Family Activities in Cleveland.

Indoor conservatory and outdoor gardens in University Circle, including the Hershey Children's Garden outdoor play area for kids. A family membership pays off if you live nearby.

• gardens
• indoor and outdoor
• children's garden
• university circle

Alpaca farm and boutique outside Medina where kids can see the alpacas, open daily and a good outing even in winter. Combine it with a stop on Medina Square.

• animals
• farm
• alpacas
• medina county

Aquarium in a former power plant on the West Bank of the Flats, known for its walk-through shark tunnel and jellyfish.

• aquarium
• indoor
• sharks
• flats

Large arboretum in Kirtland with trails, lakes and gardens, about a half hour east of Cleveland. It hosts family exhibits and fall events, so check the calendar.

• nature
• trails
• gardens
• lake county

Indoor and outdoor family entertainment center in Macedonia with go-karts, rides, mini golf, laser tag, bowling, roller skating and an arcade.

• go-karts
• mini golf
• laser tag
• arcade
• bowling

Zoo in Old Brooklyn with animal exhibits, an indoor rainforest building and an interactive kids area. In winter it hosts a holiday lights show.

• zoo
• animals
• rainforest
• all ages

Farm and produce market on Riverview Road in Peninsula in the Cuyahoga Valley, an easy, relaxed Saturday outing with kids.

• farm
• market
• cuyahoga valley
• outdoor

Check current details before visiting.

Hands-on children's museum in Midtown built around play, with a sensory calm-down room and a Lego and diorama floor at the top. Best for kids up to early elementary age.

• museum
• hands-on
• toddlers
• sensory friendly

Hands-on science museum on the lakefront downtown with a giant-screen theater and the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, including a Gemini capsule.

• science
• hands-on
• space
• downtown

Construction-themed indoor play space in Fairview Park where kids dig and build. Best for toddlers and preschoolers.

• indoor
• toddlers
• construction play

Huge candy store on Brookpark Road in Cleveland near Parma with thousands of classic and new candies, a soda and ice cream shop, and a mini golf course.

• candy
• mini golf
• ice cream
• rainy day

Large Cleveland Metroparks playground at Edgewater Park with lake views and picnic tables nearby for parents. Free and best in warm weather.

• playground
• free
• outdoor
• lakefront

Christmas museum on Court Street in downtown Medina with an attached mini golf course, a good holiday break outing for older kids. Hours are short, so check before you go.

• christmas
• museum
• mini golf
• medina county

Check current details before visiting.

Natural history museum in University Circle with renovated interactive exhibits, a planetarium, dinosaurs and an outdoor area with live native animals.

• museum
• dinosaurs
• planetarium
• live animals

Restored 1925 Great Lakes freighter, 618 feet long, docked at North Coast Harbor next to the Great Lakes Science Center, with interactive exhibits on board. Pair it with the USS Cod nearby.

• ship tour
• history
• downtown
• seasonal

Check current details before visiting.

Lake Metroparks farm park in Kirtland with farm animals, hands-on activities, wagon rides and a fall corn maze. Closed Mondays.

• farm
• animals
• wagon rides
• lake county

World War II submarine on the lakefront downtown that you can tour inside, a hit with school-age kids. Open May through September, next to the Steamship Mather and the Great Lakes Science Center.

• history
• submarine
• seasonal
• downtown

Check current details before visiting.

Indoor adventure park on Renaissance Parkway in Warrensville Heights with a large ninja warrior course and a ropes course, good for cold days.

• indoor
• ninja course
• ropes course
• older kids

Free art museum in University Circle with a kids activity room and sensory friendly Saturdays. Pair it with the Natural History museum or Botanical Garden nearby.

• free
• museum
• art
• university circle
• sensory friendly

Family fun park in Olmsted Falls with mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, laser tag and an arcade.

• mini golf
• go-karts
• arcade
• outdoor

Western Reserve Historical Society museum in University Circle with the Crawford Auto-Aviation collection of cars and planes and the restored Euclid Beach carousel.

• museum
• cars
• carousel
• university circle

Indoor mountain bike park on the west side of Cleveland with trails and jumps for a range of skill levels. A good winter outing for kids who ride.

• indoor
• biking
• older kids
• winter

Check current details before visiting.

Indoor playground on Biddulph Road in Brooklyn for younger kids on rainy or cold days.

• indoor
• playground
• young kids

Indoor playground with a cafe for parents in Broadview Heights, set up for young kids.

• indoor
• toddlers
• play cafe

Seasonal amusement park on Memphis Avenue in Brooklyn scaled for young kids, with small roller coasters, a train and mini golf.

• rides
• toddlers
• mini golf
• seasonal

Check current details before visiting.

Children's bookstore in Lakewood with vintage Montessori-style toys, a play space for little ones, story times and a midday craft on Wednesdays.

• bookstore
• toddlers
• story time
• crafts

Family-owned indoor ninja warrior gym on Hinckley Industrial Parkway on the south side of Cleveland, with classes for high energy kids. Open weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.

• ninja course
• indoor
• active kids
• classes

Check current details before visiting.

Nature center in Bay Village with live animals indoors and outdoors, a dome planetarium, a play area and walking trails.

• animals
• planetarium
• low cost
• nature

Free art space on W. 25th Street on Cleveland's near west side, run by the Cleveland Museum of Art, with pieces from past Parade the Circle celebrations and hands-on art making for kids.

• free
• art
• hands-on
• rainy day

Small museum inside Burke Lakefront Airport downtown on the history of women in aviation and space. Easy to add to a Science Center day.

• museum
• aviation
• space
• downtown