Cincinnati with Kids: Family-Friendly Fun

The Children's Museum is a fascinating attraction for children of all ages (and their parents). Your children will have hours of educational fun without even noticing that they are learning. The Museum has several theme-play areas, of which two have been specially designed for pre-schoolers and even toddlers. As the kids enjoy climbing, crawling and having fun they will be learning all about the world around them and their place in the world.

Cincinnati is the original home of the firefighting profession and the Fire Museum of Greater Cincinnati is a must-see attraction for all families visiting the city. Children will have the chance to slide down the fireman’s pole, see a variety of modern and ancient fire-fighting equipment and experiment with several hands-on interactive exhibits. At the Safe House exhibit children and their families can learn how to respond in case of a real fire in their home – a very valuable lesson. Children can also watch a short movie all about firefighting. The museum hosts children’s birthday parties – you will need to bring all the refreshments but the children will enjoy a guided tour of the museum as part of the fun.

Fire Museum of Greater Cincinnati, 315 West Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Phone: 513-621-5553

Recommended Attractions

The Cincinnati Nature Center has two outstanding outdoor venues where children and their families can enjoy active play surrounded by nature. The Rowe Woods venue in Milford has 17 miles of hiking trails which meander through an area of forest, fields, ponds and streams. There is plenty of wildlife to be found along the way and you can teach your children how to look for nests, burrows and other exciting finds. If your family does not enjoy hiking you can bring the younger children (11 years and under) to have some fun at the Schott Nature Playscape where they can enjoy creative play including fort-building and fun in the MudZone.

Cincinnati Nature Center, Rowe Woods, 4949 Tealtown Rd, Milford, OH 45150, Phone: 513-831-1711

Not all children like visiting market places but if your children do enjoy shopping and tasting, the Findlay Market is sure to please the whole family. The market operates Tuesdays to Sundays (and features a seasonal Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and Sundays) and is a Cincinnati legend – locals come to buy farm-fresh produce including vegetables and fruit, meats, cheeses, eggs, preserves and much more. In addition to all the delicious foods on sale you will also find home-made soaps, candles and other unique household necessities. You will find plenty of tasty treats to fill tummies and keep little visitors happy.

Findlay Market, 1801 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Phone: 513-665-4839

At the Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park (which runs along the west bank of the Ohio River), you and your children can visit a tropical rain forest, a desert and a butterfly habitat without setting foot out of the city. The conservatory is an ideal attraction for children who can learn about the various habitats of the world and the amazing plants which thrive in them. The conservatory hosts three annual shows including the very popular Butterfly Show which runs from late March to June. If you visit during the show your children can admire thousands of free-flying butterflies in a beautifully themed garden setting. There is free admission for children less than four years of age.

Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Phone: 513-421-5707

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is conveniently located in downtown Cincinnati, along the banks of the Ohio River. The center is dedicated to the abolition of slavery of all forms, using education to enlighten people and inspire everyone to get involved in world-wide struggles for freedom. Children will learn all about slavery and freedom in America and all over the world, as well as the insidious epidemic of human trafficking which is a world-wide phenomenon. The center host tours for thousands of scholars each year, enabling older school children to learn about the topic of slavery and trafficking in a meaningful way.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Phone: 877-648-4838

When you need a break from the bustling city, Smale Riverfront Park is the ideal place to spend a few hours enjoying some outdoor activities. You can start your visit by taking a walk along Race Street Promenade which offers great views of Cincinnati’s famous Roebling Suspension Bridge. You can enjoy a snack from one of the many pushcart vendors as the children have some fun at the P&G Vibrant Playscape. Children can take a ride on a flying pig on the Cincinnati Carousel or you could bring your bikes and spend some time exploring the bike path or simply taking a walk through the gardens. There is also a mini water-park area where kids can cool down on hot days.

Smale Waterfront Park, 166 W Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Phone: 513-352-6180

For Young Nature Fans

One of the easiest ways to instill a love of nature in your children is to get them out into the wilds as often as possible. The California Woods and Nature Reserve are located close to downtown Cincinnati and cover an extensive area of over 113 acres of forested green space. There are miles and miles of hiking trails to explore and your children can expect to come across many birds, insects and small animals along the way. You can bring along your binoculars – the reserve is located immediately adjoining the Magrich Preserve, which is a designated important Birding Area. Outside the Nature Center children can admire the butterfly and hummingbird garden. Many families bring along a picnic and stay for the day.

California Woods and Nature Reserve, 5400 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230, Phone: 513-231-8678

A visit to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is an ideal way to entertain the entire family. The zoo is an exciting and stimulating destination for children of all ages – stroller rental is available on site for the little visitors. The zoo offers a variety of animal encounters throughout the day – you can stop by the Welcome Center to see feeding times and get some help planning your visit so that you do not miss out on meeting your favorite animals. A good way to get your bearings is to hop aboard the BB&T Express for a family train ride around the zoo. A few of the highlights of any visit to the zoo include the short 4-D movie shows, and the animal-inspired carousel.

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 43220, Phone: 513-281-4700