Welcoming the Youngest, New Cincinnatians!

Greater Cincinnati is a pretty good place to be a kid.  Nearly every suburban community has attractions and festivals, arts and sports programs.  There are the “big ticket” major attractions, like Kings Island or The Beach Water Park. There are free parks to climb on play sets, ball fields to enjoy and trails to burn off steam. In fact, our parks and recreation systems are some of the best around, with more acreage of green space and devoted urban parkland than other major urban areas.  We have wonderful museums to visit. Learning while having fun is the best way to learn!  If you are considering a move to Cincinnati, you may be interested in checking out this list of fun things to do with kids. 

Paramount’s Kings Island – The jewel in the crown of the Queen City! Located in the northeastern suburb of Mason, this park is the area’s biggest attraction for kids.

Great Wolf Lodge  – The official resort of Kings Island, this large indoor water park is exclusive for the lodge’s guests. Fun, decorated suites, tailored to kids. Activities galore, and good food too!

The Beach Water Park – Located in Mason, across from Kings Island, this  35 Acre water park has a “water coaster”, water racing slides, inner tube rides, wave pool and plenty more to  help keep you cool in steamy Cincinnati summers.

The Cincinnati Fire Museum – Antique memorabilia and a real fire pole to slide down! Ring the bell and climb on the fire truck.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – The second oldest zoo in the country. Treat your family to a zoo-pass so you can get in to sneak peeks of new attractions.

Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science – Featuring the Children’s Discovery Center, an interactive exhibit where kids can do some “hands on” learning.  It’s worth checking out the gift shop for really special items. Your budding scientist will thank you.

Cincinnati History Museum – A museum in an art deco train station….very cool.  Visit Cincinnati in Motion, and the working radio studio.

Coney Island – On the Ohio River, Anderson.  A really good time at a major attraction, but on a smaller scale.  Sunlite Pool at Coney has a large shallow section for the littlest Cincinnatians.  More adventurous kids will like the 500 foot waterslide. There is a Ferris wheel, pedal-boat trips and a great playground area.

Newport Aquarium – Newport on the Levee, Newport KY – One of the newest area attractions.  Walk under and into the sea, thanks to the large acrylic tunnels. Surround yourself with sharks, eels and a giant Pacific octopus.

Game Works – Newport on the Levee – Drop them off, go get something to eat at one of the Levee’s restaurants for big people, and pick them up later. They still won’t want to leave.  25,000 square feet of interactive games and virtual-reality craziness. This brainchild of Steven Spielberg does become an “over 18” night spot after 10 pm.

OMNIMAX Theatre, Union Terminal – Once you have exhausted the Museum tours, bring the kids back to the OMNIMAX Theatre to view movies on a domed ceiling, above your head.  If you’ve never seen an OMNIMAX movie, you need to.  It’s quite an experience.

This is just a short list of ideas to help you get comfortable with the Cincinnati area.  To see an even more complete list of ideas and attractions, be sure to let us know where we can send you your copy of The Insider’s Guide to Cincinnati.  You’ll find more great ideas to keep away the “boredom bug”.