30 Free Things To Do in Cleveland with Kids for Spring 2025
Spring in Cleveland means longer days, blooming flowers, and finally getting the kids outside to burn off all that energy! Whether you're looking for outdoor adventures, hands-on learning experiences, or fun indoor escapes for rainy days, this list has you covered. From hidden gem playgrounds to scenic hiking trails and interactive library spaces, there are plenty of free things to do with kids in Cleveland this spring.
I know everything feels really expensive right now, so we're always looking for fun, budget-friendly ways to get out of the house. That’s why we put together this list of 30 free things to do in Cleveland with kids this spring, and I’m so excited to share it with you! No need to break the bank—just grab this guide, pack some snacks, and get ready to explore the best free family activities in Northeast Ohio.
This list has a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, hands-on learning experiences, and exciting adventures for all ages. We’ll keep updating it throughout the season, so be sure to check back regularly for new ideas! 🌸☀️
P.S. As always, hours of operation are subject to change, so please check each location’s website for the most up-to-date info. And if you know a great free spot we should add, send it our way!
1. Impett Park
3207 W 153rd St, Cleveland, OH 44111
This brand new park just opened fall 2024 and was built to be a playground for kids of all abilities.
The playground is ADA compliant.
A few playground highlights
-zipline (one regular and one inclusive)
-mini play train
-large slides
-climbing structures
-tons of swing options
-music equipment
-wheelchair accessible merry-go-round
-Wheelchair accessible Innova Rocker
2. Rockefeller Greenhouse
750 E 88th St, Cleveland, OH 44108
This is our go-to spot on a cold or rainy day. If you go when it’s nice out, be sure to check out the outside gardens as well as the indoor garden.
Open every day 10 am-4 pm
Parking and Admission are Free.
3. Discovery Works at the Avon Public Library
32649 Electric Blvd, Avon Lake, OH 44012
Discovery Works has been a favorite of ours for years and they recently did a complete renovation and reopened at the beginning of 2025 and it’s AMAZING. Discovery Works is FREE and open to the public.
Monday-Thursday 10 am-9 pm
Friday & Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Sundays 1 pm-5 pm
(Closed Sundays Memorial Day-Labor Day)
4. Ninja Warrior Course at Nike Park/ James day park
James Day Park, W Pleasant Valley Rd, Parma, OH 44130
A visit to the FREE ninja warrior course at James Day Park (also referred to as Nike park) to burn off some energy always makes for a fun day!
My son spends most of his time on the ninja course. My daughter is normally done within 20 minutes since she can still only do about half of the obstacles. Luckily, there’s a large playground right next to the ninja course, so I can easily watch them both.
5. Community Art Center
2937 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
This is a free, fun, and educational hands-on experience that is open to the public Friday-Sunday. Each first Sunday of the month is a special family day with related crafts.
Walk around and see all the amazing art displays, and when you’re ready make your way to the workshop rooms to do some hands on crafts. No reservation needed!
Parking is also free, which is always a plus. 💜
6. Marquardt Park
4768 Brookhigh Dr, Brooklyn, OH 44144
This type of playground is called a Hedra system, and it's the first one in the State of Ohio!
The unique geometric configurations and continuous circuits create a hive of evolving play that encourages exploration, imagination, and critical thinking skills for kids.
There's also a nice, not-too-long walking path through the woods.
PLAYGROUND FEATURES & MUST KNOWS:
* Public restrooms
* Structure isn't huge (easy to keep an eye on kids)
* Toddler structure
* Pavilion with tables
* Swings
* Nice walking path through the woods
* Street parking only
7. Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
Cleveland is truly blessed to have this amazing FREE gem in our community. It’s a great way for kids to experience art at a young age.
We spent most of our time this past visit in the interactive art room that is on the immediate left when you walk in the main entrance.
This room provides kids the chance to explore and experience art through interactive screens. We “made” pottery, drew shapes that turned into art right in front of our eyes, created self portraits, and learned about poses. The room isn’t huge but there is a lot to explore. We spent about an hour in this room.
Another of our favorite exhibits is the Hall of Knights located upstairs. This room really brings the medieval to life! 🏰There’s also a beautiful lagoon to walk around when the weather is warm. You can pay to park in their parking garage, or there is street parking with meters. If you go on a weekend, meter parking is free.
8. Brooklyn Library
7619 Memphis Ave, Brooklyn, OH 44144
The new children’s space is the first of its kind in the 27-branch CCPL system. It’s not a very large playground, but my daughter had fun. They also have some toys available. The whole library is beautiful and inviting. There’s even a fireplace!
They also have an Innovation Center maker space that provides free access to computers, software, and production equipment. We got to watch a 3D printer in action while we were there.
9. Rocky River Nature Center
24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070
The Rocky River Nature Center is another one of our family favorites and every time we visit, it seems like they have updated it and added more.
My kids love doing the scavenger hunt (ask for this at the front desk) and playing in the treehouse.
We also enjoyed a hike on the trails and were happy to see they’ve added a storywalk on the trail closest to the parking lot.
10. Viaduct Park and Waterfall
Willis St, Bedford, OH 44146
If you’re looking for free outdoor activities near Cleveland to do with kids, I highly recommend visiting Viaduct Park. You can climb through this stone tunnel (if you’re 6ft+, be prepared to crouch down) and see the beautiful waterfall on the other side! This is one of the prettiest falls in the Cleveland area (at least in my opinion 🤪) and we love that it’s a quick and easy hike for the kids.
The tunnel can be a little creepy but the beautiful falls on the other side are totally worth it.
11. Canalway Center & Pump Track
4524 E 49th St, Cleveland, OH 44125
Have an active kiddo who is itching to burn some rubber? Then take them to the Canalway Center Pump Track!
The Canalway center is a beautiful nature center and there’s also an awesome Pump Track for bikes right next door that is also free. If you’re there on a nice day, be sure to also hike the trails. They are some of my favorite Cleveland Metroparks trails.
12. Strongsville Town Center Playground
18100 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, OH 44136
Playgrounds are our go-to when we’re looking for free, fun things to do in the spring in Cleveland with kids. This new playground opened at the end of 2024 and it’s one of the largest playgrounds in the area, and loads of fun. Here’s some of the features you’ll find at this playground.
💚 Two play structures—one for kids 2-5 and the other for kids 6-12.
💙 Climbing elements
🩷 HUGE slides
🧡 Multiple swing options, including saucer swing, baby swings, two-person swing, accessible swing
💛 Accessible carousel spinner
❤️ Accessible Innova Bridge (this is a bridge that you can rock back and forth on. Wheelchairs can be used on it)
🩵 Rubber ground
💜 Several spinning options
There’s also a lot of seating options, tables, really nice bathrooms, and there will be a water feature this summer (2025).
If you love exploring new playgrounds, this is a must-visit!
From what I read, this is an ADA-compliant playground.
The playground is far back from the road and is next to the Strongsville Rec Center.
13. Soldiers & Sailors Monument
3 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Did you know you can go inside the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in downtown Cleveland and it’s FREE! The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument commemorates the American Civil War; it consists of a 125' column surrounded at its base by a Memorial Room and esplanade. The column, topped with a statue of the Goddess of Freedom, defended by the Shield of Liberty, signifies the essence of the Nation for which Cuyahoga County veterans were willing to and did give their lives. Four bronze groupings on the esplanade are depicted in battle scenes: the Navy, Artillery, Infantry, and Cavalry.
Inside the Memorial Room are four bronze relief sculptures: Women's Soldiers' and Sailors' Aid Society, Beginning of the War in Ohio, Emancipation of the Slaves and End of the War at City Point, Va., as well as busts of Gen. James Barnett and Architect/ Sculptor Levi T. Scofield, together with 6 officers, who were either killed in action, or died of disease or their wounds.
I’ve lived in Cleveland my whole life and somehow this past summer was the first time I had ever gone inside. Next time you’re downtown, be sure to stop by.!
Open Daily
10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Learn more about the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument here.
14. Coe Lake
Coe Lake, Berea, OH 44017
Coe Lake has it all including a treehouse, TWO playgrounds, and beautiful trails that wrap around the lake.
The treehouse is intended for ALL ages and has a wheelchair lift and it’s the newest addition to this already amazing park.
There is also a beautiful trail to walk along while seeing the beautiful lake and fountain. It also looks like they do kayak rentals now but we haven’t done that yet.
They also have a pretty large playground with a zipline and a pirate ship playground 🏴☠️
15. Bradstreet Landing Park
22400 Lake Rd, Rocky River, Ohio 44116
Looking for a fun, free, and totally unique thing to do in Cleveland with kids this spring? Take them to see some incredible lake views! This pier is brand new and absolutely stunning. Whenever I’m here looking out across the water, I always ask myself, “am I really on Lake Erie?” 🤣
We really enjoy walking out on the pier and enjoying the beautiful view.
There is a small beach area. The sand does have a lot of rocks and driftwood, so I suggest wearing water shoes or flip-flops.
We always find it so peaceful and serene. The kids had so much fun that we stayed for nearly two hours.
16. Maple Heights BRANCH, Cuyahoga county Library
5225 Library Ln, Maple Heights, OH 44137
This is my daughters FAVORITE library. The children's area is the whole upstairs! 🤩 The big open space has toys, soft play equipment, Montessori toys, little play houses, a race track and build your own cars, and some interactive gears to explore. They also have The Thinker Space, which really sets this library apart from others, imo.
They have huge blocks for building, a big magnet wall to explore, and gears and tunnels to roll balls through.
They have wooden blocks, a large connect four, a kid's x-ray toy 🩻, and much, much more.
17. Allardale Park
401 Remsen Rd, Medina, OH 44256
Medina is about a 35 minute drive from Cleveland proper. But if you find yourself in Medina looking for fun, free things to do with kids and the weather’s nice I would recommend Allardale Park. It’s not a huge playground, but we alwyas love a good themed playground and it was a lot of fun and also a really peaceful setting. There are also some nice hiking trails.
Playground Features:
-Play tractor 🚜
-HUGE tire swing (biggest tire swing I’ve ever seen 🤣)
-Turf grass slide 🛝 (my kids’ favorite)
-Balance course
-Shaded picnic tables
18. Orange Ville Park
4600 Lander Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
Orange Village park on lander rd (right next to the police station) is a great playground! This east side park has it all. “Trees” to climb, double swings for mommy and me to enjoy, a big play structure, a small play structure, tons of slides, spinning rides and of course, my kid’s favorite, the HUGE curly tunnel slide.
There are also some beautiful trails through the woods, and we found a little Japanese stone garden along the trail that the kids loved
19. Lindsey Family Play Space & Edgewater Park
1 Upper Edgewater Dr, Cleveland, OH 44102
A few of the features are:
🧗♀️ Rock Walls
💙 A Bubble Wall (not sure the proper name but that’s what my 4 year old has named it 😂)
🚇 Tunnels
♥️ 2 Slides
💃 LOTS of Climbing Nets
🏖 Sand Table & Pit
🌳 A Natural Tunnel
🌻 Nature Balancing Structures
And you can walk down the trail to the bottom area where there’s a beach area.
20. Downtown (Main Library) Cleveland Public Library
325 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114
The Downtown Cleveland Public Library (also called Main Library) is one of (probably THE) most gorgeous library I’ve ever visited. It consists of two buildings joined together by a beautiful courtyard that is the perfect place to enjoy lunch. Inside the buildings you’ll find some of the most gorgeous architecture in Cleveland, including staircases that are so beautiful. And while the buildings are breathtaking and worth seeing on there own, there’s also plenty to explore inside.
On the 3rd floor, you’ll find the Special Collection Room. This room has fun and unique chess sets, folklore, and the game’s history. The main reason we visited this floor was to see the miniature books collection. It has what was once known as the world’s tiniest book. We had to use a magnifying glass to see the words. It was so cute!
The 2nd floor houses a Superman collection consisting of comic books, toys, clothing, photographs, and other memorabilia. Items in this exhibit rotate every 6 months.
We also visited the kids’ floor to read and play (this area has been updated since our last visit and we can’t wait to go back and check it out), the technology room to see projects being 3d printed, and we took the elevator to the 10th floor to see the city from the observation deck.
The Downtown Branch of the Cleveland Public Library is a real treasure, and if you haven’t been at least once—you have, have, have to check it out!
21. Beachwood Playground
25125 FAIRMOUNT BLVD, BEACHWOOD,OH
This BRAND NEW playground in Beachwood has lots to love if you’re looking for fun, free activities for kids. It can get pretty busy since it’s a new playground, but it’s spaced out really nice and is nearly fenced in (except for a section in the back that leads to the pool). Some features include:
🛝 25-foot-tall tower
🛝 HUGE sandbox
🛝 Poured rubber ground
🛝 Trekfit summit climber (first in Ohio)
🛝 Wheelchair swing
🛝 Music equipment
🛝 Two person swing
🛝 Zip-line
🛝 Accessible zip line
🛝 Huge climbing structure
🛝 Shade umbrellas
🛝 Bathrooms
🛝 Pavilion with tables
🛝 Rope swing (my personal favorite
🛝 Elevator (my daughter’s favorite)
22. Fairview Park Library
21255 Lorain Rd, Fairview Park, OH 44126
This is one of our all-time favorites, and it has one of the larger library kids' spaces we've been to by a long shot. This kids' area is set up like an "airport." ✈️. There's a small food court, an air control tower, three planes, an airplane hangar (with a large map), and a ticket and luggage pick-up window.
If your kids aren't into that type of play, they also have toys, a train table, and a few puzzles.
23. lakewood park
14532 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH
If you’ve lived in Cleveland for awhile, chances are you’ve visited or at least heard about Lakewood Park. But, just in case you haven’t (or if you’re from out of town), I had to include it on this list because it’s so, so good!
Beautiful lakeside trail
Solstice steps
Volleyball nets
Picnic tables
Skate park
Public bathrooms
Splash pad
Ropes course
Large playground
24. Wordens Ledges
Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley, OH 44233
Worden’s Ledges loop trail is such a fun little hike!
There are some really incredible carvings hewn into the ledges that make the trail feel enchanted. Most of the carvings are faces but there’s also a pirate ship, a cross, a sphinx, and I bet a few others we haven’t discovered just yet.
Every time we visit, we find a few more hidden carvings that we missed the last time. The ledges are a part of the Cleveland Metroparks. They were carved by hand sometime in the 1940’s by a man named Noble Stuart who was the son-in-law of the previous owner, Hiram Worden.
This is a good hiking trail for littles because it’s under a mile long and the carvings are easy to spot given that it’s a loop trail.
25. north Olmsted Library
27403 Lorain Rd, North Olmsted, OH 44070
The North Olmsted Public Library offers a quaint but delightful children’s area with a barn-themed play space that little ones will love. Though it’s on the smaller side, it’s packed with interactive wall games, fun toys, and imaginative play opportunities that make it a great spot for young kids to explore. Whether they’re pretending to tend to the farm or curling up with a good book, this free indoor activity is a perfect way to spend a rainy spring day in Northeast Ohio. If you’re searching for fun and free things to do in Cleveland with kids this spring, be sure to add this hidden gem to your list!
26. Sokolowski’s Overlook (Part of the towpath trail)
1203 University Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113
Looking for the BEST view in town? Then you should definitely check out Sokolowski’s Overlook and then walk the Towpath Trail.
The towpath trail in Tremont is probably my favorite trail in all of Cleveland.
I’m a sucker for that beautiful Cleveland skyline and you can see it perfectly throughout this trail.
If you park in the lot across the street from the Sokolowski’s Overlook, there is a cute little nature play there, and my kids always love playing there as well. Here’s a video of some of the views you’ll find on the trail. 👇
27. Schoepfle Garden
11106 Market St, Birmingham, OH 44816
If you’re looking for a stunning outdoor adventure just outside of Cleveland, Schoepfle Garden is well worth the drive. This free botanical garden and nature trail offers a beautifully designed children’s area featuring a nature play space, a small playground, and even a free carousel (open seasonally with limited hours).
It’s the perfect spot to pack a lunch and make a day of it, letting kids run, climb, and explore while soaking in the fresh garden air. Before you go, check the Lorain County Metro Parks website for carousel hours! If you're searching for free family-friendly activities near Cleveland this spring, this hidden gem should be on your list.
28. Preston's H.O.P.E. Playground Park
26001 S Woodland Rd, Beachwood, OH 44122
Preston’s hope has been one of our favorite playgrounds for years now. We love how it looks like a little town. It is a large playground, so I suggest going with more than one adult if you have multiple kiddos. Note: this is an older playground that could use some TLC, but we still really enjoy it every time we visit. For a better look at what P.R.E.S.T.O.N.S Hope has to offer, check out the video below. ⬇️
29. Neura Park
Neura Park, Center Rd, Brunswick, OH 44212
Neura Park is a newer inclusive playground. This is definitely one of the largest playgrounds we have visited. It has two types of zip lines, swings, rock wall, accessible merry-go-round, a large structure with awesome slides, a music station, and so much more. They also have soft ground instead of mulch, which we always love, and the playground is mostly fenced in.
30. Adventure Play at Jordan Creek
7250 Alexander Rd, Painesville, OH 44077
Depending on where you live, this park can be pretty far East, but we think it’s totally worth it.
Adventure Play is a natural playground in the Lake Metroparks. It is designed for kids 7 and older, but it definitely depends on the kid. My kids have both enjoyed this since we first went when they were 4 and 6. There were some things they couldn’t do at those ages without my help, though.
Adventure Play has a HUGE rock wall, 2 ziplines, a slackline forest, balancing obstacles, a 30-foot rope bridge, and so much more—all for FREE!
Another fun feature is the beautiful walking trails behind Adventure Play, including a story walk and a creek perfect for skipping rocks. There’s also a super-nice Nature Center.
Lastly, there’s a large pavilion and new bathrooms (a big upgrade from the port-a-potty at our last visit 👏🏻). If you have kids who love climbing, jumping, and enjoying nature, Jordan Creek is a must-add to your playground list!
That’s Our List!
Cleveland is packed with fun, free activities for families, making it easy to explore the city without spending a dime. Whether you’re playing in a charming library space on a rainy spring day, wandering through beautiful gardens on a sunny afternoon, or discovering new adventures at parks and museums, there’s no shortage of ways to keep kids entertained.
As the weather warms up (or surprises us with those classic Ohio spring showers), take advantage of these budget-friendly, family-friendly activities in Northeast Ohio and create unforgettable memories with your little ones. Looking for even more kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland? Be sure to bookmark this list and check back often for updates on the best free events, indoor play spaces, and hidden gems for families in Spring 2025 and beyond! 🌸☔
