family CINCINNATI
family NKY
SUMME R GU IDE
Summer is here, but have no fear! We have everything from summer faves to what to do on rainy days. Take a look! WITH CLICKABLE LINKS! PRESENTED BY
Summer Faves THE BEACH WATERPARK Soar high above the park on the zip line and let the kids explore Big Creek Beach! 2590 Water Park Dr, Mason, OH 45040 CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER Hit up the Nature PlayScape or take the Hike for Your Health Challenge. 4949 Tealtown Rd, Milford, OH 45150 CINCINNATI ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDENS Who hasn’t fallen in love with Fiona? Let’s all hope we can meet her this summer! 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220 CONEY ISLAND AND SUNLITE POOL Check out the new bath house, tiki bar, and more as you cannonball into summer. 6201 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230 NEWPORT AQUARIUM Check out the new Stingray Hideaway exhibit, where kids can get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures and even get to touch one! 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY 41071
Satisfy your thrill-seeker AND your chill-seeker with water fun at The Beach Waterpark!
KINGS ISLAND AND SOAK CITY WATERPARK Roller coasters, Planet Snoopy, Soak City ... Kings Island can’t be beat when it comes to satisfying every member in your crew! 6300 Kings Island Dr, Mason, OH 45040 SMALE RIVERFRONT PARK Take a ride on Carol Ann’s Carousel, play in the fountains, enjoy an easy stroll or just relax to the sounds of families enjoying themselves at this riverfront park. 100 W Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202 WASHINGTON PARK Nestled downtown near historic Music Hall, this park offers plenty of activities to keep kids occupied, including Pop Up Play, festivals, summer movies and more. 1230 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Enjoy special activities at Carol Ann’s Carousel all summer long!
Read & Learn Relaxing with a good book is the perfect way to spend a summer day. Why not earn some prizes for all those summer reads, or take this time to learn a new skill? Check out local summer reading and learning programs to keep your brain active! The PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CINCINNATI & HAMILTON COUNTY offers Brain Camps for grades 1 - 5. Kids can sign up for week-long themes to explore crafts, science, games, storeis and more. Or they can join a one-day mini-camp to learn the basics of coding Ozobot, a tiny robot you can command. Get a complete schedule online or call 513-369-6900. JOSEPH-BETH BOOKSELLERS’ Adventure to Summer Reading gives kids the chance to earn free cookies and an invite to a VIP Party, with more prizes in store! HALF PRICE BOOKS offers a program for ages 14 and younger through July 31 – kids can earn $5 HPB Bookworm Bucks as a reward for the books they read. At BARNES & NOBLE, kids in grades 1 – 6 can earn a free book this summer. Just read any eight books and record them in the Summer Reading Journal. Bring a completed journal to the store before September 5, and choose a free reading adventure from the book list on the back of the journal! WALLS OF BOOKS in West Chester will offer a Summer Reading Challenge to kids of all ages, plus a Kids Corner, where adults can come in and read aloud favorite stories to children.
The BOONE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY invites everyone from infants to adults to sign up for their summer reading club and earn awesome prizes like library bucks, gift cards and more. Join the fun on June 1 at all locations! The CAMPBELL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY will kick off their summer reading program on June 3 with a fun festival loaded with games, prizes, music and tasty treats. The KENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY invites kids and adults to “Escape the Ordinary” – pick up a summer reading log during the kick-off party on June 3! Register online at the CLERMONT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY where you can track your child’s reading activity, and earn points toward a completion certificate. Build a better world with the MIDPOINTE LIBRARY SYSTEM and track your summer reading, enjoy special events, and collect awesome prizes.
Summer Day Trips THE BOONSHOFT MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY A place where the kids can experience science hands-on and enjoy special exhibits like Dinos to Dodos. 2600 DeWeese Pkwy, Dayton, OH 45414
COSI Enjoy a Cosmic Summer at COSI with an exhibit that lets you look through the eyes of an astronaut! 333 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
MORGAN’S CANOE AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Kayak, canoe or take a rafting tour! It’s fun for the whole family to enjoy! 7040 Whitewater River Lane Brookville, IN 47012
PYRAMID HILL SCULPTURE PARK & MUSEUM This outdoor museum featuring giant sculptures is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, with loads of summer activiites for the kiddos. 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton OH 45013
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE Visit the world’s largest military aviation museum loaded with interactive exhibits kids will love. 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH 45431 YOUNG’S JERSEY DAIRY There’s so much to do (and eat!) at this working dairy farm. 6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Baby Play Spots
Check out giant sculptures at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum!
BLUE COCOON MOM+ME PLAY CAFÉ Meet some new families and relax while your babies play in the ball pit with other children. 9361 Montgomery Rd, Montgomery, OH 45242
JUMP AND JACKS The Toddler Zone is made just for babies up to age 2! 7102 Office Park Dr, West Chester, OH 45069
BLUE MANATEE CHILDREN’S BOOKSTORE Visit the manatee in their new home and enjoy stories, songs and fun with little ones. 3094 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209
RED BALLOON CAFÉ & PLAY This indoor play place is perfect for kids up to age 6, but babies under 1 get in free! 6200 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45213
CINCINNATI FAMILY ENRICHMENT CENTER There are so many classes for you and your babies to learn and grow. 4244 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223
TOTTER’S OTTERVILLE Tot’s Center is a perfect place for babies 18 months and younger to roam free. 4314 Boron Dr, Covington, KY 41015
DUKE ENERGY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Little Sprouts Farm is for children aged 4 and younger, so your little ones have a safe place to play. 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Editor’s Picks DAY OUT WITH THOMAS All aboard! Two chances to hang out with everyone’s favorite locomotive! The WHITEWATER VALLEY RAILROAD in Connorsville, IN, will welcome Thomas and friends between June 16 – 18 and June 23 – 25. The LEBANON MASON & MONROE RAILROAD will greet Thomas on August 19 – 20 and August 25 – 27. Kids can enjoy visits with Sir Topham Hatt, a fun train ride, and more! DR. SEUSS’ THE CAT IN THE HAT The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is bringing the famous cat to life in this clever and mischievous adaptation of the classic book. The Cat in the Hat might be the funniest cat that Sally and her brother have met, and he sure knows how to turn a rainy day into an amazing adventure. But what happens when Mom gets home? Bring the family for a fun performance that includes preshow activities and a Q&A with the actors following the performance. Playing June 2 – July 9 at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati; tickets are just $20! PATRIOTIC POPS Another good way to celebrate the Fourth of July is to join the Cincinnati Pops at Riverbend Music Center for a patriotic concert. The Pops Orchestra will be joined by Ellis Hall in a performance conducted by John Morris Russell. Families can enjoy Coney Island rides (all ticket holders enjoy free rides all day), the concert, and a fireworks finale. Tickets start at $15 on the lawn; ages 17 and younger sit for free on the lawn. ALL A-GLOW July 3 marks the date for the 18th annual LaRosa’s Balloon Glow at Coney Island – families will enjoy music, entertainment, rides and a spectacular display of hot balloons that will illuminate the night sky, all followed by a Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks display.
Editor’s Picks CRAZY CARDBOARD BOAT REGATTA Sign up to compete or just come out to watch this hilarious regatta composed of cardboard boats – cheer on your favorite while enjoying vendors, entertainment, activities and more at Voice of America MetroPark on July 15 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. BIG FUN IN BLUE ASH It’s time for the annual Red, White and Blue Ash July 4 celebration at Summit Park! This fun (and FREE) festival features food, live entertainment, including a performance from REO Speedwagon, and of course, a Rozzi fireworks show. And mark your calendars for August 25 – 26 to enjoy the Taste of Blue Ash – a food and music festival at Summit Park that includes tasty samples from local restaurants and food trucks, along with performances from the likes of Blessid Union of Souls, Loverboy, and Big & Rich. STAR WARS FANS REJOICE Head to Cincinnati Museum Center now through October 1 to check out Star Wars and the Power of Costume exhibit. Explore over 60 iconic costumes from the Star Wars saga, and learn about the creative minds and hard work that went into designing and fabricating them. Tickets are $24 adults, $16 ages 3 – 12, $21 seniors, $17 adult members, $12 child members (ages 3 – 17).
FESTIVALS GALORE IN NKY Head to Northern Kentucky for your best bets when it comes to summer festivals! The 26TH ANNUAL NEWPORT ITALIANFEST takes place June 8 – 11, where families can enjoy authentic food and music, a pizza eating contest, and games and rides for kids. Dive into local history with ROEBLINGFEST 2017 and learn all there is to know about the famous Roebling Suspension Bridge on June 17 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in Covington. And goetta fans can indulge all they want from August 3 – 6 during GLIER’S GOETTAFEST at Newport on the Levee. The festival includes live entertainment, goetta games, and some pretty … inventive food. SHAKE YOUR GROOVE THING Kids will rock and roll during the Kidz Bop Best Time Ever Tour on July 28 at Riverbend Music Center. Enjoy a pre-show cookout with hot dogs and all the fixings, local bands, and then a family-friendly live concert with brand-new songs, choreography and more. Tickets range from $25 - $45. BREYERFEST 2017: GATEWAY TO INDIA Take a trip to Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park for a three-day festival sure to please any horse lover. Enjoy equine entertainment, workshops, model horse shows, pony rides, and plenty more. Tickets start at $15.
Cheer on your favorite boat during MetroParks of Butler County’s Crazy Cardboard Boat Regatta, July 15!
Rainy Day Outings ENTERTRAINMENT JUNCTION Check out two world-class attractions: the Train Journey and the A-Maze-N Funhouse. 7379 Squire Ct., West Chester, OH 45069
PLAYTIME USA This is both a place where birthday party dreams come true and just a place to spend a fun day. 8120 Hamilton Ave., Mt. Healthy, OH 45231
LAZER KRAZE What could be cooler than a multi-level lazer tag game? 7082 Columbia Road, Maineville, OH 45039 1335 Donaldson Hwy., Erlanger, KY 41018
RECREATIONS OUTLET/ BIG SHOTS SPORTS TRAINING Located inside the play haven Recreations Outlet, Big Shots Sports Training teaches kids the fundamentals of their favorite sports. 885 OH-28, Milford, OH 45150
ROCKIN’ JUMP The only thing better than going to the park is going to the trampoline park! 8350 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45239 SKYZONE There’s so much to do on trampolines like basketball, dodgeball and jumping in the Foam Zone. 11745 Commons Dr., Springdale, OH 45246 SPLASH CINCINNATI You’ll forget all your cares when you’re relaxing in the lazy river or zipping down water slides. 11320 Chester Road #1001, Cincinnati, OH 45246 THE WEB EXTREME ENTERTAINMENT Mini golf, mini bowling, go karts, lazer tag, and zombies! You’ve got to check this out. 7172 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester, OH
Get Creative MAD POTTER PAINTING WITH A TWIST BRAZEE STREET STUDIOS NEUSOLE GLASSWORKS UPTOWN ARTS THE SILVER DIVA DOODLIN’ POTTERY STUDIO
It’s all fun and games at Rockin’ Jump Cincinnati!
Special Thanks To:
Enjoy water play at Splash Cincinnati!