captainofthekids, Author at Family Fun📍Cincinnati & Beyond

February 18, 2021February 3, 2022

11 Fun Indoor Activities for Winter

Looking for some fun ideas for the family during those cold winter days? Here are 11 ideas you can do at home with things you already have around the house!

1. Indoor Dive In Movie

Bring summer to your living room. Swimsuits, pool floats, snacks and more! Checkout my Indoor Dive In Movie blog post for all the fun including food, drinks and movies to watch.

2. Host a Snowman Dinner

Make dinner a little more fun for the family by hosting a snowman dinner with things you likely already have around the house. This idea includes place settings for the table, decor and games to make it a fun family event. Check out my Snowman dinner blog post.

3. It's Shark Week Somewhere

Sometimes a theme just makes everyone’s attitudes better, right? Try hosting Shark Week at home with this blog post, even if it’s not the actual week! There are online activities, things to watch and learn to keep the kids entertained.

4. Lego Challenge

If you have multiple kids, make it a competition and award the most creative with a treat from the pantry. Or, make it a quantity challenge. Using the 30 Day Lego Challenge from That Brick Life, see how many challenges they can do in an hour.

5. Board Game-a-palooza

I love a good board game. I’m not afraid to admit that my competitive nature comes out, even with my kids ;). See how many games you can play in a row. Here are my favorites – click the link to add them to your amazon cart!

Battleship – Kindergarten+
Sequence for Kids – 3 yrs+
Candyland – 3 yrs+
Kids Create Absurdity – 6 yrs+, a great card game for kids – it’s the clean version of Cards Against Humanity.
Headbanz guessing game – 3 yrs+
Zingo – 4 yrs+
Rummikub – 7 yrs+, this is my all-time favorite game!
Yahtzee – 8 yrs+, this helps with math skills and they don’t even know it!
Uno Flip – 7 yrs+, this is a fun twist on the classic Uno game.
Wooden Box Dice Game Kindergarten+ – I have no idea what this is really called, but it’s pictured above. You roll 2 dice to cover any combination of numbers until all are covered or you bust. This a sneaky ‘math’ game they don’t even realize they are learning because it’s fun!

6. Take an Online Art Class

Want to draw a famous book character? Learn origami? Make robots from upcycled materials? There are tons of great art resources out there that are FREE! Try one of these free art tutorials!

7. Dance With 'The Stars'

Check out my blog post and have a dance party with a celebrity at home with the family. Dance with JoJo Siwa, tWitch and the Kidz Bop team. Choose from several different options.

8. Kids Yoga Online

Yoga for tots, tweens and everything in between. If your kids need to get their wiggles out, you want to do something as a family or something you can turn on for the kids to be engaged while you relax. Check out all the options on my Yoga for kids online blog post.

9. Bring A Disney Vacation Home

This is a fun one from my friend at Consistently Curious. If you can’t GET to Disney, BRING it home! She includes Virtual Disney Rides on YouTube, Parades and more fun!

Check out her blog post How To Create A Disney World Experience In Your Own Home

10. 'Go' To The Zoo

‘Take’ your kids to the zoo! Get up close and personal with animals and their caregivers from The Cincinnati Zoo. They recorded and archived over 100 videos of different animals in their habitats with Q & A from fans! It’s on their YouTube page here –> The Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari.

You can watch the video and find a craft or educational resources that pair with the video here on The Cincinnati Zoo website.

11. Restaurant Week at Home

Turn your play kitchen into a restaurant. Or, rest-ter-re-raunt as my kids call it. This is something your kids can likely do unassisted.

Give your restaurant a name and create a logo
Make a menu featuring the specials
You can even create a kids menu with games or activities for the kids to do while they wait for dinner
Make placemats for your guests with the name and logo you created for your restaurant
Get in uniform and have the guests dress up for dinner
Take turns being the chef and the server and see who creates the best dish
Don’t forget a music playlist to create the right atmosphere

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February 10, 2021April 13, 2021

Dive-In Movie | A Fun Winter Indoor Party

Dreaming of summer? Looking for a winter indoor activity for the family? Try an indoor dive-in movie!

What you need for an indoor Dive-in movie

Get out the summer fun bag!

Swim suits and coverups if they get chilly
Goggles for fun
Beach towels to cozy up with during the movie
Pool floats
A blue tablecloth for the ‘water’

These are the items that will help transform your living room into a ‘pool’.

Set the scene for the Indoor dive-in movie

We used an hombre pattern blue tablecloth to turn our family room floor into a pool! We got this one at Target, but there are a few good ones on Amazon too! You can also transform your carpet or hardwood floor into a pool with white butcher paper rolls and markers. Draw waves, sea creatures and other swimmers!

Seating for the Dive-in movie

Break out the pool floats! We have an air compressor in the garage, so dad was in charge of blowing up the floats! Each kid took turns on the different floats to make it fun and interesting. If you don’t have floats, the winter is a great time to get some for the summer. Check these options out from Amazon!

Snacks for the Dive-in movie

Every movie needs some good snacks, right? And you’re bound to be hungry with all that ‘swimming’! Make snacks and drinks that fit the theme!

BONUS, grab these cute floating drink holders to hold snack cups or summer drinks!

Serve this adorable OCEAN WATER drink from Southern Bite or fill cups with popcorn and gummy fish!

Need a summer snack? Make these graham cracker sand pudding cups inspired by Chinet!

10 Summer inspired movies for the Dive-in movie

Choose a summer inspired movie to fit the theme. Here are some of our family favorites!

Moana
Lilo & Stitch
Soul Surfer
Parent Trap – they’re at summer camp!
Finding Nemo
Finding Dory
Sandlot
The Little Mermaid
Shark Tale
High School Musical 2 – they all have summer jobs!

January 14, 2021January 22, 2021

Fun Kids Dinner Idea

Spending a lot of time at home with the family this winter? Turn a regular winter dinner into a fun kids dinner event with a few easy steps! Here’s how to host a snowman meltdown dinner.

Fun Kids Dinner Table setting

This is a fun family dinner for all ages made from things already likely to be in your home. Here’s what you need to create the snowman dinner:

white plates, 1 small salad plate and 1 dinner plate per person
red napkins, 1 per person
black construction paper
bag of chocolate chips
carrot, 1 per person
White plates are key! If you down own them, grab a set of small and large ones from your local party store. This will become the snowman’s body.
Red napkins will become his scarf. If you don’t own the cloth kind, you can purchase red cloth napkins here or just use paper ones.
With the black construction paper, you can make his top hat. If you need an outline to track, print out this top hat shape to color or trace.

Build the Place settings

Now you’re ready to assemble the snowman!

Line the small and large white plates on top of each other to make the body and the head.
Use chocolate chips for the eyes, mouth and 3 buttons on the belly and the carrot for the nose.
Roll the napkin and fold in half. Place it between the plates to serve as his scarf.
Tape the top hat to the small dinner plate.
Use the fork and knife as arms by placing them on a diagonal.

Create your own snowflake decor

My 7 year old son brought this snowflake sheet home from school and he’s completely obsessed! It was a STEM project and it was right up his alley since he loves origami (see my post on origami tutorials). Click here to print the snowflake making instruction sheet. In 5 easy steps, you’ll have some unique snowflakes!

Snowman Table Centerpiece

Find 2 boxes the same shape but DIFFERENT sizes! We bought 2 boxes from the UPS store but you can also search for something laying around your home like tissue boxes.

Wrap them in white butcher paper – you can buy here from Amazon to use for future art projects too or the white paper on the roll from Ikea.

Cut a carrot shape from orange paper for the nose. (cut 4 if you decorate all 4 sides).

Tape the top hat (from link above) to the top of the snowman’s head.

Use a black marker to draw eyes, mouth and buttons.

Snowman hot chocolate bombs

Hot cocoa bombs are a fun way to enjoy hot cocoa, but have you tried the white chocolate hot cocoa bombs?

These are perfect for melting with hot milk. We ordered ours from F & Goode Desserts. They have TONS of other flavors too!

Snowman Games, Books and Movies

Want to keep the party going? Here are some great books, movies and games you can play after dinner.

Of course, Frozen is a perfect movie to watch, because Olaf!
Rent Frosty’s Winter Wonderland from AmazonPrime Video
Check out one of these 23 Books About Snowmen from Fun With Mama.
Have an indoor snowball fight with these indoor snowballs or play the snowball toss, similar to cornhole. You can buy from Amazon below.

I have used affiliate links on this page. I will get a small payment if you purchase using the link, at no cost to you.

December 12, 2020January 19, 2021

Christmas Lights in North & Westside Cincinnati

Not sure where to start on the master list of neighborhood Christmas Lights in Cincinnati and the Tri-state? Choose one of the NORTH OR WESTSIDE CINCINNATI CUSTOM ROUTES BELOW.
🏆 They all include a must-see display.
🎶 They all include a display set to music.

**All North and Westside addresses listed below if you want to make your own route with Google Maps.

Westside ROute

This route includes:
✅ 3 displays set to music
✅ GIANT Nutcrackers
✅ 4 MUST SEE displays

Addresses are:
🎅3678 Jessup Road
🎅3717 Krierview Drive
🎅🏆🎶6365 Carley Lane – Giant Nutcracker statues
🎅🎶🏆🏆7211 Fairpark Avenue
🎅🏆5373 Maylee Place – multiple houses on the street!
🎅🎶🏆4036 Ridgedale Drive

CLICK HERE for the GOOGLE MAPS ROUTE that you can text to your phone.

North Cincinnati ROute

This route includes:
✅ 3 displays set to music
✅ Letter to Santa mailbox – with a return letter!
✅ 4 MUST SEE displays
✅ Canned Good Collection

Addresses are:
🎅🏆776 Southwind Drive
🎅🎶1 Kingsmont Court
🎅🎶964 Antioch Drive
🎅2547 Skylark Drive – bring a letter to Santa with a return address & you’ll get a letter back!
🎅🏆2825 Pleasant Avenue
🎅🏆6124 Tyler Point Drive
🎅 🎶🏆6656 Devon Drive – Christmas at the Hormanns (collecting canned goods for Reach Out Lakota & The Princeton Closet through Dec 15.)

CLICK HERE for the GOOGLE MAPS ROUTE that you can text to your phone.

WESTSIDE

Organized by neighborhood, so plan your custom route using Google Maps adding multiple stops.

BRIDGETOWN/GREEN TOWNSHIP

🎅3505 Moonridge Drive
🎅3625 Coral Gables Road
🎅3717 Krierview Drive
❓3760 Feldkamp Avenue
❓4417 Bridgetown Road
🎅3858 Biehl
🎅3678 Jessup Road
🎅5201 Valley Ridge Road
🎅🏆🎶6365 Carley Lane – Giant Nutcracker statues
❌6778 Taylor Rd – taking a year off

CARTHAGE
🎅🎶🏆🏆7211 Fairpark Avenue

CHEVIOT/WESTWOOD
🎅4111 Homelawn
🎅2874 Dirheim Ave (Westwood)
🎅3049 Verdin Avenue (Westwood) – lights dance to music but no radio station

CLEVES
🎅8944 Harrison Pike

COVEDALE
🎅🏆5373 Maylee Place – multiple houses on the street!

DELHI
🎅5341 Delhi Pike

FINNEYTOWN
🎅943 & 936 Timber Trail
🎅🎶 691 Duff

HARRISON

🎅🎶🏆1526 Abigail Court

🎅🎶337 South Elm St

MT. AIRY
❓5590 Little Flower Avenue

MT. HEALTHY
🎅7242 Clovernook Avenue
🎅9119 Orangewood Dr
🎅Clovernook Avenue
🎅🎶9338 Coogan Dr 45231
🎅7228 Park Avenue
❓9295 Montoro Drive
🎅7350 Elizabeth St (+2 neighbors)

WESTERN HILLS
🎅2213 Rollingridge Ln
🎅Corner of Werk & Boudinot

WHITE OAK
🎅🎶🏆4036 Ridgedale Drive
🎅5846 Fawnridge Court
🎅🎶6023 Ramblingridge Dr
🎅4049 Hubble Rd

NORTH CINCINNATI

Organized by neighborhood, so plan your custom route using Google Maps adding multiple stops.

COLERAIN TOWNSHIP
🎅3022 Aries Court
🎅5790 Blackwolf Run
🎅🏆🎶7209 Austin Woods Lane
🎅9205 Silva Drive
🎅2751 Overdale Dr
🎅8730 Cheviot Road – 75 ft tall lit up tree

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP
🎅3578 Simpson Trace

FAIRFIELD
🎅🎶1 Kingsmont Court
🎅🏆776 Southwind Drive
🎅899 Shady Lane
🎅🏆906 Linwood Avenue
🎅🎶964 Antioch Drive
🎅🏆1050 Gail Avenue
🎅2547 Skylark Drive – bring a letter to Santa with a return address & you’ll get a letter back!
🎅5839 Sigmon Way
🎅5731 & 5734 Sigmon Way
🎅1553 Hunter Road
🎅1023 Oberlin Dr
🎅3450 Hamilton Mason Rd
🎅1839 Gloucester Drive – front & backyard
🎅2096 Harrogate Hill Lane
🎅773 Doris Jane Avenue

FOREST PARK
❓11581 Mill Road
🎅🏆11198 Lincolnshire Drive

HAMILTON
🎅🏆2825 Pleasant Avenue
🎅🏆6124 Tyler Point Drive
🎅6487 Lake Run Ct
🎅4066 E Taylor School Road
🎅637 W Taylor School Rd
🎅3938 Withrow Rd
🎅312 progress avenue – lots of inflatables
🎅710 & 720 Webster Ave
🎅969 North “E” St
🎅2359 Bevington Lane
🎅4161 Leona Ct
🎅857 Sander Dr
🎅2900 Eaton Rd
🎅🏆7101 Iron Kettle Dr

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP & WEST CHESTER
🎅🎶 6393 Sauterne Dr 45011
🎅 🎶🏆6656 Devon Drive – Christmas at the Hormanns (collecting canned goods for Reach Out Lakota & The Princeton Closet through Dec 15.)
🎅8145 Cherry Laurel Drive
🎅6209 & 6185 Yankee Road🎅4863 Cedar Brook Ct
🎅5226 Traverse Ct.
🎅5062 Anmer Hall Lane – lots of figurines

MASON
🎅102 Elmlinger Drive
🎅5186 Minuteman Court – multiple houses
🎅4966 Elizabeth CT

MONROE
🎅🎶90 & 100 Hollytree Drive
🎅905 Ryan Court
🎅38 Village Court

MORGAN TOWNSHIP
❓3645 Chapel Road
🎅🎶5372 Alert New London Road

ROSS TOWNSHIP
🎅1825 Timberman Road
🎅3118 Sorbus Dr – lots of figurines

SHARONVILLE
🎅3955 Elljay Drive
🎅10602 Robindale Drive
❓4205 Allenhurst Close Court
🎅4010 Beavercreek Circle

WAYNE TOWNSHIP
🎅3120 Cotton Run Road

December 8, 2020January 19, 2021

Christmas Lights | Routes in Eastside Cincinnati

Not sure where to start on this master list of neighborhood Christmas Lights in Cincinnati and the Tri-state? Choose one of the EASTSIDE CINCINNATI CUSTOM ROUTES BELOW.
🧁 They all include a treat stop.
🏆 They all include a must-see display.
🎶 They all include a display set to music.

**All Eastside addresses listed below if you want to make your own route.
🏆🏆 Want to see the BEST in the tri-state. Try the GOLD STAR EXPRESS routes.
🍕 Check out these Christmas light scavenger hunt ideas + chance to win a $50 LaRosa’s gift card!

Mt. Lookout, Mariemont, Anderson & Mt. Washington

This route includes:
✅ 2 displays set to music
✅ A plane in the yard
✅ Whoville and The Grinch display
✅ 7 displays total – approximately 40 mins with NO stops, so plan for longer.

Addresses are:
🎅3816 Beech Street – lights aren’t driveworthy, but there is a cute Whoville cutout display out front for the kids
🎅3488 Principio Avenue
🎅 🎶🏆2110 Candlemaker Drive
🎅7424 Gungadin Drive
🎅🏆 🎶6344 Coffey Street
🎅1425 Apple Hill Rd – there’s a plane in the yard!

This route starts at a locally-owned small business called Groovy Gumball in Mariemont for some treats! Groovy Gumball has gourmet Belgian Fudge, nostalgic candy and some of the best ice cream out there. One of my favorites is THIS %@! JUST GOT SERIOUS. It’s award winning, and I absolutely love it!

Don’t want to leave your car? You can call in your order (513-568-9957) and they will bring it to you curbside! Groovy Gumball is open: Friday 11am-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm and Sunday 12-5pm. Check out the Groovy Gumball menu to place your order to start the drive!

CLICK HERE for the GOOGLE MAPS ROUTE that you can text to your phone.

Anderson, WITHAMSVILLE, Amelia & New Richmond

This route includes:
✅ 2 Light show to music
✅ 5 ‘MUST SEE’ stops
✅ One collecting toys for Toys for Tots
✅ 7 displays total

Addresses are:
🎅🎶472 4 Mile Road
🎅 🏆757 8 Mile Road
🎅 🏆932 Watch Creek Drive – walking path
🎅🏆2327 Pleasant Meadows Dr
🎅 🎶31 Grouse Drive – collecting unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots
🎅 🏆49 Fawn Court
🎅🏆3890 Dieckman Lane
🎅 🏆2426 Country Place – arches lining their driveway. You can drive down their driveway, just stay in your cars.

BUT, there are PLENTY more in Anderson and Amelia that can be added if you want to expand your route with more stops!

This route works in a Cincinnati classic, Greater’s Ice Cream, a few stops in. This location has a drive-thru, for easy ordering and no one needs to leave the car!

CLICK HERE for the GOOGLE MAPS ROUTE that you can text to your phone.

Milford, Goshen & Loveland

This route includes:
✅ 1 Light show to music
✅ 2 ‘MUST SEE’ stops
✅ A box to drop letters to Santa
✅ A selfie station
✅ 7 displays total

Addresses are:
🎅🏆2200 OH-132 (corner of OH-132 & Shiloh)
🎅819 & 843 Marbea Drive
🎅1100 Sunrise Drive – Bring a letter to Santa, and take a pic at the selfie stand wreath!
🎅🎶1111 Heatherstone Way (sun-th: 6-10, fri & sat: 6-11) + 1115 Heatherstone Way
🎅🏆5657 Sugar Camp Road

BUT, there are more in Milford, Goshen & Loveland if you want to expand your route with more stops!

This route starts at a locally-owned small business Tickled Sweet in Old Milford for some handcrafted holiday treats! Chocolate covered Oreo’s, Gnome cookies and more treats. Check out their menu here and stock up for the ride! Tickled Sweet is open Fri-Sat: 10- 7pm, Mon-Thurs: 10 – 6pm & Sunday: 12pm – 5pm.

CLICK HERE for the GOOGLE MAPS ROUTE that you can text to your phone.

ALL EASTSIDE ADDRESS:

AMELIA/BETHEL
🎅 🎶31 Grouse Drive – collecting unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots
🎅 🏆49 Fawn Court
🎅3174 Lindale-Mt. Holly Road
🎅 🎶1202 Twin Gate Run (Bennett Family Lights)
🎅56 Robinway – Lots of inflatables
🎅3914 & 3915 Greentree Terrace
🎅3753 & 3756 Redthorne Drive
🎅29 Arrowhead Dr
🎅3590 Weaver Road
🎅3118 State Route 133 (Bethel, OH)
🎅1736 Starling Rd (Bethel, OH) – 44 blowups and a Christmas Shop onsite

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP
🎅🎶472 4 Mile Road
🎅 🏆757 8 Mile Road
🎅 🏆932 Watch Creek Drive
🎅1213 Immaculate Lane
🎅 🎶1756 Pinebluff Lane
🎅1721 Muskegon Drive (same neighborhood as Pinebluff)
🎅7884 Stoneleigh Ln & 1952 Rusticwood Lane – lots of inflatables
🎅 🎶🏆2110 Candlemaker Drive
🎅6145 Woodlark Drive
🎅🏆 🎶6344 Coffey Street
🎅7424 Gungadin Drive
🎅1425 Apple Hill Rd – there’s a plane in the yard!
🎅2250 Regis Court
🎅 🎶7739 Woodstone Dr
🎅8006 Meadowcreek – lots of large inflatables and the rest of the street is lit

BATAVIA
🎅5242 Stonelick Williams Corner
🎅4595 Water Dance Dr
🎅🏆2327 Pleasant Meadows Dr
🎅5546 Aulen Rd

BLUE ASH
🎅4595 Cooper Road
🎅9491 Wynnecrest Drive

DEER PARK/DILLONVALE
🎅7818 Dearborn Avenue
🎅Tramore Drive
🎅3856 & 3824 Mantell – lots of inflatables

EASTGATE
🎅515 Kaldy Street
🎅522 Kaldy Street
🎅4226 Deepwood Lane
🎅4663 Rustic Way
🎅🎶 London Court

FELICITY
🎅460 Felicity Higginsport Road – a residential farm decorated

GOSHEN
🎅🏆2200 OH-132 (corner of OH-132 & Shiloh)
🎅1577 Woodville Pike

HILLSBORO
🎅🎶600 West Main Street
🎅🎶6710 Ervin Road

LOVELAND
🎅819 & 843 Marbea Drive
🎅1100 Sunrise Drive – Bring a letter to Santa, and take a pic at the selfie stand wreath!
🎅1111 Redbird Meadows Dr (4 homes together)

MARIEMONT
🎅3816 Beech Street – lights aren’t driveworthy, but there is a cute Whoville cutout display out front for the kids

MILFORD
🎅🎶1111 Heatherstone Way (sun-th: 6-10, fri & sat: 6-11) + 1115 Heatherstone Way
🎅1397 Linden Creek Drive (multiple homes)
🎅1696 Cottontail Drive
🎅🏆5657 Sugar Camp Road
🎅5707 Highland Terrace

MONTGOMERY
🎅10419 Stone Court

MT. LOOKOUT
🎅3488 Principio Avenue

NEW RICHMOND
🎅 🏆2426 Country Place – arches lining their driveway. You can drive down their driveway, just stay in your cars.
🎅130 Regatta Dr
🎅100 lights pointe ct

SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP
🎅3824 Mantell Avenue
🎅4039 Limerick Ave

WILLIAMSBURG
🎅🎶17 Lynn Ct. (several other houses in the neighborhood are decorated)

WITHAMSVILLE
🎅🏆3890 Dieckman Lane
🎅446 Glenrose Ln

November 6, 2020April 13, 2021

Bernheim Forest Giants

Seeing the Forest Giants at Bernheim Forest, or the Giant Forest Trolls as my kids called them, is perfect family day trip to hike and explore, just south of Louisville. BONUS: Bernheim Forest is a dog friendly day trip, so bring the pup along too!

Family Day Trip from Cincinnati

Whether you’re starting out from Cincinnati (about 2 hours), Indianapolis (just over 2 hours), Lexington (1.5 hours) or Nashville (just over 2 hours), make the trip a fun surprise for the family. Don’t tell them where you’re going and give them these clues as you drive to see if they can figure it out!

Play the song ‘Fixer Upper’ from the movie Frozen because there are great moss covered rocks on the trails that look like the trolls from the movie.
Let the kids watch the movie Frozen II on the way down there and tell them ‘we’re getting warmer’ when the Giant shows up in the movie.
Hand them this The BFG word search on a clipboard to do in the car.
Give them a snack that giants eat like gummy worms or gummy bugs. Or make a butterfly snack bag like this one from Raising Little Superheroes.

Besides watching a movie on the trip, we LOVE to listen to podcasts on roadtrips. Check out my favorite Podcasts for Kids that parents actually want to listen to also.

Seeing the Forest Giants at BERNHEIM FOREST

It costs $10/car to enter Bernheim Forest – this is a suggested donation. You get a map when you enter, but follow the signs directing you to the Forest Giants. Park and follow the yellow giant feet painted on the path to start the hike. The trail is along a gravel or dirt path, with parts of it through the woods. It leads to 3 HUGE Forest Giants constructed of pieces of wood. The detail is truly fantastic. One of the giants is a treasure collector, so you get to view all the treasures ‘she made’ and collected.

Bernheim Forest is open during Covid, but they have fencing around the giants so you can’t touch them like you used to be able to.

Bernheim Forest Hiking Trails

The land is truly gorgeous with so many trails, streams and ponds. You can spend hours here hiking, playing, relaxing and exploring the forest giants. Check out all the hiking trails at Bernheim Forest.

Fun facts: Did you know Bernheim Forest has about 16,000 acres of land? It produces 102 billion pounds of oxygen per year. WOW!

Bernheim Forest | More than just giants

Trails: There are over 40 miles of trails. Several are family friendly and moderately easy. Sections of both the Nursery Loop Trail and the Two Ponds Loop are paved, so strollers or bikes are welcome. We took the Sun and Shade loop on the way back from seeing the last giant and all 3 kids did well with it.

Enjoy a picnic: There is a gorgeous natural amphitheater there that looks out on the pond. This is a great place to have a snack or enjoy a picnic lunch.

Camping: Just behind the amphitheater and lake are camping spots with electric hookups! During normal times, there are camping events available to the public.

Canopy Tree Walk: Walk above the trees! Check out the boardwalk canopy tree walk that allows you to view the land from above the forest canopy.

Play areas: Coming soon, the Playcosystem will be a 10-acre natural playground for all ages.

Kid-Friendly Restaurant: The restaurant is currently closed, but Isaac’s Cafe focuses on LOCAL food, including edible flowers and kid-friendly meals.

Going without kids? Stop by the nearby Forest Edge Winery afterwards, or even a spot on the Bourbon Trail.

Want to stay closer to Cincinnati? Check out the Top 10 Things to do at the Cincinnati Nature Center.

Note, the visitors center is currently closed due to Covid restrictions, but there are portable restrooms available all over the property and hand sanitizing stations outside the restrooms.

October 8, 2020April 18, 2021

Mom Hacks | Dinner Out With Kids

Having dinner out with the kids can be chaos, rushed and often seem not worth it, right? Entertaining kids at a restaurant is not always the easiest but here are my favorite NON-SCREEN TIME mom hacks to avoid getting the side eye from a table nearby and enjoying a good meal with the family.

The coloring kids menu works in a pinch, but these hacks are MUCH more reliable and you don’t have to rely on screen time to keep them entertained!

Obviously the experience can vary by age and the number of kids you have, so I’ve varied the options so you can adjust to your families needs. We’ve managed to make it enjoyable with 3 young kids with the tips and tricks below.

Have A 'GO Bag' For Dinner Out With The Kids

THIS IS A MUST for entertaining kids at a restaurant! I have a ‘go bag’ which holds my favorite activities for my kids. I keep it in the car, or hung near the garage door so my kids know to grab it when I say it as we’re running out the door. The KEY is to have toys in there that they can only play with at restaurants. Here are 20 options to fill the bag. Many work for car travel too!

10 Activities for Non-Reader Kids

I love the snap dolls or the Mr. Potato Head shown below for little hands. I throw these in one of the mesh zipper bags below so they are contained and clean up easily.

The water wow’s are great too and you can easily refill the ‘pen’ with water at your table using your straw.

Have a LEGO lover? I LOVE these travel LEGO kits!

Necklace kits are also a huge hit for kids of any age. I like to remove this from the container and put the parts into a small zipper bag (below).

Tegu wooden magnetic blocks are a favorite of this house. They attract and stick to each other, magnetically, to make building, stacking and creating easier. Throw them in a pencil box or zippered mesh bag below and they make great entertainment.

Working on letters? This reusable kit is perfect because my youngest things it’s a book that she’s writing in. It’s just her size and easy to transport.

Lace and trace animals are perfect for hand/eye coordination.

Travel Spirograph is entertainment for hours!

Wooden magnetic tangrams are so fun because they have patterns to follow or kids can create their own!

Pro-tip: These bags are AMAZING for bringing games on the go, without their box! Perfect for the snap n go dolls, Mr. Potato Head, the magnetic blocks and more. The smaller ones are great for storing markers and others things. It is sturdy and easy to keep things organized in your ‘go bag’ or at home.

10 Activities fo Elementary kids

If you’re outside, the Taco Cat card game is so fun for families. It involves slapping cards, so if you’re at a nice place or it’s relatively quiet, this may not be the game to choose.

Headbands is a family go-to. Even my 4 year old can easily play it. We sometimes play ‘reverse’ where you give the person wearing the card clues. This is a bit easier for kids – even a 3 year old – and can often result in laughs because they give it away too easily! I don’t bring the box, just throw the headbands and cards in one of the bags below and skip the timer. You can also download the Heads Up app, BUT all players need to be readers because there are no pictures.

Mad Libs is an oldie but goodie. If you have 2 readers, they can play together or you can play as a family. I also love this Mad Libs app you can add to your phone because it reads your mad lib story back to you, which is hilarious!

Brainflakes are great for 3 & up because you can increase the intensity level as you ages. There are a TON of them that come in the bin, so just have a ziplock bag or pencil box full in your go bag.

We LOVE this roll the dice math game. The object is to roll the dice and then get all the numbers down on the board using 1, 2 or 3 numbers. Once you roll and can no longer ‘shut’ out a number, you loose.

UNO Flip is a great twist on UNO. It often takes longer, but is fun because just when you think you might win, it can all change as you have to flip the cards.

Have a spy kid in the family? These secret decoder games are fun for kids 8+ and challenge their thinking skills.

Hidden pictures was always my favorite part of the Highlights magazine and this is strictly that part! I LOVED these as a kid, so I’m happy to say my kids share my obsession.

Spot It! is a classic and they have a Jr version too so your kids can play together or with you.

Order Drinks For You, Meals For The Kids

Stagger the pace of dinner and keep their attention longer! My kids know what they want from a menu within seconds. So, we like to order our drinks and their meals immediately. We sometimes get an app too, depending on how crowded the restaurant is, etc. Then, when we order our dinner, we put in a dessert for them.

This way, their food comes out first and we don’t have to feel rushed cutting their food and trying to finish ours before the kids meltdown ;). Also, this allows us to enjoy our hot food while they eat dessert.

Bring your own highchair

I know this seems silly, but my kids preferred sitting in their own high chair vs the one at the restaurant. If we were in a booth with the older kids, I would put the foldable one on the far end of the table against the wall so the youngest could see better and feel like she was participating. It also helps with controlling germs. I would keep this in my car at all times so I always had it.

Then grab the secure-a-toy so your infants favorites don’t drop to the floor 100 times!

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October 4, 2020October 11, 2020

Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati | Sunday Funday for the Family

Round up the crew. Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati is the ultimate activity for Sunday Family Funday! (said like Bowling, but with an F). It’s more affordable, relaxed and likely more age-appropriate than Topgolf, axe throwing and others. Fowling Warehouse wants to treat you and 9 guests to a lane for the day and a round of drinks (Blue Moon Light Sky). Details below on how to enter the contest!

Family Fun | Play all day

The Fowling Warehouse is located in Norwood/Pleasant Ridge at 2940 Highland Ave, near Highland & Ridge Ave. Kids can play any day until 6, including Saturday. Sunday is open ALL day for kids from 12-8pm. Open play is only $10/person and you can play ALL day!

Fowling Warehouse is Fun for kids and adults

Converted from an old warehouse, this place is HUGE! There’s not much curb appeal, but don’t let that fool you. Once you’re inside, you will see how fun it is. There are 30 lanes, so plenty of room to spread out and play. Just bring your crew and your masks (required when walking around) and enjoy an afternoon of play.

WHO CAN PLAY? Anyone, honestly. My kids (4, 7 and 9) loved it. We also played with family who had kids in middle school, high school and college. Even my parents liked it! BONUS: They have PRO footballs and smaller ones that are more kid friendly. You could even bring a smaller ball if you prefer.

This place is perfect for a birthday party! You can reserve lanes, bring pizzas and let the kids burn out all their energy!

Fowling Warehouse | How to play

First off, you can play by the rules or you can just go have fun. We did a little of both. Your goal, knock the bowling pins down with a football.

Teammates play on the SAME side of the board, not opposites like cornhole. There are 2 lines from which you can throw – top of the board and the back. We actually let our kids (4, 7 and 9) move past the lines to throw and that helped them be more successful at knocking down the pins.

This one of a kind game has some unique rules:
–Collateral damage happens if a football from another lane hits your pins and knocks them down. Fair game, the pins are down. Also, you can bring drinks into gates, but they are also fair game. If a football finds it, it’s not going to buy you another one ;).
–BONK HONK. Holy cow, that thing is loud! If you get a BONK, which means you hit the middle pin only, they sound the horn for the whole place to hear! Surprisingly, this happens more often than you realize. We did not BONK or even come close!

Food and Drinks At Fowling Warehouse

There are large round tables outside of the gates that hold the lanes where you can gather with family. They have snacks and slices of pizza, but you can also BYO. We brought in pizza from LaRosas on Montgomery, but you can also use Uber Eats or any other restaurant that delivers.

For the kids, grab a pitcher of Powerade, soda or water. For the adults, there is an epic selection of local and national beverages! They pour from a ‘bottoms up’ system so each drink is the perfect pour and you get one of those fun magnets to keep ;). They have a great drink cooler and a genius ‘mystery beer machine’. Choose your price, $2-$5, and the machine vends you a surprise can! Check out my reels on Instagram for the full experience!

More Games at Fowling Warehouse

Want to take a break for a bit? They have HUGE TVs and the local games are played over the PA system making it a perfect way to watch a Bengals game.

Also, the kids can play air hockey, Golden Tee and more. Each game requires dollars or quarters to play.

Fowling Warehouse for fundraisers and birthday parties

Looking for a way to fundraise for your school, sports team or organization? Fowling is the perfect idea because there is low overhead cost, it’s a unique event and it’s fun for all ages.

Be a cool mom and book the Fowling Warehouse for your next birthday celebration. Costs are low and fun is high because you pay per person and bring your own food!

Be sure to tell them Captain of the Kids sent you!

CLICK IMAGE BELOW to enter to WIN a lane for 10 and a round of drinks at the Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati!

September 23, 2020September 24, 2020

10 Cincinnati Kid Friendly Restaurants

Looking for a restaurant where you can have a conversation with your husband or friend while your kids play? Can this actually happen? There are some great Cincinnati kid friendly restaurants and here are my favorites!

1. Fifty West Brewing Company | Cincinnati Kid Friendly Restaurant

This is the perfect place for a casual, socially distanced meal with the family! This place was recently renovated and we love it.
Food: Great burgers or grilled chicken sandwiches with unique toppings, fries, shakes and handcrafted sodas. The kids options are the usual suspects – cheeseburger, hotdog, chicken tenders or grilled chicken.
Atmosphere: It’s right along the Little Miami bike trail, so it’s very casual and filled with a post-exercise crowd! The sand courts are open for kid play, so bring your shovels & buckets for the littles. There is a large covered tent for hot days and plenty of tables with umbrellas.
Masks required when not at your table. Check out my Sunday [Family] Funday post on this place!

2. Moerlein Lager House

115 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks
The open air patio is a great place to have a meal as a family. With views of the Roebling bridge, the atmosphere is authentically Cincinnati and the environment is kid-friendly, despite it being a ‘lager house’, ha!
Food: So many diverse options on the menu, but my favorite is always the beer can chicken sandwich. And for the kids, your usual suspects like a Cheeseburger or Mac And Cheese, but also options like Grilled Salmon.
Atmosphere: There is plenty of family fun to be had before or after in the area. Whether it’s Carol Ann’s Carousel, a Reds game, Smale Riverfront Park, there are tons of things to see and do around the lager house, making this a great family destination in Cincinnati.
Bonus: If you’re looking for a socially distance option, try getting takeout and having a picnic on the Schmidlap Lawn right there! There’s a To-Go window from the restaurant to grab beverages too!

3. ELI's BBQ

This place is a Cincinnati staple with a casual outdoor vibe. It’s right along Riverside Dr and the permanent tent offers picnic tables easy for families. There isn’t much to do there, but check out my blog on how to survive dinner out with kids for some great options.
Food: Smoked goodness – pork, turkey, ribs & more. Get the sides ‘dirty’ with the pork crispins on top.
For the kids, they have hot dogs & mac and cheese.
BONUS: This is a great spot to visit before or after a ride on the trail at Lunken or hitting golf balls on the driving range at Reeves golf course.

4. Mt Carmel Brewing Company

4362 Mt Carmel Tobasco Rd, Mt. Carmel near Anderson
The atmosphere is great, but this place is better if you have OLDER kids. There isn’t a kids menu and you have to walk to the bar to place your order. But, there is a great outdoor space with tons of seating around the lake and water features. Plus, there is often live music.
Food: I’m not a big wing fan, but these are legendary, I hear. I love the burgers and the fries are addicting. P.S. For the parents, this brewery also has wine on tap available for the non beer drinker.

5. Takeout at Washington Park

This is a great place to have a family picnic! They often have great events too – check out the latest here. Get takeout from tenders from Citybird, tacos from Bakersfield or try a food truck that might be onsite that day. The porch is also open and serving drinks for the parents. Plus, you can always play in the park playground before or after dinner.

6. Hofbrahaus

200 E 3rd St., Newport
The outdoor biergarten is awesome and good for social distancing! Plus, during normal times, they have family nights with entertainment, facepainting and kids meal deals.
Food: Traditional german Schnitzel plus salads and more. Kids options include burgers, pizza, grilled cheese and more.

7. Taft's Brewporium

4831 Spring Grove Ave, Northside
The atmosphere is great, open and there are garage doors along the wall that they open to get air flow moving. During non-covid times, they have skeeball and video games open for use. The shuffle board tables are still open. Seating is picnic table style.
Food: There isn’t a specific kids menu, but there are pizzas and snacky apps that would be kid crowd pleasers.

8. Dilly Deli

6818 Wooster Pike, Mariemont
This place offers outdoor seating on the open air patio. Try calling ahead to be put on the waitlist.
Food: Beer cheese is a must and the wings are legendary (Wednesday is Wing Night!) They also offer a Dilly Date Night package where you can get a meal to go with a wine pairing if you’d like. Kids options include mac n cheese, cheeseburger, hot dog & more.

9. Grove park Grille

6735 Kellogg Road, Anderson
This place offers a large patio on the side of the building with limited seating. They will take reservations, but cannot guarantee outdoor seating. If you’re watching the horses run at Belterra Park, this is a great place to come afterwards with the family.
Food: The grilled romaine salad is my favorite! Kids options include mini burgers, curly pasta, grilled cheese and even kids steak. Kids EAT FREE on Sundays with an adult meal purchase.

10. The Gruff

129 East 2nd Street, Covington
This is a casual restaurant with great great brick oven pizzas and unique deli sandwiches and salads.
They also have a retail area, so you can pick up milk, bread, eggs, cheese, etc. if you’re out and don’t want to run to the grocery!
Atmosphere: Casual with a small outdoor space. They have a great local beer selection and housemade cocktails!

11. Rivertown Brewery and Barrel House

6550 Hamilton Lebanon Rd, Monroe
This is a family-owned craft brewery with taproom and full-service BBQ restaurant in Monroe, Oh. During non-covid times, they host Monday Family Fun Night from 5:30-7pm where kids eat free, entertainment is provided, and there is a great selection of free arcade games. Arcade games are free every day [currently turned off for Covid protocol].

September 21, 2020April 13, 2021

Young’s Jersey Dairy: Fall Fun with the Family

We had the honor of spending the day with John & Scarlett Young, of Young’s Jersey Dairy. And let me tell you, the people behind this farm are just as amazing as the experience. They are genuine, hard working and have a heart for family fun!

A visit to Young’s Jersey Dairy is a GREAT family day trip and NEEDS to be on your bucket list this fall. Check out my INSTAGRAM highlights for more tips!

Young’s is about 40 mins to an hour from Cincinnati or Columbus in the CUTEST little town of Yellow Springs, Oh. The farm opens at 11, so get there early, enjoy lunch and then let them sleep on the way home! Check out my PROTIPS and favorite activities at Young’s!

INSIDE SCOOP: They are building a MUCH LARGER Dairy Store, hopefully finished late spring! There will be more restaurant space and you will be able to watch the production of the cheese and ice cream while they make it!

Best pumpkin picking experience

You take a short hayride out to the patch. A REAL patch. Not pumpkins in a ‘patch’ lined up in the grass. Pumpkins that you cut fresh from the vine. It was so fun to explore and find the one we wanted! And their prices are fantastic. $8/pumpkin or 3 for $24 and that includes the wagon ride. Plus, you’re supporting that amazing family I mentioned and all those that work there throughout the year. This was our first time cutting the pumpkin off the vine and I suggest it needs to be experienced by ALL.

BONUS: Next to the pick your own pumpkin field is Cowvin’s Corny Maze & Playland. I suggest taking the hay ride out, do the maze and then pick your pumpkin and ride back.

It's NOT YOUR AVERAGE Pumpkin Farm

There’s NO SHORTAGE of activities. We have been here 3 times and have yet to do everything! Activities include:

Cowvin’s Fast Slide
Miniature Golf
Driving Range
Batting Cages - bats & helmets washed between use
Moovers & Shakers Cow Train
Feed the Goats
See the Dairy Cows
Play on the Tractors
Hay Ride to Pick Your Pumpkin off the Vine
Cowvin's Corny Maze & Playland: An interactive maze with a playland in the middle!
Cowvin's Kiddie Coral with ride on tractors, slides, skee ball and more. Perfect for 7 & under.

BUNDLE And save

I recommend getting the Young’s Family Fun Wristband! Pick 3 or 5 activities of your choice. Avoid lines and purchase at The Dairy Store, Udders & Putters or Outside the batting cages.

Protip for ordering food & Ice cream

You’ll want to have lunch here. If you leave without cheese curds and ice cream, you’ve really done yourself a disservice;)!

You can order food or ice cream 3 ways:

Wait in line to place your order and get a pager to pick up your food when it’s ready.
THE PRO WAY: Order food or ice cream via the toast app and pick up at the pickup window.
Use the drive thru and take it to go! OR, start your visit this way and find a place to picnic on the farm before you venture out!

Thanks to Mr. Young, who gave us the inside scoop on this! So, download the TOAST APP on your way there, if you don’t have it already and talk about what you want to order so you avoid any hangry episodes! You can order on your phone while the kids are still playing and then pick it up from the window when it’s ready!

They have great grilled cheese, made using the milk from their farm cows, burgers, chicken fingers and more!

Cowvin’s Corny Maze & Playland Adventure

This is an interactive corn maze from more than 3½ acres of cornfield. You can scan a QR to try one of 2 interactive challenges. Plus, you end in Cowvin’s Playland Adventure! You can bundle or pay for this separately and the price includes a wagon ride to and from the maze.

commitment to safety

We felt safe attending, given current COVID conditions. There was plenty of space to spread out. They are not hosting any events this year, so crowds seem lighter. Everyone is encouraged to wear masks in line and when ordering in the store and restaurant. They sanitized the wagon after each ride, the golf and batting equipment are sanitized after each use. You can hear more about this from our new ADORABLE friend, Scarlett on the Scoop with Scarlett and Granddad Young!

**NOTE: The Golden Jersey Inn is NOT currently open due to Covid restrictions.

SUNFLOWERS! NOT THIS SEASON, but if you’re there early enough in the season, there is a GORGEOUS sunflower field to visit just a 1/2 mile down the road that screams fall photo op!

MAKE A FULL DAY OF IT: Stay and explore the cute town of Yellow Springs! Check out the cute toy store, pizza shops, train station and more!