Activities for Kids in Strongsville, Ohio

Strongsville is just 30 minutes' drive from Cleveland.

Strongsville takes its name from John Houghton Strong, a Vermont man who founded the first small settlement here in 1816. Although it maintains its political independence, today it’s effectively a suburb of Cleveland and is home to more than 40,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The journey from Strongsville to central Cleveland takes less than 30 minutes by car.

Sweet Treats

Indulge your kid’s sweet tooth with a visit to the Olympia Candy Factory (olympiacandy.com). The factory celebrated its centenary in 2011 and combines sweet treats with a tour of the candy factory where you and your kids can see chocolates and fudge being made. Tours last around 15 minutes but you can also sample 40 flavors of ice creams, shakes and sundaes in the retro-styled ice cream bar and take away a bag of treats to share at home.

Outdoor Activities

Mill Stream Run in Strongsville is part of the larger Cleveland Metroparks reservation, taking in parts of Strongsville, Berea, Middleburg Heights and North Royalton. It takes its name from the grist mills and saw mills that sprang up in this area during the 19th century. During the winter you can get your adrenalin flowing at the chalet with its two toboggan runs or simply enjoy hiking along some of the designated trails at any time of year. Make it a day out by taking a picnic; the park offers 10 picnic areas with toilets and shelters.

Outdoor Barbecue

Share the joys of eating outdoors with your kids at one of the city’s designated grill sites. Recreation Park #2, located on the Foltz Industrial Parkway, has three grills and access to running water, while two further grills are available at Recreation Park #3 and Nichols Field. In addition to enjoying the food, kids can have fun at the playgrounds at each of these sites. Recreation Park #2 also has a basketball court.

Mini Golf

Kids will love Firefly’s Mini Golf (fireflysminigolf.com), located at the Westfield Shopping Center. This award-winning course – voted Cleveland’s top mini-golf facility in both 2008 and 2009 -- is no ordinary mini golf. You’ll play in the dark, with elements of the course, including the balls, glowing in the blackness. Firefly’s also has a designated party room and offers party packages, making it a good choice for birthdays or days out for kids' groups.

References

• City of Strongsville: The Founding of Strongsville
• U.S. Census Bureau: Strongsville City, Ohio
• Olympia Candy Factory: Tour Flyer
• Cleveland Metroparks: Mill Stream Run Map
• Cleveland Metroparks: Mill Stream Run Reservation
• City of Strongsville: Strongsville Recreation Parks and Facilities
• Firefly’s Minigolf: Home