Cincinnati With Kids: 6-Day Itinerary & Best Things To Do
Looking for the best things to do in Cincinnati with kids? My husband and I visited Cincinnati a few years back, and ever since, I have wanted to return with our kids. So, I’ve been saving things I’ve come across that I thought looked like fun. Special shoutout to @consistently_curious, @wanderlustinohio, and @beigedad, for all of the inspiration on things to do in Cincinnati for families!
We finally took our kids on a six-day Cincinnati family vacation in 2026 and it didn’t disappoint! From Kings Island and free fossil hunting to hidden gems like Loveland Castle and the Purple People Bridge, this guide covers everything we did, ate, and loved during our trip.
Included in this blog are the places we visited, where we ate, played, and some of our favorite things we did during our six-day vacation in Cincinnati in 2026.
Below you'll find our full day-by-day Cincinnati itinerary, plus quick links if you just want the highlights: free activities, paid attractions, where we stayed, and our favorite places to eat.
Where We Stayed in Cincinnati With Kids: Jellystone Park Mason
Jellystone Park Mason Review — Cabins, Amenities & What To Know
Jellystone Mason is a newer Jellystone (formerly Camp Cedar) located just around the corner (2 miles) from Kings Island. They were kind enough to host us for two days in exchange for an honest review of the resort.
We had stayed at another Jellystone earlier this year, and really enjoyed it. So, when Jellystone offered to host us, I was confident we would have a good time at this new location. Check-in was at 4 pm, and the Ranger Station located at the front of the resort made checking in and finding our cabin a breeze.
The cabin we stayed in was very modern and seemed to have been newly renovated. My husband and I had our own bedroom, and the kids stayed in the loft upstairs. Linens were provided, and the amenities included a microwave, toaster, refrigerator, oven and stovetop, and TVs in the living room and master.
We spent two nights and three days at this Jellystone location, and if we were to visit Cincinnati again and planned to visit Kings Island, we would definitely come back. They have a free shuttle to the park available during stays.
We started off our first day exploring Jellystone. The kids swam in the morning while my husband got a quick workout in the fitness center. Then we went to the Foam Party, which was a huge hit with our kids. There was so much foam, and they had such a great time laughing and playing while the foam grew and grew.
Important Things To Know About Jellytone
Sports Available
- Basketball Court
- Pickleball Court
- Shuffleboard Court
ACTIVITIES
- Small Arcade
- Daily Craft
- Wagon Rides
- Foam Party
Amenities
- Free Shuttle to Kings Island
- Pool with Shallow Toddler Area + Basketball Hoops
- Gaga Ball Pit
- Small Playground
- Jumping Pillow
Free Things To Do in Cincinnati With Kids — Downtown & The Riverwalk (Smale Riverfront Park)
Free Downtown Cincinnati Streetcar for Families
Later that day we made our way downtown to do some exploring. In order to get around downtown, we parked in a covered garage located near Main Street and E. 3rd St. Then we used the FREE Streetcar Connector to get around downtown.
I couldn’t believe that The Streetcar was completely free, and so easy to use. You can use this map to identify the route and stops along the way.
We got on at Stop 2 (4th & Main) and rode all the way to Stop 10 (Findlay Market - Elm). We got off and went into Deeper Roots Coffee to get some coffee. If you love black coffee, this is the place to go for a great cup!
Findlay Market Cincinnati With Kids
Next we went inside Findlay Market to get some lunch. Findlay Market reminds me a lot of the Westside Market, though not quite as big. All of the vendors were really friendly and helpful, and the food we bought was tasty.
After we finished our food, we walked around and did some window shopping, while taking in the sights and beautiful murals around town. We got back on the Streetcar and took it back to Stop 1 (The Banks) and then made our way over to the Riverwalk at Smale Riverfront Park.
Smale Riverfront Park (Cincinnati Riverwalk) — Free Playgrounds & Water Play
We walked down Main Street past Great American Ballpark to get to Smale Riverfront Park–the famed riverwalk that gives you gorgeous views of the Ohio River. As we walked down the boardwalk toward the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, we came upon the PNC Grow Up Adventure Park, which has a couple of metal slides, a rope bridge for kids to cross, and a few climbing elements.
After the kids played for a bit, we continued down the riverwalk, past the bridge, and arrived at the P&G Go Vibrantscape. It was there that we discovered pigs can actually fly (!) and we took another break so the kids could play in the water table which had several different water features for playing.
We ended our day with a show at the Heritage Bank Center, which was just around the corner.
Kings Island With Kids — Is It Better Than Cedar Point?
On our second day, we visited Kings Island. Warren County was kind enough to provide us with complimentary tickets to check out Kings Island. This was our first time visiting Kings Island as a family (I hadn’t been since I was a kid), and we weren’t quite sure what to expect considering we’ve all grown accustomed to Cedar Point and all of its awesomeness.
I’m happy to report that Kings Island exceeded our expectations, and it’s definitely high on our list now of amusement parks worth visiting!
I’d still say that Cedar Point probably edges it out when it comes to thrilling rides (hard to beat Top Thrill 2 & Millennium Force!), but I think Kings Island probably beats Cedar Point for having more to do for families with younger children while still having plenty of thrilling coasters for families with older kids.
I also loveddddd the vibe at Kings Island–nostalgic and full of Americana–with lots of fun playful decor. And the views from atop the Eiffel Tower are amazing!
My sons’ favorite coasters were The Beast, Diamondback, and Orion. My daughters’ favorite rides were The Beast, Rushing River Log Ride, and all of the spinning rides at Camp Snoopy.
I will say that Camp Snoopy really impressed me, and I would have loved to spend more time there.
🎢 Kings Island: Our Overall Verdict
July 2026 · Family of 4 · Kids ages 9 & 11
Free Fossil Hunting Near Cincinnati — Caesar Creek State Park With Kids
Our third day started with a lazy morning at the hotel. Around 11 am, we made our way over to Caesar Creek State Park to begin our fossil hunting adventure. This was our first-time ever fossil hunting, and we had so much fun!
How To Get a Free Fossil Collecting Permit at Caesar Creek
First, we went to the Caesar Creek Lake Visitor Center (4020 N Clarksville Rd, Waynesville, OH 45068) to get our fossil collecting permit. The permits are free and must be displayed in your vehicle’s dashboard. You can take any fossils you find that fit in the palm of your hand. The Army Corps volunteer will show you how to get to the fossil collecting area, and tell you what to look for when you get there.
According to Fossilguy.com, “the Caesar Creek Spillway was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to aid in flood control. When they blasted it out, they exposed layers upon layers of fossil-bearing Ordovician limestones and mudstones that stretch for football fields!
Over time, these sediments, along with any trapped and dead organisms, accumulated into deep layers. Pressure then turned these sediment layers into the mudstones and limestones we see today. Many of the organisms trapped in these sediments can now be found as fossils in these layers”
We layered up with some sunscreen and spent a little over an hour hunting for fossils. We left with quite a few awesome finds! After we were done fossil collecting, we went back to the visitor center so they could help us identify our discoveries. We ended up with a cephalopod, a small piece of a trilobite, and many more fossils!
Our next stop at Caesar Creek State Park was the Horseshoe Falls Trail Head. We parked here so we could hike to the Swinging Bridge. There is a path for this hike, but it’s definitely NOT stroller-friendly. There are lots of declines and inclines, and a lot of uneven ground with stones sticking up. It took us about thirty-five minutes to hike from where we parked to the swinging bridge. But I’m really glad we did it, because it was super cool!
Jungle Jim's Grocery Store — Fun and wacky Cincinnati Attraction for Families
Later that day, we went to Jungle Jim’s Grocery Store in Fairfield (about forty-five minutes from the state park, so we stopped halfway to get some Chick-Fil-A and stretch our legs). Jungle Jim’s is technically a grocery store–but it’s really much more of an adventure!
This destination for foodies, tourists, and locals has items from more than 70 countries, lots of animatronic oddities, and enough zany off-the-wall items to satisfy whatever craving your family members may have.
If you visit, be sure to check out the bathrooms (I know how that sounds!) and give yourself enough time to do plenty of exploring.
The Milkshake Factory Cincinnati — Sweet Treats With Kids
We ended up getting dinner at our hotel, and afterward wanted some sweet treats. So, we went over to The Milkshake Factory. We had visited once when we were in Pittsburgh, and I really wish there was one of these in Cleveland. We all loved our milkshakes, and it was the perfect nightcap for our evening.
Cincinnati Museums With Kids — Union Terminal & More
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal — Hands-On Kids Exhibits
We started our fourth day off at Collective Espresso (if you’re looking for the Northside location, you have to go down the alleyway), which was fantastic. Then we went to the Cincinnati Museum Center. I seriously underestimated how much time we’d spend here! Our Great Lakes Science Center Membership is a reciprocal membership, which meant we were able to visit the Cincinnati Museum Center for free, and because parking was only $6, it made this visit incredibly affordable!
The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal houses the Children’s Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, and the Cincinnati History Museum. The building itself is a sight to behold–Union Terminal is a historic Art Deco train station and National Historic Landmark that opened in 1933. Walking inside felt like taking a step back in time, and I’m so glad they’ve found a way to keep this historic building in use.
I thought we might spend an hour or two here, but we ended up staying for three and a half hours! There are lots of hands-on exhibits and activities that the kids enjoyed. Some of the highlights for them were the construction area and mini Kroger in the Children’s Museum, getting to be news anchors in the History Museum, plus driving Mars rovers, and the replica limestone cave in the Natural History & Science Museum.
Purple People Bridge — Walking From Ohio To Kentucky With Kids
After we finished at the museums, we drove over to Newport on the Levee because I saw that you can sometimes find street parking on the Kentucky side of the Purple People Bridge. We got lucky and found some street parking after hunting for a few minutes (only cost us $2!) and then walked over to the Purple People Bridge.
The Purple People Bridge connects the communities of Newport, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio via a half-mile pedestrian-only bridge. The views of Cincinnati are incredible, and there’s a fun street-art style marker for the Kentucky/Ohio border. The kids thought it was cool to have one foot in one state and their other foot in another. So much so that they had to FaceTime their cousins to show them.
Incline Public House — Best Views of the Ohio River
We decided to eat at the Incline Public House because of the incredible view from the patio. I’m so glad that we did because it was such a beautiful day and a spectacular view. The food was also good and reasonably priced.
Loveland, Ohio With Kids — Loveland Castle & Downtown Shops
We spent our fifth day exploring Loveland, which is about thirty minutes from Downtown Cincinnati. It’s no wonder that this adorable little town is called Loveland because you’ll instantly fall in love once you get there!
It has such a cute, Mayberry-type feel–super welcoming and small-town-like.
Loveland Castle (Chateau Laroche) — Hours, Cost & What To Know
We started off our day in Loveland by visiting the historic Chateau Laroche, commonly called Loveland Castle. It was built in 1927 by a WWI veteran named Henry D. Andrews. Henry loved all things Medieval and built the castle in the style of Medieval castles. He hand-built the castle; it took him nearly fifty years to complete!
There is a video that runs on-site that covers Henry’s incredible life.
It does cost $5 per person to enter the castle, and kids 5 and under are free.
Coffee, Donuts & Shopping in Downtown Loveland
After visiting Loveland Castle, we went to Downtown Loveland. We stopped for coffee at Mile 42 Coffee, which had a great, cozy coffee shop vibe. We also hopped over to Holtmans Donut Shop, which was delicious.
Next, we went to Plaid Room Records. My daughter loves her vinyl record player, and Plaid Room had a large selection of new and gently used vinyls. She was so excited to spend some time listening to her selections in their free listening corner.
There’s a really beautiful bike trail that runs right through Downtown Loveland. I was hoping we would be able to get over to the trail and rent some bikes, but it didn’t work out this day. Next time!
Cincinnati Art Museum & Reds Game With Kids
Our last day was spent at the Cincinnati Art Museum and then the Great American Ballpark, where we cheered on our hometown Cleveland Guardians as they squared off against the Cincinnati Reds.
Cincinnati Art Museum — Free Family-Friendly Kids Area
We were impressed by the Cincinnati Art Museum, which is free and open to the public Tuesday - Sunday (closed Mondays). While it didn’t feel quite as big at the Cleveland Museum of Art, there were still lots of different rooms and art styles to explore. They also had some classic artists like Monet, Van Gogh, & Picasso.
We spent some time in the Children’s Area called The Rosenthal Education Center (REC). They had a craft for the kids to do where they got to make lighthouses inspired by Cincinnati artist and educator Kenton Brett.
The REC is located on the first floor, just off of the Great Hall. The REC has a dedicated interactive space that changes twice a year. Themes for the interactive space are based on the museum’s collection, exhibitions, and elements of art and world cultures.*
Great American Ballpark With Kids — Family Fun Zones & Best Seats
We’re a big baseball family, and love getting to experience new ballparks together, and we were so impressed by Great American Ballpark. We entered through Gate A and made our way over to our seats in Section 426.
The ballpark has a classic ballpark feel but is surprisingly well-kept and fresh for being nearly 30 years old. Our seats in 426 gave us a fantastic view of the field, and even though we were in an upper level, it didn’t feel too far away from the game.
Later on, around the sixth inning, we explored for a bit and ended up in the bleacher section in center field. And those seats felt so surprisingly close to the outfielders. Were we to attend another game at Great American Ballpark, I’d seriously consider buying tickets in that section.
One thing our family loved about Great American Ballpark was that there were two Family Fun Zones–one for each level of the ballpark. The top level had some batting cages with tees and wiffle balls and plastic bats. The top level also had a small playground, reading room, and nursing room.
The ground level had a wiffle ball field (my son’s favorite) and another playground. Behind the wiffle ball field is a kiosk where you can get a First Game Certificate for your kids.
Cincinnati With Kids Was Full of Adventures and Fun!
That wraps up our six days exploring Cincinnati with kids! It's such a fantastic family-friendly destination, and we're already planning our next visit.
If you're looking for more Ohio getaway ideas, check out our guides to Columbus with kids and our Northeast Ohio city guide. Have a favorite Cincinnati spot we should check out next time? Send it our way because we'd love to hear about it!
