Cincinnati is jam-packed with great places to spark your kiddos’ creativity and imaginations. Whether it’s taking a stroll in an interactive park in Downtown Cincy, or spending a day engaging in the arts in Northern Kentucky, there’s no shortage of fun field trips to be had in the Queen City.
To help you get out there and explore, here is a sampling of a 5 hidden gems in Cincinnati just waiting to be discovered by you and your family!
Related Article: 100 Things Every Cincinnati Kid Needs to Do
1000 Hands Playground
5919 Ridge Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45213 | Website/directions
If you don’t know, “1000 Hands” playgrounds are just that: community playgrounds built by hundreds (even thousands!) of volunteer hands. Pleasant Ridge’s playground was built in 2000 by more than 3,000 volunteers — then renovated in 2013 to be even better and safer.
The Carnegie
1028 Scott Blvd, Covington, KY 41011 | Website
Head over to Covington to visit The Carnegie, a hub for the arts right here in the tristate! The center includes a historic library, rotating art and culture exhibits, and a theater. Check out the theater’s schedule for upcoming performances; like Schoolhouse Rock Live! Past shows include Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and The Wizard of Oz. The Carnegie also offers acting programs and camps for the little budding actors of the family!
Kaleidoscope Colors Studio
8454 Blue Ash Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45236 | Website
Tie dye is back in and it’s the perfect craft to keep our kids busy. It’s a one-size-fits-all activity that your toddler and teen will both love! Kaleidoscope Colors and Co is one of the first tie dye exclusive studios in the Southwest Ohio region. Local Mama and one-woman show, Ashley Phillips, prides herself on providing families a clean space to get a little messy and creative. Kaleidoscope Colors is currently open on the weekends only.
Smale Riverfront Park
West Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202 | Website
There’s so much to love about Smale Riverfront Park in Downtown Cincy. With interactive aspects like a grassy maze, swings, giant checkers, and creative play spaces, this park basically screams imagination! Located on the Banks, this unique park is jammed packed with hidden gems to engage your kids’ creativity including Carol Ann’s Carousel!
Cincinnati Observatory
3489 Observatory Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45208 | Mount Lookout | Website
A historical and educational spot in Mt. Lookout, the Cincinnati Observatory has a lot to offer to you and your family. With the oldest public telescope in the country, there’s so much history tucked away in this local gem. Guests have great things to say about the Observatory and its programming. Take your kids for a tour of the facility, or check out some of the Observatory’s plentiful events for an out of this world experience they’ll love!
We love a good hidden gem — check out our Top 10 Family-Friendly Hidden Gems in Cincinnati!