Summer is here! Are you ready to break out the pool and sprinkler, fire up the grill and enjoy all the fun that the sunshine and warm weather brings?
If you’re looking for family friendly places to go and things to do in Northeast Ohio this is the list for you!
Sponsored By: Kids Eat Vegetables
Many Thanks to Kids Eat Vegetables for sponsoring this year’s Summer Fun Guide!
After you’ve finished checking out all the fun things to do across Northeast Ohio this summer, be sure to grab your list of summer essentials from Kids Eat Vegetables. That way you’ll be prepared for all your summer adventures!
100 Things to Do in Northeast Ohio this Summer
Featured Summer Fun
Big Frog of Solon
One-of-a-kind designs just for you. No Minimums, No Setup or Art Fees, 24 hour turnaround. Have a custom creation designed and made for birthday parties, family reunions, vacations, sports teams, wedding showers, baby gifts and more. The options are endless!
Cafe O’Play
Voted #1 Best Kids Play Area in the 2017 Parents Choice Awards, Cafe O’Play is Northeast Ohio’s premier indoor play cafe created to offer families healthy food options and physically-active play in a safe, clean, and comfortable environment.
Centuries of Childhood: An American Story
Now through August 27
Centuries of Childhood: An American Story is an interactive, hands-on, kid-friendly exhibit that charts the histories of five children and their families. Ranging from Jacob, the Jewish immigrant living in Cleveland to Michael, the African American youngster moving from the Deep South to Chicago, the exhibit helps kids connect the stories of these characters to their own experiences.
The activities in this exhibit are designed for children ages 2 to 8 years.
More Summer Fun Options
Spray parks offer a fun interactive way for children to beat the heat during the summer. And what makes them even better is that they are often FREE or low cost. Bonus: There are over 340 locations to choose from
Calling all City of Cleveland residents! Enjoy these FREE Swimming Pools in Cleveland. Be prepared to show your ID upon arrival.
Pack a picnic lunch, grab your towel and sunscreen and enjoy these fun Outdoor Water Parks.
Stay safe while at the pool this summer. Sign your kids up for swimming lessons and follows these 4 Water Safety Tips.
Plan a day trip to a check out the Inflatables at Atwood Lake Beach or visit one of the many other Beaches across Northeast Ohio
Pick up some balloons the next time you are at the store and cool off at home with these Fun Water Balloon Games
Beat the heat, by enjoying a movie in the comfort of an air conditioned theater. Many local theaters offer Special Family Movie Deals (think $1-$4 per movie)
Of course you can also enjoy a movie under the stars at one of the FREE Outdoor Movies. Remember your lawn chairs and blankets!
Take the family to enjoy a Drive In Movie.
Go see a live theatrical or musical performance at a local theater.
Let your kids burn off some energy at one of these local Parks & Playgrounds.
Hike the trails at a State or Metropark. Participate in the Summit Metroparks Spree for All
Take your dog to one of the area Dog Parks
Get out your bikes and take a Family Bike Ride On the Towpath Trail
Don’t have a bike or a way to get your bikes to the trail? Consider renting bicycles instead.
Or, let your kids ride around one of these mini cities: Kiddy City in Wooster | Safety Village in Stow
Go down the HUGE slide at Secrest Arboretum, tour Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens 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
Try your hand at Orienteering
Go for an adventure to the Canopy Walk and Tower at the Holden Arboretum
Sign your kids up for one of the area outdoor adventure or sports themed Kids Clubs.
Hike to the Waterfall in Akron at the Gorge part of Summit County Metroparks or visit one (or more) of the Best Waterfalls in Northeast Ohio
See Bald Eagles (and baby eaglets) in the Wild at Walborn Reservoir
Relax at the park on a warm summer evening and enjoy the music at a FREE Outdoor Summer Concerts
Feed the ducks at Price Park in North Canton
Watch the Goodyear Blimp take off from the hanger across the lake at Wingfoot Lake Park
Support local farmers and get some delicious food at a local Farmers Market
Head out to pick your own strawberries
Take a Trip to the Farm and get up close with farm animals, meet the farmers and learn about what it takes to be a farmer.
Go on a Safari at African Safari Park, The Farm at Walnut Creek or Wagon Trails Animal Park
See the Animals at either the Cleveland Zoo or Akron Zoo
Ride on a Canal Boat pulled by a Horse
Or go on a horseback riding adventure with trails rides or lessons. There are many places to go horseback riding.
Eat a funnel cake at one of the Summer Festivals or County Fairs
Enjoy a free public performance at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival
Make a stop at one (or two, or three) of the area Homemade Ice Cream Shops.
Challenge your family to mini golf, batting cages or bumper cars at one of the area Outdoor Play Centers.
Think Laser Tag, Inflatables, Trampoline Parks and more at one of the local Indoor Play Centers. Bonus: You can play in the comfort of air conditioning!
Take the kids skating at these local Roller Rinks.
Sign the kids up for the Kids Bowl FREE Program and let them bowl free all summer long and many local bowling alleys. Note: Shoe Rental Fees may apply
Or you can register for the Kids Skate FREE program offered at two roller rinks (Warren, Austintown). Note: Skate Rental Fees may apply
Pack a frisbee and play a game of Frisbee / Disc Golf. There are lots of local courses to choose from.
Put-Put indoors at one of the Glow in the Dark Indoor Miniature Golf
Learn how to fish, enjoy a friendly competition and compete for prizes in one of the local Youth Fishing Derbies.
Watch a FREE Water Ski Show at Emerald Lake in Norton
Lace up some skates and go Ice Skating
Rent a Canoe or Kayak and enjoy a ride down the river.
Head to an Indian’s Game and see the Kid’s Clubhouse
Attend an area Summer Camp
Keep the kids learning this summer! Try hands on science fun at Great Lakes Science Center, or visit one of the many other local Museums & Science Centers
Do Science Experiments at Home
See the Historic Planes at MAPS Air Museum
Encourage your kids to read by singing them up for one of the FREE Summer Reading Programs
Sign your Kids up for Art Classes let them express their creativity this summer
Take Music Lessons and learn to play an instrument or sing
Sign your kids up for a Vacation Bible School held at many local churches
Learn to build at a Home Depot Kids Workshop or Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics
Star gaze and learn about Astronomy
Sit in the driver seat of trucks and tractors at a local Touch-a-Truck Events Bonus: Most are FREE
Find an area Playgroup to Join
Get some great deals on gently used children’s clothing at an area Kid’s Spring/Summer Consignment Sale
Take the kids to a parade or fireworks show being held to celebrate Memorial Day or the 4th of July
Treat dad to a special Father’s Day Activity
Plan a road trip and visit Sandusky (i.e. Cedar Point, Lake Erie Shores & Islands, Castaway Bay and more)
Head to the Warren County “Ohio’s Largest Playground”
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
Or go on a Factory Tour of Harry London’s Chocolates. FREE Samples included. Yum!
Only interested in the free events? Check out the list of FREE Summer Fun in Northeast Ohio for ideas and inspiration
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:
- FREE Summer Fun – 50 Activities that won’t cost you a thing
- Weekend Fun – Weekly picks for the upcoming weekend
- Ultimate List of Things to Do with Kids in Northeast Ohio
You have a great list here but I’m looking for things to do as a family with teenagers. Some of the things on your list will work but do you have any other suggestions for keeping 16 year olds entertained? Thanks so much!
You should make this a list so we can print out and cross out as we complete these things 🙂
On Target is a great place for fishing and educational fun outdoor experiences..
Love using this website to find out what to do in the summer!! Thank you for this list!
Add Extreme Air trampoline park in Niles, Oh
Perhaps I missed it, but I did not see the Heinz poll dance festival listed. Free professional ballets at outdoor venues in Akron. They even have a program at the beginning where children can come up on stage and learn some moves!
I agree, it should be listed. A bunch of us moms take our daughters every summer. Info is here https://www.facebook.com/DanceFestival/info/
Thanks for the recommendation and for sending the link. Just added it to the listing.
Danielle
Be sure to include Lynn drive-in in strasburg on your list
http://www.lynndrivein.com/t
need things in lorain county and west
Racing from April till November, every Saturday night. Great family fun!
We also like The Jump Yard in North Royalton and Kids Play Indoor Fun in Avon Lake.
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ll add those to the list as too.
The jump yard is one of our favorites! If you go on Groupon ahead of time there are discounts for the all day plays. The 2 child all day play says $16 but when you pay for it for some reason it only charges $6. I mentioned it to them but they have never fixed it. So purchase away!
You need to add Wagon Trails in Vienna, Ohio
Thanks Debbie! I’ll get it added.
Wagon Tails on Youngstown-Kingsville Road in Vienna, Ohio. You feel like you are on a safari. Super friendly, family owned business!
You’re the second person to mention it today. 🙂 Just added it to the list. Thanks!
Danielle
Don’t forget Secrest Arboretum in Wooster! We have the Katsura Fortress, embankment slide, pavilions, gardens and summer events. All FREE!
Biblewalk wax museum in Mansfield Ohio is a must see- perfect for all ages,beautiful flower garden and gazebo for relaxation and meditation. Picnic area and dinner theater offered. One of Ohio’s many “secret gems”
Thanks for sharing! I had never heard of the museum before. Here is the link to their website for anyone who wants to find out more: http://livingbiblemuseum.org/index.html
You have a very informative site. I know where to get my information when I’m going to Ohio 🙂
You’ve got a great website, very helpful. I just stumbled across it today when searching for an area touch-a-truck event for my son. Thanks!
Jared,
Thanks for the compliment. I’m glad you find the site useful. Have fun at the touch-a-truck event, my kids always enjoy them.
Danielle
The Arms Family Museum in Youngstown.
Leann,
Thanks for sharing the museum looks like a great place to visit. Throughout the summer they even have a free hands-on-history program for children on Wednesdays. Here is the link for those interested: http://www.mahoninghistory.org/armhome.htm
Danielle
I agree, this is an amazing list! thank you so much for putting this together!
You’re welcome. Glad you like it!
What a great list! This is definitely something to refer back to often. Thanks for putting it together!
Hey Kristian,
Glad you like the list!
Danielle