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.

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.

Highlights

• Large playground with solid surface ground
• Separate play area for toddlers
• Both a splash pad and man-made creek to cool you down
• Still pieces from the prehistoric theme dating back from our childhood

Overview

When you walk through the large entrance at Sharon Woods Harbor, the first thing you will see is the long, man-made creek stretching before you just in front of the side of the boathouse. To your left, picnic tables stretch down to the end of the creek. The creek ends just before an overlook with a view of Sharon Lake. One set of restrooms is also located nearby at the back of the boathouse.

On the other side of the boathouse is a large overhang with a snack bar and plenty of picnic tables. Behind the picnic tables is a stairwell leading down to the lake. If you have kids who like to wander off, make sure to keep an eye on them in this area.

Next to the snack bar area is the splash pad. Moving forward towards the parking lot is the toddler playground, the rock formation (complete with a big-toothed kitty), the main playground, a smaller picnic shelter and then a building with individual unisex bathrooms and a changing area. Closing the loop, you’ll find the beginning of the creek next to the big playground.

The playground

The main playground at Sharon Woods Harbor is one large play structure. Part of this playground is designed to be wheelchair accessible, with a large ramp running down the center and back to the left of the playground. The ramp ends at a set of monkey bars and a slide, but there are several interactive features to play with along the way.

The other half of the play structure is a higher platform with several slides and a rock wall to climb. This section can be accessed from a tunnel located about midway up the ramp or by a set of stairs next to the ramp. The ground is made of solid surface rubber, and there is a lot space to run around and play in this playground area.

On the edge of this playground is a large, man-made rock structure that acts as a wall to separate this playground from the toddler playground. Kids love to climb across and over the rocks, but what they really love is to sit on the back of the saber-toothed tiger that sits atop the highest rock. I know this because as a kid, I loved sitting on top of this saber-toothed tiger, just as my kid does today (and if you’re counting, yes, that does make this part of the Sharon Woods Harbor playground pretty old).

The toddler playground

Sharon Woods Harbor has a cute toddler playground for the not-quite-so-big kids. The toddler playground consists of a smaller playground structure, 2 bucket swings, and a rock wall tunnel. It isn’t a huge area, but it’s a nice spot for an early walker to explore and play.

What I like about the toddler playground structure is that there is one way in and out. The steps are easy to climb or crawl up, and the slide isn’t too steep. Little ones would have more fun crawling through the rock wall tunnel than climbing over it. It’s great that there are swings in this area, but unfortunately, these are the only swings in the entire Sharon Woods Harbor playground.

The splash pad & creek

The water feature at Sharon Woods Harbor consists of a splash pad next to the playground and a man-made creek that runs along the side of the boathouse. Both water features are operating for summer 2021.

The creek is fed by a little bubbler near the playground, then runs the length of the boathouse. There are metal casts of fossils to discover throughout the creek. The water never gets more than a few inches deep, so this is a perfect space for little ones to explore.

The splash pad is located next to the toddler playground. It’s a mid-sized splash pad consisting of circles of different sized fountains shooting water from the ground. It’s not a huge splash pad, but it compliments the creek nicely.

The not so greats

No shade. Although there are trees galore in Sharon Woods, there are very few in Sharon Woods Harbor. The ground and playground equipment can heat up quickly in the summer sun.  

Not much for crawlers. Although the ground in the playground area is solid surface rubber, Sharon Woods Harbor is not the spot for crawlers. There’s is not much on this playground to explore on the ground level and as I mentioned, ground heats up quickly – which can hurt little hands and knees.

Not many swings. There are only 2 swings at the Sharon Woods Harbor playground. Both swings are bucket swings, which means there are no regular swings for bigger kids or ADA swings.

Not fully fenced in. There is a fence that separates Sharon Woods Harbor from the parking lot, walking path and lake. However, there are some big gaps in the fence that made me nervous when my son was younger. The entrance way from the parking lot is quite large and does not have a gate. There is also a stairway by the snack bar area (and close to the splash pad) that leads down to the lake. These are the two biggest spots to be aware of if your kid has the tendency to take off running (we’ve all been there).

While the playground and splash pad at Sharon Woods Harbor are free, a Great Parks Annual Motor Vehicle Pass is required to enter the park. More info can be found on the Great Parks of Hamilton County website.

The water

The Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Sprayground has a huge surface area of sprayers that can accommodate a lot of kids (and parents). The sprayers are arranged in a large bullseye with an inner and outer circle of sprayers. This provides a large area to run around and through the water.

Different sized sprayers shoot water at different heights throughout the water area. It does not, however, have any fancy water cannons, spraying hoops to run through or any sort of theme. This sprayground is more akin to a giant sprinkler.

If you grew up in Cincinnati, you may remember Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Sprayground as the spot where you could play on the big concrete steps as water rushed down. Although those steps are now fenced off, this sprayground is still a lot of fun and is a great spot to cool down on those hot Cincinnati summer days.

The facilities

The Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Sprayground is completely fenced in, except for the 2 entrances – one on the park side and one on the street side. There is a ramp and a set of stairs leading in from the park side; there is no incline from the street entrance.

The men’s and women’s restrooms are located along the back wall of the sprayground. Although there is no specific changing room, there is a family restroom type set-up located in the same space as the women’s restroom. And guys, be prepared to get wet – there is really no way to avoid getting sprayed by water when walking to the men’s restroom.

The sprayground has plenty of seating, with a large concrete bench and stadium seating to the side of the fountains. There is also a big lawn area outside of the sprayground with an awesome view of the Ohio River that makes the perfect spot for a picnic.

Cincinnati Riverwalk

The best way to explore the riverfront area is to spend the morning exploring the Cincinnati Riverwalk path. Known by several names, this path runs from Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park (next to Montgomery Inn Boathouse) down to Smale Riverfront Park.

Your best bet is to start in Friendship Park (where parking is free) and make your way west to Smale Riverfront Park. Along the way you’ll pass 1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point – an amazing playground under a bridge, Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Sprayground – a large sprayground, public art, tennis and volleyball courts, and amazing views of the Ohio River. When you reach your destination, you’ll find that Smale Riverfront Park is packed with things to do and see, from two splash pad areas, a large playground, a maze, and porch swings facing the river. The Cincinnati Riverwalk is one of the prettiest areas in the city and has so much for all ages to explore.

The Cincinnati Riverwalk path is bookended by Smale Riverfront Park and Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park.

Smale Riverfront Park is located at 166 W Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park is located at 1135 Riverside Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Graeter’s Kenwood Lil’ Pints Play Room

Picture this – sitting down and enjoying your ice cream in peace while your kiddos have the time of their lives in the ice cream themed play room of their dreams. Sounds pretty sweet, right?

The new Graeter’s Kenwood store features a Lil’ Pints Play Room. This play room, designated for kids ages 9 and under, features a large ice cream cone slide and two climbing areas, a smaller area for crawlers and younger kids, and several interactive features including puzzles and color-changing touch boards. I don’t like to play flavorites, but I can guarantee you’ll like this spot a waffle lot.

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

Cincinnati Fire Museum

Did you know that Cincinnati is home to the first professional fire department? At the Cincinnati Fire Museum, you can learn all about the history of professional firefighting, see lots of fire trucks, climb into a cab of a real fire truck, slide down a fire pole, and learn about fire safety. This museum is the perfect place to extinguish any feelings of boredom. There is enough to see, do and touch at the Cincinnati Fire Museum to spend about 2 hours there.

The Cincinnati Fire Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm (closed Sunday and Monday). Children age 6 and under are FREE with the purchase of an adult or senior ticket. Current ticket prices can be found on their website.

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

Kaleidoscope Color and Co.

I’ve been wanting to tie dye some t-shirts with my little guy, but that’s one activity I don’t think I can tackle on my own. So I’ve been dying to check out a local tie dye studio that opened up this winter. Located about 5 minutes from Kenwood Towne Center, Kaleidoscope Color and Co. is a DIY tie dye studio that can accommodate artists of all ages.

Reservations can be made online and the reservation fee is then deducted from your studio purchase. Hours are based on reservations.

Kaleidoscope Color and Co. is located at 8454 Blue Ash Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236

Highfield Discovery Garden

Located within Glenwood Gardens, Highfield Discovery Garden is a magical spot with a giant tree and playhouse to explore, a little tea house, a miniature train, a small pond, curated walkways, and several gardens to explore. We love to watch the little miniature train zoom over bridges and through tunnels and look for the little fairy garden tucked away near the rope bridges. Highfield Discovery Garden is such a special place; there is truly else nothing like it in Cincinnati.

During the summer, Highfield Discovery Garden is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30am to 5:00pm and on Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm (closed on Monday). Admission is $5.25 per person and kids under age 2 are free.

Highfield Discovery Garden is located in Glenwood Gardens at 10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45215

BONUS: Stop by Wyoming Pastry Shop for some delicious treats or Wyoming Community Coffee for some amazing coffee. Both are about a 5 minute drive from the garden.

Mason Municipal Aquatic Center 

The City of Mason opened its brand new outdoor leisure pool this summer, and it’s the perfect spot to both splish and splash. The Mason Municipal Aquatic Center leisure pool was designed with kids in mind. It’s got a big splash pad away from the pool area, with a little river, several sprayers and water cannons, dump buckets, spraying water rings, and more. The pool has a large zero depth entry area with built-in water table, large dump bucket, and water cannons. In the deeper area, you can find basketball hoops, the lazy river, and two water slides for bigger kids. And although it’s a popular spot, it’s a huge space with plenty of chairs and shade for everyone.

The Mason Municipal Aquatic Center leisure pool is open daily from 11:00am to 7:00pm through August 15, 2021. The extended season will begin on August 16, but exact dates and times have not yet been announced. Pool passes are included with some community center memberships and pool memberships are still available. Daily passes can be purchased for $10. Children under age 3 are free.

Mason Municipal Aquatic Center is located at 6249 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040

The Cone

What could be cooler than getting ice cream from a giant ice cream cone building? I remember going to The Cone as a kid, and I’ve been wanting to take my son there for a cone (or two!). The Cone offers soft serve ice cream in many different flavors, including their famous orange sherbet, and more. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating at The Cone, as well as a family-friendly game room and a drive thru.

The Cone is open Tuesday through Thursday from 12:00pm to 9:00pm and Friday through Sunday from 12:00pm to 9:30pm (closed on Monday).

The Cone is located at 6855 Tylersville Road, West Chester Township, OH 45069

Behringer-Crawford Museum

Nestled in Devou Park, the Behringer-Crawford Museum is a gem of a museum that explores the history and culture of Northern Kentucky. The museum has hands on exhibits with trains, cars, and steamboats, which is what attracted us to check out BCM. The first floor of the museum explores the impact of railways in NKY, with streetcar you can walk through and a large model train display. The second floor explores life after WWII, complete with 1950s play kitchen and drive-in movie experience. The top floor features a large replica of a steamboat to explore, along with special exhibits and more. We took our families to BCM for our son’s second birthday and we easily spent two hours there exploring and playing.

In addition to the super fun museum space, the Behringer-Crawford Museum also has a handicapped-accessible naturescape play area called the NaturePlay@BCM. The NaturePlay area is located next to the museum’s parking lot, is free of charge and is open daily from dawn to dusk.

The Behringer-Crawford Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm (closed Monday). Wednesdays at BCM are Grandparent days where one grandchild is admitted for free with each paying grandparent. Full details on admission prices can be found on their website.

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

Trammel Fossil Park 

Did you know that there’s a local park dedicated to fossil hunting? Trammel Fossil Park in Sharonville was created specifically for little fossil hunters to dig their little hearts out. The park consists of a large, rocky hill that is teeming with fossils. At the bottom of the hill is the parking lot, a porta-potty, and a display area where kids can learn all about area fossils. The hill Trammel Fossil Park sits on is pretty steep and can be tricky to navigate, so this outing is best for kids age 2 and up.

Trammel Fossil Park is open daily from 9:00am to 8:00pm. Don’t forget to put together a “fossil hunting kit” before you head out. Items like a bucket, shovels, brushes, spray bottle, and a magnifying glass can make this experience so much more fun.

Trammel Fossil Park is located at 11935 Tramway Dr, Sharonville, OH 45241

Catch a Reds game – and check out a playground at GABP

Love going to a Reds game, but dread the thought of getting your kiddo to sit through all 9 innings? Well, your worrying days are over! Thanks to not one, but two, play areas at Great American Ball Park, a day at the Reds game can feel like a walk in the (ball) park.

GABP features two separate areas for kids to enjoy – a 3-story play set located in the Fan Zone at the Terrace Level and a large Family Zone located up in the View Level. And I’ve got all the details you need to know on my GABP Playgrounds review below.

Great American Ball Park is located at 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Great Parks of Hamilton County Wet Playgrounds

The two Great Parks of Hamilton County Wet Playgrounds with entry fees (Winton Woods: Parky’s Ark and Woodland Mound: Parky’s Wetland Adventure) are CLOSED for summer 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the splash pad and man-made creek at Sharon Woods Harbor will be open this summer and is tons of fun!

Liberty Center Splash Pad

As of the beginning of June 2021, the splash pad at Liberty Center in Liberty Township is undergoing maintenance and will be closed until further notice.