Looking for something fun to do? There are plenty of family-friendly events in September to enjoy. Mark your calendars for happenings, including crafts, performances, educational and STEM activities, community events, clubs, entertainment, and more. There’s something for everyone!
TUESDAYS
Preschool Clay Sessions. Children ages 3-6 will develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and creativity by molding clay. 9/1-10/6. 9:30-10:15 a.m. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, fineartsassociation.org
WEDNESDAYS
Mini Majorettes. Students ages 7-12 will learn baton terminology and basic twirling skills while developing hand-eye coordination. 9/2-10/28. 5:45 p.m. Mentor Community Rec Center, 6000 Heisley Road, cityofmentor.com
MadScience: Academy for Future Space Explorers. Children in grades 3-5 will be taken on a voyage of space discovery through activities, demonstrations and experiments. 9/9-10/14. 3:45-4:45 p.m. Pepper Pike Learning Center, 32000 Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike, madscience.org
Astronomy Club. Explore the world of astronomy in a fun, social environment on the second Wednesday of each month. 6:30 p.m. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, lensc.org
THURSDAYS
Delight Nights. Interactive play and fun with full access to 25 exhibits. Through 12/31. 5-8 p.m. Akron Children’s Museum, 216 S. Main St., akronkids.org
Step Up Club. Older preschool and kindergarten students enjoy the chance to go into story time on their own. 9/17-11/19. Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., alpl.org
Kids in the Garden. Every first Thursday of the month, enjoy hands-on gardening activities for children of all ages. Through 10/1. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, summitmetroparks.org
SATURDAYS
Acting Adventures. Children are introduced to theater through improvised imagination. Ages 4-7. 9/12-12/19. Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, beckcenter.org
Through September 6
The Secret Garden. The enchanting classic reimagined as a brilliant musical. 7:30 p.m. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, weathervaneplayhouse.com
Through September 7
Woven Landscapes: A Community-Driven Creation! Learn to design fabric using screen-printing. Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, holdenfg.org
Butterflies. The exhibit is housed in a screened habitat next to the Corbin Conservatory. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, stanhywet.org
THROUGH September 8
Summer Planetarium Shows. Cosmic Kids and Universe at Large Planetarium programs. Hoover-Price Planetarium, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton, mckinleymuseum.org
THROUGH September 30
Community Days. Summit County residents may reserve tickets online for free admission all month long. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org
September 3
Family Adventure Night — Kayaks and SUPs. Families try new types of outdoor activities together. 6:30-8 p.m. Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park, 301 Huntington Beach Drive, Fairport Harbor, lakemetroparks.com
September 4-6
The Music of John Williams. Celebrate the epic music of one of film’s greatest composers, from Superman and Star Wars to Jurassic Park. Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, clevelandorchestra.com
September 6
Bug Day. An afternoon of bug activities, crafts, games and more. 12-4 p.m. Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Road, Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com
September 8
MomsFirst. City of Cleveland residents discover programs and resources to strengthen their financial well-being, build financial security, and take control of their future. 1-2 p.m. 16300 Lakeshore Blvd., cuyahogacounty.gov
September 8 & 9/15
Hebrew Camp Pilot Program. Children can learn Hebrew in fun, creative ways. 4:30-6 p.m. Jewish Family Experience (JFX), 2200 S. Green Road, Cleveland, jewishfamilyexperience.org
September 9
Grand Times. Celebrating grandparents and creating memories. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Eton, 28867 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere, etonchagrinblvd.com
Youth Adventure Seekers. Kids try stand-up paddleboarding, rock climbing, biking and more. Ages 10-15. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse & Store, Hinckley, clevelandmetroparks.com
September 10
Pooch Party. Friendly dogs and people are invited for some fun in the sun and a costume contest. 5-7 p.m. Broadview Heights Splash Park, 9543 Broadview Road, broadview-heights.org
September 11
Family, Flicks and Fun. Kids will learn about amazing animals and what makes them so unique through a Wild Kratts-inspired program. 6-8 p.m. 1750 Campus Center Drive, Kent, mainstreetkent.org
September 12
Play Together, Save Together! A personal finance-themed Grandparent’s Festival. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Brooklyn Branch Library, 7619 Memphis Ave., Brooklyn, cuyahogalibrary.org
DUMMY13 Build Night. Build your own fully articulated 10” DUMMY13 while hanging out and watching ROBOTS. Ages 7+ with a parent. 2-4 p.m. 3Dimension Studio, 2037 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 3dimensioncustoms.com
September 12-13
Butterfly Release. 12 and 2 p.m. Beech Creek Botanical Garden, 11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance, beechcreekgardens.org
September 13
Play Day: Legends and Legacies. Opportunities for families to be creative, curious and connect through art. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., clevelandart.org
September 14-19
Ohio Space Week: Discovery Days. Learn how NASA Glenn works to transform aviation, revolutionize space exploration, and inspire new discoveries. Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, greatscience.com
September 16
Dance Freeze Party Pop-Up. 6-7:30 p.m. The AMP, 1680 Norton Road, Stow, stowohio.gov
September 18
Ohio Goes to the Movies: Superman. Statewide free screening. 6-9 p.m. AMC Westwood Town Center 6, 21653 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, cuyahogacounty.gov
September 19
STEAM Fest. Experience live demonstrations and shows for all ages. 12-4 p.m. Shore Cultural Centre, 291 E. 222nd St., Euclid, shorecultural.org
Young Birders. Kids ages 8+ learn about the lives of vireos through a presentation and bird walk. 10-11 a.m. Deep Lock Quarry, 5779 Riverview Road, Peninsula, summitmetroparks.org
Super Science Saturday: Amazing Apples. Learn about apple varieties, origins and more. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Akron Fossils & Science Center, 2080 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Copley, akronfossils.org
Big Trucks. Hands-on exploration of the amazing vehicles and equipment used throughout the city. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Safety Center, 32811 Walker Road, Avon Lake, avonlake.org
Hands ON! Set Design Fun for Families. Create mini movie sets, experiment with props, lighting and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cleveland History Center, 10825 East Blvd., wrhs.org
Wizards in the Woods. Harry Potter-inspired crafts and activities. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Raptor Hallow Sanctuary, 2295 W. State St., Alliance, raptorhallow.org
Kids’ Squishy-Making Class. Create a squishy toy during this hands-on, sensory-filled crafting experience. 2:30- 3:30 p.m. 103 W. Liberty St., Medina, visitmedinacounty.com
September 22
Family Night Campfire & Fun. Pack a picnic and bring a blanket; enjoy nature activities and s’mores. 6-8 p.m. Claridon Woodlands, 11383 Claridon Troy Road, Chardon, geaugaparkdistrict.org
September 25
Beekeeping 101. Discover the amazing world of bees and learn the essentials of beekeeping in this interactive, hands-on class. Ages 8-12. Quail Hollow Park, 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville, starkparks.com
September 25-26
Stark County Bird Quest. This 24-hour challenge has two goals in mind: get people outdoors using birds as a catalyst, and accumulate data about bird populations in Stark County. starkparks.com
September 26-27
Squire’s Castle Family Campout. Sleep under the stars, roast marshmallows, explore Squire’s Castle, hike trails and make memories. 1 p.m.-11 a.m. Squire’s Castle Picnic Area, 2844 River Road, Willoughby Hills, clevelandmetroparks.com
September 27
Donut Day: CVSR. Enjoy fresh donuts, drinks and a relaxing train ride. Departs 10 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Peninsula Depot, 1630 Mill St. W., cvsr.org
