25+ Free Family Friendly Things To Do Around Cleveland - The Cleveland Moms

Cleveland is home to some really amazing attractions & many of them are absolutely FREE!
To make things easier for you, I’ve rounded up 25 FREE things to do in our amazing city.
BONUS POINTS: They are all family-friendly!
(click on the bolded text for additional info)

Original Image credit: Aerial Agents

 

1. VISIT ONE OF THE 10 FREE MUSEUMS IN & AROUND CLEVELAND – tap for more info

Cleveland is home to so many incredible museums & many are absolutely free or offer free days/times to visit. Visit the link above for the full list!

2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MUSEUMS FOR ALL INITIATIVE – tap for more info

For those who qualify, many area museums that are not free offer free or discounted rates for those that qualify. Learn more at the link above.

3. VISIT CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY MAIN BRANCH – tap here for more info

Cleveland Public Library’s Main Branch is an attraction all in itself. Besides the beautiful architectural structure, there are plenty of exhibits to see here. Our favorite thing to do here? Visit the observation deck on the 10th floor for great views of the city & don’t forget to spend some time in the beautiful reading garden.

4. HOP A RIDE DOWNTOWN ON THE CLEVELAND RTA TROLLEY – tap here for more info

Trolley rides downtown are absolutely FREE. Days & times vary so be sure to plan ahead with this. This is a super fun way to explore Cleveland with your kiddos.

5. CHECK OUT THE FREE STAMP DOWNTOWN – tap here for more info

This 35 ton sculpture is a Cleveland favorite. What better free activity is there to do than take a pic at The Free Stamp!

6. TAKE IN THE VIEWS AT ROCKEFELLER PARK GREENHOUSE – tap here for more info

The Rockefeller Park Greenhouse is a City-owned botanical garden & greenhouse that offers specialty plant collections, seasonal floral displays, & theme gardens. This beautiful, sustainable, & environmentally friendly place provides an inviting experience, especially during the holiday season.

7. GO ON A FREE WALKING TOUR WITH TAKE A HIKE CLEVELAND – tap here for more info

Take A Hike offers free 90 minute in-person & self-guided walking tours of unique & historic neighborhoods in Cleveland!

8. TAKE A PIC WITH THE CLEVELAND SCRIPT SIGNS – tap here for more info

There are 6 Cleveland script signs spread throughout Cleveland. Make a day of it & visit them all. FYI – one of them is in the airport. I’m not sure if it’s accessible from the outside; we usually just always grab a pic when we get back home from a flight.

9. ENJOY DROP-IN ART MAKING AT THE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER – tap here for more info

Come get creative & see all there is to see at the Community Arts Center. A monthly theme connects community, art, and exploration. Days & times are always available on the calendar HERE.

10. TAKE A TOUR OF NASA GLENN RESEARCH CENTER – tap here for more info

NASA Glennโ€™s public tours are free and open to the public. This program typically runs on select Saturdays from April to November and features a variety of in-person and virtual tour options.

11. VISIT A NATURE CENTER – tap here for more info

With over 10 local nature centers around, you’re bound to find one near you! Nature centers are a great place to learn some facts & most offer play areas for the kiddos!

12. VISIT THE CLEVELAND METROPARKS ZOO – tap here for more info

If you are a resident of Cleveland or Hinckley Twp, be sure to take advantage of FREE Mondays! Just be sure to have your driver’s license that proves you’re a resident or bring a current bill (from Memorial Day to Labor Day.)

13. VISIT STEARNS HOMESTEAD – tap for more info

Stearns Homestead is a 48 acre historic farm in Parma that is open to the public on Saturdays mid-May through October.

14. EXPLORE A LOCAL METRO PARK – tap here for more info

One of my favorite things about living in Cleveland is the amount of beautiful parks we have. With 6 area metro parks systems to visit, there is no shortage of amazing parks to visit & explore. Visit the link above & tap “Local Parks” for a full list!

15. VISIT A FUN LIBRARY PLAY SPACE – tap here for more info

There are 15+ libraries that have wonderful play areas for kiddos! Visit the link above for a full list with pictures.

16. FROLIC WITH BUTTERFLIES AT MILLER NATURE PRESERVE – tap here for more info

Part of the Lorain County Metro Parks, the Butterfly House at the Miller Nature Preserve is FREE & recently renovated. It is open seasonally from mid-June until Labor Day. If you’d like to visit the conservatory here, there is a small charge of $2 per person.

17. VISIT 60+ BEST PLAYGROUNDS – tap here for more info

Our area is truly filled with such amazing playgrounds. No matter where you are, you’ll discover something new-to-you. Visit the link above for the full list which is organized by Downtown, West, East, & South side.

18. VISIT A STORYBOOK TRAIL – tap here for more info

There’s about 19 storybook trails around Cleveland. These are super fun trails with books along the way for your kiddos to read while enjoying a walk in a scenic environment.

19. SPEND SOME TIME WITH LAKE ERIE & VISIT A BEACH – tap here for more infoย 

We are so lucky to have so many beaches all along Coastal Ohio. Soak up the sun & plan a day to explore a new-to-you beach.

20. VISIT ONE OF THE 70+ SPLASH PADS IN THE SUMMER – tap here for more info

There are seriously so many splash pads in the area. Cool off when it’s warm & have fun at one of the splash pads. Splash pads are typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

21. TAKE A STROLL AT SCHOEPFLE GARDEN – tap here for more info

Schoepfle Garden is a gorgeous 77 acre garden in Wakeman & absolutely free. Part of the Lorain County Metro Parks, it features gorgeous blooms all year long as well as a children’s garden with playground, free carousel (see the calendar for days/times), & beautiful trails all throughout.

22. VISIT HOME DEPOT’S MONTHLY KIDS WORKSHOP – tap for more info

Each & every month, Home Depot offers a free kids workshop the first Saturday of the month.

23. VISIT LOWE’S MONTHLY KIDS WORKSHOP – tap for more info

Each & every month, Lowe’s offers a free kids workshop – registration is required!

24. SPEND SATURDAYS AT MICHAELS WITH FREE CRAFTS – tap for more info

Every Saturday, Michaels hosts a Kids Club with crafts to do with your kiddos. Register at the link above.

25. ATTEND A LAKESHORE LEARNING IN STORE EVENT – tap for more info

Each month, Lakeshore Learning in Beachwood holds fun, in-store events for kiddos.

26. ATTEND A LOCAL FESTIVAL – tap for more info

Cleveland is no stranger to fun festivals that are often free. I share these to the calendar all throughout the year. Tap the link above.

27. CHECK OUT THE CLEVELAND MOMS EVENT CALENDAR – tap for more info

99% of the events I share on the calendar are free & require no registration. Events are updated all throughout the year – I’d highly recommend visiting it any time you’re looking for fun & free things to do around Cleveland.

 

 

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