Ah, spring break. The kids are off school for a week and you had grand ideas of lining up fun, educational activities to keep everyone entertained. Then the weather takes a turn, screen time gets old and the kids start bouncing off the walls. Fear not — there’s tons of family-friendly events and activities happening in Cleveland throughout March and April. Check the list below to plan a spring fling for all ages.
Cleveland Orchestra's Sensory-Friendly Concerts | Mar. 2 - Apr. 5
Cleveland Orchestra: the only place where a cello can be cheerful and a tuba can be totally tubular. This season, bring the whole family to their sensory-friendly concerts, like "Wild Symphony!" (Mar. 2), "Cheerful Cello" (Mar. 7-8) and "Totally Tuba" (Apr. 4-5). And if you're feeling heroic, catch "Black Panther in Concert" (Mar. 28-29).
The oldest maple festival in the U.S. celebrates the production of pure maple syrup in Geauga County and Northeast Ohio. Head to Chardon during these four days of sticky-sweet fun to enjoy arts and crafts, bathtub races, concessions, entertainment, a lumberjack competition, parades and pancakes (of course).
Explore all the zoo has to offer, from the African Savanna to the Asian Highlands. Add even more animal adventure to your day by registering for an Inside Tracks tour or participate in the Spring Break Camp programs (taking place Mar. 21 - Apr. 4).
Family Fun Loop train rides are shorter, more interactive programs recommended for kids ages 3 to 12, but tiny tots are welcome, too. The two hour journey departs from and returns to Peninsula Station, with programs that include creating critters, learning about wildlife and sharing insights about the trains, tracks and trails.
This spring, in addition to touring the desert of Madagascar and Costa Rican Rainforest in the glasshouse, or the outdoor Hershey Children’s Garden, you can also enjoy the Ron and Lydia Harrington Perrennial Playspace with sensory activities and stations, and of course, the Marian's Sensory Play Area, where the climbing and building action takes place.
Take in some kid-focused theater at Connor Palace with “Peter Pan.” A timeless tale brought back to life by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse, directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The adventure begins when Peter Pan and his mischievous sidekick, Tinker Bell, visit the bedroom of the Darling children late one night.
The museum consistently ranks as one of the best comprehensive art museums in the U.S. and is one of the most-visited in the world — and its wide-ranging permanent collection can be seen at no cost. Free, family-focused programming options include art classes and workshops. Can't forget Family Play Days.
Take a Hike
You don’t have to travel far from downtown to experience breathtaking views and get your heart pumping. Check out picturesque options like Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Brandywine Falls in Sagamore Hills, the deep gorge carved out by Tinker’s Creek in Cleveland Metroparks’ Bedford Reservation, or head south to Furnace Run Metro Park in Richfield, home to Daffodil Trail, which turns a dazzling yellow in mid-spring when an estimated 40,000 daffodils bloom.
Visit a Nature Center
Go exploring at an area nature center. Check out the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, a 20-acre green space that includes gardens and natural habitats. Or head to Lake Erie Science & Nature Center in Bay Village, where families can enjoy hands-on science discovery via live wildlife exhibits, star shows in the planetarium, family-friendly programs and natural history displays.
See what’s in bloom at the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, a city-owned botanical garden and greenhouse that is free and open to the public seven days a week. Head outdoors and take a stroll among the neighboring Cleveland Cultural Gardens — 36 dedicated gardens, designed and cultivated by distinct cultural or nationality groups, that adorn Rockefeller Park.