7 fantastic summer activities in Brunswick for the whole family
As the temperature rises, those dreaded last days of school start to get really close. Parents race to sign up for summer activities close to home to keep their children busy for the summer. In Brunswick, there are plenty of activities that can keep your children engaged, exploring, and active all summer long. The best part is they’re not too far away and are very affordable, if they aren’t already free. Here is a list of seven summer activities in Brunswick you should consider.
1: Mapleside Farms
Mapleside farms provide one of Cleveland’s best farm experiences and in 2011 was voted America’s most beautiful farm. To live up to this expectation, the farm offers a wide range of family activities including summer ‘Over the Valley Concerts,’ an amazing playground, awe-inspiring views, and loads of fall activities. What makes Mapleside a great summer activity for your children is their top tier playground. Costing only $6 per child, you can jump on either of their two inflatable pillows or play on their amazing playground all day. When you need a break, there is a small ice cream shop right outside for a quick treat. If you’re not already enticed, it was also voted Cleveland’s best playground for kids.
Visit their website here.
2: Hinckley Lake
Another great local spot for a great day of fun is the Hinckley Lake location of the Cleveland Metroparks. The Hinckley reservation is 2,803 acres and encompasses over 20 miles of trails with a 90 acre lake right in the center. At the far end of the lake there is a boathouse where you can rent a small kayak to take out onto the water. Downstream, you can swim in the spillway from the dam at the beach under lifeguard supervision. Circling all this, there is a 3.3 mile loop of paved paths allowing for bike riding or an easy walk. The Hinckley reservation has plenty of picnic areas and even has a great mini golf course right next to the main parking lots, Buzzards Cove.
Learn more about the reservation here.
3: Baseball and Softball
Baseball and softball are great summer activities in Brunswick for your children to get involved with. Brunswick Youth Sports’ program is a great way to get your kids involved in America’s pastime sport. This is likely the biggest event going on in the city over the summer with hundreds of families participating. BYS is a great experience to get the kids involved in but can have a high time commitment as there are games most evenings and every Saturday. Starting at $125, it’s a great activity with very minimal work put on the parents (other than the laundry duty)!
Learn more here.
4: Church Camp
Summer Blast is a great low commitment activity that your kids can participate in during the summer to give you a little break. Filled with lots of games and a weekly Bible study, your kids will have the opportunity of competing for prizes in a structured environment, meet new friends, and even see some awesome guests show off their skills (magic and exotic animals are common appearances!). Best yet, its free!
Learn more here.
5: North Park
North park is a great local option as it is right in the heart of Brunswick. Situated on 65 acres, north park offers a similar experience to Hinckley lake. A looping paved path, miles of back trails, amazing playground, great fishing, and a large pavilion allow you to have a great afternoon of exploration. Close enough to walk to from most areas of Brunswick, this is a great spot to bring a lunch (just make sure to bring some extra bread for the geese!).
Learn more here.
6: Rinky Dink Family Center
Rinky Dink is an affordable family fun center with 18 holes of mini golf, arcade games, batting cages, bumper boats, and, best of all, go karts! Depending on how big of a group you bring it can get expensive but typically, they have lots of coupons to chose from on their site to bring down the cost. The best value is their all day pass that gives you unlimited everything and even the option for some soft-serve ice cream.
Learn more here.
7: Tidal Waves Swim Team
Forest Hills Tidal Waves is a small, summer swim team located in Brunswick. It’s a great summer activity that teaches all the basics to new swimmers. Practices run in the mornings and involve drills and games to get young swimmers excited about swimming. It’s a great intro to the world of competitive swimming as well as just a fun summer activity. There are meets that occur at least once a week which gives your children the opportunity to race others! The Tidal Waves is an affordable activity that provides a great outlet for all your child’s energy.