Fall is the perfect time of year to explore all that Cincinnati offers. Of course, it’s not fall without a pumpkin spice latte. But, for families with preschoolers, these top attractions offer something you won’t find at a coffee shop—plenty of hands-on opportunities.
Come apple picking, take in the fall foliage, and bring home the perfect pumpkin. When the weather turns cold, dust off your ice skates or find a good book to curl up with. Wherever fall leads you, we hope you enjoy making new traditions with your children.
Ault Park
Take in the colors of fall at Ault Park. The city’s fourth-largest park is a great place to view Cincinnati’s vibrant foliage while giving your preschooler an open green space to explore. Bring a picnic blanket because there is plenty of room to spread out for a snack or a quick rest.
Fall Fun at Blooms and Berries Farm Market
Make some fall memories at Blooms & Berries Farm Market! During September and October, families can enjoy classic fall activities down on the farm. Wander through the 7–acre corn maze, visit the petting farm, take a hayride to the pumpkin patch, and be sure to grab a pumpkin to bring home.
Blue Marble Books
Located less than 15 minutes from downtown Cincinnati in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, Blue Marble Books has fostered a love of reading since 1979. Children can enter the pages of one of their favorite bedtime stories in the Goodnight Moon Room, a recreation of The Great Green Room bedroom featured in the Margaret Wise classic.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Catch a show at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. The 2023–2024 season opens in mid-October with a youth edition of The SpongeBob Musical. All performances offer wheelchair-accessible seating, and select shows are sensory-friendly and signed by an experienced interpreter.
Cincinnati Fire Museum
Children can set their imaginations on fire at the Cincinnati Fire Museum! During a tour, which can be completed in about an hour, they can see what a firefighter looks like in his uniform, try on gear, climb aboard a real fire truck, slide down a fire pole, and run lights and sirens on an E-One Pumper truck.
Cincinnati Nature Center
Get outdoors and explore the woods as part of Cincinnati Nature Center’s Green Sprouts program. The program is held at the Early Childhood Center and takes place monthly from September through December. Preschoolers ages 3–5 can get hands-on searching for caterpillars, investigating the pond, and seeing how animals prepare for the changing seasons.
Gorman Heritage Farm
Preschoolers and their families can explore many aspects of life on the farm at Gorman Heritage Farm. During the fall, you’ll find sunflowers (check out their annual Sunflower Festival during the first full weekend in October!), hayrides, festivals, and even storytime with farm animals. Established in 1835, the farm continues to live up to its mission of helping adults and children discover gardens, trails, and farm animals.
Irons Fruit Farm
Apple picking is an iconic family fall activity, and there’s no better place to go than the historic Irons Fruit Farm. Now in its fourth generation, the farm offers many seasonal activities, including U-Pick Apples in later summer to mid-fall. Children love picking straight from the apple trees and getting a bite of their popular apple cider doughnuts.
Summit Park
Fall begins to fade into winter at Summit Park. Beginning mid-November, bundle up and head to the park’s Warm 98.5 Ice Rink. Parents can help their children learn to skate with the help of a blue plastic “skate assistant.” After your skate session, head over to one of the nearby restaurants for a bite to eat or a warm drink.
It’s never too early to start learning.
The Gardner School offers an engaging curriculum and caring teachers to support preschoolers’ natural curiosity while supporting a strong educational foundation. To learn more about our Cincinnati preschools, contact us to set up a tour.
