You’re all sitting around the living room, glued to your various electronic devices and not talking except to complain about the cold weather outside. You know the dynamic of every friendship on Bluey and there are fidget toys scattering the carpet.
Get up! It’s time to get out of the house.
Pack the minivan, grab the winter gear and get to Cleveland to check out these kid-friendly winter activities that will keep your family active, laughing, learning and bonding even during the chilliest of months. We've also got some ideas for winter break.
GET COLD
Lace up some skates and glide onto the ice at Public Square’s Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink. Located right in the heart of Downtown, you’ll be surrounded by twinkling lights in Public Square and the Illuminate CLE light show displayed on the surrounding architecture for a beautifully immersive snow-globe-esque experience for the whole fam. Make sure to check the skating hours before you head Downtown.
Adrenaline junkies will appreciate hurling down the tallest, fastest ice chutes in Ohio at 50 mph at The Cleveland Metroparks tobogganing adventure located at the Chalet from Nov. 27-Feb. 28 (reservations required). Surrounded by the beauty of Cleveland’s park system, you’ll have just enough time to catch a (blurred) glimpse of the gorgeous Mill Stream Reservation as you head down the chutes. Once on flat ground, you can go for a nice winter hike, or warm up by the outdoor fire pit.
*Know Before You Go: Every rider is required to be 42 inches tall, be able to climb 108 steps to the top of the hill and have gloves or mittens that cover their fingertips.
When the snow starts falling, Downtown turns Mall B into a pop-up playground. Downtown Cleveland’s Snow Days invite families to grab a sled and take a few runs down the hill, with the skyline as your backdrop. Keep an eye out for Snow Day announcements when conditions are right, then bundle up and make the most of a Cleveland snow day.
GET COZY
Naturally, Christmas and alien-themed 3D mini-golf experiences go hand-in-hand, right? It all happens in the quaint town of Medina and, trust us, it’s a great way to spend the afternoon. Start with Alien Vacation, the black-light, interactive environment with animated features and resort-quality artwork. Don’t worry — it’s freaky, but still cool for the littlest of kids. Then, keep the fun going at the year-round holiday attraction Castle Noel, with the world’s largest private collection of Hollywood Christmas movie props and costumes (open year round, reservations required).
There are several reasons why art museums in general are great for kids, but the Cleveland Museum of Art is particularly suited for all ages. Got a tiny baby? The wide-open atrium is stroller-friendly and quiet for a peaceful walk and lunch at the in-house café. Toddlers? There are interactive exhibits, crafting activities and special events. Older kids? All the culture, history and education you can handle, plus some cool technology not available at other museums. The best part is that the permanent collection is one of the world’s best and it’s absolutely free.
Theater is definitely not just for classy adults. Laugh and play along with your kids at family-friendly live performances at Playhouse Square, including Bluey's Big Play (Jan. 23-24), Ocean Blue (Jan. 30-31) and The Invisible Boy (Mar. 6-7). From recognizable TV characters to sensory-friendly educational themes to the old-school classics, there are shows for all ages and interests.
The Garage, the hands-on exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, consists of five main areas where fans can pick up real instruments — drums, guitar, bass and keyboards — learn to play, jam with friends and check out gear and instruments from the museum’s collection. From tiny tots to experienced musicians, video prompts will guide players as they learn a song or show off their freestyle skills.
Dinosaurs, earthquakes, outer space and Ohio wildlife are all on the agenda at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Wander through the reimagined museum to uncover the story of life on Earth, get hands-on with interactive exhibits and meet native animals at the Perkins Wildlife Center. Add a trip to the planetarium, and you've got plenty to keep curious kids busy while staying warm inside.
Holiday Break Bonus
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Wild Winter Lights at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: Experience the zoo's transformation into a winter wonderland with over 1.5 million holiday lights. Explore themed areas like the Enchanted Forest and Santa's Workshop, where you can snap photos with Santa.
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Tropical Holiday at the Cleveland Botanical Garden: Trade the Cleveland cold for a tropical escape at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Tropical Holiday fills the Garden with lush plants, island-inspired adventures, a festive marketplace and plenty of seasonal surprises. Wander through the warm glasshouses and soak up some tropical energy without ever leaving Cleveland.
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Strap on Some Snowshoes: Fresh snow means it's time to hit the trails. Lake Metroparks offers plenty of ways for families to get outside in winter, including snowshoeing when conditions cooperate. Bundle up, strap on a pair and turn an ordinary walk through the woods into a snowy family adventure. No snowshoes at home? Equipment rentals are available at select locations, so check current conditions and availability before heading out.
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Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge: Snowland transforms Sandusky’s indoor water park into a festive wonderland with twinkling lights, holiday trees, and indoor snow showers — all in 84-degree warmth. Stay in a Snowland Suite with festive décor, milk and cookies, and enjoy special events, winter activities, crafts, and visits with Santa.
Need more to do with the kids?
Check out Destination Cleveland’s top things to do with kids, perfect any time of the year, here.