17 Kid Friendly Holiday Activities To Do In Cleveland

The Christmas season truly becomes more magical when you have kids. Seeing them light up with all of the holiday buzz is so fun! It’s always a great time to live in Cleveland…but this is particularly obvious during the holiday season. Whether you’re a resident of northeast Ohio or visiting Cleveland, The ‘Land’ offers plenty of holiday cheer and  and fun things to enjoy for people young and old. From beautiful displays of holiday lights to adventures at Castle Noel, there is truly something for everyone!

What better way to enjoy this time together than with some kid-friendly un and creative holiday activities? We’ve got a list of magical holiday activities to see and do for families during the holidays in Cleveland and beyond. Check them out below, and be sure to tag us on social media if you try any of these!

13 Holiday Activities throughout Downtown Cleveland

Cleveland’s WinterLand Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

The first Saturday after Thanksgiving, head to downtown Cleveland for the annual WinterLand event to kick off the holiday season! Enjoy the tree lighting, hot cocoa, caroling, live music and a fireworks display.

Kringle’s Inventionasium

Everyone has probably seen (or even experienced) the long lines of people in department stores, waiting to get their pictures taken with Santa. Well, let me tell you, Mr. Kringle’s Inventionasium takes visiting Santa to a whole new level!

Children visiting the Inventionasium will have the opportunity to create and design their own unique toys and present their creations in The Grand Invention Hall. They will also spend time with Santa’s elves and have a private visit with Santa Claus himself! This unique experience is fun for the whole family.  

Glow at the Cleveland Botanical Garden

Every city has their own holiday traditions and unique ways to celebrate the season. Glow is one of ours. This winter spectacular is filled with family activities will become memories you cherish. From the Community Christmas Tree Gallery to the indoor snow play area and live holiday music, there is truly something for everyone. This is a great year to make Glow at the Botanical Garden one of your family traditions!

The BEST Christmas Lights In Northeast Ohio

There is just something magical about Christmas lights and luckily, there are PLENTY of opportunities to enjoy the holiday lights with your family. Whether you prefer to drink cocoa in the car while enjoying a drive-thru lights display, or you’d rather stretch your legs at the Zoo lights, The BEST Christmas Lights in Northeast Ohio is the perfect family activity throughout the holiday season.

Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz

Who doesn’t love a good tea party?! The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Cleveland invites children of all ages to their annual Teddy Bear Tea. Younger kids and older kids alike will enjoy a kid-friendly tea menu while enjoying storytime from Mrs. Claus and participating in other fun holiday activities.

Castle Noel

Do you love Christmas movies? Did you know props and costumes from holiday favorites like The Grinch, Elf, and The Santa Clause movies can be seen and enjoyed here in Cleveland? Visitors of Castle Noel will also be able to enjoy New York City Christmas windows and the iconic slide from A Christmas Story.

Circlefest

Cleveland’s annual Circlefest is a timeless tradition enjoyed by people of all ages. This festival features the city’s largest gingerbread house competition as well as an impressive ice sculpture display. Head to University Circle for holiday music, horse-drawn carriage rides, good food, and lots of fun!

Scuba Claus at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium

On December weekends, visit the Greater Cleveland Aquarium to snap a selfie with Scuba Claus as he visits the shark tank!

See the Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 

The Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are spectacular! It’s so much fun to get bundled up and go see this beautiful display! USA Today named this popular Cleveland Zoo Christmas attraction in its Top 5 Best Zoo Lights, so it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Cleveland with kids.

Visit the House from A Christmas Story

Did you know the iconic Christmas Story House Story is right here in northeast Ohio just outside of downtown Cleveland? You can visit all year long, but the holidays are certainly the very best time! Be sure to visit the museum gift shop for your very own pink bunny suit and other favorite movie memorabilia. Add it to your holiday movie night list and then go see the home in person!

See a Holiday Theater Production

There are several options and theaters to choose from including Playhouse Square, the Allen Theatre,   Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, and more! Choose from the classics like The Nutcracker and Amahl & the Night Visitors, or something a bit more modern like Elf the Musical!

Go Ice Skating

One of the best parts of the winter season in Cleveland isare the different ice skating options we have! There are three main options to choose from including: Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink in Public Square, The Rink at Wade Oval, and Crocker Park Ice Rink. Each hashave different hours and pricing. Take a look at a breakdown of each one here.

Go On Your Own Christmas Decoration Walking Tour

Downtown Cleveland is full of magical Christmas decorations everywhere you look all around the city. Bundle up your family and create your very own walking tour. Stop for hot chocolate or cider and take in the beauty of the city at this time of year!

4 Holiday Season Activities You Can Do At Home

Why let the festivities end once you’re done taking in all the fun things around Cleveland? You can continue creating holiday memories at home, try one of these activities that is sure to be a hit!

Christmas Dance Off

Blast your favorite holiday tunes and have a family dance-offdance off right in your living room! Your kids will love it and so will you when they burn off all that energy before bedtimebed time. 😃

Holiday Movie Night 

Pile up the pillows and blankets – even better, make a fort – and get cozy for a holiday movie marathon. Let each member of your family choose their favorite and enjoy holiday snacks and treats while enjoying your favorite movies together. And if you’ve already visited the Christmas Story house, A Christmas Story should definitely be on your watch list.

Pro Tip: Roast marshmallows in your fireplace and make smores!

Read Christmas Books Together

Head out to your favorite local bookstore and select a few holiday-themed books to read together. Read one, or a little bit of each one, each night leading up to Christmas!

Candy Cane Hide and Seek

Such a fun way to get both older kids and younger kids active (and grownups too) during the holiday season! Select one member of the family to hide all of the candy canes and then everyone else takes off to find them. Whoever comes out with the most gets a prize – or bragging rights! 😁

Giving Back: Holiday Philanthropy As A Family

Collect Gently Used Toys to Donate

This is the perfect way to direct your kids’ attention to serving and helping others during this season. It’s easy to get swept up in the lists of what they want and get hyperfocused on getting instead of giving. By collecting gently used toys from their rooms, you can help them see a more meaningful side of the holidays. (Tip: See below for charitable organizations you can donate to.)

Join a family service project with a local nonprofit

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to give back to your local community. Teach your children the spirit of giving by choosing a family service project to participate in. If you are looking for a good organization to get involved with, here are a few you should know about:

• Hope for the Holidays: Make a difference for a child or teen in foster care by participating in this annual holiday gift giving program.
• Providence House Crisis Nursery: Providence House provides care and support for at risk children. They are in need of donations and volunteers this holiday season.
• Toys for Tots: The Cleveland Toys for Tots program is looking for toy donations and willing volunteers to help sort and organize toys for children in need. 

Each of these activities are sure to be fun and will help you and your family make the most of this year’s Christmas in Cleveland. So what are you waiting for? Start making holiday memories with your family today!

Whether you’re planning your own family and need a birth doula, or you’re visiting family after a newborn is born and want to take older kids for an adventure (or maybe even hire a postpartum doula to help), CLEBaby can help! Contact us to create the ideal support team for your growing family!