The Greater Cincinnati area is so rich in indoor and outdoor attractions that, on any given day, there’s always a list of great things to pick from when looking for things to do with kids. No matter the age, kid-friendly entertainment is within 30 miles of your home, providing a combination of fun and stimulating activities.
This list of 136 things to do with kids in Cincinnati serves as a resource guide for parents looking to plan a day with the family, or for caregivers taking care of children, no matter the day or time.
From indoor entertainment centers with numerous attractions under one roof to outdoor activities, this list runs the gamut from fun and recreational to cultural and educational.
Plus, you’ll find traditional seasonal events held annually in Cincinnati to help you plan your spring, summer, fall, and holiday events.
Indoor Entertainment Centers
With our four attractions and gigantic arcade all under one roof, we just had to put The WEB at the top of our list for things to do with kids in Cincinnati. We have something for kids of all ages, plus adults will have great fun, too.
Take a look at all we have: Laser WEB laser tag in an eight-level arena, Inside Track go-karts for racing on over 500 feet of grand prix style track, Jurassic Par miniature golf set in a prehistoric jungle, Hang Ten miniature bowling with a Hawaiian theme, and one of the largest arcades in the Cincinnati area.
And if you need to refuel between attractions, our Winners Cafe serves up some delicious and affordable food options, or have an ice cream treat in our Sweet Shop.
The WEB Extreme Entertainment is open year-round. Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight.
The WEB is an awesome deal, too, with single passes at $4 and $8 per person, depending on your attraction choices, a family fun package at $49, or a family frenzy package at $89, all designed to fit your budget.
Details: 7172 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069; Phone: 513-860-2882.
Originally a vaudeville house before motion pictures were even invented, this historic theatre dates back to 1881, but has been restored and transformed into a movie theatre and entertainment center.
Entertainment includes custom laser light shows, live performances, family oriented entertainment, and live sporting events on the big screen.
Hours of operation vary, depending on event or show times. There are generally two movie times during the week and four on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and school vacation weeks.
Known as the least expensive theatre in the Cincinnati tri-state area, the movie theatre shows first-run movies for only $6. Plus, you can order and receive your hot concession foods, some only $1, without leaving your seat.
Details: 6550 Parkland Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45233; Phone: 513-600-7900.
The family recreation and entertainment facility offers a multipurpose area for gymnastics, tumbling and cheerleading, a field house and gymnasium for your sports of choice, and a Kids Korner featuring fun activities.
Popular attractions at the community center for kids and families are the leisure pool, complete with a water playground, lazy river, and body flume slide, and the 35-foot natural rock surface climbing wall.
There’s also exercise equipment with a cardio theatre system, a competition pool with diving boards, and numerous exergaming units, and an indoor walking track.
Day pass hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Day passes are $10 for youth ages 4 to 11, $20 for adults ages 12-59, and $100 for seniors ages 60 and older. Basic and premier membership plans are available for families of up to four.
Details: 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040; Phone: 513-229-8555.
Located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati, but open to the public, this recreation center offers lots of entertaining activities for families.
Play in the recreation swimming pool or check out the shallow water leisure pool with its waterfall, vortex, current channel, and bubble couch. For the more adventurous, try the two climbing walls.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Daily rates are $20, with several types of membership plans available for yearly and monthly plans.
Details: 2820 Bearcat Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221; Phone: 513-556-0604.
Outdoor Entertainment Centers
Whenever you’re looking for something to do with kids, head to Fountain Square, where there’s sure to be something going on year-round, such as special events, family movie nights, free concerts, festivals, arts and cultural events, and family games and activities.
During the summer, there’s the Water Wall, where kids can make patterns on sheets of water or jump around the water streams coming from the pop-jets in the granite floor. In the winter, there’s family skate at the outdoor U.S. Bank Skate Rink.
Fountain Square is open daily, year-round. Free admission to most events and activities.
Details: 520 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-534-5877.
This playfield packs in a lot of activities for kids, including play equipment and the Land of Make Believe Playground.
Next to the playfield is Reeves Golf Course, offering miniature golf, an 18-hole regulation golf course, a 9-hole, par-3 golf course, and a driving range. Tennis courts and 6.5 miles of trails are also available.
Hours of operation are daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from late May to early October.
Admission to the playground is $1 for children ages 2 through 12 and Free for anyone younger than 2 or older than 12. Miniature golf is $3 per person.
Details: 4740 Playfield Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226; Phone: 513-321-7333.
Located in the heart of Cincinnati, Washington Park holds a bunch of entertainment options to do with kids all year-round, including a 49,000 square foot civic lawn for recreational play.
A popular spot with kids is the playground, which is like no other. There are climbing walls reflecting Cincinnati’s historic architecture, a boardwalk and stage, and a canal boat in a water channel.
In the warm weather, get wet in the interactive fountains and water jet groupings. There’s also music on the bandstand in the heart of the park, festivals, and arts, cultural and dance performances planned nearly every day. There’s even a dog park, so bring the family dog along.
Washington Park is open daily, year-round. Admission is free, but some events may charge a fee.
Details: 1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-621-4400.
This multi-level entertainment center situated on the south bank of the Ohio River offers a wide range of entertainment options for families with kids of all ages.
You can take a train ride on the Newport Express, play arcade games, bowl, or take in a movie.
Hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Noon to 6 p.m.
Admission to the complex is free, but some attractions have fees.
Details: 1 Levee Way, Newport, Kentucky 41071; Phone: 1-866-538-3359.
Hands-On Activities
Kids and adults alike will love this hands-on Whodunit game as they become detectives to solve mysteries. Clues lie in your knowledge of Cincinnati’s history plus observations about the Cincinnati Union Terminal.
The detective agency pays you for your services, so you can use your earnings to buy some great prizes.
Hours are Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The fee is $5 per person (agent).
Details: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203; Phone: 513-287-7000.
The Kids Club at Michael’s offers some great craft projects to do with the kids ages 3 and older. Simply drop in, enjoy 30 minutes of creative craft fun, and take home the completed project.
The cost is $2 per child, with supplies included.
Call ahead for Kids Club hours.
Details: 7624 Voice of America Centre Drive, West Chester, OH 45069; Phone: 513-759-9410.
Here’s a fun activity to do with kids. Create a lasting keepsake out of pottery. Choose from picture frames, mugs, banks, and much more to design and paint.
You can even accent your piece with stencils, stamps, or other painting tips provided by the Mad Potter staff. Mad Potter will then glaze and fire your creation for pick up in a week.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The studio fee is $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 12 and under. Pottery pieces are priced separately, ranging from $5 to $40.
Details: 6680 Tri-Way Drive, Mason, OH 45040; Phone: 513-770-5585.
Get creative with your kids at the creative arts studio located in a little red house. Open Studio features unstructured fun, where kids can stretch their imagination and let their creative juices flow.
Participants will have access to a wide range of materials to make their creations. The sessions are open to children ages four and older.
Open Studio hours vary throughout the week, so call for times.
The fee is $10 per hour, per person.
Details: 9429 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242; Phone: 513-827-9110.
Work on a small project together with your kids at the Home Depot Kids Workshops. Designed for all ages and experience levels, the workshops feature a different project each month.
Workshops are held at all Home Depot stores every first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to Noon. All kids’ workshops are free and include supplies.
Details: 3400 Highland Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45213; Phone: 513-631-1705; 6300 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211; Phone: 513-661-2413; 3461 Joseph Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45251; Phone: 513-923-9157; 1266 Omniplex Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240; 513-671-6012; 520 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255; Phone: 513-688-1654.
Build a wooden project with your child at the Kids Clinics offered by Lowe’s. A different project is featured at each Build and Grow Clinic.
Kids Clinics are held on select Saturdays at 10 a.m. Registration, which opens a few weeks before the date of the clinic, is required.
All Kids Clinics are free and include supplies.
Details: 5385 Ridge Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45213; Phone: 513-731-6127; 10235 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45251; Phone: 513-741-0585; 6150 Harrison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45247; Phone: 513-598-7050; 618 Mount Moriah Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45245; Phone: 513-753-5094; 505 East Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246; Phone: 513-671-2093.
Indoor Museums
Tons of things to do with kids of all ages await at the Duke Energy Children’s Museum. With eight exhibit areas, there’s something of interest for everyone, plus lots of hands-on action.
Exhibits range from arts to science and encourage exploring, touching, climbing and crawling. Also featured each day is a schedule of children’s programs and activities.
The children’s museum is open daily except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A single museum admission pass is $10.50 for adults, $8.50 for children ages 3-12, $5.50 for toddlers ages 1-2, and Free for infants under age 1. Parking is $6 per vehicle.
Details: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203; Phone: 513-287-7000.
What kid doesn’t love climbing on a fire engine or sliding down a real fire pole? These are just some of the activities in store at the fire museum.
Dedicated to all things related to firefighting, kids will get to see how fire equipment and trucks changed from Cincinnati’s early firefighting days to now.
Kids will learn about fire safety in the Safe House Display, plus they’ll get to ring the fire bell, sound the siren on a modern fire engine, and more.
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 7-17, Free for children ages 6 and younger with an adult.
Details: 315 West Court Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-621-5553.
Kids will be in awe when they spot the 20-foot long Allosaurus skeleton. It’s just one of the many exhibits inside the Museum of Natural History & Science that hold many wonders of the Cincinnati area.
A fun time of exploration awaits families, such as the Ice Age Trail, a space exhibit dedicated to Ohio’s own Neil Armstrong featuring actual moon rocks, and a replica of an actual limestone cave discovered in the region.
Stop in the STEM Discovery Lab and play Stranded Island Survivor Challenge for some great family fun.
The museum is open daily except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is $10.50 for adults, $8.50 for children ages 3-12, $5.50 for toddlers ages 1-2, and Free for infants under age 1. Parking is $6 per vehicle.
Details: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203; Phone: 513-287-7000.
The pages of the Bible come to life in his 70,000 square foot museum. Kids will be enthralled with the personal interaction of each of the 160 exhibits.
Walk through the Garden of Eden, see the busy work area for Noah’s Ark, come face-to-face with T.Rex, and see a show in the Stargazers Planetarium or Special Effects Theater, complete with rising mists and rumbling seats.
The museum also includes an outdoor petting zoo, complete with camel rides and botanical gardens.
Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Noon to 6 p.m.
Tickets, which are valid for two consecutive days, are $29.95 for adults ages 13 to 59, $15.95 for children ages 5-12, $23.95 for seniors ages 60 and older, and Free for children under age 5. Planetarium show tickets are $7.95 per person.
Details: 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, Kentucky 41080; Phone: 1-888-582-4253.
Kids can explore a rainforest waterfall or a desert within this nationally recognized conservatory. Visit the palm, desert, orchid, and tropical exhibits and view 3,500 exotic plant species from around the world.
In addition to its permanent displays, the Krohn Conservatory offers special programs and exhibits throughout the year that kids will enjoy. Among them are the interactive train display during the holiday floral show, and the butterfly show.
The conservatory is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $4 adults, $2 for children ages 5 to 12.
Details: 1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-421-4086.
Take the kids on a self-guided tour through this 16,000 square foot museum featuring two floors of exhibit galleries. Interactive monitors throughout the museum are a fun way to learn about the history of the Cincinnati Reds, baseball’s oldest professional team.
Also on display are Reds artifacts, spanning the team’s early days to present. And of course, some of the biggest names in Reds history are enshrined in video and audio clips.
Hours during the baseball season are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-game days, 10 a.m. to two hours after a day game ends, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. when there are night games.
Off-season hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students, and Free for children age 4 and younger.
Details: 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-765-7923.
Who says art museums can’t be fun for kids? Exploring the art collections within the Cincinnati Art Museum becomes a fun adventure with the interactive scavenger hunt. Ask about the activity and special exhibition guides for kids at the visitor’s desk.
The museum displays over 60,000 works that span 6,000 years. Throughout the year are art-related programs and activities, as well as special events designed for families with children of all ages.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is free. Parking is $4 per vehicle.
Details: 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-721-2787.
There’s lot of things for kids to do in this castle, hand-built brick by brick by Sir Harry Delos Andrews. Before entering the castle, see if your kids can spot the four different types of towers.
Inside the castle, kids can view actual swords and period weapons, play games and puzzles, and learn about the castle’s ghosts and the Knights’ ghost stories.
The Loveland Castle is open daily April to September from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on weekends from October to March.
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 and younger.
Details: 12025 Shore Road, Loveland, Ohio, 45140; Phone: 513-683-4686.
If you want to teach children about the struggles for freedom in the United States, this museum brings stories to life. Not to be missed is the wall of handcrafted quilts depicting the history of African American freedom heroes.
The freedom center is filled with immersive exhibits that share the stories of freedom heroes from the past to present day. Other activities include family programs, gallery talks, films, and lectures.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $14 for adults, $10 for children ages 3-12, and Free for children under age 3.
Details: 50 East Freedom Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-333-7500.
Adults will love a walk down memory lane, while kids will love the colorful display of signs of different shapes, designs, and sizes advertising restaurants and retail businesses.
The museum’s collection offers a fascinating look into America through the years. Plus, kids can see neon signs being made in the museum’s working neon shop.
Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.
Admission is $15 for adults, Free for children ages 12 and younger with an accompanying adult, $10 for seniors ages 65 and older, and $10 for students and active duty military with ID.
Details: 1330 Monmouth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45225; Phone: 513-541-6366.
History buffs will enjoy exploring the birthplace of America’s 27th president and Chief Justice of the United States. The Greek Revival house is where William Howard Taft was born and grew up.
Throughout the Taft House museum are mementos of Taft’s political career and personal life. Guided tours of the Taft House are given every 30 minutes, starting on the hour and half hour.
During their visit, kids ages 6 through 12 can take part in the Junior Ranger Program by taking the guided tour and answering questions in an activity book. They’ll earn a badge and certificate upon completion.
The museum is open daily, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is free.
Details: 2038 Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219; Phone: 513-684-3262.
Honoring the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the historical home displays a look at Harriet Beecher Stowe’s family, friends, and colleagues of the family. It’s the perfect activity for kids who are either reading or already read the book.
The home, which can be viewed in a guided tour, includes history about the Underground Railroad, abolitionist, and rights movements that the Beecher-Stowe family and associates participated in from the 1830s to 1860s.
The historic home is open Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from February 1 through April 30 and Labor Day through November 30; and Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day. It is closed from Thanksgiving to January 31 and on all federal holidays.
There is no admission fee.
Details: 2950 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206; Phone: 513-751-0651.
Take kids to view aviation’s past, where they can see all types of restored airplanes and other aviation artifacts connected to the Cincinnati tri-state area and aviation in general.
In addition to exhibits, that include a Stinson SR-10C Reliant NC18496, the museum includes a library with a good collection of resources about aviation.
The museum is open Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Donations are requested.
Details: Room 26, Lunken Airport, 262 Wilmer Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226; Phone: 513-208-8145.
It’s a museum that offers hands-on exhibits, plus family art sessions. There’s the Hypar Room where children and families can investigate a puzzling space, the A-Z Art Lab that explores structures people use in their daily lives, and The Story Tree.
Kids can orchestrate their own thunderstorm, ride in the egg-shaped Rockin Trailer, explore and play in a cocoon-shaped dwelling called Wobble, and check out other exhibits, structures, and installations.
Hours of operation are Monday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for students, seniors, and educators, and Free for children under age 5.
Details: 44 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-345-8400.
Located in the historic 19th century Devou family home and known as the home for northern Kentucky’s heritage, this museum delights kids with its exhibits that focus on the area’s railways, roads, runways and rivers.
A must-do activity is the fossil hunt, where kids can dig in the dirt to find objects reflecting the history of northern Kentucky. After exploring the museum, be sure to visit the Civil War sites in Devou Park and explore the nature trails.
Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission prices are $7 for adults ages 18 to 59, $4 for children ages 3 to 17, and $6 for seniors age 60 and older.
Details: 1600 Montague Road, Devou Park, Covington, Kentucky 41011; Phone: 859-491-4003.
Discover the wonders of the universe with your kids with programs, labs, and exhibits that develop a love of science. A laser show is a popular summer show.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Drake Science Center.
For public planetarium shows, hours are select Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the third Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Admission to public shows are $10 at the door, $8 in advance, or $30 for a family four-pak.
Details: 2020 Sherman Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45212; Phone: 513-396-5578.
If your kids love to explore and do hands-on activities, this museum is for them. They can unload cargo with a flatboat man, help a printer in his shop, talk with a street car conductor, and take part in other activities from Cincinnati’s days gone by.
Costumed interpreters complement the exhibits, which include a replica of the Queen of the West steamboat, a recreation of the 1850 Cincinnati Public Landing, and a model of the city from the 1900s to 1940s, including working trains.
The Cincinnati History Museum is open daily except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is $10.50 for adults, $8.50 for children ages 3-12, $5.50 for toddlers ages 1-2, and Free for infants under age 1. Parking is $6 per vehicle.
Details: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203; Phone: 513-287-7000.
View the birthplace of Ulysses S. Grant, one of eight U.S. presidents who came from Ohio. The restored, three-room cottage, originally built in 1817, is furnished with period items.
A guided tour provides an interesting history lesson about the Ohio farmer who became president, his parents, the home’s furnishings, including straw beds, and what life was like back then.
Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour closing from Noon to 1 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $3 for adults, $1.50 for children ages 6 through 12, Free for children ages 5 and younger, and $2.00 for senior citizens.
Details: 1551 State Route 232, Point Pleasant, Ohio 45153; Phone: 1-800-283-8932.
Outdoor Museums
This wide open space invites families to explore both nature and art. Large, colorful sculptures are displayed within gardens, meadows and forests, and around lakes.
The sculpture park features four areas: North Woods, Central Valley, Overlook Hill, and East Ridge. Step into the Ancient Sculpture Museum to view Roman, Egyptian, Greek, and Etruscan sculptures that are thousands of years old.
Open year-round, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission is $8 adults, $3 children ages 6-12, Free for children ages 5 and younger.
Details: 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road, State Route 128, Hamilton, Ohio, 45013; Phone: 513-868-1234.
Walk the museum’s grounds and visit historic buildings that reflect life in Ohio during the 1800s. Kids also get a first-hand look at traditional crafts and cooking of 19th-century life through demonstrations.
Be sure to check out the historic Myers Schoolhouse, Fetter General Store, and the Chester Train Station.
Guided tours are available, or explore on your own.
The Heritage Village Museum is open year-round. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tours at 10:30 a.m., 12: 45 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with tours at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Admission with the guided tour is $5 adults, $3 children ages 5 to 11, and Free for children under 4. Admission for exhibits only is $2 for adults and $1 for children.
Details: Located in Sharon Woods Park, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, Ohio 45241; Phone: 513-563-9484.
Climb the stairs and step back in time when Union Terminal used to be a train yard. With a fantastic overview of Queensgate Freight Yard, where all rail operations were controlled, it’s easy to see why it was among the busiest train yards in the United States.
Kids will love watching training coming and going, while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Greater Cincinnati area.
Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.
Admission is free.
Details: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203; Phone: 513-287-7000.
Indoor Attractions
Amazing thrills await for everyone at the Newport Aquarium, like touching a shark, petting a penguin, or playing in an interactive frog bog.
Check out Mighty Mike, a 14-foot, 800-pound alligator, Thunder, a 118-pound alligator snapping turtle, and Bravo, a 600 pound, 84-year-old Galapagos tortoise.
View rare shark rays or see a dive show, which are scheduled throughout the day.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily.
Admission rates are $23 for adults, $15 for children ages 2 to 12, and Free for children under age 2.
Details: 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, Kentucky, 41071; Phone: 1-800-406-3474.
This 80,000 square foot entertainment center features two attractions: Train Journey and A-Maze-N Funhouse.
In train journey, more than 90 G-scale trains run along a 25,000 square foot area, featuring handcrafted cities and towns, cascading waterfalls, and forests.
There’s also a replica of the historic Coney Island Amusement Park, an interactive play area for kids, the American Railroad Museum, and a Great Train Expo Center with changing exhibits.
The funhouse features a circus midway with mirror mazes, a tilt room, a curtain maze, a spinning vortex tunnel, and more.
Admission for the Train Journey is $13.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages 3-12, $11.95 for seniors age 65 and older, and Free for children ages 2 and under.
Admission for the A-Maze-N Funhouse is $9.95.
EnterTRAINment Junction is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Noon to 6 p.m.
Details: 7379 Squire Court, West Chester, Ohio 45069; Phone: 513-898-8000.
Get ready for some climbing action in this 7,000 square foot climbing facility. There are short climbing walls for bouldering, or higher walls for rope climbing.
There is no minimum age for climbing and no experience necessary.
June 1 to August 31 hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., daily. September 1 to May 31 hours are Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A daily pass is $10 per person. Sunday is Kids Night after 5 p.m., with a day pass costing $8 for children ages 2 to 13.
Save on the $5 shoe rental by wearing sneakers or closed toed shoes.
Details: 10898 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242; Phone: 513-891-4850.
Play an exhilarating game of world-class laser tag while competing in a futuristic outpost at some place in the galaxy. Soft celestial sounds and pulsating music add to the excitement.
After the game, head to the trampoline park, or the arcade, with its mix of video and game redemption games, including a time freak arena.
Laser tag pricing is $8 per mission for individuals, with group pricing available for groups of 10 and more.
Trampoline park pricing is $9.50 for a 30-minute jump session and $14 for a 60-minute session.
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to Midnight; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, Noon to 8 p.m.
Details: 7082 Columbia Road, Maineville, Ohio 45039; Phone: 513-339-1030.
By day, take a tour of the two national historic landmark buildings and by night, view the stars in the observatory, the birthplace of American astronomy and home to the world’s oldest telescope.
Historic tours are offered the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
In the observatory, viewings are offered Thursday and Friday nights, with each session focusing on a new planet, nebula, or star cluster.
Admission is $5 per person.
Details: 3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208; Phone: 513-321-5186.
See what you and the kids can spot from the 49th floor of the observation deck of the Carew Tower, the second tallest building in Cincinnati and the highest elevated building in the city.
The panoramic view shows key areas of the greater Cincinnati region. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the shops and restaurants located within the tower.
Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children.
Details: 441 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-579-9735.
Nine huge inflatables and a gymnastic play center provide the fun in this 16,000 square foot facility for kids of all ages.
Open recreation hours are Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Noon to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Regular admission is $5 per half hour, per child ages 3 to 15, or $10 per hour, per child. Free for children 18 months and younger.
Youngsters 18 months to age 3 receive half off admission Monday through Thursday.
Special promotions include Family Night Mondays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., featuring half price admission for all ages and free popcorn, and Five Dollar Fridays, with the admission price $5 per hour, per child.
Details: Cincinnati Mall, Entry #2, 1050 Cincinnati Mills Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240; Phone: 513-563-2600.
Play laser tag in this high-tech hide-and-seek gaming platform that combines 18th century pirate ships with a Caribbean village.
There’s two locations, both featuring an arcade. The West location also offers blacklight miniature golf with a pirate theme.
Hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to Midnight; Saturday, Noon to Midnight; and Sunday, Noon to 7 p.m.
Rates are $7 for one game, $13 for two games, and $17 for three games.
Details: West location: 5055 Glencrossing Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238; Phone: 513-922-4999; East location: 491 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255; Phone: 513-528-3696.
Experience adventure, fitness, and education with rock climbing, ideal for adults and children of all ages. It’s a natural activity with no upper body strength required.
Choose from two types of climbing: bouldering, which is low to the ground and does not use a rope, and rope, where a harness and a rope are used as you climb walls up to 40-feet high.
Climbing hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Rates are $15 for a general climbing day pass, $10 for bouldering only. Rates do not include the $5 harness or shoe rentals.
Details: 3475 East Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45241; Phone: 513-733-0123.
Jump around with the kids on massive inflatables during open jump sessions. Choose from Open Jump, Glow Jump, or Ice Cream Jump.
Glow Jump features a glow-in-the-dark arena and special effects lighting, with each child receiving a glow-in-the-dark bracelet. Ice Cream Jump includes ice cream after the jumping session.
Inflatables include a bungee jump, a 40-foot obstacle course, a rock wall, a slide, a basketball bouncer, and slippery slope. There are also games, like T-ball.
Glow Jump is Monday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ice Cream Jump is Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All other times are Open Jump.
Rates are $8 per child, $2 for walking toddlers under age 2. Game tokens are $0.25.
Details: 7724 Service Center Drive, West Chester, OH 45069; Phone: 513-829-7867.
With play areas for kids of all ages and adults who want to join in, this multi-level indoor play area delivers fun.
The main area is Jack’s Playground, with adventure stations featuring lots of climbs, slides, and interactive elements.
There’s also a Toddler Zone and a Jump’s Inflatables attraction, which is every Friday night, Monday holidays, and summer weekdays.
Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 pm.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 pm.; and Sunday, Noon to 8 pm.
Walk-in pricing for kids ages 3 and older is $8 weekdays, $10 Friday starting at 5 p.m. For toddlers up to age 2, the price is $4 every day. Free for adults.
Details: 7102 Office Park Drive, West Chester, OH 45069; Phone: 513-779-5867.
It’s all about sports activities at this indoor practice facility. Play a game of air hockey or pool with your kids, or challenge each other in the video arcade area.
The inflatable sports arena is a big draw for kids, as well as the machine batting cages, designed for all ages and abilities.
Summer hours are: Monday through Friday, Noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Noon to 6 p.m.
Fall hours are: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.
Winter hours are: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Noon to 6 p.m.
Token prices are 3 for $1, 18 for $5, 50 for $10, and 110 for $20.
Details: 10138 Transportation Way, West Chester, OH 45069; Phone: 513-860-4636.
This four-level playground delivers the fun, with tubes, tunnels, racing slides, and spiral slides, providing the excitement.
Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Prices, which include tax, are $2.14 for children under age 3, $5.34 for children ages 3 and older, or $16.01 for a 5 play discount pass.
Details: 836 Reading Road, Mason, Ohio 45040; Phone: 513-229-7315.
Race each other in kid and adult size go-karts on this high speed indoor go-kart track. Racers drive around 14 challenging turns, reaching speeds of 40 mph, as they race against the clock for the fastest lap.
Racing hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to Midnight; and Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.
Rates are $20 for adults for one race and $15 for youth for one race. There is also a $2 fee for a head sock, which is required with loaner helmets.
A family pack is available for $65 that includes 2 adult and 2 youth races and four head socks.
Details: 11725 Commons Drive, Springdale, Ohio 45246; Phone: 513-341-5278.
Outdoor Attractions
Visit with the animals in the Cincinnati Zoo and then take a stroll and enjoy the beauty of the botanical gardens.
The zoo features numerous exhibits inhabited by a wide array of animals, including lions, elephants, polar bears, penguins, tigers, giraffes, painted dogs, and manatees, just to name a few.
The botanical gardens bloom with a collection of native plants and flowers, as well as garden exhibits that include rain gardens, butterfly gardens, oriental gardens, and more.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, May 24 through September 1; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, September 2 through May 23.
General admission tickets are $15 for adults ages 13 to 61 and $11 for children ages 2 to 12 and senior citizens age 62 and older.
Details: 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220; Phone: 513-281-4700.
A diverse selection of activities await at the Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods. The grounds are rich in heritage, with trails that pass an early 1800s pioneer cabin, a 1918 stone lodge, an herb wall, and oak trees planted in the early 1920s.
Designed especially for kids and accompanying adults, the Marge & Charles Schott Nature PlayScape provides unstructured play in a 1.6 acre natural play area surrounded by forest, fields, wetlands and streams.
The Rowe Visitor Center offers exhibits with interactive touch tables, a children’s play area, and a large viewing window with computers, guidebooks, and binoculars.
Ground hours are November through January, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; February, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; March and September, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; April, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; May and August, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; June and July, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and October, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for children ages 4 to 12, and $6 for active military members and seniors age 65 and older.
Details: 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, Ohio 45150; Phone: 513-831-1711.
Disc golf is the main attraction at this outdoor park. The 18-hole course is designed for both beginners and experienced players.
After a game of golf, continue the fun at Parky’s Wetland Adventure playground or view the wildlife exhibits in the Visitor’s Center. There’s also biking and hiking on the nature or Parcours trails.
Hours are daily, from dawn to dusk. Parky’s playground is seasonal, open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission is $3 per vehicle, with a separate $3 admission per child to Parky’s Wetland Adventure.
Details: 8250 Old Kellogg Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255; Phone: 513-521-7275.
The birthplace of American paleontology, this state park offers an outdoor discovery area, complete with a Discovery Trail where kids can view a bison herd, part of an effort to reestablish herds that once roamed the area.
The 4.5-mile Discovery Trail leads to a bog diorama and a salt-sulphur spring. The park also features a 7.5-acre lake and two family playgrounds.
Big Bone Lick State Park is open daily, year-round, from dawn to dusk.
Free admission.
Details: 3380 Beaver Road, Union, Kentucky, 41091; Phone: 859-384-3522.
A butterfly garden, a wildflower garden, and a two-story barn round out the outdoor attractions at this nature preserve, where kids will find learning about nature fun and exciting.
The barn features exhibits and is the place where various nature programs and special events are held.
Hours are daily from dawn to dusk.
Park admission is $3 per vehicle.
Details: 3455 Poole Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45251; Phone: 513-521-7275.
Designed like a child’s friendship bracelet, this grand park features a stunning display of sculpture and flora representing five continents and promoting international peace.
While viewing the gardens, kids will learn about Cincinnati’s first African-American mayor, and the importance of global understanding and world unity.
Hours are daily, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission is free.
Details: 1101 Riverside Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-352-4080.
Kids can explore Ohio’s historic heritage by stopping in at the historic Springhouse School and Log Cabin, or viewing Native American archaeological earthworks.
Other attractions include nature trails and a playground. Not to be missed are the incredible views of the Ohio River and the Great Miami River valleys from the lookout.
Shawnee Lookout is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Admission is $3 per vehicle.
Details: 2008 Lawrenceburg Road, North Bend, Ohio 45052; Phone: 513-521-7275.
Fun for the whole family awaits with a 36-hole miniature golf course and three driving ranges to practice your golf swing.
The mini golf course features challenging turns, twists, hills, and water traps. The heated covered range, open air range, and elevated range include new range balls that measure your distance to the flags with laser accuracy.
Hours are daily, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with miniature golf offered seasonally.
Admission for miniature golf is $10 for ages 11 and older and $8 for children ages 10 and younger.
Driving range rates are $6, $8, $10, and $12, depending on the bucket size of golf balls.
Details: 7630 Columbia Road, Maineville, Ohio 45039; Phone: 513-459-4653.
This 12-acre garden is designed to encourage children and adults to discover and explore the natural world in a fun way. It features seven small gardens, each with engaging features.
Traverse the gardens and spot the Frog and Toad Garden, walk through the forest and across the swinging bridge to the Wizard’s Garden, climb the 25-foot Discovery Tree to the tree house, and enter the Storybook Garden, complete with a Trolley Garden with trains and a trolley.
Kids can also check out what’s growing in the eye-level vegetable garden, sniff and touch the plants in Grandma’s Scent Garden, look for fairies in the Fairy Garden, and walk through the caterpillar tunnel in the Butterfly Garden.
Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m., January through March and November and December; and Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m., April through October, weather permitting.
Admission is $5 for ages 12 and older, $4 for ages 2 to 12, and Free for youngsters under age 2.
A family pass for a family of four can be purchased for $40, with each additional person $5 each at the time of purchase.
Details: 10397 Springfield Pike, Glenwood Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215; Phone: 513-521-7275.
This 90-acre park is one of Cincinnati’s oldest and is filled with lots of outdoor activities. There’s a fishing lake, a disc golf course, hiking trails, and playgrounds.
Birdwatching is also a popular activity in the park. Be sure to check out the 84-ton pink granite sculpture positioned in Stonehenge fashion.
Also on-site is a Trailside Nature Center, a children’s museum, and the Wolff Planetarium.
Hours are daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is free.
Details: Burnet Woods Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45220; Phone: 513-751-3679.
Inclusive Playgrounds
Located in Beech Acres Park, the playground for children with and without disabilities is designed to encourage imaginative and active play.
There’s a Tot Lot for infants to age 5 featuring a sand play area, a playhouse, a mini mountain for climbing, swings, and a train with a train station.
For older children, there’s a play area with slides, rock climbing, Sasquatch-tall climbing boulders, a large fort-like play unit, and bongos for making music.
For all ages, there’s a seasonal water play area, a Sway Fun® glider, and a riverboat shelter.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily.
Admission is free.
Details: 6910 Salem Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45230-2959; Phone: 513-474-0003.
This universally accessible playground includes wide ramps, physical fitness elements, and rubber safety surfaces.
Hours are daily from dawn to dusk.
Admission is $3 per car.
Details: 11982 Conrey Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249; Phone: 513-742-1091.
Located along the river at Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman’s Cove, the custom playground, designed in the shape of a steamboat, is accessible to all children, including those in wheelchairs or with visual impairments.
The climbing structures includes ramps for access by all. The 10,500 square foot play area also features slides; finger mazes; tactile puzzles; swings, including therapeutic ones; a music area with musical instruments; a play village; and much more.
Hours are daily, dawn to dusk.
There is no admission fee.
Details: 801 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 352-1616.
The 10,000 square foot playground with a rubber surface for easy maneuvering has a variety of play equipment that is fully accessible to people of all abilities.
The play area includes many climbing features, swings with open, zero-G, or tot seat options, a sandlot with accessible backhoes, a music play area, sand and water tables, and much more
The playground is open daily, from dawn to dusk.
Admission is free.
Details: 3514 Bevis Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio 45251; Phone: 513-385-7500.
Located in Dudley Memorial Park, the boundless playground is accessible to children and adults of all ages and abilities.
Play equipment includes slides, swings, and play systems that encourage playing and learning in a fun environment.
The playground is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Admission is free.
Details: 5700 Yankee Road, Liberty Township, Ohio 45044; Phone: 513-759-7500.
The 150-acre Beckett Park includes a boundless playground on the park’s east side that provides opportunities for active play for children of all ages and abilities.
A shelter is located next to the playground where families can picnic or take a break from playing.
In the summer, there’s a water feature and in the winter, ice skating on the two ponds.
Park hours are daily, dawn to dusk.
There is no admission fee.
Details: 8682 and 8630 Beckett Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069; Phone: 513-777-5900.
Parks and Recreational Trails
This bicycle trail is in Little Miami Scenic State Park and is the fourth longest paved rail trail in the United States, following an old railway line.
The scenic bike ride offers views of rivers, woodlands, Indian burial grounds and more. Biking destinations are plentiful.
For a 1.75 mile ride, follow the trail to Riverview Park and its playground. For longer rides of a few hours, bike the trail from Loveland to Milford, Morrow, or Lebanon.
The Loveland Bike Trail is open daily, year-round.
The bike trail is free to use.
Details: 206 Railroad Avenue, Loveland, Ohio 45140; Phone: 513-897-3055.
Outdoor recreation is the name of the game at this 45-acre park, known for its spectacular view of Cincinnati’s Roebling Suspension Bridge.
Take a bike ride on the park’s trail, walk the promenade along the river, play in the playgrounds, and, in the warm weather, cool off at the interactive fountains, cascades, and water curtains.
The park is open daily, from dawn to dusk.
Admission is free.
Details: West Mehring Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-352-4079.
If you and the kids enjoy fishing, biking, or hiking, the Mitchell Memorial Forest has it all. There are trails to meet all ages and fitness levels.
The Wood Duck nature trail is a one mile walk or ride, while the mountain bike trail is a more challenging 8.1 mile ride or hike. There’s also a playground and a catch and release fishing pond.
Hours are daily from dawn to dusk.
Park admission is $3 per vehicle.
Details: 5401 Zion Road, Cleves, Ohio 45002; Phone: 513-521-7275.
The 123-acre park along Mill Creek features numerous woodland trails for hiking.
The creek side trails make for a scenic hike with its many wildflowers. In addition, kids can get a glimpse of history with the trails’ collections of fossils and clay deposits.
The park also features tennis courts, playgrounds, catch and release ponds, and the Cabin in the Clearing, which offers numerous programs throughout the year.
Hours are daily, dawn to dusk.
Admission is free.
Details: 7211 and 7411 Barret Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069; Phone: 513-777-5900.
The largest of the Great Parks of Hamilton County, the Miami Whitewater Forest offers horseback riding, biking, hiking, fitness and nature trails, and other recreational activities for adults and kids of all ages.
The park features the Shaker Trace Horse Tail, a circular trail of 7.2 miles, and the Wooded Horse Trails with three loop trails totaling 7.74 miles.
Paved trails for walking, biking, and hiking range in length from 0.6 miles to 7.8 miles. There’s also a 1.4 mile Parcours fitness trail and a 1.4 mile Timberlakes nature trail.
Other activities to do with kids include a 9-hole disc golf course and a soccer complex.
Park hours are daily, dawn to dusk.
Admission fee is $3 per vehicle.
Details: 9001 Mt. Hope Road, Crosby Township, Ohio 45030; Phone: 513-367-4774.
This paved recreational trail is open to walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users, and rollerbladers. It’s well shaded and offers lots of interesting attractions along its 330 miles of trail.
The trail begins in Newtown and ends in Springfield. Among the area’s attractions are Fort Ancient, Hartman’s Rock Garden, and John Bryan State Park.
The trail, which winds through the southwestern Ohio countryside, also runs parallel to the river in some sections.
Hours are daily, dawn to dusk.
There is no admission fee.
Details: Start at Avoca Park, 8063 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227; Phone: 513-521-7275.
An assortment of recreational activities for kids can be enjoyed in this park, and bring the family dog along because there’s a 10-acre dog park, complete with a canine shower.
For water recreation, the park includes a river outlook with canoe access to the Little Miami River.
The park itself offers several biking and walking trails, including the five mile Lunken Airfield Loop.
Otto Armleder Memorial Park is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Admission is $3 per vehicle.
Details: 5057 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226; Phone: 513-521-7275.
Lake Activities
This is an ideal place to fish with kids. There are four lakes stocked with northern pike, bluefill, bass, and crappie.
You can fish from the bank, a kayak, a canoe, or a jon boat, with no Ohio fishing license required.
Bass and northern pike are catch and release, but you can keep 10 crappie and bluegill per day.
Campbell Lakes Preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Park admission is $3 per vehicle.
Details: 10431 Campbell Road, Harrison, Ohio 45030; Phone: 513-521-7275.
This former rock quarry is now a 28-acre lake stocked weekly from March to October, so kids are sure to catch a bite.
Fishing is permitted from the bank, dock, or a rental boat. An on-site boathouse offers bait, tackle, and fishing gear, or bring your own.
Lake Isabella is open daily, dawn to dusk.
Admission is $3 daily to enter the park.
Details: 10174 Loveland-Madeira Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45140; Phone: 513-521-7275.
Lake activities abound at this 730 acre family park. The harbor area offers fishing off the pier, boat rentals of all types, and a playground with water features.
Around the lake is the Gorge nature trail, a one mile Parcours exercise trail, and biking or hiking trails. The Sharon Center offers nature displays and a two-story indoor play area called Adventure Station.
Sharon Woods is open daily, dawn to dusk.
Admission is $3 per vehicle. Boat rental hourly rates range from $10.77 to $40.28.
Details: 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, Ohio 45241; Phone: 513-563-4513.
Located adjacent to Corwin M. Nixon Park, this 82-acre park features two fishing lakes, stocked several times a year. In the warm weather, fishing by moonlight is offered on selected days.
Surrounding the lakes are two miles of nature trails, wooded areas, open meadows known for their butterflies, and a tree arboretum. When there’s snow, check out the sledding hill.
The area also includes Pine Hill Lodge, where nature activities are conducted. There’s also a wildlife viewing area at the lodge.
Pine Hill Lakes Park is open year-round. Moonlight fishing, with days announced in the spring, is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
Admission is free, but a fishing pass is required for anyone over age 10. Daily fishing pass rates are $8.75 for adults, $5.50 for children ages 10 to 12, and seniors age 60 and older.
Details: 211 Kings Mills Road, Mason, Ohio 45040; Phone: 513-229-8550.
Amusement Parks
The largest amusement and water park in the Midwest offers a ton of things to do with kids, including thrill rides, family rides, live entertainment, and Planet Snoopy, featuring Peanuts-themed rides and attractions for all ages.
The Soak City waterpark features more than 50 water activities for adults and kids to enjoy, including 30 water slides, surfable waves, tropical lagoons, water rides, rushing rivers, a lazy river, and two giant wave pools.
The 364-acre amusement park also includes Dinosaurs Alive!, the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur park. A separate admission ticket is required for those not purchasing a gold or platinum admission pass.
Kings Island is open from April through November, with hours varying for weekdays and weekends. Soak City is open May through September.
Single day admission is $39.99 per person and $37.99 for children under 48 inches tall and senior citizens age 62 and older. Seasonal and other package options are offered.
Parking is $15 per vehicle.
Details: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, Ohio 45040; Phone: 513-754-5700.
Classic amusement rides, a sunlite pool with waterslides, live shows, a miniature golf course, a kids-sized version of a western town, and an arcade are the attractions at this amusement park.
Coney Island Park, located on the banks of the Ohio River, is open May through October, with daily hours varying for weekdays and weekends.
Admission prices for both the classic rides and sunlite pool and waterslides is $23.95 for ages 5 and older, and $10.95 for children ages 2 to 4.
Classic rides only prices are $12.95 for ages 5 and older, and $6.95 for ages 2 to 4. Admission to only the sunlite pool and waterslides is $13.95 for ages 5 and older, and $4.95 for ages 2 to 4.
Discounted prices are offered for after 4 p.m. admission and for Print@Home ticket purchases.
Parking is $8 per vehicle.
Details: 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45230; Phone: 513-232-8230.
Waterparks and Spraygrounds
This aquatic center offers plenty of splashing fun for kids and adults of all ages. Among the water attractions are a lazy river, spray grounds, spiral and speed slides, and a competition pool.
Sun and shade options range from sunbathing areas to funbrellas to sun shelters. There is a bathhouse and a concession area.
Open late May to mid-August from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily.
Admission is $10 adults ($7 for Florence residents), $7 for children ages 3 to 15 ($5 for Florence residents), and Free for children ages 2 and younger.
Details: 8200 Ewing Boulevard in the Florence Government Center complex, Florence, Kentucky 41042; Phone: 859-647-4619.
Located in the Crowne Plaza Cincinnati North, this 50,000 square foot indoor waterpark features lots of water rides for all ages in a balmy year-round temperature of 84 degrees.
The waterpark includes four, 40-foot body and raft waterslides, tube rides, giant whirlpools, slides for tots, an activity pool, a multi-level interactive play island, and an outdoor tanning deck.
CoCo Key Water Resort is open daily, year-round. Hours depend on the day, but are generally 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
General admission is $22.99 for guests over 48 inches, $17.99 for those under 48 inches, and Free for children ages 2.
Twilight pricing, available from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. is $17.99 for guests over 48 inches and $12.99 for guests under 48 inches. Family 4-pack and annual passes are also available.
Details: 11320 Chester Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246; Phone: 513-771-2080.
This 79,000 square foot indoor waterpark keeps adults and kids of all ages occupied with its collection of water rides, mega slides, and play areas by age group.
At the center of the waterpark is a four-story interactive tree house, complete with suspension bridges, soaking spray stations, and swinging cargo nets.
Great Wolf Lodge waterpark is open daily, year-round. However, you must be a guest of the resort to use the waterpark. Nightly rates start at $151.99.
Details: 2501 Great Wolf Drive, Mason, OH 45040; Phone: 513-459-8885.
Located on a 10-acre lake, the attraction features the Aqua Glide waterpark and the only full-sized cable wake park in the Midwest.
In the waterpark, fun awaits on giant inflatables for sliding and jumping into the lake. Connecting inflatables create an obstacle course in the lake.
In the wake park, adults and children ages 5 and older can wakeboard, kneeboard, wakeskate and water ski on the 10-acre lake.
Wake Nation is open May through October. Hours in May are: Wednesday through Sunday, Noon to 8 p.m.; from June through August: Monday, Noon to 8 p.m., and Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; in September: Thursday and Friday, Noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and in October: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to Dark.
Aqua Glide prices are $5 for one hour, $8 for two hours, $12 for four hours, and $14 for an all-day pass.
Admission to the wake park is $30 for two hours, $35 for four hours, and $40 for an all-day pass. Equipment rentals are an additional charge. Add the waterpark for an additional $5.
Details: 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, Fairfield, Ohio 45014; Phone: 513-887-9253.
The 35-acre park features a heated wave pool, water slides, children’s play areas, and a zip line for soaring high over the park.
The water fun is surrounded by a tropical setting, complete with live palm trees, waterfalls, crashing waves, and white ocean sands.
Dive-in movies and live music are also scheduled events on most days, or play in the family arcade.
The Beach is open May through September. Hours vary, but from late June to mid-August, hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
General admission is $28.99 at the gate or $23.99 if tickets are purchased online. Children ages 3 and under are admitted Free with a paying adult.
There is an $8 parking fee.
Details: 2590 Water Park Drive, Mason, Ohio 45040; Phone: 513-398-7946.
This indoor waterpark has 12,000 square feet of water fun, including a 116-foot long water slide, splash zone, an interactive spray park, and a relaxing current channel.
There are also two indoor pools, including one for laps. A heated outdoor pool has a diving board and a tanning deck.
Hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Mayerson JCC membership is required to use the waterpark for Free. Members can purchase guest passes for two guests at one visit. A guest pass is $8 for ages 16 and older, $4 for ages 3 to 15, and Free for ages 2 and younger.
Details: 8485 Ridge Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236; Phone: 513-761-7500.
The 15-acre park features a sprayground for families to enjoy with lots of motion activated features.
Hours are daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
There is no admission fee.
Details: 3514 Bevis Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio 45251; Phone: 513-385-7500.
Performing Arts
The theatre offers performances especially for families. The one hour productions, which range from drama and music to dance and visual arts, appeal to all ages and interests.
Performance dates and times vary, depending on the show.
Advanced purchase of four balcony seats is $11.54 each or $46.16.
Parking is available at meters, parking lots, or parking garages.
Details: The Taft Theatre, 5th & Sycamore Streets, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-569-8080, ext. 10.
Aimed at introducing kids to the visual and performing arts, the theatre presents one hour performances that range from musicals and plays to puppet and magic shows.
Presented in the Krueger Auditorium in the Peter-Jones building on the University of Cincinnati Clermont College campus, most presentations feature free, pre-show activities.
Dates and performance times vary, depending on the show.
Tickets range from $5 to $7 per person, Free for children ages 2 and younger.
Details: 4200 Clermont College Drive, Batavia, Ohio 45103; Phone: 513-558-1215.
With the goal of presenting family-friendly performances to families with children ages 5 to 18, the theatre performs popular plays and musicals.
In addition, children have the opportunity to become involved in the theater, either as a performer, a crew member, or behind the scenes.
Performances are usually held Friday and Saturday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the Mason High School Theatre, 6100 Mason-Montgomery Road.
Ticket prices vary by performance, but are typically in the $10 to $12 range.
Details: 308 West Main Street, Mason, Ohio 45040; Phone: 513-398-0116.
Located in the Kids First Sports Center, the Kids First Playhouse showcases the talents and skills of children by presenting dramatic, musical, and dance performances on its full-size theatrical stage.
Performance times vary, but are typically Saturday, 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for general seating and $12 for premium seating.
Details: 7900 East Kemper, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249; Phone: 513-489-7575.
The Lollipops Family Concerts offer a perfect opportunity to introduce children to music. Each concert is designed to spark a child’s imagination.
Performed by the Cincinnati Pops, under the direction of conductor John Morris Russell, the one-hour concerts also include a family fun zone before the performance.
Performances are scheduled on a Saturday at 10:30 a.m., with the fun zone at 9:30 a.m.
Tickets for orchestra, balcony and gallery seating are $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 12 and younger. Limited view seating is $6 for adults, $3.50 for children.
Details: 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-621-1919.
Farm Attractions
There’s lot of things for kids to do on a farm, especially a family farm. Activities coordinate with the seasons, but at Niederman Family Farm, you can always visit the farm animals and play in Paintball Country.
From mid-April to June, the farm also offers two-hour farm tours that include a tractor ride. In the fall, activities include a hayride, corn maze, a pumpkin patch, a jumping pillow, and more. For the Christmas season, there’s a free holiday display, including a nativity display.
Hours for farm activities vary, so it’s best to call ahead or visit the farm’s website before you visit.
Farm tours are $7 per person. Fall festival admission is $10 per person, Free for children under age 2.
Prices for Paintball Country are based on the rental package you select, plus a $10 per person field fee.
Details: 5110 Lesourdsville W. Chester Road, Liberty Township, OH 45011; Phone: 513-779-6184.
The 100 acre educational farm offers a bounty of activities, including wagon rides, pony rides, and an indoor playground for ages 2 to 12 in Parky’s Playbarn, a converted dairy barn.
Fun farm programs are also offered throughout the year for kids of all ages. Special events include Pioneer Pastimes, Halloween Nights and a Pumpkin Patch.
Parky’s Farm is open daily year-round, from dawn to dusk.
Admission to the farm is $3 per vehicle. Programs, pony and wagon rides, and other special farm events require a fee, which varies.
Details: 10073 Daly Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231; Phone: 513-521-3276.
At this 122 acre working and outdoor educational family farm, adults and kids can learn the history, methods, and values of a local working family farm.
The farm features a farmyard, a hen house, a rabbit house, a children’s garden, orchards and gardens, a rock quarry, a pond, and walking trails.
The farm offers guided and self-guided tours, events, garden workshops, education programs, cooking classes, and family classes.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 3 to 17 and senior citizens age 60 and older, and Free for children under 3.
Programs and some events have additional fees and may require advance registration.
Details: 10052 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio; Phone: 513-563-6663.
It’s year-round farm fun at this educational farm whose mission is to help people touch the earth. Kids get direct contact with animals and plants, with activities, like storytelling, singing, dancing, and drama, enhancing the experience.
Throughout the year, the farm schedules different activities. For example, in the winter, kids ages 5 and older can hike with their favorite farm animals. Farm tours are geared for the season, such as Pumpkin Patch, School Day, and Family Day tours.
Other activities and demonstrations include craft workshops, sheep shearing, maple syrup days, and pioneer days, which includes blacksmithing, weaving, and woodworking demonstrations.
The farm is open year-round. Hours vary, so call ahead or check the website.
Admission is free, but some activities have fees.
Details: 103 Gibson Lane, Wilder, Kentucky 41076; Phone: 859-781-5502.
Sightseeing Tours
Take the kids on a ferry ride to tour the Kentucky side of the Cincinnati tri-state area. You can take your car or bikes on the ferry, or tour Boone County by foot.
The Anderson Ferry, in operation since 1817, connects Cincinnati to Hebron, Kentucky. The five-minute ferry ride to the other side offers some nice scenic views along the Ohio River.
The ferry runs daily, with early morning and late evening runs. It does not operate on Christmas Day.
Admission is $1.50 for passenger and bicycle, $8 roundtrip ticket for car and passengers.
Board on Anderson Ferry Road, which is on Cincinnati’s west side.
Details: 4030 River Road, Hebron, KY 41048; Phone: 859-586-5007.
What child doesn’t love a train ride? You can tour scenic Warren County on a 1930s train and ride in either an open gondola car or a closed car.
During the train tour, the conductor will share railway history and lore. Throughout the year, the LM&M also offers specialty and themed rides, like Clifford’s Big Red Train Ride, the Civil War Train, and A Day Out with Thomas, designed especially for kids.
Special holiday rides are also scheduled, like the Easter Bunny Express, the Pumpkin Patch Express, and the Polar Express.
Ticket office hours are Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday during scheduled events.
Tickets range from $5 to $18.50, depending on age and the type of train ride or event.
Details: 127 South Mechanic Street, Lebanon, Ohio 45036; Phone: 513-933-8022.
Located at the Creation Museum, families can soar across sky bridges and a three-acre lake on over two and a half miles of zip lines.
There are different zip line options, including dual racing lines, the longest in the region. There’s also the Aerial Challenge Course for adults and kids ages 5 and up that features challenging elements, like swinging planks, loop-to-loops, and a slide, all while 45-feet high.
Zip line and canopy adventure tours are offered mid-March through December. Dates and times vary, so call or check the website. Advance reservations are recommended.
Rates range from $24.95 to $118, depending on age and the type and length of the zip line tour.
Details: 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, Kentucky 41080; Phone: 1-800-721-2298.
During this 45-minute rotunda tour, adults and kids learn all about Union Terminal, a national historic landmark and an architectural wonder.
Throughout the indoor walking tour, Cincinnati Heritage docents explain the Art Deco style architecture, and provide fascinating details on the famous mosaic murals.
Tours are offered on the hour on Saturdays, Noon to 3 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission to Union Terminal and the tour is free.
Details: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203; Phone: 513-287-7000.
This self-guided tour in Covington’s Historic Licking Riverside neighborhood is designed so kids can learn the history of the area in a fun way.
Along the Riverwalk, families will find seven life-like statues of these historical figures: James Bradley, John James Audubon, Chief Little Turtle, Captain Mary B. Greene, Daniel Carter Beard, John A. Roebling, and Simon Kenton.
Each historical figure displays information on the individual’s contribution to the history of Greater Cincinnati.
Hours are daily until dusk. There is no admission fee for the self-guided tour.
Details: Riverside Drive and Greenup Street, Covington, Kentucky 41011; Phone: 859-655-4159.
A great activity to do with kids is a Segway tour of the Cincinnati area. Each tour route is two hours, which includes training and the guided ride.
Three tours are offered. The Riverfront Tour highlights the riverfront and travels into northern Kentucky via the Purple People Bridge. The Eden Park Tour features 14 points of interest in the park. Cincinnati’s Center City Tour explores downtown and the Banks, Over-the-Rhine and Pendleton neighborhoods.
Tours are offered Tuesday through Friday. The Riverfront Tour runs Wednesday through Saturday, the Eden Park Tour, Sunday through Tuesday, and the Center City Tour is offered on the first Sunday and the third Wednesday of the month.
Standard tour times are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m., 9: 30 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m., Noon, 4 p.m., and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m.
Each tour costs $60 per person.
Details: 1150 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-225-1583.
Take the kids on a horse-drawn carriage tour around downtown Cincinnati. All carriages are equipped with heated blankets and AM/FM CD stereos.
The tour passes the city’s historic buildings, city parks, historic churches, and other landmarks.
Tours are offered throughout the day and evening by reservations, or Friday and Saturday evenings on a first come, first serve basis, weather permitting.
Prices start at $35 for a 30 minute ride.
Details: Vine Street and 5th carriage stand, in front of Tiffany’s across from Fountain Square, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-309-3251.
Sightseeing cruises and kid-friendly themed cruises are offered aboard the BB Riverboats. The one-hour sightseeing cruises tour the Cincinnati/northern Kentucky riverfront, offering a history of the river.
The kid cruises range from 90 minutes to two hours. Among the tour offerings are Pirates on the Ohio Cruise, Ice Cream Social Sundays, Princess Cruise, Super Hero Cruise, Kids Valentine’s Day Ball Cruise, and Little Goblins and Ghouls Costume Cruise.
Sightseeing and kids cruises are offered Tuesday through Sunday. Visit the website for departure times.
Cruise prices start at $20 for adults, $14 for children, with prices varying for special themed cruises. Cruises that include lunch and dinner also can be purchased.
Details: 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Kentucky 41071; Phone: 1-800-261-8586.
This 45-minute amphibious sightseeing tour is ideal for families with kids. The tour starts on the city streets around downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, and Newport, Kentucky, then hits the water as the Duck boat drives into the Ohio River.
Along the way, the Duck captain points out some of the region’s landmarks, including the World Peace Bell, the Paul Brown Stadium, Covington’s Historic Riverside Drive, and the Great American Ballpark.
Kids love the Wacky Quacker noisemaker given out to all guests. The tour guide encourages guests to use the noisemaker when the tour passes large groups of people on the streets or boats on the river.
Tours are offered every day, between Noon and 5 p.m., from April 23 to May 20; between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. from May 21 to September 3; and between Noon and 5 p.m., September 4 through November 18.
Tour tickets are $17 for adults, $12 for children ages 2 to 12, and Free for children under 2.
Details: 1 Levee Way, Newport, Kentucky 41071; Phone: 859-815-1439.
Sports
Experience a major league ballgame in the Great American Ballpark and cheer on the home team, the Cincinnati Reds.
The season runs from April to October, with game times varying between day and night games.
Single tickets prices range from $5 to $255, based on your seating preference. Check out the various ticket promotions for different games.
Details: 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202; Phone: 513-765-7000.
Head out to Paul Brown Stadium, do some tailgating as a family, and then cheer on the Cincinnati Bengals.
Preseason games start in August, with regular season games running from September to January.
Game times vary from early afternoon, late afternoon, or evening.
Single game ticket prices vary, depending on your choice of seats in the stadium.
Details: 1 Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-621-8383.
Take the kids out to a ballgame and watch the Florence Freedom team take on other teams in the Frontier League. Throughout the game, family entertainment keeps the kids engaged in the action.
Team mascots Liberty and Belle entertain, plus there are playground areas, interactive fan activities on the big video board, games, and music.
The season runs from May through September.
Tickets are $10 for reserved seats close to the Kids Zone, or $12 for dugout seats directly behind the dugout.
Details: 7950 Freedom Way, Florence, Kentucky 41042; Phone: 859-594-HITS.
Catch an exciting hockey game and cheer on the home team, the Cincinnati Cyclones. Twister, the team’s mascot, entertains the kids between the action on the ice.
The season runs from October through April, with game times varying between afternoon and evening.
Single game ticket prices range in price from $13 to $26.50, depending on your seating area preference.
Details: 100 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-421-4111.
Kids will love the fast-paced action of a roller derby competition. Experience the sport and support Cincinnati’s first, all-female amateur track roller derby team.
Arrive early at the Cincinnati Gardens, the venue for the scrimmages, and take part in tailgating activities.
Single game general admission ticket prices are $12 in advance ($14 at the door) for adults, $5 ($6 at the door) for children ages 7 to 12, and Free for children ages 6 and younger.
Details: 2250 Seymour Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45212; Phone: 513-631-7793.
Indoor Skating Rinks
This roller skating center is family owned and operated, so it knows how to deliver family fun. The public skating sessions are enhanced with cool lighting and surround sound music.
Family hours are Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Admission is $5 weekdays with regular skate rental, $7.50 on Friday starting at 8 p.m., and $6 on Saturday and Sunday.
Skate rentals are $2 for regular roller skates, $3 for inline, and $4 for jam skates.
Details: 3211 Lina Place, Cincinnati Ohio 45239; Phone: 513-522-2424.
Themed skates make for some great fun with kids throughout the week. Skate to top hits while special effects amp up the rink.
Wednesday and Friday nights are family night from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The weekly schedule also includes Gospel night Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Radio Disney music on Saturday from noon to 2:30 p.m., followed by Top 100 music from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Top 100 music Sundays from Noon to 9 p.m.
Admission is $2 on Wednesday family night, $5.50 Thursday through Saturday, and $6 on Sunday.
The skate rental fee is $3.
Details: 1631 Sherman Avenue, Norwood, Ohio 45212; Phone: 513-631-1311.
Accommodating both roller skating and inline speed skating, the rink offers a great family atmosphere. Kids will love the variety of music played as they skate around the rink.
Open skating hours are Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $3 on Wednesday, $6 on Friday, Saturday until 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, and $7.50 on Saturday evening.
Skate rentals are $2 for regular skates and $4 for speed skates.
Details: 3988 Commercial Boulevard, Cincinnati, Ohio 45245; Phone: 513-753-6868.
Afternoon and evening open skating to Top 40 music is offered at this family roller skating facility, featuring an above average hardwood maple skating rink, extra-large seating, and a concession area.
Family skate days and times are the first Monday of every month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Friday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Open skate times are Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Per person admission for family skate is $5 on Mondays, $6 on Fridays.
Open skate admission is $6 during afternoon times, $7 during the evening.
Regular skate rentals are $3, inline or speed skate rentals are $5.
Details: 8730 Union Center North Pavillion Drive, West Chester, OH 45069; Phone: 513-874-9855.
Bring the kids to Cincinnati’s indoor, year-round ice skating rink for public skating throughout the week and weekends.
Every Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., a DJ spins music from the classic 80s to today’s top 40 and adds enhancements, like strobe lights, lasers and fog.
Public skating times vary, but are typically Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Public skating prices are $9 for adults ages 13 and older, and $7 for children ages 12 and under.
DJ Skate prices are $13 for adults ages 13 and older, and $8 for children ages 12 and younger.
There is no charge for skate rentals.
Details: 10400 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45241; Phone: 513-563-0001.
Kids can skate indoors year-round at this Northern Kentucky ice skating rink. Public skating sessions are offered all week long and are open to all ages and skill levels.
Public session times vary, but are typically Thursday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 pm.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is $6.00, $5 for children ages 10 and under.
Skate rental is $2.
Details: 2638 Anderson Road, Crescent Springs, Kentucky 41017; Phone: 859-344-1981.
Outdoor Skating Rinks
Enjoy skating outdoors with Cincinnati’s tallest downtown buildings as your backdrop. The 7,000 square foot rink includes all the amenities, including skate rentals, lockers, benches, and concessions.
The rink is open from November through February and welcomes all ages. On New Year’s Eve, there’s free ice skating and fireworks.
Hours from November 21 to December 18 are Monday through Thursday, Noon to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to Midnight; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Hours from December 19 to January 4 are Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to Midnight.
Hours from January 5 to February 14 are Monday through Thursday, Noon to 5 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, Noon to 10 p.m.
Admission is $4, plus a $4 skate rental.
Details: Fifth and Vine Streets, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-381-0782.
Bowling
Take the kids bowling, or try glow crazy bowling, a music and video bowling experience. There’s 24 lanes with automatic scoring, and bumper and lightweight balls are available on all lanes.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to Midnight.
Glow crazy bowling times are usually Friday, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday, 12: 30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Prices are $4.50 per game for regular bowling and $4.75 for glow crazy bowling and weekend evenings.
Shoe rental is $3.
Details: 4230 Hunt Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242; Phone: 513-891-0310.
With its retro contemporary look and a diner right inside, this bowling alley has been serving up bowling fun since 1957.
Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 a.m., and Friday through Sunday, 24 hours a day.
Bowling rates vary.
Details: 4761 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227; Phone: 513-271-2700.
In business since 1960, this bowling alley offers regular bowling and neon glow bowl. Bowling events are held throughout the month, including Teen Nite, a high school bowl shootout, and adult-child bowl tournaments.
Hours are Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to Midnight; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; and Sunday, Noon to 10 p.m.
Bowling rates vary.
Details: 9189 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45251; Phone: 513-385-8500.
Neat casual fitted attire is the dress code for this upscale bowling experience with 16 lanes of rockin’ bowling, complete with giant projection screens over the lanes showing music videos and sporting events.
There’s full lane food and drink service. Billiards tables are also available.
Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to Midnight, and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. After 9 p.m., only ages 21 and older are admitted.
Per person bowling prices are $4 per game daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., $5 per game, Sunday through Thursday after 5 p.m., and $10 per hour Friday and Saturday starting at 5 p.m.
Billiards prices are $6 per hour Sunday through Thursday and Friday and Saturday before 5 p.m., and $9 per hour starting at 5 p.m.
Details: 1 Levee Way, Newport, Kentucky 41071; Phone: 859-652-7250.
Movie Theaters
With films changing regularly, there’s always a new adventure at this five-story theater, equipped with surround sound.
All of the films are family-oriented, with themes that range from historic time periods to faraway places. Others explore the underwater world or the hidden universe.
During the holiday season, a popular tradition for families is viewing the film, Rocky Mountain Express.
Show times vary, depending on the movie.
Admission is $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for children ages 3 to 12, Free for infants and toddlers ages 2 and younger.
Details: 1301 Museum Center, 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203; Phone: 513-287-7000.
See a flick from your car or outdoors lounging on a blanket or lounge chair. Kids love it at the drive-in, and adults love the bargain of two movies for the price of one.
The drive-in shows newly-released movies, complete with digital projection and FM stereo sound by tuning into 90.7 FM. A concession stand offers traditional movie treats.
The drive-in is open nightly, rain or shine, during the summer months and open weekends in spring and fall.
Tickets are $8.50 adults, $5.00 children ages 4-11, Free for children 3 years and younger.
Details: 2255 State Route Ohio-125, Amelia, Ohio 45102; Phone: 513-734-2282.
This is no ordinary movie theater, with the XD standing for extreme digital, with an oversize, wall to wall and ceiling to floor screen, a custom digital surround sound system, the brightest digital projection, and plush seating.
Up to 14 first-release films are shown per day, with offerings for kids of all ages.
Hours vary based on show times.
Ticket prices vary based on the show and show times. Tuesday is discount day, with each ticket priced at $5.50 all day.
Details: 3025 Disney Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45209; Phone: 513-351-2381.
The all-digital movie cinema offers bargain prices for first-release movies, a great bargain for families who want to enjoy a day or night out with the kids.
Show times vary, depending on the movie.
Tickets are $3 each for all movie times, $5 for 3D movies. Tuesday is Bargain Day, with all seats for all movies costing $1.75 each, $3.75 for 3D movies.
Details: 601 Cincinnati Mills Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240; Phone: 513-671-0537.
Storytimes
Besides a bookstore, there’s plenty of activities and events for kids of all ages. Weekly events include storytimes, workshops, music and movement, and discussions with best-selling authors.
Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.
Most programs are free.
Details: 3054 Madison Road, Oakley Square, Cincinnati, Ohio 45209; Phone: 513-731-2665.
Kids’ storytimes are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:30 a.m., plus each month brings a number of activities and events, including magic shows, crafts, book discussions and author signings.
Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Most programs are free.
Details: 2692 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208; Phone: 513-396-8960.
Numerous storytimes and activities are presented throughout each month based on themes, such as snow or bears, or children’s books. Activities are also scheduled for pre-teens and teens.
Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Most programs are free.
Details: 9891 Waterstone Boulevard, Cincinnati, Oho 45249; Phone: 513-683-5599.
Family storytime offers fun for the entire family, with books, songs, a craft, and dancing included in each program.
The library also offers storytimes for babies, toddlers, and children ages 4 to 6. Afterschool storytimes that include stories and a craft are geared toward grades K through 5.
The Main Library hours are Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Most storytime programs are free.
Details: 800 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 513-369-6900.
Arcades
Whatever the age, adults and kids will have fun playing arcade games and pinball in this 7,800 square foot arcade.
There’s also 18 gaming stations and high-definition projection screens for all-age favorites like Mario Kart 8, Minecraft, and Rock Band.
Hours are Tuesday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Wednesday, 3 p.m. to midnight; Thursday, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday through Saturday, Noon to 1 a.m.; and Sunday, Noon to 10 p.m.
Daily and hourly rates are available, ranging from $5 to $10. Friday is Family Night, with mom, dad, all the kids, and grandparents playing for the one price of $20.
Details: Cincinnati Mall, 662 Cincinnati Mills Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240; Phone: 513-874-8766.
For some retro arcade games, Donkey Kong, Tempest, Centipede, and Frogger, take the kids to this family owned and operated arcade.
In addition to 40 arcade games, there are 850 video games on 20 different systems. Other popular favorites are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pac Man, and Mario Brothers.
Hours are Friday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Noon to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
All-day admission is $10 per adult, $8 per children ages 5 to 11.
Hourly admission is $6 for adults, $4 for child for one hour, or $8 for adults, $6 for child for two hours. Free admission for children ages 4 and younger.
Friday is Family Fun Fridays, when for one price of $20, mom, dad and the kids get unlimited play.
Details: 4069 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236; Phone: 513-745-0803.
There are games for the whole family, from novice to advanced players. Kids will love the selection of hundreds of the latest arcade, old school classics, and prize games.
Some of the featured attractions are Typhoon, Golden Tee Live, and pinball machines. While playing, rock to the music or catch a sporting event on the 26 big screen TVs.
Hours are Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to Midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Game card pricing ranges from $5 to $50.
Details: 1 Levee Way #2130, Newport, KY 41071; Phone: 859-581-7529.
Seasonal Activities
From summer through fall, berry picking is a great activity to do with kids, plus you can make some yummy desserts with the fruits of your labor.
At the Teen Challenge Cincinnati (TCC) pick-your-own farm, you can pick organically-grown red raspberries right from the fields. Several raspberry varieties are available throughout the 9,000 foot field.
Picking hours are Saturday, 8 a.m. to Noon from mid-June through September. Call before going to verify picking dates.
The pick-your-own price is $5 a pound, which includes picking containers.
Details: 1466 U.S. Highway 50, Milford, Ohio 45150; Phone: 513-248-0452, ext. 103.
The historic farm is well-known for its fall events, including its annual fall festival and Halloween events.
The fall festival runs the entire month of October and features an interactive playground, hayrides, face painting, a corn maze, and weekend activities.
Halloween events run from late September to the end of October. For something to do with teens, check out the Halloween Haunt. For younger children, there’s Howl-o-Fest, complete with trick-or-treating, a maze, a dance party, and a pumpkin patch.
Hours are daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July through September, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in October.
Farm admission is free, but there is a free for some activities.
Details: 1737 Ohio 131, Milford, Ohio 45150; Phone: 513-575-2022.
There’s no better way to kick off turkey day than with a parade. The Price Hill Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual neighborhood tradition that shouldn’t be missed.
The parade is held on Thanksgiving Day and starts at the intersection of Glenway Avenue and Ferguson Road. The parade ends at St. Lawrence Corner.
Expect to see marching bands, floats, local dignitaries, classic cars, groups representing various organizations and businesses throughout Cincinnati and, of course, Santa Claus.
After the parade, the festivities continue on the lawn of St. Lawrence Church and its Parish Center, where there are pictures with Santa, a performance by the St. Lawrence choir, pony rides, a petting zoo, and hot chocolate and cookies.
The parade starts at 10 a.m.
There is no admission fee for any of the activities.
Details: Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio; Phone: 513-251-3800.
It’s snow tubing fun and winter festivities for kids and adults of all ages. Snow tubing is like sledding, only faster.
When the cold weather hits, Beach Mountain turns into a 400-foot long run of snow. There are different runs and levels to try to keep the snow tubing excitement level high.
If you visit during the holiday season, you can snow tube surrounded by over 100,000 Christmas lights!
The snow tubing season runs from November to March. Hours are Thursday and Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The price for two hours of snow tubing for individuals over 42 inches is $20 per person on Thursday and Friday, and $25 per person on weekends and holidays.
Details: Beach Mountain, 2590 Waterpark Drive, Mason, Ohio 45040; Phone: 513-398-4356.
Experience this family holiday tradition presented by American Legacy Tours. The Spirit of Christmas Tour stops at churches of national and local significance in the Gateway Quarter.
The highlight of the tour is St. Francis Seraph Church, where nativity scenes from around the world can be viewed, along with a detailed Charles Dickens Village.
In the church’s courtyard is a live nativity scene, complete with a full stable of animals.
Estimated tour time is 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the crowds.
Tours are available from the day after Thanksgiving to the last Saturday in December. Call or visit the website for tour times, which vary.
Tickets are $20 per adult, with free admission for children with a paying adult.
Details: Tour begins at 1332 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; Phone: 859-951-8560.
When the weather turns cold, it’s a sign to head to the slopes to take the kids skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.
Perfect North Slopes is open from mid-December to early March. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. for skiing and snowboarding, and 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for snow tubing; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing; and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.
Admission tickets range from $30 to $43, depending on age and time of day. Rentals and lessons are available.
Details: 19074 Perfect Lane, Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025; Phone: 812-537-3754 or 513-381-7517.
As you can see, when it comes to things to do with kids in Cincinnati, there’s always something going on. No matter the season, the Greater Cincinnati area is a playground of fun for children of all ages.
Best of all, with the diversity of attractions, activities, and events, you can find great fun at a price that fits your budget.
So when you’re looking for something to do with the kids, go out and explore this great area. Indoors or outdoors, you’ll find a fun and exciting activity is waiting for you right around the corner!