area map calendar
Chat With Us Industry Resources Meetings Group Tour Media Blog Newsletters About Us Move to Cleveland

Things To Do

Things to DoMajor AttractionsArts & EntertainmentCultureExperiences & ToursHolidayKidsMusicNightlifeParks & OutdoorShoppingSportsSpringSummerWinterSearch Things to Do

Featured

Summer returns to CLE. Time to party.

Summer in The Land

Sure, Cleveland winters can be a bit...much. But that turns the city’s summers into a season-long celebration of sun, food, music, beaches and fun. With an average temp of 80 degrees, The Land is the place to celebrate summertime.

Events

EventsEvents This WeekendEvent CalendarAnnual EventsMonthly Events PDFSubmit an Event2024 Solar Eclipse

Featured

The Land of Going All Out

Roadtrip to CLE

Can you make it to The Land in time to catch the Total Solar Eclipse? Find out by playing Road Trip to CLE now.

Eat + Drink

Eat + DrinkDowntown RestaurantsBakeries & SweetsBars & BreweriesCoffee, Brunch, & BreakfastSearch Places to Eat + Drink

Featured

2023

Brewery Passport

Few towns can boast a craft beer pedigree like Cleveland. We’ve brought together many of our finest breweries to create the Cleveland Brewery Passport: a unified way for you to explore everything this city has to offer without going thirsty.

Where To Stay

Where to StayDowntown Cleveland HotelsCleveland Airport HotelsSearch all HotelsSearch Meeting Venues

Planning Tools

Planning ToolsKnow Before You GoChat With UsCleveland Visitors CenterDeals & Special OffersGetting to ClevelandHealth & SafetyMapsSubscribe to e-NewslettersRequest a Visitor Insider GuideTransportation in ClevelandTravel InspirationOfficial Insider Guide

Neighborhoods

NeighborhoodsDowntown ClevelandCleveland NeighborhoodsCleveland SuburbsCleveland Region

TV

TVThe Land for LifeCleveland CreativesLegends of The Land Podcast

Featured

Answering those burning questions we all have about Cleveland

Legends of The Land Podcast

This is Legends of The Land, a podcast series that centers on some of those absolutely burning questions we all have about Cleveland — the kind of stuff no one is talking about – but probably should.

« Back to Cleveland by Clevelanders Blog

Kids in The Land: Things to Do this Winter

10 Wintertime Adventures for Kids

Image © Cody York
Heather Tunstall January 10, 2023

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 900,000 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.

Ice skate on Public Square

Lace up the skates and glide out on 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.

Burn off cabin fever at Play: CLE

Shake off the winter cabin fever and lethargy at Play: CLE in Avon. This facility offers a great way to be active even when all we want to do is sit on the couch, watch Netflix and eat leftovers (not speaking from experience). It’s the largest indoor adventure park in the nation with an indoor zipline, climbing wall, ropes course and even a ninja warrior course. Note: This one’s for kids aged seven and up.

Spend silly time together at Make Believe

For kids of all ages, Make Believe Family Fun Center in Parma has everything from a toddler area for tiny tots to mini bowling, a ropes course and laser tag for big kids. 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.

Explore Alien Vacation Mini-Golf + Castle Noel

Why? Because, 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 over 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).

Get cultured at the Cleveland Museum of Art

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. And the best part is that the permanent collection is one of the world’s best — and it’s absolutely free. So bring the whole family.

Catch a kid-friendly show at Playhouse Square

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.

Toboggan at The Chalet

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.

Snow tube at Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort

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 combines to form the coolest winter hilarity imaginable. Trust us: no one gets out of this activity looking poised and sophisticated.

Warm up in The RainForest at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

What better way to forget the cold than to trek through 10,000+ tropical plants and passed about 600 animals representing the jungles of Asia, Africa and the Americas? At The Rainforest, which is apart of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, you’ll be greeted by a 25-foot waterfall and a breath of warm air as you enter the two-acre, two-level habitat (the largest of its kind in the United States).


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.

Featured in this post

Related Posts

View All >

CLE Black History: Cleveland’s Greatest Contributors

What Not to Miss: MetroHealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest

10 Places to Celebrate in Cleveland

48 Hours in CLE: Summer

Things To Do Events Eat & Drink Where To Stay Planning Tools Neighborhoods
Meetings Group Tour Media Partners Partner Extranet About Us Move to Cleveland Jobs Contact
Copyright © 2023 Destination Cleveland
Privacy Terms of Use Legal Sitemap