From acres of parkland to renowned amusement parks, the young and the young-at-heart will find plenty of things to do in Cincinnati. Whether you are traveling with a toddler or a teenager, the Ohio city offers an array of activities and attractions for kids, including outdoor sports, educational programs and special exhibits at area museums.
Star Gazing
Identifying the planets, stars and galaxies with your children can be a fun and educational pastime. Find a location away from the city lights or it may be not be dark enough to see the stars clearly. If your hotel balcony or backyard is too bright or you are just interested in learning more about astronomy, join the Friends of the Observatory in Stonelick Lake State Park. The group sets up a special complimentary telescope station one Saturday night a month during the new moon, when the skies are darkest. Many amateur astronomers bring their own telescopes to the monthly gathering and are happy to share their equipment and knowledge with walk-in visitors.
Bicycling
From smooth, paved paths to rugged mountain trails, bicycle routes around Cincinnati offer a range of experiences and trails suitable for every skill level. The Hamilton County Park District provides four bike routes, including a one-mile paved lane at Francis Recreacres, two and a half miles of trail in Sharon Woods, a three-mile path in Winton Woods and the nine-mile Shaker Trace Trail in Miami Whitewater Forest. The whole family can enjoy riding along miles of scenic riverfront bike paths on a four-wheel Surrey as well as tandem or cruiser bikes. If you do not have your own, bicycle rentals and safety helmets are available at bike shops throughout the city.
Zoos and Children's Museums
Explore, play and discover along with your kids as they learn about the world around them through interactive exhibits and presentations at the Duke Energy Children's Museum and at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Named one of the "Top 10 Best Zoos for Kids" by Parents Magazine, the Cincinnati Zoo features more than 500 animals and 3,000 plant species as well as educational shows, rides and attractions. The Children's Museum features eight hands-on educational exhibit areas, including the two exhibits specifically designed for toddlers and preschool children, the Little Sprouts Farm and Kids' Town. The museum also offers more than 1,800 hours of children's programs annually with themes such as arts, culture, reading and science.
Parks
The Cincinnati Parks Department maintains five regional parks, 70 neighborhood parks and 34 nature preserves, as well as five nature centers and an arboretum. You can take your children for a hike through the woods, participate in one of the nature programs, or spend a rainy day exploring the Krohn Conservatory. With landscaped gardens; nature trails; and outdoor sports such as tennis, baseball and volleyball, Cincinnati parks offer a variety of activities for kids and adults.
Live Performances
Expose your children to the arts with live theater and musical performances featured by several Cincinnati venues. The Cincinnati Children's Theatre offers live performances for children as well as providing free online study guides and worksheets with multidisciplinary activities designed by teachers specifically for the theater productions. You can also enroll your kids in a culturally based summer camp at Bi-Okoto. In addition to the camp, the African cultural center offers performances and workshops for children and adults, including drumming, dancing and cooking lessons.
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