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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

The Learned Owl Wins ‘Best Place to Buy Children’s Books’ 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 store to buy children’s books" category. ...
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Fruit of the Womb Perinatal Services Wins ‘Best Pregnancy/Postpartum Care’ 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 pregnancy and postpartum care for moms and families" category. ...
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Once Upon a Child Wins ‘Best Children’s Consignment’ 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. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "Best thrift/consignment for children's clothing" category. ...
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Solon Pediatric Dentistry Wins 2021 Parent Choice Awards’ ‘Best Family Dentist’

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 winners and finalists in the "Best family dentist/dental center" category. ...
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The Nanny Connection Wins ‘Best Place to Find Childcare’ 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 local place to find a babysitter/childcare" category. ...
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Last Chance to Nominate Your Favorites in the 2021 Parent Choice Awards!

By Northeast Ohio Parent Staff Writers
February 28, 2021
The Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Today is the last day to nominate your favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more — and you'll be entered into a drawing to win a fantastic local prize! ...
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Goldfish Swim School Wins ‘Best Place for Kids’ Swim Lessons’ in 2020 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
July 16, 2020
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions 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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Cleveland Museum of Art Wins ‘Best Museum’ in 2020 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
July 5, 2020
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 museum" category. ...
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Shaker Heights Wins ‘Best Town to Raise a Family’ in 2020 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
July 5, 2020
The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions 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 5

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Wins ‘Best Animal Encounter’ in 2020 Parent Choice Awards

By Denise Koeth
July 5, 2020
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 finalists in the "Best animal encounter" category. ...
Read more 0