Looking for a fun day out with the littles?
Head to Happy Hangout on the the westside!
Complete with an indoor playground, toddler play area, miniature city for pretend play, classes, and party rooms, Happy Hangout encourages playing, using your imagination, and finding community in a safe, clean environment.
Happy Hangout is open six days a week from 9am to 3pm (closed on Wednesdays). Two-hour play passes are $10 for ages walking–12 years old and free for adults and babies.
Tickets can be purchased in advance, particularly for peak times, and memberships and gift cards are also available.
[Adults: there’s also a comfy lounge area with outlets to work or to BYO food or coffee. Pro tip 👉🏻 there’s a Servatii right across the street where you can pick up pastries, fresh breads and pretzels, or coffee.]
If you are looking to supplement your day out with additional things to do, here are more kid-friendly ways to spend your time on the westside:
Dewey’s Pizza Green Twp
Assuming you’ve worked up an appetite, head to kid-friendly local chain Dewey’s, where you can create your own or order a specialty pizza, calzone, or salad.
Zip Dip Green Twp
Treat yourself to one of the best creamy whips on the westside, serving up soft serve, yogurt, an assortment of cones and toppings, dip tops, sundaes, flurries, shakes and malts, several food items, and more.
Note: Opens for the season March 3, 2023
Gamble-Nippert YMCA Westwood
Get in some fun or relaxation at Gamble-Nippert YMCA* by enjoying the indoor pool, fitness center, sauna, or steam room. As a member, you even take advantage of school-age childcare*.
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library – Westwood Branch Westwood
The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library – Westwood Branch is just a half mile away, where you can use free WiFi, the laptop kiosk, or meeting room, and the little ones can play in the children’s area, featuring the Krayon Kiosk, play area, and books.
If you are around in the morning on Wednesday, the Westwood Branch Library has Movers and Shakers from 10:15–11a. It is recommended for ages 1–4 and the children get to sing, dance, listen to music, stories, and play with toys when the class is over.
West Side Brewing Westwood
If the weather allows, grab a DORA beer from West Side Brewing and head across the street to Westwood Town Hall Park where there is a playground the kids can play on.
Note: DORA beverages are not allowed inside the fencing of the play area
You don’t have to break the bank to spend a kid-friendly day out in our great city. Are you looking for specific recommendations? Just ask!
Written by: Linsey Kraeling – Woman, wife, and mother about town, proud millennial, and lifelong Cincinnatian with an invested interest in community involvement and having a full plate—literally and figuratively. Follow along with and read more about eating like a sophisticated six-year-old, supporting local, and acting like a tourist in her own city at instagram.com/linsinnati and tourdecincinnati.com.
*Membership required. Gamble-Nippert has before and after school programs for school-age children (ages 5–12), as well as full day childcare for school-aged children on days CPS is closed, and preschool classrooms (ages 3–5).