👋 Hey there, curious creator—

Welcome to this week’s edition: Goetta Load of This 🥓🧪🍜🧵
Because summer’s not just about soaking up the sun—it’s also about stringing bracelets, slurping noodles, mixing up fizzy concoctions, and saying yes to one more Goetta bite (or three).

This issue is packed with hands-on fun for kids who love to tinker, stir, and squish—and for grown-ups who love an activity that keeps little hands busy without breaking the bank. Whether you're into giant noodle bowls, bracelet weaving, potion making, or people-watching at Goettafest, we’ve got something worth trying.

As always, these are five simple, low-stress ways to spark connection, stretch the week, and make your day just a little more delightful.

No fluff. Just family fun—locally gathered, lovingly shared, and better with napkins.

Here’s what’s in store

• One Place to Play — Creative Play Café!

• 4 Events to Check Out — Blues, Goetta, Potions, and a Scavenger Hunt!

• One Place to Eat — Five Grains!

• One at Home Activity — Friendship Bracelets!

• One thoughtful moment — No right way to stack a block!

☕ One Local Gem: Creative Play Café
📍 Hebron, KY | 💻 [Book a Playdate]

Where kids play make-believe, and grown-ups actually get to finish a cup of coffee.

Creative Play Café is part indoor playground, part cozy coworking lounge, and 100% built for families with curious, imaginative kids. Designed for little ones ages 1–6, this indoor play spot is filled with mini adventures: run a market, drive a trolley, chase a bear through the "woods," or play firefighter, vet, or builder for the day.

👟 Grown-up bonus? You can work, snack, or socialize from the cafe while keeping an eye on the fun—or jump in and play too (which is very much encouraged).

🧡 What makes it great for families:

• Tons of pretend play zones that spark creativity

• STEM stations and even a giant Human Claw Machine for extra giggles

• Chill-out zone for older siblings (books + tablets welcome!)

• Clean, comfy seating for parents to relax or work nearby

• Snack bar with breakfast + lunch options (including organic picks!)

• Gripper socks required for everyone past the lobby—grab a pair at check-in if you forget

🧡 Parent tip: This place fills up on rainy days—book ahead for your play session and sign your waiver online for a speedier check-in.

🎟️ 2-hour Playdate: $15 per child
👩‍👦 Adults: $2 with a child’s ticket
👶 Under 12 months: Free
📅 Memberships available—get 11 visits for $125 and skip the reservation hassle!

🚫 No outside food or drinks, strollers, or bare feet in the play area. Just bring your socks and your kiddo’s imagination.

✨ Whether your child wants to build a city or bake invisible muffins, Creative Play Café is where playtime turns into full-on family magic.

🔥Events to Check Out:

🎷 One Local Event: Blues' Muse in the Park
📍 Devou Park Band Shell, Covington, KY
📅 Saturday, August 2, 2025
🕢 Music starts at 7:30 PM
💸 Free admission (donations encouraged!)

🎺 What’s the vibe?
Grab your lawn chairs and your most wiggly toddlers—this is not your average sit-still concert. The KSO’s Newport Ragtime Band will be filling the park with toe-tapping, stroller-swaying tunes from the early days of American music (think 1898–1936). From spirituals to Betty Boop, it’s a history lesson disguised as a picnic-worthy jam session. No dogs, but plenty of cool cats.

💃 Expect clapping, singing, and full-on chair dancing. Little music lovers welcome.

🪑 Parent tip: Blankets, chairs, snacks, and coolers are all fair game—and there's even a TANK shuttle from Covington Catholic High School ($1 each way). Buses run every 30 minutes from 6:00–7:30 PM and will take you right back after the show. Yes, strollers and coolers fit just fine!

🎁 Bonus: Register ahead of time Here for concert updates and you’ll be entered to win goodies like a $100 Amazon card or season tickets to the KSO’s upcoming concerts.

🎶 Suggested donation is $5 per person to help keep the music going—but entry is free, and the memories are priceless.

🧡 Parent tip: This one's perfect for big kid bedtime stretchers or a family night under the stars. Let the kids dance in the grass while you soak up some swing and fresh air.

🥓 One Local Event: Glier’s Goettafest
📍 Newport Festival Park at the Levee
📅 July 31–August 3
🕔 Thurs & Fri: 5–11 PM | Sat: Noon–11 PM | Sun: Noon–9 PM
💸 Free admission

Let’s be honest—summer isn’t summer without a festival that smells like sizzling breakfast and sounds like live music with a side of laughter. Enter: Goettafest.

That’s right, the crispy-creamy, slightly mysterious breakfast favorite (part sausage, part oats, all local legend) is getting a full-blown celebration—with 4 whole days of food, music, and fun by the river. Whether your kids have no idea what goetta is or your family’s been Team Goetta since birth, this one’s worth a stop.

🍴 What to expect:

• Wacky goetta dishes from fudge to pizza to donuts

• Live music that makes even toddlers bounce

• Carnival-style games and silly fun for all ages

• The world’s only Goetta Vending Machine (yes, really) serving $5 hot portions while supplies last

• A retail booth if your crew falls in love and wants to bring some goetta home

🎉 Why we love it:
This isn’t just a food fest—it’s a goofy, golden-griddled family reunion where strangers become friends and picky eaters just might surprise you. Come for the goetta, stay for the good vibes, and maybe leave with a new favorite family tradition.

🧡 Parent tip: Strollers welcome. Bring wet wipes, stretchy pants, and an adventurous appetite.

🧪 One Local Event: Potion Mixing Lab
📍 Erlanger Branch Library – Children’s Activity Room
📅 Tuesday, July 29, 2025
🕡 6:30–7:30 PM
🎟️ First 40 kids to arrive get in—no registration required

Got a kid who loves sparkles, spills, and stirring up a little magic? This one’s for them.

Come mix, bubble, fizz, and sprinkle your way through a hands-on Potion Lab where kids can create their very own magical brews using safe, colorful ingredients. Think glitter, giggles, and just enough mess to make it feel like real wizardry.

🧙‍♀️ Best for ages 3–12
🧤 Parent tip: Dress for mess—glittery potions don’t always stay in the cauldron.

Whether your little one fancies themselves a wizard, witch, or mad scientist, this playful hour is a great way to mix up your week (literally). Just arrive early—spots fill up fast!

🔍 This Month’s Ongoing Fun: Sesame Street Scavenger Hunt!
📍 Independence Branch Library – Children’s Area
📅 Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 31, 2025
🕐 All Day, Anytime During Library Hours

Can you tell me how to get… to the prize at the end of this scavenger hunt? 🧡

All month long, the children’s area at the Independence Library is hiding some very familiar, very fuzzy friends. Come search for Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and the whole crew—and when you’ve spotted them all, swing by the children’s desk to claim your prize!

🧠 Easy, low-pressure fun for little seekers
🎉 Prizes for all finishers—no registration, just show up and start hunting!

🧡 Parent tip: A great way to ease into the library with younger kids, get the wiggles out indoors, and sneak in some screen-free character time.

Whether you visit once or make it part of your weekly routine, it’s a sweet, simple win for families who love a little adventure with their storytime.

 🍜 One Place to Eat: Five Grains Noodle House
📍 2995 N Bend Rd, Hebron, KY
🕒 Mon–Sat: 11AM–9PM | Closed Sunday
📞 (859) 586-9888 | 🍱 Order online for pickup or delivery

If your family has a soft spot for warm noodle bowls and “just one more bite” kind of meals, you’ll want to add this hidden gem to your takeout rotation.

Five Grains Noodle House in Hebron dishes up authentic Chinese comfort food with a twist—think whole grain noodles, mild fish soups, and spicy Mala bowls for grown-ups who like a kick. But what makes this spot really shine for families? The portions. Are. Huge.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What makes it family-friendly?

• Gigantic portions: One bowl can easily serve two (or three!) hungry people. Perfect for splitting with kids or saving leftovers for lunch.

• Mild options for tiny taste buds: Their Five Grains Noodle Soup is a hit with those who want flavor without the fire.

• Quick service & calm atmosphere: Reviewers rave about the friendly staff and chill vibe—ideal for families who want to skip the chaos.

• Budget-friendly takeout: Big portions + affordable prices = a win on busy nights when you need dinner to just handle itself.

• Officially listed as kid-friendly: So you don’t have to second-guess if your toddler’s dance moves are welcome.

🧡 Parent tip: If you’re in survival mode (we see you), order ahead online and enjoy peace, noodles, and possibly three meals in one.

🥢 Fan favorite: The Fish Fillet Noodle Soup—comforting, not spicy, and super slurpable.

🧵  Kumihimo Bracelets ( recommended for children 4 and up)

✅ What You’ll Need:

• Kumihimo disk (you can make one from a paper plate or use a kid-friendly foam one)

• 7 strands of yarn or thick embroidery floss, about 18–24 inches each

• Clip or tape to anchor the bracelet while they work

• Scissors

• Optional: Pony beads for extra flair

🛠️ Step-by-Step Setup (Adult does this part):

1. Make a Simple Kumihimo Disk

• Cut a circle from a sturdy paper plate or cardboard (about 5–6 inches across).

• Cut 8 small notches evenly around the edge.

• Poke a hole in the center with a pen or pencil.

2. Prepare the Strings

• Cut 7 strings, tie them in a knot at one end, and thread the knotted end through the center of the disk.

• Slot one string into each of 7 notches—leave one notch empty.

🧶 How to Weave

Easy Steps:

1. Find the empty notch.

2. Count one, two, three strings to the right.

3. Take that third string and move it to the empty notch.

4. Now there’s a new empty notch—repeat!

Do about 10–15 moves, then pause and admire the pattern growing out of the back!

🧠 Tips for Success:

• Sit together and say each step aloud like a game or rhyme.

• Keep the session short (5–10 minutes) and cheerful.

• If they lose track—no big deal! Just realign the strings and keep going.

• When it’s long enough, tie the ends together, trim the excess, and celebrate their bracelet!

• Inspiration!

✨ Optional Add-Ons:

• Let them thread a pony bead between rounds.

• Use multi-colored yarn to make the result more exciting with less precision.

“There’s No One Right Way to Stack a Block”

Parent to Parent – A Note from One Creative Chaos Wrangler to Another

I’ve learned a lot about creativity lately—from my 13-month-old.

Just about every day, we build with blocks. Sometimes they’re towers. Sometimes roads. Sometimes we stack two and knock them over just to hear the satisfying thunk. There’s no one right way to stack a block. And that’s kind of the point.

At this age, imagination isn’t about grand ideas or Pinterest-worthy crafts. It’s about play that leaves room to wonder, to wiggle, and to try things just because. I’ve always done silly voices for his stuffed animals—giving the giraffe a posh British accent and the unicorn a Goofy complex. I read books aloud in silly tones and let the characters go off-script. I love to hear him say “Hello?” when we play telephone and pretend there is someone on the other line.

He’s teaching me that creativity is less about the materials and more about the mindset. So here are a few gentle tips I’ve picked up—nothing fancy, just doable sparks of wonder that help turn everyday moments into magic:

💡 Simple Ways to Spark Imagination in Toddlers

1. Say yes to open-ended play.
Give them toys that don’t do all the talking—blocks, dolls, dress-up clothes, cardboard boxes. Let the play go sideways. Let them lead.

2. Tell stories—silly ones.
You don’t need a plot. Just pick a toy, a funny voice, and see what happens. Or change the ending of a favorite book. Make them giggle. Make yourself giggle.

3. Invite creative expression.
Offer a bin with paper, crayons, maybe some play-dough. Turn on music and dance around like squirrels. Go outside and point out weird clouds. Ask, “What do you think that bird is saying?”

4. Protect their playtime.
You don’t need a schedule full of structure. You just need a little space where they can tinker, explore, and be the boss of their own imagination.

5. Keep screens in their place.
When the TV’s off, the little wheels in their brain turn faster. Creativity loves boredom—it grows best when there’s “nothing to do.”

The truth is, I don’t always feel creative. I work. I’m tired. I trip over the same toy 14 times a day. But when I slow down—even just for 10 minutes—and enter his world, I’m reminded that sparking creativity doesn’t have to be another thing on the to-do list. It’s already there, in the blocks, in the voices, in the zooming cars.

We just have to say yes to it.

Until Next Week…
Whether you’re threading a friendship bracelet, stirring up sparkly potions, slurping noodles, or chasing down your next bite of Goetta—we hope this week brought you a moment of magic tucked inside the mess.

Thanks for making time for family fun, even if it’s just bookmarking this for later while someone’s yelling about socks. You’re showing up, even on the crumb-covered days—and that matters.

We’ll be back next Friday with more simple wins, local gems, and just enough structure to hold the beautiful chaos together.

With tangled string, sticky hands, and a full heart,
Otto Neff
Creator of Hopscotch Highlights
A fellow tired parent braiding together little moments that matter