With a day in Columbus full of chocolate-stuffed croissants, astronauts, lions, ice cream and more, your kids should sleep soundly on the drive back to Cleveland. Check out our itinerary to kick start your family's stay at Ohio's capital city. ...

There are plenty of spots throughout Northeast Ohio that offer healthy goodies that still will appeal to the most discerning of kids – even those with a serious sweet tooth. Lighten up by visiting some of these area eateries with your kids and enjoying these treats together. ...

Chef Jonathon Sawyer and his wife, Amelia, co-own several restaurants around Cleveland, including the French-inspired The Greenhouse Tavern, Noodlecat, the Italian-themed Trentina, and food stands in the Browns stadium. Sawyer is equally passionate about inspiring kids — including his own — to eat healthy, whole foods. And not just for the sake of nutrition — it’s more about understanding where food comes from, preparing it together, and enjoying the meal as a family. ...

Shopping with kids of any age is an exercise in stealth, patience and creativity that’s almost as hard as trying to find a place to stash the gifts once you get home (one hint: it’s nearly impossible to hide a light-sensitive talking baby anywhere in your closet without her piping up ‘Peek-a-boo!’ anytime you open the door). So how do you attempt to shop for kids, finding that perfect gift to wrap up for them for Christmas? Here are a few ideas to get started. ...

Some of the best — and most memorable — gifts for kids don’t come in neatly tied packages. This year, you might consider giving your kids the gift of experience. Think of your child’s interests and then incorporate something you two can do together. ...

Halloween gives kids — hey, adults, too — a chance to dress up and have fun creating costumes to show off their interests. While certain costumes remain popular year after year, there are definitely some newcomers made popular by this summer’s blockbusters. To help your little ghost or goblin come up with a great costume this year, here are a few ideas to get you started, along with cost-cutting tips so you still have enough money on hand to keep your candy bucket full for all those trick-or-treaters. ...

Crossing the bridge from mainland South Carolina to Hilton Head Island, Northeast Ohio Parent writer Kristen Gough and her family were eager to slip into their swimsuits and run in the sand. After three fun-filled days, she shares with readers looking to travel to Hilton Head where to explore and how each family member can have fun. ...

From upping kids’ critical thinking skills to improving their language aptitude, an exposure to art appears to drive kids’ abilities in multiple areas. If you’ve been wondering about how to get your kids more involved in the arts, here are a few reasons why it’s worth the effort and how to help your children get more out of their experiences. ...

The beginning of a new year is a good time to sit back and consider what goals you want to make as a family. Northeast Ohio Parent and some local experts provide some tips to inspire families day by day in January. ...

Need something to do with the kids this week? Several ice arenas in the region are offering holiday hours. Whether you are a beginner or an expert on the ice, there are options for the whole family to enjoy a day at the rink. ...