It’s been a LONG time since my boys were toddlers, which was a great excuse to revisit and discover some new attractions around the Tri-State with my friend and her toddler.
I’m sharing more about the top things to do for families with toddlers in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
These are great things to do for families with “littles” or grandparents looking for fun adventures with their grandkids.
Little Diggers
9442 Water Front Dr, West Chester Township, OH
Little Diggers provides an opportunity for families with kids ages 7 and under to play in their neighborhood’s largest sandbox.
You don’t need to bring sand toys because Little Diggers has 100 fun toys for kids to enjoy, so keep your personal sand toys at home.
There are over 50 tons of sand in their 1,000 square foot sandbox.
There are even ride-on large excavators for kids to play on, which reminded me of my adventure on a real excavator at Dig This in Las Vegas.
More About The Sand at Little Diggers
Fun fact: The sand at Little Diggers is imported from the beaches of the Bahamas.
While the kids can play, you can dig your toes in the sand and imagine you’re at the beach, unlike the dark sand at the playground.
Their sand is silica-free, dust-free, allergen-free, natural, and non-toxic. The texture is round and smooth.
Little Diggers has a strict no food or drink policy within the sandbox areas to help keep them clean. You can purchase snacks or bring your own and eat them in the designated area.
They aerate the sand daily and use a non-toxic vinegar-based cleaning solution to treat the sandbox regularly. The sandbox toys are also regularly cleaned.
If parents don’t want to get in the sandbox, there is a seating area with comfortable furniture within a line of sight of the sandbox. Parents can watch their child and enjoy complimentary WIFI.
The perimeter of the sandbox also doubles as a bench.
If you’re looking for a quieter time at Little Diggers, try visiting during 1-4:30 PM.
Birthdays at Little Diggers
Their construction-themed birthday party rooms have access to their own private sandbox.
Pricing at Little Diggers is 30-minute, 1-hour, and 2-hour sessions per child. Additional siblings are at a reduced rate, and 2 adults per family are free of charge.
There are additional incentives with the Dig Club for frequent guests.
Wonderland Playground
8255 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH
I wish Wonderland Playground had existed when my kids were younger. It would have been the perfect place to meet up with my friends with younger kids of similar ages.
Wonderland Playground is strictly enforced for kids ages 10 and under.
Parents have sight lines to all areas, and there is a maximum of 50 kids at any session.
Kids receive grip socks with admission.
There are activities at Wonderland Playground that appeal to multiple ages, which is great for families with a range of young children.
The Ninja Course covers 3 lanes and 9 obstacles, including a rolling balance beam, rings, swinging steps, a climbing wall, and more.
Toddlers will love having access to challenging elements typically designated for “big kids” at other attractions.
Wonderland Playground was designed for kids ages 1-8 in mind.
You can book your session in advance online, and walk-ins are available based on availability.
Many sessions sell out on the weekends, especially during birthday parties.
Admission is charged per child, and their Play Pass is the best value.
There is a cafe in the center of the room with snacks, coffee, and more, with multiple tables for guests. A nursing room is available for guests who need additional privacy.
Parents can observe their younger kids from the stools facing each play zone, too. There is a specific section that’s height restricted to 36 inches and under.
Wonderland Playground closes in between sessions to clean all high-touch surfaces.
Birthday Parties at Wonderland Playground
Birthday Parties at Wonderland Playground are very popular.
You’ll want to book your desired birthday party date 2-3 months in advance. 3+ months during the winter months.
Cincinnati Fire Museum
315 W Court St, Cincinnati, OH
Fun Fact: The first paid professional fire department in the United States was founded in Cincinnati in 1853.
Several elements at the Cincinnati Fire Museum will appeal to toddlers.
I’d start with the free scavenger hunt at the front desk to help kids find fire-related artifacts throughout the museum.
The scavenger hunts change regularly, helping kids discover new things each visit.
Kids will also enjoy sitting inside the E-One Pumper Cab.
They can pretend they’re driving the truck and press buttons for light switches and sirens.
As soon as you step inside the museum, you’ll notice the firehouse pole.
Toddlers, kids, and adults will enjoy sliding down a real fireman’s pole.
A cushion is located at the bottom of the pole, and toddlers will most likely need some assistance going down.
Kids can even dress up as a firefighter before or after they slide down the firehouse pole.
Kids can learn more about fire safety skills in the Safe House on the lower level of the museum. There are also firefighter-themed toys and children’s books for them to enjoy.
I also wanted to note that the museum offers unique special events for the holidays that sell out quickly, including a Santa rescue around Christmas and an Easter Egg hunt.
Junior Firefighter Birthday Parties
There are 3 different packages offered for a firefighter-themed birthday party for kids ages 3-6.
Birthday parties last 2 hours and are held on Saturdays. They are designed for 15 kids and their parents.
Nova Adventure Park
5100 Glencrossing Way, Cincinnati, OH
Nova Adventure Park is a great place to visit for families from toddlers to teens.
There is so much to do for everyone…including parents who want to join in on the fun.
I was honestly surprised at the amount of slides and elements available for young kids.
Parents will appreciate the abundance of leather couches throughout the building.
It’s very easy to watch your kids and be comfortable while doing it.
The “Toddler Court” is a special area where toddlers can jump on multiple trampolines and can even jump into a foam pit.
Toddlers can enjoy jumping without big kids impacting their bounce.
There are also other designated areas at the indoor park for ages 12 and under only.
And designated areas for ages 10 and under, too.
You can also jump next to your child while playing an interactive video game.
Birthday Parties at Nova Adventure Park
Nova Adventure Park has several party rooms that can be booked.
Behringer-Crawford Museum And Nature Play
1600 Montague Rd, Covington, KY
The Behringer-Crawford Museum is a great place to visit for kids going through a train phase.
Kids can climb under the train display and view the trains from another perspective.
They can also push buttons that correlate with the train exhibit.
Special play areas are located throughout the museum for kids to enjoy and use their imagination.
They can pretend to be a riverboat captain.
Or pretend they’re fishing on the Ohio River with the magnetic fish and pole.
Many of the hands-on features are designed to engage younger guests.
They can even walk across a replica of the Roebling Suspension Bridge.
There is also a dedicated space where kids can play music and dress up in costumes.
NaturePlay at the Behringer-Crawford Museum
NaturePlay is an outdoor play area adjacent to the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Families can visit for free from dawn to dusk.
The green space is accessible and ties in heritage and natural history.
There are kid-sized log cabins, a wooden replica of a flatboat, walkways with embedded animal tracks for kids to follow, a zipline, and a slide.
UnMuseum at the CAC
44 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH
The UnMuseum at the Contemporary Arts Center is a great space for kids to tap into their creative side.
They can create art using materials from the Zero Waste Art Lab.
Or they can attend a Thursday Art Play designed for kids ages 2-6 with their parents for a small fee per child. The drop-in class uses hands-on art-making activities and yoga.
The classes are free for kids 0-1, CAC Members, or families with a valid SNAP or food assistance card (EBT).
There are also additional spaces in the UnMusuem where toddlers can create, play, and use their imagination.
Many of the art pieces double as objects for creative play.
It’s fun to observe what areas toddlers gravitate to immediately.
Highfield Discovery Garden
Glenwood Gardens – 10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH
Highfield Discovery Garden is a 12-acre garden at Glenwood Gardens.
One of the most unique elements at the garden is the 25-foot Discovery Tree.
There are also eight gardens to explore.
- Frogs & Toads Garden
- Wizard’s Garden
- Trolley Garden
- Vegetable Garden
- Grandma’s Scent Garden
- Morph Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Music Garden
There is an admission fee to visit Highfield Discovery Garden, and kids ages 2 and under are free.
We Rock the Spectrum
- 331 Kenton Lands Rd – Suite 400, Erlanger, KY
- 4060 Galbraith Road, Unit #17, Cincinnati, OH
We Rock the Spectrum is a gym where kids of all abilities can play.
Each piece of equipment has a specific intention:
- Sensory-based toys and equipment – Improved auditory processing and fine motor skills
- Calming Room- Where guests can regulate emotions and reduce negative sensory input
- Crash mats and crash pillows – Motor planning and strength
- Trampoline- Building leg and core strength
- Suspended equipment with swings- Balance and Vestibular treatment
- Zip line – Stress release and joint and body relaxation
- Fine Motor and Arts and Crafts Area- Improved hand-eye coordination
- Indoor play structure – Climbing and increasing playground skills
You can also purchase healthy snacks and drinks onsite.
Birthday Parties at We Rock the Spectrum
2-hour Birthday Parties are available to be booked at the sensory safe gym.
Discover fossils at Trammel Fossil Park
11935 Tramway Dr, Sharonville, OH
You can dig for fossils at this free park. Bring an old paintbrush and a bucket and see what you can unearth.
Toddlers will love discovering fossils that they can keep.
A day trip to Trammel Fossil Park and a root beer float afterward at the Root Beer Stand is a fun adventure for younger kids.
Sharon Woods is also a short drive away if you want to extend your visit.
Visit Your Local Library
Libraries offer many free programs for families with young children. Sign up for their newsletters and follow their social media accounts for their upcoming events for toddlers.
On the Ohio side of the Ohio River, check out the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Libraries and the Clermont County Public Library.
On the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, check out the great programs at the Kenton County Public Library, Boone County Public Library, or Campbell County Public Library.
