Steve Burgess
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June
30
30
10 Things to do in Cleveland With the Kids Before School Starts
Summer is one of our favorite times of the year in Cleveland! The sun is high, Lake Erie is sparkling, and there are fun things to see and do nearly every weekend. We feel like school just let out, and we've been cherishing this time with our kids, but unfortunately it seems as though the festivities are coming to a close. In just over a month, the bells will ring and school will be back in session. Time flies!
Before freedom the summer ends, take advantage of this time to tackle some last-minute adventures around Cleveland. From family-friendly events to interactive activities, there are plenty of fun things to do around town that will have your kids leaping for joy. We've gathered up a bucket list of 10 things we think everyone should experience this summer in Cleveland — all you have to do is decide which one to do first!
Your kids will love the opportunity to monkey around at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and summer is one of the best times to visit. In the mornings, the animals will be out and about and ready to see up close, and in the afternoons, you and your family can enjoy the endless interactive exhibits and beautiful scenery. In any case, take advantage of the time you have before the kids are back in school and plan a trip. With hundreds of species of animals from all over the world and fun interactive exhibits to boot, a visit to the zoo is always worth looking forward to.
The farmpark is a family-oriented science and cultural center dedicated to connecting the Cleveland community with our agricultural roots. The interactive activities and exhibits will help people of all ages better understand where our food and clothing come from. Visitors will enjoy horse or tractor-drawn wagons to carry them throughout the park, hands-on experience milking a live dairy cow, an up-close look at how cheese is made, a walk through the horse stalls, and the chance to see baby lambs and goats in the nursery. On top of that, kids can try their luck at ice cream making with dairy from the farm, and enjoy their product after the fact.
Your kids are going to need some energy for all of that end-of-summer adventuring. Treat them with a visit to Sweeties Candy Company — the candy shop of every child's dreams. This giant warehouse is filled with more than 500,000 pounds of every candy you could imagine, from chocolates and pop rocks to sugar free and sour varieties. There are even some from earlier decades that will take you back to days gone by! Let the sugar rush wear off a bit at the on-site putt putt range, and then grab a cone at the ice creamery if you wish. You're about to be the best parent in the world.
Hit up the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Your kids will love the opportunity to monkey around at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and summer is one of the best times to visit. In the mornings, the animals will be out and about and ready to see up close, and in the afternoons, you and your family can enjoy the endless interactive exhibits and beautiful scenery. In any case, take advantage of the time you have before the kids are back in school and plan a trip. With hundreds of species of animals from all over the world and fun interactive exhibits to boot, a visit to the zoo is always worth looking forward to.
Attend the Cuyahoga County Fair | August 7-13
The Cuyahoga County Fair is back for its 121st year! Come enjoy a week filled with wacky attractions, arts and crafts, derbies, live music, square dancing, fireworks, local food vendors, thrilling rides, a haunted house and so much more.Ride a Train Through Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Photo courtesy of Robert George the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Traveling by train is the most entertaining, carefree way to get from point A to B, and much more nostalgic than hopping in the back of minivan. Your kids will love the adventure that a train ride through the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides. The train runs Wednesday through Sunday during summer and fall, and travelers have the option to hop off at the destination to explore the park (which we highly recommend), and then return on a later train. If you're looking to be a little more active, take your bikes on the towpath and then board the train for a relaxing trip back to your car!See a Show at Playhouse Square
The Playhouse Square is the theater district in downtown Cleveland, constructed by a local developer following the conclusion of World War I. After nearly 100 years, the theater is still one of Cleveland's most treasured gems, and puts on shows and events for our enjoyment almost daily. In August, you have the option to choose from a number of tours, classes and productions, including Motown the Musical and Mamai Theatre Company's A Doll's House. Click here to see the full schedule!Visit the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse at the Cleveland Botanical Garden
Photo courtesy of The Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse is an unforgettable adventure for little ones and adults alike, allowing visitors to escape into the Madagascar Desert and the Costa Rica Rainforest — all without leaving Cleveland! The conservatory is filled with other-worldly landscapes, and features 350 species of plants alongside 50 different varieties of butterflies, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Make sure you're there at 2 pm for the daily butterfly release, during which newly hatched butterflies will spread their wings and take flight for the first time.Learn Something New at the Great Lakes Science Center
School might not start for a few weeks, but that doesn't mean your kids can't learn something new! Venture to the Great Lakes Science Center for a day full of engineering and experimenting at this iconic family favorite. Exhibits include a giant domed theater that shows movies and educational flicks, a NASA exhibit, the William G. Mather Steamship, electrifying science phenomena, Legos and more.Milk a Cow at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark
The farmpark is a family-oriented science and cultural center dedicated to connecting the Cleveland community with our agricultural roots. The interactive activities and exhibits will help people of all ages better understand where our food and clothing come from. Visitors will enjoy horse or tractor-drawn wagons to carry them throughout the park, hands-on experience milking a live dairy cow, an up-close look at how cheese is made, a walk through the horse stalls, and the chance to see baby lambs and goats in the nursery. On top of that, kids can try their luck at ice cream making with dairy from the farm, and enjoy their product after the fact.
Splash Around in the Bumper Boats at Swings-n-Things Family Fun Park
Swings-n-Things Family Fun Park is open year-round, and offers exciting activities, including mini golf, paintball, an arcade and an ice creamery, but our favorite by far is the bumper boats. This wild activity is only available during the warmer months, and allows drivers the chance to crash, splash and even engage in combat with a water-filled squirt gun can. Don't try this one unless you're ready to get splashed!Get a Sugar Rush at Sweeties Candy Company
Your kids are going to need some energy for all of that end-of-summer adventuring. Treat them with a visit to Sweeties Candy Company — the candy shop of every child's dreams. This giant warehouse is filled with more than 500,000 pounds of every candy you could imagine, from chocolates and pop rocks to sugar free and sour varieties. There are even some from earlier decades that will take you back to days gone by! Let the sugar rush wear off a bit at the on-site putt putt range, and then grab a cone at the ice creamery if you wish. You're about to be the best parent in the world.
Don Your Lederhosen at Oktoberfest | September 1-4
Absorb a bit of German culture at what has been named one of the best Oktoberfests in the country. Visiting the iconic festival over Labor Day Weekend will make you feel like you've just stepped into Munich. Expect to be surrounded with schnitzel, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, polka music, intermittent chicken dancing, and more. There's something here for the whole family, and the adults will enjoy the endless supply of German libations. Kids ages 12 and under can enter free of charge!
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