Whether you plan to visit Cleveland just once or you live there full-time, it can be a challenge finding inexpensive and entertaining activities for kids to do throughout the year. Once you know where to look, you will learn that Cleveland is home to professional sports teams, lakes, beaches and interesting attractions that cost nothing. Spend time together as a family, stimulate your child's imagination and take the opportunity to teach and engage your child at some of the Cleveland's attractions.
The North Chagrin Reservation is located in Mayfield Village, Willoughby Hills, and Gates Mills and features outdoor recreation, wildlife sanctuaries, hiking trails and picnic areas. Kids can run around, explore nature and burn off energy. When it gets a little late in the afternoon, stop by Squire's castle built at the turn of the century by F.B. Squire. Once intended to be the gatehouse of a large country estate, the small castle is now an empty stone shell that welcomes visitors to explore and imagine chilling ghostly apparitions wandering through the spooky structure.
Winterfest offers a full day of family events and amusement throughout downtown Cleveland. Most events and activities are free, and some of the activities change from year to year. Free horse-drawn carriage rides are offered along with admission to free musical and theatrical performances throughout the downtown area. Kids can visit with Santa and get free face painting or temporary tattoos. Check out the Guitar Hero Challenge, and witness the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree to get your family's holiday season started off on the right note.
Visit the famous Malley's Chocolate at 13400 Brookpark Road in Cleveland for a free self-guided tour through 60,000 square feet of chocolate delight. Tours start up after Labor Day and can accommodate up to 50 people per tour group. Delight your children with a walk through the chocolate shop, and enjoy a small sample of Malley's custom chocolates as part of the tour experience. Call the tour line at 800-835-5684 to reserve your tour.
The city of Cleveland is conveniently located along the shores of beautiful Lake Erie. The location lends itself to many free activities for families with children. Walk or ride bikes along the shores of the Cleveland Lakefront State Park in cooler temperatures, swim in the water and build sandcastles on the beach during the summer. Watch fishermen along the 1,200-foot fishing platform in the East 55th Marina, or sit on the docks and teach the kids to cast bait during an afternoon of fishing in any weather. If you're lucky, you might catch supper for free, too.
