Homeschool & family fun in Cleveland

Thursdays through Sundays, 5–9 p.m., through Oct 25: trick-or-treating at more than a dozen candy stations, a magician, costume characters, free Boomerang train rides and a hay maze. The first 1,000 guests each day get a complimentary trick-or-treat bag. This event has separate ticketed entry, and tickets are required.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 23, 2026; Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026

• When: Oct 23, 24 and 25 (Thu–Sun, 5–9 p.m.)
• Time: 5–9 p.m.
• Price: Non-members $22 advance online, $24 day-of online, $23 walk-up; zoo members $20 advance, $21 walk-up; under 2 free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Online prices include a $1 processing fee. Online day-of sales stop at 8 p.m.

Come in costume for a dance party, a Trick or Treat Trail, garden games and crafts.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24, 2026, 12–3 p.m.
• Time: 12–3 p.m.
• Price: Prices vary (see the page)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The events page says only "Prices vary" and gives no ages. Check the Garden's ticket page.

Monthly programs for homeschoolers at Metroparks nature centers and reservations, on STEM, local history, recreation and outdoor skills. Caregivers must stay with their children unless the listing says otherwise. This week: T-Shirts to Tote Bags at the Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Reservation (Sat Oct 24, 11 a.m.–noon); The Science of Fall Colors at the Egbert Picnic Area in Bedford Reservation (Sat Oct 24, 2:30–4 p.m.); Map & Compass: Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt and Hot Cocoa at the Trailside Program Center in Brecksville Reservation (Wed Oct 28, sessions at 5, 6 and 7 p.m.). Groups of ten or more can request a custom program.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Wed, Oct 28, 2026

• When: Oct 24 (11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.) and Oct 28 (5, 6, 7 p.m.); new programs each month
• Time: Oct 24: 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Oct 28: 5, 6 and 7 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on the page
• Ages: Families with an adult; ages not listed
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The page lists dates and places but not fees, ages or how to register, and the sites are in Metroparks reservations around Cleveland, not within the city. Check each program before you go.

Hands-on afternoon programs for homeschooling families with kids of all school ages. Topics: Science is Magic (Nov 17), Balto and the Iditarod (Jan 19), BodyWorks (Mar 16) and DinoMania (May 18). Tickets include general admission to the museum.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Nov 17, 2026; Tue, Jan 19, 2027; Tue, Mar 16, 2027; Tue, May 18, 2027

• When: Tuesdays Nov 17, Jan 19, Mar 16 and May 18, 2–4 p.m.
• Time: 2–4 p.m.
• Price: Members free; nonmembers $20 adults, $13 youths
• Ages: All school ages
• Booking: Buy tickets on the museum's calendar page; members log in to see the free ticket.

One Thursday a month, educator-led programs for ages 3–18, with separate activities for ages 3–5, 6–8, 9–12 and 13+. Upcoming themes: STEM Day (Nov 19), Curator's Choice (Dec 10), Cleveland's Heritage (Jan 21), Photography (Feb 18), Women's History Month (Mar 18) and Sports and Society (Apr 15). Admission includes the rest of the museum that day. Bring a packed lunch to eat on site afterward.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 19, 2026; Thu, Dec 10, 2026; Thu, Jan 21, 2027; Thu, Feb 18, 2027; Thu, Mar 18, 2027; Thu, Apr 15, 2027

• When: Thursdays Nov 19, Dec 10, Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar 18, Apr 15, 10 a.m.–noon (arrive by 9:50)
• Time: 10 a.m.–noon
• Price: $9 per student (ages 3–18); parents and guardians free; ages 0–2 free; parking $10 per car; $62 season pass for all eight sessions
• Ages: Ages 3–18 (13+ track for teens)
• Booking: Buy tickets on the series page; pre-registration is highly recommended.

The Community Arts Center is open every weekend for free community art making for all ages. Family FUNday: Day of the Dead is a free monthly family event with games, movement activities and art making, on Sunday, Nov 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. It leads up to the Cleveland Dia de Muertos Parade on Saturday, Nov 7 in Gordon Square.

Upcoming dates: Sun, Nov 1, 2026

• When: Sat and Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Family FUNday Sun Nov 1
• Time: Weekends 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Price: Free; no ticket required
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The center's page shows Friday 2–7 p.m. hours and weekday group visits by appointment; check before a weekday trip.

Explore authentic works of art from the museum's Education Art Collection with museum educators in the Armor Court.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Dec 18, 2026

• When: Fri Dec 18, 2026, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Price: Free; no ticket required
• Ages: Ages not listed
• Booking: Not listed on source

One ticket covers the Cleveland History Center galleries and the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, plus unlimited rides on the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel. Hours: Thu 12–8 p.m., Fri–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The Museums for All program lowers admission to $3 with a SNAP, EBT or WIC card. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

• When: Thu 12–8 p.m.; Fri–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Time: Thu 12–8 p.m.; Fri–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Price: Children 3–17 $10, adults $15, ages 2 and under free; $3 with Museums for All
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source
• Proof of homeschool: SNAP, EBT or WIC card for the $3 rate

⚠️ The page also lists separate hours for the Crawford; confirm before you go.

On Mondays, the Zoo is free for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township (not Memorial Day, Independence Day if it falls on a Monday, or Labor Day). Adults 18 and over need a driver's license or state ID, or a current utility bill with their address plus matching photo ID. Minors must come with an adult. Zoo hours Oct–Mar are 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Other days: $25 adults, $23 seniors 62+, $21 ages 2–11, under 2 free.

• When: Every Monday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Oct–Mar)
• Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Price: Free on Mondays for Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township residents; otherwise $25 adults, $21 ages 2–11
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source
• Proof of homeschool: Cuyahoga County or Hinckley Township address

⚠️ Rides and feeding experiences cost extra, for example $4 for the carousel or train.

General admission is always free. Open Studio is a free, drop-in art-making session designed for the whole family, every Sunday from Sept 6, 2026 to May 30, 2027 in the North Court Lobby. October's theme is Otherworldly Journeys. Hours: Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wed and Fri 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; closed Mon and Thanksgiving Day.

• When: Open Studio Sundays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; museum open Tue–Sun
• Time: Open Studio Sundays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Price: Free; no ticket needed for Open Studio
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Some special exhibitions and events may need tickets; check the museum's page.

Residents of the City of Cleveland, East Cleveland, Brooklyn, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights and Warrensville Heights get free museum admission every Saturday and Sunday. Reserve tickets online and show proof of residency at the Welcome Desk. The museum is open Tue–Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and closed Mondays.

• When: Every Saturday and Sunday
• Time: Museum hours 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Price: Free for residents of the listed cities
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Reserve free tickets online ahead of your visit.
• Proof of homeschool: Proof of address in one of the listed cities

A historic public market with food vendors and a self-guided historical tour, free to walk through. Regular hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

• When: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Time: See hours
• Price: Free to visit; food costs extra
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Check the Holiday Hours page for changes.

A new holiday exhibit with lush tropical plants, island-inspired adventures and a festive marketplace. Tropical Holiday Kids Classes run Nov 28–Dec 29 ($8 per member child, $10 per nonmember child), and Storytime with Santa runs Sundays Nov 22–Dec 13, 10 a.m.–noon (paid, see the page).

• When: Nov 21, 2026–Jan 3, 2027
• Time: Check the Garden for hours
• Price: Members free; nonmembers $21 adults, $15 children
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The events page does not give daily hours; check the Garden before you go.

Outdoor ice skating at the Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink on Public Square. Opens Fri Nov 27 (5–10 p.m.). December hours: Sun 12–8 p.m., Tue–Fri 5–10 p.m., Sat 12–10 p.m., closed Mon; Dec 21–31 open 12–10 p.m. except Dec 24 (12–4) and Dec 25 (3–9). Tickets are sold at the skate rental kiosk by credit or debit card.

• When: Nov 27, 2026 through the winter season; see hours
• Time: Varies by day, see hours
• Price: $15 per person including skate rental; 10-pack $130
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The page says to check social media for weather closures.

The city's holiday kickoff on Public Square with live music, food trucks, games and giveaways, fire pits and s'mores (3–5 p.m., while supplies last), trackless train rides, photos with Santa (6–8 p.m.) and the Illuminate CLE Holiday Light Show, with the 50-foot tree lighting every 30 minutes from 5:30 p.m. The ice rink is open 12–10 p.m. that day.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 28, 2026

• When: Sat Nov 28, 2026, 3–8 p.m.
• Time: 3–8 p.m. (light show to 11 p.m.)
• Price: Free; ice skating costs extra
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Another listing for the event shows different hours (noon–5:30 p.m. for some activities); the organizer's page is used here.

Hands-on science museum. Fall and winter hours (Sept–April): Tue–Wed 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thu 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri–Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m., closed Monday and home Browns game days. Sensory-friendly GLSC for Me hours are Sundays 10 a.m.–noon. Closed Nov 15 and 29, Dec 6, 13, 24 and 25, and Jan 3, 2027, and on Thanksgiving.

• When: Tue–Sun, see hours
• Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Thu until 8 p.m.)
• Price: Ticket prices are on the Science Center's ticket page
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The museum is open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m., with Thursday open until 9 p.m. Plan on 2–3 hours. Most of the exhibits are on the lower level. It is cashless: bring a card or mobile pay.

• When: Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thu until 9 p.m.
• Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Price: Youth ages 6–12 $30; ages 5 and under free; adults $45; locals and students $40 with ID
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Closed Thanksgiving. Advance tickets are recommended.