Free
Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main Library
Downtown Akron, 60 S. High St.
Free baby, preschool and STEM programs most weekdays.
Good for: A free morning out.
Skip if: you want a big play area.
Report a problemGUIDE Akron–Canton · Akron and Canton
Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Akron–Canton: the parent guide.
Akron and Canton sit about 25 minutes apart on I-77 in northeast Ohio.
Around town4 spots · checked Oct 30
The Akron–Canton places we go back to, again and again.
The places we go back to all year. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Play
Indoor play and rainy days
For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour.
Free
Stark Library, Main Library
Canton, 1020 Market Ave. N
Family storytimes and reading-to-dogs nights.
Good for: A free hour in Canton.
Skip if: you need weekend programs.
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Akron–Canton that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
Explore
Museums, zoos and big outings
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
Akron Zoo
$$Akron, 505 Euclid Ave.
A walkable zoo with a carousel and indoor animal buildings.
Good for: Toddlers who want to see animals up close.
Skip if: you want a long day; winter hours are short.
Daily 11am–4pm through Apr 4Site ↗ for Akron Zoo
Report a problemAkron Children’s Museum
$$Downtown Akron, 216 S. Main St.
A hands-on play museum for young kids downtown.
Good for: A cold or rainy morning.
Skip if: you have older kids.
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Akron–Canton that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
No ticket needed
Free things to do
Where a family can go in Akron–Canton without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Akron–Canton.
Littlest explorers
Best for under 3s
Free or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Akron, 505 Euclid Ave.Akron ZooShort loops and stroller-friendly paths.
Downtown Akron, 60 S. High St.Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main LibraryBaby storytimes on Wednesdays.FreeIndoorCanton, 1020 Market Ave. NStark Library, Main LibraryStorytimes for little kids.FreeIndoor
Downtown Akron, 216 S. Main St.Akron Children’s MuseumBuilt for young kids.IndoorEvery week
Library storytimes
Recurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar. For every weekly storytime by day and branch, see library storytimes in Akron–Canton.
Weekdays at Main and Fairlawn-BathAkron-Summit County Public Library
Baby, toddler and preschool storytimes plus STEM programs.
Schedule ↗Mon, Tue and Thu at MainStark Library
Family storytimes and Pups and Pages.
Schedule ↗Babies and 1-year-olds
Things to do with a baby or a 1-year-old in Akron–Canton
Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
Baby and lap-sit storytimes
Wednesdays at 10:30am and 2pm · Main LibraryBaby Storytime · Akron-Summit County Public Library
Rhymes, bounces and board books for babies.
Storytime calendar ↗Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:15am · Fairlawn-Bath BranchBaby & Toddler Storytime · Akron-Summit County Public Library
Songs and short books for babies and toddlers.
Storytime calendar ↗By season
Seasonal spots
Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices. For holiday and indoor rinks with season dates, prices and skate aids, see ice skating with kids in Akron–Canton.
This week
What’s on this week in Akron–Canton
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Akron–Canton right now.
- The Great Akron Kids Costume CelebrationAkron-Summit County Public Library, Main Library · Free
- BAT-TACULAR!Stark Library, Plain Community Branch · Free
- Music & Movement (Akron Main)Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main Library · Free
Good questions
Things to do with toddlers in Akron–Canton: the FAQ
Is Akron-Canton good for toddlers?
Yes. The libraries run several baby and toddler storytimes each week, and the zoo is small enough for short legs.
What’s free for little kids here?
Library programs in both cities.
What can we do in Akron–Canton on a rainy or cold day with a toddler?
Go indoors: Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main Library and Stark Library, Main Library. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.
What can we do with a baby, 1-year-old or 2-year-old in Akron–Canton?
Akron Zoo: Short loops and stroller-friendly paths. Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main Library: Baby storytimes on Wednesdays. Stark Library, Main Library and Akron Children’s Museum are also easy with a baby or toddler. See best for under 3s.
Where are the free storytimes in Akron–Canton?
Akron-Summit County Public Library: Weekdays at Main and Fairlawn-Bath. Stark Library: Mon, Tue and Thu at Main. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the Akron–Canton weekly list.
How do you choose the places in the Akron–Canton guide?
Every one of the 4 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site. The guide was last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we choose and check.
Get the list every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in Akron–Canton.