 |
|
|
|
|
Happening Now
|
Now through July 20:
26th Annual Irish Cultural Festival.
It's about music, food, and fun — all with an Irish lilt. Cleveland's Irish Cultural Festival is a joyous weekend of traditional Irish step-dancing, bagpipes, and Irish stew. There's even an open-air Mass on Sunday morning. The little ones will enjoy the pony rides, crafts, and face-painting. At the Berea Fairgrounds. (website) Hide details
All-American Soap Box Derby.
The All-American Soap Box Derby, begun in 1934, allows boys and girls, ages 8 to 17, to compete, with homemade, nonmotorized cars, for scholarships and other prizes. Participants qualify for this race in numerous regional races. The Soap Box Derby is surrounded by a week full of activities, including a parade, a rally, and celebrity appearances. At Derby Downs. ( website) Hide details
Ingenuity Fest.
A combination of technology, music, and art, Ingenuity Fest now in its fourth year is fascinating to visitors of all ages. You can't help but learn and see something new. Participants range from individual artists to large technology firms; the only requirement is that the presentations be artistic and innovative. At various locations at Playhouse Square Center. ( website) Hide details
The Great Lakes Medieval Faire and Marketplace.
Travel back to the 13th century at least for a day at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire and Marketplace. Don your best renaissance garb, brush up on your Medieval speak, and grab a turkey leg. This event, in its 16th season, recreates the Village of Avaloch, complete with strolling minstrels, court banquets, jousting tournaments, and a festival marketplace. Take an active role or just watch; it's fun either way. In Lake Countyon State Route 534. ( website) Hide details
Einstein.
This summer's exhibit at the Science Center along the shores of Lake Erie explores the life and work of Albert Einstein. Far from being displayed in dry, scientific journals, his theories come alive with videos, interactive exhibits, and reproductions of his letters and manuscripts. At the Great Lakes Science Center. ( website) Hide details
Vatican Splendors.
The Vatican's vast art collection is fascinating to every age group, for older viewers because the objects are so rarely seen or photographed, for younger visitors because they are dramatic and spectacular in their design. Included are objects from as early as the third century as well as works by Michelangelo, Bernini, and Giotto, among others. The exhibit is only traveling to three U.S. cities. Strollers are not allowed in the exhibit. At the Western Reserve Historical Society. ( Tix) Hide details
Great Garden Adventure.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is the elegant 70-acre estate and former home of F.A. Seiberling, founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. This year, carrying on the spirit of the Seiberling family who were great patrons of the arts, the manor, and museum has hired an artist in residence
and not just any artist. P.R. Miller is a self-defined "junk man." Millers first project has been to create more than 100 flowers from discarded metal, household items, plastics, and other trash, and create a fun path of objects to touch and crawl through in more than a dozen Imagination Stations. It's outdoor fun for old and young alike, and a good way to talk to your grandchildren about recycling. Children 5 and younger are free. At the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. ( website) Hide details |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Help With This Page
In the City Guides section, you'll find the best things to do with your grandchildren. To get started, choose a city below or select from among movies, home activities or things to do in the car. Whatever you do, have loads of fun with your grandchildren.
|
 |
 |
|
| | Cleveland's sports games are among the country's most vehement, and the wide range of parks, lakes and museums provides well-rounded fun for you and yours. Compiled by Sandy Mitchell | |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
map
| website
| comment
Opening as an attraction in November of 2006, this 1940's house in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood is the actual house where the classic 1983 holiday movie "A Christmas Story" was filmed. The two-story house has been restored to look just as it did when Ralphie and his family lived there, and visitors can tour the house, the yard, and the museum across the street, which is filled with memorabilia, rarely-seen photos, and movie stills.
Info: Admission: adults $7, 12 and under free
Hours: daily, Thursday-Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 12PM-5PM, closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve, New Year's Day;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Local Unique
|
Akron Zoo
500 Edgewood Ave.
Akron, OH 44307
(330) 375-2250
|
map
| website
| comment
Smaller and more intimate than the Cleveland Zoo, the Akron Zoo, located just west of downtown Akron, is a 700-acre family-friendly park with over 700 animals. Highlights of this zoo, which is about an hour's drive from downtown Cleveland, include the elusive snow leopard, the endangered Humboldt penguin, and the jaguar. The Akron zoo is also one of just 211 zoos worldwide to have earned a designation as a world conservation zoo.
Info: Admission: adults $9, ages 55+ $7, 2-14 $6, 2 and under free; Winter Admission: $6
Hours: May-October daily 10AM-5PM; November-April daily 11AM-4PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Animals & Nature
map
| website
| comment
Share the joy of creating your own decorative plate, pet dish, or figurine at this "paint-your-own" pottery studio, located in Akron, about an hour south of downtown Cleveland. Choose from one of over 300 pre-formed items, decorate it, and have the facility fire it for you. Associate are there to help you and classes for all ages are offered.
Info: Admission: $5-$50 per piece, 50% studio fee
Hours: Monday 4PM-8PM Tuesday-Thursday 11AM-8PM, Friday 11AM-9PM, Saturday 10AM-9PM, Sunday 1PM-5PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Classes & Workshops
map
| website
| comment
Located south of Cleveland in Medina, this entertainment complex includes two indoor playgrounds (one for toddlers and one for older children), a 4800-square foot laser tag arena, and a huge arcade where kids can ride motorized safari jeeps and airplanes, play a variety of video games and earn coupons that can be redeemed for prizes. There's also a snack bar with pizza, hot pretzels and other food items.
Info: Admission: toddler playground $4, regular playground $6, laser tag area $6, two admissions $9
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10AM-9PM, Friday-Saturday 10AM-12AM, Sunday 12PM-9PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Fun & Games
map
| website
| comment
Ashtabula County, a little more than an hour's drive from downtown Cleveland, is home to 16 authentic or recreated 19th century covered bridges. These unique wooden structures are fun to explore and make a nice outing from the city. Each October, Ashtabula hosts its Covered Bridge Festival, with guided tours, live entertainment, food and fun.
Info: Bridges: free; Festival: adults $4, ages 12 and under free
Hours: vary;
Seasons: Fall
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Outdoor Fun
map
| comment
Located at University Circle, near the Cleveland Museum of Art, Case Western Reserve University, and other area attractions, the Silver Spartan Diner is a sleek, authentic diner that offers traditional favorites like milkshakes, burgers, and chili dogs, as well as homemade soups, appetizers and breakfast all day long. There's also a 50s-style jukebox, loaded with music from popular crooners and boppers. A fun – and affordable – place for lunch after a trip to one of the museums.
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 7AM-2:30PM, Thursday and Friday 7AM-2:30PM and 5PM-2AM, Saturday 8:30AM-2PM and 5PM-2AM, Sunday 5PM-1AM, hours reduced when Case Western Reserve University is not in session;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
map
| website
| comment
Just south of Cleveland, adjoining the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is one of the region's best ski resorts. The 79-acre Boston Mills Ski Area offers 19 slopes, with a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced hills. The resort offers a children's program, snowboarding, and a cozy lodge. For two weeks in the summer, the resort hosts the Boston Mills Art Festival, a prestigious regional event showcasing a variety of artistic genres.
Info: Lift Ticket: adults $39, ages 5-12 $34, 5 and under and 70+ free
Hours: Ski Season: November-March;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Outdoor Fun
map
| website
| comment
For years, grandchildren have found the Teddy bear to be a primary source of comfort and entertainment. Share the experience of creating this eternal slice of Americana with your grandkids at the Build-A-Bear Workshop. They'll delight in not only the construction of their new plush plaything, but also in choosing a sound chip, clothing, and even giving it an official name on a birth certificate. Whatever they create, the little ones will always remember the memory of making it with you. Private parties can be booked as well.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Shopping
map
| website
| comment
Cedar Point, located along the shores of Lake Erie about 90 minutes west of Cleveland, boasts the largest number of roller coasters in the world; from the historic wooden Blue Streak, to the thrilling -and new for 2007- Maverick. But the park offers more than coasters: there are live shows, arcade games, water rides, a white sand beach, a marina, and many rides for all ages. Spend the night at Cedar Point's historic Breakers Hotel for more than one day of fun.
Info: Admission: adults and 48'' and up $42, 48" and under and ages 62+ $12, 2 and under free; discounts offered for active and retired military personnel, season and multi-day passes also available
Hours: Early May-end of October; May, September, and October weekends only and hours vary;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Attractions & Landmarks
map
| website
| comment
One of the many cultural attractions at University Circle, the Cleveland Botanical Garden is a combination of indoor and outdoor garden displays. Highlights include the glasshouse, which features the Madagascar Spiny Desert and the Costa Rica Cloud Forest exhibit. Outdoors there's a manicured rose garden, a formal herb garden, a woodland garden, and a Japanese tea garden. A favorite of young visitors is the Hershey's Children's Garden, a kid-friendly exhibit with signs and pictures at kid level and fun features, like a barn and a treehouse.
Info: Admission: adults $8, ages 3-12 $3, 3 and under free
Hours: May-October: Monday-Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 12PM-5PM;November-April: Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 12PM-5PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Animals & Nature
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
