Cheap Kid-Friendly Activities To Do Around Greater Cincinnati This Summer

Take a Spin on Carol Ann’s Carousel

8 E. Mehring Way, The Banks
Nestled between Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium, Smale Riverfront Park is dotted with fountains, gardens, an event lawn, a labyrinth, a playground and Carol Ann’s glass-enclosed, year-round carousel. Open select days and hours depending on the season, it features 44 whimsical, Cincinnati-centric creatures for you to ride, delighting your kids and bringing out the inner kid in yourself. Each ride is $2 a person, but you get discounts if you buy multiple rides.

Play and Relax at Smale Riverfront Park

100 W. Mehring Way, The Banks
Cincinnati is home to tons of amazing parks and playgrounds, but Smale Riverfront has to be the crown jewel of them all with its riverfront and Roebling Bridge views, proximity to even more attractions, like Carol Ann’s Carousel, Great American Ball Park, Andrew J Brady Music Center and The Banks’ restaurants. At the park, your kids can play with the interactive foot piano; climb, jump and slide on the whimsical playground; or run through the in-ground splash pad. You can also rent a Red Bike, or bring your own, to peddle along the riverfront trail from downtown to Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park in the East End, stopping for a picnic and more playground adventures at Sawyer Point. Or, head up to the Purple People Bridge and cross the river into Kentucky for even more family fun at Newport on the Levee.

Enjoy an Ice Cream Together

There’s no better, kid-approved way to beat the summer heat than with some ice cream. And to say Cincinnati is a mecca of creamy whips would be an understatement. From neighborhood staples that have been serving ice cream and smiles for generations to the newer shops inspired by their memories made at the nostalgic awnings and picnic tables of the OG whips, there are plenty of places across the city for the young and young-at-heart to grab a shake, sundae or just a classic cone. Try Bellevue’s Schneider’s Sweet Shop’s quintessential summer treat the Ice Balls, a combination of finely ground ice with rich, flavored syrup generously poured on top, the orange vanilla twist from Zip Dip on the West Side, an adorable animal cone from the Mason Whippy Dip or just anything in general from The Cone in West Chester.

Study Science and History at the Cincinnati Museum Center

1301 Western Ave., West End
Science, history and fun abound at the Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC). Not only does CMC contain world-class museums, like the Cincinnati History Museum and the Museum of Natural History & Science, but it also is home to the Cincinnati Children’s Museum, which was ranked in the top 10 best children’s museums in the country on USA Today’s 10best poll. At the Children’s Museum, kids can climb, crawl, explore and discover the world around them through eight educational and themed play areas, including two made especially for younger children. The museum center also hosts national traveling exhibits that delight both children and adults with their interactive learning elements and expansive collections, like the recent exhibits “Science Behind Pixar,” “Dinosaurs of Antarctica” and “Bricktionary: The ultimate LEGO® A-Z,” which made its world debut in Cincinnati this year and will be on display through August. You can also catch a film highlighting the wonders of the world in the immersive Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater.

Bend Your Imagination at the Highfield Discovery Garden

10397 Springfield Pike, Woodlawn
Highfield Discovery Garden is the kind of place that makes adults wish they were kids again, with its storybook gardens and magical Discovery Tree – it’s really somewhere you can let your imagination run wild, no matter your age. Located in Great Parks’ Glenwood Gardens, Highfield is playground-meets-secret-garden, offering eight different garden areas, including a butterfly garden and the brand new, interactive music garden featuring a treble clef-shaped path and playable percussive instruments.

Splash Around at a Public Pool or Sprayground

When the mercury rises, it’s time to hit the pool. Luckily, the Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) has plenty of affordable public pools you can splash around in to beat the heat, with daily passes priced at $2 for kids, $5 for adults and $3 for seniors. And while lifeguard shortages meant some pools aren’t open this summer, CRC still was able to open 17 out of their 23 swimming pools in neighborhoods across the city, meaning you won’t have to go far for some quality poolside lounging. You can also visit the 3CDC-managed Ziegler Park Pool in Over-the-Rhine, which features three distinct sections: a zero-depth wheelchair-accessible area, an area with lap lanes and another with a diving board and rock-climbing wall. Entry is open to the public and is $4 per day (no cash), and reservations are required Friday through Sunday. Plus, the pool is now neighbors with a brand new taco bar.

Take Your Kids Bowling (for Free)

When you register for the Kids Free Bowling program, your kids get two free games a day at participating bowling alleys during the summer. Some (but not all) participating spots include Western Bowl in Green Township, Scene 75 in Milford and Stones Lanes. You may still need to pay for shoe rentals and snacks, but the program makes for a fun, affordable day out, especially when you want to escape the heat and humidity. Lace up a pair of those questionable, borrowed shoes, grab a ball and knock down some pins in the sweet, sweet musty air conditioning.

Take in a Ball Game With the Florence Y’alls

Thomas More Stadium: 7950 Freedom Way, Florence
If you’re [base]balling on a budget, the Florence Y’alls offer all the thrill of the sport without the headache of parking near GABP and the need for a wealthy benefactor to bankroll your concession stand hot dog. Part of the independent baseball league the Frontier League, the Y’alls also bring a different kind of energy to America’s pastime – the seating allows for a good view no matter where you are and creative promotional nights, like Christmas in July, Marvel Super Hero Night and Bark in the Park, are rolled out once or twice a week. Games feature a Kids Zone with free access playscapes, trampolines and basketball hoops. There are also two inflatables your kids can play on for an additional $5. As for the fun zone for adults, Y’alls games offer happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays with half-priced domestic draft beers and $5 craft draft beers, as well as local bands and DJs and games on the concourse. Individual tickets for a game run between $11-$15.

Hit the Trails

Greater Cincinnati is home to a myriad of parks offering diverse hiking trails perfect for every sort of hiker. As the temperatures climb, Cincinnatians should take advantage of the many benefits the outdoors offers. The outdoors increases serotonin levels and gives your immune system a boost — it’s a natural energizer. Plus, if you’re bringing your kids, fresh air and steep hills are great at tiring them out. Try Mt. Airy Forest where your kids can explore Everybody’s Treehouse or Sharon Woods where you can see gorgeous waterfalls without needing to leave the area. Or, if hiking’s not your thing, break out your bike or walking shoes to traverse the Loveland Bike Trail. Ride for miles on a flat-paved trail next to the Little Miami River or walk it and enjoy the cool shade of the trees. You can also visit the many restaurants and businesses along the trail, including a pit stop the Loveland Sweets Shoppe for ice cream and candy – a timeless, kid-approved activity.

Peruse Art From All Over the World at the Cincinnati Art Museum

953 Eden Park Drive, Mt. Adams
There’s no shortage of wonders to behold at the Cincinnati Art Museum, and you can spend days there exploring the entirety of their collection of more than 67,000 works spanning the ancient world to modern times – all for free. The museum also offers a variety of family-friendly programming, including art workshops, storytime in the Rosenthal Education Center and museum tours for babies that are designed to introduce them to art and stimulate their minds.

Explore Cincinnati’s Public Art on a Mural Scavenger Hunt

Since its inception in 2007, the ArtWorks mural program has been a boon to public art along the streets of Cincinnati. The nonprofit organization — dedicated to employing and training local youth and other creative individuals to achieve community impact through art — has created nearly 200 of them. Your kids will be sure to love the Cincinnati Toy Heritage mural, featuring beloved classics from Kenner Toys like a Care Bear, Mr. Potato Head and Star Wars action figures, and the storybook-esque mural of the Cincinnati Zoo’s hippo Fiona. Download or print a map from online and build your own tour, or purchase a ticket for an ArtWorks-guided tour.

Level Up at an Arcade

The arcade is the perfect place to introduce your kids to the games of your youth – the hours guiding Pac-Man through mazes and Frogger across the road. You can put your old-school video gaming skills to the test at places like Level One Bar + Arcade in Over-the-Rhine, with its catalog of classics like Donkey Kong, Q-Bert and Mortal Kombat and impressive collection of pinball machines. (This house of nostalgia also has Nintendo 64 and Game Cube, the realization of which just made millennials everywhere collectively groan – or that could have just been all of our backs and joints giving out at once.) Nearby Pins Mechanical also offers plenty of pinball action, as well as foosball and Duck Pin Bowling. You can also get your fill of classic arcade games at Westwood’s Wondercade and Sharonville’s Arcade Legacy. Just remember, some of these arcades are also bars, so hours when your children are allowed may be limited.

Feel One With Nature at the Krohn Conservatory

1501 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills
Located in historic Eden Park, the Krohn Conservatory is an aluminum-and-glass Art Deco destination (in the shape of an upside-down heart) filled with more than 3,500 plant species from around the world. Permanent displays include a rare orchid house, a steamy tropical room, a succulent-filled desert space and a fun walk-through rainforest rock waterfall. The Krohn is also currently hosting its seasonal show “First Flowers.” Step back in time to see botanical sculptures of dinosaurs, as well as prehistoric plants like cycads, horsetails and ginkgo trees.

Putter Around on the Mini Golf Course

Mini golf offers a fun, wholesome way to spend time with the family (unless your family has someone who goes full Happy Gilmore on the putt-putt scenery – we’ve all got one). Around Cincinnati, you can find several mini golf courses, all with different things to offer. Play the classic way at The Acres in Evendale with its castles and lighthouses you need to navigate or beat the obstacles to putt your way to a hole-in-one at General Custer’s. Or, go full-on glow-in-dark putt-putting at Glowgolf in Eastgate or black-light golfing at Scene75 in Milford for an added challenge.

Live Like You're at Summer Camp at Fifty West

7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township
Fifty West has tons of activities for kids to enjoy, like several sand volleyball courts, cornhole and pickleball. The brewery hub also has a Burger Bar serving up a menu of bread-and-butter diner specialties like classic cheeseburgers, flat-top hot dogs and loaded crinkle-cut fries. Don’t miss the 12 specialty burgers named for the 12 states that US Route 50 runs through. Grab a house-made root beer or orange soda to wash it all down, or choose from a wide range of Fifty West canned, bottled or draft beers.

Make Memories on a Road Trip to a Nearby Town

One of the best ways to make family memories is going on a little adventure together. And when you're in need of a little escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and the impending doom of back-to-school time, a weekend getaway to a charming small town nearby is just what the doctor ordered. There are several destinations within driving distance of the Queen City to explore with your kiddos, like Yellow Springs, Ohio, for nature; Nashville, Indiana, for outdoor activities and live music; Frankenmuth, Michigan, for a Bavarian-esque good time or Christmas in July shopping; and Maysville, Kentucky, for a little art and history. Visit the link above for some road trip inspiration, and just remember: The stress of navigating to your destination while your kids complain and get sick in the back seat is just part of the family vacation vibe.

Play It Forward at the Play Library

1306 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
As nonprofit Play Library — which loans out and houses toys, board games and more fun — states on its website, Play is, "Just like a regular library. But it's totally different. It's pretty much the best place in the world." The space houses the Cincinnati Toy History Museum, plus games for adults, teens and younger kids alike. The space itself is true to its namesake: toys and board games line shelf after shelf and whimsical doodle-like murals stretched out along the walls, and it has a collection of over 1,000 board games. Memberships to the library are just $15 a month and allow you to rent and take home games and toys, plus your membership fee “plays it forward” and helps out families who can’t afford one.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side at the Cincinnati Zoo

3400 Vine St., Avondale
See the world-famous Fiona, her baby brother Fritz and all their animal friends at the Cincinnati Zoo. At the zoo, you can wander through Roo Valley where you can see the kangaroos up close, feed the giraffes, watch the penguins’ antics, try out the brand new carousel and much more. And daily events like the Cheetah Encounter and Elephant Chat allow you to learn more about the animals that call the zoo their home. Admission ranges from $10-$18.50 for kids and $16-$24.50 depending on the day.

Take a Tour of Great American Ball Park or the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum

100 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks
Pro baseball was born in Cincinnati, and the Reds Hall of Fame Museum wants to preserve that history and create a lasting memorial to the Reds. They make sharing that legacy with the younger generations especially easy by letting kids 12 and younger in for free. See how the experience of going to a baseball game has changed over the years with the museum’s “Then & Now” exhibit, learn some fun trivia about historic firsts for the team and its players in the Reds’ First display and see bobbleheads, scorecards and tickets from seasons gone-by. The museum also hosts special exhibits that show you parts of baseball history that may get lost nowadays in the bright stadium lights and million-dollar contracts, like the “Women in Baseball” exhibit or “Pursuit of a Dream,” which shares the history of the Negro League and integration in baseball. After, if the Reds are home, you can still score some tickets under $20, even though the Reds are crushing their current season.

Get Creative at the Contemporary Arts Center

44 E. Sixth St., Downtown
Welcoming guests free of charge, the Contemporary Arts Center features changing exhibits, an eclectic gift shop and a hip cafe. They also are home to the Creativity Center, a gallery featuring art installations that encourage you to interact with them. CAC says the Creativity Center is where art comes alive, and visitors of all ages can explore their creativity through mixing beats, dancing, drawing and more. This gallery also has a classroom space that hosts various programming and the Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste Art Lab, where visitors can make art using repurposed materials.