Unwrapping Northeast Ohio - 10 Family Friendly, Cleveland Inspired (Non-Toy) Gift Ideas - iNeed a Playdate Unwrapping Northeast Ohio - 10 Family Friendly, Cleveland Inspired (Non-Toy) Gift Ideas iNeed a Playdate a Blog for Northeast Ohio Moms

11.25.2014

Unwrapping Northeast Ohio - 10 Family Friendly, Cleveland Inspired (Non-Toy) Gift Ideas

Unwrapping Northeast Ohio - 10 Family Friendly, Cleveland Inspired (Non-Toy) Gift Ideas

It's that time of year when distant relatives start asking what to get the kids for Christmas. We tend to give standard responses, Legos and Disney, but what I really want to say is - time.


They want your time and attention but since it is not possible due to distance and circumstances I thought I would create a list of what would make them seem closer to you, even when you are miles apart.

Now, this list is pretty specific to things in Northeast Ohio, but that does not mean it can't be adapted for any city, anywhere in the world. These ideas include the whole family, do one and done.

Unwrapping Northeast Ohio - 10 Family Friendly, Cleveland Inspired (Non-Toy) Gift Ideas

10 Family Friendly Gift Ideas that are inspired by Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

Prices are current as of the day of this post. This is not a sponsored post.

The Cleveland Botanical Garden

Cleveland Botanical Garden

This is by far the best membership we've had and get a lot of use out if it. A single visit for two adults and two kids plus parking is about $40 but a year would run $75 for a basic membership and $90 for the advantage plan.

With a membership you get free admission to all of the special events like Glow and Big Spring. They really break up the winter blues! Summer has some wonderful exhibits as well but the Hershey Children's Garden is a wonderful way to spend a summer day.

Membership also includes Holden Arboretum and fun things like Goblins in the Garden

Western Reserve Historical Society 

Western Reserve Historical Society

Know a family that are into cars or carousals?

A membership to WRHS includes the Crawford Auto Aviation Collection, the Chisholm Hale Costume Wing, and the newly opened Euclid Beach Carousel. Plus, Hale Farm & Village, a 19th century, living history museum depicting life through agricultural and everyday craft and trade demonstrations such as glass blowing, pottery, spinning and weaving, and more. All that for only $75 a year.

African Safari Wildlife Park

A safari in Northeast Ohio! We have not been but my niece and her family loves this place. A drive-thru safari! Apparently there is a walk-thru tour as well but closed in the winter. A family pass is $84.95 and also includes reciprocal zoo and aquarium admission all over the States including these in Ohio: Akron Zoo, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Toledo Zoo, and The Wilds (subject to change of course).

Cedar Point

Cedar Point

Cedar Point truly is the ultimate Northeast Ohio destination especially for roller coaster enthusiasts or anyone who wants to have fun - rain or shine.

Buy Cedar Point season passes now, and you get the best prices; you can even get a payment plan. Upgrade to platinum season passes and it includes all of the Cedar Fair fun like Soak City, Wildwater Kingdom, and King's Island.

Sweet Surprises

Sweet Treats

Northeast Ohio have some wonderful places for a sweet treats like Malley's, Sweet Moses, Mitchell's Homemade, and Campbell's Sweets. A gift certificate to any of these classic (and newly classic) places will insure some smiling faces.

A unique view of the city

Cleveland has the Nautica Queen and the Goodtime III to see the city from Lake Erie. Maybe, even a reservation for Tower City's observation deck would make a Cleveland family's Christmas.

Miller Boat Line Tickets

Have a Put-in-Bay or Middle Bass Island enthusiast?  Treat the family to their ferry ride to the islands.

Event Tickets

Playhouse Square

We are very luck to have many theater companies in Northeast Ohio from the Beck Center to Playhouse Square and they all offer subscription packages but individual tickets would be a wonderful gift. Looking for a way to introduce kids to theater Playhouse Square has a Children's Theater series that are geared to kids but fun for the whole family.

Of course, there is always Disney on Ice and Disney and Frozen!


Classes

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on

My kids take classes at the Beck Center but the best gift my daughter got from her grandmother was her tuition paid for a semester. She also paid for gymnastics at our local sokol for her grandson another year. Both times were a blessing for us but the kids were thrilled to be able to continue their favorite activities and grandma was a hero that Christmas.

Other great ideas for classes would be ice skating lessons and Great Lakes Science day camp.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

The kids and I were invited a few years ago but we have not been back. One trip, two adults and two kids plus parking is about $100 but an annual family pass is only $130 and a family can go whenever they want and as often as they want for a year.

Do you have a family friendly gift idea?

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