Fun Winter Train Rides for Kids

Make the most of this cold season with these fun winter train rides! Climb aboard for a morning or afternoon of family fun as you wind through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Our Family Fun Loop presented by Meijer and other special events are packed with fun activities to keep your kiddos occupied.

Kid-friendly rides depart from Peninsula Depot (a half loop) and tickets range in price from $15-35 per person depending on the event. Children under the age of three (3) ride free!

After an hour-and-a-half ride you’ll deboard and step onto the platform with lasting memories, and even something to take home from some of our events!

On warmer days (or if you’re properly dressed) explore the Village of Peninsula and grab a bit to eat at Fisher’s or the Winking Lizard. Click here to see what there is to do in Peninsula.

Princesses love slumber parties too! Join us for an enchanting evening aboard Princess PJ Party on January 31, February 7, 14 and March 13. The enchanting evening will consist of story telling, sing-a-longs and even a sweet treat! All riders are encouraged to dress in their royal pajamas. This event departs from Rockside Station and runs from 7 – 9 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person.

Arts and crafts are fun, but they’re even more fun on the train! Join us for Family Fun Loop: Valentine’s Day Craft & Bingo on February 8. Kids will create their own Valentine’s Day sun catcher and play a special edition of Valentine’s Day-themed Bingo. This event departs from Peninsula Depot and runs from 12:55 – 2:15 p.m.  Tickets are $20 per person.

Learn about Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the animals that call it their home aboard our Family Fun Loop: CVNP Rail Roving on Saturday February 1, 15, March 14 and 28. A CVNP or CVSR volunteer will describe the wildlife in the Park, their different habitats and even show animal pelts. This ride is a great way to introduce young children to the National Park for the first time. This event departs out of Peninsula Depot and runs from 12:55 – 2:15 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person.

Get your game on aboard our Family Fun Loop: Board Games train ride on January 25, February 22, March 7 and 21. We’ll have plenty of board games for everyone and guests are welcome to bring their own! This event departs out of Peninsula Depot and runs from 12:55 – 2:15 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person.

Kids are sure to feel like royalty aboard Royalty on the Rails on January 26 and February 9. Climb aboard in your fabulous princess costume and have an opportunity to receive autographs and snap photos with princesses. We’ll sing songs, tell stories and even enjoy a sweet treat! January 26 will feature Ice Princess, Ice Queen, Princess Beauty and Snow. February 9 will feature Cinderella, Prince Charming, Little Mermaid and The Sea Prince. This event departs out of Peninsula Depot and runs from 12:55 – 2:15 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person.

Do you have supersonic powers? Kids get the chance to interact with superheroes aboard Superheroes on the Train on March 22. Join us for an afternoon of story telling, songs, and even a sweet treat! Everyone will be dressed in their super-best; you should be too! March 22 will feature Super Power Girl, Patriotic Hero, Spidy and Warrior Woman. April 19 will feature Bat Guy, Bat Girl, Spidy and Supergirl. This event departs out of Peninsula Depot and runs from 12:55 – 2:15 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person.

Are your little ones master chefs in the making? Then they’ll love Family Fun Loop: Tasty Treats Cookie/Cupcake Decorating on February 2, March 1 and 8. Kids get to decorate two cupcakes or cookies with frosting and fun sprinkles. CVSR will provide gloves, aprons and baker hats! This event departs out of Peninsula Depot and runs from 12:55 – 2:15 p.m. and tickets are $25 per person and $15 for a helper ticket (helper does not receive treats).

Looking for even more to do with kids?

Take a ride on the National Park Scenic excursion! At a two-and-a-half-hour length through April it’s perfect to show kids what a true gem we have in our own backyard.

Onboard the train you will have access to our new Edu-Trainment car. Dubbed the ‘kids car’, there are interactive and educational activities to keep kids of all age (and adults) occupied.

Snuggle up and read a book in one of the reading nooks, pretend to operate a train, explore the route, search for wildlife and activity in the park, and play at the BRIO train tables.

Aboard our regularly running National Park Scenic trip you’ll pass things like the Brecksville dam and bridge, an eagle’s nest, and the Beaver marsh, which was once surrounded by old cars and worn-out parts until efforts by humans and beavers transformed the site back into a beautiful wetland.

Trainmen will point out historic parts along the route as you weave through the Cuyahoga Valley following closely with the Cuyahoga River. Passengers have a variety of seating options to choose from including table coach, permium class, first class, lounge, upper dome, executive class.

A table coach ticket is an all-day pass! Spend the day on and off the train as you explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park and towns like Boston or Peninsula.