👋 Hey there, Friends—

What do rocks, locks, and blocks have in common? They’re all part of your family’s weekend options. From puppy tales to geology hikes to the only board game shop that lets you test-drive the fun, this issue is packed with adventures that are bigger than Candy Land.

Here’s what’s in store

• One Place to Play — Play It Today Games!

• 2 Events to Check Out and 1 to dog-ear for later— Tales & Trails, Puppy Tales, and a Royal Princess Brunch!

• One Place to Eat — The Post!

• One at Home Activity — Viking Shields!

• One thoughtful moment — Respecting my Little Person!

🎲 Play It Today Games: Where Fun Comes Off the Shelf
📍 3186 Dixie Hwy, Erlanger, KY
📅 Open Tues–Sun (closed Mondays)
💸 $5/person to play | Wednesdays just $2!

If your crew loves games but can never agree on which one to bring home, this spot has you covered. Play It Today Games is the only board game store in the Tri-State where you can actually test-drive the games before buying them.

Here’s how it works:
– Pick a game off the shelf (and they’ve got hundreds).
– Play as long as you want—normally $5 per person, but just $2 on Wednesdays.
– Fall in love? They’ll knock that play fee off the price if you decide to take the game home.

🧡 Parent Tip: Perfect for bigger kids who’ve outgrown Candy Land but aren’t quite ready to ditch family game night. And since they’re open late on Fridays and Saturdays, this could be your next family-friendly evening hangout.

🔥Events to Check Out:

📖 Tales & Trails: Rock On with Geology!
📅 Saturday, September 6 | ⏰ 9 AM–12 PM
📍 Doe Run Lake Free- Register Here Registration closes Sept 4th

Books + dirt = the perfect Saturday morning. This month’s Tales & Trails adventure is all about rocks, fossils, and the stories the earth has to tell.

Here’s what to expect:
📖 Story Walk & Storytelling – Wander through the park while reading a story, then gather for a live read-aloud under the trees.
🎨 Hands-On Fun – Dig into nature activities, art projects, and a little geology-inspired play.
🌳 Fresh Air + Exploration – Every session pops up at a different park, so it’s part storytime, part mini-adventure.

👨‍👩‍👧 What to Bring:
– A grown-up (kids must be accompanied by an adult)
– Weather-ready clothes + comfy shoes
– A water bottle
– Curiosity and maybe a pocket for collecting “cool rocks”

🍎 A snack is provided (because learning + hiking = hungry kids).

🧡 Parent Tip: Follow Kenton County Parks or the library on social media in case the weather turns stormy—they’ll post updates if plans shift.

🐶 Puppy Tales: Reading with Furry Friends
📅 Thursday, September 4 | ⏰ 6–7 PM
📍 Erlanger Branch Library | Free

Got a kiddo who lights up around dogs and could use a little extra boost with reading? Puppy Tales is the perfect combo. Kids ages 5–12 can cozy up with a gentle therapy dog and read aloud in a no-pressure, tail-wagging environment.

📚 What to Expect:
– A stack of fun library books (or bring your own favorite story!)
– 15-minute one-on-one reading sessions with a therapy pup
– First-come, first-served sign-ups when you arrive

🧡 Parent Tip: Reading to dogs helps kids build confidence without the pressure of an audience—plus, it’s hard not to smile when a pup is your biggest fan.

👑 Plan Ahead: Royal Princess Brunch
📅 Sunday, November 16 | ⏰ 12–2 PM (Doors open 11:45 AM)
📍 Receptions Erlanger (1379 Donaldson Hwy, Erlanger, KY)
🎟 These events sell out quickly—reserve your spot now! Tickets start at $77.63 for one child and one adult.

If your little prince or princess knows every princess song by heart, this brunch is the stuff dreams are made of. Picture their face lighting up as they wave to Cinderella, twirl with Belle, or sing along with Ariel—plus, you’ll get the photo ops of a lifetime.

✨ What’s Included:
– A full brunch fit for royalty
– Live entertainment with singing, dancing, and storybook magic
– Meet-and-greet moments with your child’s favorite princesses

🎩 Extra Enchantment:
Upgrade your ticket for the Makeover Experience. Fairy godmother attendants will give your kiddo a royal makeover before the event—complete with sparkles and smiles. Spots for this fill up very fast, so book early if you want the full transformation!

🧡 Parent Tip: Dress-up is highly encouraged. Bring your camera (and maybe tissues)—because when your little one curtsies to her hero, you’ll want to remember that forever.

 🍔 The Post
📍 1136 S Fort Thomas Ave, Fort Thomas, KY
🕓 Kids Eat Free: Wednesdays, 4:30–6:30 PM

If you’ve been hunting for that magical combo of good food for you + free food for the kids, The Post has you covered. This neighborhood taphouse feels like the kind of spot where grownups can enjoy a craft beer without worrying that the kids are getting side-eye from the next table over.

🌟 Why Families Like It:
👧 Kids Eat Free Night – Every Wednesday from 4:30–6:30 PM, one kids’ meal is free with each adult meal (ages 12 & under, dine-in only). Clap it up for free chicken tenders. 👏
🍕 Menu with Personality – Think comfort food with a twist: pizzas, sandwiches, rotating specials, and plenty of kid-approved options.
🍺 Taproom Vibes, Family-Friendly Feel – You get the brewery-style experience (local + national taps, fun atmosphere) without sacrificing high chairs, crayons, or smiles when your toddler drops fries on the floor.
🪑 Space to Relax – No pressure, no fuss—just a casual, welcoming spot where families fit right in.

🧡 Parent Tip: Make it a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday lunch date too—The Post now serves lunch starting at 11:30 AM on weekends (and Friday is brand new!).

⚔️ This Week’s Craft: Mini Viking Shields

Got a little warrior at home? This week, we’re making Viking shields—perfect for pretend battles in the backyard or just parading around the living room with dramatic flair. Don’t worry, these shields are all imagination and no danger.

What you’ll need:

• Cardboard (think cereal box or Amazon box)

• Colored paper, aluminum foil, or paint

• Glue or tape

• Cardboard tube or duct tape (for the handle)

• Scissors (grown-up hands only, unless your kiddo is old enough to help)

How to make it:

1. Cut the shield base – Use cardboard to cut out a large circle (dinner plate size works well).

2. Add the “boss” (center circle) – Cut a smaller cardboard circle or repurpose the bottom of a paper cup. Wrap in foil if you want extra shimmer. Glue it to the center.

3. Decorate like a Viking – Let your kids paint bold designs, glue on strips of colored paper, or go wild with markers. (Think lightning bolts, zigzags, or even glitter if your Viking is fancy.)

4. Attach the handle – Tape or glue a short cardboard tube to the back, or make a loop from duct tape big enough for their little hand to grip.

5. Defend the kingdom! – Once dry, your little Viking is ready to guard the toy box, chase imaginary dragons, or declare themselves ruler of the couch.

🧡 Parent Tip: For toddlers, pre-cut the circles and let them handle the painting or paper-gluing part. Older kids might love looking up actual Viking shield designs to copy—or creating their own family crest.

Respecting My Little Person

Dinnertime with my 14-month-old son has become one of my favorite parts of the day, though it took me a while to get there. I used to stress about how many bites he took, counting spoonfuls like they were victories. Now I realize I was missing the point entirely.

I've started approaching mealtimes with a simple philosophy: he's a small human with his own preferences, just like me. Some days I crave salad, other days I want comfort food. Why should his appetite be any different?

My job, I've learned, is to provide good options at consistent times and trust him to know his own body. I put small portions on his tray – maybe some cut-up avocado, a slice of chees, and some tuna. Then I step back and let him decide. Some days, he devours everything and asks for more with his little "more" sign. Other days, he picks at the avocado and ignores the rest. Both are okay.

We eat together, no phones or distractions, just us sharing the same foods. When I bite into an apple slice and say "Mmm, so crunchy and sweet," he watches intently. Sometimes he'll try it, sometimes he won't. I've stopped taking it personally.

The biggest shift came when I realized that pressuring him to eat was actually disrespecting him. Would I want someone forcing me to finish my plate when I'm full? Of course not. So why would I do that to him?

Instead, we have started involving him in the process. He can “help” me wash berries and stir yogurt. At the grocery store, he can point to the blueberries he wants. These small choices make him feel empowered, and we hope that he's more willing to try things he's helped prepare.

Some meals, he barely touches his food, and that's fine. I trust that over time, with consistent offerings and no pressure, he's learning to listen to his body and develop a healthy relationship with eating – something that will serve him far better than a clean plate ever could.

~ Otto

Until Next Week’s Adventure…
Whether your week brings a new family favorite from game night, a shield painted with glitter lightning bolts, or just a storytime under the trees—here’s to finding little wins that make the days brighter.

Pass this along to a fellow game master or playground pal—and we’ll be back next Friday with more family quests.

With glitter in my coffee,
Otto Neff
Creator of Hopscotch Highlights and Keeper of the bedtime stories