The northeast region of Ohio is bordered by Lake Erie to the north and Pennsylvania to the east. The three largest cities in this area are Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown. This part of the state offers a wide variety of fee-based attractions for residents and tourists, but it also features many free activities for children of all ages. Whether you have a preschooler who needs to burn off energy outdoors or an older child who is ready for a more educational outing, you can find activities in northeast Ohio that won't cost you a dime.
Cleveland Metroparks comprises more than 21,000 acres of property to the east, south and west of downtown Cleveland. The parks system offers free events for children and families throughout the year at many of the Metroparks locations. In winter, children can go on a hike and watch maple tree sap get boiled into syrup. In spring, a nature festival includes hikes for all ages, photography “scavenger hunt,” live animal presentations and other children’s activities. Families can beat the summer heat with child-friendly “Summer Dive-In Movies” at the pool, and in the fall, the park’s “FallFest” gives children a look at life in the 18th century. Hands-on activities include candle dipping, making reed ornaments, quill pen writing, stenciling and quilting.
Cleveland Metroparks
4101 Fulton Pkwy.
Cleveland, OH 44144
216-635-3200
clemetparks.com
Youngstown is located approximately 75 miles southeast of Cleveland, near the Pennsylvania border. The city’s Butler Institute of American Art is known as “America’s Museum” because of its focus on art created by U.S. citizens. The museum collection includes more than 20,000 individual works. Admission to the museum is free, and the interactive Sweeney Gallery includes temporary exhibits for children, along with hands-on stations that allow children to create their own art. In addition, the museum holds free family programs once a month. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
The Butler Institute of American Art
The Beecher Center
524 Wick Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44502
330-743-1107
butlerart.com
Akron is located approximately 40 miles south of Cleveland. The downtown area features the Akron Art Museum, which offers free programs for families on the first Sunday of every month. The “Sunday Sampler” is held year round in partnership with the Akron-Summit County Library and Summit Artspace. After viewing exhibition pieces that relate to the month's artistic theme, families participate in a child-friendly discussion led by museum staff members. After a question-and-answer period, children unleash their inner artist and create artwork based on what they've learned. Museum hours for the Sunday program are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking is available in the garage across from the museum.
Akron Art Museum
One South High
Akron, OH 44308
330-376-9185
akronartmuseum.org
