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Parent Choice Awards

Parent Choice Awards

COMING SOON: 2026 WINNERS AND FINALISTS!!

Each year, we ask our readers and online followers to weigh in on their favorite family-friendly spots — local businesses, attractions, family services and more — in the Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards.

For our 11th annual contest, parents voiced their opinions during the nomination and voting period in spring. We had some new categories this year, too!

Some perennial favorites topped the ballots again this year, but they were joined by many new honorees. Here they are: the winners and runners-up in our 2026 Parent Choice Awards.

Click on a link below to go directly to that category; or scroll through all categories listed below and on subsequent pages:

Best town to raise a family
Best splash pad
Best sensory-friendly outing
Best playground
Best family water adventure
Best museum to visit with your family
Best live theater experience for kids
Best indoor play place
Best animal encounter
Best Ohio weekend getaway
Best park to explore nature
Best parents’ night out destination
Best birthday party
entertainment
Best kid-friendly shopping destination
Best professional sports outing for the family
Best thrift/consignment for children’s clothing
Favorite Northeast Ohio professional athlete (currently active)
Best locally-owned family-friendly restaurant
Best locally-owned place to get coffee/tea
Best place to get pizza
Best place to get ice cream
 Best library
Best place for ice skating
Best dance studio
Best place for cheerleading
Best place for gymnastics
Best place for kids’ swim lessons
Best place for a kid’s haircut
Best place to have a birthday party
Best place for family fitness
Best place for children to explore music
Best daycare/preschool
Best summer camp/program
Best tutoring/learning enrichment service
Best Spa
Best dermatology practice
Best hospital in a child emergency
Best hospital to have a baby
Best kid-friendly dental practice
Best orthodontics practice
Best pediatrics practice
Best pregnancy/postpartum care for moms and families
Best Northeast Ohio parenting blog/influencer

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Wins ‘Best Animal Encounter’ in 2023 Parent Choice Awards

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
June 11, 2023
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more. Here are the winner and runners-up in the “best animal encounter” category. ...
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Cedar Point Wins ‘Best Place for Teen/Tween Adventure’ in 2023 Parent Choice Awards

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
June 11, 2023
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more. Here are the winner and runners-up in the “best place for teen/tween adventure” category. ...
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We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym Wins ‘Best Sensory-Friendly Outing’ in 2023 Parent Choice Awards

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
June 11, 2023
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more. Here are the winner and runners-up in the “best sensory-friendly outing” category. ...
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things to do with kids in ohio

Cedar Point Wins ‘Best Northeast Ohio Staycation Destination’ in 2023 Parent Choice Awards

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
June 11, 2023

The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite

... ...
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Falcon Camp Wins ‘Best Summer Camp/Program’ in 2023 Parent Choice Awards

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
June 11, 2023
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more. Here are the winner and runners-up in the “best summer camp/program” category. ...
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Lakewood Public Library  Wins ‘Best Library’ in 2023 Parent Choice Awards

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
June 11, 2023
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more. Here are the winner and runners-up in the “best library” category. ...
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Once Upon a Child, Value World Win ‘Best Thrift/Consignment for Children’s Clothing’ in 2023 Parent Choice Awards

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
June 11, 2023
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more. Here are the winners and runner-up in the “best thrift/consignment for children’s clothing” category. ...
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Playmatters Toys Wins ‘Best Store to Buy Toys, Games & Learning Products’ in 2023 Parent Choice Awards

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
June 11, 2023
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more. Here are the winner and runners-up in the “best local, independent store to buy toys, games and learning products” category. ...
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Crocker Park Wins ‘Best Kid-Friendly Shopping Destination’ in 2023 Parent Choice Awards

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
June 11, 2023
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more. Here are the winner and runners-up in the “best kid-friendly shopping destination” category. ...
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Goldfish Swim School Wins ‘Best Place for Kids’ Swim Lessons’ in 2023 Parent Choice Awards

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
June 11, 2023
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more. Here are the winner and runners-up in the “best place for kids’ swim lessons” category. ...
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