Everyday Akron Stories

Summer Family Fun & Kid-Friendly Ideas in Akron, Ohio

Rachel Whinnery, creator of Everyday Akron

Last updated May 2024; Originally posted June 2022

Large Connect Four game at Cascade Plaza by Josh Land for AkronStock
Photo by Josh Land, courtesy of AkronStock

Summer is my favorite season – warm days for Ohioans to luxuriate in, cocktails on patios with friends, Akron City FC games, lush forests and parks…

However, when an Everyday Akron follower reached out for ideas related to kids’ activities for the summer, I drew a blank. So, I turned to my greatest source of inspiration – the @everydayakron Instagram community.

Everyone had amazing ideas to enjoy the summer break with your family. From outdoor activities and programs to get the kiddos moving, to educational outings and creative camps, there’s something on this list for everyone to enjoy. (And, yes, you can do many of these solo or with friends if you prefer.)

Free options are denoted with a “FREE” emoji. However be sure to check on possible pricing for special events and such.

And, if you’re still not convinced by the end of all the fun to be had in Akron, follow the local bloggers, content creators, and resources listed in this post for even more ideas.

Happy Summer, Akron!

Jump to: Outdoor Activities, Parks & Zoos | Camps & Classes | Artistic Fun | Learning | Events & Festivals | Beyond the Akron Area | Bloggers & Resources

Pond at FA Seiberling Nature Realm by Rachel Whinnery
Photo by Rachel Whinnery, Everyday Akron

Outdoor Activities, Parks & Zoos

Akron City FC Games

Have a budding soccer superstar in your family? Watch an Akron City FC game at Green Street Stadium at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. Get individual or season tickets.

Summit Metro Parks — 🆓

This beloved park system spreads throughout Akron and the Greater Akron area. They host a variety of events and activities geared towards kids and the entire family. If you’re not up for a park or trail, visit Summit Lake Nature Center or F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm. (Be sure to pop into the latter and ask how you can hand-feed birds!) And, did you know that some of the parks offer fishing? Take the kids out for a reel-y fun day!

Bike or Hike the Towpath — 🆓

Ohio and Erie Canalway has miles and miles of flat trail for biking, hiking, running, bird watching and more. Start out a trailhead in Summit Metro Parks or Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Akron Recreation and Parks — 🆓

Not only can you find a variety of playgrounds, basketball courts, pools, and more run by Akron Recreation and Parks, but you can also attend one of their community events.

Akron Zoo

Full of wild animals, a carousel, a train, the Learning Lab, Wild World Animal Show, and so much more, you can spend a whole day at the Akron Zoo. Get tickets or check out the Akron Zoo’s events calendar for even more fun!

Pro tip: Local libraries offer free Akron Zoo passes. Try Akron-Summit County Public Library or Canal Fulton Public Library.

Splash Pads & Wading Pools — 🆓

Cuyahoga Falls is home to a few fun watering holes, like their Downtown Splash Pad.

Float the River

Round up the whole family, rent some tubes from Float the River and enjoy a relaxing trip down the Cuyahoga River.

Burning River Adventures

Similarly, you can rent kayaks from Burning River Adventures and paddle up to 6.5 miles down the Cuyahoga River.

Water Works Family Aquatic Center

Water Works in Cuyahoga Falls features a lazy river, slides, poolside cabanas and more.

Lock 3 — 🆓

Lock 3 in Downtown Akron has a full slate of summer events that will entertain the whole family. Most Lock 3 events are free, including concerts, Sunday Cinema, and the popular Rib, White and Blue Festival.

Dance Festivals & Performances

Get into the swing of summer and get your groove on with outdoor dance festivals and performances including The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival and Ohio Contemporary Ballet.

Camping

The Akron area has a variety of opportunities for camping, including primitive campsites, RV camps, and cabins. Start your search for outdoor adventure in our blog post titled Where to Stay Overnight in the Greater Akron Area.

Unsplash stock image by @sigmund

Camps & Classes

Camp Invention

This STEM-focused program for kids in grades K-6 is hosted by National Inventors Hall of Fame. Camp Invention features a different theme each summer that invites kids to build creative inventions and make new friends.

Summer Farm & Science Camp

Hosted by Crown Point Ecology Center, this camp provides kids entering grades 3-8 with opportunities to explore biodiversity and learn about environmental science.

Camp JCC

Camp JCC by Shaw JCC of Akron allows kids to explore their favorite interests and discover new hobbies with a camp model that can fit even the busiest family’s schedule.

Summer Theatre Academy

Each year, Weathervane Playhouse hosts the Summer Theatre Academy with a variety of camps that allow kids to explore acting, storytelling, dance, and more.

eSports Summer Camp

The University of Akron hosts the eSports Summer Camp for kids interested in learning about professions in the eSports and gaining practical IT-related skills.

Dance Classes

Sheena’s Platinum Movements, a non-competitive dance studio in Wadsworth, offers a variety of dance classes, including tap, ballet, modern dance, and musical theater for kids of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

Tutu School Akron

Tutu School Akron offers a variety of ballet classes and camps for budding ballet dancers who are 18 months to 8 years old.

Summer Camps Hosted by Local Schools

Look for even more summer camps hosted by a school near you. Old Trail School, The University of Akron, Akron Public Schools, Hoban, Our Lady of the Elms, and more host camps for a range of ages on a variety of subjects—including art, engineering, computers, robotics, nature, cooking, fashion, Model UN, and music.

Photo by John R. Aylward, courtesy of AkronStock

Artistic Fun

Street Craftery

This local creative studio offers walk-in crafts and unique events for all ages all year long. Make a candle, do splatter painting, learn to sew, and more at Street Craftery.

Public Art Critic — 🆓

Show your kids some of the colorful, intriguing, thought-provoking public art around Akron. Ask them what they think the pieces are, what they could mean, and how the art makes them feel.

Akron Art Museum

The Akron Art Museum is free every Thursday. And, you can get free passes from Akron-Summit County Public Library!

They host a variety of kid-friendly events and programs, such as Family Days and Open Studio, which gives artists of all ages a space to expand their creativity and play.

Akron ArtWorks

Akron ArtWorks offers kids classes, workshops and summer camps to encourage creativity and play while being rooted in art instruction and therapeutic activities.

Photo by Shane Wynn, courtesy of AkronStock

Learning

Akron Summit County Public Library — 🆓

Akron’s library branches host a wide variety of kid-friendly and teen programs, such as Movies@Main and Paws for Reading, in which kids can read aloud to a certified therapy dog. Be sure to sign up the whole family for their summer reading program.

Be sure to peruse their Library of Things for a collection of items ranging from movie projectors to cake pans, science kits and a ghost scanner, and even games and musical instruments that you can borrow for at-home fun and exploration.

Akron Children’s Museum

Located in Downtown Akron next to Lock 3, Akron Children’s Museum features a variety of exhibits with names like “Healthy Little Monsters” and “Quake, Rattle & Roll” that inspire exploration, discovery, and problem solving through play.

Kids Workshops — 🆓

Local Lowe’s and Home Depot stores host workshops for kids so they can learn new skills while flexing their creativity. And, they’ll have a completed project to take home when they’re done!

Family Game Night

Many local restaurants and breweries offer tabletop games, lawn games, and more. Keep your eyes peeled for things like a giant Connect Four game at Akronym Brewing, a game corner at Northside Marketplace, and a whole wall of games at The Green Dragon Inn.

Stan Hywet Hall & Garden

Learn about Akron’s history by taking a tour of Stan Hywet or check out their events calendar and other unique activities like Butterflies of North America and geocaching.

Pro tip: Local libraries, such as Akron-Summit County Public Library, offer free passes.

Photo by Tim Fitzwater, courtesy of AkronStock

Events & Festivals

Akron’s summer is filled with unique events that are fun for the whole family. (These are just a few!) Which one will you be going to?

Photo by Rachel Whinnery, Everyday Akron

Bonus Summer Fun in the Greater Akron Area

Drive-In Movies

Pack the car with snacks and blankets and see the latest feature films at Magic City Drive-In Theatre in Barberton or Midway Twin Drive-In Theatre in Ravenna.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park — 🆓

We’ve mentioned CVNP already, but they too have incredible parks and trails and host events and activities throughout the year.

Liberty Park — 🆓

Part of Summit Metro Parks, Liberty Park in Twinsburg features trails throughout the Twinsburg Ledges Area and an interactive Nature Center.

Tuscora Park

Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia features family fun and entertainment like swimming, amusement rides, concerts, and mini golf.

Discovery Park

Discovery Park in Seville was deemed “pretty awesome” by an Everyday Akron follower. Considered an unstructured playground, it has age-related areas that feature “water/mud fun, musical play, quiet spots, a maker-space and more.”

Cleveland Zoo

Similar to Akron Zoo, Cleveland Zoo is filled with wildlife and hosts family-friendly events throughout the year.

Botanical Gardens in Northeast Ohio

Visit botanical gardens to enjoy fresh air, blooming flowers, rustling trees, and more. Northeast Ohio Family Fun has a list of botanical gardens in northeast Ohio, which includes Holden Arboretum (Kirtland), Cleveland Botanical Gardens (Cleveland), and Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve (Alliance).

Unsplash stock image by @dole777

Bloggers to Follow & Resources to Check Out

This is just a handful of bloggers and content creators in the Akron area that you should be following to keep up with family fun opportunities.

Similarly, here are a few local resources and calendars to keep an eye on for even more ways to quality spend time with your kiddos.