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Parent Choice Awards

Parent Choice Awards

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 10th 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 2025 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 museum to visit with your family
Best live theater experience for kids
Best playground
Best park or place to explore nature
Best splash pad
Best family water adventure
Best place for family fitness
Best indoor play place
Best animal encounter
Best place for tween/teen adventure
Best sensory-friendly outing (special needs)
Best locally-owned place to get coffee/tea
Best library
Best thrift/consignment for children’s clothing
Best kid-friendly shopping destination
Best parents’ night out destination
Best Ohio weekend getaway
Best birthday party
entertainment
Best place to get a pizza
Best place to get ice cream
Best place kids eat free
Best locally-owned family-friendly restaurant		 Best local, independent store to buy toys, games & learning products
Best place for kids’ swim lessons
Best place for gymnastics
Best dance studio
Best Daycare/Preschool
Best place for ice skating
Best place for children to explore music
Best place for a parent and me activity/class
Best place for cheerleading 
Best place to have a birthday party
Best place for a kid’s haircut
Best kid-friendly dental practice
Best orthodontics practice
Best pediatrics practice
Best hospital in a child emergency
Best hospital to have a baby
Best pregnancy/postpartum care for moms and families
Best dermatology practice
Best Spa
Best orthodontics pratice
Best daycare/preschool
Best tutoring/learning enrichment service
Best Professional Sports Outing for the Family
Favorite Northeast Ohio Professional Athlete (currently active)
Best nonprofit that helps families and children

Playmatters Wins ‘Best Toy Store’ in 2021 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
June 6, 2021
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards celebrates the top recommendations of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "Best independent toy store" category. ...
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Fine Arts Association Wins ‘Best Arts Experience’ in 2021 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
June 6, 2021
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards celebrates the top recommendations of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Learn more about the winner and finalists in the "Best arts experience" category. ...
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Beachwood Family Aquatic Center Wins ‘Best Pool or Splash Pad’ in 2021 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
June 6, 2021
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards celebrates the top recommendations of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "Best pool or splash pad" category. ...
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Goldfish Swim School Wins ‘Best Place for Kids’ Swim Lessons’ in 2021 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
June 6, 2021
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards celebrates the top recommendations of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "Best place for kids' swim lessons" category. ...
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Crocker Park Wins ‘Best Kid-Friendly Shopping Area’ in 2021 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
June 6, 2021
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards celebrates the top recommendations 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 finalists in the "Best kid-friendly shopping area" category. ...
Read more 0

Solon Wins ‘Best Town to Raise a Family’ in 2021 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
June 6, 2021
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards celebrates the top recommendations of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region —businesses, attractions, family services and more. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "Best town to raise a family" category. ...
Read more 0

The YMCA Wins ‘Best Place for Family-Friendly Fitness’ in 2021 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
June 6, 2021
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards celebrates the top recommendations of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Learn more about the winner and finalists in the "Best place for family-friendly fitness" category. ...
Read more 0

Senders Pediatrics Wins ‘Best Pediatrician’ in 2021 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
June 6, 2021
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards celebrates the top recommendations of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "Best pediatrician" category. ...
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Play Day Café Wins ‘Best Place to Have a Birthday Party’ in 2021 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
June 6, 2021
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards celebrates the top recommendations of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "Best place to have a birthday party" category. ...
Read more 0

Cuts N Curls Wins ‘Best Place for a Kid’s Haircut’ in 2021 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
June 6, 2021
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards celebrates the top recommendations of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "Best place for a kid’s haircut" category. ...
Read more 0