Even though it’s a small town, there’s plenty to do to keep families busy and active. Browse this list for some of the opportunities in our town and the surrounding areas! Check back often, as we’re continually updating the list.
If you have suggestions for additions or corrections, please email us!
Oxford
Art Explorers, Miami University Art Museum
Story and related crafts on the last Thursday of the month. The museum is also fun for an outing.
Dogwood Grove and the Formal Gardens
Situated on Patterson Avenue, just beyond the new School of Business building, sits Dogwood Grove, a perfect picnic spot. The small pond is often home to many ducks, and just over the footbridge sits the Formal Gardens, full of flowers and plants.
Hanover Playground
Right between Oxford and Hamilton on Old Oxford Road, this is a great playground. Wear closed-toe shoes, though, since the surface is shredded tires.
Hefner Zoology Museum
A little gem hidden in Upham Hall, there is a large room full of specimens and displays to explore. Just down the hall there is a room for play where you can dress up in animal costumes and explore habitats.
Holiday Auto Theatre
One of the few drive-in theatres around, this one has been in business for over 60 years.
Hueston Sailing Association
During the summer, the association offers a Junior Sailing Camp for kids ages 11 to 15, teaching the basics of sailing during a week-long camp. They also offer a “Learn to Sail Day” several times a year.
Hueston Woods
This state park offers plenty of trails (some of them toddler-length) for hiking. They also offer camping, a beach, a golf course and equestrian trails. The Nature Center includes a small indoor display and an outdoor area with birds of prey and a few wild cats. On weekends they host various programs. Call the Nature Center, and they’ll send you a schedule of events, (513) 523-6347.
Goggin Ice Arena
Goggin offers skating classes for adults and children ages 3 and up and coordinates the Junior RedHawks hockey program. They also offer public skating on the weekends during the school year.
Lane Library
Offering not only several weekly story hours, but also puppet shows, workshops and craft sessions.
Limper Geology Museum
Based in Shideler Hall, there are more than enough rocks here to satisfy any junior geologist.
McGuffey Montessori School Preschool Playground
Held on Mondays from 10:00am-12:00pm, children ages 6 and under and their siblings are invited to attend for free play. Activities range from large muscle activities to creative exploration.
Miami University Art Museum
This museum has a permanent collection as well as special exhibitions. Admission is free, and there is a steady calendar of events, several for children.
Miami University Equestrian Center
A great facility that offers group and private riding lessons for ages eight and up.
Miami University Gymnastics
Instruction for children ages 3 and up. Classes are taught by the Miami Women’s Gymnastics team.
Miami University Natural Areas
Miami’s campus and surrounding natural areas offer a vast number of walking trails. Trail maps are available for download. Check back with the website, as they occasionally offer guided hikes.
Miami University Rec Center
The Rec Center offers swimming lessons, a climbing wall, and indoor gymnasiums for free play. The leisure pool is perfect for small children, as it has a graded entrance. Also keep an eye open for Family Fun Days, where they offer all kinds of great activities. Summer camps are also available.
Miami University RedHawks Athletics
Tickets are available for purchase to Miami sporting events such as football, basketball, and hockey, but most other events are free!
Miami University Youth Rock Climbing Team
This program is designed to help team members learn and improve their climbing skills along with building confidence and tackling personal goals. As a group, the climbing team will focus on teamwork, building trust and communication within the group. The YCT coaches are Miami staff and students who are dedicated to teaching the sport of rock climbing.
Miami University Youth Programs
An ever-changing list of programs, primarily for school-age children.
MOON CO-OP
A health food store that specializes in local and hard-to-find goods. This is a great resource for those with food allergies or sensitivities.
Oxford Community Arts Center
Currently offers art, music, dance, theatre, writing, and garden activities for adults and children. They also rent studios to artists, musicians, and writers at extremely reasonable rates.
Oxford Farmer’s Market
Held uptown on Saturday mornings. A great opportunity to buy local foods and socialize. They also offer the Sprouts program for kids, with new activities each week.
Oxford Lanes
Bowling isn’t just for the big kids! Even the youngest can participate, as every lane converts to bumper bowling and child-size balls are available for use.
Oxford Martial Arts Academy
Adult and child classes, including a Tiny Dragons class that starts at age 3.
Oxford Museum Association
Caretakers of several historical properties in Oxford, including the Pioneer Farm, the DeWitt Log Homestead, and the Black Covered Bridge. Visit these properties to learn more about historical Oxford.
Oxford Parks & Recreation
This is the city organization that facilitates the parks, swimming pool, and fitness facilities. They also coordinate special events and sports programs such as soccer, t-ball, tennis, field hockey, golf, track and field, swimming, diving, football, and basketball. Several of the youth programs accept children as young as four.
Oxford SAY Soccer
A community soccer league for children ages 4 and up, emphasizing sportsmanship, competition, and fun!
Saturday Art
Coordinated by the Miami Art Department, this is a class held on Saturday mornings, taught by Miami Art Education students under the supervision of faculty. Classes range from age four to high school. Call the Art Department to be put on their email list, and they’ll contact you when they finalize session dates and times, (513) 529-2900.
Three Valley Conservation
Little Muddlers, it’s all in the name – this preschool program will get your little one exploring the outdoors – water, bugs, dirt and all! All locations will be in the Oxford area and will be confirmed the week before the event.
They also have a book club for adults.
You’re Fired
A paint-your-own pottery studio. In the summer, they offer camps for kids. Keep your eye on their schedule, as they often offer nights where they waive the studio fee!
Surrounding Areas (30-40 minute drive)
Brookville Lake
Just over the border, in Indiana, this 5,260 acre lake and surrounding park offers a beach, boating, fishing, hiking, and a playground.
Cope Environmental Center
A 100 acre natural area whose mission is to promote the sustainable use of the earth’s resources through education, demonstration and research. Visitors can hike or participate in educational programs.
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts
An arts center located in nearby Hamilton that offers classes, exhibits, and performances.
Hayes Arboretum
This 466 acre property provides nature related education through instruction, experiences and amenities. There are unique plant collections, rock and fossil collections, miles of hiking and running paths, and an auto tour. The arboretum is open free of charge to the public.
Highfield Discovery Garden
Beautiful nature park with a huge treehouse for kids to climb in and lots of other fun spots. Each week there is a different science theme, and they have programs several times a day. If you think you’ll go more than once, buy the annual pass.
Kidtoons, Showcase Cinema Springdale
G-rated movies that play at 10am on Saturdays and Sundays. The movie changes each month.
MetroParks of Butler County
The parks system that includes the entire county, which offers many events each month.
Miami Whitewater Forest
Great playground and a wet “sprayground” that is great in the summer. This park also offers some fantastic paved bike paths.
Parky’s Farm
100 acre demonstration farm. Cows, goats, pigs, etc. Also a great two-story indoor play area. Parky’s is part of Winton Woods, which also has a playground and “sprayground” and lake.
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
An outdoor sculpture park. Periodically, they are host to puppet shows and other events, so it’s good to watch their calendar.
Sharon Woods Heritage Village
A living history museum depicting life in Southwestern Ohio in the 19th Century, the village is home to many preserved buildings and equipment. Village interpreters demonstrate many of the historic tasks and crafts of the 19th century.
Cincinnati (one hour drive)
Artswave Guide
From free festivals to arts scavenger hunts to choral showdowns, ArtsWave signature events give you the chance to experience arts from all across the Greater Cincinnati region.
Cincinnati Art Museum
Nestled in beautiful Eden Park, this is a fantastic cultural outing. Their ever-growing collection is getting better and better, and thanks to a generous donation, admission is free!
Cincy Art + Stem
Designed to bring together all the arts and STEM programs for youth in the Greater Cincinnati region, Cincy Arts + STEM provides information for parents and teachers. Cincy Arts + Stem is a joint project of ArtsWave, the Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative, and the Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Arts Education. Use the search tool and find great after-school classes and activities, plus lots of summer and holiday camp options. You can also click on the Events and Activities tab above to find family-friendly arts, culture, and science events happening in our community.
Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center
This is a perfect cultural outing for families, especially since the fourth floor houses the UnMuseum, a special floor just for kids. There are special exhibits where interaction is encouraged and a creative area where kids can draw and create. On the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, they offer Art Play for kids ages 3-7.
Cincinnati Museum Center
Three museums in one building! There is a great Children’s Museum, with tons of activities. The Natural History Museum offers lots of science exhibits and offers a fantastic indoor sandbox. The Cincinnati Museum has historical exhibits of Cincinnati and the surrounding area as well as a model train replica of Cincinnati from the 1900’s to 1940’s. If you think you’ll go more than two times, a season pass is a great investment.
Cincinnati Nature Center
Lots of great trails and a variety of programs for children.
Cincinnati Observatory
The Cincinnati Observatory is a fully functioning 19th-century observatory, home to one of the world’s oldest telescopes that is still in use. They offer year-round viewings which are open to the general public.
Cincinnati Zoo
A great outing with animals of every kind. In the winter, they decorate the whole zoo with lights and holiday gear. They also offer great summer camps! If you think you’ll go more than two times, a season pass is a great investment.
Dramakinetics
A program that uses drama, music and movement to engage children, teens, and adults of all abilities to reach their full creative potential while experiencing, creating and performing art.
Gorman Heritage Farm
A 120-acre working and educational farm that offers farm visits, summer camps, and seasonal festivals and events.
Happen Inc.
Building art awareness through fully interactive classes and projects, many classes offered free of charge! At the popular Toy Lab, create your own one-of-a-kind thingamajig from the massive selection of “recycled” toy parts.
Imago Earth Center
Set amongst 36 preserved acres of urban forest, Imago offers trails, educational programs, and summer camps. Educational opportunities range from science to Native America culture.
Krohn Conservatory
Explore of 3,500 plant species at Krohn. Each spring, the ever-popular “Butterfly Show” arrives, where you can mingle among thousands of butterflies.
Metamora, IN
Metamora is Indiana’s only functioning 1838 canal town. It offers shops, restaurants, events, and festivals. Many events, particularly the annual 1838 Days, have a historical theme, which include period clothing and demonstrations.
Newport Aquarium
A great aquarium with lots of exhibits and an indoor play area. If you have a stroller, call ahead. There are restrictions on strollers—on busy days, they aren’t allowed. If you think you’ll go more than two times, a season pass is a great investment.
Dayton (one hour drive)
Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm
Aullwood is an environmental education center in Western Ohio. Their goal is to promote the protection of birds, other wildlife and the habitats on which they depend. Aullwood offers both children and adults the opportunity to experience and appreciate the world through experience-based education. Features include woods, streams, ponds, prairies, meadows, and our education center and organic farm.
Boonshoft Museum
A children’s museum in Dayton which offers a variety of fun activities from play to science. If you have a Cincinnati Museum membership, you are admitted free thanks to their reciprocity program!
Carillion Historical Park
Situated on a beautiful 65-acre campus between the Great Miami River and a glacial moraine, Carillon Historical Park engages you to sample Dayton’s rich heritage of creativity and invention. The Park immerses you in the region’s history – from Dayton’s founding in 1796 through two centuries of expansion, industrialism and innovation. Learn about these revolutionary achievements while strolling through the Park’s 25 historical buildings and interacting with the hundreds of artifacts in our exhibits.
Cox Arboretum
A gorgeous park facility with flowers, ponds, and a children’s labyrinth. They offer many programs for children and adults, and are home to a native Butterfly House, which features native butterflies and moths.
Dayton Art Institute
Another beautiful art museum. They offer special programs for children, including an interactive exhibit and special programs.
A Day Trip (1.5+ hour drive)
Conner Prairie, Fishers, Indiana
An interactive history park that lets you experience 19th-century American culture through performances, demonstrations, activities, and much more.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
Another great Children’s museum. With four levels, you could keep busy all day with all the exhibits there are to explore. There is a huge dinosaur exhibit for the young paleontologist. Don’t forget to save some time to ride the historic indoor carousel!
COSI (Center of Science and Industry), Columbus, OH
A fantastic museum for kids of all ages. Houses a huge play area for children five and under, and offers a wide range of exhibits for kids to adults. If you have a Cincinnati Museum membership, you are admitted free thanks to their reciprocity program!
Grange Insurance Audubon Center
Less than a 10-minute walk from downtown Columbus, on a half-forgotten bend in the Scioto River, lies a fragile green oasis, a tiny jewel, a hidden haven for wildlife and birds set amid an industrial landscape now in transformation. This Audubon Center is one of the first such centers in Audubon’s storied history to bring hands-on conservation and nature-based learning this close to the core of a major American city, a place where thousands of birds migrating from Central and South America use this spot along the Scioto River as a stopover during their long journeys.
Glen Helen Ecology Institute, Yellow Springs, OH
Glen Helen is a 1,000 acre nature preserve, all accessible from a 25-mile network of footpaths. On even a short walk, visitors can view spectacular wildflowers, 400 year-old trees, limestone cliffs with waterfalls and overhangs, and the beautiful yellow spring for which the town is named. Glen Helen offers educational programs and summer camp opportunities.
