Cincinnati With Kids Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Family Fun📍Cincinnati & Beyond

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 12, 2020September 24, 2020

Bass Island and Near with the Family

Have a Sunday Funday – or any day, really – with the family! A family favorite of ours for outdoor Cincinnati family fun is the Newtown/Mariemont area of Cincinnati! This is a MUST VISIT for families with kids of ANY age. Check out the notes and adjustments I call out for toddlers and tweens.

Choose Your Favorites For Sunday [family] funday

Choose something active, something to explore, something to eat and even a sweet treat! All are within walking distance or a short drive from the Bass Island starting point (Newtown Rd just south of Wooster Pike).

Creekin’, River float, Canoe or Kayak
Golf, Driving Range or Putt Putt Golf
Bike ride or paved stroller walk
Burgers, shakes & playing in the sand
Sweet treats – candy & ice cream!

Creekin' + River Float + Kayak + More

The Avoca Trailhead (7949 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227) is a great place to park and start a short ‘float’ down the river in a tube. If the river water is high, the rapids can be fast, so I strongly suggest lifejackets for all! You can end just after you go under the bridge (Newtown Road) and play in the water there. Skip rocks, float in the small rapids (my kids call them ‘slides’) and relax in the river.

Have littles and want to skip the float part? Park at Bass Island (Newtown Rd south of Wooster Pike) and hike down the small trail. Go LEFT at the fork to the end – that is the least steep entrance into the riverbed.

Make sure you have water shoes! Bug spray, a bucket to collect rocks and lifejackets or floaties for the littles are also smart to have. We took pool floats and boogie boards are great too!

If you’re looking to canoe or kayak, here is a map of public canoe access on the little miami. I suggest ending at Bass Island so you can grab some burgers, beers and shakes at fifty west!

If you don’t have your own, here are some places to rent:

Scenic River Canoe Excursions
Fifty West Canoe & Kayak – closed this season.

River Dogs Paddlesports– closed this season.

Loveland Canoe & Kayak

Golf, Driving Range or Putt Putt Golf

Little Miami Golf Center (3811 Newtown Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45244) has a awesome Par 3 and regulation course if your family enjoys golf. My kids prefer the driving range (heated during the winter) or the simple, throwback style putt putt golf course.

BIKE, Scooter or Walk the trail

Looking to take a long bike ride or walk? You can park at The Avoca Trailhead (7949 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227) and walk to The Birch in Terrace Park. This is about a 2.5 mile walk and is great for older kids, a day date or girlfriend adventure.

The Little Miami trail connects all the way to Springfield, Ohio – about 78 miles long. It’s great for family rides. We usually park at Bass Island (Newtown Rd south of Wooster Pike) and ride along the trail as far as we want and turn around. The trick is, there are plenty of competitive bike racers on the trail that come at a good clip, so make sure your kids know to stay to the right and listen for ‘passing on the left’ to avoid any issues. This is one of my favorite places to walk with the stroller because it’s flat, paved and the kids can play in the river or at fifty west afterward.

Great eats, sweet treats

Make sure you hit up fifty west for some burgers, shakes, handcrafted sodas and beers for the parents! There is a great sidewalk path from the little miami golf course to the little miami trail, right behind fifty west burger bar. If you golf, throw the little kids bikes or scooters in your car and scoot on over to fifty west for a little more adventure and fun.

ProTip, you can order take out (online!) if you’re super hungry and don’t want to wait! Or stay to enjoy the atmosphere, shakes and beers for the parents! There is a kids sand area for kids to play in but bring your own toys!

If you want to venture out a but for a treat, be sure to either visit the creamy whip place at the corner of Newtown Rd and 32, called Dairy Corner, or venture up into the Mariemont Strand and try all the candy classics like astronaut ice cream and unique ice creams from Groovy Gumball!

September 1, 2020September 24, 2020

Highfield Discovery Garden: Adventures with Toddlers

We love Highfield Discovery Garden! This unique park offers so many things to discover and is one of our favorite shaded playgrounds in Cincinnati.

BONUS: If you wanted to get some exercise first, there is a 1.0-mile paved trail in the Glenwood Gardens, before you enter the Highfield Discovery Garden. Bring your littles in a stroller and meet a friend to get some exercise before the garden opens at 10am.

**Note: There is an admission charged, $5.25/person or buy a family annual pass to support the Great Parks.

The Magic Treehouse Playground

This is the main attraction! So much to discover in this treehouse playground. Try your hand at the matching game on the side in the green boxes or play hide & seek in the little nooks around the base of the treehouse. The structure and surroundings offer great shade!

The back of the treehouse has a ramp to enter so everyone can see the fun! This is also helpful for parents who want to join in the play but might not want duck down in the other parts of the treehouse.

The kids can scale the steps to the top and check out the a telescope lookout.

Magical Fun & Fairy Garden

Hunt fairies, have a tea party, explore the beautiful gardens and more!

There are adorable little gardens dispersed throughout the grounds to discover and explore. If you’re lucky, you’ll find some butterflies. We loved the mazes.

There’s a little tiny house, a la Alice in Wonderland, perfect for little ones to have a tea party. BYO tea as the dishes are not out, per covid precautions.

Trolley garden

All aboard! A mini train display runs throughout the Trolley Garden and kids can walk under the bridges and find all the trains! Kids can pretend they are the conductors and press the light up buttons in the train station to make it go.

During normal operation, the nature center hosts cute nature programs as well as hands on things for kids to do. Check the Great Parks website for a calendar of events here.

Stay for lunch. You can enjoy a snack or have packed lunch at the tables with umbrellas just past Nature’s Niche Gifts & Books where you purchase your ticket to enter the garden. The gift shop has some really cool, unique gifts, so be sure to take a look around. It’s air conditioned, so it’s a great place to cool off!

July 28, 2020March 3, 2021

Cincinnati Nature Center | Top 10 Things To Do

The Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods is such a treasure in our city. You can visit many times and never have the same experience twice! A yearly membership is a great investment that your family can use year-round because the center is open and there are even events during the winter. **NOTE: Make sure to check their website to see their policies on daily visit reservations and more.

Here are my top 10 favorite things to do at the Cincinnati Nature Center, in no particular order. Don’t try to do them all at once, though!

1. The Man Made Stream

This gem is inside the Nature PlayScape area, which is perfect for the littles. Even my 9 year old loves this spot. This man made stream offers mini waterfalls, a great creek stream and treasures to be found. Wear boots, water shoes or just let the kids play barefoot. Hunt for fossils, traverse down the rocks (a bit slippery) and look for creatures! There is no shade in this part, but there is a small canopy with bench nearby to watch them play.

2. The Nature PlayScape Area

The Nature PlayScape area is perfect for the littles to run and play. Kids who are just starting to walk will love this area – parents, you’ll love it too because it’s gated! Even my kids older kids (7 & 9) enjoy it, but eventually want to adventure further.

Inside the area includes:
* Little ‘trails’
* A mud pie zone (that you can easily avoid if you want)
* Benches to relax in the shade
* A cool area with logs and tree stumps to build with
*A small sand area
* Interactive maps and questions about nature, butterflies and more that you can assist with along the way

3. events in the playscape

They are often hosting really fun family friendly events in the Nature PlayScape. From nature storytime to crafty Tuesdays to nature painting and more. Heading there for an event is a great way to get familiar with the place! Check out the Calendar of Events in the PlayScape. Don’t forget to check out all the awesome events they host year round.

4. Mashburn Family Discovery Trail

We love to trek this trail starting near the parking lot of the playscape. The orange trail, the Mashburn Family Discovery Trail is a super easy, flat hike (more like a stroll, so even the new walkers can do it.) There are tons of treasures along this hike including Matt’s Pond, but be sure to hold little ones hands here because there are no railings around the deck! The trail loops around so your family will see many different things that I highlight below, including the Lotus Pond and the Log Cabin.

5. the Log Cabin & THe lotus pond

Follow the Orange trail (Mashburn Family Discovery Trail), a super easy, flat hike to find some great places to play and discover in nature including:
* Matt’s Pond
* An old log cabin. My kids could play house in this cabin for hours while I enjoy the rocking chair on the front porch.
* If you keep walking past the house and turn left, you will find the lotus pond. There are frogs for days here in this green, lilypad filled pond. And if you’re there late spring, you can’t miss them because they are loud. And I mean LOUD because it’s mating season. It’s really cool if you happen upon that timing.

6. Houses in the woods made from branches

Keep going past the Lotus Pond on the Mashburn Family Discovery Trail to find a collection of branches, sticks and tree stumps that have been made into ‘houses’. This area is nestled in the shade and really fun for kids to play and make believe in, especially if it’s hot. There’s usually an area where kids can rebuild the big houses or make teepee.

7. Classes for tots to tweens

The Covid concerns have canceled a lot of things, including some of the nature programming. But, under normal circumstances, there are weekly classes, year-round, for kids ages 1-13! Check out their schedules to see if openings are available. Also, did you know they host an accredited nature preschool? It’s a really cool hands on learning experience. Their yearly open house is usually in late January or early February if you or someone you know may be interested in learning more!

8. Hiking and creekin' on the Geology & Discovery trails

There are some really awesome hiking trails at the Cincinnati Nature Center and there’s something for everyone. If you have tots who just want a nature stroll, try the Mashburn Family Discovery Trail as I mention above.

Check out the trail map here (image below) and trail descriptions to find out which best suits your mood and skill level. My favorite trails are the pink (Wildflower) and the purple trail called The Geology Trail. They are family favorites and has a pretty easy decent into the creek. Bring water shoes or old gym shoes you don’t care get wet. Tons of fossil hunting and treasures to find in the creek.

9. feeding the fish and turtles at POWEL Crosley Lake

Feeding the fish & turtles at Powel Crosley Lake is a perfect break from hiking. We like to do the purple trail and then come back up to the Rowe Woods Visitors Center to purchase the brown bags of fish food – just from the cashier there. Bonus, there is a SUPER cute gift shop here with a range of gifts for kids and adults that are unique and not something you can find elsewhere.

The turtles and fish LOVE to be fed and get super close. Be diligent with the little ones as there is no railing on the walkway. I always make my kids sit before giving them the fish food, and then of course obsessively watch them to make sure they don’t fall in ;)! Is my mom anxiety showing?! 😉

10. Adult EVENTS You WILL LOVE

There are tons of cool events for adults to enjoy the nature center. The annual event, Hoots & Hops, is a great date night or GNO option. There are food samples from local restaurants in the lodge, plus food trucks and local brews to sample along the trails. It’s a super casual event and a great way to get to see more of the nature center, without your kids! Plus, they often host events like trail yoga, nature photography walks and more!

If you love to get out and explore and want more ideas, try my favorite shaded playgrounds in Cincinnati or hiking adventures!

July 26, 2020July 26, 2020

10 Shaded Playgrounds in Cincinnati

We LOVE parks with great playgrounds. But shaded playgrounds in Cincinnati are my FAVORITE because we can all hang longer, even on super hot days! Check out one of these places next time you’re sick of the pool but it’s too hot to do much! Bonus, there are also a few places with a splash park where you can cool off after you play!

1. Land of Make Believe at Lunken Airport

4750 Playfield Lane, Columbia Tusculum
If you’re looking for some great shade, this is a great place to check out! There are trees and lots of shade, multiple playground areas, swings, monkey bars, slides, covered picnic tables, benches, and a great tall fence surrounding it making it safe for kids of all ages to roam without you worrying about them running off.

This park costs $1/person, ages 2-12, to enter as you pass through the front air-conditioned building which has clean bathrooms – always a PLUS – and concession snacks and drinks!

Nearby: bring a picnic or enjoy takeout or patio seating at the Sky Galley Restaurant to watch the planes come in at Lunken Airport!

2. Cincinnati Nature Center

4949 Tealtown Rd, Milford
Sure, this isn’t your typical playground, but this place is perfect for shade! No swings or slide, but lots of options for play. Check out the playscape for the younger kids, but expect them to get dirty! Check out my post on the Top 10 Things to Do at Cincinnati Nature Center.

3. Blue Ash Nature Park

4343 Cooper Road, Blue Ash
This park is behind the Blue Ash Recreation Center. There are 2 playgrounds as you walk through the mulch nature trail. Bring one of the nature hunt ideas on this blog post to do as you walk.
If you keep walking beyond the picnic shelters and amphitheater, you will find a shaded play area perfect for little ones and a dinosaur themed play structure! Blue Ash Nature Park has separate structures for different ages. There are several playgrounds & a ropes course.

4. Highfield Discovery Garden

10397 Springfield Pike Evendale
Tons of shade options at this unique park! Whether it’s playing in the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ style house, on the giant magic tree structure or hunting for fairies, there are some great options for shade.

Highfield Discovery Garden (admission fee is $5/adult, $4/kiddos 2-12) at Glenwood Gardens is where nature and fun intersect. They have a kid friendly tree house called the Discovery Tree in the middle of the park where they can climb and explore. They also have the most adorable little gardens dispersed throughout. My kids LOVED the water pump to fill watering cans to water the garden.

Enjoy tea in the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ tiny house perfect for little ones. Or hunt for fairies and wizards in the Fairy and Wizard Garden.

5. Juilfs Park

8249 Clough Pike, Anderson

With a shaded canopy playground for the little ones, 3 & under, and a full shaded sand area, there is tons to do here! Bring sand toys because it will be hard to keep the kids away from the giant sand area.

There is a super cute farm themed splash pad that is surprisingly shaded. Plus, the bathrooms are directly behind that area for easy changing. The larger play structure has some shaded areas, but its mostly in full sun. The swings are also in full sun.

Bonus fun, bring the scooters or the kids bikes. They can ride the paved path while you get a little exercise. At the start of the trail, there is a small little ‘gas station’ for kids to pretend to gas up their bike and make believe! There are also plenty of shelters around to enjoy a picnic lunch!

6. Swaim Park

Corner of Cooper and Zig Zag Roads, Montgomery

There is a decent amount of nature shade from trees on the playground area.

There is a tot lot, perfect for little ones plus a school age playground. Bonus, this park has a short paved trail for Bikes & Scooters.

7. Alms Park

710 Tusculum Avenue, Mt Lookout
This playground provides a great shaded place to play. Don’t forget to check out the long concrete slide and the amazing “castle” with views to the river & a birds-eye view of the planes take off at Lunken airport.

Sit on the long, serpentine wall to watch the planes come in at Lunken while enjoying a picnic! There is no shade in the viewing area.

8. Dogwood Park

3721 Pleasant Street, Mariemont
The Tot Lot has great shade provided by the surrounding trees. And a major bonus, the park is fenced in! Even the swings offer some shade!

Covering over 20 acres, Dogwood Park contains ball fields, playground equipment, nature trails, the swimming pool, and a memorial to the Native Americans who once occupied the area.

9. Cottell Park

5847 Irwin Simpson Rd, Mason
The playground has plenty of shaded canopies and is entertaining for all ages. There is a designated spot for toddlers. You can walk along the paved paths or run their energy out in the wide-open spaces around the park. Bonus, if you time it right, you might see the gorgeous sunflowers in bloom across the street!

10. Washington Park

1230 Elm St, OTR
The playground area of Washington Park is fenced-in and great for all ages. There is a castle-like play structure, a few swings and some outdoor musical toys to explore. There is a small sand area there also. There is natural shade in most parts of the park provided by the mature trees. Bring suits if you want the kids to play in the interactive fountain in the main area of the park.

June 9, 2020July 7, 2020

Best Places To Go Fishing With Kids In Cincinnati

With years of expertise from the fishing captain, Papa Jake, we’ve gathered the best places to go fishing with kids in Cincinnati.

Need kids fishing tips? Want to know the basics and where to find lessons? Check out my Fishing With Kids post.

Here’s hoping your kids catch a bigger fish than that one when you go fishing with kids! I’m kidding, that’s the bait!

Choosing The Right Place To Fish in Cincinnati

Don’t forget, you need a fishing license before you go fishing with kids in Cincinnati! You may purchase them at most local sporting goods stores or if you’re in Ohio, get an Ohio fishing license here.

Choosing a lake may depend on what you have and need. I’ve divided up the options by one stop shop with everything you need and places that are great to fish but BYOB(bait!)

Plus, there are a ton of great fishing activities for kids run through the Great Parks like tournaments and competitions.

One Stop Shop Fishing in Cincinnati

Lake Isabella – a great place to fish for families! During a normal fishing season, they hold tournaments for kids – complete with trophies and all! And there is often live music and grill outs on Friday nights. It’s a ton of fun for all!

You will need a fishing ticket ($3 for kids, $12.50 for adults) and state license – see above to get one. They have a bait shop to purchase gear and bait. You can fish on the bank or you can rent a boat during a normal season. This lake is stocked with fish by the parks department so the odds for catching something are good!.

Miami Whitewater Forest – You can rent boats or bring your own canoes and kayaks. You can also buy bait or tackle at the boathouse. If you don’t want to go in a boat, bank fishing is also available. Don’t forget to get a fishing license before you go!

Sharon Woods Park – a great option for fishing with the family. The boathouse rents row, pedal and pontoon boats and kayaks. Personal canoes, kayaks are permitted. Fishing is available from boats or the fishing pier.
There are also tons of other activities there, so make a day of it with my guide to Sharon Woods Park for families.

Winton Woods – the boathouse offers row, pedal, motor and pontoon boats; kayaks; and canoes for rental. You can also bring your own canoes and kayaks. Bank fishing is also available. You can also purchase bait and tackle at the boathouse. Don’t forget your fishing license!

BYOB (Bait) Fishing in Cincinnati

There are also great options to fishing, but you have to bring your own bait. Most stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart, Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shop have a variety of bait. Chances are, the closest gas station to the lake has bait available!

Other options include:
Baehr’s bait and tackle shop in north Cincinnati
Latonia Bait & Tackle – in NKY

BOYBait to these great places:

Lake Barber – a great fishing lake in Newtown with a paved path around the lake great for walking and bike/scooter riding. Bring the scooters or a nature scavenger hunt (see Outdoor Activities With Kids for info). You will need to bring everything (including a fishing license) because there is no fishing support there. You fish from the bank for free in a natural lake that is not stocked. Don’t forget to see my Fishing With Kids post to make sure you have all the right gear.

Woodland Mound – A small lake with bank fishing only. This lake is stocked with fish by the parks department, so while fishing is a sport of chance and skill, your odds of getting a bite are better here. Note, you need to bring all your bait and gear as there is not boathouse. Great Parks parking permits are usually required and available to purchase at entry. There is also a boat launch ramp available if Ohio River conditions allow. Grab your bait at Shell (4525 Kellogg Ave) or Marathon (6790 Kellogg Rd)

Little Miami River at Bass Island – fishing on the bank of the river (this is a great creeking spot too). The parking lot is just past the Little Miami Golf Center. You can also bring your own Canoe or kayak. Speaking of this place, check out my golfing with the kids blog for information on their great putt putt golf course (kids 4+), Par 3 course and driving range.

Fernbank Park – You can fish from the banks of the Ohio River. BYOeverything and don’t forget your fishing license! There is a great flat path here if you want to bring scooters or bikes to ride when the kids want to take a break! And, there is a playground nearby for the really short attention spans.

Triple Creek pond – The park offers a nice neighborhood fishing pond where you get to keep the fish and no fishing license is required.

East Fork State Park – A huge lake with boat access and bank fishing. You will need a state fishing license and will have to pay for access into the park. I have a ton of information on my blog post about spending a day (or weekend) at East Fork with the family.

May 21, 2020June 10, 2020

Fishing With Kids

Looking for a great outdoor kids activity to do during socially distancing? Try fishing with kids! It’s an outdoor adventure for kids of all ages that the whole family can enjoy. Yes, it’s a slow-paced, but I have some tips to make it enjoyable for all. Looking for a spot? Check out the best places to fish with kids in Cincinnati.

What to bring fishing with kids

Papa Jake is our go-to fishing expert with over 50 years experience fishing and most of the tips below are from him. I’ll go into more detail, but you need a:
– tackle box (see below for what’s needed inside)
– fishing poles
– proper bait
– a fishing license (see below for how to get one)
– camp chairs for the kids
– plus a few other tricks

Camp chairs for kids are key because fishing requires ALOT of waiting. Speaking of waiting, bring lollipops. It gives them something to do as they sit there and watch the line for a bite.

Bubble machines keep the littles entertained. Just make sure you’re not on a dock chasing the bubbles because that’s a good way to end up in the lake.

Other musts for our family:
– sunscreen
– sunglasses or a hat
– a fishing vest to look the part – which can also be used for ALL your outdoor adventures.
– snacks, hand sanitzer and drinks are also necessary.

Best Bait for fishing with kids

Looking for the best bait for fishing in a lake? Fishing bait is a key to catching fish, obviously.

Sometimes the bait is the most fun part of fishing for kids! Seriously, my girls played with the bucket of minnows for 75% of the time. And it was fun to see that the youngest one was the first to ‘catch’ a minnow in the bucket and had no fear holding it. She held it a little too long…oops!

Minnows, wax worms and nightcrawler worms are best. If you can’t find that, hot dogs work too! Parents, bait the hook for your kids. No one needs an ER visit!
** Pro Tip: if you leave a hook on the fishing pole, push the hook into a wine cork so no one gets hurt!

Best Fishing poles and equipment for kids

New to fishing? Have a 4 or 5 year old who wants to cast by themselves, but needs help? This pole has a casting button which is helpful for the ‘I do it myself’ kind of kids. Just give them space and stay away from the hook!

This is a great option for a beginner who is too old for the ‘kid rod’. The reel is great for ease of use.

A tackle box with hooks, bobbers and fishing line is essential. It’s always good to have a small pair of scissors for when the lines get tangled and a needle nose pliers for the hooks when you snag a fish!

This rod is a family favorite! There’s no reel so you just bait the hook and drop it in the water. It’s good for the new fisherman.

Fishing lessons for kids

No clue where to start? Try a fishing lesson from Bass Pro Shop or Cabela’s. There are fishing classes for kids and fishing seminars for 2 select weekends at Bass Pro Shop each year, usually the first weekends of June. Bass Pro Shop has a FREE catch and release pond event with fishing pros there to give you tips and crafts for kids to pique their interests.

Fishing not your thing? There are tons of other Outdoor Activities With Kids to be had as a family. Give Disc Golf a try!

We are a participant in an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. The cost of the product for you is the same, but we appreciate the small kickback we get when you click and purchase our suggested products!

January 14, 2018May 21, 2020

Outdoor Activities With Kids

Looking for some outdoor activities with kids in Cincinnati? Here are some of my favorites. These adventures will burn energy, make memories and help your family stay busy.

BEYOND HIKING WITH KIDS

Depending on your child’s ages, hiking might look more like a stroll with lots of stops. 😉 So, I like to have ideas of what to do once you find the right hiking spot. Speaking of the right spot, be sure to check out my favorite Cincinnati Hiking Trails with Kids.

The kids love to collect treasures as we hike and keep them in a kids gardening bag or look the part and hide treasures in the pockets of their hiking vests. But, as my oldest daughter and self-proclaimed nature expert says, nature stays in nature. So after we collect, we return before we leave. No one seems to fight me on this because I tell them BEFORE we collect and they make the connection that nature

Explore nature with various scavenger hunts. We love these:
NATURE COLOR WHEEL
NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT WITH PICTURES – good for non-readers
ALL ABOUT BIRDS SCAVENGER HUNT
LIFE AT THE POND SCAVENGER HUNT – good for non-readers
NATURE BINGO CARDS – good for non-readers

Don’t forget to bring a clipboard and pencil.

“Playing together in nature is as much about us as it is about the child. Children get to celebrate and be themselves, while we are reminded of our inner child – the essence of who we are.”

Nicolette Sowder

Adventure Beyond the Hike

There are plenty of outdoor adventures in Cincinnati worth exploring. Depending on what you’re in the mood for, you can choose your own adventure. My favorite outdoor adventures include:

The driving range to hit golf balls with the family.
Frisbee golf, also known as disc golf to some, is a great adventure to try as a family. Find a Disc Golf Course in Cincinnati.
Putt-putt golf courses at the local parks. They are nothing fancy, but a great way to work on your putting skills for the real course!
Fishing with the family is fun for ages 4+. I have found that kids younger than that don’t have much patience for it.
Paved trails in Cincinnati
Biking trails in Cincinnati

January 13, 2018May 8, 2020

Frisbee Golf with Kids

Have you ever played frisbee golf with kids? If you’re fancy, you call it disc golf ;). It’s surprisingly fun, but can be a bit frustrating unless you are willing to laugh and not take yourself too seriously.

Most Cincinnati courses are 9 holes and its just like regular golf except you throw your frisbee from a ‘tee area’ toward a basket. As is true with golf, don’t expect to get a hole in one. Throw the frisbee to get close to the basket, then try to land it in the basket. Tally the number of throws, lowest score wins. Check out the official rules for disc golf here.

Disc Golf Courses in Cincinnati

Want to try out disc golf with the family? BYOD – bring your own disc – and head to one of these courses in Cincinnati.

Johnson Hills Park – 7950 Bridle Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45244
Woodland Mound – 8250 Old Kellogg Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45255
Burnet Woods Disc Golf – 3251 Brookline Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220
Mt. Airy Forest Disc Golf Course – 4800 Lodge Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45223
Winton Woods Disc Golf Course – 10248 Mc Kelvey Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231

Disc Golf Gear

Need gear? Buy the Disc Golf Set for Beginners before you invest in the fancy stuff. A regular old frisbee works too, but it’s easier to play if you have the right gear.

If you like frisbee golf, you may want to grab Kan Jam for backyard fun! It’s a similar concept and easy to store.

Need more outdoor adventure ideas? Check out my guide to outdoor activities with kids in Cincinnati.

January 12, 2018April 16, 2021

Hiking With Kids in Cincinnati

Kid friendly Hiking trails in cincinnati

You can find plenty of places to go hiking with kids in Cincinnati in many parks all over the city. While hiking with the younger kids might be more like creekin’ or hunting for nature treasures, here are my favorite places to hike with kids in Cincinnati. Be sure to bring a scavenger hunt or two from my post on outdoor adventures with kids in Cincinnati.

Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails on Cincinnati's East Side

Ault Park – 5090 Observatory Ave, Mt. Lookout 45208
There are 9 hiking trails at Ault Park, but our favorites for smaller legs are The Kids Tree Trail (with Brook Trail added) and Tree Trail. The Kids Tree Trail is super easy and short, but you can add on the Brook Trail to make it more of an adventure including crossing a stream. Note, the start of the Brook Trail is pretty steep but it levels out after that. You’ll find a great path deep into the woods and a stream to cross before turning around. Tree Trail is 0.7 miles with access from the service road off Observatory Circle near Ault Pavilion. This is great for more of a true hike, but might still be tough for the little legs. So, bring a backpack for the little one if you have it.

California Woods – 5400 Kellogg Avenue California, OH 45228
A great place to go creekin’! Park in the lot near the main house/office and you can explore the expansive creek. There’s a spot to the right of the metal bridge that offers natural clay kids can find and sculpt with. Trails are great, but they can get pretty steep for little legs since it lies right by the river bed.

Withrow Nature Preserve – 7075 Five Mile Rd Anderson Township 45230
We love this trail because it’s a pretty flat loop with a short, steep start. This is a great trail for trail runs for tweens and adults. Tons of great uprooted trees and other unique discoveries. And a great place to bring the dogs for a hike!

Johnson Hills Park – 7950 Bridle Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio 45244
The full, wooded trail is 2.1 miles with some fairly steep parts, but my 4 year old had no problem. You can also take a shortcut on the trail and and just do one side or the other. We like to head to the right from the parking lot and do that loop part of the trail for a wooded, but less steep climb. Dogs are welcomed. You can find the Johnson Hills trail map here. Be sure to check out the photo scavenger hunt at Johnson Hills Park and other self guided activities for nature hunts without the big hikes. BONUS: They have a great disc golf course here that would be perfect after a hike!

Cincinnati Nature Center – 4949 Tealtown Rd, Milford, OH 45150
Rowe Woods at the Cincinnati Nature Center is an amazing place to hike and adventure with kids. There is an admission to enter ($9.00 Adults, $4.00 kids 4-12, Free for kids 3 & under, $2.00 Dogs. They sell yearly passes for very reasonable prices and they have some of the best nature events and kids camps in the entire city. For all the details, see my 10+ favorite things to do at the Cincinnati Nature Center.

French Park Short Loop Trail – 3012 Section Rd. Amberley Village 45237
1.2 miles along a creek, so bring the boots and find treasures to play with!

Avon Woods Nature Center and Preserve – 4235 Paddock Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45229
Great moderate hiking here with rolling hill trails and a stream.

Otto Armleder Park – 5057 Wooster Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45226
This is not your typical nature hike. There is a great paved path for walking or riding bikes that leads to the Armleder-Lunken Connector trail. That trail runs along the Little Miami river to Lunken trails for even more exploring. The path is flat for the little legs!

Woodland Mound Park – 8250 Old Kellogg Rd, Anderson Township
2 pretty easy nature trails which are both less than a mile. This would be fun to do before or after playing disc golf with the family.

Sharon Woods – 11450 Lebanon Road Sharonville, OH 45241
There is a great, flat hike out and back wooded trail called the Gorge Trail with places to sit and view the waterfall. At the end of the trail, you can climb down the steps at the dam for more fun and adventure. There is also a 2.6-mile paved trail around the lake called the shared use trail and a 1.0-mile fitness trail with exercise challenges along the way.

Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails on Cincinnati's West Side

Caldwell Nature Preserve – 430 West North Bend Rd Carthage 45216
3.5 miles of nature trails with a level-paved trail that makes it possible for wheelchair users to go into the woods. Also a great option for when we’ve seen alot of rain and you want to avoid the mud!

Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve – 3455 Poole Rd, Colerain Township, OH 45251
The Pin Oak trail is easy, less than a mile and offers the trifecta of trails. A wooded trail, open land to explore and a creek. Plenty to discover.

Mt. Airy Forest – 5083 Colerain Ave Westside 45223
3 great hiking trails for families but the main attraction is ‘everybody’s tree house’, Ohio’s only wheelchair-accessible public treehouse.

Miami Whitewater Forest Trails – 10245 Winton Road Winton Woods 45231
There are 4 nature trails that are moderate level with all of them being 1.5 miles or less. The Oakleaf trails seems to be the most popular for families with a stroll past the river.

Creekin' Adventures with Kids in Cincinnati

If you’re looking for more creekin’ adventures or hunting for nature treasures be sure to bring a scavenger hunt or two from my post on outdoor adventures with kids in Cincinnati.