👋 Welcome, it’s good to see you! —

Fall is officially in full swing — and so are our kids, usually off to the slide before we can even set down the diaper bag. This week’s roundup has everything from giant playground towers and glow-in-the-dark dinos to pumpkin-spiced sensory play. So grab a sweater, a coffee, and possibly a wet wipe — we’re diving into the kind of fall fun that sticks (literally).

Here’s what’s in store

• One Place to Play — Tower Park!

• 3 Events to Check Out — Jurassic Quest, Trunk-or-Treat, and Halloween Carnival!

• One Place to Eat — By Golly’s!

• One at Home Activity — Pumpkin Oobleck!

• One thoughtful moment — Creating Fall Traditions!

🌳 Tower Park: History, Towers, and Toddler Tunes📍 Fort Thomas, KY

If Fort Thomas had a crown jewel, Tower Park would be it. Once a military base, this sprawling 86-acre park is now home to playgrounds, sports courts, trails, and even a historic limestone tower that gives the park its name. Whether you’re there for the swings or the scenery, it’s a spot where past and present meet in the best way.

✨ Why Families Love It

– Fresh Toddler Zone – Thanks to a big renovation in 2024, little ones get their own dedicated play space with a smaller structure, soft turf (goodbye, mud puddles), and a sensory music garden that keeps curious hands and ears busy.

– Big Kid Adventures – Older siblings have climbing structures, pickleball and basketball courts, tennis courts, and even a sand volleyball court to keep them moving.

– Inclusive Fun – Ramps, adaptive swings, and wide play areas make it easier for kids of all abilities to join in.

– History Meets Play – Between playground visits, stroll past the 102-foot limestone tower, or stop into the Fort Thomas Museum to add a little learning to your outing.

🧡 Parent Tip: This is a popular spot, especially on weekends. If you have multiple kids, bring a buddy to help keep an eye on everyone—the playgrounds are spread out, and parents should pack hats and sunscreen since shade is still a work in progress. There were a bunch of school-age kids who had pieces of cardboard that they used to slide down the play hills on the main structure.

🔥Events to Check Out:

🦖 Jurassic Quest
📅 Oct 17–19 | ⏰ Times vary
📍 NK Convention Center, Covington

💰 Starting at $28.41 and going up to $89.89 for the Dino-mite Experience (tax included)

Dinosaurs may be extinct, but this weekend they’re alive and stomping through Covington! Jurassic Quest—the largest traveling dino show in North America—is rolling into town, and it’s packed with sky-scraping dinos, baby T. rexes, and more roars than bedtime at our house.

✨ What Families Will Love
– Life-Size Dinosaurs – Meet a 60-foot Spinosaurus, an 80-foot Apatosaurus, and a T. rex that’s taller than your patience after a skipped nap.
– Dino Rides – Yes, your kids can actually ride a dinosaur. Bragging rights unlocked.
– Meet the Babies – Tyson the T. rex, Cammie the Camarasaurus, and Trixie the Triceratops will be waiting with their trainers for snuggles and photos.
– Hands-On Fun – Fossil digs, Jurassic Jeeps, bounce houses, crafts, and even a “Tricera-tots” soft play area for your littlest explorers.
– The Quest – A 10-stop scavenger-style challenge that ends with a prize for adventurous kiddos.

📸 Parent Tip: Bring socks for the bounce houses and a wagon for tired legs—this adventure takes about 1–2 hours if you want to see it all. And don’t forget your camera; between the giant dinos and tiny smiles, you’ll want proof.

🎟 Tickets often sell out, so grab yours online ahead of time to guarantee entry. I do not get anything from this promotion. I just thought it looked really cool!

👻 Library Trunk-or-Treat
📅 Saturday, Oct 26 | ⏰ 6–7 PM
📍 Kenton County Public Library – Independence Branch -Free

Spooky season is rolling into the library parking lot! 🎃 Bring the kids in costume (or not—pajamas count too) for an evening of trunk-or-treat fun. Families can wander through rows of decorated car trunks, collect candy, and enjoy a few extra activities along the way.

✨ What to Expect
– 🍬 Trick-or-treating from decorated trunks
– 🏆 Prize for best trunk design
– 🎨 Extra games and activities sprinkled in

🧡 Parent Tip: Costumes are encouraged, but don’t stress if your kiddo isn’t in full gear—just showing up ready to snack and explore is more than enough. No registration needed to trick-or-treat, but if you’d like to decorate a trunk, you’ll need to sign up ahead of time.

🎃 Halloween Carnival + Movie Night
📅 Saturday, Oct 25 | ⏰ 5:30–9 PM
📍 Erlanger Train Depot Park | Free

Looking for a not-so-spooky way to celebrate Halloween with the kids? Erlanger Train Depot Park has you covered with an evening full of games, giggles, and a movie under the stars.

✨ What’s Happening
– 🎶 DJ + Lawn Games to burn off the candy rush
– 🎈 Balloon Animals and a mini Halloween Carnival (5:30–7 PM)
– 🎬 The Addams Family on the big screen (7:15 PM)
– 👻 Surprise Theme Guest Appearance

🧡 Parent Tip: Pack your blankets and lawn chairs so you’re ready to snuggle up once the movie starts. And maybe toss a few glow sticks in the bag—because nothing says “festive” like a toddler covered in neon bracelets.

 🍔 By Golly’s Bar & Grill: Comfort Food, Big Flavors, Local Vibes
📍 313 Greenup St, Covington, KY 41011 - $$

If you’ve lived in Northern Kentucky for more than five minutes, someone has probably told you, “You’ve got to try By Golly’s.” And for good reason. This local favorite has been serving up hearty plates, bold flavors, and plenty of good cheer for years.

✨ Why Families Love It
– Plates That Mean Business – Juicy burgers, wings that don’t mess around, and fire-grilled steaks that make you wonder why you ever settled for frozen pizza.
– Kid-Friendly Comforts – Fries, nuggets, grilled cheese… all the stuff little bellies actually eat without negotiation.
– Neighborhood Hangout Vibes – Whether you’re watching the game, catching up with friends, or corralling your crew for dinner out, By Golly’s has that “everybody belongs here” feel.
– Award-Winning Reputation – Voted Best of the East by Cincy Magazine—and we’re pretty sure at least part of that vote came from grateful parents who got to eat in peace for once.

👶 Parent Tip: Go early if you’re bringing little ones. By Golly’s is family-friendly, but it can get lively on game nights (translation: your toddler’s ketchup-splattered masterpiece may get applause from more than just you).

By Golly’s isn’t just a meal—it’s a memory in the making. And, hey, when your kids are grown, you’ll be able to say, “By golly, we used to eat there all the time.” (Sorry, had to.)

Bonus Tip: Most parking in the area is paid parking. We found a spot right next to it for around a buck fifty for an hour. Which was plenty of time for us to enjoy our meal. There is an abundance of patio seating to stretch your legs if the crowds inside get too much for your little one.

🥧 Craft Spotlight: Pumpkin Pie Oobleck

If fall had a texture, this might be it. Pumpkin Pie Oobleck is squishy, moldable, and just messy enough to keep kids giggling for ages. Think of it as sensory play with a seasonal twist—you’ll get all the fun of pumpkin pie filling without having to scrub the oven afterward.

✨ What You’ll Need
– 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned works fine—save the fancy pies for later)
– 1.5 cups cornstarch
– A big bowl or tray
– Seasonal toys (plastic animals, spoons, toy trucks, cookie cutters… anything washable)
– Towels for cleanup

🎃 How to Make It

1. Mix It Up – Stir together the pumpkin puree and cornstarch. If it feels too runny, sprinkle in more cornstarch. Too firm? Add a little more pumpkin. You’ll know it’s right when it feels firm when you press it, but melts like magic when you let go.

2. Play Time – Let the kids drive trucks through it, press animals into it to make footprints, or scoop and squish it with spoons.

3. Extend the Fun – Hide little fall-themed trinkets (tiny acorns, plastic pumpkins) for kids to dig out.

👶 Toddler-Friendly Twist
If your toddler still taste-tests everything (because… of course they do), skip the oobleck and set out a simple Pumpkin Coloring Station instead. Print out pumpkin outlines, give them crayons or dot markers, and let them “decorate” their pumpkin patch. You can even glue on scraps of orange tissue paper for extra sensory fun without the sticky cleanup.

🧡 Parent Tip: Pumpkin Oobleck will last a day or two in the fridge (sealed in a container), but it’s really at its best fresh. Think of it as a one-time seasonal treat—like pumpkin spice lattes, but messier.

Creating Fall Traditions

Growing up, fall was just another season for my wife and me – not many elaborate pumpkin patches or corn mazes, leaves changing, and the air getting crisp. But when I met my wife, she wanted us to start some of those autumn traditions we missed. We've spent the past few years wandering through corn mazes, getting happily lost together, and hunting for the perfect pumpkins at local patches.

Now with Little E, we're building our own fall memories, and they're turning out to be beautifully imperfect.

Last year, we took him to pick out a pumpkin with his grandparents. He was so tiny, barely able to sit up on his own, but we found this enormous pumpkin that seemed fitting for the occasion. After we carved it out, we had what felt like a brilliant photo opportunity idea – let's put him inside!

He was decidedly not a fan. The look on his face was pure betrayal, as if we'd suggested something absolutely ridiculous. Which, in hindsight, we had. But we got the photo, and now it's one of our favorites – his grumpy little expression perfectly capturing his opinion of our creative parenting moment.

What makes it even more special is that pumpkin became his first food. On Thanksgiving Day, we offered him a tiny spoonful of pureed pumpkin, and he thought it was ok. At least he liked the second thing he tried, which was a sweet potato puree.

I love that we're creating these traditions for Little E, even if they don't always go as planned. These messy, funny, sometimes-chaotic moments are exactly what fall memories are made of.

Have you ever had a moment like mine? I am sure it would be encouraging to your fellow parenting community to share in these moments of life. Click the “Have an Experience to Share?” button at the bottom to get your story in a future issue!

~ Otto Neff

Until Next Week…
So whether you’re digging for fossils in pumpkin oobleck or just digging into a burger at By Golly’s, remember — parenthood’s not about staying clean. It’s about jumping into the mud (or cornstarch) with your kids and laughing all the way through.

Pass this along to a fellow parent or playground pro—and we’ll be back next Friday with more of the good stuff.

May your coffee stay hot, and your oobleck stay off the rug.
Otto Neff
Creator of Hopscotch Highlights and Amateur T-Rex Wrangler