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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

Children’s Museum of Cleveland Wins ‘Best Indoor Play Place’ 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. Learn more about the winner and finalists in the "best indoor play place" category. ...
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Playhouse Square Wins ‘Best Live Theater Experience for Kids’ 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. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "best live theater experience for kids" category. ...
Read more 0

Holden Arboretum Wins ‘Best Park or Place to Explore Nature’ 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. Learn more about the winner and finalists in the "Best park or place to explore nature" category. ...
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Beachwood Family Aquatic Center Wins ‘Best Pool or Splash Pad’ 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. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "Best pool or splash pad" category. ...
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Playmatters Wins ‘Best Toy Store’ 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. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "best toy store" category. ...
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The YMCA Wins ‘Best Place for Family-Friendly Fitness’ 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. Learn more about the winner and finalists in the "best place for family-friendly fitness" category. ...
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Sky Zone Wins ‘Best Place to Have a Birthday Party’ 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. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "best place to have a birthday party" category. ...
Read more 0

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Wins ‘Best Sensory-Friendly Outing’ 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. Learn more about the winner and finalists in the "best sensory-friendly outing" category. ...
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Hocking Hills Wins ‘Best Staycation Destination’ 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. Learn about the winner and finalists in the "Best Ohio staycation destination" category. ...
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Cleveland City Dance Wins ‘Best Dance Studio’ 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. Learn more about the winner and finalists in the "best dance studio" category. ...
Read more 0