Head out to a Maple Syrup Festivals and learn how to tap a tree and sample some delicious maple syrup. 

Let your kids burn off some energy at one of the many featured Parks & Playgrounds. Join an area Playgroup and plan a play date at the park with other moms.

Learn how to fish, enjoy a friendly competition and compete for prizes in one of the local Youth Fishing Derbies.  Note:  The list of fishing derbies is updated in early April

See the Animals at either the Cleveland Zoo or Akron Zoo. 

Ride on a Canal Boat pulled by a Horse (Season Starts in April)

Pack a frisbee and play a game of Frisbee / Disc Golf. There are lots of local courses to choose from.

Hike the trails at a State or Metropark. Looking for paved paths? Check out our list of Stroller Friendly Hiking Trails.

Sign up for the Cleveland Metroparks Kids Club 

Head to the Holden Arboretum and check out the Tower and Canopy Walkway

Go down the HUGE slide at Secrest Arboretum or visit one of the many other Outdoor Gardens & Arboretums across Northeast Ohio

Grab your smart phone, download the free geocaching app and head out on a Geocaching scavenger hunt or try your hand at Orienteering

Take an educational field trip to explore the Outdoor Living History Museum at Hale Farm & Village.

During the spring the local waterfalls are often running nicely. Hike the trails to see area waterfalls like Brandywine Falls and Mill Creek Falls in Cleveland at The Gorge in Akron and Lanterman’s Falls at Lanterman’s Mill in Youngstown.

Go on a zip lining adventure. Many local ropes courses and treetop adventures open for the season during the spring. 

Take your pup to a local Dog park.

Indoor Activities

Make a day trip or plan an overnight stay at a nearby Indoor Water Parks. Ohio has many different options to choose from and you can be sure there is one that is perfect for your family!

If you don’t want to go to a large indoor water park, check out our list of local indoor pools. Most offer swimming lessons and open swim times. You can also read about our experience taking swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School.

Challenge yourself to complete on of the area Ninja Warrior Obstacle Courses

Take a tour of Harry London’s Chocolate Factory, learn how chocolate is made and get some free samples too! There are also other local factory tours available in person or online. Note: Reservations are required.

Sign your Kids up for a drop in Art Class or Paint Your Own Pottery

Take Music Lessons and learn to play an instrument or sing

Take your children to a musical or theater production geared toward children or acting classes and watch their imaginations soar.

Does your child have a birthday party during the summer months? Use the Birthday Party Planning Guide to help make planning a breeze.

Enjoy a free kid’s meal at one of the restaurants that offer Kid’s Eat Free

Admission is always FREE for the Cleveland Museum of Art and they offer various special touches to make it a family friendly destination including. 

Learn to build at a Home Depot Kids Workshop – Hands on Projects for Kids 

Get some great deals on gently used children’s clothing at an area Kid’s Spring/Summer Consignment Sale. Want to earn extra money on the items your kids have outgrown or no longer use? Check out our Top Tips for Selling at a Kids Consignment Sale and then KonMari your house.

See historical airplanes at MAPS Air Museum, learn all about money at the FREE Cleveland Money Museum located at the Federal Reserve

Think Laser Tag, Inflatables, Trampoline Parks, Roller Skating and more at one of the local Indoor Play Centers. 

Head to Avon Lake Public Library's DiscoveryWorks a fun an unique indoor play area with one area designed for infants through age 7, and another Tweens area for age 8 and older.

And you can also head to the FREE Indoor Playland at First Christian Church, in North Canton. It's open the public during select days/hours during the week.

Head to the Great Lakes Science Center for some hands on Science Fun

Then try some simple science experiments at home

Watch a FREE Planetarium Show at the Ward Beecher Planetarium in Youngstown

Road Trips

Family Fun Across the US – Did you know there are websites similar to Northeast Ohio Family Fun for various cities all across the country? Whether your family is traveling across the country or just across the state, I hope this list of family friend websites helps your plan the best family road trip ever!

Interested in a road trip, but want to stay in the state of Ohio? Consider heading to Columbus, Warren County (Cincinnati Area) or Lake Erie Shores & Islands. We had a great time visited each of the locations.

Holiday Fun

Note:  Holiday event listings are updated yearly with current information available about a month prior to the holiday

Attend a parade or other family-friendly St. Patrick's Day Celebration

Take the kids to one (or more) of the many Easter Egg Hunts or Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Events. Have fun at home too and decorate Rice Krispy Easter Eggs. 

Attend one of the festivals or community events to celebrate Earth Day 

Browse through the listing of Things to Do Over Spring Break and places where kids can attend a Spring Break Camp. 

Make mom feel special by taking her to one of these Mother's Day Events across Northeast Ohio 

Say good bring to spring and hello to summer at one of the fireworks shows being held to celebrate Memorial Day 

Fun at Home

And because we know we'll get plenty of April showers, there will be times when you'll need ideas on things to do at home in order to keep the kids from bouncing off the walls!

Do Science Experiments at Home. Balloon Rocket, Walking Water and Magic Milk are really fun and use items you may already have at home.

Dust off the board games and have a tournament. Here are our top board game picks

Have a family read aloud. Wondering where to start, check out our 6 Tips for Reading with your children. 

Make a DIY bird feeder and watch the birds enjoy the delicious treat!

So how about you?  Are there any locations on the list that you’ve been to before?  Attractions you’re hearing about for the first time?  I’d love for you to leave a comment about the places on the list you’d recommend or if there are any places you know of that didn’t make the list.

You may also be interested in:

• Weekend Fun – Weekly picks for the upcoming weekend
• Ultimate List of Things to Do with Kids in Northeast Ohio
• FREE Weekly Newsletter – Subscribe to get the email newsletter delivered to your inbox one a week. That way you are always up to date on the fun happening across Northeast Ohio.