The kids are off school for an entire week (or two) for spring break!
If you are staying local for a Cincinnati Spring Break, the city has tons of kid-friendly activities to keep the whole family busy! Explore some new places or things you’ve never done this spring break!
Here are 20 things to do this spring break in Cincinnati:
1. Visit the Cincinnati Museum Center.
Cincinnati Museum Center is a one-of-a-kind, multi-museum complex with things to keep the kids busy for hours.
Head over to the Museum of Natural History & Science and get eye-to-eye with the giants of our prehistoric past in Dinosaur Hall or power your own science experiment at The Science Interactives Gallery.
Looking for an adventure while learning through play? Then head over to the The Children’s Museum where kids are encouraged to climb, crawl, explore and learn about themselves and the world around them. Go on a wilderness adventure through The Woods, be a part of a complex machine in the Energy Zone and explore the neighborhood in Kids’ Town. Dive into arts, culture, reading, science and more with over 1,800 hours of programming each year.
2. Celebrate spring at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
Coming right in time for spring break, Zoo Blooms transforms the zoo into a magnificent explosion of color! Or get musical with Tunes & Blooms and see a collection of Cincinnati’s finest and most respected music veterans playing together in the Zoo’s beautiful gardens, for free!
3. Stay busy at EnterTRAINment Junction.
EnterTRAINment Junction has a variety of things to do AND it’s great for kids of all ages. Home of the world’s largest indoor train display, EnterTRAINment Junction also includes an indoor playground, a railroading museum, an old town where you can grab lunch, and lots more. Older kids will especially love the A-maze-n Funhouse which includes a circus tent themed maze plus a fun house full of mirrors and more.
4. Go downtown for a Cincinnati Spring Break!
We bet there are some things on your downtown Cincinnati bucket list that you still need to check off like the Creativity Center at the Contemporary Arts Center! With so many events and activities happening downtown during spring break, you can experience so much and make great memories right in your city.
5. Head over to Krohn Conservatory.
Step into a world where wonder and science meet at Krohn Conservatory. Discover the patterns that surround us in nature. Interact with the giant crystals of Oscillation that come alive through movement and spark community activity and social interaction through play. Don’t miss this extraordinary fusion of live art and nature at Krohn Conservatory.
6. Explore a nature playground.
It’s no secret that Cincinnati is home too many beautiful playgrounds, but these natural ones stand out for their unique design – bringing you closer to nature.
- Arlitt Playscape – The playscape is completely enclosed by a fence, so you can truly let your kids run wild in this little piece of urban paradise. There are trails winding through the playscape, like a labyrinth, connecting the various areas together.
- Huffman Park – The slides are built into the hillside, and there is a tunnel that literally takes kids underground. There are fun structures to climb and other playground-like features, brightly colored and spread across the park’s rolling hills.
- Summit Park Nature PlayScape – Summit Park’s Nature Playscape is expansive and features natural materials such as water, sand, mud, sticks and timber. Over the last few months, my kids and I have watched as log forts, ropes courses, two zip lines and kid-sized creek have come together into something truly magical.
7. When in doubt, go to the library.
The greater Cincinnati area has some incredible libraries, both for finding new books and creating new adventures. Here are six of our favorite libraries that offer great kids zones:
- Anderson Township Branch – 7450 State Rd, Cincinnati
- Delhi Township Branch – 5095 Foley Rd, Cincinnati
- Harrison Branch – 10398 New Haven Road, Harrison
- Madeira Branch – 7200 Miami Ave, Cincinnati
- Monfort Heights Branch – 3825 West Fork Rd, Cincinnati
- Price Hill Branch – 970 Purcell Ave, Cincinnati
8. Hit the donut trail!
Download your Donut Trail passports and then hit the road. There are more than 12 donut spots on the map. Tip: be sure to check the times and days of operation as they all vary. Name a better way to indulge on your Cincinnati Spring Break!
9. Discover more at Highfield Discovery Garden.
Highfield Discovery Garden (at Glenwood Gardens) is quite possibly the most magical place in Cincinnati. This straight-from-a-fairytale Great Park is full of secrets, mystery and wonder, and will absolutely get your kids excited about the great outdoors. This 12 acre park within a park has shallow ponds that allow kids to inspect what lives within, lots of imaginative little houses to play in, an outdoor train set, and a fun playground area. They do offer classes so be sure to check out their daily event calendar.
10. Try out a new restaurant.
Do you have a little foodie? Try out one of these top 10 of Cincy’s Best Family-Friendly Restaurants. Or get a little unique and check out a Fun and Wacky Restaurant in Cincinnati.
11. Grab tickets to a Cincinnati Reds game!
A must-see for any baseball lover, the Reds Hall Of Fame & Museum is the place to be. This museum has plenty of interactive fun while showcasing the history of America’s first professional baseball team. The Reds are in town for Spring Break, get your tickets here!
12. Enjoy a whole day at Smale Riverfront Park.
It’s easy to spend an entire day at Smale Riverfront Park and Carol Ann’s Carousel! Between the different playgrounds (P&G go Vibrantscape, River Play, Heekin Family/PNC Grow up Great Adventure Playground, Fath Fountain), always-happening events and endless green spaces perfect for eating and relaxing, this is a Cincinnati Park that just oozes playdate appeal.
13. Visit a nature center.
Luckily, southwest Ohio is home to endless opportunities for kids to simply be kids and get a little dirty out on a trail or wading through a creek. You’ll likely find yourself benefiting from and enjoying these hidden gems just as much as your kids!
- Caldwell Nature Preserve – Caldwell Nature Preserve is home to a variety of wildlife including reptiles, amphibians and mammals. It also features a Nature Center and 3.5 miles of nature trails, including a level-paved trail that makes it possible for wheelchair users to go into the woods, see the flowers and hear the birds. (These paved trails are also great for families!)
- Cincinnati Nature Center – Boasting 1,600 acres and 20 miles of trails, Cincinnati Nature Center is the largest member-supported nature center in the country. For kids, the main attraction is the PlayScape — plants, soil, and water can be touched and manipulated, creeks stomped in and logs built with. Admission is $9/adults, $4/kids 4-12, free for members and kids under 4.
14. Duck, duck … Bowling.
Cincinnati is home too many bowling alleys. But Hoppin’ Vines, Pins Mechanical Company and Scene75 Cincinnati are three great locations to try something new. Family-friendly and fun for all ages, duckpin bowling uses smaller, lighter balls, so it’s perfect for the smallest bowlers in your bunch.
15. Play, run, jump!
Enjoy some spring weather at one of Cincinnati’s top playgrounds! Southwest Ohio has a long list of playgrounds and reviews. Here are a few of our favorites we can’t wait to hit this spring break:
- Land of Make Believe – In my opinion, Land of Make Believe is one of the most unique playgrounds in Cincinnati. In addition to its cool location by Lunken Airport (the airplanes… they’re so close!), this playground is pure fun for kids of all ages.
- Cottell Park – This 46-acre green space is perfect for all sorts of activities. The playground itself is entertaining for all ages with a designated spot for toddlers. It’s also mostly shaded, with plenty of benches, and other wide-open spaces to run around.
- Makino Park – Makino Park’s Common Ground Playground is a one-of-a-kind play space that encourages inclusivity and accessibility. This 23-acre park in Mason is the first of its kind in the area, with numerous features designed to make it a place for all.
- West Fork Park – Recently reopened and completely redone, West Fork Park is an incredible play space for all children. It has too many unique features to count, and even has a zip line for kids to test their bravery.
- Summit Park- Summit Park, pictured in main photo, located in the center of Blue Ash, is a beautiful, 130-acre world-class park that provides exciting, year-round events, activities, and unique learning opportunities. Experience a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Tri-State in the free Observation Tower, explore the Naturescape playground, discover trails, catch a fish in the pond, take your furry friend to the dog park, and dine in one of four outstanding on-site restaurants!
- Ziegler Park – Possibly the newest park on the list, Ziegler Park has great urban feel, with plenty of creative fun for kids. The park is adjacent to the sprayground for even more hot, summer day fun.
16. Take a Day Trip
Just because you aren’t planning a big spring break vacation, doesn’t mean you can’t plan a few quick day trips. Check out our top 20 Kid-Friendly Day Trips from Cincinnati. Change your mind last second and wanna drive down to Florida? We have an itinerary for that too!
17. Have a treetop adventure
Tucked away in Mt. Airy Forest is a hidden gem that epitomizes everything I love about Cincinnati. Dubbed “Everybody’s Treehouse,” Mt. Airy Treehouse is as charming, unique and accessible as the Queen City herself, and is worth a visit with your family.
18. Explore a new museum
Cincinnati is home to some of the best museums in the country. Explore, discover, have fun, and be inspired at these great Cincinnati spring break destinations!
19. Dig dig & dig
This hidden treasure, Trammel Fossil Park, is a 10 acres of rocky, rugged terrain, exposed to the elements — and totally rich with remnants from the past. The park is unique because it’s one of the only places to dig for fossils in the Cincinnati area that’s safe and accessible. Since the plot of Trammel Fossil Park has never been disturbed, there’s an abundance of fossils available at the tip of your fingers (or shovel). Plus: admission is free — and you can take whatever fossils you find!
20. Budget-friendly Cincinnati spring break ideas
Looking to save a little money while the kids are home this spring break? Check out our Free things to do in the Cincinnati guide, or these 50 Fun Activities for $5 or Less in Cincinnati.
If you are still stuck on what to do this spring break, head over to the Southwest Ohio Parent calendar for all of the family-friendly events going on around Cincy!