Anyone live near Dayton/Spfld, OH??

Re: Anyone live near Dayton/Spfld, OH??

• Minipenguin member

  July 2012

  Kids LOVE the boonshoft museum. I would definitely recommend going there.

  The airforce museum is actually for older kids. There isn't a lot for young kids to do. I took a 6 and 9 year old there. I had to explain a lot to the 6 year old but they both had a good time. If you go, I definitely recommend going to see the movie in the omni theater (the space one is great).

  The Cincinnati zoo is closer than the Columbus zoo (not by much, though). I've been to the Cincinnati zoo and it is great. They have shows with the animals all day, "cooling off" areas that blow mist for the kids to play in, times the kids can feed the animals, a 4d movie theater, etc.

  I would recommend going to "Leap Frog" in Centerville. It is an indoor bouncy house play place. "Magic Castle" is also a big hit for kids; it is an indoor play area with a 3-story climbing jungle, slides, arcade games, etc.

   Magic Castle: https://www.themagic-castle.com/

  Leap Frog: https://www.leapfrogsplay.com/
  

  I don't know of any really fantastic playgrounds, I only know of ones that are pretty typical playgrounds. You could also try the Newport aquarium, if you're willing to drive a bit. I've never been, but I work with kids and they all seem to love it.

  Good luck!
  

  Report0 Reply
• Loading the player...
• Minipenguin member

  July 2012

  Oh, and I don't know about Youngs Dairy Farm. But depending on what time of the year you come, I recommend Iron's Fruit Farm.

  https://www.ironsfruitfarm.com/

  They have apple picking, pumpkin picking, a really fun corn maze (for the kids), animals you can feed, etc etc.
  

  Report0 Reply
• wawa84 member

  July 2012

  I live by Columbus, but my parents live in that area.  So, I can offer my opinion on some of those things.  I think the airforce museum is great for older kids. At Youngs Dairy I would say a couple hours.  There really isn't a big drive time difference between the Columbus and Cincinnati zoos.  I prefer the Columbus zoo because I think the layout is better and easier to follow.  You don't even really need a map at the Columbus zoo because the paths are layed out so well.  Also, if you're willing to spend a little extra money you can buy the ticket that gets you into both the zoo and water park. 

  Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml

  Report0 Reply
• segerama member

  July 2012

  We have passes to Boonshoft and enjoy it.  Young's Dairy is a great morning or evening activity.  They have a play area, goats and cows, a small cow-train ride, minature golf, batting cages, and of course ice cream.

  I prefer the Columbus Zoo over Cincy.

  There are several spray parks in the area, Orchardly Park in Oakwood; Activity Center Park in Centerville, and Polen Farm Park in Kettering.  There is also a really nice park near Boonshoft called Wegerzyn Garden that I highly recommend.  Also, a new aquatic center recently opened in Huber Heights called the Kroger Aquatic Center.

  A little bit south of Dayton in West Chester is Entertrainment Junction - a huge indoor train display, large train themed play area, and outdoor Thomas ride.

  Report0 Reply
• teacherjess member

  July 2012

  I live in Dayton and have for about 11 years. There is a lot to keep kids busy here. I would definitely recommend Boonshoft and you could make a whole day of it (although it closes relatively early, at 5:00 usually). There is a lot for older kids but also a great area for toddler with a neat water table-type toy. 

  I think the Air Force museum is best for older kids, like 7+. It is free, though, so probably worth seeing if you have nothing else to do.

  You could spend about 2-3 hours at Young's, I think, and keep busy. Plus they have a deli and great ice cream, which is a fun treat.  

  Columbus zoo and Cincinnati zoo are both nice, although Columbus is nicer. Both are a decent drive from Dayton, depending on where you are staying. If you are staying in Springfield, Columbus is closer and if you are willing to drive in for the zoo, you may also want to check out COSI in Cincinnati, which is a great kids' museum. 

  Some fun indoor places are Rollandia/Magic Castle in Kettering, which has mini-golf, a softplay area indoors, and an arcade, and LeapFrogs in Miamisburg, which is a lot of inflatables. Some fun outdoor playgrounds that you can Google and that we enjoy are:

  -Wegerzyn Gardens in downtown Dayton
  -Orchardly Park in Oakwood (sprayground and playground)
  -Activity Park in Centerville (sprayground and playground)
  -Polen Farm in Kettering (has a sprayground and playground next to it)
  -Indian Riffle Park in Kettering (very large park)

  Kettering (right in the middle of Dayton, just south of downtown) has a rec center with a great waterpark that is open to the public. It is called Adventure Reef and is great. Here is the link: https://www.ketteringoh.org/newweb/departments/recreation/rec_fac_pool.php

  There is another waterpark in Huber Heights, northwest of Dayton, called the Kroger Aquatic Center. It just opened but is supposed to be very nice. I haven't been there. https://www.aquaticcenterattheheights.com/

  There are also many suburbs with walkable downtown areas, shops, ice cream shops, etc. We enjoy walking in downtown Oakwood, downtown Centerville, downtown Bellbrook, and downtown Springboro. All are very close to each other and very close to Dayton.

  Have a great trip! 

   

  Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml

  Report0 Reply