIDDIE PARK

10340 Memphis Ave., Brooklyn 216-941-5995, memphiskiddiepark.com

Parks, Gardens & Trails

BEECH CREEK BOTANICAL GARDEN & NATURE PRESERVE

11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance 330-829-7050, beechcreekgardens.org

CANTON GARDEN CENTER

1615 Stadium Park Drive NW, Canton 330-455-6172, cantongardencenter.com

CLEVELAND CULTURAL GARDENS IN ROCKEFELLER PARK

750 E. 88th St., Cleveland culturalgardens.org

CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDEN 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland 216-721-1600, holdenfg.org

CLEVELAND METROPARKS 4101 Fulton Parkway, Cleveland 216-635-3200, clevelandmetroparks.com

CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville 440-717-3890, nps.gov/cuva

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

9160 Robinson Road, Chardon 440-286-9516, geaugaparkdistrict.org

HOLDEN ARBORETUM

9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland 440-946-4400, holdenfg.org

LAKE METROPARKS

11211 Spear Road, Concord Township 440-358-7275, lakemetroparks.com

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange 800-LCM-PARK, loraincountymetroparks.com

Fun Guide Advertiser Listings

African Safari Wildlife Park

African Safari Wildlife Park has been delighting families for over 50 years. The free-range Drive-Thru Safari features giraffe, bison, alpacas and deer. The Walk-Thru Safari, open seasonally, features kangaroos, porcupines, birds and educational animal programs. More information is available at africansafariwildlifepark.com.

Center Stage Dance Studio

Watch your child’s confidence soar during summer camps at CSDS. For over 35 years, Center Stage Dance Studio has been offering premier-level dance education. They believe every child deserves a chance to shine. Based on their favorites like Bluey, Frozen and Paw Patrol, the dance studio offers exciting themed rec camps for dancers 18 months through age 18. You’ll see your child learn stellar techniques in ballet, jazz, contemporary, acrobatics or hip hop in a nurturing environment where new friendships can flourish. Three-week summer sessions start on June 10. Register online now at centerstageohio.com.

Cleveland City Dance

You belong here. Summer classes and camps through August 10, from ages 3 to 85. Grow confidence, camaraderie and community as your dreams become a reality. Build poise and technique in inspiring camps and classes including children’s storybook themed camps for ages 3-8. Small classes, with experienced teachers, offer personalized attention to encouraging each student to excel to their personal best. Classes and camps include ballet, jazz, tap, dance history and more. Opportunities may include museum visits, guest presentations and performances. Adults, they have you covered too. clevelandcitydance.com

Cleveland Orchestra

The countdown to the 2024 Blossom Music Festival starts now. Reserve your seats today for concerts from June 29 through September 1. Highlights include a Salute to America, Rhapsody in Blue, Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, movie nights and Broadway favorites. Guest artists Béla Fleck, Leslie Odom Jr., John Legend, Víkingur Ólafsson, Tony DeSare and others visit Blossom this summer. Save by buying season subscriptions, choose your own packages, or ultra-flexible Lawn Ticket Books. Ask about free tickets for guests under age 18. clevelandorchestra.com

Cleveland Public Library

Cleveland Reads summer reading is back at Cleveland Public Library and we are Celebrating Our ABCs | Authenticity, Bravery, and Creativity! Join your neighborhood CPL branch for fun weekly summer literacy activities! Read books and attend programs to earn badges for a chance to win super cool prizes from June 10 - August 2. Register at clevelandreads.com

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Embark on a wild adventure this summer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Explore all eight animal regions where you can watch zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles roam across the savanna while lions nap in the shade. Feed giraffes or watch the bright pink Caribbean flamingo and the black and white Humboldt penguins strut with their fellow mates. Don’t forget to visit the newest additions to our Zoo family, a baby orangutan and a baby gorilla. Plan your perfect day at columbuszoo.org and make unforgettable memories this summer.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Bring the kids or the whole family out this summer for fun, exploration, and adventure on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic railroad. Discover the Cuyahoga Valley National Park with the Explorer program. Enjoy Family Fun Loop activities or hop on and off the train all day to visit local attractions with tickets on our coach cars. There’s so much to see and do— they are more than just a railroad! Visit cvsr.org to plan your adventure today. cvsr.org

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Add a splash of wonder to your summer at Greater Cleveland Aquarium. Whether you’re being tickled by cleaner shrimp, counting the suckers on an octopus’s arm, spotting seadragons, feeding stingrays, peering at poison dart frogs, going nose-to-nose with native turtles, marveling at moon jellies, standing under sandtiger sharks or high-fiving scuba divers, there’s something every member of the family can enjoy. Find out how you can explore local lakes and faraway oceans at greaterclevelandaquarium.com.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center

Spend your summer at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. Explore the outdoors, meet resident animals, and discover the night sky in Schuele Planetarium. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center offers free general admission to indoor and outdoor exhibits seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nature-based programming including summer camps, wildlife encounters and planetarium shows are available for visitors of all ages. View program schedule and register at lensc.org

Legacy Village

Legacy Village is hosting a full calendar of summer events including Legacy Live weekly concerts, Village Trivia at Bar Louie, North Union Farmers Market as well as Little Legacy and Meet the Machines for the little ones. “Legacy Village continues to be the hub of warm weather fun, giving the community new reasons to come together each week in celebration of summer,” says Legacy Village general manager Susan Windle. legacy-village.com

Lorain County Metro Parks

The Lorain County Metro Parks offers a variety of public programs, including hikes, outdoor concerts, animal encounters, educational opportunities, and more. Lorain County Metro Parks has been caring for the landscape of your family traditions since 1957. With more than 11,000 acres of protected and public land, everyone can find a park to enjoy. Visit loraincountymetroparks.com to see what’s happening and to find your chance to enjoy nature nearby.

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

What will you discover when you unplug and reconnect with the outdoors? Step into their outdoor classroom nestled in the heart of the Shaker Parklands on Cleveland’s east side. Unleash your curiosity and explore all that Northeast Ohio native habitats have to offer. The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is free and open to the public. With over two miles of trails, and connecting trails throughout the Shaker Parklands, adventure and discovery await. shakerlakes.org

Olentangy Caverns, Olentangy Rock & Gem Shop

Explore a kid-friendly cave. Mine for gems. Start your rock collection at our Rock & Gem Shop. Hunt for treasure in the maze. Play on our REAL fire truck, then walk the Bigfoot Walking Trail. Enjoy a round of mini-golf. And visit Columbus’s largest petting zoo. Open daily through October 31. Located just 5 miles from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. 1779 Home Road, Delaware, OH, 740-548-7917. olentangycaverns.com

Pioneer Waterland & Dry Fun Park

Pioneer Waterland & Dry Fun Park sprawls over 75 acres of pure entertainment. Dive into a world of water wonders, kids’ adventures, zooming go-karts, swinging bats, and newly renovated mini-golf. They have picnic spots, a party nook and even a tasty eatery at Splash Landing for your munching pleasure. Their mission? Crafting unforgettable moments for every soul, young or young at heart. Visit our website for more information at pioneerwaterland.com

Studio J Academy of Dance

Studio J Academy of Dance has been igniting the passion for dance in individuals of all ages since 2001. They offer an extensive array of dance styles & a nurturing atmosphere where students can thrive, whether they’re taking their first steps into the dance world or aspiring to join a pre-professional dance troupe. They perceive dance as cultivating poise, coordination, and strength while teaching our students the proper technique by our committed instructors. studiojdance.com

Summit Choral Society

Summit Choral Society is now registering for youth programs: Sing with Me (SWM) and Children’s Choir Program (CCP). SWM is an early childhood music program for caregivers and children, birth to 5 years, which fosters a love of music through fun songs. The nationally-recognized, award winning CCP provides education and performance opportunities for children in grades K-12. This experience consists of leveled choirs, various singing opportunities and music theory with a focus on positive growth. summitchoralsociety.org

Zoombezi Bay

Come join the summer fun at Zoombezi Bay, Central Ohio’s largest water park. They are celebrating 15 years of splash-tastic adventure all summer with their 15th Splash Bash, Summer Nights, Christmas in July, and even more events. Visit the all new Pelican Point water play area, designed just for toddlers. Plan your perfect day at zoombezibay.com or by downloading the Zoombezi Bay and Columbus Zoo app.

Parks, Gardens & Trails Cont.

MEDINA COUNTY PARK DISTRICT

6364 Deerview Lane 330-722-9364, medinacountyparks.com

OHIO & ERIE CANALWAY

Cuyahoga County: 6801 Brecksville Road, Ste. 185, Independence 216-520-1825

Summit, Stark & Tuscarawas counties: 47 W. Exchange St., Akron 330-374-5657 ohioanderiecanalway.com

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, DIVISION OF STATE PARKS & WATERCRAFT

Operates 74 state parks throughout Ohio 866-OHIOPARKS, parks.ohiodnr.gov

PORTAGE PARK DISTRICT

705 Oakwood St., Ste. G-4, Ravenna 330-297-7728, portageparkdistrict.org

PRESTON’S H.O.P.E.

PLAYGROUND PARK

26001 S. Woodland Road, Beachwood prestonshope.com

SECREST ARBORETUM & GARDENS

1680 Madison Ave., Wooster 330-263-3761, secrest.osu.edu

STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS

714 N. Portage Path, Akron 330-836-5533, stanhywet.org

STARK PARKS

5712 12th St. NW, Canton 330-477-3552, starkparks.com

SUMMIT COUNTY METRO PARKS

975 Treaty Line Road, Akron 330-867-5511, summitmetroparks.org

Sporting Events

AKRON RUBBERDUCKS

Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron 330-253-5151, akronrubberducks.com

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

Progressive Field, 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland, 216-420-4487, mlb.com/guardians

LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS

Classic Park, 35300 Vine St., Eastlake 440-975-8085, captainsbaseball.com

LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS

2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon 440-934-3636, lakeeriecrushers.com

Fun Guide

Skate Parks & Roller Rinks

BRUNSWICK SKATESTATION

1261 Industrial Parkway N., Brunswick 330-225-9842, skatestation.net

CHAGRIN VALLEY ROLLER RINK

7151 S. Main St., Chagrin Falls 440-247-4224, skate.cvrr.com

CITY SKATE CENTER

63 W. Walnut Ave., Painesville 440-352-2002, cityskatecenter.com

JOY’S ROLLER RINK

5615 Andrews Road, Mentor-on-the-Lake 440-257-3631, joysrollerrink.com

LAKEWOOD SKATE PARK 14532 Lake Ave., Lakewood lakewoodskatepark.com

LORAIN SKATE WORLD

4952 W. Erie Ave., Lorain 440-282-2567, lorainskateworld.com

MEDINA SKATELAND

3789 Pearl Road, Medina 330-723-5859, medinaskateland.com

NORTH CANTON SKATE & ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

5475 Whipple Ave. NW, N. Canton 330-499-7170, northcantonskatecenter.com

ROLL ARENA

908 Cleveland St., Elyria 440-366-6581, rollarena.biz

ROLLER HUTT

10268 Hewins Road, Garrettsville 330-527-4633, rollerhutt.com

TRI-STAR SKATEBOARDS

5360 Brookpark Road, Cleveland 216-459-9000, tristarskateboards.com

UNITED SKATES OF AMERICA

Wickliffe: 440-944-5301 Cleveland: 216-420-8821 unitedskates.com

Pools, Swimming & Splash Parks

BEACHWOOD FAMILY

AQUATIC CENTER

25125 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood 216-292-1973, beachwoodohio.com

CROCKER PARK SPLASH PAD

Located in West Park Crocker Park Boulevard, Westlake crockerpark.com

CUYAHOGA FALLS WADING POOLS

Lions Park, Linden Park, and Oak Park cityofcf.com

EAGLE PARK SPLASH PAD

14730 N. Springdale Ave., Middlefield 440-632-5248, middlefieldohio.com

FALLS RIVER SQUARE

INTERACTIVE FOUNTAINS

2085 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls 330-971-8225, cityofcf.com

HINCKLEY RESERVATION — LEDGE POOL

1151 Ledge Road, Hinckley 330-239-2911, clevelandmetroparks.com

KIWANIS-MOORE PARK

35 W. Pioneer Trail, Aurora 330-562-6131, auroraoh.com

KNIGHTS FIELD PARK SPRAYGROUND

701 Rebecca St., Wooster 330-262-8468, woosteroh.com

LYNDHURST SPRAY PARK

Brainard Park, 1840 Brainard Road, Lyndhurst 440-442-5844, lyndhurstohio.gov

MORTON PARK SPLASH PAD

22301 Morton Ave., Fairview Park 440-356-4444, fairviewparkrec.com

MORTON POOL & SPRAYPARK

9325 Rosemary Lane, Mentor 440-257-5719, cityofmentor.com

ORLANDO SPRAY PARK

30100 Twin Lakes Drive, Wickliffe 440-943-7100, cityofwickliffe.com

SPRAYGROUND AT RICHMOND HEIGHTS COMMUNITY PARK

27285 Highland Road, Richmond Heights 216-383-6313, richmondheightsohio.org

QUARRY SPLASH PARK

711 S. Belvoir Blvd., South Euclid 216-381-7674, cityofsoutheuclid.com

VETERANS WAY PARK SPLASH PAD

55 Veterans Way, Hudson 330-653-5201, hudson.oh.us

WALSH SPRAY PARK 7221 Bellflower Road, Mentor 440-974-5720, cityofmentor.com

WATER WORKS

FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER

2025 Munroe Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls 330-971-8433, cityofcf.com

YMCA

Various locations ymca.org

Beaches

EDGEWATER BEACH

Lakefront Reservation, Cleveland 216-635-3200, clevelandmetroparks.com

FAIRPORT HARBOR

LAKEFRONT PARK BEACH

301 Huntington Beach Drive, Fairport Harbor 440-256-2118, lakemetroparks.com

GENEVA STATE PARK BEACH 4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva 440-466-8400, ohiodnr.gov

HEADLANDS BEACH STATE PARK

9601 Headlands Road, Mentor 440-466-8400, ohiodnr.gov

HUNTINGTON BEACH

Lake Road, Bay Village 216-635-3200, clevelandmetroparks.com

SHORES & ISLANDS OHIO

125 E. Water St., Sandusky 419-625-2984, shoresandislands.com

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, DIVISION OF STATE PARKS & WATERCRAFT Operates 74 state parks throughout Ohio 866-OHIOPARKS, ohiodnr.gov

Canoeing, Camping & Fishing

BULA COAST WATER SPORTS

5404-A Lake Road E., Geneva-on-the-Lake 440-466-0333, bestcoastwatersports.com

BREAKAWAY EXCURSIONS

17759 Valley Road, Auburn Twp. 440-773-2728, breakawayexcursions.com

CAMP HI CANOE LIVERY

12274 Abbott Road, Hiram 330-569-7621, camphiadventure.com

CANAL FULTON CANOE LIVERY

219 W. Cherry St., Canal Fulton 330-854-4008, cfcanoe.com

COUNTRYSIDE CAMPGROUND

2687 State Route 43, Mogadore 330-628-1212, countrysidecampgrounds.com

CROOKED RIVER ADVENTURES

13468 Main Market Road, Burton 440-321-0301, crookedriveradventures.com

41 DEGREES NORTH COASTAL KAYAK ADVENTURES

1500 Scenic Park Drive, Lakewood 866-529-2541, kayak41north.com

GRAND RIVER CANOE LIVERY

3825 Fobes Road, Rock Creek 440-813-0413, grandrivercanoe.com

GREAT LAKES WATERSPORTS

1148 Main Ave., Cleveland 216-644-0272, glwatersports.com

HINCKLEY LAKE

BOATHOUSE & STORE

1 West Drive, Hinckley 330-278-2160, clevelandmetroparks.com

Fun Guide

Canoeing, Camping & Fishing Cont.

JELLYSTONE PARK

12712 Hoover Ave. NW, Uniontown 330-877-9800, akroncantonjellystone.com

KAYAK THE BAY

760 Bayview Ave., Put-in-Bay 419-967-0796, kayakthebay.net

LAKE METROPARKS FISHING

Various locations 440-639-7275, lakemetroparks.com

NORTH COAST OUTPOST

6308 Lake Road W., Geneva 440-251-8048, facebook.com/thenorthcoastoutpost

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, DIVISION OF STATE PARKS & WATERCRAFT

Operates 74 state parks throughout Ohio 866-OHIOPARKS, ohiodnr.gov

PINE LAKES CAMPGROUND

3001 Hague Road, Orwell 440-437-6218, pinelakescampground.net

RIVER CRUISER KAYAKING

Various locations in Cleveland facebook.com/rivercruiserkayaking

ROUNDUP LAKE CAMPGROUND

3392 State Route 82, Mantua 330-562-9100, rounduplakecampground.com

SILVER CREEK BOATHOUSE

5171 S. Medina Line Road, Norton 330-867-5511, summitmetroparks.org

TIMBER RIDGE CAMPGROUND

51900 Portman Road, Amherst 440-965-4113, timberridgecamping.com

TRAILHEAD CANOE LIVERY

135 Lake Ave. NW, Massillon 800-291-0099, trailheadcanoelivery.com

WALBORN RESERVOIR MARINA

11324 Price St. NE, Alliance 330-935-0367, starkparks.com

WEST RIVER PADDLING CO.

655 W. River Road, Vermilion 440-967-5292, westriverkayak.com

WILLOW LAKE CAMPGROUND

3935 N. Broadway, Geneva 440-466-0150, willowlakecamping.com

Drive-In Theaters

AUT-O-RAMA TWIN

DRIVE-IN THEATRE

33395 Lorain Road, North Ridgeville 440-327-9595, autoramadrivein.com

BLUE SKY DRIVE-IN THEATER

959 Broad St., Wadsworth 330-334-1809, blueskydrive-in.com

MAGIC CITY DRIVE-IN THEATER 5602 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Barberton 330-825-4333, magiccitydrive-in.com

MAYFIELD ROAD DRIVE-IN THEATER

12100 State Route 322, Chardon 440-286-7173, funflick.com/mayfield

MIDWAY TWIN DRIVE-IN THEATER 2736 State Route 59, Ravenna 330-296-9829, funflick.com/midway

Indoor Play

ACRES OF FUN

3889 Friendsville Road, Wooster 330-345-4386, acresoffun.com

ADRENALINE MONKEY

26800 Renaissance Pkwy., Cleveland 216-282-3100, cleveland.adrenaline monkeyfun.com

ALTITUDE TRAMPOLINE PARK

110 Market Drive, Elyria 440-281-9999, altitudeelyria.com

AUSTINTOWN BOUNCE INDOOR PLAY CENTER

6000 Mahoning Ave., Ste. 520, Austintown 330-793-5867, austintownbounce.com

CHUCK E. CHEESE

Various locations chuckecheese.com

FUN ‘N’ STUFF

661 Highland Road E., Macedonia 330-467-0820, fun-n-stuff.com

GET AIR TRAMPOLINE PARK

7204 Pearl Road, Middleburg Hts. 440-591-6520, getaircleveland.com

GHOSTLY MANOR THRILL CENTER

3319 Milan Road, Sandusky 419-626-4467, ghostlymanor.com

GREAT LAKES MALL CLEVELAND

CLINIC CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA

7850 Mentor Ave., Mentor shopgreatlakesmall.com

THE JUMP YARD

34675 Melinz Pkwy. Unit 101, Eastlake 440-488-2598, jumpyardcleveland.com

yourself. 8 p.m. 1757 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, funnystop.com. $6

JUMP N SHOUT

887 W. Main St., Smithville 330-464-2385, jumpnshout.com

2/3

JUNGLE JUNCTION

Under the Stars Pairing Dinner. Enjoy strolls through the night woods and a night of delicious food and local beverages. 6-9 p.m. Jordan Creek Park, 7250 Alexander Road, Painesville, lakemetroparks.com. $65

110 Cherry Blvd., Bellevue 419-484-5532, junglejunctionplay.com

JURASSIC MOUNTAIN

2789 Medina Road, Medina 330-974-1300, jurassicmountain.com

KIDDIE JUNGLE

Lafayette Road, Medina, conraddowdell.com. $7

2/16

NORTH CANTON SKATE ZONE AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

5475 Whipple Ave. NW, North Canton 330-499-7170, northcantonskatecenter.com

PLAY DAY CAFE

6200 Enterprise Pkwy. #1, Solon 440-248-5790, playdaycafe.com

Cocktails on the Rails: Bourbon. Climb aboard for cocktail night on the train. 6:30 p.m. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge Road, Akron, cvsr.org. $72

PLAYGROUND WORLD

2/25

5456 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst 7875 Mentor Ave., Mentor 6062 Royalton Road, North Royalton 1855 Snow Road, Parma 440-373-7765, kiddiejungle.com

MAIN EVENT

ENTERTAINMENT

Murder Mystery Dinner Party. Dress in your best ‘40s outfits for a change to participate in the show, “Love & Death in Casablanca.” Music Box Supper Club, 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, musicboxcle.com $49.50

35605 Chester Road, Avon 440-398-0611, mainevent.com

2/4

MAKE BELIEVE FAMILY FUN CENTER

8303 Day Drive, Parma 440-385-5500, makebelieveparma.com

Medina Railroad & Toy Show. Come browse a wide variety of trains, planes. toys and collectables. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Medina County Fairgrounds, 735

TWarrensville Hts.: 440-729-0909 Avon: 440-937-5760 playgroundworld.com

PUMP IT UP OF HARTVILLE

1135 W. Maple St., Hartville 330-877-7867 pumpitupparty.com/hartville-oh

Celebrate Black History Month at the Lake History Center. Enjoy an evening of celebrating the past, present and future. 5-7:30 p.m. 415 Riverside Dr., Painesville. FREE

PUTT-N-STUFF

134 S. Kansas Road, Orrville 330-683-1800, puttnstuff.com

TALKS

MONDAYS

ROLL ARENA

908 Cleveland St., Elyria 440-366-6649, rollarena.biz

SALEM FUN CENTER

520 East Pershing St., Salem 330-332-4455, salemfuncenter.com

Redefining Work and Retirement. For those 50+ interested in reinventing a career or lifestyle. Through 4/29. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, divi.geaugalibrary.net. FREE - SPONSORED CONTENT -

Sponsored Content

A Celebration of Family

New Holocaust Exhibition

Makes Cleveland Premier

On view now through September 1, 2024

Presented by The Maltz Museum

This summer at the Maltz Museum, visitors are invited to explore the rich tapestry of families found in America with two art exhibitions and interactive children’s activities. On view from now through September 1. A Celebration of Family combines two art exhibitions, Growing Up Jewish—Art & Storytelling and Love Makes a Family: Portraits of LGBTQ+ People and Their Families that present paintings, photographs, and interviews—taking visitors on a creative journey that celebrates families from all walks of life.

he Maltz Museum will host a unique exhibition making its Cleveland premiere this fall. “The Girl in the Diary: Searching for Rywka from Lodz Ghetto” tells the remarkable story of a Soviet doctor who found a school notebook in the liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp that had been written by a teenager named Rywka Lipszyc during her incarceration in the Lodz Ghetto from October 1943 to April 1944.

The diary is the testament of a Jewish girl who lost her siblings and parents but never lost hope despite moments of doubt. Through excerpts from the diary, expert commentary, photos, multimedia and historical artifacts, the exhibition allows visitors to briefly walk the streets of the Lodz ghetto and get to know one of its residents, Rywka Lipszyc.

For more information, ticket pricing, and group tour discounts visit maltzmuseum.org or call 206-593-0575.

For more information, ticket pricing, and group tour discounts, visit maltzmuseum. org or call 216-593-0575.

Fun Guide

Indoor Play Cont.

SCENE75

ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

3688 Center Road, Brunswick 234-803-1100, scene75.com/cleveland

SHOP N PLAY

500 Southpark Ctr., Strongsville 440-522-5971, shopnplay.net

SKY ZONE TRAMPOLINE PARK

Boston Heights: 234-249-3030

Highland Heights: 440-467-5867

Canton: 330-538-8300

Westlake: 440-467-5867 skyzone.com

SPINS BOWL

Akron: 330-628-4822

Independence: 216-524-4833

Kent: 330-673-1800 spinsbowl.com

SWINGS-N-THINGS

8501 Stearns Road, Olmsted Township 440-235-4420, sntfun.com

TOP GOLF

5820 Rockside Woods Blvd. N., Independence 216-619-2464, topgolf.com/cleveland

URBAN AIR ADVENTURE PARK

160 Rothrock Loop, Akron 330-532-7116, urbanairakron.com

XTREME NINJA WARRIOR

1255 N. Carpenter Road, Brunswick 330-227-4335, xtremeninjawarrior.com

Lessons & Learning

BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

FAIRMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

8400 Fairmount Road, Novelty 440-338-3171, fairmountcenter.org

FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION

38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby 440-951-7500, fineartsassociation.org

MAGICAL THEATRE COMPANY

565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton 330-848-3708, magicaltheatre.org

THE MUSIC SETTLEMENT

11125 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland 216-421-5806, themusicsettlement.org

ROYALTON MUSIC CENTER

10167 Royalton Road, N. Royalton 440-237-9400, royaltonmusic.com

SCHOOL OF ROCK

Various locations

schoolofrock.com

YMCA

Various locations ymca.org

YOUNG CHEFS ACADEMY

Locations in Solon and Strongsville 440-853-5004, youngchefsacademy.com

GO KARTS, PUTT-PUTT GOLF & MORE

ACRES OF FUN

3889 Friendsville Road, Wooster 330-345-4386, acresoffun.com

ADVENTURE ZONE

5600 Lake Road E., Geneva-on-the-Lake 440-466-3555, adventurezonefun.com

AIRPORT GO-KARTS

16208 Brookpark Road, Cleveland 216-265-0750, airportgokarts.com

ALIEN VACATION MINI GOLF

260 S. Court St., Medina 330-721-1224, alienvacationminigolf.com

BASEBALL BATTING CAGES AT BRECKSVILLE

7033 Mill Road, Brecksville 440-838-5138, brecksvillebatting.com

BOSS PRO KARTING

18301 Brookpark Road, Cleveland 216-938-6335, bossprokarting.com

BUZZARD COVE

1053 Bellus Road, Hinckley 330-278-2384, buzzardcove.com

CHIP’S CLUBHOUSE

214 5th Ave., Chardon 440-285-3456, chipsclubhouse.com

DOWNVIEW SPORTS CENTER

1621 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls 330-971-8418, cityofcf.com

FUN-N-STUFF

AMUSEMENT PARK

661 Highland Road, Macedonia 330-467-0820, fun-n-stuff.com

THE GOLF DOME

8198 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls 440-543-1211, thegolfdome.com

HIGH VOLTAGE

INDOOR KARTING

333 Foundry St., Medina 330-333-9000, highvoltagekarting.com

SCENE75 CLEVELAND

3688 Center Road, Brunswick 234-803-1100, scene75.com/ cleveland

SLUGGERS & PUTTERS

333 Lafayette Drive NW, Canal Fulton 330-854-6999, sluggers-putters. com

SWEETIES GOLFLAND

6770 Brookpark Road, Cleveland 216-472-1340, sweetiescandy. com

SWINGS-N-THINGS

8501 Stearns Road, Olmsted Falls 440-235-4420, sntfun.com

County Fairs

CUYAHOGA

COUNTY FAIR

AUG. 6-11

19201 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights cuyfair.com

GREAT GEAUGA COUNTY FAIR

AUG. 29-SEPT. 2

14373 N. Cheshire St., Burton geaugafair.com

LAKE COUNTY FAIR

JULY 23-28

1301 Mentor Ave., Painesville lakecountyfair.org

LORAIN COUNTY FAIR

AUG. 18-25

23000 Fairgrounds Road, Wellington loraincountyfair.com

MEDINA COUNTY FAIR

JULY 29-AUG. 4

720 W. Smith Road, Medina medinaohiofair.com

OHIO STATE FAIR

JULY 24-AUG. 4

717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus ohiostatefair.com

PORTAGE COUNTY

RANDOLPH FAIR

AUG. 20-25

4215 Fairground Road, Atwater randolphfair.com

STARK COUNTY FAIR

AUG. 27-SEPT. 2

305 Wertz Ave., Canton starkcountyfair.com

SUMMIT COUNTY FAIR

JULY 23-28

229 E. Howe Road, Tallmadge summitfair.com