18 Places for Cool Indoor Fun

When going to the splash pad and pool doesn’t help you cool off from the hot weather, or a sudden rain shower ruins your outdoor plans, it’s time to have fun indoors. Luckily, there are many indoor activities around southwest Ohio to keep your family entertained. Take a break from the heat and unpredictable weather, and enjoy these cool indoor options! 

Bowling 

Bowling is a great rainy-day activity! Try out duckpin bowling — the same game, but with smaller pins and balls — at Pins Mechanical Co., with locations at Over the Rhine in Cincinnati and in Dayton, or at On Par Bar in Beavercreek. For an elevated bowling experience with food and other games, visit Scene75 in Cincy. And don’t forget about the Kids Bowl Free program that’s available during the summer. Sign up your kids at kidsbowlfree.com, and they can bowl all summer long at participating locations, which include multiple bowling alleys around southwest Ohio.

Museums 

There are lots of museums to explore around the area! Enjoy a children’s museum, science center, natural history museum, planetarium, observatory and zoo all under one roof at Boonshoft Museum in Dayton. Explore the fun side of science at COSI in Columbus, and learn about living history at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. If you’re looking for something different, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is perfect for all ages. And, of course, the Cincinnati Museum Center is always a great place to visit, with its children’s museum, history museum, science center and more all in one fun place. 

Trampoline and Slide Parks 

Burn off some energy at one of these indoor activity parks! For kids who love jumping and parkouring, DEFY Cincinnati and SkyZone in Dayton are great places to be active, as is Get Air Trampoline Park in West Chester and Huber Heights, and Urban Air, with locations in Cincy and Fairfield Township.  

Indoor Playgrounds 

There’s something for all ages at Jump & Jacks in West Chester, which offers a giant jungle gym as well as spaces for even the youngest kids to play. Toddlers and preschoolers will especially love Dig ‘N Play in West Chester, with a giant indoor play space built just for kids ages 7 and younger. For an indoor playground designed for kids with parents in mind, Kid Clubhouse in Springboro and Mason features a large multi-level playground, bounce house, party rooms to rent and a snack bar.  

Nature Centers 

No matter the weather, nature centers provide a place to experience a little bit of the outdoors while indoors! Most southwest Ohio nature centers also offer special activities and events that are perfect for families, such as story time. Some great ones to check out are Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm in Dayton, Caldwell Nature Preserve in Cincinnati, and Nature Center at the Summit, also in Cincy. 

 

 

Nicole Sipe
Nicole Sipe
Nicole Sipe is the editor of Indy's Child and Southwest Ohio Parent magazines. She has a BA in Journalism from California State University Northridge, and has been involved in the print and digital publishing world for most of her life. Born and raised in Southern California, Nicole traded the city and sun for corn and creeks, and now lives in central Indiana with her husband, two sons and Collie. Her latest book for children, “All About Me! Art Journal” was published in 2022 by Walter Foster Jr. In her spare time, she likes traveling with her family, enjoying good food and drink, volunteering at her children’s schools and around her community, and practicing yoga.

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