👋 Great to see you! —

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a parent, it’s that “tired” comes in many forms—tired of cleaning, tired of cooking, and my personal favorite, tired from fun. This week, we’re chasing that last one. Wonderland Playground brings the kind of play that leaves your kids gleefully worn out, while the Christmas Pottery Party offers a chance to slow down and make something meaningful (and maybe slightly lopsided). It’s all about finding that balance between chaos and connection—preferably with snacks.

Here’s what’s in store

• One Place to Play — Wonderland Playground!

• 3 Events to Check Out — Fall Family Fest, Pottery Painting, and Dinovember Kickoff!

• One Place to Eat — Sanctuary Social!

• One at Home Activity — Sensory Bottle!

• One thoughtful moment — Worth the Wait!

One Place to Play

🌈 One Place to Play: Wonderland Playground
📍 8255 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH

Alright, I know I usually keep things on this side of the river—but this spot is too good to let a bridge stand in the way of a good time. Wonderland Playground in Anderson Township is basically a kid’s dream come true: slides, soft play, and a ninja course that will have your little one feeling like a mini action hero.

If your kid’s energy level has been reading “tornado” lately, this is the perfect place to let them burn it off in the best way possible—while you sit back with that rarest of treasures: a moment to yourself.

✨ Why Families Love It
– 🧒 Soft Play for the Littles – The baby and toddler zone is just right for smaller explorers. They can climb, crawl, and conquer without fear of being steamrolled by the big kids. (Just note: kids over 36” tall can’t enter this area—fair is fair!)
– 🏰 Three Levels of Adventure – Older kids can scale bridges, zoom down the giant 4-person wave slide, and peek out from the lookouts across 3,600 square feet of climbing, sliding, and giggling space.
– 🐱‍👤 Mini Ninja Course – For the brave (and slightly wild), there’s a 9-obstacle ninja course packed with balance beams, climbing walls, and swinging steps. Your little warriors will sleep very well after this one.
– 🧼 Clean + Organized Fun – Each two-hour play session is capped and cleaned between groups, so everything feels fresh and ready for the next round of chaos (the fun kind).

🎟️ Good to Know
– Admission is $18.50 per child (ages 1+). Kids under 1 are free with a paid sibling.
– Playtimes must be booked in advance online. Sessions fill up fast—especially on weekends!
– Everyone entering (yes, even parents) needs a signed waiver, which can be completed online.
– Socks are a must for all guests—no shoes or bare feet allowed. (Kids get socks with admission; adults can bring their own or buy a pair for $2.)
– No outside food or drinks allowed unless you’ve rented a private room.

👶 Parent Tip:
Adults can explore the first level or watch from the sidelines, but the real action belongs to the kids. Pack water bottles, plan your session time carefully, and consider booking back-to-back playtimes if your crew has more stamina than sense.
Wonderland Playground isn’t just a rainy-day backup plan—it’s a full-blown energy evacuation station. Your kids will leave with big smiles, pink cheeks, and maybe a new obsession with the ninja wall. You’ll leave wondering if they sell adult nap passes.

Events to Check Out

🍂 Fall Family Fest at Anchor Church
📅 Saturday, Nov 2 | ⏰ 4 PM
📍 3126 Riggs Ave, Erlanger, KY
💸 Free | Family-Friendly

If your ideal fall evening includes chili in one hand, a caramel apple in the other, and a kid bouncing happily somewhere nearby, Anchor Church has you covered. Their Annual Fall Family Fest is back, and it’s packing all the cozy, small-town fun you could ask for.

✨ What to Expect
– 🐴 Pony Rides & Petting Zoo – Because nothing says fall like meeting a new four-legged friend.
– 🎯 Games & Bouncy House – Energy burners for the kids (and a breather for you).
– 🍎 Caramel Apples & Comfort Food – Sweet treats, grilled cheese, and chili that’ll warm you from the inside out.
– 🤝 Good Old-Fashioned Fellowship – Friendly faces, laughter, and maybe a little healthy chili competition.

👶 Parent Tip: Arrive early—pony rides and caramel apples tend to go fast, and parking can fill up quickly. Bring a few wipes for sticky hands and faces (because caramel + kids = chaos).

🧡 Our Take: This is the kind of event that feels like the season bottled up—family, food, and a whole lot of fun under the autumn sky. If you’re looking to make a few new friends before the cold sets in, this is a perfect place to start.

 🎨 Family Christmas Pottery Painting Party
📅 Thursday, Nov 6 | ⏰ 6:30 PM
📍 Independence Senior Center, 2001 Jackwoods Pkwy, Independence, KY
💸 $20 per person | All ages welcome

If you’re ready to swap “cookie decorating” for something that lasts longer than your toddler’s attention span, this one’s for you. EarthWaterFire Pottery is hosting a Family Christmas Pottery Painting Party, and it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season with a little creativity—and a lot of color.

✨ What to Expect
– 🖌 All Supplies Included – Your ticket covers the pottery, glaze, and firing. You just bring your imagination (and maybe a backup outfit for the enthusiastic painters among you).
– 🎁 Make It Personal – Whether you’re crafting a heartfelt gift, a keepsake for Grandma, or a slightly abstract ornament only a parent could love, every piece tells your family’s story.
– 🍪 BYO Snacks & Drinks – Food isn’t provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own festive fuel. Hot cocoa thermos optional—but encouraged.
– ❤️ Family-Friendly Fun – No experience needed. Just paint, laugh, and enjoy some screen-free time making something that’ll actually last beyond bedtime.

👶 Parent Tip:
Tickets are $20 per painter, so count everyone who’ll want a brush in hand— worth it for the quiet focus (and proud smiles) you’ll get in return.
Between the laughter, the glaze, and the tiny handprints that somehow end up everywhere, you’ll come home with more than pottery—you’ll come home with a new family tradition.

🦖 Dinovember Kickoff at the Covington Library
📅 Saturday, Nov 8 | ⏰ 10 AM – 3 PM
📍 Kenton County Public Library, 502 Scott Blvd, Covington, KY
💸 Free | Family-Friendly

If your kids can pronounce parasaurolophus better than you can say “library card,” this one’s for you. The Covington Library is kicking off Dinovember with a full day of prehistoric fun that’s sure to leave your little paleontologists roaring for more.

✨ What to Expect
– 🎯 Dino-Themed Games – Carnival-style fun that’s more roar than chore.
– 🦕 Dino-Roar Contest – Let your inner T. rex shine! Loudest roar wins (sorry, parents).
– 🎨 Hands-On Activities – Crafts, fossils, and dino-sized creativity for all ages.
– 🦖 Dress the Part – Dino costumes encouraged! Whether your kid’s a fierce Velociraptor or a sleepy Stegosaurus, everyone’s welcome in the herd.

👶 Parent Tip: Plan for a few hours—this event runs most of the day, and there’s plenty to explore at your own pace. Bring a snack or take a break nearby if your little dino needs to refuel (or stomp off some energy).

🧡 Our Take: This isn’t just another themed event—it’s a full-on fossil fiesta. Expect laughter, learning, and maybe a few tiny roars echoing from the backseat on the ride home.

Because when it comes to fun like this, extinction is not an option. 🦴

One Place to Eat

🍽️ Sanctuary Social
📍 2508 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY
💲💲 | Upscale Casual | Kid-Friendly (with a few ground rules!)

If you’re craving a meal that feels a little grown-up but still welcomes the family, Sanctuary Social strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and small-town comfort. Think: stylish atmosphere, handcrafted cocktails, and shareable plates that taste as good as they look—without feeling too “fancy” for a Friday night out with kids in tow.

✨ Why Families (and Parents) Love It
– 🍴 Upscale but Approachable – You’ll find elevated dishes made fresh daily—things like creative small plates, flavorful entrees, and desserts that disappear faster than your toddler’s patience.
– 🍹 Sip + Socialize – Their craft cocktail menu is top-notch, and the curated wine list means you can enjoy an adult moment while still keeping an eye on your little ones.
– 🧒 Family-Friendly Thoughtfulness – Kids are welcome at standard dining tables (just not at the bar or high-top lounge). If you need a high chair or special seating, note it when joining the waitlist—they’ll make sure you’re taken care of.

💡 Parent Tip: If your kids are under 10, request a regular-height table when you check in—high-top seating and the bar area are off-limits for little ones. Pro tip: come early for dinner to avoid the crowd and snag a comfy spot before the evening rush.

One at Home Activity

🧃 Make Your Own Sensory Bottle
(Perfect for little explorers ages 0–8)

If your kid loves shaking, watching, and asking “what’s that?” a hundred times a day, this DIY Sensory Bottle is your new best friend. It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and somehow magical enough to buy you some peace.

✨ You’ll Need:
– A small, clear plastic bottle with a tight-fitting lid (think water, sports drink, or travel-size shampoo bottle)
– Gorilla Glue (for sealing the lid)
– Fillers of your choice: water, clear hair gel, dish soap, baby oil, or even glitter glue
– Color and texture fun: food coloring, sequins, beads, buttons, small toys, rice, tissue paper, or confetti

🎨 How to Make It:

1. Clean it out: Rinse your bottle and make sure it’s completely clean of any leftover residue. (Bonus points if you have a toddler who insists on “helping.”)

2. Fill it up: Add your colorful bits—beads, buttons, glitter, sequins, or tiny toys. Let your child help choose what goes inside; it’s half the fun!

3. Add the liquid: Pour in your chosen filler (water, oil, or hair gel) until the bottle is nearly full. Leave a small gap so things can move and swirl.

4. Seal it tight: Add a dab of super glue around the rim before screwing the lid back on. Let it dry completely—because nobody wants glitter on the ceiling.

5. Shake, roll, repeat: Hand it over and watch the calm (or fascination) unfold.

🌈 Parent Tip:
These bottles are great for calming fussy toddlers, road trip distractions, or preschool science moments. Try themed versions—like a “Galaxy Bottle” (black and purple glitter + stars) or “Fall in a Bottle” (orange leaves + gold sequins).
This craft is quick, low-mess, and endlessly entertaining—like a snow globe for curious little minds. Just don’t be surprised if you end up mesmerized, too.

💡More Ideas: I found this article really helpful!

One Thoughtful Moment

Worth the Wait

Six years ago, when we were still navigating the uncertain waters of trying to adopt, a friend gave us a gift: a beautiful red wooden rocking horse. "For when your little one arrives," he said with such confidence that it almost hurt to hear. Back then, I wasn't sure when that day would ever come.

I tucked the horse away, unable to look at it some days – a symbol of hope that felt too fragile to hold onto.

Now, at sixteen months, Little E has discovered that rocking horse, and watching him ride it fills me with a joy I can barely put into words. He climbs on with determination, grips the handles, and rocks back and forth with the biggest grin on his face, completely unaware of the journey that horse represents.

This week, we took him to ride a real pony – well, a pony dressed in a sparkly unicorn costume, which somehow made it even more magical. My wife, mother-in-law, and I each took turns walking beside him as the pony plodded along in a gentle circle. Little E's eyes were wide with wonder, his little hands patting the pony's mane, and he occasionally burst into giggles with pure delight.

There's no grand lesson here, no teachable moment I'm trying to extract. Sometimes parenting is simply about being present for the joy – watching your child experience something new and feeling grateful you get to be there for it.

That rocking horse sat waiting for six years. The journey to Little E was longer and harder than we ever imagined. But watching him rock back and forth, hearing him laugh on that unicorn pony, seeing his face light up with simple childhood wonder – it's a reminder that some gifts are worth waiting for, no matter how long the wait.

Every rock, every giggle, every "horse!" is a promise fulfilled.

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

Until Next Week…
As the holidays creep closer, may your week be filled with small wonders—tiny roars, big smiles, and a reminder that “making memories” sometimes looks like glitter, mud, or clay on your kitchen table.

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

With stickers on my shoes and coffee in my veins,
Otto Neff
Creator of Hopscotch Highlights and Unicorn Wrangler