The 10 Best Outdoor Wintertime Activities for Families Around Cleveland

Living in a city that serves up about six months of winter weather, cabin fever is imminent. Luckily, cold-weather sports abound in the Cleveland area, allowing your little ones ample opportunity to expel all that energy stored up from so much time spent indoors.

Do your babysitter or nanny a favor and get some of these exciting outings on the agenda, STAT! No matter your speed or how much you want to spend, there’s an outdoor activity to satisfy every family around Cleveland.

Bird Encounters

Locations:

Brecksville Reservation: 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive, Brecksville, OH 44141 | P: 440-526-1012
Rocky River Reservation: 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, OH 44070 | P: 440-734-6660

Nature Center Hours: Open daily, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Image via Flickr/Tupulak

One of the Cleveland Metroparks’ most popular wintertime programs since it first launched in the 1940s is the naturalist-led outing to hand-feed wild black-capped chickadees in the Brecksville and Rocky River reservations. In the all-ages expeditions, a park guide will provide plenty of black oil sunflower seeds and tips to help you lure the birds right into your hand. The moment one of these friendly fellas flutters in to pluck a snack from your palm, you’ll quickly discover why this event has become a cherished family tradition for more than half a century.

Cross-Country Skiing

Locations:

Big Met Golf Course: 4811 Valley Parkway, Fairview Park, OH 44126 | P: 440-331-1070
Seneca Golf Course: 975 Metropolitan Park Drive, Broadview Heights, OH 44147 | P: 440-526-0043

Hours: For cross-country ski conditions & availability, call 216-635-3270.

Image via Facebook/Cleveland Metroparks

When conditions are favorable with an accumulated snowfall of at least 4 inches, cross-country skiing trails are groomed at Big Met and Seneca golf courses and available for use free of charge. You can also ski along the unplowed hiking, bridle, and all-purpose trail inside the Cleveland Metroparks, as well as the fairways and rough areas at Metroparks golf courses: Big Met, Little Met, Mastick Woods, Seneca, Shawnee Hills, Seneca, and Sleepy Hollow. You may bring your own equipment or rent cross-country skis at Big Met Golf Course in Rocky River Reservation by calling 440-331-1070.

Rules to ski by to ensure your safety: Stay on the right side of the tracks and avoid the tees and greens on the golf courses.

Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding, & Snow Tubing

Locations:

Boston Mills: 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula, OH 44264
Brandywine & Polar Blast Tubing Park: 1146 West Highland Road, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067

Hours: Vary by day & location. Check the Snow Report for updated operation details.
Phone: 800-875-4241
Fees: Admission

varies by day & time. Snow passes & season passes valid at both venues.

Image via Facebook/Boston Mills / Brandywine / Alpine Valley Ski Resorts

With just five minutes between them, Boston Mills and the Brandywine & Polar Blast complex are accessible by car and offer all-inclusive admission for skiing, snowboarding,, and snow tubing. The company’s website features up-to-the-minute details on operating hours and wintersports conditions, with occasional closures reflecting the often wonky weather in Cleveland. The snow school serves up a variety of private and group lessons catering to all ages and abilities, starting with the Tiny Tots ski program for ages 3 and 4.

Hiking

Image via Facebook/Cleveland Metroparks

An afternoon hike is a perfect anecdote when hibernation mode creeps in. Get moving while you make some friends: Hike it Baby Cleveland is a nonprofit group for infants to school-age children and their caregivers to connect with the outdoors while socializing with other nature-lovers. A $10 annual membership fee per family is requested after a 90-day free trial period. The member area and hike schedule is accessible upon creating an online account and signing a waiver.

Some tips for winter hiking: Dress in layers that can be removed as needed. Waterproof boots with a rugged tread are a must. A walking stick and traction cleats can help maintain balance when tackling snowy and icy terrain. Be sure to pack an extra pair of socks, water, snacks, and — for exceptionally cold days — instant hand and foot warmers.

Ice Fishing

Image via Flickr/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Headquarters

You may be surprised to learn that you can cast for the same species of fish year-round in Lake Erie and its surrounding Cleveland inland lakes and streams, including walleye, perch, and crappie. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources warns that while no ice fishing is guaranteed safe, the general rule of thumb is that ice must be at least 4 inches thick to support 200 pounds of angler and gear.

Look for organized events at the Cleveland Metroparks, or hire a licensed ice fishing guide if you’re a novice at the sport or simply want assistance with popping your protective shanty shelter and locating the best areas for fishing.

Outdoor Ice Skating

Address:

Halloran Ice Skating Rink: 3550 W. 117th St., Cleveland, OH 44111 | P: 216-664-4187
The Rink at Wade Oval: 10820 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106 | P: 216-707-5033

Hours & Admission: Vary by venue. Skate rental additional.

Image via Facebook/CWRU-International Student Services

Cleveland’s winter wonderland is punctuated with affordable outdoor ice skating at rinks on the city’s west and east sides. Halloran, operated by the City of Cleveland Parks and Recreation department from October through April, features an Olympic-size surface and a variety of open skating sessions and lessons in hockey and figure skating from Monday through Saturday. A weekend visit to The Rink at Wade Oval (open Friday through Sunday, seasonally from November through March) is a no-brainer if you plan on visiting its neighboring museums, each offering a $2 discount on admission when you flash your rink wristband.

Sledding and Tubing

Image via Flickr/jillberg

With an abundance of public parks available completely free of charge, a minimal investment in sledding and tubing equipment can provide years of outdoor excitement. Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine’s list of family-friendly hills will guide you to some of the favorites recommended by Cleveland natives.

Sledding safety rules to remember: Ensure a clear path before takeoff, give sledders ahead of you plenty of lead time, and walk uphill along the outskirts of the slopes.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoe Rental Locations:

Big Met Golf Course: 4811 Valley Parkway, Fairview Park, OH 44126 | P: 440-331-1070
North Chagrin Nature Center: 401 Buttermilk Falls Parkway, Willoughby, OH 44094 | P: 440-473-3370
Hinckley Lake Boathouse & Store: 1 Metropolitan Park W., Hinckley, OH 44233 | P: 330-278-2160

Image via Flickr/Karen Neoh

When snowfall accumulates to at least 4 inches, snowshoeing is permitted free of charge on any unplowed hiking, bridle, or all-purpose trail inside the Cleveland Metroparks, as well as the fairways and rough areas at Metroparks golf courses: Big Met, Little Met, Mastick Woods, Seneca, Shawnee Hills, Seneca, and Sleepy Hollow. You may bring your own equipment, or rent snowshoes in a few Metroparks facilities. Fees vary by location.

Some etiquette to know before you go: Yield to horses, and avoid cross-country ski tracks and the groomed courses marked for cross-country at Big Met and Seneca golf courses.

Tobogganing

Address: The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation, 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, OH 44136
Hours: Open the day after Thanksgiving through the first weekend in March, weather permitting. | Thursday, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Friday, 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. | Saturday, noon – 10:30 p.m. | Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.
Phone: 440-572-9990
Fees: Adult Day Pass, $12 | Children ages 11 & under Day Pass, $10 | Single ride, $6

Image via Facebook/Cleveland Metroparks

The Cleveland suburb of Strongsville is home to the state of Ohio’s tallest and fastest toboggan chutes, celebrating their 50th year of operation in 2018. The 700-foot refrigerated tracks operate with or without snow and take you on a thrill ride at speeds up to 50 miles per hour. In recent years, a conveyor belt was installed, taking the grunt work out of lugging equipment up and down the staircase. Chase the nip of winter weather away at the adjacent Chalet at The Millstream Run Recreation Area, where a concession stand serving hot chocolate and a roaring fireplace await you between runs.

Maple Festivals

Address: Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44115
Hours: Open nightly, Thanksgiving – New Year’s Day

Image via Flickr/Michel Rathwell

Your kids will never look at their favorite breakfast condiment the same way after getting hands-on with maple syrup-making in the Cleveland area. Hike through maple groves, tap trees for sap, and watch as it’s transformed into sweet syrup and confections. TrekOhio features a comprehensive list of family friendly events and ever-popular pancake breakfasts around town and the Ohio Maple Producers Association conducts a statewide Maple Madness driving tour each March, with a detailed map and guidebook available on the organization’s website.