Why Not Tri It?
Young athletes ages 7 to 10 or 11 to 14 can compete in their age bracket in the Greater Cleveland Youth Triathlon this month at Headlands Beach State Park. The swim is 100 or 200 yards, the bike is three or six miles and the run is either a half-mile or a mile. Kids compete with color-coded swim caps and computer chips to track their time splits and transitions. All competitors get medals along with bragging rights. Aug. 12, 8 a.m.; race-day registration starts at 6:30 a.m.; $25 early registration, $30 on race day; www.greaterclevelandtriathlon.com or www.active.com, (330) 686-0993; Mentor Headlands Beach, 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor
Park it at the Park
As one of the most family-friendly beaches in the area, Fairport Harbor offers a mind-boggling 400 programs for young and old. There are shelters, picnic areas, showers and concession stands — with free life jackets available. The program list includes the Wright Brothers Fly-In, where kids fly model planes; sand and seashore crafts; and kayak, canoe, sailing, motorboat and personal watercraft lessons and camps. Prices range from $4 to $125; www.lakemetroparks.com, (440) 639-9972; 301 Huntington Beach Drive, Fairport Harbor
Get Kickin’
Drop the kids at the batting cages or at the soccer field, inline hockey rink, volleyball or basketball courts at Lost Nation Sports Park while you unwind in the Players Club Bar and Grill with a burger. At Lost Nation, if they’re old enough to walk, they’re old enough to kick a soccer ball. Introduce your tots to the excitement of the game with “Lil Kickers,” a program designed for beginners ages 18 months to 8 years. www.lnsportspark.com, (440) 602-4000; 38630 Jet Center Drive, Willoughby
Ride ’em, Pardner
The Andrews School may be a classic, girls-only boarding school, but there is one way in if you’re not a young prep-school lady: Get in the saddle and ride! Equestrian instruction is offered year-round for the general public. Get a taste of the action at a free show of hunter and jumper classes, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 to 27. Lessons start at $30 per class, for grade-school children and up. www.andrews-school.org, (440) 942-3600; 38588 Mentor Ave., Willoughby
Stretch the Spirit
Inner Bliss holds a weekly yoga class for middle-school-aged girls, providing them with a place to learn yoga poses and develop a strong, confident body image, decrease negative self-talk and learn relaxation responses appropriate for handling stress. $25 for four one-hour sessions; call for times; www.innerblissyogastudio.com, (216) 469-6689; 19537 Lake Road, Rocky River
Have Some Fun Already!
Welcome to your Fun-n-Stuff day: It starts with a bounce-and-bump blitz on two groups of inflatable structures. Then there’s the frenzy of activities, some for Fun-n-Stuffers as young as 2: mini golf, batting cages, laser tag, indoor roller rink, rock wall, two go-cart tracks and bumper boats. Energy to spare? Tax ’em out at the arcade — it’s filled with more than 100 video games perfect for all ages in all weather. www.fun-n-stuff.com, (330) 467-0820; 661 E. Highland Road, Macedonia
Gearhead Central
Is your child cyclist getting the Tour de France bug? Along with an exceptional array of bikes, parts, accessories and apparel, Bike Authority’s specialists are riders themselves, and can answer any question, customize your bike and help you find a race. The shop carries a full line of little kids’ bikes all the way through high-end, high-performance cycles. www.bikeauthority.com, (440) 546-9966; 7979 Broadview Road, Broadview Heights
Car Talk
It’s loud, fast and full throttle. Motorheads of all ages get their fix watching or racing at Thompson Raceway Park. Stick-shift races, car club events, motorcycle races, high-school drivers grudge racing — it’s all here. Wednesday night is grudge racing through Oct. 4 in stock cars, front-wheel drives, trucks and on bikes. 6 to 12 is $3, ages 13 and up is $10. www.thompsonracewaypark.com, (216) 252-RACE; 8233 Sidley Road, Thompson
Ride, Baby, Ride
Tots who’ve mastered sitting upright through kids 50 inches tall get their thrills on a pint-size roller coaster, train, merry-go-round and other rides at the Memphis Kiddie Park. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, a flea market sets up shop across the street — great for browsing for treasures with your favorite tiny penny-pinchers. www.memphiskiddiepark.com, (216) 941-5995; 10340 Memphis Ave., Brooklyn
Life, Better
Two elaborate mini-golf courses, two go-cart tracks, a laser attraction where teams of kids save the planet, a paintball village for teens, a tube-alicious Kid’s Korner for youngsters and Swings ‘n’ Things’ homemade, gourmet ice cream — does life get any better? www.swings-n-things.com, (440) 235-4420; 8501 Sterns Road, Olmsted Township
C’Mon, Get Happy
At Big Happys Skatepark, shredders can launch themselves into a huge foam pit from a standalone 14-foot-wide roll-in ramp. (But don’t worry, Mom, helmets are required.) The former warehouse is a great place for teens to bring their bikes and boards to ride quarter-pipes, kickers and boxes, plus a 9-foot-deep bowl. $10 all-day admission; Parties, lessons and long-term passes are available. www.bighappys.com, (216) 663-0094; 21863 Aurora Road, Bedford Heights
