PARENT CHOICE AWARDS
Find Out Who Won GIFTS FOR GRADS Celebrate Them!
94 DAYS OF SUNNY SEASON Beaches, Parks, Food, Attractions & More!
Gifts for Grads
Celebrate your favorite alumni of all ages with these gift ideas. Plus, see pg. 11 as we celebrate your grads.
2024 PARENT CHOICE AWARDS
The votes are in! We recap your favorite local places, businesses and more around Northeast Ohio.
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Editor’s Note Hit the water this summer.
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Worth Noting Why do toddlers meltdown? Plus, easy to make sidewalk chalk paint, recipe of the month, dad books and more!
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Dad Matters
Dad columnist Jason Lea shares his tips for maximizing time on the things that really matter.
26 Calendar Family-friendly things to do for the whole sunny season in June and July! Plus, summer festivals, Fourth of July events and things to do for parents and their little ones.
On the Cover:
This has always been my favorite time of year because of the water. From staring at the small waves of Lake Erie to swimming in the pool, it brings me a sense of peace. However, while I love water, I always forget to actually drink it during summer.
Water is important to drink any time of the year, but it’s especially important in the sunny season.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dehydration is the primary contributor to heat exhaustion.
It’s not just up to you to stay hydrated as a parent, but also teaching your youngest to oldest kids about getting their daily fluids, too.
We talked to Akron Children’s for the Summer Health Talks Series, where we focused on different aspects of summer health and safety.
Dr. Susan Myers, pediatrician at Akron Children’s says families get busy, having fun, and it’s easy to forget that you are not drinking as much as you should.
She offers how it’s still important to drink water (drink, drink, drink). But also, keep track if kids are drinking enough by paying attention to their bathroom habits. They should be needing to go every 6 to 8 hours minimum, she says.
“When you’re on the beach and you’re playing and you’re in and out of the water, that’s still not the same as drinking enough water,” Meyers says. “But, you might not feel thirsty. You get in the water, you feel cool, but you still need to be drinking.”
To help your kids stay hydrated, she adds fruits and vegetables and high water content type snacks would be very helpful with that, too.
“Watermelon would be a perfect example because the water content is so high and it’s good and it’s yummy and the kids like it,” she says. “A few salty snacks actually makes you thirsty and will encourage children to drink more. They don’t know you’re helping them, but you are.”
As we talk about health, we also have to think about our mental health this season.
I don’t know about you, but when the gray skies finally clear and I see blue, I feel happier.
That’s why in this issue and the Summer Fun Guide, we give you plenty of ways to enjoy the summer.
I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you how excited I am about our 2024 Parent Choice Awards. Every year, you, readers, choose the winners and runners-up. For me, I love that your voices are heard with these selections.
Finally, as we wind-up the sunny season, just remember to drink water, but also celebrate by putting your family’s summer mode on high blast!
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You gave your child a blue sippy cup instead of the yellow one, you asked your toddler to wear socks, or perhaps the bath you ran wasn’t “soapy enough.” Are you surprised you lived to tell the tale?
You can be the calmest parent, but toddlers are anything but rational, and meltdowns aren’t ever a question of if, but when.
We asked Dr. Joey Korah, a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Mayfield Heights, why toddlers have meltdowns and how to manage them.
ALL ABOUT MELTDOWNS
“We call them terrible twos, but these meltdowns definitely start long before their second birthday,” says Korah, who notes that this behavior begins as early as 9 months and can last through school age. “It really depends on the child and how things are handled by parents or caregivers.”
Korah says the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown is that tantrums are slowed with self-regulation, while a meltdown is beyond the ability of a child to self-regulate. Meltdown behavior typically includes kicking,
screaming, hitting, biting and throwing things.
“You name it, and they’ll do it,” Korah says. “Toddlers will do whatever they need to do to get a reaction or the response they want.”
Korah says the primary reason for toddler meltdowns is that they lack the skills to handle big emotions. This often leads to them becoming frustrated.
“Because they can’t express themselves, their coping mechanism is to communicate through grunts, screams and other behavior,” he says.
MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
Toddlers thrive on routine, and when even the slightest things like sleep schedules and mealtimes shift, toddlers react in big ways.
“Schedules are important, and we are creatures of habit,” he says. “Our bodies and brains work on a clock, and if nap was cut short by a few minutes, or mealtime is a bit later, their fuse gets shorter as they are sleep deprived and hungry.”
HOW TO HANDLE MELTDOWNS
Korah says the best way to prevent meltdowns is by ignoring them, as feeding into it can reinforce the behavior to the toddler that if they scream, they get their way. Instead, he suggests trying to give them space or help them take deep breaths.
Ultimately, it’s important that parents model ways to handle their own frustration when these moments happen.
“Try your best to remain calm and collected, because if you are yelling right back at your child, it becomes more of a power struggle,” Korah says.
WHEN TO SEEK HELP
Korah says that parents should seek advice from their pediatrician if a toddler is at a point they are harming themselves or others.
“Trust your instincts,” he says. “If you feel like the behavior is beyond what you believe is normal, or is more than you can handle, talk to your pediatrician. Many times, pediatricians can reassure parents that what their child is actually doing is normal.”
How to Catch a Daddysaurus by Alice Walstead and illustrated by Andy Elkerton
They’re out to trap the Daddysaurus a mystical creature capable of such amazing acts of kindness, bravery, brilliance and humor. The kids try to trap the creature with all his favorite activities, but will they succeed? Maybe all they need is a little sweetness to make this awesome Daddysaurus appear.
Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA by Jimmy Fallon and illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez
Your baby’s first word will be . . .”Dada!”
Right? Everyone knows that fathers wage a secret campaign to ensure that their babies’ first word is “Dada!” But how does it work?
ABCs of Love for Dad (Books of Kindness) by Patricia Hegarty and illustrated by Summer Macon
Making Dad feel loved is as easy as A-B-C with this sweet board book that fosters social emotional development.
And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner and illustrated by Jaime Kim
When the days stretch out like a slow yawn, and the cheerful faces of Johnny-jump-ups jump up . . . then it’s time to get ready for summer. There’s something for everyone in this bright and buoyant celebration of the sunny season.
A new attraction comes to downtown Cleveland. This museum is topsy-turvy,— but in a good way. All ages can explore the hands-on, educational exhibits that will challenge your perceptions of what things really are. My favorites are the Cleveland-inspired “Building Illusion” where it seems you are crawling up the building in a spiderman-style or the “Illusion Tournament” basketball court where you can flip your pics for cool dunks. Also, try the “Tilted Room” “Walk in Kaleidoscope” or try putting your “Head on a Platter” complete with spoons. Ages 4 and younger are free! All ages are welcome. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are available online. 200 Euclid Avenue, Suite 130, Cleveland, moicleveland.com — Angela Gartner
Keep the creativity flowing outside all summer long with this washable, easy to make sidewalk chalk paint.
MATERIALS:
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Mixing Bowl
• Small Plastic Cups
• Plastic Spoons
• Paint Brushes
STEPS:
• Start by mixing equal amounts of water and cornstarch gently until you have a runny consistency.
• Next divide your mixture into your plastic cups, use the food coloring to create your desired colors.
• Use paint brushes to paint on the sidewalk or driveway outside. The mixture is thinner and runnier than regular paint, but just paint your pictures like you would with any other paint.
• *The paint dries quickly, and it will resemble sidewalk chalk. The colors are very bright once they dry! It washes off very easily with rain or the hose so you don’t have to worry about permanently staining anything.
My mom has been making this recipe for zucchini bread for all my life –it supposedly came from a 1980 issue of Bon Appetit! And now, I love to carry on the tradition and make it every summer. When zucchinis are in full supply from our garden or farmers markets, my son begs for this sweet treat. It’s great for breakfast, snack or dessert. Makes 1 healthy portion but can be doubled to serve 2-3.
Two loaves or one bundt pan
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons of cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
2 cups grated and drained zucchini
HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:
1. Grease two 8x4 inch loaf pans well. You can also use one 12-cup bundt pan, which is what my mom often does.
2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Sift the first 5 ingredients (flour to baking powder) in a bowl and set aside.
3. Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Gradually add sugar and beat until thick and bright yellow.
4. Add oil and beat well. Mix in zucchini.
5. Add sifted dry ingredients and blend well.
6. Add batter to the greased pan(s).
7. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool before removing from the pan and slicing. Enjoy warm or cold!
‘Tis the season. Days are getting longer, warmer, and sunnier and another school year draws to a close. Graduation party invites have started to arrive. And you’re wondering what to get your favorite alum. Don’t worry — we have you covered. Whether it’s something to commemorate their experiences, celebrate their achievements, or prepare them for the next leg of their journey, read on for a list of great gift ideas for grads.
Collage Picture Frames
Display photos from a graduation ceremony/party or, for high school and college alums, create a memorable piece they can use to decorate their dorm room.
Scrapbook or Photo Album
Help them organize memories they’ll cherish for years to come in a scrapbook or photo album.
Signature Board
Picture Frame
Teachers, parents, and fellow classmates can sign and/or leave a note of encouragement. Perfect for displaying in dorm rooms or home offices.
Graduation T-shirt
Say goodbye to pre-k and hello to kindergarten with this cute T-shirt that comes in multiple colors, including black, gray, blue and pink. Sophia’s Tees, Amazon.com, $19.99
“Oh, The Places You’ll Go”
This classic children’s book, written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss, is a perfect gift for your pre-school grad. “You’re off to great places! You’re off and away!”
Graduation Bracelet
Let them know how special they are — and how proud you are — with a bracelet and meaningful message card.
Hand-Held Mini-Fan
Stay cool by the pool, at a concert, or on a hike. A hand-held mini-fan will keep them comfortable on all their summer adventures.
Insulated Food Bag
Perfect for a picnic, road trip, or day at the beach. Keeps food hot or cold and provides easy storage.
Personalized Docking Station
A personalized docking station keeps items — like phone, wallet, watch, keys and glasses — organized.
Compass Necklace
A symbol of new beginnings, find a compass necklace to encourage grads to travel confidently in the direction of their dreams and to live the life they imagined.
Hot Pot
Great for eggs, pancakes, steak, fish and — of course — Ramen, this versatile hot pot is a perfect addition to any dorm room.
Personalized Tumbler
Customize a tumbler by choosing from graduation hood colors, hair styles, skin tones, and quotes. The perfect accessory for any summer excursion.
Adulting for Beginners
Give them a jump-start on adulting with this book by Matilda Walsh, “Adulting for Beginners,” which includes tips for cooking, cleaning, first aid, car maintenance, money management and more.
Tool Set
Useful tools for DIY basics. Find a perfect set for opening boxes, tightening screws, and hanging pictures.
Bag for Essentials
Help them stay organized with fun laptop or backpack that provides storage for essentials like power cords, business cards and USB devices.
Congratulations to the class of 2024! From college to preschool, our readers shared their graduation photos.
By Jason Lea
Jason Lea has a son, a daughter and a full-time job at the Mentor Public Library. He also blogs for Northeast Ohio Parent in his nonexistent free time. You can find this East sider on Twitter at @jasonmarklea or read his blog at northeastohioparent. com/bloggers
CIleveland averages five sunny days and eight partly sunny days each April.
once complimented a man on his kayak. He thanked me and asked if I had one. I told him that I could never fit one in my garage.
By the most generous count, that means Cleveland has about 13 notcloudy days that month.
He laughed and said, “I live in a 1-room apartment. If you wanted a kayak, you’d have a kayak.”
In other words, there’s a better than 50-percent chance we’ll be staring at dark clouds on April 8.
In one quip, I realized that I didn’t want a kayak. I wanted an infinite life where I could take my kids kayaking, teach them Spanish, and do all those other dad things that transform children into Nobel laureates.
Do you ever find yourself doing this? Berating yourself for not teaching your kids how to play piano or identify birds by their songs. The goal — though we never phrase it this way — is to give them infinite options.
We’re spending months preparing for a three-minute interlude — the last total solar eclipse visible from the continental USA until 2044! Some will travel hundreds of miles. And we may all be rewarded… with clouds.
I don’t say that to be a bummer. I offer these percentages because:
A. Parenthood is an exercise in managing expectations and…
And that’s not how life works. Life is finite.
B. Those clouds have a silver lining.
Our kids’ futures would be limited no matter what — even if we were the second coming of John James Audubon. Because we’re humans, and we only get one life of indiscriminate length — “Infinite possibilities” was never a possibility.
Don’t misunderstand me. I want to watch the eclipse with my children. We have eclipse glasses. (Try calling your local library or metroparks, if you’re struggling to find a pair.) I still remember observing the partial eclipse with my son in 2017. My daughter was only nine months old at the time, so I can’t wait to share that experience with her.
We’re so fortunate to be here — both in this region and on this planet. After all, it’s a cosmic coincidence that Earth experiences total solar eclipses. It’s only by chance that the respective proportions and distances of the sun and moon make them look the same size from our space rock.
But I chased this irrational goal for years. I’d stuff my children’s free time with “enrichment activities” in hopes that it might pay off in a job interview or on Jeopardy one day.
It made my kids tired and me grouchy.
And we’re so lucky to be here now. The last total solar eclipse visible from Northeast Ohio happened in 1806. Moreover, the sun will become larger as it ages. (Don’t we all?) That means the moon won’t always be big enough or close enough to blot out the sun.
Maybe you don’t need this advice. Perhaps, you’ve never helicoptered or snowplowed for your progeny or woken up at 2 a.m. and worried because your child only speaks one language and that won’t impress the admissions board at Dartmouth.
We will experience — if not a miracle — at least a cosmic magic trip. The solar system is going to hide the sun in its shirt sleeve, and we’ll have front row seats.
(Or we’ll see clouds.)
But I need this advice sometimes, so I’m giving it to myself. You’re welcome to listen too, if it helps you.
But I promised you a bright side. And here it is: Regardless of weather, we get to share the joy of space with our children.
Your children will only have one childhood. Don’t schedule it away.
You don’t need to maximize their — or your — time for them to be happy, successful adults.
Find those two or three things that matter the most to them, and forgive the other stuff.
Because space is fascinating. Our solar system alone contains a hurricane that’s more than 400 years old, a moon with methane lakes, a canyon as big as Delaware, and an enormous nuclear furnace that makes our lives possible.
They won’t get everything done, but they’ll have time to discover who they are. And then! Then you can encourage them on the path they found for themselves.
We — you, me, our kids — don’t need to be perfect. Perfection is a kayak too big to be practical.
But space also feels far away… and less imminent than, say, your kids’ favorite YouTuber. It can feel especially abstract to children who prefer hands-on learning. Unless, of course, there’s a once-in-a-generation science experiment happening above them.
Find those things that actually matter to you. Fill your life with them. Let your kids do the same.
And if it’s kayaking… you’ll find the room to stash their boat.
So find a way to make the eclipse a family activity. Visit the library for space books. Watch a video together about how eclipses work.
If you can, take them to the Great Lakes Science Center to learn about the 25 astronauts from Ohio, including John Glenn and Neil Armstrong. (My favorite is Sunita Williams. She ran a marathon in space.)
Let your children imagine themselves in the stars.
Because that excitement will linger with your children long after the moon has finished its traipse across the sun’s face.
Even if it’s cloudy.
Each year, we ask our readers and online followers to weigh in on their favorite family-friendly spots — local businesses, attractions, family services and more — in the Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards.
For our 9th annual contest, parents voiced their opinions during the nomination and voting period in spring. Some perennial favorites topped the ballots again this year, but they were joined by many new honorees. Here are the winners and runners-up in our 2024 Parent Choice Awards.
Winner:
Beck Center for the Arts
fBeck Center for the Arts’ Lakewood Dance Education program is one of the most comprehensive and well-respected in Northeast Ohio. Program students train with top faculty members, including a former Radio City Rockette and Miss Dance Michigan. Dancers have participated in the Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest international student dance competition. Programming is available for early childhood students, youth, teens and adults. Beck Center’s highly qualified and caring dance faculty has a combined 310 years of experience in the classroom. — beckcenter.org
Second Place: Fairmount Center for the Arts — fairmountcenter.org
Third Place: Cleveland City Dance — clevelandcitydance.com
Winner: Goddard School
Winner: Beck Center for the Arts
The Beck Center has classes for newborns to age 6 with their caregivers that explore and introduce your littlest child to art from dance, theater, visual arts and music. For example, Beck Center’s Kids N Tunes class is filled with singing, listening, instrument playing, and moving alongside children. Parents/caregivers learn ways to use music at home while children participate in success-oriented activities to help them learn and grow in a group music environment. — beckcenter.org
Second Place: The Music Settlement — themusicsettlement.org
Third Place: Kindermusik, Hudson — hudson.kindermusik.com
Goddard School’s proprietary education program gives children the freedom to learn beyond a traditional lesson plan, as teachers incorporate fun learning experiences (F.L.E.X. learning program) that help little ones explore their curiosity and discover the wonder of learning. Five locations in Northeast Ohio: Twinsburg, Chagrin Falls, Macedonia, Beachwood and, coming soon, Aurora. — goddardschool.com
Second Place: The Music Settlement — themusicsettlement.org
Third Place: St. Paul’s Nursery School Akron — stpaulsakron.org
Winner: Lakewood Public Library
Lakewood Public Library serves all people by collecting, preserving and making accessible materials that capture the broad range of human experiences, and by providing services and programs that meet the evolving needs of its diverse community. Adult events include meet the author, book clubs and more, while youth events include story time programs, events for teens and more. — lakewoodpubliclibrary.org
Second Place: Cleveland Public Library — cpl.org
Third Place: Fairview Park Library — cuyahogalibrary.org/branches/fairview-park
Winner: World Elite Kids
World Elite offers performance cheer, cheerabilities and full year cheer, with performance cheer offering athletes the opportunity to perform a routine just like full year athletes. They will establish a basic foundation for competitive cheer while improving their coordination, balance, strength and flexibility. Full year athletes, meanwhile, is the gym’s highest level of commitment with a fully immersed experience. These athletes participate in the sport of cheerleading year-round, compete both locally and nationally, and are held to a high standard. — worldelitekids.com
Second Place: Rising Star Academy of Cheer and Dance — rsacheer-dance.com
Third Place: Top Gun Training Center — topgunohio.com
World Elite offers gymnastics classes from Wee Peas — 6-12 months — to League gymnastics, from age 6 and older. Classes are designed to build confidence, character, connection and skills. — worldelitekids.com
Second Place: Little Gym — thelittlegym.com
Third Place: Lakeshore Dance & Gymnastics, Mayfield — lakeshoregym.com
Goldfish Swim School is the nation’s premier learn-to-swim provider offering indoor, year-round swim instruction to children ages 4 months to 12 years old. Goldfish also offers frequent family swims (for both members and non-members). Facility highlights include an air-conditioned viewing gallery for parents to watch lessons, individual/private changing rooms, blow dry station, snack bar, retail shop, and warm, tropical décor. Cleveland-area locations include Warrensville Heights, Fairview Park, Hudson, North Canton and Strongsville.
— goldfishswimschool.com
Second Place: Mandel JCC — mandeljcc.org
Third Place: Shaw JCC — shawjcc.org
Mandel JCC’s Early Childhood Center offers programs for children ages eight weeks old through pre-kindergarten in Beachwood, and has been guiding children for more than 50 years. It offers a child care and preschool curriculum and experience, with a 5-Star Step-Up-To Quality designation from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, a tiered quality ratings and improvements system. Supporting the center’s belief that children learn best through play, its team provides an environment in each classroom that feels like home and with age-appropriate activities that help each child develop physically, cognitively, psychologically, emotionally, socially and linguistically. — mandeljcc.org
Second Place: St. Paul’s Nursery School, Akron — stpaulsakron.org
Third Place —Tie: Shaw JCC — shawjcc.org
The Music Settlement — themusicsettlement.org
Winner: The Music Settlement
Serving all ages and skill levels, The Music Settlement encourages creative expression through lessons, ensembles, master classes, performance opportunities and a variety of community outreach programs. It also offers music instruction in most solo, band and orchestral instruments and in a variety of musical styles. Their accomplished faculty provide personal instruction specially designed for success in achieving musical goals. — themusicsettlement.org
Second Place: Beck Center for the Arts — beckcenter.org
Third Place: Fairmount Center for the Arts — fairmountcenter.org
Sponsored by:
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.
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 GartnerThe 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.
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
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
KALAHARI RESORT
7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky 877-525-2427, kalahariresorts.com
PIONEER WATERLAND
10661 Kile Road, Chardon 440-285-0910, pioneerwaterland.com
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
CEDAR POINT
1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky 419-627-2350, cedarpoint.com
MEMPHIS KIDDIE PARK
10340 Memphis Ave., Brooklyn 216-941-5995, memphiskiddiepark.com
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
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.
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.
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
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 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
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.
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
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.
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 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
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.
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
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 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 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 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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 -
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.
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
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
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
Sylvan offers personalized solutions to children’s unique talents and needs. Whether kids need help catching up, want to hone new skills, are looking for a challenge with advanced classes, or are preparing for college, Sylvan tutors are there to help in subjects including, but not limited to, math, reading, writing, science and foreign languages. — sylvanlearning.com
Second Place: Momentum Tutoring, Cleveland Heights — momentuumcle.com
This year’s World Elite summer camp is Olympics themed and will take place July 29-Aug. 2. The week will be filled with gymnastics and Olympics-inspired fun during the Paris Olympics and is perfect for aspiring athletes ages 6-13 who want to hone their gymnastics skills. — worldelitekids.com
Second Place: Shaw JCC — shawjcc.org
Third Place: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo — clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo
Yours Truly started in 1981 with the Shibley family, whose four siblings — Art, Larry, Darlene and Jeffrey – grew up in a home filled with their parents’ genuine hospitality. Their shared experience inspired them to open the first Yours Truly Restaurant in Beachwood, Ohio in 1981. From the original 31-seat restaurant, the company has expanded to a total of nine Northeast Ohio locations. If you want this writer’s recommendation, get the Palermo omelet. You’ll thank me later. — ytr.com
Second Place: Cilantro Taqueria — cilantrotaqueria.com
Third Place: Melt Bar & Grilled — meltbarandgrilled.com
Now this is a deal! Every Monday, at Burntwood’s locations in Chagrin Falls, Solon and Rocky River, kids 12 and under can choose any item from the kids menu for free with the purchase of an entree. — burntwoodtavern.com
Second Place: Rockne’s — rocknes.com
Third Place: Salted Dough, Broadview Heights — salteddough.com
Since 1999, Mitchell’s — founded by brothers, Mike and Pete — has been serving its delicious flavors to Clevelanders young and old. Be it an old staple like cookie dough, to a seasonal treat like wildberry crumble or campfire s’mores, there’s something for everyone at Mitchell’s nine area locations. — mitchellshomemade.com
Second Place: Handel’s — handlesicecream.com
Third Place: East Coast Custard — eastcoastcustard.com
Founded in 1988, Dewey’s focuses on high-quality pizzas, exceptional customer experiences and working with passionate people. Dewey’s now has 25 locations across the midwest, and it’s not just the pizza that leaves customers raving — try a calzone on your next stop in. — deweyspizza.com
Second Place: Luigi’s, Akron — luigisakron.com
Third Place: Geraci’s Slice Shop, Cleveland — geracissliceshop.com
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Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers several unique and compelling experiences for guests to connect with wildlife including hand-feeding Masai giraffe, passing underneath Amur tigers, and nose-to-nose viewing of snow leopards, sloth bears and much more. The Zoo’s Inside Tracks program offers a behindthe-scenes experience where guests can get close to animals, see a training or care session and more. — futureforwildlife.org
Second Place: Akron Zoo — akronzoo.org
Third Place: Jungle Terry — jungleterryandfriends.com
From a relaxing lazy river to intense slides, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions has it all for water-loving families. Slides include Swahili Swirl, Cheetah Race, Victoria Falls and more. While kids are swimming — supervised, of course, perhaps Mom or Dad can take advantage of the facility’s full-service Spa Kalahari, or dine at Kalahari’s two signature restaurants: Sortino’s Italian Kitchen and B-Lux Grill & Bar. — kalahariresorts.com
Second Place: Cedar Point Shores — cedarpoint.com/cedar-point-shores
Third Place: Great Wolf Lodge — greatwolf.com
Winner: Playhouse Square
One of the country’s best-regarded theater districts also plays host to several family-friendly and kids-themed shows each year, with this year’s Children’s Theater Series featuring “Velveteen,” Goodnight Moon,” “The Gruffalo’s Child” and “Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus,” the latter a Mo Willems classic. The district also plays host to special events such as “Bluey’s Big Play,” Disney Jr. Live” and more. — playhousesquare.org
Second Place: Cleveland Playhouse — clevelandplayhouse.com Third Place: Beck Center for the Arts — beckcenter.org
The museum promotes the power of learning through play using innovative exhibits and programs designed for children infant to age 8 and is a valued resource to caregivers, families and community institutions that serve young children. The museum serves about 200,000 guests in its midtown Cleveland location. It offers a range of free and reduced admissions programs, sponsored field trips, activity kits and more to make resources more accessible for low-income families across the community. The museum also hosts clean and safe visits for families with special needs so that the facility can be as accessible as possible to all children and families. — cmcleveland.org
Second Place: We Rock the Spectrum — werockthespectrumcleveland.com
Third Place: Urban Air — urbanair.com
The center’s mission is to make science, technology, engineering and math come alive, and it seeks to accomplish that goal with exhibits and programs that keep kids and adults alike curious. Those events include Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater, Camp Curiosity, Design and Build Challenge, Robotics Initiatives, while current exhibits include NASA Glenn Visitor Center, Steamship William Mather, biomedtech, science phenomena and more. — greatscience.com
Second Place: Children’s Museum of Cleveland — cmcleveland.org Third Place: Cleveland Museum of Natural History — cmnh.org
Camping. Hiking. Hunting. Fishing. This popular onetank trip for Ohioans (and other nearby states) has it all for outdoorsy types, and the best part? It’s all just a short drive away. Six parks, two nature preserves and several forests present the opportunity to stay busy, while the area has several different lodging options — cabins, lodges, treehouses; take your pick! And, local businesses to support your trip. — hockinghills.com
Second Place: Cedar Point — cedarpoint.com
Third Place: Put-In-Bay — putinbay.com
The “Emerald Necklace” spans over 25,000 acres including 18 park reservations, over 325 miles of trails, five nature centers and thousands of free programs to connect children to nature. Guests can download the free Cleveland Metroparks mobile app to explore today. — clevelandmetroparks.com
Second Place: Cuyahoga Valley National Park — nps.gov/cuya/index.htm
Third Place: Holden Arboretum — holdenfg.org
Winner: Playhouse Square
The Playhouse Square District, in addition to featuring one of the best show lineups in the country, also has several dining options for moms and dads before or after the show. May we plan your itinerary for you?
If you’re a Neil Diamond fan, for example, take in “A Beautiful Noise” in the KeyBank Broadway Series this fall, with dinner at Ghost Light Restaurant and Lounge in the Crowne Plaza Hotel across the street, with a stein at Hofbrauhaus after. (Beware the shotskis, though!) — playhousesquare.org
Second Place: Ohio City — ohiocity.org
Third Place: Gervasi Vineyard — gervasivineyard.com
The university’s Ice Arena, built in 1970, is a family-friendly facility serving both the university community and outlying communities. Recreational skating, figure skating, ice hockey, birthday parties and private rentals are just a few things to consider while at the Ice Arena. The arena offers a multipurpose meeting room, skate sharpening and a snack bar. Public skate sessions resume in the fall. — kent.edu/recwell/ice-arena
Second Place: Winterhurst Arena, Lakewood — winterhurstice.com
Third Place: The Rink at Wade Oval — universitycircle.org
What better way to prove your toughness to your buddies or a newly identified boyfriend or girlfriend, or take that first short trip solo without mom or dad, than by riding roller coasters that rise over 300 feet in the air and go nearly 100 mph? — cedarpoint.com
Second Place: TopGolf — topgolf.com
Third Place: Scene 75 — scene75.com
Winner: Preston’s H.O.P.E.
A hidden gem in Beachwood, Preston’s H.O.P.E. is a playground for children with all levels of abilities and disabilities and provides children with the opportunities to explore, play and learn. This extensive accessible playground park includes Imagination Village, with make-believe houses that are connected by a raised walkway, play theater, a sand area and traditional playground area with swings, tunnels and slides that are appropriate for children from preschool through school age. The space is inspired by Preston, a vibrant, fun-loving boy who was born with spinal muscular atrophy, is free of charge and open to the public. — prestonshope.com
Second Place: Lakewood Park — lakewoodohio.gov Third Place: Edgewater Park — clevelandmetroparks.com
Winner: Cleveland Guardians
Grab a family four pack for $80 – which includes $10 per ticket in loaded value for concessions or merch — and head to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario for one of the best values out there. Our recommendation? Go on a Sunday for Kids Fun Day, where kids can run the bases after the game just like Jose Ramirez. Another recommendation? Get a Kids Club membership for $25 – it includes a cool bag, a nice light hoodie, a lanyard and ID badge –which includes $10 more in loaded value – and more. The way the Guardians are playing, you’re likely to see a victory, too. — cleguardians.com
Second Place: Cleveland Cavaliers — cavs.com Third Place: Akron Rubber Ducks — milb.com/akron
We Rock the Spectrum is an inclusive gym for all kids of all abilities, with services including open play, birthday parties, field trips, therapies, preschool preparatory program, summer camp, classes and special events. The facility provides sensory-based equipment such as over 12 different swings, a zipline, trampoline, monkey bars, rock wall, art/toddler rooms and a calming room. — werockthespectrumcleveland.com
Second Place: Preston’s H.O.P.E. — prestonshope.com Third Place: Akron Zoo — akronzoo.org
Winner: Crocker Park
It’s 92 degrees outside with a heat index of 101. The kids have been complaining all day about how hot it is. Luckily, the splash pad at Crocker Park is open seven days, including 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10-6 p.m. on Sunday, with twilight splashes Monday through Saturday from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Cool off with a quick splash — but keep those shoes on, and all kids must be accompanied by an adult. — crockerpark.com
Second Place: City of Lyndhurst Splash Pad — lyndhurstohio.gov
Third Place: Water Works Park, Cuyahoga Falls — cityofcf.com
Winner: Lakewood
The city has made numerous recent advancements to its public parks to attract more families and satisfy those that already live there — improvements including a multi-million dollar investment into Foster Pool, the city’s first pickleball courts and plans for an updated skate park. The city also recently undertook a study on how to achieve more access to Lake Erie at Lakewood Park, which already boasts breathtaking views. From great restaurants to walkability and great parks to highly regarded schools, Lakewood offers it all for families. — lakewoodohio.gov
Second Place: Shaker Heights — shakerheightsohio.gov Third Place: Solon — solonohio.org
Winner: Cleveland Clinic, Hillcrest Hillcrest’s Family Maternity Center provides a range of birthing experiences and the highest level of birthing care, as the only Level III NICU on Cleveland’s East Side. It’s staffed with highly skilled nursing professionals and lactation consultants and has specially equipped operating rooms for Cesarean births. — clevelandclinic.org
Second Place: University Hospitals Cleveland – uhhospitals.org
Third Place: Cleveland Clinic, Fairview –clevelandclinic.org
Winner: Apex Dermatology
Apex Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center is made up of a team of experienced and compassionate providers specializing in medical, surgical and aesthetic dermatology. The company’s 14 locations are committed to excellence and offer same-day visits, and are committed to providing care in underserved communities by offering free spot checks to detect skin cancer and other skin conditions. To date, Apex providers have helped more than 500,000 patients and performed over 75,000 skin cancer treatments.
Second Place: Advanced Dermatology, Twinsburg – yourgreatskin.com
Third Place: Cleveland Clinic, Willoughby – clevelandclinic.org
For more than 125 years, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital has been providing expert pediatric care for infants, children and adolescents in Northeast Ohio. With expertise in 16 medical and 12 surgical specialties, its team of doctors, nurses and other clinical staff has experience in diagnosing and treating children for a range of medical issues, from common childhood illnesses to complex conditions. Ranked among the “Best Children’s Hospitals” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, it delivers award-winning care in specialties including orthopedics, urology, gastroenterology and digestive health, pediatric cancer and pulmonology. It is ranked No. 1 in Northeast Ohio for newborn care and also is home to Northern Ohio’s only Level 1 pediatric trauma center, dedicated to caring for infants and children with the most critical injuries and illnesses. — uhhospitals.org
Second Place: Akron Children’s Hospital –akronchildrens.org
Third Place: Cleveland Clinic, Hillcrest –clevelandclinic.org
Winner: Great Beginnings
At GBPD, board-certified pediatric dentists Drs. Rachel Rosen and Christi Walsh provide minimally invasive dentistry, emphasizing the link between airway health and overall well-being. Early adopters of Solea laser dentistry, they minimize drills and needles. Using a tell-show-do approach and movie screens over every chair, they make visits stress-free, educational, and fun. As a Breathe Institute Ambassador, Dr. Rachel is a leading expert on tongue and lip ties. They treat children from newborn to 21 years old and are accepting new patients under 17. — greatbeginningspd.com
Second Place: Mertes Pediatric Dentistry, Hudson – mertesdental.com
Third Place: Bay Pediatric Dentistry –bayvillagepeds.com
Winner:
Weiss and Tor Orthodontics provided exceptional orthodontic care for both kids and adults in a warm, family-oriented environment. The practice uses the best and most up-to-date technology to ensure optimal results for all patients and is grounded in the latest literature and cutting-edge protocols, ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care. — weissandtorortho.com
Second Place: Dr. Gen Twinsburg –brace4success.com
Third Place: Wenger Orthodontics –wengerortho.com
Senders Pediatrics cares for children from birth to young adulthood and has dedicated breastfeeding medicine behavioral health teams. The practice also has been a leader in conducting pediatric and adult clinical trials, having participated in over 220 clinical research projects over the past 20 years and in the development of almost all new vaccines including the COVID-19 vaccine. It has been at the forefront in the parent coaching world and its novel approach to understanding learning styles has upended the traditional medication-centered approach to ADHD. Senders Pediatrics was one of the first practices in the area certified as a patient centered medical home, which gives families the assurance that all of their medical needs can be managed under one roof. — senderspediatrics.com
Second Place: Greater Cleveland Pediatrics – clepeds.com
Be it group fitness classes, pickleball, hoops or pilates, the JCC offers any fitness plan you could want or need on two feet. The facility also offers one of the best, most comprehensive aquatics programs in the area, with award-winning, American Red Cross certified swim lessons, water exercise classes for all levels, masters swim programs, and aquatics lifeguard and water safety instructor training. — mandeljcc.org
With 11 locations across the area and having served the region for 170 years, the YMCA delivers on its goals to drive youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each location offers swim lessons, group exercise and personal training for those looking for a new fitness regiment, while early childhood enrichment, camps and adventure guides are options for families. Still holding on to those high school hoops dreams? Many locations offer adult athletic leagues, too. Just stretch beforehand, will ya? — clevelandymca.org
Second Place: Twinsburg Recreation Center –mytwinsburg.com
Winner: Cuts n Curls
Take a seat in one of Cuts n Curls’ racing cars that double as barber chairs, pop on the latest episode of “Paw Patrol” and enjoy that first (or second or 20th) haircut. The staff are experts at ensuring children feel comfortable in an unfamiliar setting, though they can’t guarantee that screens, cool seats and candy prevent tears. After your cut, take a crack at the skeeball or pop-a-shot machines — and consider hosting your child’s next birthday party there. For the dads, there’s also a class offered to learn how to do your daughter’s hair. New: a paint splatter room! — cutsncurls.net
Second Place: Ladies and Gentlemen Salon and Spa – ladiesgentlemen.com
Third Place: Snip-Its, Hudson – snipits.com
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Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio (BFMEDNEO) was launched in 2008 with the goal of offering breastfeeding mothers and babies of Ohio a place to turn when experiencing breastfeeding questions, challenges or complications. BFMEDNEO has worked with thousands and was the first practice in the country to research and offer in-office therapeutic breast massage in lactation for the treatment of engorgement, mastitis and plugged ducts. — bfmedneo.com
Second Place: Nurtured Foundation — nurturedfoundation.com
Third Place: CLEBaby – clebaby.com
Winner: Spa Walden, Aurora Spa Walden’s bucolic and tranquil setting allows one to embark on the most sublime experience. Walden believes deeply in the healing power of touch, use of effective products, incorporation of infused enhancements to treatments and most of all providing blissful relaxation to clients. Get there early to take advantage of a pre-service beverage, jacuzzi tub, fireplace and more. — yourwalden.com
Second Place: Apex Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center – apexskin.com
Third Place: Massage Envy, Beachwood –massageenvy.com
Winner: CLE Bounce Houses
Bounce houses. Water slides. Foam parties. Obstacle courses. CLE Bounce Houses can do it all for your party, and affordably, as well. Mechanical bulls and dunk tanks are available too, depending upon other occasions you may be celebrating. The company delivers, sets up and tears down as part of its rental. — clebouncehouses.com
Second Place: Northeast Ohio Creatives –northeastohiocreatives.com
Third Place: OH Fluff Cotton Candy – ohfluff.com
Good food. A movie theater. A splash pad (in summer) and an ice skating rink (in winter). Crocker Park has it all for young shoppers, including a Santa visit in the winter, too, for those who celebrate. Shopping options include Dick’s Sporting Goods and Rally House for the family’s sports fans, plus LEGO and Learning Express for those more inclined to toys. For a family activity, try The Escape Game. — crockerpark.com
Second Place: Great Northern Mall –greatnorthernohio.com
Third Place: The Van Aken District –thevanakendistrict.com
Winner: Once Upon a Child
With more than 400 individually owned and operated locations, — including six in Northeast Ohio — Once Upon A Child makes it easy to support local while shopping sustainably and affordably. Bring in your kids’ gently used clothing, shoes, toys and baby gear, and walk out with money in your pocket. — onceuponachild.com
Second Place: Volunteers of America Thrift Store — voa.org
Third Place: Munchkins’ Kloset — facebook.com/Munchkins.Kloset
Winner: Lakeshore Learning
Lakeshore has been creating innovative furniture and materials designed by teachers since 1988. Working with a team of highly skilled engineers, our developers draw from their deep classroom experience to take Lakeshore products from ideas to realities — from first sketches and 3-D simulations to rigorously tested prototypes. And, to ensure quality and safety, every product we carry undergoes an average of more than 100 hours of development and testing before it reaches our customers. — lakeshorelearning.com
Second Place — TIE: Apple Jax Toys – applejaxtoys.com PlayMatters Toys – playmatterstoys.com
Winner: Cleveland Metroparks
Cleveland Metroparks offers the perfect destination for any child’s birthday party with dozens of rental facilities including indoor nature centers, shelters that connect children with the outdoors and, of course, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. — clevelandmetroparks.com
Second Place: Sky Zone — skyzone.com
Third Place: We Rock the Spectrum –werockthespectrumcleveland.com
Winner: CLEwithkids
In 2019, this mom wanted to share some of the fun, exciting places her family was finding in Cleveland with her family and friends. She says, “As a mom of two littles, I knew we needed to get out and explore for their development, and my sanity.” Now she’s grown her community to nearly 44,000 followers on Instagram. “I hope our website, and the content we share, inspire you to get out and make memories with your little ones. It’s one of the best investments of time you can make.” — instagram.com/clewithkids
Second Place: The Cleveland Moms –theclevelandmoms.com
Third Place: Kristin in Cleveland –instagram.com/kristinincleveland
FRIDAYS
Kids Nature Lunch & Learn. Explore, learn and play games while visiting the mobile nature center. Through 8/9. 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Lakefront Reservation, Lower Edgewater, 7600 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, clevelandmetroparks.com
6/29
Tent Camping. Families are invited to join naturalists for a fun and relaxing overnight tent camping experience.1 p.m.-11 a.m. Munroe Falls, Lake Area, 521 S. River Road, summitmetroparks.org
6/30
Streamlife Exploration for Families. Venture into a forested stream to discover wildlife. 1-3 p.m. The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Road, Russell, geaugaparkdistrict.org
MONDAYS
Ping Pong Time. Improve your hand-eye coordination, have some fun and meet new people. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Euclid Public Library, 631 E. 222nd St., euclidlibrary.org
TUESDAYS
Northeast Ohio Parent Event Series. Free, family-friendly entertainment with interactive activities for kids ages 2-9, northeastohioparent.com
PINECREST PLAY DAYS: 6/11, 7/9 & 8/6. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Pinecrest, Orange Village
FUN AT FIRST & MAIN: 6/18, 7/16 & 8/13. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. First and Main, Hudson
CROCKER KIDS: 6/25, 7/23 & 8/20. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Crocker Park, Westlake
Chapter Chats. Keep your reading skills sharp with chapter chats. Ages 6-9. Through 7/23. 5:30-6 p.m. Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville, morleylibrary.org
✱ SUBMIT YOUR EVENT TO US! northeastohioparent.com/events/community/add
TUESDAYS &
THURSDAYS
Summer Farm Fun Days. Come out and enjoy the fresh summer air. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Through 8/18. Nickajack Farms, 2955 Manchester Ave., Canal Fulton, nickajackfarms.com
WEDNESDAYS
Centennial Plaza Movie Series. Free big-screen, outdoor family-friendly movies. Through 8/14. 7 p.m. Centennial Plaza, Downtown Canton, cantonpalacetheatre.org
Fun on the Farm. Pony and pony cart rides, horse rides and more. June-August. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Spring Mist Farms, 691 Pearl Road, Brunswick Hills, springmistfarms.com
Astronomy Club. Explore the world of astronomy in a fun, social environment on the third Wednesday of each month. 6:30 p.m. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, lensc.org
Lakewood Front Porch Concert Series. Free, live music in a welcoming environment. 7 p.m. Lakewood Public Library, lakewoodalive.org
THURSDAYS
Pre-Teen Hip Hop. 6/20-8/1. 4-5 p.m. Ages 8-12. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, fineartsassociation.org
SATURDAYS
Family Saturdays. Games, crafts, live entertainment and more. First and third Saturdays. 12-4 p.m. Skylight Park, Tower City, 230 W. Huron Road, Cleveland, towercitycenter.com
STEAM Team Saturdays. On the second and fourth Saturday of each month, children, ages 5-11 discover the wonder of S.T.E.A.M. 12 p.m. Akron Children’s Museum, 216 S. Main St., akronkids.org
Family FUNday. Family-friendly games, movement-based activities, art, and more. First Sunday of each month. 1-4 p.m. Community Arts Center, West 25th St., Cleveland, clevelandart.org
Back to the Future The Musical. The beloved, cinematic classic is now a Broadway musical with its destination set for Cleveland in 2024. State Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, playhousesquare.org
Something Rotten. Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, weathervaneplayhouse.com
6/17
Introduction to Pickleball. Get an introduction to this fast growing sport. 6-7 p.m. Purvis Park, University Heights, 2198 Wrenford Road, heightslibrary.org
6/22
Beekeeping 101: Kids Edition. Learn about all things bees, hives and honey. Quail Hollow Park, 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville, starkparks.com
6/26
Summer Scientists. Fun science experiments for kids encourage curiosity and help keep critical thinking skills sharp over the summer. 2-3:30 p.m. Cleveland Main Library, 325 Superior Ave., cpl.org
6/29
Headwaters Adventure Race. Run two miles, pedal 10 miles and paddle 5 miles. 8 a.m. Buckert Park, 4808 East High St., Mantua, portageparkdistrict.org
Fam Jam - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Kids activities, free performances, and an instrument drive for donations to youth education programs. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1100 Rock & Roll Blvd., Cleveland, rockhall.com
6/29-30
Movie Night: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. 7 p.m. Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, clevelandorchestra.com
7/6
Read Aboard. Sit back, relax, and let our talented storytellers transport you to a world of wonder and joy. 10 a.m. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge Road, cvsr.org
7/7
River Jamboree. Grab some nets, get into the river, and discover why snakes and turtles are so fascinating. 1-4 p.m. Hidden Valley Park, 4872 Klasen Rd., Madison Twp., lakemetroparks.com
Feathered Friends. Get up close and personal with the parrots from Parrot Hope Rescue. 2-3 p.m. Portage Lakes Branch Library, 4261 Manchester Road, Akron, akronlibrary.org
7/10
Learn to Draw. Learn how to draw birds in the style of renowned artist Charlie Harper. Ages 7-12. 1-2:30 p.m. Oenslager Nature Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Sharon Ctr., medinacountyparks.com
Lit Through the Arts. Grades 4-6 explore artistic expression and develop writing skills using multimedia projects, visual art, stories, and creative arts. 2-3 p.m. Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Road, rrpl.org
Little Legacy: RealPopFusion. Crafts, games, interactive activities and entertainment. 10:30 a.m.-noon. The Lawn at Legacy Village, Lyndhurst, legacy-village.com
7/13
Ham Radio Demonstration. Learn how ham radio can connect you with the world and make new friends without leaving home. 1-3 p.m. Kent Free Library, 312 W. Main St., kentfreelibrary.org
Schoepfle Garden Barbie Tea Party. Have tea with a real doll, come dressed as your favorite Barbie and stroll down the runway. 1-3 p.m. 11106 Market St., Birmingham, loraincountymetroparks.com
7/14
Jungle Terry: Animal Families. Join Jungle Terry and his traveling zoo to learn more about the amazing animal kingdom. 1:30 p.m. Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, maltzmuseum.org
7/17
Junior Naturalist Day: H2Whoa! Explore the streams, ponds, and other freshwater habitats. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, Wilmot, wildernesscenter.org
7/17 & 7/24
Design a Board Game. All ages are welcome to look at the rules of existing board games and flesh out your own game in this 2-day program. 2-3:30 p.m. Euclid Public Library, 631 E. 222nd St., euclidlibrary.org
7/20
Fairmount Fun Fest. Enjoy artful activities for the whole family, a dance party, live music and more. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fairmount Center for the Arts, 8400 Fairmount Road, Novelty, fairmountcenter.org
7/31
Homeschool Family
Day:Sharks. Self-guided experience to explore with your family. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., greaterclevelandaquarium.com
MONDAY &
WEDNESDAY
Stroller Strides at Crocker Park. A functional, total-body conditioning workout designed for moms with kids in tow. 9:3010:30 a.m. Westlake, crockerpark.com
TUESDAYS
Storytime Stay & Play at the Maltz Museum. Come for storytime and then explore the museum. 7/2 & 8/6. 11 a.m. 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, maltzmuseum.org
MONDAY-
THURSDAY
Frogs & Polliwogs. Hands-on activities, music, games and simple crafts. Ages 2-3 with an adult. 9:30 or 11 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, lensc.org
THURSDAYS
Newsy Mom Playdates. Stories and activities on the 2nd Thursday Monthly. 11 a.m.-noon. Belden Village Mall, 4220 Belden Village St. NW, Canton, shoppingbeldenvillagemall.com
FRIDAYS
Family Storytime at the Great Northern Mall. Family storytime on the first Friday of each month. 11:30 a.m. 4954 Great Northern Mall Blvd., North Olmsted, greatnorthernohio.com
Story Time Cafe. Families of all ages, shapes, and sizes are invited to story time and activities. 10:30 a.m. 7/526. Twinsburg Public Library, 10050 Ravenna Road, twinsburglibrary.org
6/22
Baby’s Beach Bash. Featuring a short story, songs, photo opportunities, and other baby activities. 10-11 a.m. Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, 3512 Darrow Road, 330-688-3295, smfpl.org
7/9
Sound Science. Little musicians play with an assortment of sound and music-making tools. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., alpl.org
7/11 & 8/8
Seiberling Explorers. Enjoy music, movement, and a stroll through the gardens and grounds. Ages 0-3. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, stanhywet.org
6/14-16
Wastin Away in Fisharitaville Festival of the Fish. Firefighter water fight, entertainment and more. Downtown Vermilion, vermilionohio.com/ festival-of-the-fish
6/15
Strawberry Festival. U-pick strawberries, food trucks, pony rides, face painting, music and more. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Bauman Orchards, 161 Rittman Ave., Rittman, baumanorchards.com
Crooked River Festival. Living history demonstrations, hands-on activities, storytelling and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, wrhs.org
6/22
Summer Solstice Campfire Night. Outdoor sing-a-long, games, spooky stories, s’mores treats, and art activities. 7-10 p.m. Fairmount Center for the Arts 8400 Fairmount Road, Novelty, fairmountcenter.org
BAYarts Art & Music Festival. Food trucks, local arts and craft vendors and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 28795 Lake Road, Bay Village, bayarts.net
6/27-29
Ashland Balloonfest. High-flying fun for the whole family. Freer Field, Center St. and Morgan Ave., ashlandohioballoonfest.com
Olde Canal Days Festival. Amusement rides, games, canal boat rides, a vintage baseball game, and much more. 125 Tuscarawas St., discovercanalfultonevents.com
6/28-30
Pyrate Festival. Pyrate Village, Faire Winds Circus, historic displays, re-enactors, and so much more. DeRivera Park at the Pirates Platform, Put-in-Bay, millerferry.com
Garrettsville Summerfest. Live entertainment, parade, family fun and more. Main Street, Garrettsville, garrettsvillesummerfest.com
7/1-27
Summer at the Village. Learn about animals, play old-fashioned games, try handson activities and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sauder Village, 22611 State Route 2, Archbold, saudervillage.org
7/12-14
Cain Park Arts Festival. Art exhibits, food, live entertainment and more. 4591 Superior Road, Cleveland Hts., cainpark.com
7/13
Dog Day of Summer. A day for your animal friends. 2-5 p.m. Chardon Square Gazebo, 101 S. Hambden St., chardon.cc
Farm Fest. Drive a horse, milk a cow, and ride the barrel train. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com
7/18-20
Alive Festival. Christian music festival and summer destination for people of all ages. Atwood Lake Park, 9298 Atwood Lake Road, Mineral City, alive.org
7/19-21
Festa Italiana. An exciting celebration of authentic entertainment and cuisine. Downtown Cuyahoga Falls, Front Street, festaitalianacf.com
7/20
Summer Fest. Woodland wildlife encounters, music, fishing, hiking, hover ball, and more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sippo Lake Park North, 5712 12th St. NW, Canton, starkparks.com
Bee Festival. Bee-themed family fun including the opening of a bee hive. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Medina County District Library, 210 S. Broadway St., mcdl.info
Lakewood Summer Meltdown. The biggest block party in the city. 4-10 p.m. Detroit Ave., between Marlou and Arthur Aves. lakewoodalive.org
Willoughby ArtsFest. Juried art, music, and local vendors. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Downtown Willoughby, willoughbyartsfest.com
7/21
Taste of Tremont. Street festival that showcases the best of Tremont’s food, art and entertainment. 12-8 p.m. 2406 Professor Ave., Cleveland, experiencetremont.com
Valley City Frog Jump Festival. Family fun day with music, food, activities, frog jump and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Liverpool Mill Stream Park, frogjump.valleycity.org
7/25-28
Fairview Park Summerfest. Parade, live music, carnival rides, entertainment, and much more. Bohlken Park, 3885 W. 210th St., fairviewsummerfest.com
7/28-30
City of Solon Summer Festival. Music, food and a plethora of exciting activities. 12-7 p.m. Solon Community Park, 6679 SOM Center Road, Solon, solonohio.org
8/2-4
Twins Days Festival. The world’s largest gathering of twins and other multiples. Glenn Chamberlin Park, 10260 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, twinsdays.org
8/3-4
Puerto Rican Parade & Cultural Festival. Noon-10 p.m. 8/3. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 8/4. 2500 Metrohealth Dr., Cleveland, puertoricanparade.org
8/4
The FEST. Performances by national Christian musical artists, Kids Zone, and more. 12-10 p.m. Center for Pastoral Leadership, 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, thefest.us
8/6-11
Cuyahoga County Fair. Rides, farm animals, bake-off, circus, dog shows and much more. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Berea, cuyfair.com
8/9-11
North Ridgeville Corn Festival. Fireworks, kids’ games, live entertainment, corn eating contest and more. South Central Park, 7565 Avon Belden Road, nrcornfest.org
8/10
Fun Fest. Free family festival with arts, crafts, music, and more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Downtown Massillon, massillonmuseum.org/fun-fest
8/11
Akron Pickle Fest. Pickle games, pickle contests, pickle parades and much more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.Cascade Plaza, 1 West Mill St., Akron, oddmall.info/akron-pickle-fest
International Kite Festival. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Edgewater Park, 6500 Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, osekcleveland.org
8/16-17
Mentor CityFest. Activities, games, entertainment, Kids Zone and much more. 5-11 p.m. Mentor Civic Center Park, cityofmentor.com
Hudson Fireworks Celebration. Begins at dusk. Barlow Farm Park, 1965 Barlow Road, Hudson, hudson.oh.us
A Salute to America - Blossom Music Center. Great music, fireworks, and fun for the whole family. 8 p.m. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, clevelandorchestra.com
Freedom Festival. 4-11 p.m. Victory Park, North Ridgeville, victoryparkohio.com
Berea Grindstone Festival. Paddle boat rides, live entertainment, inflatables and fireworks. 4-10 p.m. Coe Lake Park, cityofberea.org
Avon Lake Fireworks Celebration. Food truck, live music and jam machine. 6-11 p.m. Weiss Field, 3301 Webber Road, Avon Lake, avonlake.org
Brunswick Fireworks Display. 9:15 p.m. Near the Brunswick Middle School Complex/Ball fields. brunswick.oh.us
Aurora July 4th Festival. Inflatables, balloon art, face painting, characters and more. Noon-3 p.m. p.m. Kiwanis-Moore Park, 35 W. Pioneer Trail, auroraoh.com
Firefly Fireworks. Learn about this charismatic insect through engaging activities, then catch some fireflies of your own. 8:30-10 p.m. Munroe Falls Metro Park, Tallmadge Meadows, 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge, summitmetroparks.org
Chardon Old Glory Day. Children’s parade, games, music, face painting, balloon animals and more. 1-4 p.m. Chardon Square Gazebo, Short Court Street, chardon.cc
Fairlawn Independence Day. Bands, food trucks, and fireworks. 5 p.m. Bicentennial Park, 3486 S. Smith Road, fairlawn.us
Medina’s Independence Parade. Parade route begins at Medina High School parking lot and heads south on Spring Grove, then west on Liberty and around the square. 4 p.m. medinaoh.org
Mentor Concert & Fireworks. Enjoy a concert followed by a spectacular fireworks display. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Mentor Civic Amphitheater, 2475, 8600 Munson Road, cityofmentor.com
Shaker Heights Fourth of July Pool Party. Beat the afternoon heat by the pool with live music, rides and family activities. 1-5 p.m. Thornton Park, 3301 Warrensville Ctr. Road, shakeronline.com
Stow Fourth of July Parade. Starts at the Community Center and travels down Route 59. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. stowohio.org
