FREE Easter Egg Hunts in Cleveland 2014

There are a TON of FREE Easter Egg Hunts in the area, and this Saturday would be a great day to make it to one if you haven't already! There's already a great list over at Northeast Ohio Family Fun, so go check it out to see if there is one near you!

Do you know of any in your area that aren't listed? 

Cheap Kids Crafts at Michael's All Summer!

Good morning Cleveland!! I've been thinking for some time now about relaunching my blog, and now seems like a great time to do it as the summer and all of it's awesome FREE things are quickly approaching! Although there are several other great kid and family activity blogs, like Macaroni Kid and Northeast Ohio Family Fun {please follow them and let them know that FREE As Can Bee sent you!!}, this blog is and will remain dedicated exclusively to the FREE or very cheap activities in the greater Cleveland area. 

I came across the above flyer at Michael's this weekend for Kids Crafts all summer long! I'll pass along more information when I get it, but this would be a great, cheap way to unplug and get creative! The BEST thing about this is that you don't have to prep or clean up after said craft, like you would at home. Yay!

But June is still a ways off, so in the meantime you can do some Kids Crafts each Saturday at Michael's. Click here for more information on this month's activities. 

Did you know that the craft classroom at Michael's stores is also FREE to use for hosting an arts and crafts group activity? Reservations are at no charge on a first come, first serve basis. See a store associate to reserve a spot!

FREE Lunches All Summer for Children Age 18 and Under!!

Photo Credit

For the several years now, Grace Church in Old Brooklyn, Cleveland (located at 2503 Broadview Rd.), is partnering with the Cleveland Foodbank to provide FREE lunches to children 18 and under for the summer! This Ohio Summer Food Service Program will run Monday through Friday from 11:30am-1:30pm, starting Monday, June 11th through Friday, August 17th. The lunch menu for the month of June is as follows:

• June 13: Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
• June 14: Beef Lasagna
• June 15: Ham and Cheese Sandwich
• June 18: Sloppy Joes
• June 19: Chicken & Noodle
• June 20: Chicken Strips
• June 21: Chicken Sausage on a Bun
• June 22: Turkey, Ham & Cheese Sandwich
• June 25: Chicken & Gravy
• June 26: Beef & Peppers
• June 27: Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
• June 28: Taco Casserole
• June 29: Ham & Cheese Sandwich

All meals are served with a fruit, vegetable, milk, and sometimes a dessert. Adults will be served at 1pm (or earlier if it's a slow day) with the remaining food. There will also be a Nutrition Class for adults on Thursdays, starting June 21st at noon. Children can come and eat and then participate in a cooking lesson with Chef Micheal while the adults are learning about nutrition. More detailed information about this program and others will be coming soon!

*NEW* As of June 18th, Cleveland Recreation Centers will be offering FREE lunches to Cleveland Residents ages 1-18 every Monday through Friday, until August 17th. Click here to view the list of participating recreation centers, staffed playgrounds, public libraries, and various other non-profit agencies to find one near you! Times vary by location. Glenville Rec, Halloran Rink, Lonnie Burten, Zelma George, and Ken Johnson locations will also be serving breakfast, Monday through Friday from 10-10:30am. 

Art in the Village at Legacy Village, June 2 & 3

Saturday, June 2, 10am-8pm 
Sunday, June 3, 10am-6pm

Come and see this unique and talented display of artist, handpicked by experts from hundreds of applicants. All artwork is original and made in the United States. There will be live music throughout the event featuring several different styles of music. Visit the Kid's Art Zone from noon-4pm Saturday and Sunday where children can create a piece of art to take home! There will be a special wine tasting from noon-6pm both days, food, shopping, and more! Admission and parking are FREE. For more information click here.

FREE and Cheap Summer Movies in Cleveland 2012

Here's a roundup of all the FREE and cheap summer movie programs and events in the greater Cleveland area this summer.

Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express
Select theaters offer G or PG movies for only $1/person on Tuesday and Wednesday Mornings at 10am from June 19th through August 15th. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Will Rogers Institute. The two participating theaters in the Cleveland area are:

COBBLESTONE SQUARE STADIUM 20
5500 Cobblestone Road
Elyria OH440-934-3355

MEDINA STADIUM 16
200 West Reagan Pkwy
Medina OH
330-721-7056   

To find a theater close to you or to view movie dates/times, click here.


Cleveland Cinemas FREE Summer Kids Fest *NEW* (Thanks, Rochelle!)
Select Cleveland Cinemas locations will be presenting a series of 6 FREE family films this summer. Seating is on a first-come first-served basis. Doors open at 9:30 AM. Films will play at 10AM at these locations on the following weekdays:

Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill - Tuesdays
Chagrin Cinemas - Wednesdays
Solon Cinemas - Thursdays
Capitol Theatre - Fridays

The films in the series are:
PUSS IN BOOTS (PG) - June 19 - 22
MONSTERS VS. ALIENS (PG) - June 26 - 29
THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (PG) - July 3 - 6
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (PG) - July 10 - 13
KUNG FU PANDA 2 (PG) - July 17 - 20
OVER THE HEDGE (PG) - July 24 - 17

**Pick up a Marquee Rewards Card at any Cleveland Cinemas location for FREE. Simply register your card online (earning a free 20 points when you do!) and immediately start earning points towards great rewards like free popcorn, fountain drinks, and movie tickets! Earn one Marquee Rewards Point for every dollar spent at the box office or concession stand. Click here for more details or to register your card. Rewards Cardholders also get a free 32 oz popcorn with paid admission on Tuesdays!

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse

Fun films for kids, and all are rated G or PG. Get 10 shows for $5 if purchased in advance or $1/show at the door. Shows are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and start at 9:30am, and they run from June 12 & 13 through August 14 & 15. Local theaters include:

• Aurora, Cinemark 10
• Macedonia Cinemark
• North Canton Cinemark Movies 10
• Strongsville Southpark Cinemark

To find more information about the theater near your or to view movie schedule, click here!


Movies in the Park at Crocker Park
Movies will be shown every Thursday evening at 9pm starting June 7th through August 30th in the West Park, behind Game Stop. Movies will end around 10:30pm. The films will cover all ages and genres. There's something for everyone! And best of all, it's FREE!! Click here for the complete schedule.


Moonlight Movies at Legacy Village
Movies will be shown on the third Wednesday of each month during the summer from 9-11pm on the Lawn (located between Bar Louie and California Pizza Kitchen). They are FREE! The dates for the summer are:

• June 20th (feature presentation is The Muppets)
• July 18th
• August 15th

There will be movie-themed kids activities on the Lawn with Radio Disney from 7-9pm before the movie begins. If the event is cancelled due to weather, it will be rescheduled for June 27th. For more information, click here. 

Keep an eye out for local community movie nights, as well! If you know of any that aren't mentioned, please comment and let us know! Enjoy.

75 {Mostly} FREE Things to Do with Kids in the Summer!

Are you ever stuck wondering, "what should we do today?" during the summer?? Look no further! Below is a list courtesy of Freebies2Deals that will make any summer fun and full of memories!

Something that my kids and I like to do when the weather is nice is sit outside and play the "Car Game." This gives the kids (well, my husband and I play, too!) something to do when you're sitting in the front yard, riding bikes, or having a picnic. It goes like this:

• The object of the game is to correctly guess what color car will drive down the road next.
• Everyone gets a chance to pick a different color, and whoever guesses the color of the car correctly (by pure luck) gets to choose the color of their car first for the next round. 
• The colors can be as simple (red, blue, green, etc.) or as complicated (navy blue, teal, tan, etc.) as you'd like!
• Whoever guesses the most correctly, wins!

This is a game that can be played anywhere, anytime, and doesn't require anything but participation. Hopefully you will have better luck then my daughter, who always guesses pink... Bless her heart, but she never wins!!! 

Here's a link to the 75 Kids Activities for Spring and Summer, and have a safe and happy summer!!

FREE Fun in the Water at Splash Pads in Cleveland

(Photo Credit: Crocker Park)

There are several Splash Pads in the Greater Cleveland area, and they are a free, safe way to have fun in the water this summer! They are open for the season starting Memorial Day (when the temperature reaches 80 degrees) and close on Labor Day. These are the ones that I'm aware of, and the details are as follows:

North Ridgeville Splash Pad, located in South Central Park. This splash park is completely fenced in and good for small children. Open daily from 10am-9pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Click here for more details. As of this summer in 2012, this splash pad is now open only to residents of North Ridgeville.

Medina Splash Pad, located in Fred Greenwood Park on West Sturbridge Drive across from A.I. Root Middle School. Open 11am-8pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Click here for more details.

Lake Ridge Academy Splash Zone in Westlake, located in Crocker Park off the roundabout right behind Game Stop. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 10am-4pm and again from 7pm-10pm every day (Sunday hours are 11am-4pm only). Children must wear shoes.

Old Brooklyn Splash Pad, located in Loew Park. Newly constructed in 2011. Splash pad and 3 ft. pool open daily at 12pm.

There are many other Splash Pads located in parks throughout the Cleveland area. They are open when the weather hits 80 degrees from 11am-6pm, Memorial Day thru Labor Day. The parks are listed below:

Arthur Johnston Park (E. 147th & Seville)
Carol McClendon (East 98 & Union)
Charles Orr (Ansel & Lamont)
Easton (E. 88th & Union)
Emery (West 130 & I - 71)
Fairview Park (W. 38th & Franklin)
Grant (E. 38th & Central)
Halloran Park (West 117th & Linnet)
Irma (E. 74th & Irma)
Lincoln Park (Tremont)
Mercedes Cotner (W. 95th & Maywood)
Moulton/Scoutway (E. 115th & Moulton)
R.J. Taylor (Melville Rd. & Nottingham)
Regent (E. 70th & Regent)
Roberto Clemente (West 38th & Seymour)
Rockefeller Park (East 105 & MLK Blvd)
Trent (W. 40th & Trent)
Village Green (Olmsted Falls)

Enjoy!

FREE Festivals in Cleveland This Weekend, May 19-20th

Well, summer is almost here and so are the wonderful, FREE festivals that come with it each year! Here are a few to get you started this weekend:

Pop UP Pearl
Located in the Old Brooklyn area of Cleveland on Pearl Rd, just south of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Come out and see all the unique, beautiful crafts by Images in Bloom and enjoy some amazing food and music at the Grace Church Blues and BBQ tent, just to name a few!




6th Annual Chalk Art Festival
Come out and see professional artists create beautiful chalk masterpieces, or sign up for your own space and create one yourself! This festival goes from 9am-5pm on May 19th and is located in Downtown Medina on the Square.

Hessler Street Fair
This street fair is an annual community arts and music event in University Circle, boasting to be one of Cleveland's most successful festivals! This family-friendly event will be celebrating is 43rd year and features a wide variety of local food, artists, musicians, and poets. This year’s fair will be held Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20, 2012 from 11 am to dusk, rain or shine.

The Hessler Street Fair Committee
11326 Hessler Road
Cleveland, OH 44106

Cleveland Metroparks Annual Children's Fishing Derbies

If your kids (ages 4-15) like to fish, or if they've always wanted to try it, this annual fishing derby is for you! Bait (red worms, maggots and corn) will be available at no charge for derby participants. Bring a rod, tackle and a cooler with ice to store the “catch of the day.” While supplies last, loaner rods (fully rigged for bait fishing) are available for children who do not have their own. Rain or shine. Participation is FREE!

Saturday, May 19
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, Cuyahoga Heights

Sunday, May 20
Wallace Lake Mill Stream Run Reservation, Berea

Fishing Sessions:
Ages: 4-8 • 9 a.m. to noon (one rod per child)
Ages: 9-15 • 1 to 4 p.m. (one rod per child)

FREE Annual Fishing Derbies This Weekend in the Metroparks

Kids can reel in the “big one” at the annual Cleveland Metroparks Children’s Fishing Derbies. Each day of Children’s Fishing Derbies is divided into two sessions: children, ages 4 to 8, can fish from 9 a.m. to noon, and youth, ages 9 to 15, fish from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants can also learn how to cast and test their skills at the casting challenge. Guidance will be available from experienced anglers to help those new to fishing.

Live bait is provided. Participants should bring a rod, tackle and a cooler with ice to store their “catch of the day.” A limited number of loaner fishing rods will be available for children who do not have their own. Prizes will be awarded at the end of each session for catching the largest trout, largest other fish, and smallest fish, plus best cast from the casting challenge. Prizes will be awarded at noon and 4 p.m. sharp. You must be present to win.

Saturday, May 14
Wallace Lake
Mill Stream Run Reservation
Berea

Sunday, May 15
Ohio & Erie Canal
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation
Cuyahoga Heights

The event is rain or shine (hopefully the weather will cooperate!), no advanced sign-ups. Registration is on the day of the derby only. Please go to the big tent when you arrive.

4th Annual Mother's Day Peace Party in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens

You and your mother are invited to the 4th Annual Mother's Day Peace Party on Sunday, May 8th from 2-4 pm at the Indian Cultural Garden (the one with the statue of Gandhi) on Martin Luther King Blvd. Joan Southgate, the founder of Restore Cleveland Hope, will be the main speaker. There will be a music, refreshments, activities for the children, framed photos of your family taken at the Gandhi statue, and all of it FREE! Bring your mother or the mothering person in your life and enjoy a peaceful afternoon. For more information call Raj at 440-724-4398 or the Peace Action website at http://www.peaceactioncleveland.org/.

FREE Easter Egg Hunts in Cleveland in 2011

Here's a list of some of the fun and FREE Easter Egg Hunts in the area! This is by no means a comprehensive list, so if you know of any I missed, please share the info!! Enjoy!

This weekend:

Parma Heights Easter Egg Hunt: The 2011 Parma Heights Easter Egg Hunt will be from 12-2 pm on Saturday, April 16th at Greenbrier Commons (Pearl and Olde York roads). Photos with the Easter Bunny will be available. There will also be raffles and coloring contests during the Easter Egg Hunt.

Grace Church Old Brooklyn: Come for the FREE Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Grace Church in Old Brooklyn (located at 2503 Broadview Rd., Cleveland 44109) on Saturday, April 16th from 1-4 pm. There will be about 2,000 eggs to hunt for as well as an appearance by the Easter Bunny, crafts, and a message about the true meaning of Easter. Ages 0-10. *Bring your own basket!*

Next Weekend:

Aurora Farms Premium Outlets: Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 23th, 10am-Noon. Children 10 & under are invited to hunt store-to-store for over 10,000 candy & toy filled eggs. There will also be complimentary photos with the Easter Bunny, a clown crafting balloon sculptures and stores will provide crafts & activities for the children.

Crocker Park: Come celebrate Easter at Crocker Park on Saturday, April 23, from 12-2 pm! Children ages 1-13 will be divided into half hour time slots according to age. There will be facepainting, magician, juggling show, and the Eagle's Nest craft table. This event will take place on the lawn area across from The Gap store on the south-end of Crocker Park.

ETON Chagrin Boulevard: Easter Egg Hunt and special appearance by the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 11am-12 pm! Face painting and pictures with the Easter Bunny ($5 per person charge), too.

Granger Township Fire and Rescue Department: The Easter Party for Granger Children will be on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at the Fire Station, 3737 Ridge Road. The Easter Bunny will arrive at 1 pm on the fire truck, as usual! There will be FREE candy, prizes and refreshments.

Macedonia Helicopter Easter Egg Drop: Come watch 100,000 Easter Eggs fall from the sky at Longwood Park in Macedonia on Saturday, April 23, starting at 11:00 am! Visit the website 100thousandeggs.com for more details!

Amazone 6th Birthday Party This Weekend, March 12th

Wanna get out of this yucky weather?? Amazone is celebrating their 6th birthday on Saturday, March 12th. To mark the occasion they will have a party from 12-5pm with drawings, face painting, balloon animals and games for everyone to enjoy. Come out and join us in the celebration! Party activities are FREE with paid admission:

• Toddler playground for children under 3 – $4 for same day unlimited play
• Large playground for children 3 and above – $8 for same day unlimited play
• Adults play FREE on the playgrounds when accompanied by a child
• Shoes are not allowed on the playground, however socks are required. If you do not bring a pair, socks are available for purchase, $1 / pair.

If you frequent Amazone, inquire about their Adventure Passes, which allow you FREE admission after 5 visits as well as their eClub, which lets you know about events, promotions, and coupons!

Hunt for Leprechauns on St. Patrick's Day

March 17th from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Garfield Park Nature Center
Ages: 3 - 8 years with adult
Registration required: 216-341-3152

On St. Patrick’s Day sneaky little leprechauns are hiding in the forests of Garfield Park Reservation. Join Naturalist Stacey Allen for a story about leprechauns. Then go on a short self-guided leprechaun hunt. You will be rewarded with “gold”!

The WFamily Charity Movie Series at Southpark Mall

In 2011, Westfield SouthPark will be hosting the WFamily Charity Movie Series at Cinemark Strongsville. A different family friendly movie will be featured the third Saturday of each month at 10am. The cost will be to attend will be $2 per person. As far as movies go, that's pretty close to FREE! Tickets will be available the morning of each show starting at 9 a.m. in front of Cinemark Strongsville.

WFamily Movie Dates:
February 19*
March 19
April 16
May 21
June 18
July 16
August 20
September 17
October 15
November 19

Please check the website regularly for updated the movie listings and charities.
*The February 19th movie will benefit the FOP’s Cops & Kids Program.

FREE Winter Activities This Weekend at Fight the Frost Festival

Saturday, February 12, Canal Way Center in Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights. Join in the fun to encourage Northeast Ohioans to quit hibernating and enjoy the winter season. The center staff has planned a fun-filled afternoon of FREE activities inside and outside. The “Fight the Frost Festival” features snowshoeing, winter hikes, nature crafts, bird watching, a puppet show, children’s nature music, and more. Plus, a great way to warm up will be sipping hot chocolate and munching on a few cookies. And while there, build and design a birdhouse with Earth Words Nature Shop. Choose from three different designs and use slotted natural wood for easy assembly. Earth Words will provide markers to decorate the birdhouse, twine to hang, and tips on where to hang it in backyards. Birdhouse kits are only $4. Canal Way Center is located on Whittlesey Way, off the East 49th Street entrance of Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, between Grant Avenue and Canal Road in Cuyahoga Heights – just off the I-77/Grant Avenue exit. For more information, call 216-206-1000.

Visit this link to view other fun outdoor activities happening this week!

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Cleveland for FREE!

Most of the museums and attractions in Cleveland are offering FREE ADMISSION on Monday, January 17th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Do you have any plans yet? If not, make some because you can't beat the price! Some places offering FREE admission include: Great Lakes Science Center, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Orchestra, and Western Reserve Historical Society. See the link for the complete list of attractions and special event programs. Enjoy the day!

FREE Pancake Breakfast with Santa

On Saturday, December 11, join Santa at Journey Community Church for a FREE pancake breakfast! You can also get your picture taken with Santa for a small fee. Call 440.331.7700 for more information, or go to http://www.journeycleveland.com/ to download your free ticket and reserve a seat at either the 9am or 11am seating. The Fairview Park Campus of Journey Community Church is located at 21220 Lorain Rd.

The FREE Holiday Event of the Season: CircleFest Is December 5th!

Start off the holiday season with a trip to the 17th Annual Holiday CircleFest. It’s the perfect way to experience University Circle, FREE of charge. From 1:00-5:30 p.m., more than 20 of University Circle’s renowned museums, gardens, galleries, churches, and schools open their doors and offer an afternoon of activities, food, and shopping.

Visitors can look forward to a gingerbread house competition, live music performances, trees with themed decorations, a singing Santa, and even live reindeer. This year, Wade Oval becomes Cleveland’s Central Park with free horse-drawn carriage rides. Or, for a slightly warmer mode of transportation, UCI will provide free shuttle buses to escort guests to the different activity sites. From 5:30-6:00 p.m., the activities conclude with The Cleveland Museum of Art’s dramatic Winter Lights Lantern Procession on Wade Oval. Perhaps the most highly anticipated activity of Holiday CircleFest is The Rink at Wade Oval. Admission to The Rink is free, and skate rentals are only $3.
 
Rough Schedule of Events:
The Rink at Wade Oval: 1:00-7:00 p.m.
Free horse-drawn carriage rides (Wade Oval): 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Activities: 1:00-5:30 p.m.
Winter Lights Lantern Procession on Wade Oval: 5:30 p.m.

Visit the website for the HUGE list of fun things to do! There is certainly something for everyone. Enjoy!

Winter Lights Lantern Festival at the Museum of Art

Friday, December 3–Sunday, January 2, 2011
A bright and innovative way to warm up your holiday season, the Winter Lights Lantern Festival features lantern displays inside the museum and the Environment of Lights installation on Wade Oval. The museum offers an array of activities and entertainment, including workshops for making simple lanterns for the procession. The day culminates in a procession through the Environment of Lights led by guest lantern artists and illuminated dancers and giant puppets on Saturday, December 5th at 5:30 pm as part of the Holiday CircleFest in University Circle.

December Art Walk in Little Italy This Weekend

Don’t miss the exciting December Art Walk, December 3,4 & 5, 2010. Little Italy kicks off the Holiday season during the December Art Walk with wine tastings, receptions, trunk shows and fantastic gift shopping in over 25 galleries and boutiques and extraodinary dining in 21 restaurants, bakeries and bars.

The annual tree lighting at 5PM Saturday outside the Historic Mayfield Theater features a special guest from the North Pole, Santa Claus 5PM to 7PM! Little Italy is growing with 5 new boutiques/galleries, new restaurants, an Italian Market & a new Bed and Breakfast! Always new and exciting, Little Italy is perfect for the passionate gift buyer!

Art Walk starts Friday, December 3 at Noon to 9PM, Saturday, December 4 Noon to 9PM & Sunday Noon to 6PM. Many restaurants are open to 2AM! Valet parking begins with 4 stations on Mayfield Rd. Friday at 5PM and continues throughout the Art Walk days. For more information about shops and restaurants see our official website: http://clevelandlittleitaly.com/.