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 9th annual contest, parents voiced their opinions during the nomination and voting period in spring. Some perennial favorites topped the ballots again this year, but they were joined by many new honorees.
Here are the winners and runners-up in our 2024 Parent Choice Awards. You can also check out each category here.
Best Dance Studio
Winner: Beck Center for the Arts
Beck Center for the Arts’ Lakewood Dance Education program is one of the most comprehensive and well-respected in Northeast Ohio. Program students train with top faculty members, including a former Radio City Rockette and Miss Dance Michigan. Dancers have participated in the Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest international student dance competition. Programming is available for early childhood students, youth, teens and adults. Beck Center’s highly qualified and caring dance faculty has a combined 310 years of experience in the classroom. — beckcenter.org
Second Place: Fairmount Center for the Arts — fairmountcenter.org
Third Place: Cleveland City Dance — clevelandcitydance.com
Best Daycare/Childcare
Winner: Goddard School
Goddard School’s proprietary education program gives children the freedom to learn beyond a traditional lesson plan, as teachers incorporate fun learning experiences (F.L.E.X. learning program) that help little ones explore their curiosity and discover the wonder of learning. Five locations in Northeast Ohio: Twinsburg, Chagrin Falls, Macedonia, Beachwood and, coming soon, Aurora. — goddardschool.com
Second Place: The Music Settlement — themusicsettlement.org
Third Place: St. Paul’s Nursery School Akron — stpaulsakron.org
Best library
Winner: Lakewood Public Library
Lakewood Public Library serves all people by collecting, preserving and making accessible materials that capture the broad range of human experiences, and by providing services and programs that meet the evolving needs of its diverse community. Adult events include meet the author, book clubs and more, while youth events include story time programs, events for teens and more. lakewoodpubliclibrary.org
Second Place: Cleveland Public Library — cpl.org
Third Place: Fairview Park Library — cuyahogalibrary.org/branches/fairview-park
Best Place for a Parent and Me Activity/Class
Winner: Beck Center for the Arts
The Beck Center has classes for newborns to age 6 with their caregivers that explore and introduce your littlest child to art from dance, theater, visual arts and music. For example, Beck Center’s Kids N Tunes class is filled with singing, listening, instrument playing, and moving alongside children. Parents/caregivers learn ways to use music at home while children participate in success-oriented activities to help them learn and grow in a group music environment. — beckcenter.org
Second Place: The Music Settlement — themusicsettlement.org
Third Place: Kindermusik, Hudson — hudson.kindermusik.com
Best Place for Cheerleading
Winner: World Elite Kids
World Elite offers performance cheer, cheerabilities and full year cheer, with performance cheer offering athletes the opportunity to perform a routine just like full year athletes. They will establish a basic foundation for competitive cheer while improving their coordination, balance, strength and flexibility. Full year athletes, meanwhile, is the gym’s highest level of commitment with a fully immersed experience. These athletes participate in the sport of cheerleading year-round, compete both locally and nationally, and are held to a high standard. — worldelitekids.com
Second Place: Rising Star Academy of Cheer and Dance — rsacheer-dance.com
Third Place: Top Gun Training Center — topgunohio.com
Best Place for Children to Explore Music
Winner: The Music Settlement
Serving all ages and skill levels, The Music Settlement encourages creative expression through lessons, ensembles, master classes, performance opportunities and a variety of community outreach programs. It also offers music instruction in most solo, band and orchestral instruments and in a variety of musical styles. Their accomplished faculty provide personal instruction specially designed for success in achieving musical goals. themusicsettlement.org
Second Place: Beck Center for the Arts —beckcenter.org
Third Place: Fairmount Center for the Arts — fairmountcenter.org
Best Place for Gymnastics
Winner: World Elite Kids
World Elite offers gymnastics classes from Wee Peas — 6-12 months — to League gymnastics, from age 6 and older. Classes are designed to build confidence, character, connection and skills. — worldelitekids.com
Second Place: Little Gym — thelittlegym.com
Third Place: Lakeshore Dance & Gymnastics, Mayfield — lakeshoregym.com
Best Place for Kids’ Swim Lessons
Winner: Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School is the nation’s premier learn-to-swim provider offering indoor, year-round swim instruction to children ages 4 months to 12 years old. Goldfish also offers frequent family swims (for both members and non-members). Facility highlights include an air-conditioned viewing gallery for parents to watch lessons, individual/private changing rooms, blow dry station, snack bar, retail shop, and warm, tropical décor. Cleveland-area locations include Warrensville Heights, Fairview Park, Hudson, North Canton and Strongsville. goldfishswimschool.com
Second Place: Mandel JCC — mandeljcc.org
Third Place: Shaw JCC — shawjcc.org
Best Preschool
Winner: Mandel JCC
Mandel JCC’s Early Childhood Center offers programs for children ages eight weeks old through pre-kindergarten in Beachwood, and has been guiding children for more than 50 years. It offers a child care and preschool curriculum and experience, with a 5-Star Step-Up-To Quality designation from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, a tiered quality ratings and improvements system. Supporting the center’s belief that children learn best through play, its team provides an environment in each classroom that feels like home and with age-appropriate activities that help each child develop physically, cognitively, psychologically, emotionally, socially and linguistically. — mandeljcc.org
Second Place: St. Paul’s Nursery School, Akron — stpaulsakron.org
Third Place —Tie:
Shaw JCC — shawjcc.org
The Music Settlement — themusicsettlement.org
Best Tutoring/Learning Enrichment Service
Winner: Sylvan Learning Center
Sylvan offers personalized solutions to children’s unique talents and needs. Whether kids need help catching up, want to hone new skills, are looking for a challenge with advanced classes, or are preparing for college, Sylvan tutors are there to help in subjects including, but not limited to, math, reading, writing, science and foreign languages. — sylvanlearning.com
Second Place: Momentum Tutoring, Cleveland Heights — momentuumcle.com
Best Summer Camp/Program
Winner: World Elite Kids
This year’s World Elite summer camp is Olympics themed and will take place July 29-Aug. 2. The week will be filled with gymnastics and Olympics-inspired fun during the Paris Olympics and is perfect for aspiring athletes ages 6-13 who want to hone their gymnastics skills. — worldelitekids.com
Second Place: Shaw JCC — shawjcc.org
Third Place: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo — clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo
Best Locally Owned Family-Friendly Restaurant
Winner: Yours Truly
Yours Truly started in 1981 with the Shibley family, whose four siblings — Art, Larry, Darlene and Jeffrey – grew up in a home filled with their parents’ genuine hospitality. Their shared experience inspired them to open the first Yours Truly Restaurant in Beachwood, Ohio in 1981. From the original 31-seat restaurant, the company has expanded to a total of nine Northeast Ohio locations. If you want this writer’s recommendation, get the Palermo omelet. You’ll thank me later. — ytr.com
Second Place: Cilantro Taqueria — cilantrotaqueria.com
Third Place: Melt Bar & Grilled — meltbarandgrilled.com
Best Kids Eat Free Restaurant
Winner: Burntwood Tavern
Now this is a deal! Every Monday, at Burntwood’s locations in Chagrin Falls, Solon and Rocky River, kids 12 and under can choose any item from the kids menu for free with the purchase of an entree. — burntwoodtavern.com
Second Place: Rockne’s — rocknes.com
Third Place: Salted Dough, Broadview Heights — salteddough.com
Best Place to Get Ice Cream
Winner: Mitchell’s Ice Cream
Since 1999, Mitchell’s — founded by brothers, Mike and Pete — has been serving its delicious flavors to Clevelanders young and old. Be it an old staple like cookie dough, to a seasonal treat like wildberry crumble or campfire s’mores, there’s something for everyone at Mitchell’s nine area locations. — mitchellshomemade.com
Second Place: Handel’s — handlesicecream.com
Third Place: East Coast Custard — eastcoastcustard.com
Best Place to Get Pizza
Winner: Dewey’s, Lakewood
Founded in 1988, Dewey’s focuses on high-quality pizzas, exceptional customer experiences and working with passionate people. Dewey’s now has 25 locations across the midwest, and it’s not just the pizza that leaves customers raving — try a calzone on your next stop in. — deweyspizza.com
Second Place: Luigi’s, Akron —luigisakron.com
Third Place: Geraci’s Slice Shop, Cleveland — geracissliceshop.com
Best Animal Encounter
Winner: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers several unique and compelling experiences for guests to connect with wildlife including hand-feeding Masai giraffe, passing underneath Amur tigers, and nose-to-nose viewing of snow leopards, sloth bears and much more. The Zoo’s Inside Tracks program offers a behind-the-scenes experience where guests can get close to animals, see a training or care session and more. — futureforwildlife.org
Second Place: Akron Zoo — akronzoo.org
Third Place: Jungle Terry — jungleterryandfriends.com
Best Family Water Adventure
Winner: Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
From a relaxing lazy river to intense slides, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions has it all for water-loving families. Slides include Swahili Swirl, Cheetah Race, Victoria Falls and more. While kids are swimming — supervised, of course, perhaps Mom or Dad can take advantage of the facility’s full-service Spa Kalahari, or dine at Kalahari’s two signature restaurants: Sortino’s Italian Kitchen and B-Lux Grill & Bar. — kalahariresorts.com
Second Place: Cedar Point Shores — cedarpoint.com/cedar-point-shores
Third Place: Great Wolf Lodge — greatwolf.com
Best Live Theater Experience for Kids
Winner: Playhouse Square
One of the country’s best-regarded theater districts also plays host to several family-friendly and kids-themed shows each year, with this year’s Children’s Theater Series featuring “Velveteen,” Goodnight Moon,” “The Gruffalo’s Child” and “Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus,” the latter a Mo Willems classic. The district also plays host to special events such as “Bluey’s Big Play,” Disney Jr. Live” and more. — playhousesquare.org
Second Place: Cleveland Playhouse — clevelandplayhouse.com
Third Place: Beck Center for the Arts — beckcenter.org
Best Indoor Play Place
Winner: Children’s Museum of Cleveland
The museum promotes the power of learning through play using innovative exhibits and programs designed for children infant to age 8 and is a valued resource to caregivers, families and community institutions that serve young children. The museum serves about 200,000 guests in its midtown Cleveland location. It offers a range of free and reduced admissions programs, sponsored field trips, activity kits and more to make resources more accessible for low-income families across the community. The museum also hosts clean and safe visits for families with special needs so that the facility can be as accessible as possible to all children and families. — cmcleveland.org
Second Place: We Rock the Spectrum —werockthespectrumcleveland.com
Third Place: Urban Air — urbanair.com
Best Museum to Visit With Your Family
Winner: Great Lakes Science Center
The center’s mission is to make science, technology, engineering and math come alive, and it seeks to accomplish that goal with exhibits and programs that keep kids and adults alike curious. Those events include Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater, Camp Curiosity, Design and Build Challenge, Robotics Initiatives, while current exhibits include NASA Glenn Visitor Center, Steamship William Mather, biomedtech, science phenomena and more.— greatscience.com
Second Place: Children’s Museum of Cleveland — cmcleveland.org
Third Place: Cleveland Museum of Natural History — cmnh.org
Best Ohio Weekend Getaway
Winner: Hocking Hills
Camping. Hiking. Hunting. Fishing. This popular one-tank trip for Ohioans (and other nearby states) has it all for outdoorsy types, and the best part? It’s all just a short drive away. Six parks, two nature preserves and several forests present the opportunity to stay busy, while the area has several different lodging options — cabins, lodges, treehouses; take your pick! And, local businesses to support your trip. — hockinghills.com
Second Place: Cedar Point — cedarpoint.com
Third Place: Put-In-Bay — putinbay.com
Best Parents’ Night Out Destination
Winner: Playhouse Square
The Playhouse Square District, in addition to featuring one of the best show lineups in the country, also has several dining options for moms and dads before or after the show. May we plan your itinerary for you? If you’re a Neil Diamond fan, for example, take in “A Beautiful Noise” in the KeyBank Broadway Series this fall, with dinner at Ghost Light Restaurant and Lounge in the Crowne Plaza Hotel across the street, with a stein at Hofbrauhaus after. (Beware the shotskis, though!) — playhousesquare.org
Second Place: Ohio City — ohiocity.org
Third Place: Gervasi Vineyard — gervasivineyard.com
Best Park or Place to Explore Nature
Winner: Cleveland Metroparks
The “Emerald Necklace” spans over 25,000 acres including 18 park reservations, over 325 miles of trails, five nature centers and thousands of free programs to connect children to nature. Guests can download the free Cleveland Metroparks mobile app to explore today. — clevelandmetroparks.com
Second Place: Cuyahoga Valley National Park — nps.gov/cuya/index.htm
Third Place: Holden Arboretum — holdenfg.org
Best Place for Ice Skating
Winner: Kent State University
The university’s Ice Arena, built in 1970, is a family-friendly facility serving both the university community and outlying communities. Recreational skating, figure skating, ice hockey, birthday parties and private rentals are just a few things to consider while at the Ice Arena. The arena offers a multipurpose meeting room, skate sharpening and a snack bar. Public skate sessions resume in the fall. — kent.edu/recwell/ice-arena
Second Place: Winterhurst Arena, Lakewood — winterhurstice.com
Third Place: The Rink at Wade Oval — universitycircle.org
Best Place forTween/Teen Adventure
Winner: Cedar Point
What better way to prove your toughness to your buddies or a newly identified boyfriend or girlfriend, or take that first short trip solo without mom or dad, than by riding roller coasters that rise over 300 feet in the air and go nearly 100 mph? — cedarpoint.com
Second Place: TopGolf — topgolf.com
Third Place: Scene 75 — scene75.com
Best Playground
Winner: Preston’s H.O.P.E.
A hidden gem in Beachwood, Preston’s H.O.P.E. is a playground for children with all levels of abilities and disabilities and provides children with the opportunities to explore, play and learn. This extensive accessible playground park includes Imagination Village, with make-believe houses that are connected by a raised walkway, play theater, a sand area and traditional playground area with swings, tunnels and slides that are appropriate for children from preschool through school age. The space is inspired by Preston, a vibrant, fun-loving boy who was born with spinal muscular atrophy, is free of charge and open to the public. — prestonshope.com
Second Place: Lakewood Park — lakewoodohio.gov
Third Place: Edgewater Park — clevelandmetroparks.com
Best Professional Sports Outing for the Family
Winner: Cleveland Guardians
Grab a family four pack for $80 – which includes $10 per ticket in loaded value for concessions or merch — and head to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario for one of the best values out there. Our recommendation? Go on a Sunday for Kids Fun Day, where kids can run the bases after the game just like Jose Ramirez. Another recommendation? Get a Kids Club membership for $25 – it includes a cool bag, a nice light hoodie, a lanyard and ID badge – which includes $10 more in loaded value – and more. The way the Guardians are playing, you’re likely to see a victory, too. — cleguardians.com
Second Place: Cleveland Cavaliers — cavs.com
Third Place: Akron Rubber Ducks — milb.com/akron
Best Sensory-Friendly Outing
Winner: We Rock the Spectrum
We Rock the Spectrum is an inclusive gym for all kids of all abilities, with services including open play, birthday parties, field trips, therapies, preschool preparatory program, summer camp, classes and special events. The facility provides sensory-based equipment such as over 12 different swings, a zipline, trampoline, monkey bars, rock wall, art/toddler rooms and a calming room. werockthespectrumcleveland.com
Second Place: Preston’s H.O.P.E. — prestonshope.com
Third Place: Akron Zoo — akronzoo.org
Best Splash Pad
Winner: Crocker Park
It’s 92 degrees outside with a heat index of 101. The kids have been complaining all day about how hot it is. Luckily, the splash pad at Crocker Park is open seven days, including 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10-6 p.m. on Sunday, with twilight splashes Monday through Saturday from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Cool off with a quick splash — but keep those shoes on, and all kids must be accompanied by an adult. — crockerpark.com
Second Place: City of Lyndhurst Splash Pad — lyndhurstohio.gov
Third Place: Water Works Park, Cuyahoga Falls — cityofcf.com
Best Town to Raise a Family
Winner: Lakewood
The city has made numerous recent advancements to its public parks to attract more families and satisfy those that already live there — improvements including a multi-million dollar investment into Foster Pool, the city’s first pickleball courts and plans for an updated skate park. The city also recently undertook a study on how to achieve more access to Lake Erie at Lakewood Park, which already boasts breathtaking views. From great restaurants to walkability and great parks to highly regarded schools, Lakewood offers it all for families. — lakewoodohio.gov
Second Place: Shaker Heights — shakerheightsohio.gov
Third Place: Solon — solonohio.org
Best Hospital to Have a Baby
Winner:
Cleveland Clinic, Hillcrest
Hillcrest’s Family Maternity Center provides a range of birthing experiences and the highest level of birthing care, as the only Level III NICU on Cleveland’s East Side. It’s staffed with highly skilled nursing professionals and lactation consultants and has specially equipped operating rooms for Cesarean births. — clevelandclinic.org
Second Place: University Hospitals Cleveland – uhhospitals.org
Third Place: Cleveland Clinic, Fairview – clevelandclinic.org
Best Dermatology Practice
Winner: Apex Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center
Apex Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center is made up of a team of experienced and compassionate providers specializing in medical, surgical and aesthetic dermatology. The company’s 14 locations are committed to excellence and offer same-day visits, and are committed to providing care in underserved communities by offering free spot checks to detect skin cancer and other skin conditions. To date, Apex providers have helped more than 500,000 patients and performed over 75,000 skin cancer treatments. apexskin.com
Second Place: Advanced Dermatology, Twinsburg – yourgreatskin.com
Third Place: Cleveland Clinic, Willoughby – clevelandclinic.org
Best Hospital in a Child Emergency
Winner: University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s
For more than 125 years, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital has been providing expert pediatric care for infants, children and adolescents in Northeast Ohio. With expertise in 16 medical and 12 surgical specialties, its team of doctors, nurses and other clinical staff has experience in diagnosing and treating children for a range of medical issues, from common childhood illnesses to complex conditions. Ranked among the “Best Children’s Hospitals” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, it delivers award-winning care in specialties including orthopedics, urology, gastroenterology and digestive health, pediatric cancer and pulmonology. It is ranked No. 1 in Northeast Ohio for newborn care and also is home to Northern Ohio’s only Level 1 pediatric trauma center, dedicated to caring for infants and children with the most critical injuries and illnesses. — uhhospitals.org
Second Place: Akron Children’s Hospital – akronchildrens.org
Third Place: Cleveland Clinic, Hillcrest – clevelandclinic.org
Best Kid-Friendly Dental Practice
Winner: Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry
At GBPD, board-certified pediatric dentists Drs. Rachel Rosen and Christi Walsh provide minimally invasive dentistry, emphasizing the link between airway health and overall well-being. Early adopters of Solea laser
dentistry, they minimize drills and needles. Using a tell-show-do approach and movie screens over every chair, they make visits stress-free, educational, and fun. As a Breathe Institute Ambassador, Dr. Rachel is a leading expert on tongue and lip ties. They treat children from newborn to 21 years old and are accepting new patients under 17. — greatbeginningspd.com
Second Place: Mertes Pediatric Dentistry, Hudson – mertesdental.com
Third Place: Bay Pediatric Dentistry –bayvillagepeds.com
Best Orthodontics Practice
Winner: Weiss & Tor Orthodontics
Weiss and Tor Orthodontics provided exceptional orthodontic care for both kids and adults in a warm, family-oriented environment. The practice uses the best and most up-to-date technology to ensure optimal results for all patients and is grounded in the latest literature and cutting-edge protocols, ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care. — weissandtorortho.com
Second Place: Dr. Gen Twinsburg – brace4success.com
Third Place: Wenger Orthodontics – wengerortho.com
Best Pediatrics Practice
Winner: Senders Pediatrics
Senders Pediatrics cares for children from birth to young adulthood and has dedicated breastfeeding medicine behavioral health teams. The practice also has been a leader in conducting pediatric and adult clinical trials, having participated in over 220 clinical research projects over the past 20 years and in the development of almost all new vaccines including the COVID-19 vaccine. It has been at the forefront in the parent coaching world and its novel approach to understanding learning styles has upended the traditional medication-centered approach to ADHD. Senders Pediatrics was one of the first practices in the area certified as a patient centered medical home, which gives families the assurance that all of their medical needs can be managed under one roof. — senderspediatrics.com
Second Place: Greater Cleveland Pediatrics – clepeds.com
Best Place for Family Fitness
Winners – Tie
Mandel JCC
Be it group fitness classes, pickleball, hoops or pilates, the JCC offers any fitness plan you could want or need on two feet. The facility also offers one of the best, most comprehensive aquatics programs in the area, with award-winning, American Red Cross certified swim lessons, water exercise classes for all levels, masters swim programs, and aquatics lifeguard and water safety instructor training. — mandeljcc.org
Greater Cleveland YMCA
With 11 locations across the area and having served the region for 170 years, the YMCA delivers on its goals to drive youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each location offers swim lessons, group exercise and personal training for those looking for a new fitness regiment, while early childhood enrichment, camps and adventure guides are options for families. Still holding on to those high school hoops dreams? Many locations offer adult athletic leagues, too. Just stretch beforehand, will ya?— clevelandymca.org
Second Place: Twinsburg Recreation Center – mytwinsburg.com
Best Place for a Kids Haircut
Winner: Cuts n Curls
Take a seat in one of Cuts n Curls’ racing cars that double as barber chairs, pop on the latest episode of “Paw Patrol” and enjoy that first (or second or 20th) haircut. The staff are experts at ensuring children feel comfortable in an unfamiliar setting, though they can’t guarantee that screens, cool seats and candy prevent tears. After your cut, take a crack at the skeeball or pop-a-shot machines — and consider hosting your child’s next birthday party there. For the dads, there’s also a class offered to learn how to do your daughter’s hair. New: a paint splatter room! — cutsncurls.net
Second Place: Ladies and Gentlemen Salon and Spa – ladiesgentlemen.com
Third Place: Snip-Its, Hudson – snipits.com
Best Pregnancy/Postpartum Care for Moms and Families
Winner: Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio
Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio (BFMEDNEO) was launched in 2008 with the goal of offering breastfeeding mothers and babies of Ohio a place to turn when experiencing breastfeeding questions, challenges or complications. BFMEDNEO has worked with thousands and was the first practice in the country to research and offer in-office therapeutic breast massage in lactation for the treatment of engorgement, mastitis and plugged ducts. — bfmedneo.com
Second Place: Nurtured Foundation — nurturedfoundation.com
Third Place: CLEBaby – clebaby.com
Best Spa
Winner: Spa Walden, Aurora
Spa Walden’s bucolic and tranquil setting allows one to embark on the most sublime experience. Walden believes deeply in the healing power of touch, use of effective products, incorporation of infused enhancements to treatments and most of all providing blissful relaxation to clients. Get there early to take advantage of a pre-service beverage, jacuzzi tub, fireplace and more. — yourwalden.com
Second Place: Apex Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center – apexskin.com
Third Place: Massage Envy, Beachwood – massageenvy.com
Best Birthday Party Entertainment
Winner: CLE Bounce Houses
Bounce houses. Water slides. Foam parties. Obstacle courses. CLE Bounce Houses can do it all for your party, and affordably, as well. Mechanical bulls and dunk tanks are available too, depending upon other occasions you may be celebrating. The company delivers, sets up and tears down as part of its rental. — clebouncehouses.com
Second Place: Northeast Ohio Creatives – northeastohiocreatives.com
Third Place: OH Fluff Cotton Candy – ohfluff.com
Best Kid-Friendly Shopping Destination
Winner: Crocker Park, Westlake
Good food. A movie theater. A splash pad (in summer) and an ice skating rink (in winter). Crocker Park has it all for young shoppers, including a Santa visit in the winter, too, for those who celebrate. Shopping options include Dick’s Sporting Goods and Rally House for the family’s sports fans, plus LEGO and Learning Express for those more inclined to toys. For a family activity, try The Escape Game. — crockerpark.com
Second Place: Great Northern Mall – greatnorthernohio.com
Third Place: The Van Aken District – thevanakendistrict.com
Best Thrift/Consignment for Children’s Clothing
Winner: Once Upon a Child
With more than 400 individually owned and operated locations, — including six in Northeast Ohio — Once Upon A Child makes it easy to support local while shopping sustainably and affordably. Bring in your kids’ gently used clothing, shoes, toys and baby gear, and walk out with money in your pocket. — onceuponachild.com
Second Place: Volunteers of America Thrift Store — voa.org
Best Local, Independent Store to Buy Toys, Games and Learning Tools
Winner: Lakeshore Learning
Lakeshore has been creating innovative furniture and materials designed by teachers since 1988. Working with a team of highly skilled engineers, our developers draw from their deep classroom experience to take Lakeshore products from ideas to realities — from first sketches and 3-D simulations to rigorously tested prototypes. And, to ensure quality and safety, every product we carry undergoes an average of more than 100 hours of development and testing before it reaches our customers. — lakeshorelearning.com
Second Place — TIE:
Apple Jax Toys – applejaxtoys.com
PlayMatters Toys – playmatterstoys.com
Best Place to Have a Birthday Party
Winner: Cleveland Metroparks
Cleveland Metroparks offers the perfect destination for any child’s birthday party with dozens of rental facilities including indoor nature centers, shelters that connect children with the outdoors and, of course, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. — clevelandmetroparks.com
Second Place: Sky Zone — skyzone.com
Third Place: We Rock the Spectrum – werockthespectrumcleveland.com
Best Northeast Ohio Parenting Blog/Influencer
Winner: CLEwithkids
In 2019, this mom wanted to share some of the fun, exciting places her family was finding in Cleveland with her family and friends. She says, “As a mom of two littles, I knew we needed to get out and explore for their development, and my sanity.” Now she’s grown her community to nearly 44,000 followers on Instagram. “I hope our website, and the content we share, inspire you to get out and make memories with your little ones. It’s one of the best investments of time you can make.” — instagram.com/clewithkids
Second Place: The Cleveland Moms – theclevelandmoms.com
Third Place: Kristin in Cleveland – instagram.com/kristinincleveland