Indoor Fun Around Cincinnati

With the days being shorter and the temperatures getting colder, winter is definitely settling in here in Cincinnati. At Cincinnati Mom’s Blog, we know the activity level of our children does not change (unfortunately), despite the hibernation season. So to support your sanity, here is a fun guide of ideas for indoor activities that you can find around town. It’s definitely not all inclusive but we think it’s a pretty good start.

[box]$=free

$$= Less than $10 (per child/participant)

$$$= $10-15 (per child/participant)

$$$$= over $15 (per child/participant)[/box]

Indoor Playgrounds/ Zones:

There are several of these located through the greater Cincinnati area and are a great way to just let your kids run and be mobile. Though at times a little crowded, they are sure to tire those little ones out.

• Run, Jump, and Play $$. Located in Mason, OH. Open traditional playground area including netted in trampolines, inflatables, basketball, Comic Glo Arena for Mini-golf and bowling. Cost varies depending on play option. Season passes available.
• Jump and Jacks $$. Located is West Chester, OH. Large Playground/ Jungle-Gym, Inflatables. Special area for toddlers ($4 for children 2 and under).
• Bee Active Adventure Zone $$. Located in the Cincinnati Mills Center (AKA the old Forest Fair Mall). Inflatables and Gymnastics Gym. Offers $5 Fridays. Has separate structured gymnastics classes available to sign up for. Cost varies for age and skill level.
• Totter’s Otterville $$. Located in Covington, KY. Playground and educational discovery areas. Designed for children 10 and under. Season Passes available.
• EnterTRAINment Junction $$$. Located in West Chester, OH. Trains, fun house and more.  They are running a $12 do-it-all special through January, so now is the time to go.
• Recreations Outlet $$. Located in Milford, OH and Liberty Twp, OH. Several indoor traditional playground area including netted trampolines. Season Passes available.
• Pogo Play Center $$. Located in Blue Ash, OH. Indoor Playground, building and creating zones, sports courts, and special toddler zone. Open play and special program. Season Passes Available.
• Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center $. Located in Northside, OH. The play cafe is $3, but they do offer fun and educational semesters of classes for a fee as well.
• Chik-fil-a $$. Locations all over the city.  Do your kids love the small play space as much as ours do?
• Parky’s Playbarn $. Located in Finneytown, OH.  There is a lot of outside play to be had at Parky’s Farm as well, but this indoor play area features a ball pit, slides and tons of climbing fun.
• Adventure Station $. Located in Sharon Woods. This is a fun indoor play area that looks a lot like kids are climbing up into a tree house.  There are slides and a ball pit as well as an indoor nature center to explore.

Sports/Large Motor Activity:

In addition to the locations listed below, many towns have local community centers that offer a wide varied of classes, programs, or sports leagues. Many offer discounts or one day passes to residents.

• The Little Gym $$$$. Located in Mason, OH. Register for weekly gymnastic programs for ages 4mo-12 years. Or join the CMB during our “Play Day Events” to try out the gym.
• Gymboree  $$$$.Located in Mason, OH. Register for weekly classes for large motor and music classes. For children 0-5 years.
• Sky Zone  $$  Located in Springdale, OH. Indoor Trampoline Park. 30 minute sessions. Specific toddler times available. Recommended to call ahead to schedule jump time.
• Zip City Cincinnati $$$$ Located in Sharonville, OH. Indoor zip lines, trampolines and rock wall.  30 minute sessions and single zips available for under $10 if you want a short experience. Must be at least 3 years old and 30 inches tall.
• Castle Skateland Located in Loveland, OH
• Sports Plus  Located in Evandale, OH. Indoor ice skating rink and sports courts.
• Western Hills Sports Mall $$. Located in Western Hills, OH. Sports courts and leagues. Kid Zone with inflatable.
• Crossgates Lanes $$. Located in Blue Ash, OH. Bowling for the whole family. There are many bowling alleys throughout the greater Cincinnati area this is only one centrally located suggestion.
• Laser Kraze $$-$$$. Located in Erlanger, KY and Mason, OH. Laser tag, arcade and more.
• Scallywag Tag $$-$$$. Located in Anderson Township, OH and the West Side. Laser tag, blacklight mini golf and arcade.
• Indoor Water Parks: $$$$+
  • Coco Key Water Resort Pool, splash zones, and water slides. Day passes to park available. Season passes available.
  • Great Wolf Lodge Water Resort Must stay a Great Wolf Lodge to enter waterpark. Pool, splash zones, and water slides. Lodge has many other attractions.

Arts and Crafts:

Letting your kids get creative and messy is a great way for them to get energy out, especially when their physical activity is more limited. It’s also something fun that kids and parents can do together.

• Pottery Painting: $$$-$$$$. There are several of these located in almost every area of the greater Cincinnati area. Fees and cost of pottery pieces vary. Here are a few options though:
  • Mad Potter Located in Madeira, OH
  • The Pottery Place Located in White Oak, OH
  • Let’s Go Doodlin’ Located in Anderson, OH
  • Color Me Mine Located in Crestview Hills, KY
• My Little Red Haus $$$. Located in Montgomery, OH. Open art times as well as scheduled programs and lessons. Many different forums of art offered.
• Contemporary Arts Center $. Downtown Cincinnati, OH. Program every Thursday morning at 10:30 designed for children 3-5 to be creative.

Museums and Educational Spaces:

We are fortunate to live in a city with several museums that appeal to all sorts of interests and activities that are kid friendly.

• Cincinnati Museum Center $$$ (for all museum pass) Located in Cincinnati, OH. Three great museums in one: Cincinnati Children’s Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science, Cincinnati History Museum. Can visit just one or go to all three. On the upper floor there is also an observation deck to view the trains as that come and go out of the terminal that few people are aware of. Season Passes are available.
• Cincinnati Art Museum $ (additional $4 for parking). Located in Eden Park, OH. May appeal more to older school age and teenage children, though some younger children may also enjoy. Special free programming on last Wednesday of month mornings for toddlers & preschoolers. Additional programs available for school age and adult children though usually there is a fee.
• Newport Aquarium $$$$. Located in Newport, Ky. One of the top aquariums in United States. Many interactive and hands-on experiences.
• National Underground Railroad Freedom Center $$$. Located in Downtown Cincinnati. Self- guided and program tours available.
• Queen City Underground Tour $$$$. Located in Downtown Cincinnati. Explore history of Cincinnati OTR district as well as venture under the city for a tour of the underground tunnels. Reservations required. Tours on Weekends only. Better suited children 12 and up (and parents).
• Cincinnati Zoo Educational Programing $$$. Located in Clifton, OH. Programs for all age ranges of children/ teens. Most programs are hosted in the zoo education center.
• Drake Planetarium $$. Located in Norwood, OH. Open for public shows though tickets are required.
• Loveland Castle $$. Located in Loveland, OH. What better location to engage your little princess, pirate or knight in some imaginary play?

Don’t forget that we have a pretty incredible library system in the Greater Cincinnati area and there are endless FREE programs available through them.  Check your location for specific details.