Family Favorites is one of our most read features every year — and for good reason. Thousands of Toledo area parents weigh in annually on the businesses, places, and people they love, which benefits both local families and businesses. Parents rely on our list to help them choose pediatricians, find the perfect birthday venue, and grab the most delicious meal. Thank you, Toledo area families, for making this another memorable year of Family Favorites! Supporting local means more now than ever.
PLACES AND SPACES
Overnight Trip with the Kids
Frankenmuth
Runner-up: Kalahari Resorts
Family Activity
Country Lane Tree Farm
Runner-up: The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium
Family Day Trip
Country Lane Tree Farm
Runner-up: The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium
Indoor Playspace
Imagination Station
Runner-up: Sylvania Playland
Favorite Library Branch
Way Public
Runner-up: King Road (TLCPL)
Place to Worship
Christ the King Church, Toledo
Runner-up: CedarCreek Church
Kid-friendly Museum
Imagination Station
Runner-up: Toledo Museum of Art
Sporting Event for Families
Toledo Mud Hens
Runner-up: Toledo Walleye
Place to Volunteer
Toledo Area Humane Society
Runner-up: Metroparks Toledo
Animal Encounters
Country Lane Tree Farm
Runner-up: The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium
Garden/Nature Center
577 Foundation
Runner-up: Toledo Botanical Garden Metropark
TIME TO PARTY
Party Entertainment
Laurel’s Princess Parties
Runner-up: Glass City Moonwalk Rentals
Place to buy a birthday cake
So Many Sweet Somethings Desserterie
Runner-up: Crowned Cakes by Jess
Locally owned place to buy a gift
Fiddlestix Boutique
Runner-up: Learning Express Toys
Place for an indoor birthday bash
Ohio Skate
Runner-up: Sylvania Playland
Place for an outdoor birthday bash
Country Lane Tree Farm
Runner-up: Wildwood Park (Metroparks Toledo)
DELICIOUS EATS
Cupcakes/Bakery
So Many Somethings Desserterie
Runner-up: Cake in a Cup
Candy Shop
Boyd’s Retro Candy
Runner-up: Maumee Valley Chocolate and Candy
Family-Friendly Restaurant
Schmucker’s Restaurant
Runner-up: Mayberry Diner
Healthy Family Restaurant
Balance Pan-Asian Grille
Runner-up: Fowl & Fodder
Kid-friendly coffee shop
Maddie & Bella Coffee Roasters
Runner-up: SIP Coffee
Frozen Treats Shop
Mr. Freeze
Runner-up: Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt
Local Pizza Place
Original Gino’s
Runner-up: Pizza Cat
Place Where Kids Eat Free
Fricker’s
Runner-up: El Vaquero
SHOP LOCAL
Locally owned place to buy kids’ clothing
Once Upon a Child
Runner-up: Makers on Main by Joys of the Heart Christian Boutique
Baby boutique shop
Bowinkles
Runner-up: Piper Jean Bowtique
Mom-owned business
Courtney Lee Photography
Runner-up: Finn Photography
Family Photographer
Rikki Renee Photography
Runner-up: Lindsey Brown Photography
Bike Shop
Wersell’s Bike and Ski Shop
Runner-up: Cyclewerks
Place to buy children’s books
Gathering Volumes
Runner-up: Learning Express
DIGITAL AGE
Local Parent Facebook Group
Toledo Moms: Community + Conversations
Runner-up: Toledo Thrifty Moms
Local Online Influencer
Toledo Moms: Community + Conversations
Runner-up: Mom on the Go in Holy Toledo
WATCH ME SOAR
Preschool
Elizabeth Wayne Preschool
Preschool 2nd: Saint Joseph Parish Preschool
Teacher
Jeny Mazza – Elizabeth Wayne Preschool
Runner-up: Julie Hite – Saint Joseph Sylvania
School Principal
Cristy Seely – Elizabeth Wayne Preschool
Runner-up: Steve Urbanski – Christ the King
Elementary School
Saint Joseph Parish School
Runner-up: Christ the King
Middle School 1st: Saint Joseph Parish School
Middle School 2nd: Christ the King
Charter School
Toledo School for the Arts
Runner-up: Autism Model School
Parochial School
Saint Joseph Parish School
Runner-up: Christ the King
Private School
West Side Montessori
Runner-up: Maumee Valley Country Day School
After-School Program
YMCA
Runner-up: Girls on the Run Northwest Ohio
Tutoring Center
Sylvan Learning
Runner-up: Kumon Math and Reading Center
Special Needs Service
Capable Kids
Runner-up: Brain Bright Therapy
Daycare
Maria Early Learning Center
Runner-up: Children’s Discovery Center
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Acting and theatre classes
Children’s Theater Workshop
Runner-up: The Liz Baldwin Studio
Dance studio
Toledo Ballet
Runner-up: Dance Expressions
Kids Art Class
Toledo Museum of Art
Runner-up: Create: Art Studio and Workshop
Gymnastics Class
YMCA
Runner-up: Toledo Gymnastics Academy
Music Lessons
Forte School of Music
Runner-up: The Liz Baldwin Studio
Martial Arts Program
Jon Penny’s Black Belt Academy
Runner-up: Toledo Tae Kwan Do
Swim Lessons
SafeSplash + SwimLabs Swim School
Runner-up: YMCA
Horseback Lessons
Country Lane Tree Farm
Runner-up: Oxford Farm – Equestrian Center
DOCTORS’ ORDERS
Pediatric Practice
Franklin Park Pediatrics
Runner-up: Promedica Physicians – Perrysburg Pediatrics
Urgent Care
Promedica Urgent Care
Runner-up: Mercy Urgent Care
Place to Give Birth
Promedica Toledo Hospital
Runner-up: St. Luke’s Hospital
OB/GYN
Dr. Sarah Puckett – ProMedica Physicians Obstetrics I Gynecology – Sylvania
Runner-up: Dr. Kristel Ward – ProMedica Physicians Obstetrics | Gynecology – Maumee
Midwife
Mercy Midwives
Runner-up: Erin Marten
Family Doctor
Dr. Travis Rasor – Fallen Timbers Family Physicians
Runner-up: Dr. Donald Vogel, Promedica Physicians Family Practice of Toledo
ENT Doctor
Dr. Vincent Toma – Promedica Physicians
Runner-up: Dr. Stephanie Cole – Promedica Physicians
Optometrist / Ophthalmologist
Dr. Robert Rhee – Pediatric Ophthalmology Consultants
Runner-up: Dr. Joseph Marra – Dr. Marra & Associates
Chiropractor
Innate Health Chiropractic
Runner-up: Turning Point Chiropractic
Allergist
Dr. Razi Rafeeq – Promedica Physicians
Runner-up: Dr. Ghassan Safadi – Allergy Clinic Ohio
Dentist
Dr. Jon Frankel
Runner-up: Dr. Erin Knierim
Orthodontist
HLS Orthodontics
Runner-up: Kay & Paulus
Speech/language therapy
Brain Bright Therapy
Runner-up: Promedica Total Rehab
Family Mental Health & Counseling Services
Harbor
Runner-up: A Renewed Mind
Natural Homeopathic Health
Health Foods by Claudia
Runner-up: Bassett’s Health Food
Veterinarian
Brannan Veterinary Clinic
Runner-up: VCA SylvaniaVET
GET ACTIVE
Place to Go Ice Skating
Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter
Runner-up: Ottawa Park
Place to Play Mini Golf
Perry Falls Mini Golf
Runner-up: Par 2 Golf
Park or Playground
Wildwood Park
Runner-up: Oak Openings Preserve Metropark
Waterpark
Kalahari Resorts
Runner-up: Great Wolf Lodge
Family-Friendly Gym / Fitness Club
YMCA
Runner-up: Promedica Wildwood Athletic Club
Soccer Program
Springfield Parks & Rec
Runner-up: Soccer Shots
Youth Sports League
CYO
Runner-up: Anthony Wayne Youth Foundation
Sports Camp
YMCA Summer Camp
Runner-up: St. John’s Summer Sports Camp
Summer Day Camp
Country Lane Tree Farm
Runner-up: Imagination Station
Kids Fitness Class
Toledo Parkour
Runner-up: YMCA
ME TIME
Date Night Restaurant
Alexander’s
Runner-up: Te’kela Mexican Cocina
Girls Night Out
The Heights
Runner-up: Board & Brush Creative Studio
Workout for Mom
YMCA
Runner-up: Fit Body Boot Camp
Spa Day for Mom
Serenity Health & Wellness Center
Runner-up: Spoil Me Royal
