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

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!

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May 4, 2020May 8, 2020

Virtual Dance Parties With The Family

Dancing With The Stars... In My Living room

Oh hey, I danced with tWitch and Allison in my living room last week. NBD, right? They’re hosting virtual dance parties online along with several other celebrities. Want to have a family dance party with celebrities in YOUR living room? Check this out for all the best options.

Dance with Twitch and Allison

Get your dance on with tWitch and Allison ! They teamed up with the American Heart Association to do the #MoveMore dance challenge happening for a limited time 3 times a week, LIVE on their Instagram pages! Their music is awesome and the moves are easy, but fun. Think jazzercise, but it has to be cool if tWitch is doing it. If you don’t catch it live, no worries. All past BOSS FAMILY WORKOUTS videos are on the Official Boss Fam YouTube Channel. so you can go back and dance with them anytime.

KIDZ BOP DAILY DANCE BREAKS

There are tons of options on the Kidz Bop YouTube Channel. Currently, we like trying the Kidz Bop Daily Dance Break because they are just a few minutes and offer either dance alongs or freestyle moves. There is also a Kidz Bop Fitness playlist with tons of great options to get moving. If you’re not familiar, Kidz Bop kids sing current popular songs with the bad words removed ;). Alexa has had a workout at our house playing Kidz Bop Old Town Road on repeat…

So You Think You Can Dance, with mark

Dance Party with Mark Kanemura from So You Think You Can Dance happens at 5pm EST daily on Instagram! Bring a scarf to dance with and prepare to be fabulous! He usually has a spectacular outfit reveal at the top of the show 😉 And parents, you will connect with his music choices. Lots of rainbows and fabulousness! Remember this dance with Mark & Sasha from his season of SYTYCD? Yowzer!

Is your kickline game strong?

Join a LIVE DANCE CLASS from The Rockettes on Instagram every Thursday 12 pm EST. Seriously, the kicks are no joke! Also, for the more seasoned dancers, there are quick Dance Tutorials from famous Rockettes dances they have performed in their shows at Radio City Music Hall!

JoJo Siwa and her Bows...

I don’t get it. But, my kids truly enjoy her songs. So, they won on this one. We watched the JoJo Siwa Backyard Concert, which was only about 4 mins long! She built a stage in her backyard, so she seems committed to do more!

take your moves to the next level

Looking for some fun, unique ways to get exercise and learn legit dance moves? Try the 2020 Dance Experience from the CLI Experience with famous dance choreographers! It’s 8 weeks of training with 5+ days of dance each week. There are tons of styles of dance to choose from.

Or, if you’re just looking for something to do for the day or week, you can choose an Outschool online dance class with your favorite theme. Choose from options like dance to the Decendants, The Greatest Showman, a Frozen-themed ballet and tons more!

GoNoodle: Not Famous, but My Kids think they are

When your littles (3-9 years) are climbing the walls, GoNoodle. Seriously, just do it. It’s like magic for my kids in school and they love it. Our favorite is the Milkshake song with Koo Koo Kangaroo. Sorry, not sorry, this will be stuck in your head! But there are tons of choices like Zumba for Kids. Each video is only 3-4 mins so you can go down a wormhole for awhile on this one!

What’s your go-to dance style? Hip hop? Contemporary? Kicklines? The Sprinkler?

May 1, 2020August 12, 2020

Shark Week

The yearly celebration of Shark Week on Discovery Channel has popularized discovery and wonder about sharks with kids. Why not make a theme week out of it and explore these fun activities!

SHARK WEEK CRAFTS

I’m loving the zen doodle patterns my oldest did in school. We decided to zen doodle sharks today on this shark coloring page. If that’s not your jam, you can choose a craft that fits your child’s interest from one of the 25+ options below. Or do one craft a day and display your artwork around the TV while you watch the show!

25+ Shark Week Crafts and Activities for Kids

Grab these inexpensive shark fin ice cube trays, freeze blue kool-aid in them and serve them in water cups at meals for a little extra fun.

Be a hero and grab a Snuggie Tails Shark Blanket for them to use while watching the shows! A great reward for learning new things!

SHARK SNACKS

Everyone is happier when they are fueled, right? Check out these cute Shark Banana Pops from Food Network Kitchen! Just 5 ingredients and wooden pop sticks.

LIVE SHARK CAMS

Observe shark behavior by watching these LIVE SHARK CAMS:

SHArk SCHOOL

Learn about sharks from Outschool who is offering a 60 minute class for $15 taught via a video chat session.

Shark Stewards, a non-profit out of California, hosted weekly Facebook Live sessions called the Ocean Action Series that teaches about ways we can preserve and protect the sharks and the ocean.

SHArk Movies

If you dare, watch the classic, Jaws. Soul Surfer and Shark Tale are much more our families speed. 😉 Make a shark snack and curl up in your shark blanket as a family to watch the movie!

April 28, 2020May 8, 2020

Family Yoga

Yoga for kids, toddler to tween, is something we all need to embrace and practice, but where should we start? From mommy & me yoga to tween yoga, here are my favorites.

Yoga For Kids 2 – 9 years old

YOGA WITH ADRIENNE is a go-to resource in the yoga world and she offers a few great options for kids. FREE YOGA FOR KIDS called Rainbow Yoga is great for kids any age. If you’re looking for something for kids age 6+, try her FREE KIDS YOGA VIDEO called Yoga in the Park.

For the younger kids, ages 2-9, try COSMIC KIDS YOGA. I like to call it ‘yoga stories’ because she keeps the kids attention by telling a story. Her adorable Australian accent takes you on journeys, including our favorites, POKEMON YOGA and FROZEN YOGA. Cosmic Kids Yoga is FREE on YouTube, or you can subscribe to the COSMIC KIDS APP

Try MINI BEAN YOGA for kids age 2-5. This does require parent supervision, so don’t expect to turn it on and clock out ;). But, it should capture their attention and burn some energy! Explore basic yoga postures in a fun, playful way and bring your home musical instruments to dial up the fun!

BEAN YOGA is great for kids age 6-9 and classes are donation-based. As with the other classes from Yogi Beans @ HOME, donations from $3 – $12 are suggested. Once you enroll, you get a ZOOM link to join the class.

Try this YOGA FOR KIDS BOOK on Amazon called ‘I am Yoga’. It’s a great introduction to yoga poses and the philosophy of yoga. It’s great for young readers. and my daughter used to ‘teach a yoga class’ to her stuffed animals using this book.

Gaia offers YOGA FOR KIDS with different themes like outer space and dino-mite yoga for younger kids. They also offer classes for older kids and tweens in a variety of different styles.

FAMILY YOGA

Yogi Beans @ HOME offers FAMILY YOGA twice a week via online classes for kids ages 4-10 years. This is a great option for trying yoga as a family because no experience is necessary. For real. Try basic yoga poses through fun yoga-themed adventures with an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration via partner poses and group games. To register for a class, make an online donation (between $3 – $12) and you’ll get a zoom link to join.

YOGA FOR TWEENS

Yogi Beans’ offers TWEEN YOGA CLASSES for kids age 9-12 that explores poses a little more complicated and content way more ‘cool’ than your average kids yoga however, no prior yoga experience is required. In other words, this class is appropriate for those heading into their teen years, or that have the attitude of a teen;). To register for a class, make an online donation (between $3 – $12) and you’ll get a zoom link to join.

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.