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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 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

Adrenaline Monkey Wins ‘Best Indoor Play Place’ 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 indoor play place" category. ...
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Preston’s H.O.P.E. Wins ‘Best Playground’ 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 this year's winner and finalists in the "Best Playground" category. ...
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Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Wins ‘Best Animal Encounter’ 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 animal encounter" category. ...
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Cedar Point Wins ‘Best Place for Tween/Teen Adventure’ 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 tween/teen adventure" category. ...
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Cuyahoga County Public Library Wins ‘Best Virtual Learning’ 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 locally-produced virtual learning experience" category. ...
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Children’s Museum of Cleveland Wins ‘Best Sensory-Friendly Outing’ 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 sensory-friendly outing" category. ...
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Hocking Hills Wins ‘Best Staycation Destination’ 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 Ohio staycation destination" category. ...
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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. ...
Read more 0