Road Trip with Kids Gear Guide

Ready to hit the open road with your kiddos in tow? I’ve put together a road trip gear guide of all our favorite toys, car necessities and travel accessories to survive a road trip with young kids.

To shop directly on Amazon, head to the One Little Small storefront, and select the Road Trip Gear list.



Road Trip with Little Kids Gear Guide - from One Little Small Blog

Road Trip Toys

Car Toys for Toddlers

To keep a 2 year old entertained during a long car ride, it’s best to find a few toys that they can use on their own with minimal help or supervision. This list includes the toys we purchased for our big family road trip to Canada when my son was 25 months old. These toys are toddler and road trip approved in our family!

Melissa & Doug On the GO Water Wow! Pads - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Pads

Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Pads

The Water Wow! reusable pads by Melissa & Doug are awesome for toddlers and preschoolers. Even a 2 year old can do this activity with minimal supervision. There’s a huge selection of pads, but it’s best to get a pack. That makes it easier to rotate the pads while waiting for them to dry out to be “painted” again.

Fat Brain Toys Original Dimpl Toy - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Fat Brain Toys Dimpl

Fat Brain Toys Original Dimpl Toy

This classic bubble sensory toy is great for the youngest kids and older. The Dimpl toy by Fat Brain Toys is labeled as a baby toy, but older kids love it too.

Curious George Learn to Dress Stuffed Animal - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Curious George Learn to Dress Stuffed Animal

Curious George Learn to Dress Stuffed Animal

This stuffed animal is full of buckles, zippers, buttons and all things toddlers love to play with. It’s also the perfect distraction from messing with the car seat. Plus, it’s super cute to cuddle with for a nice road trip nap (let’s hope!).

Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot Book - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot Book

Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot Book

This poke-a-dot book is akin to a bubble sensory popper toy but in book form. It’s fun, engaging, and can keep your toddler occupied for more than 30 seconds.

Dear Zoo Lift-the-Flap Book - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Dear Zoo Lift-the-Flap Book

Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book 

Lift-the-Flap books are an engaging way for a toddler to enjoy a book on their own. Dear Zoo is one of my son’s favorite lift-the-flap books. It has a great little story, too!

What's in My Train Lift-the-Flap board book - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
What’s in My Train? Lift-the-Flap Board Book

What’s in My Train? Lift-the-Flap Board Book

What’s in My Train? is another great lift-the-flap book with over 30 flaps to keep your toddler “reading” until the next pit stop.

Princess Sticker Book - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Princess Sticker Book

Princess Sticker Book

I recently purchased this princess sticker book for our youngest for our summer vacation.

Car Toys for School-Aged

Now that my son is a bit older, we added a few new toys into the mix for our upcoming road trip.

Retro Magna Doodle Magnetic Drawing Board - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Cra-Z-Art Travel Size Magna Doodle

Cra-Z-Art Travel Size Magna Doodle Magnetic Drawing Board 

This classic toy is just as much fun now as it was when we were kids. It’s a nice change from other drawing options we have at home, and I love the ease of the travel version.

BUnMo Pop Sensory Tubes Toy - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
BunMo Pop Tubes Sensory Toys

BunMo Pop Tubes Sensory Toys

This sensory toy comes highly recommended from other moms. I’m excited to try them out during this trip, and love how they come in fun colors.

Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wand Number Maze - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wand Number Maze

Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wand Number Maze

I originally purchased this Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wand Maze when my son was a toddler, but it’s much more appropriate for a 4 year old.

Play Brainy Magnetic Travel Easel- One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Play Brainy Magnetic Travel Easel

Magnetic Travel Easel

I loved this little travel easel for my oldest was 4 1/2 year old because there are two sides to draw on, plus a lot of magnets to use to create stories. And it fit perfectly on his lap in the car.

Fat Brain Toys Mini Squigz 30 pc set - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Fat Brain Toys Mini Squigz 30 pc set

Fat Brain Toys Mini Squigz

We just picked up some Mini Squigz for our next road trip. They’re small and portable. Perfect for the car – or throw a few in your bag when going out to eat.

 8.5 Inch LCD Doodle Board Tablet Toy - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
ORSEN 8.5 Inch LCD Doodle Board Tablet Toy

Dinosaur LCD Doodle Board

Another great reusable drawing toy option is this LCD doodle board. Both of my kids love playing with it!

MAGNA-TILES microMAGS 26-Piece Travel set - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
MAGNA-TILES microMAGS 26-Piece Travel Set

MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Travel Set

Another great mini toy option are the microMAGS from MAGNA-TILES. Our kids love MagnaTiles at home, so it was a no brainer to buy a travel set.

Where's Waldo? Book - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Where’s Waldo? Book

Where’s Waldo? Book

The Where’s Waldo? books are a classic, and a favorite in our household. We make sure to bring one on road trips to keep everyone entertained.

Car Necessities

Here are some of my favorite tools and organizers to help those long car rides with the littles go more smoothly.

Foldable Trunk Storage Organizer - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide

Foldable Trunk Storage Organizer

Foldable Trunk Storage Organizer

This foldable trunk storage organizer is perfect for toys and car snacks if you have a large space between or next to your kids. This organizer is great because it collapses flat or can be used in half-mode if you have a tight squeeze. We use a very similar organizer for our road trips.

Lusso Gear Car Seat Organizer - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Lusso Gear Car Seat Organizer

Car Seat Organizer for Front or Backseat

This organizer from Lusso Gear is specifically designed to sit on the front or backseat. It has a ton of pockets to keep all your snacks, wipes and toys in their designated spots.

Grabber Reacher Tool - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Grabber Reacher Tool

Grabber Reacher Tool

Kids ever drop something super important while you drive down the highway with no where to pull over for miles? Get yourself a grabber reacher tool. This top-of-the-line model is retractable and has a rotating jaw, but any any grabber tool will save your sanity during long drives.

Portable Potty for Toddler Kids - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Portable Potty for Toddler Kids

Portable Potty for Toddler Kids

It’s great having a kiddo who is fiiiiinally potty trained – until you have to go, and there is no where to go. Insert portable potty. This one folds down, comes with its own storage bag, and doubles as a training seat.

Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags

Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags

My all time favorite reusable bags from Stasher are a must on every road trip. They can hold everything from snacks to crayons to everything in between. Plus, they come in every size and color!

Travel Accessories

Here are my newest favorite travel accessories for road trips.

Bagail 6 Set Packing Cubes - One Little Small Blog Road Trip With Little Kids Guide
Bagail 6 Set Packing Cubes

Bagail 6 Set Packing Cubes

Packing cubes help keep everyone’s clothing organized and together – a must when shoving the whole family’s clothes in one suitcase. For our next trip, I am using packing cubes to pack our jammies and clothes for the next day during our overnight stop.

Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Curtain
Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Curtain 

Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Curtain 

While you can’t replicate your kids’ bedrooms while on vacation, this portable blackout curtain with suction cups from Amazon Basics can help create a sleeping space that’s nice and dark.


To shop directly on Amazon, head to the One Little Small storefront, and select the Road Trip Gear list.

I hope this road trip gear guide helps you find some new toys, organizers and travel products to make a long road trip with little kids a bit more enjoyable!

Updated May 2025




Cincinnati Indoor Play Places

The best indoor play centers, cafes, playgrounds and more around Cincinnati to enjoy in 2025

One of the best ways to survive a midwest winter and crazy spring weather with little kids is to spend time at one of the many Cincinnati indoor play places. From play pretend towns to indoor playgrounds, from inflatables and free play places, and from trampoline parks to play cafes designed for the littlest ones in mind, there’s an indoor play place that’s perfect for everyone. Check out our list of Cincinnati Indoor Play Places to check out in 2025 to find the perfect spot for you!



Kid Clubhouse Mason Main Playground - Cincinnati Indoor Play Places - One Little Small Blog

Cincinnati Indoor Play Places

Indoor Play Centers and Cafes

Little Diggers Playspace

New in 2025

Little Diggers Playspace is a brand new play spot perfect for kids who love construction equipment and playing in the sand. Located in West Chester, Little Diggers has one GIANT sandbox, another smaller one to the side, and tons of construction-themed and sand toys. This place is for ages 7 and under only, and is best enjoyed when kids can navigate through the sand on their own (without trying to eat it).

Admission is based on playtime duration. A 30 minute play session is $12/child ($10/sibling). An hour play session is $16/child ($12/sibling & $10/siblings 2+). A 2 hour play session is $21/child ($17/sibling & $10/sibling 2+). Then it’s $5 per additional hour after that. Admission also includes 2 adults per family for free (additional adults are $5 each). My kids (ages 7 & 2) were good with an hour of play time. You do receive a text alert when you have 10 minutes of play time left, and are able to add the additional hour for $5 at that time.

Little Diggers is open 7 days a week from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Little Diggers Playspace is located at 9442 Water Front Drive, West Chester, OH 45069

Green Elephant Play

New in 2025

Green Elephant Play officially opens on June 17, 2025. With a focus on eco-friendly play, Green Elephant is the only indoor play place for kids located in downtown Cincinnati. This is the spot to take your kids to play with really cool toys. Designed for ages 1-8, my 2 and 7 year olds spent a solid 2 hours playing with their friends.

At Green Elephant Play, you’ll find a ton of green (re: not plastic!) toys to play with. My kids loved the doll house, train table, giant blocks, shopping cart, ice cream cart, Lovevery toys, ball pit, a small wooden climbing structure, chalk wall, pom pom pit, reading nook, puzzle wall, and more. There is also a gated playpen for infants.

Daily admission is $10.50/child aged 1-8, and infants under age 1 are free with paid sibling. Socks are required – but if you forget, grippy socks are available for purchase for $1. Hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm, and on Saturday from 7:00am to 1:00pm. Closed Sunday for parties and Monday for cleaning. Parking-wise, there is a lot of street parking, plus free parking at casino across the street (this is what we opted to do, and it was easy peasy!).

Green Elephant Play is located at 9528 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Chasing Cali Collective

New in 2024

Chasing Cali Collective is a brand new concept to Cincinnati, offering childcare in their play space while parents can work, grab a coffee from their coffee bar, enjoy self care such as the infrared sauna and spa services, or even take a nap(!!!). The childcare services are for babies (over 6 weeks old) and toddlers only. However, there is parent monitored play available on most weekends.

Located in Reading, little ones will enjoy themed crafts and activities at Chasing Cali. Childcare sessions available in increments from 1 hour to 2.5 hours. Parents must stay onsite. You can book a spot online, but walk-ins are also welcome during the week.

The cost for childcare starts at $15 for one hour for one child and goes up to $30 for 2.5 hours for 1 child. They also offer a coffee/play date session for one hour for 2 kids for $27 so you can catch up with your mom bestie uninterrupted while your littles play. The parent monitored play sessions are $10 each. Hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday (so if you want an hour of childcare, get there by 4:00pm), and vary on weekends.

Chasing Cali Collective is located at 418 W. Benson Street, Reading, OH 45215

We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym Cincinnati

We Rock The Spectrum Cincinnati is a kids gym designed for kids of all abilities to enjoy. The equipment in the gym was designed for children with sensory processing disorders, but the gym is open to all children. Located a few doors down from the new Deer Park Library, WRTS Cincinnati offers both open play and classes. And great news for parents on the other side of the river. We Rock The Spectrum Northern Kentucky opened in Erlanger in 2024.

WRTS is designed for infants up to kids 13 years old. Current pricing for open play is $14/child, with $12 for a sibling. Packages and memberships are available for purchase. Open play hours are generally from 10:00am to 5:00pm daily, but it can vary week to week based on private events and camps

We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym Cincinnati is located at 4060 E Galbraith Rd Unit 17, Cincinnati, OH 45236

We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym Northern Kentucky is located at 331 Kenton Lands Road, Suite 400, Erlanger, KY 41018

We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym Cincinnati - Cincinnati Indoor Play Places - One Little Small Blog
Having fun at WRTS Cincinnati

Wonderland Playground

Located in Anderson Township, Wonderland Playground boasts a play area for little kids, a large play area for bigger kids, and a ninja course. This indoor play center was designed for kids ages 1 through 8. Amenities include a nursing room, cafe, and free wi-fi.

Reservations must be made online prior to playing. Pricing for general admission is $16 per child for a 2 hour time slot. Time slots are 9:00 to 11:00am, 12:00 to 2:00pm, and 3:00 to 5:00pm.

Wonderland Playground is located at 8255 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45255

Magic Land Play Café

Magic Land Play Café is a unique play place in Harrison. Designed for kids 7 and under, Magic Land has spaces for climbing, sliding, play pretend, a mess-free sandbox, and more. They also have a human claw machine – something I’ve never seen before in Cincinnati!

Open play admission is $12 per child for 3 hours. Additional siblings are $10 each and babies under 1 year old are free with a paid sibling. Magic Land hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.  

Magic Land Play Café is located at 10501 New Haven Rd Suite E and F, Harrison, OH 45030

Recreations Outlet 

Recreations Outlet is an indoor play set and equipment showroom that is open for children to play. Located in Milford, this is a great spot to take the kids when it’s raining or too chilly to play outside. Also, it was very clean! Recreations Outlet is great for all ages, and best for toddlers up to big kids. There is a small area for the littlest ones, but kids will have the most fun once they can (mostly) run, climb and jump on their own.

A play pass is $9 per child from Monday to Friday, and $12 per child on weekends & school holidays. Discounted punch passes and annual memberships are also available for purchase. On a budget? Check out the charity play sessions from 9:00 to 11:00am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Charity play sessions are $4 per child for 2 hours, and 50% of profits go to the featured charity of the month. This is what we typically opt for when visiting this spot.

Recreations Outlet is open 7 days a week from 9:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday, and noon to 6:00pm on Sunday.

Recreations Outlet is located at 885 OH-28, Milford, OH 45150

Busy Bees Kids Playhouse

Busy Bees Kids Playhouse, formerly Bee Kind Kids Clubhouse, in Liberty Township is an indoor play space designed for kids under age 10 (older kids are welcome as long as they play gently). This space reopened under new management in late summer 2024. There is a separate spot for babies, as well as a place for parents to work while their children play.

The cost is $10 per child, and $7 for siblings. Infants 8 months and younger are free. Current hours are Tuesday evening from 4:00 to 7:00pm and Friday mornings 9:30am to 12:30pm.

Busy Bees Kids Playhouse is located at 5534 Eureka Dr A, Liberty Township, OH 45011

Creative Play Cafe

Creative Play Cafe in Crescent Springs, KY is a play cafe focused on imaginary play. This space is designed for kids ages 1 to 6, but there is a small area for older siblings to hangout. Timed-entry play date tickets can be purchased on their website.

A 2-hour play date session is $15 per child ages 1 to 6 years old. Babies under age 1 year old are free with a paid sibling. Children ages 7 and older are $10 each, and must stay in the designated area with a STEM activity. Effective 3/1/25, adults will be charged a $2 admission. Memberships are also available for purchase.

Current Creative Play Cafe hours are 8:30am to 4:00pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 8:30am to 5:00pm on Friday and Saturday.

Creative Play Cafe plans to open a second location in Union, KY in 2025.

Creative Play Cafe is located at 2434 High Street, Crescent Springs, KY 41017

For the Littlest Littles

LilyPad

LilyPad is my favorite indoor play spot in Cincinnati for babies who aren’t walking yet and young toddlers (although children up to age 6 will still enjoy it!). There are now three locations – in O’Bryonville, OH, Crescent Springs, KY, and West Chester, OH. LilyPad locations have an open play area with play set, climbing wall, and play pretend section. They also have an area just for crawlers.

LilyPad has many mom-friendly features, such as a nursing room, kitchen and snack-room, and fully stocked changing tables in each bathroom. This is also a nut-free facility – perfect for those with food allergies.

The cost is $10 per child, $8 per sibling, for all day play. Babies under age 1 year old are free. Membership and discount packages are available. The cost is the same at all 3 LilyPad locations.

Current hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm from Monday to Friday. The O’Bryonville and West Chester locations are open 9:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday, and closed on Sunday for private events. The Crescent Springs, KY location is closed on Saturday for private events, and open on Sunday from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

LilyPad is located at 2008 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45208

LilyPad Crescent Springs is located at 574 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs, KY 41017

LilyPad West Chester is located at 7334 Tylers Corner Place, Suite 100, West Chester, OH 45069

PETALS Playhouse & Activity Center

New in 2024

New this year is PETALS Playhouse & Activity Center for children 6 years and under. Located in Paddock Hills / North Avondale, this spot is just down the road from the original Sugar N Spice location.

PETALS Playhouse is a 1900 sq ft indoor play and activity center with 4 specialty theme areas – including a sensory-friendly castle-theme area, arcade, and lego station. What makes this spot special is that they have partnered with Rosemary’s Babies Company for special pricing for teen parents (under 19 years old).

The cost is $20 per child, $10 for 2 or more children, and $2 for 2 or more children for teen parents. Open play hours are 10:00am to 4:00pm on Monday and Tuesday. PETALS Playhouse is also open for private events Friday through Sunday.

PETALS Playhouse is located at 4439 Reading Rd, Suite 107, Cincinnati, OH 45229
Off Avon Avenue, turn in rear lot of the building

Places with Inflatables

Dig ‘N Play 

New location

Although Dig ‘N Play has been around since 2019, this play spot recently moved to a new location in West Chester. The new location boasts a large sand table, a bigger play structure, a toddler play structure, inflatables, and a a play pretend area. Dig ‘N Play is great for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2 to 6).

Despite featuring a sand table, Dig ‘N Play is one of the cleanest indoor play spots in Cincinnati. All the toys and sand are regularly sanitized. This spot also offers mom-friendly amenities, such a nursing room and changing station.

The cost for open play is $10 for ages 2 and under, and $13 for ages 3 and up. Dig ‘N Play is open from 9:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Thursday, 9:30am to 7:00pm on Friday, 10:00am to 7:00pm on Saturday, and noon to 5:00pm on Sunday.

Dig ‘N Play is now located at 4902 Union Centre Pavilion, West Chester, OH 45069

Dig 'N Play - Cincinnati Indoor Play Places - One Little Small Blog
Having fun in the giant sand table at Dig ‘N Play at the old location

Kid Clubhouse: Indoor Playground

Located a bit north of Cincinnati in the Dayton suburb of Springboro is Kid Clubhouse. This indoor play spot boasts a large playground, toddler room, bounce house and interactive game floor. They also have cool events like Glow Night. Kid Clubhouse is also parent-friendly with a dedicated workstation and nursery with changing tables.

And great news for Cincinnati folks – Kid Clubhouse opened a second location in Mason in July 2024! The Mason location has a huge play structure for big kids, ninja course, gated-in toddler area (with view of big kid area & ninja course), rock climbing wall, small trampoline area, interactive ball maze, hanging carousel, and more. There is also a large seating area with work station for parents, a nursery, and snack bar (that serves coffee!).

Kid Clubhouse is designed for kids ages 12 and under – and I would say it’s great for ages 1 to 12. As long as your littlest one can climb, they will have fun at this Cincinnati indoor play spot.

Admission for all day play is $10 for ages 1 to 2 years old and $13 for ages 3 to 12 years old. Babies under age 1 are free with a paid sibling. 2 adults are included with admission, while additional adults or siblings 13+ are $3 each. Hours at both Kid Clubhouse locations are 9:30am to 8:00pm Monday to Saturday, and noon to 6:00pm on Sunday.

Kids Clubhouse Springboro is located at 865 W Central Ave, Springboro, OH 45066

Kid Clubhouse Mason is located at 3187 Western Row Road #109, Maineville, OH 45039

Run, Jump-N-Play 

Located in Blue Ash, Run, Jump-N-Play is an indoor showroom filled with swing sets and outdoor play equipment with daily open play sessions for kids to enjoy. This indoor play spot boasts swing sets, trampolines, basketball hoops, a toddler area, and inflatables on the weekend. We have enjoyed RJP from the toddler years and up (the maximum age is 15). You can read my full review on Run, Jump-N-Play here.

Open play is $8 for kids ages 5 & under and $10 for ages 6+ on weekdays. On weekends and holidays (when the inflatables are running), the cost is $10 for kids under 36in tall and $13 for kids over 36in tall. Children must be over 36in tall to go on the inflatables. Run, Jump-N-Play is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 9:00pm on Saturday, and 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday.

Run, Jump-N-Play is located just off I-71 at the Pfeiffer Road exit at 5897 Pfeiffer Rd Ste B, Blue Ash, OH 45242

Playing at Run Jump-N-Play - Cincinnati Indoor Play Places - One Little Small Blog
Playing at Run Jump-N-Play

Jump & Jack’s

Also located in West Chester, Jump & Jack’s is a large indoor play center with play areas for big kids, toddlers and inflatables. This indoor play spot is best for ages 3 to 11, but can be enjoyed by toddlers with adult supervision.

Admission is $5 for crawlers to 2 years old every day. For kids 3 and up, admission $10 per child on weekdays and $13 on Friday nights and weekends. Hours are 9:30am to 8:00pm Monday to Saturday, and 11:30am to 8:00pm on Sunday. Special hours for their inflatables are posted on social media.

Jump & Jack’s is located at 7102 Office Park Dr, West Chester, OH 45069

Jump & Jack's - Cincinnati Indoor Play Places - One Little Small Blog
The big slide at Jump & Jack’s

Pump It Up

Pump It Up in West Chester is all inflatables, all the time. However, it is a spot primarily for private birthday parties and events, and therefore it is not open daily. Open Jump sessions can be found on their calendar, and spots can be reserved in advance. The cost for open jump sessions is $5 for toddlers under age 2 and $10 for kids ages 2 to 17 years old.

Pump It Up is located at 7724 Service Center Dr, West Chester, OH 45069

Jump!Zone

Jump!Zone in Florence, KY boats 9 large inflatables to enjoy. Like Pump It Up, Jump!Zone is mainly used for private birthday parties and events, and is not open daily. While hours for their Open!Play sessions vary, it is typically open at 9:00 or 10:00am until 3:00pm on weekdays, from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday, and 11:00am to 6:00pm on Sunday. All Open!Play sessions are listed on the calendar on the Jump!Zone website.

The cost for Open!Play is $10 for ages 12mo-23mo and $15 for ages 2 to 12 years old for all day.

Jump!Zone is located at 5765 Constitution Dr, Florence, KY 41042

Scene75 Cincinnati

Scene75 is not your traditional play center, but it does offer a bounce zone with a variety of inflatables for kids under age 12 (but also over 42in tall) to enjoy. Check out their website for other attractions.

The Scene75 Bounce Zone is $10 per child. It is open during regular business hours: noon to 9:00pm Sunday to Thursday, noon to 11:00pm on Friday, and 10:00am to 11:00pm on Saturday.

Scene75 Cincinnati is located at 876 OH-28, Milford, OH 45150

Free Indoor Play Centers

Graeter’s Kenwood Lil’ Pints Play Room

One of my favorite indoor play spots to go when you just need to get out of the house for an hour is the Lil’ Pints Play Room at Graeter’s Kenwood store. Nothing turns around a bad day like a scoop of your favorite treat and running around an ice cream themed play room.

Graeter’s Lil’ Pints Play Room is open during regular store hours: from 6:30am to 10:00pm Tuesday to Thursday, 6:30am to 11:00pm on Friday, 9:00am to 10:00pm on Sunday, and 11:00am to 10:00pm on Monday. There is a large climbing area with ice cream cone slide, a section for the youngest kids, an ice cream truck play house, and more. This play room is designated for kids ages 9 and under, and socks are required.

Graeter’s Kenwood store is located at 8167 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, OH 45236

Graeter's Kenwood Lil' Pints Play Room - One Little Small Blog
Graeter’s Kenwood Lil’ Pints Play Room

The Dungeon at King Arthur’s Court Toy Store

What could be better than a super cool, royal toy store? How about one with a free play room to enjoy? The Dungeon is located in the basement of King Arthur’s Court Toy Store in Oakley. This spot is made up of 3 rooms filled with toys to play with, climb on, and enjoy. Check out my review below.

The Dungeon is open during regular store hours: 10:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Saturday and 11:00am to 6:00pm on Sunday.

King Arthur’s Court Toys is located at 3040 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209

Playing at the Dungeon at King Arthur's Court Toy Store - Cincinnati Indoor Play  Places- One Little Small Blog
Playing at the Dungeon at King Arthur’s Court Toy Store

Cincinnati Children’s Discovery Zone at Liberty Center

At Liberty Center, you can find a free indoor play spot where kids can climb, slide, build, explore, and more! According to their website, the Cincinnati Children’s Discovery Center is in the Foundry building, between the Food Hall and MidPointe Library Liberty on the second floor.

Liberty Center is located at 7100 Foundry Row, Liberty Township, OH 45069

The Backyard at Newport on the Levee

Did you know Newport on the Levee has a free children’s play area for children ages 12 and under? New in 2024, The Backyard play area is located in The Gallery and open during regular hours. The play area includes a swing set, climbing dome, see saws, outdoor games, and plenty of seating for grownups.

Newport on the Levee is located at One Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071

Little Village at City Gospel Mission

Little Village is a free play spot for children under age 5. According to their website, the Little Village has spaces for science, art, play pretend, tumbling, reading construction, and an area for babies. The play area is open from 9:00am to 6:00pm Tuesday to Friday, and from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday.

Little Village at City Gospel Mission is located at 2420 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45211

Community Commons Playscape

Community Commons in Harrison has a free indoor play structure. The building also houses a church and child care center. The play area is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

Community Commons is located at 9850 Carolina Trace, Harrison, OH 45030

Trampoline Parks

Trampoline parks are typically great for older kids, but can also be enjoyable with younger kids at places with designated toddler hours. They are typically more expensive than other indoor play spots, but have more attractions and are open late.

Most trampoline parks also require you to wear special grippy jump socks. TIP: buy the socks once, and keep them in your car for future use.

Urban Air Adventure Park 

There’s a lot to enjoy at Urban Air Adventure Park in Oakley for kids of all ages. This indoor play spot boasts loads of trampolines, an indoor play structure, a warrior course with ball pit, a balance beam with foam block pit, climbing hill, and several ultimate attractions. Hours vary week to week, but they are typically open until at least 8:00pm. Read my full review below.

For those with younger kids, head out to Urban Air during the Jumperoo session. This special session is only for kids ages 2 to 5. Jumperoo runs during the school year from 10:00am to 12:30pm on select dates.

Tickets to Urban Active are $30.99 for Ultimate attractions (which includes everything) and $24.99 for Deluxe attractions (which includes the trampolines, playground, dodgeball, etc. – basically everything that does not require additional workers to operate). For children under 40in tall, tickets are $12.99 each. I believe this is also the price for the Jumperoo session. Additionally, parent pass are available for 50% of what you pay for your kid’s ticket. Monthly memberships are also available.

Urban Air Cincinnati is located in Oakley at 3321 Alamo Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45209

Trampolines Urban Air Cincinnati - One Little Small Blog
Freestyle Jump Trampolines

Nova Trampoline Park

New in 2025

New this year is Nova Trampoline Park in Western Hills. This 50,000 sq ft facility features trampoline, dodgeball court, zip line, toddler court, indoor playground, and more. For little ones, they offer Toddler Wednesday where children under 42in tall can enjoy 2 hours of jump time between 10:00am and 3:00pm for $15.50.

Pricing at Nova Cincinnati is based on height. Tickets for kids over 42in tall start at $19 for 60 minutes and goes up to $34 for 180 minutes. Tickets for toddlers under 42in start at $13 for 60 minutes and goes up to $23 for 180 minutes. Parents do not have to purchase a ticket if they are supervising, but you do if you will be jumping with your kids. Hours are 10:00am to 9:00pm Sunday to Thursday, and 10:00am to 11:00pm on Friday and Saturday.

Nova Trampoline Park is located at 5100 Glencrossing Way, Cincinnati, OH 45238

DEFY Cincinnati

Previously Rockin’ Jump, DEFY Cincinnati is another great indoor play spot to help kids blow off steam. Located in Colerain Township, this spot boasts a jump arena, slam dunk zone, ninja course, and more.

Tickets to DEFY Cincinnati are $23.99 for a 90 minute session and $35.99 for an all day pass. Monthly memberships are also available. Hours are 10:00am to 8:00pm Sunday to Thursday, 10:00am to 10:00pm on Friday, and 9:00am to 10:00pm on Saturday.

DEFY Cincinnati Trampoline Park is located at 8350 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45239

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Another cool indoor play spot to jump your heart out is Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Springdale. This spot has an area for freestyle jumping, foam pit, basketball hoops, and more. Tickets are $22.99 for a standard 90 minute session and $32.99 for all day. Monthly memberships are also available.

Sky Zone is open from 4:00 to 8:00pm Monday to Thursday, noon to 9:30pm on Friday, 11:00am to 9:30pm on Saturday, and 11:00am to 8:00pm on Sunday.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park is located at 11745 Commons Dr, Springdale, OH 45246

Altitude Trampoline Park 

With locations in Mason and Anderson, Altitude Trampoline Park is an indoor play center with a large trampoline area, foam pit, battle beam, wipeout, and more. Altitude offers a Junior Jumpers Jam 2-hour pass for ages 2 to 6 for only $8. This pass is only available on weekdays from 10:00am to 1:00pm. They also offer a Home School Hops pass available weekdays from 11:00am to 1:00pm for $7.

Regular pricing for Altitude Trampoline Park is $21.99 for a 90 minute session and $24.99 for a 120 minute session. Monthly memberships are available for purchase. Hours are 10:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Thursday, 10:00am to 9:00pm on Friday, 11:00am to 9:00pm on Saturday, and 11:00am to 8:00pm on Sunday.

Altitude Trampoline Park – Mason is located at 4786 Fields Ertel Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249

Altitude Trampoline Park – Anderson is located at 7522 Beechmont Ave Cincinnati, OH 45255

Get Air Trampoline Park 

Next to Jump & Jacks you’ll find Get Air Trampoline Park is another spot for indoor fun in West Chester. This trampoline park offers a foam pit, dodgeball, ninja activities, and of course, lots of trampolines.

For the littlest ones, there is Kiddie Court – a section of the park reserved for kids under 46 inches tall, as well as Toddler Time. Toddler Time is for kids under 46in tall and is available from 10:00am to noon on Tuesday and Thursday, and from 8:00am to 10:00am on Sunday. The cost is $10.99 per child, and one adult is free. Toddler Time is still available when school for big kids is out for breaks, but little ones will be required to jump in the Kiddie Court section of the park.

Pricing for “big air” tickets (for kids over 46in tall) is $16.99 for one hour, $23.99 for 2 hours, and $26.99 for 3 hours. “Little air” tickets (for kids under 46in tall) are $10.99 for one hour, $17.49 for 2 hours, and $20.49 for 3 hours.

Open jump hours are 10:00am to 8:00pm Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, from noon to 8:00pm on Tuesday and Thursday, and 10:00am to 7:00pm (with extended “Club Air” hours from 7:00pm to 10:00pm for kids over 46in tall) on Friday and Saturday.

Get Air Trampoline Park is located at 7106 Office Park Dr, West Chester Township, OH 45069


Thanks for checking out our list of the best Cincinnati indoor play places to check out in 2025. You’re sure to find the perfect indoor spot for those cloudy and rainy days!


Enjoyed my Cincinnati Indoor Play Places guide? Make sure to check out our Indoor Fun page for all the best indoor places around Cincinnati to enjoy with your kids.









1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point

Hands down the best playground under a bridge

While you wouldn’t typically think to look for a playground under a bridge, the 1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point is one playground you don’t want to miss. Located under the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, this steamboat-themed playground is not only great for kids of all ages, but was designed for kids of all abilities.



1000 Hands Playground Sawyer Point Highlights

  • Large, steamboat-themed playground located along the Ohio River front
  • Built for children of all abilities and is wheelchair accessible
  • Lots of shade due to its location under a bridge
  • 8 swings, including an ADA swing and tire swing
  • Has a rock wall with a cool mural of downtown
  • Best for kids ages 2-12

1000 Hands Park Sawyer Point
1000 Hands Park Sawyer Point

Overview

1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground is located at Sawyer Point, along the Ohio River front. There is another, more well-known, 1000 Hands Playground located in Pleasant Ridge. This playground is located directly under the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (aka the yellow “Big Mac Bridge”), between the sand volleyball court and Sawyer Point Park.

The playground is mostly fenced and is easily accessed by the main entrance across from the sand volleyball court. There is a second entrance along the side of the playground closest to the access road. The ground is solid surface throughout and the playground is built from composite wood. There are many different levels and interactive features throughout this park to keep kids of all ages busy for at least an hour or two. If you need a snack break, you can find plenty of picnic tables along the side of the playground closest to the volleyball court.

1000 Hands Park Steamboat Features
1000 Hands Playground

The playground

There is a lot to take in when you first enter 1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point. To the left are monkey bar-type features, and beyond that is a ramp that goes up and around to the back of the playground. To your right is a separate area with an interactive roads sand table and musical toys. Next is the first set of swings, then the little playhouse, second entrance, and another ramp leading to the back of the playground. In the center is a giant playground structure with many different tunnels, ramps, stairs, and slides.

Walk a little further in to see the main steamboat playground structure in all its glory. Steamboat touches can be found throughout the playground. Very fitting, I think, given the playground’s location next to the Ohio River.

1000 Hands Park Steamboat Features
1000 Hands Park Steamboat Features

The steamboat play structure is teeming with nooks and crannies to explore. It can be accessed by one of two playground ramps or the many different types of stairs and ladders throughout. There are two slides – one at each end of the playground. Some of the interactive features on the playground include a giant steamboat steering wheel and a tic-tac-toe board. One of my favorite features is the little rock wall with a mural of downtown Cincinnati.

Swings

There are 8 swings total at 1000 Hands Playground Sawyer Point. Four regular swings can be found not far from the main playground entrance. The other set of swings is in the back area of the playground. Here you will find two bucket seats, one ADA swing, and a tire swing.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms are in their own little building located under the bridge but closer to the river. The doors to the individual bathrooms face the river (away from the playground), and are on their own little path. It’s about a minute walk from the playground to the bathrooms.

Parking

There are several parking lots along Pete Rose Way. The parking lot at Sawyer Point is closest to 1000 Hands Playground, but it does have a parking fee. Free parking is available further down, such as at International Friendship Park, but it’s a bit of a walk to the playground from there.

The not so greats

Not fully fenced. While 1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point is mostly fenced, it’s important to be aware that this playground is not completely fenced in. The main playground entrance (facing the sand volleyball court) does not have a gate, but there is a bit of an entryway that makes this spot more manageable.

The spot to be aware of is the secondary entrance along the side of the playground closest to the access road. This entrance is a bit deceiving because it doesn’t look like a way out at first glance, but you can exit the playground via the little playhouse and the ramp next to it. It exits out to the access road and then a parking lot.

Not the cleanest. While I wouldn’t consider any playground to be clean, 1000 Hands Playground is one of the least clean of the playgrounds we frequent. Although the ground is solid surface, this is not the playground I would take a crawling baby. To be clear, this playground is far from filthy, but we do sometimes find trash throughout and the whole area could use a good hose down. Because of it’s location under a bridge, it doesn’t receive a lot of rain that would normally wash away dirt, sand, pollen and the like that has built up on the playground.

No good vantage point. Because 1000 Hands Playground Sawyer Point is so big and has so many levels, it can be tricky to keep up with your kids as they run and play. This is not a playground where you can stand in one spot and have eyes on the little ones the entire time. 

1000 Hands Park Sawyer Point
1000 Hands Park Sawyer Point


Overall, 1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point is one of the hidden gem playgrounds in Cincinnati. I love how it honors the city’s history with the steamboat-theme. This playground has so many areas to explore, yet is still accessible for kids of all abilities.

1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point is located at 801 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Sprayground - One Little Small Blog

BONUS: After working up a sweat at 1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point, head 5 minutes down the riverwalk to cool down at the Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Sprayground.




Cincinnati Kid-Friendly Museums

The best museums for littles around Cincinnati

Cincinnati is home to its very own children’s museum (located within the Cincinnati Museum Center), but did you know that there are many other museums that are great for kids? Here are all of the wonderful Cincinnati kid-friendly museums to enjoy.



Exploring the National Museum of the US Air Force

Cincinnati Kid-Friendly Museums

The Children’s Museum at the Cincinnati Museum Center in Queensgate

The Children’s Museum is located within the Cincinnati Museum Center. There is a lot to do within just the Children’s Museum, but it is a popular spot and can get pretty crowded.

Museum tickets or a membership is required. Hours and admission information can be found on their website.

Cincinnati Museum Center is located at 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203

The Children's Museum at Cincinnati Museum Center - Cincinnati Kid-Friendly Museums - One Little Small Blog
The Children’s Museum at Cincinnati Museum Center

Cincinnati Fire Museum in Downtown Cincinnati

Did you know that Cincinnati is the birthplace of professional firefighting? You can learn all about it – plus see cool firetrucks, firefighting equipment and learn about fire safety, at the Cincinnati Fire Museum.

Expect to spend a hour or two at this museum. There is a cost for admission, but it is fairly inexpensive. Hours and ticket prices can be found on their website.

Cincinnati Fire Museum is located at 315 W Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Cincinnati Fire Museum - One Little Small Blog
Cincinnati Fire Museum – January 2020

Creativity Center at the Contemporary Arts Center in Downtown Cincinnati 

The Creativity Center, located on the top floor of theContemporary Arts Center (CAC), is an interactive creative & education space for all ages. We enjoyed making art, music, stories, and playing during our visit last spring. This space includes the well-known UnMuseum™.

Admission to the CAC is FREE! However, expect to pay for parking on the street or one of the nearby parking garages. We typically park in the Fountain Square parking garage.

Museum hours can be found on their website.

The Contemporary Arts Center is located at 44 E 6th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Creating together at the Creative Center at CAC - Spring Break in Cincinnati - One Little Small Blog
Creating together at the Creative Center at CAC

Rosenthal Education Center (REC) at the Cincinnati Art Museum in Eden Park

The Rosenthal Education Center (REC) is a dedicated, interactive space within the Cincinnati Art Museum for families to enjoy art together. The REC is open during museum hours, and is located just off the Great Hall on the first floor. The museum also hosts several family-friendly events throughout the year.

Admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is FREE. There are ticketed special exhibits, but there is no cost to enjoy most of the museum and the REC.

Cincinnati Art Museum is located at 953 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Create & Play events at the Taft Museum of Art in Downtown Cincinnati

The Taft Museum of Art is currently hosting a Create & Play event every third Wednesday of the month from 10:15 to 11:00am. This event is geared towards children ages 2 to 6. The museum also hosts several youth events throughout the year.

There is a cost for admission, but children 17 and under are free. Ticket prices and hours can be found on their website.

Taft Museum of Art is located at 316 Pike St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

American Sign Museum in Camp Washington

The American Sign Museum is such a fun, visual feast for the eyes. Although not interactive, there is a lot to see and enjoy. The museum is currently hosting monthly Sign Crafting Saturday events for families to enjoy.

Museum admission and hours information can be found on their website.

American Sign Museum is located at 1330 Monmouth Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45225

One Little Small Blog - 10 Best Fall Bucket List - American Sign Museum
American Sign Museum, circ. fall 2016

Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington, KY 

The Behringer-Crawford Museum is such a hidden gem! Located within Devou Park, the museum boasts 3 floors of interactive exhibits, plus an outdoor naturescape playground. The main exhibits include Riding the Rails (great for train lovers), On the Road Again, Traveling Back in Time, and Rollin’ on the River (with a giant steamboat to explore).

There is a cost for admission, but it is very affordable! We took our extended families to BCM for our son’s second birthday and it was very doable. The outdoor naturescape playground is free. Hours and admission prices can be found on their website.

Behringer-Crawford Museum is located at 1600 Montague Rd, Covington, KY 41011

Behringer-Crawford Museum - One Little Small Blog
Behringer-Crawford Museum

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton 

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is an AWESOME museum for kids! Located in Dayton, the museum is only about an hour drive from Cincinnati. At Boonshoft, you will find two floors of interactive exhibits for kids, plus an INDOOR ZOO! There’s a ton to do, so plan to spend 2 to 3 hours there.

Also, bonus – if you have a Cincinnati Zoo or Cincinnati Museum Center membership, you receive 50% off admission to the Boonshoft Museum. Details on hours and pricing can be found on their website.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is located 2600 Deweese Parkway, Dayton, OH 45414

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery - Cincinnati Kid-Friendly Museums - One Little Small Blog
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton 

Also up in Dayton is the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The world’s largest military aviation museum has 4 hangers full of fascinating and historical aircrafts. There are several aircrafts you can sit in and walk through to explore – including the the Air Force One plane where LBJ was sworn in as president.

TIP: If you have a toddler who loves to run and only spends a few seconds looking at one thing before moving onto the next, take them here. There are over 350 aircrafts to see spread out over 20 indoor acres. They will have a great time and come home tired.

Plus, the National Museum of the US Air Force is completely FREE! No cost for admission or parking. More information on hours and visiting the museum can be found on their website.

National Museum of the United States Air Force is located at 1100 Spaatz Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433

National Museum of the US Air Force
Checking out a plane at the National Museum of the US Air Force

Did you know?

A great way to explore these Cincinnati kid-friendly museums for free is to use a Cincinnati Public Library Discovery Pass.

Use your Cincinnati Public Library card to reserve a Discovery Pass to several arts and cultural attractions around Hamilton County, Ohio. This includes the Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, American Sign Museum, and more. It is free to sign up for a library card, as well as free to reserve a Discovery Pass.


If you enjoyed this post, check out all the other indoor fun spots around Cincinnati!









Moon Dough Activity

If you’re tired of play-doh, but not up for slime, try making moon dough. It’s more malleable than play-doh, but not quite as sticky as slime. And conditioner is one of the main ingredients, making it easy to wash out of your kid’s hair. This moon dough activity is a great way to spend an hour or two with your little one.



Moon dough activity - One Little Small Blog

Moon Dough

On the spectrum of squishy things to play with, moon dough falls between play-doh and slime. It’s softer and more malleable than play-doh, but not as goopy as slime. It’s a fun and easy rainy day activity to pull out when you’ve been stuck inside a while.

The perks of making moon dough is that it’s easy (3 ingredients + optional glitter), it smells nice, and you can easily take things up a notch by adding glitter. The downfalls of moon dough is that it’s decently sticky. It stuck to the table cloth, our play-doh cookie cutters and all over my son’s hair.

The moon dough washed off the cookie cutters pretty easily. I was able to comb most of the dough out of my little guy’s hair. The rest washed out in the shower (one of the perks of having conditioner as a main ingredient).


Moon dough activity - One Little Small Blog

Moon Dough Recipe

1/2 cup conditioner
1 cup corn starch
Food coloring
Glitter (optional)

Mix together conditioner, corn starch, food coloring, and glitter (if desired) in large bowl using a wooden spoon. Once mostly mixed together, knead together mixture into a big ball.


Overall, moon dough is a fun activity to try on a rainy day or if you’re looking to take a break from plah-doh, but it’s not an every day activity.

Moon dough activity - One Little Small Blog
Fun with Moon Dough



Dogwood Park

A playground just for toddlers in Mariemont

One of our favorite toddler playgrounds is Dogwood Park in Mariemont. This playground was designed for ages 2 to 5, and is completely fenced-in!



The playground at Dogwood Park in Mariemont - Cincinnati Playgrounds - One Little Small Blog

Dogwood Park

Highlights

  • Best for ages 2 to 5
  • Features include a playground, swings, ride on toys, play house, green space, and more
  • The playground is fully fenced in!
  • Very easy for a toddler to navigate

Enjoying the slides at Dogwood Park in Mariemont - Cincinnati Playgrounds - One Little Small Blog
Baby Ben doing the slides all by himself!

Playground

The playground at Dogwood Park was designed for ages 2 to 5, and it’s very easy for that age group to navigate without too much help. The main playground structure has several levels and slides, all which are connected by stairs – rather than something more difficult like a ladder.

The playground at Dogwood Park in Mariemont - Cincinnati Playgrounds - One Little Small Blog
The Dogwood Park playground

There are several ride-on toys, as well as a row of swings. A cute little playhouse was added to the playground in 2022.

Other Features

On the other side of the playground fence, you’ll find a picnic shelter, a bell tower (where the bathrooms are!), and ball fields. There’s a small parking lot next to the playground, street parking, and another, larger lot further down.

At the back of the playground you will find another gate and steps leading down into the woods. Here you’ll find the old Boathouse that used to house boats and canoes for a lagoon over 200 years ago. You can read more about it here.

The play house at Dogwood Park in Mariemont - Cincinnati Playgrounds - One Little Small Blog
The play house

The Not So Greats

While Dogwood Park is a must visit if you’ve got a toddler, there are a few things I don’t love. The bathroom is all the way in the nearby bell tower, and it isn’t always open (during the winter). There are only a handful few parking spots right next to the playground. There is ample street parking and a larger lot further down, but it’s nice to be right next to the playground when you’re schlepping a bunch of little kid stuff with you.

Also, there is mulch thorough the playground. Mulch isn’t my favorite in general, but especially not with toddlers. And since the playground was designed for 2 to 5 year olds, there’s not much to do for bigger kids or babies.


Overall, Dogwood Park in Mariemont is an awesome playground for toddlers. My son always has a blast on the playground, and I love how it’s fully fenced-in! The playground at Dogwood Park is not too big, but still has plenty of room to run around!

And for more fun things to do with your toddler, check out our favorite toddler-friendly places around Cincinnati!

Dogwood Park is located at 3706 Pleasant St, Cincinnati, OH 45227

The fenced in playground at Dogwood Park in Mariemont - Cincinnati Playgrounds - One Little Small Blog
Trying to escape, but can’t!



Gorman Park

A great park in Sharonville for summer fun

Reopened in May 2022, Gorman Park in Sharonville is a great spot for summer fun with a new playground, a splash pad, picnic shelter, and more.



The playground and splash pad at Gorman Park Sharonville - Cincinnati Playgrounds - One Little Small Blog

Gorman Park

Highlights

  • Good for ages 2 and up
  • There is a large splash pad on one side of the park and a large playground on the other
  • The playground consists of a large big kid jungle gym, smaller toddler jungle gym, and swings
  • The splash pad is open from 10am to 8pm during the summer 
  • There’s a large picnic shelter next to the splash pad with plenty of picnic tables, bathrooms and water fountains 

Playground

The playground at Gorman Park is great for ages 2 and up. There is a large playground for bigger kids with different levels, slides, a rock wall, and ropes course. This part of the playground is nicely shaded.

The swings are located between the big kid playground and the toddler playground, and include an accessible swing and a two-seater swing.

The toddler playground is located closest to the parking lot, and is a smaller version of the big kid playground. It is not shaded, and was not as popular as the big kid playground during our visit. The playground has mulch throughout.

The toddler playground at Gorman Park Sharonville - Cincinnati Playgrounds - One Little Small Blog
The toddler playground

I found that the playground complimented the splash pad well, however, I personally wouldn’t visit this park only for the playground if I wasn’t nearby.

The Splash Pad

The splash pad at Gorman Park is huge, and can accommodate a lot of kids. There are a variety of sprayers, and a large dump bucket in the center. It is easy to see the entire splash pad from one of the many nearby benches, as well as from the large picnic shelter behind it.

Gorman Park splash pad is open from 10am to 8pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. To activate the splash pad, press the Start button in the middle of the splash pad.

For more summer fun, check out my Cincinnati Splash Pads post!

Other Features

I really liked the large picnic shelter, located behind the splash pad. It has plenty of picnic tables, bathrooms and water fountains. The nearby parking lot made it very convenient to get from the car to the splash pad and playground quickly. There is also a walking path around the perimeter of Gorman Park.

The Not So Greats

While Gorman Park has been beautifully updated, there were a few things about the playground that I didn’t love. The entire playground is mulch, and I personally prefer a solid surface or artificial turf ground. I also feel that mulch limits the playground from children who are still crawling or need a wheelchair to get around. The toddler playground did not have much shade, which isn’t great on a hot summer day. And while there there is a barrier between the toddler playground and the road, it’s always nice when a playground is fully fenced in.


Overall, Gorman Park in Sharonville is a really fun park to check out in the summer. Pack a lunch (or a snack!) so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy both the splash pad and the playground.

Gorman Park is located at 12153 Centerdale Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45246




Spring Break in Cincinnati

A guide to spending spring break in the Queen City

We had a blast during our Cincinnati spring break staycation. Check everything on our spring break in Cincinnati bucket list!



Springtime Zoo Day at the Cincinnati Zoo - Spring Break in Cincinnati - One Little Small Blog

Spring Break in Cincinnati

Go out for breakfast

To kick off spring break in Cincinnati, we headed to one of our favorite breakfast spots – Sugar N Spice Diner. I am a huge fan of their Wispy Thin Pancakes, and all of us love bringing home a rubber ducky at the end of our meal.

Sugar N Spice has 3 locations – Reading Road, OTR, and Blue Ash. The original Reading Road location is currently closed and undergoing a huge renovation, but should be open later this year!

Breakfast at Sugar N Spice Diner - Spring Break in Cincinnati - One Little Small Blog
Breakfast at Sugar N Spice Diner

Get ice cream

Ice cream is always on my bucket list. For spring break, we grabbed a scoop at Gold Spoon Creamery after playing at Summit Park. Their delicious flavors and location near the playground makes it the perfect spot to play and get ice cream on your way home. They’re also just a few doors down from Sugar N Spice.

Gold Spoon Creamery is located at 10235 Summit Parkway, Blue Ash, OH 45242

Getting ice cream at Gold Spoon Creamery - Spring Break in Cincinnati - One Little Small Blog
Getting ice cream at Gold Spoon Creamery

Have a zoo day

Springtime is the best time to enjoy the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. The flowers are blooming, early admission for zoo members begin, and the animals are a lot more active.

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is located at 3400 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45220

Springtime Zoo Day at the Cincinnati Zoo - Spring Break in Cincinnati - One Little Small Blog
Springtime Zoo Day at the Cincinnati Zoo

Explore the Creativity Center at CAC

The Creativity Center at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) is an interactive creative & education space for all ages. We enjoyed making art, music, stories, and playing during our visit. Located on the 6th floor of the CAC, the Creative Center reopened the end of October 2022. This space includes the well-known UnMuseum™.

The Contemporary Arts Center is located at 44 E 6th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Creating together at the Creative Center at CAC - Spring Break in Cincinnati - One Little Small Blog
Creating together at the Creative Center at CAC

Roadtrip to COSI in Columbus

We wanted to do a day trip during spring break, so we decided to head up to Columbus to check out COSI: Center of Science and Industry. COSI has a lot of hands-on STEM exhibits, and is great for all ages. Columbus is about an hour and a half drive from Cincinnati, so it’s not bad to do in one day.

But a head’s up – it was very crowded during spring break. Summer seems to be a better time to go. It was also a bit tricky to navigate with a stroller, so bring a baby carrier if possible.

COSI is located at 333 West Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215

Road trip to COSI in Columbus - Spring Break in Cincinnati - One Little Small Blog
Road trip to COSI in Columbus

Check out a new playground

It’s been a minute since we’ve been to a new playground, so we made sure to include somewhere new on our spring break bucket list. We found out about the new playground at Colerain Park from our friends. It’s design like a fort – with lots to climb, slide, and explore. Part of the playground is accessible by wheelchair. This playground is best for ages 3 and up.

Colerain Park is located at 4725 Springdale Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45251

Playing at a new playground at Colerain Park - Spring Break in Cincinnati - One Little Small Blog
Playing at a new playground at Colerain Park

Try duckpin bowling

To wrap up spring break, we tried our hand at duckpin bowling at Hoppin’ Vines in Kenwood. I think of duckpin bowling as mini bowling – the lanes and bowling balls are smaller. Plus you get 3 changes per frame to knock all the pins down. My son is 5, and that was the perfect age to enjoy this activity.

Hoppin’ Vines also has a huge draft beer selection (and other drinks), plus Delicio Coal Fired Pizza on site.

Hoppin’ Vines is located at 8150 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, OH 45236

Trying duckpin bowling at Hoppin' Vines - Spring Break in Cincinnati - One Little Small Blog
Trying duckpin bowling at Hoppin’ Vines

Thanks for tagging along on our spring break in Cincinnati! There’s so much fun to be had in the Queen City during spring time.

For more springtime ideas, check out my 10 Best: Cincinnati Spring Bucket List!




Hospital Bag Packing List

What you need to bring to the hospital when you have baby? Truthfully, you really only need an infant car seat, your ID and insurance information, phone chargers, and coming home outfits for you and baby.

But in case you want to bring a few more things, I’ve put together a hospital bag packing list with everything I am bringing to the hospital (and a few optional upgrade ideas) for baby girl’s arrival.



Hospital Bag Packing List - One Little Small Blog

Here is a simple packing list for your hospital bag for when you have a baby. I’ve included all my must-haves and my nice-to-haves. Use the print button for an easy packing list of your own!

Printable Hospital Packing List

For Baby

  • Car seat
  • Hospital photo outfit
  • Coming home outfit
  • Pacifiers
  • Diaper bag
  • Baby book (for newborn foot prints)

For Momma

  • Phone & watch chargers (extra long cord)
  • ID & insurance info
  • Coming home outfit
  • Set of pjs or lounge wear to wear in hospital
  • Postpartum undies and/or disposable underwear
  • Bras (nursing bra if breastfeeding / tight sports bra if bottle feeding)
  • Shoes (including shower shoes)
  • Toiletry bag
  • Meds & vitamins
  • Hair & face products
  • Lotion
  • Brush
  • Deodorant
  • Dry shampoo
  • Snacks
  • Pillow
  • Hair dryer
  • Book
  • Roll of tp & wipes

Optional Upgrades

  • Big water cup
  • Fancy shower wash
  • Personal hospital gown
  • Robe
  • Slippers
  • Bath Towel
  • Extension cord
  • Bottle of bubbly
  • Portable fan
  • Nursing pillow

For Spouse / Partner

  • Pillow
  • Sleeping bag / blanket
  • Phone charger
  • Toiletry bag
  • PJs / sweats to sleep in
  • Change of clothes
  • Headphones


I hope this packing list helps you prepare for your little one’s upcoming arrival! Congrats momma!




10 Best: Cincinnati Spring Bucket List 2022

Springtime in Cincinnati is here (and hopefully to stay!). What I love most about spring in the Queen City is all the beautiful blooms and baby animals to enjoy. And with that theme in mind, enjoy my Cincinnati Spring Bucket List for 2022.



Zoo Blooms at the Cincinnati Zoo - One Little Small Blog - Cincinnati Spring Bucket List

10 Best:
Cincinnati Spring
Bucket List 2022

Have a Zoo Day: Blooms & Animal Babies

A day at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is always fun, but there’s something about springtime that makes it extra special – Zoo Blooms and Zoo Babies! Zoom Blooms runs all of April and features large displays of tulips and other flowers throughout the zoo grounds. Zoo Babies runs throughout May and showcases the animal babies who take up residence in the zoo. And BONUS – moms get in for free on Mother’s Day.

Both Zoo Blooms and Zoo Babies are included with zoo admission.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is located at 3400 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45220

With Fiona the hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo - One Little Small Blog - Cincinnati Spring Bucket List
Ben with the Cincinnati Zoo’s most famous zoo baby – Fiona the Hippo

Enjoy the Krohn Conservatory Butterfly Show 

One of the most popular events at the Krohn Conservatory is the annual butterfly show. This year’s show features Butterflies Along the Nile. And if you haven’t had a chance to catch the butterflies – don’t worry! The show runs through June 19, 2022.

Krohn Conservatory is located in Eden Park at 1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Head to Jungle Jim’s International Market

Take a walk on the wild side and head to Jungle Jim’s International Market this spring. Not only does the market have a plethora of exotic foods from around the world to check out, but there are several cool displays and animatronics to enjoy throughout. Plus, you can’t miss their famous bathroom, setup to look like a port-a-potty from the outside.

There are two locations – the original location in Fairfield and a newer store in Eastgate. Both are great options!

Jungle Jim’s International Market Fairfield is located at 5440 Dixie Hwy, Fairfield, OH 45014

Jungle Jim’s International Market Eastgate is located at 4450 Eastgate South Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45245

Spend time at a cat cafe  

Looking for the purr-fect spot to spend an afternoon? Perhaps with a bunch of cuddly cats and kittens? Well, you’re paw-sitively in luck! There’s not one, but two great cat cafes in the Cincinnati area. Kitty Brew Cafe is located in Mason, while Purrfect Day Cafe is located across the river in Covington, KY.

Cat cafes offer the opportunity to play with cats and kittens up for adoption while also enjoying a coffee beverage. It’s a great way to meet a potentially new furry member of your family if you’re looking to adopt a cat, or to get your cat fix if you’re unable to bring one home. Please note that reservations are strongly recommended, and can be made online.

Kitty Brew Cafe is located at 6011 Tylersville Rd, Suites 6 & &, Mason, OH 45040

Purrfect Day Cafe is located at 25 W 8th St, Covington, KY 41011

Go creeking

The splash pads may not be open yet, but there are still plenty of creeks to splash in and explore around Cincinnati. So if creeking is your jam, make sure to check out my list of the best spots to go creeking around Cincinnati – all places recommended by you!

Creeking at Dulle Park - One Little Small Blog
Creeking at Dulle Park

Take on the Art Climb Steps at CAM 

On the corner of Gilbert Avenue and Eden Park Drive you’ll find Cincinnati Art Museum’s Art Climb Steps. While the steps themselves are cool, you can also enjoy rotating art installations on your way up (or down) the steps. Plus, there’s a great view of downtown Cincinnati once you reach the top.

I think the CAM Art Climb Steps are a great way to spend an hour or two outdoors – especially if your kiddo is in that stage when they looooove to climb steps (we’ve all been there).

The Art Climb Steps are located at the corner of Gilbert Ave &, Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Play at West Fork Park

One of my favorite playgrounds around Cincinnati is West Fork Park in Green Township. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this playground, make sure to carve out time this spring.

West Fork Park is great for kids of all ages – from babies up through elementary school age. There is a play area for kids who are still crawling, as well as a large climbing structure for bigger kids. It has cool features like a maze and a zip-line. Plus, this park is completely fenced in and the play surface is solid rubber or artificial turf – so no need to worry about dirt or mulch.

West Fork Park is located in Green Township and can be found at 4764 W Fork Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45247

Have a great sandbox day at Dig ‘N Play

As soon as the weather gets nice outside, my son is clamoring to play in the sandbox. But on days when I’m just not having it (or the weather isn’t cooperating), we head up to Dig ‘N Play. Located in West Chester, Dig ‘N Play offers a large play structure, inflatables, a lego table, a baby play area, and – you guessed it – a giant sand table. I love that despite the giant sand table, this spot is super clean and everything is regularly sanitized.

For more on Dig ‘N Play, head to their website. And make sure to check out my full list of Cincinnati Indoor Play Places below.

Dig ‘N Play is located at 9405 Cincinnati Columbus Rd #8, West Chester, OH 45069

Dig 'N Play - One Little Small Blog
Having fun in the giant sand table at Dig ‘N Play

Go nuts for donuts

Donuts are always a good idea, and with so many amazing local donut shops around Cincinnati, how can you not?! One thing on my personal bucket list is the Butler County Donut Trail. The trail consists of 13 local donut shops, and a passport to stamp at each location to earn yourself a sweet t-shirt.

Down in Hamilton County, there are two new donut shops that opened up just this year. Blossim Donuts in Montgomery is delicious, and I can’t wait to check out Starlight Doughnut Lab in Norwood (find them on Instagram at @starlightdoughnutlab).

Head out to a farm – with baby goats!

Love getting up close and personal with baby goats, bunnies, lambs, chicks and other farm animals? A visit to a petting farm may be right up your alley! Good Green Earth Farm in Bethel offers farm visits, a mobile petting farm, goat yoga, and more. They are a local mom & pop farm, caring for all the animals themselves.

Good Green Earth Farm is located at 2803 Kinnett Rd, Bethel, OH 45106


With activities to help you get outside (or survive another rainy day), there’s something for everyone on this Cincinnati spring bucket list. And if you need a few more ideas, don’t worry! I’ve got a bucket list for every season. Have fun, friends!