Between the ages of 1 and 3, toddlers begin to develop cognitive skills, learn coordination and play, and enjoy exploring the world around them. One of the best ways to help enhance these attributes is to expose your toddler to fun activities such as interacting with animals, climbing on walls and obstacles, and trying age-appropriate hands-on activities. When you’re looking for fun things to do with your toddler in the Cleveland, Ohio, area, use this handy guide that our team at Nissan Streetsboro has put together.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
From baby cats to full-size elephants and more, you and your toddler will be spellbound by the diverse range of animals that live at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. When your little one gets tired of looking at lions, bears, giraffes, and monkeys, you can stop and have a bite to eat at one of the zoo’s cafes, watch a movie about animals, or take the free open-air tram car. The tram is stroller-friendly and passes by the Asian Highlands, Rainforest, Primate, Cats, and Aquatics exhibits to the African Savannah and then heads back to the African Elephant Crossing.
Location: 3900 Wildlife Way
Telephone: 440-331-5530
Great Lakes Science Center
The Great Lakes Science Center is a tremendous place for kids of all ages to enjoy fun activities that help to educate them in science, math, technology, and engineering. When planning your visit to the science center, make sure to stop at the Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater, where you’ll be surrounded by sights and sounds of the natural world. Shows that play in the theater include Ancient Caves and Dinosaurs of Antarctica.
After the show, head over to the Cleveland Creates Zone so the youngsters can play with the Light Sculpture Pod, explore the Rocket Pod, or create hats or shoes at the Shoe Cobbler/Hat Maker Pod. Every month, the Great Lakes Science Center hosts special events and programs such as Bubblemania or Candy Loves Chemistry Workshop.
Location: 601 Erieside Ave.
Telephone: 216-694-2000
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Just a short distance from downtown Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers visitors young and old a respite from the city. This beautiful park has thick forests, open farmlands, rolling hills, and the beautiful Cuyahoga River. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail can accommodate strollers, including bicycle strollers. As you walk along this popular trail, you’ll cross over Beaver Marsh, where you may spot turtles and beavers. If you have older toddlers who are adventurous, take the 1.5-mile trail that includes a boardwalk to the scenic 60-foot Brandywine Falls.
A fun way to see Cuyahoga Valley National Park with small children is by taking the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s National Park Scenic excursion. This train ride runs from Akron to Independence, and you’ll have views of the park from the comfort of the train cars.
Before heading out to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you’ll want to fuel up on breakfast so everyone has plenty of energy for the day.
Location: 6947 Riverview Road in Peninsula
Telephone: 440-717-3890
Cleveland Public Library
Begin your toddler’s love of literature by taking them to the Cleveland Public Library. Sign your child up for their library card so you can help them decide which books to bring home or download titles from the library’s digital collection. The Cleveland Public Library offers programs and workshops for young ones like the Wee Read and Play program for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years.
A popular program hosted by the library is the Young Scholars Academy that’s part of its Kindergarten Readiness workshop. The free beginner’s program for kids 3-4 years old, helps prepare them for kindergarten with fun activities that include reading, writing, singing, and socializing. While your child is at home, they can hear stories read to them by library staff members during virtual story time hours. The library also has a dial-a-story program where kids can hear stories anytime by dialing 216-777-6500.
Location: 325 Superior Ave. (main library)
Telephone: 216-623-2800
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Watch your toddler’s face light up with delight when they get up close to sea life at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. All nine galleries inside of the aquarium give little ones eye-level 360-degree views of the over 300 species of animals that live there. You’ll see freshwater and saltwater animals from Lake Erie as well as from around the world. Young kids get a thrill at the 11,000-gallon touch pool in the Coastal Boardwalk gallery, where they can feel what the skin of a stingray feels like or have their fingertips tingled by cleaner shrimp.
Everyone in the family will feel excited as they walk through a 175-foot underwater sea tube surrounded by sharks and other large sea creatures in the Shark Gallery. You’ll feel like you’re on a scuba diving adventure as you see a variety of sharks and eels swimming above and around you. After your visit to the aquarium, stop by the gift shop to pick up souvenirs to remember your trip to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.
Location: 2000 Sycamore St.
Telephone: 216-862-8803
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Kids can spend hours exploring the grounds of the Cleveland Botanical Garden with its butterflies and intriguing garden displays. Stop by the Madagascar Glasshouse to see exotic plants and pet the free-roaming chameleon. Little kids enjoy playing in the Hershey Children’s Garden, which features a sandbox, a pond where the kids can search for frogs and box turtles, and a place to plant seeds. They’ll feel a sense of awe as they watch honeybees at work inside of their hive. After exploring the gardens, head over to the Garden Cafe for sandwiches or grab-and-go snacks to recharge with.
Location: 11030 East Blvd.
Telephone: 216-721-1600
We hope that you and your family enjoy visiting these six Cleveland locations and attractions that are ideal to take your toddler to. Which one was your favorite? What site or activity did your toddler enjoy the most and why? If you can recommend another Cleveland spot to take your little one to, please let us know and we’ll add it to our list.
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