You’re all sitting around the living room, playing on your gaggle of electronic devices and not talking except to complain about the cold weather outside. You’ve heard “Baby Shark” on repeat for the 900,000th time, and now your youngest just spilled hot chocolate on the rug.
Snap out of it! 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 to keep the little ones with hot chocolate jitters distracted.
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 Cleveland’s beautiful architecture, including the iconic Terminal Tower and Old Stone Church.
For kids of all ages, Make Believe Family Fun Center in Parma has everything: a toddler area, mini bowling, a ropes course, and laser tag. Spin Zone bumper cars are a fan favorite, and they even have buddy seats for parents with small children, including scaled seat belts and extra padding.
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, head upstairs to the year-round holiday attraction Castle Noel, with the world’s largest private collection of Hollywood Christmas movie props and costumes (open year round).
There are several reasons why art museums in general are great for kids, but the Cleveland Museum of Art is particularly suited for — literally — 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? Plenty of running space, 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 the Children’s Theater Series. From recognizable TV characters, to sensory-friendly educational themes, to the old-school classics, there are shows for all ages and interests.
Adrenaline junkies will appreciate hurling down the tallest, fastest ice chutes in Ohio at 50 mph at The Cleveland Metropark’s tobogganing adventure located at the Chalet in the Strongsville area. 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.
For those who aren’t into (or need a break from) skiing or snowboarding, the Polar Blast Tubing Park at Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort is a great alternative for kids of all ages. Snow tubing is what happens when water tubing and sledding combine to form the coolest winter hilarity imaginable. Trust us: no one gets out of this activity looking poised and sophisticated.
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.
Whether marveling at permanent exhibits like the Kirtland Hall of Prehistoric Life and the Perkins Wildlife Center living galleries or experiencing the sensation of flight with the Birdly exhibit, there's more for kids to see and learn at the Museum of Natural History than ever before.
Winter Break
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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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FROST at the Cleveland Botanical Garden: The Cleveland Botanical Gardens shine year-round, but FROST adds extra holiday magic. Indoor and outdoor spaces transform with ice arches, dazzling lights, a flower tunnel, giant animals, 500+ poinsettias, and seasonal soundscapes for a fully immersive experience.
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Candy Land at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark: The Wild Days of Winter game is like Candy Land with a nature twist. Kids move along a life-sized board, exploring the seasons and interacting with nature's gifts year-round.
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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.