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 |
