The Kids Issue: Tristate packed with activities, camps and more to keep the kids busy

With summer in full swing, there are plenty of activities, camps, sports and more to keep kids entertained and engaged in learning. Greater Cincinnati hosts an assortment of events, programs and festivities that are sure to be a blast for kids and teens all ages.

If you’re looking for something free or inexpensive to do, the city of Cincinnati has more than 70 parks, which are open to the public during daylight hours. In addition, local municipalities across the Tristate are home to countless other parks that are perfect for family activities with children.

For toddlers and small children, perhaps nowhere in the Tristate area is as magical as the Highfield Discovery Garden within Glenwood Gardens at 10397 Springfield Pike in Woodlawn. There, children can explore all the twists and turns of the park’s fantastical play structures, traverse the Fairy Garden under the watchful light-up eyes of a dragon or climb inside a humungous witch’s hat.

Terri Schneider, assistant guest experience manager for Highfield Discovery Garden, says the most popular attraction is the 25-foot “discovery tree” where children can climb around and explore all the magical nooks and crannies.

“Great Parks has seven other themed gardens at Highfield Discovery Garden,” Schneider says, “[They are] Frog and Toad’s Garden, Wizard’s Garden, Trolley Garden, Vegetable Garden, Grandma’s Scent Garden, Morph Garden and Butterfly Garden.”

Admission is only $6 per person for daily rates. For even better prices, consider getting an annual pass that works for all Great Parks destinations.

“Family passes are available for $60 for an entire year for a family of four,” she says. “Extra people can be added for $8 per person.”

On the East Side, nature lovers can enjoy the Cincinnati Nature Playscape at the Cincinnati Nature Center (Rowe Woods, 4949 Tealtown Toad, Milford), which takes children on an educational trip through the great outdoors as they discover the wonders that lie within the park. Tracy Smith, marketing manager for the Cincinnati Nature Center, says the Nature Playscape is full of fun for children of all ages.

Another great spot for young children, especially aspiring young paleontologists, is the Trammel Fossil Park. Located in the heart of Sharonville, the Trammel Fossil Park offers children the chance to discover and save their own fossils. Watch as your children peel back the layers of fossilized remains set in stone from over 300 million years in the past.

Michael Blomer, director of recreation for the city of Sharonville, says there is endless fun to be had at the Trammel Fossil Park.

“You’re going to find fossils there originating from about 440 million years ago,” Blomer says. “You wouldn’t even need tools to find fossils. They’re millions of them across the surface of the area of the park.”

Blomer says there aren’t regulations or restrictions on fossils people find at the park.

“Our park is unique in that you can find something neat you can take it home with you.” Blomer says.

The community is also home to organizations that host programs, camps and educational experiences for children of all ages, including teens.

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati has many locations that host a variety of activities including kids’ clubs, day camps, overnight camps, infant and toddler daycare and multiple sports leagues. With locations in Blue Ash, Campbell County and Clermont County, just to name a few, kids across the Tristate are minutes away from hours of fun that their local YMCA.

For musically inclined older children and teens, The University of Cincinnati offers an array of dance and music programs, classes and companies as a part of the College-Conservatory of Music. Spring Pillow, managing assistant director for the program, says classes are open to children as young as young as eight all the way up until the college age.

“All classes are taught under the guidance of professional instructors and artists,” Pillow says, “who are dedicated to promoting their students’ learning and artistic development.”

Pillow adds that the conservatory hopes to catalyze positive change in the community through education in their programs.

“Our dance program is robust,” Pillow says. “We offer ballet, tap, musical theater and modern dance classes for a wide variety of students, early childhood through adult.”

In addition to dance and musical theater programs, the conservatory offers a large selection of music classes. From singing to musical instruments, your child is bound to find something they enjoy at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

“Our CCM Youth Wind Ensemble and CCM Youth Jazz Ensemble give students the opportunity to play alongside CCM collegiate ensembles and experience master classes with acclaimed musicians,” says Pillow.