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Old 02-28-2019, 06:41 PM
 
Location: Portland, OR -> Rocky River, OH
869 posts, read 1,277,197 times
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I may differ from other posters on here in my perspectives of various Cleveland events and places, since I mainly have to take into account bringing young children.

Wanted to highlight a few great options I have already discovered, so it may hopefully help others, especially those relocating from outside the area, know where to begin for kid and family friendly activities.

1) Cleveland Metroparks -- love the various nature centers (CanalWay, Rocky River, Lake Erie Nature Center). And Reservations...Huntington Beach and Edgewater Beach in nicer weather. Tons of weekly family event choices across all metroparks. WHAT A GEM. We go to stuff weekly. https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/programs
2) Cleveland / Cuyahoga Library System -- We go to mostly Rocky River, but have been impressed with not only the quality of the programs and collections, but the sheer number of weekly family friendly events, activities, and resources. We go to stuff weekly.
3) Cleveland Natural History Museum and Cleveland History Center (and merry-go-round!) and Botanical Garden -- University Circle is always enjoyable.
4) Cleveland Children's Museum. We are members and find it to be a good mix of arts and crafts / science / social interaction. Located in a cool old mansion. I would say good for kids 5-6 and under https://cmcleveland.org/
5) Cleveland Metroparks Zoo -- We're also members of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. We were members of the Portland Oregon Zoo...and find Cleveland's much superior

Looking to try out soon:

1) Talespinner Children's Theater https://talespinnerchildrenstheatre.org/
2) Playhouse Square Children's Theater Series https://childrenstheater.playhousesq...theater-series
3) Cuyahoga Valley National Parker and scenic railroad
4) Great Lakes Science Center
5) Cleveland Indians Baseball game

What else am I missing?

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Last edited by usaf_1832; 02-28-2019 at 07:40 PM..
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Old 03-01-2019, 03:30 AM
 
11,610 posts, read 10,423,272 times
Reputation: 7217
Default Lake Metroparks Farmpark

Lake Metroparks Farmpark reportedly is one of the best in the nation, and family memberships there are very popular on the east side, especially in central Lake County. It's likely the area's equivalent of the zoo.

It has features such as a dairy parlor, where kids of all ages can hand-milk a caged and well-trained cow. Bleachers facilitate viewing, photography, and video recording.

It has a very good maple sugar bush with an elevated platform which allows kids to easily view the boiler. What distinguishes the sugar bush are historic maple-sugar making displays as well as tours of its modern sugar bush with piping and a vacuum system.

In the spring, especially now, there are many new-born animals, several of which run wild to the delight of visiting children. The sights are new to most urban-raised children.

The Farmpark has many animals representing endangered domesticated animals. One of my favorites are the Jacob sheep, an ancient species often with four horns. Several breeds of dairy cows are on display.

In the summer, most animals graze on the park's fields.

The Farmpark constantly offers exciting events. Currently, maple sugaring weekends and one of the metro's largest quilt shows are featured. Annual Halloween hayrides always sell out, certainly encouraging the purchase of memberships. The corn maze and other autumn features are open even if hayride tickets can't be purchased.

Halloween Hayrides at the Farmpark in Kirtland, Ohio | Lake Metroparks

Search here for Farmpark for the event agenda.

Lake County Park Event Calendar - Lake Metroparks | Lake Metroparks

Many activities are limited to weekends, so check before visiting. E.g., the availability of horse and pony rides for children.

Transportation through the large park is offered by carriages pulled by both draft horses and tractors.

There is an educational emphasis in the park for older children, such as with plant biology and renewable energy.
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Old 03-01-2019, 03:50 AM
 
11,610 posts, read 10,423,272 times
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The Cleveland Museum of Art is a superb destination for families with children of all ages.

Kids and Families | Cleveland Museum of Art

The Children's Museum | Cleveland Museum of Art

Visiting with Young Children | Cleveland Museum of Art

Check the daily calendar for children's activities such as "My Very First Art Class," for children as young as 1 1/2.

My Very First Art Class | Cleveland Museum of Art

Free activities include "Art Stories,"

Art Stories | Cleveland Museum of Art

The ARTLENS Gallery is a pioneering and globally innovative digital arts center that delights even the youngest of children. ArtLens Studio offers activities for children as young as 3.

ARTLENS Gallery | Cleveland Museum of Art

ArtLens Studio | Cleveland Museum of Art

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innov...art-180968007/

Parade the Circle and the Chalk Festival are popular annual events sponsored by the CMA.
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Old 03-01-2019, 03:55 AM
 
11,610 posts, read 10,423,272 times
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Default Cleveland Institute of Art

The Cleveland Institute of Art offers arts classes for children as young as 5.

https://www.cia.edu/continuing-educa...rtists-classes
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Old 03-01-2019, 03:57 AM
 
11,610 posts, read 10,423,272 times
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Default The Music Settlement

The Music Settlement offers weekend introductory courses for musical instruments, singing and movement.

https://apm.activecommunities.com/cm...ty_Search/9873
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Old 03-01-2019, 04:06 AM
 
11,610 posts, read 10,423,272 times
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Default Websites for activities with children

https://northeastohiofamilyfun.com/u...ortheast-ohio/

https://www.thisiscleveland.com/blog...18/kids-in-cle
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Old 03-01-2019, 04:17 AM
 
11,610 posts, read 10,423,272 times
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Default Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen Reservation

Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen offers an excellent wildlife center, nature play, and, in the summer, free puppet theaters (check the reservation's concert event calendar). A popular activity for kids are the miniature woodlands tours offered by the Lakeshore Live Steamers; check the "public run" schedule at the group's website below.

Penitentiary Glen Nature Park in Kirtland, Ohio | Lake Metroparks

Lake Shore Live Steamers.com
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Old 03-01-2019, 04:23 AM
 
11,610 posts, read 10,423,272 times
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Default Pick your own orchards and farms

Kids enjoy pick your own and farm activities, such as offered by Patterson's (see Cuyahoga County below even though it's in Chesterland in Geauga County; see also the Patterson Fruit Farm in Geauga County).

Cleveland, Akron and northeast Ohio Cleveland, Akron and northeast Ohio U-Pick farms: Find a pick your own farm near you in Cleveland, Akron and northeast Ohio for fruit, vegetables, pumpkins, organic foods,local produce and more!
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Old 03-01-2019, 04:55 AM
 
11,610 posts, read 10,423,272 times
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Default Playhouse Square family programming

Playhouse Square offers many events for families.

Category | Multicategory

During the holiday season, the annual Cleveland Play House Festival of Trees takes place in the Allen Theatre lobby.

https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/v...tival-of-trees

Annually, the Play House offers "A Christmas Story" production at the Allen and Great Lakes offers its "A Christmas Carol" production at the Ohio Theatre.

https://www.greatlakestheater.org/ti...hristmas-carol

For older children, both the Allen and Hanna Theatres are wonderfully modern and intimate theaters, and some productions, such as Great Lakes' "The Music Man" this season are very family friendly. These productions can include musical theater classics as well as Shakespeare for older children.

https://www.greatlakestheater.org/ti.../the-music-man

One of the best Cleveland movie experiences at bargain prices is offered every summer by Playhouse Square's Cinema at the Square. The event even offers pre-showing organ concerts and a massive, non-Imax screen. Several family-friendly classics are featured each year.

Cinema at the Square | Playhouse Square

From 2018:

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainm...brings_cl.html

Connor Palace history:

https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/246

Kids can imagine in the days before TV and household air-conditioning, when Cleveland had several large movie theaters that continuously showed movies the entire day and even vaudeville shows.

The Hippodrome even featured live animals in productions, much as still can be seen at Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/25
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Old 03-01-2019, 08:25 AM
 
6,601 posts, read 8,976,499 times
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The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is pretty neat and family friendly. It's a little pricey for a one day visit, but the membership is a good deal.

PlayGrounds Cafe in Lakewood isn't exactly a tourist destination, but it's an awesome concept for a business and it's one of the few things that will draw us over to the west side.

Preston's Hope in Beachwood is a pretty unique playground that is free to the public.
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