👋 Hey there, friend! —

It’s the season of hayrides, sticky fingers, and that first brave sip of hot apple cider your toddler will inevitably spill on you. This week’s lineup has something for every family mood—whether you’re chasing kids down Pioneer Park’s loop trail, getting lost (on purpose) in a corn maze, or keeping it cozy at the craft table with handprints and paint.

Here’s what’s in store

• One Place to Play — Pioneer Park!

• 3 Events to Check Out — Country Pumpkin, BooVille, and Hero Night!

• One Place to Eat — Spear Ridge Café!

• One at Home Activity — Family Handprint Tree!

• One thoughtful moment — The Joy in the Chase!

🌳 Pioneer Park: Trails, Playgrounds, and Tales by the Creek
📍 Covington, KY

If your family loves a park that packs in a little of everything, Pioneer Park might be your next go-to spot. With 43 acres of green space, playgrounds, sports fields, and a stroller-friendly loop trail that winds along Banklick Creek, it’s the kind of place where kids can run, roll, and explore while parents actually get to breathe a little fresh air.

✨ Why Families Love It
– Toddler-Friendly Play – There’s a shaded toddler playground tucked inside the park (a little tricky to find, but worth it once you do). It’s built just right for younger kids who aren’t quite ready for the big kid structures.
– Room to Roam – The 2.9-mile paved trail is smooth enough for strollers, bikes, and scooters—perfect for a family walk or a toddler wobble ride.
– Sports + Space – Between the ball fields, basketball courts, and soccer spaces, older kids and teens won’t be bored. Renovations are even in the works to refresh courts and add pickleball.
– Picnic-Perfect – Shelter houses with charcoal grills make it an easy spot for a picnic or birthday party.

👶 Extra Perks for Little Ones
– The Kenton County Library sometimes brings programs like Tales & Trails or Muddy Boots to the park—think storytime, crafts, and exploring nature, all rolled into one.
– Creekside exploring gives kids a chance to dip their toes (or buckets) into the water. Just keep an eye out—like any creekside adventure, shoes will get wet.

⚠️ Good to Know Before You Go
– Flood Watch – Because it sits along Banklick Creek, parts of the park can flood, leaving some areas muddy or closed for repairs.
– Restrooms – They’re there, but usually closed during colder months.
– Noise Factor – The park runs close to the highway, so you’ll trade some peace and quiet for convenience.
– Dog Park Update – The once-popular fenced dog park has been removed due to flooding. Pups are still welcome on leashes, though!

🔥Events to Check Out:

🎃 Country Pumpkins: Fall Fun Night
📅 Friday, October 10 | ⏰ 2–9:30 PM
📍 Country Pumpkins

If fall had a greatest hits album, this event would be the whole playlist. Country Pumpkins’ second annual Fall Fun Night has everything you need for a cozy date night, a church group outing, or just a Friday adventure with the kids—complete with hayrides, corn mazes, and kettle corn under the stars. 🍂✨

Here’s what’s happening:
– Pumpkin Ridge ($9) – Includes the petting zoo + play areas. (Open 2–7 PM only—so hit this one earlier in the evening!)
– Hayrides ($5) – Roll out at 4, 5, 6, and 7 PM. Bundle up and enjoy the views.
– Corn Maze ($5) – Open all day into the night—bring your flashlights for extra fun.
– Paintball Shooting Gallery ($10–16) – By day it’s regular paintball, but when the sun goes down? Boom—Glow Paintball under black lights.
– Bonfire (Free!) – From 6–9:30 PM, perfect for warming chilly fingers and sticky marshmallows.
– Concessions (open at 5) – Burgers, chicken tenders, pretzels, nachos, fudge, kettle corn, lemonade, slushies, and mini donuts… basically dinner + dessert covered.

🧡 Parent Tip: If you’ve got younger kids, plan your timing around Pumpkin Ridge since it closes at 7 PM. Then stick around for hayrides and bonfire coziness while the big kids tackle the corn maze or try glow paintball.

🎃 BooVille at Little Britain Stables
📅 Oct 11–12, 18–19, 25–26 | ⏰ 4–7 PM
📍 5309 Idlewild Rd, Burlington, KY
💵 $10 admission | Kids 2 & under free | Free parking

Looking for a Halloween outing that’s more sweet than spooky? BooVille is made for kids 7 & under (and their grown-ups, too). Think hay mazes, unicorn rides, and storytime instead of jump scares and haunted houses. It’s three weekends of fall fun built just right for younger kiddos. 🍂👻

✨ What You’ll Find in BooVille:
– 🌽 Hay Maze – A maze just the right size for little legs.
– 🎯 Carnival Games – Simple, silly, and lots of giggles.
– 🦄 Unicorn Rides – (Yes, really!)
– 📖 Storytelling – Cozy tales for autumn evenings.
– 🐎 Stick Horse Races – Perfect for burning off apple cider energy.
– 🌾 Corn Pit – Jump, dig, and bury yourself in kernels.
– 📸 Photo Spots – Capture the costumes and memories.

👻 Costumes are encouraged, and the whole event runs rain or shine.

🧡 Parent Tip: This is a golden one for families with toddlers or preschoolers who may find bigger Halloween events overwhelming. It’s festive, fun, and paced just right for younger ages.

🦸 Hero Night Festival
📅 Tuesday, Oct 7 | ⏰ 4–9 PM
📍 DCCH Center Fairgrounds, 75 Orphanage Rd, Fort Mitchell - Free

If your kiddo’s eyes light up at the sight of a fire truck, police car, or ambulance, this event is going to be their jam. Hero Night Festival brings our community’s real-life superheroes—first responders—together for an evening full of fun, food, and family time.

✨ What to Expect:
– 🚒 Touch-A-Truck – Climb in, honk the horn, and pretend to drive the big rigs.
– 👮 Meet Local Heroes – Police, firefighters, EMTs, and more will be on site to chat, show off gear, and pose for pictures.
– 🎶 Music + Food – Grab a bite, enjoy live tunes, and soak up the festive vibes.
– 🎟 Raffles + Activities – Games, demos, and surprises to keep kids engaged all evening.

🧡 Parent Tip: This is a great way to let littles explore big vehicles in a safe, welcoming environment—and it doubles as a chance to teach them about the helpers in our community. Don’t forget your camera—those “tiny firefighter at the wheel” shots are priceless.

 🍔 Spear Ridge Café: Comfort Food with a Side of Cozy
📍 7301 Industrial Rd, Florence, KY
💵 $ | Kid-Friendly

If your family’s idea of a good meal is hearty, no-frills comfort food in a laid-back spot, Spear Ridge Café is calling your name. Tucked into a rustic, barn-inspired space with porch seating, this Florence favorite dishes out Southern-style classics and regional standouts.

✨ Why Families Love It
– Baskets That Hit the Spot – Smashburgers, catfish Po’ Boys, cowboy-sized sandwiches, and seasonal soups. Comfort food is the star here.
– Breakfast All Day (Kind Of) – Official hours are weekends 8–10:30 AM, but you can ask for breakfast anytime. Biscuits and gravy, anyone?
– Easy + Fast Casual – Order at the counter, then relax while your food comes to you. Perfect for wiggly kids who don’t love sitting still.
– Kid-Friendly Touches – A dedicated kids’ menu (meals come with a side + drink), high chairs for the littlest diners, and a relaxed vibe where families fit right in.

🍔 Boy’s night out – Little E. and I went out just the two of us for a quick bite. It was a refreshing getaway from the hustle and bustle of the industrial area surrounding it. I had the “Cowboy Killer” smash burger, and I quite enjoyed the crunchy onions with the sweet and spicy mango habanero sauce.

👶 Parent Tip: Portions on the kids’ menu may feel small for bigger appetites, so consider sharing a heartier side or sandwich with your older kiddos. And don’t skip porch seating—it’s perfect for letting kids chatter without worrying about inside voices.

See Menu Here

🍂 Craft Spotlight: Family Handprint Tree

Fall isn’t just about raking leaves—it’s about making them, too! This week’s craft is part art project, part keepsake, and 100% family bonding. You’ll create your very own family tree—literally—with handprints standing in for autumn leaves.

✨ What You’ll Need
– A big sheet of paper, poster board, or canvas
– Washable paints in fall colors (red, orange, yellow, brown, maybe even gold if you’re feeling fancy)
– Paintbrushes or sponges for spreading paint
– Wipes or a damp towel for quick cleanup

🎨 How to Make It

1. Draw the Tree – Start with a simple trunk and bare branches. You can sketch it out or let the kids go wild with their own version (the wobblier, the better—it adds charm).

2. Pick Your Colors – Pour out your fall shades onto paper plates or trays.

3. Stamp Those Hands – One by one, dip a hand into the paint and press it onto the branches. Parents, grandparents, siblings—even tiny baby hands—everyone gets to leave their mark.

4. Layer the Colors – Overlap handprints in different shades to mimic the way real fall leaves mix.

5. Add Details – Write each person’s name next to their handprint, and let kids doodle little extras (a squirrel, acorns, or a falling leaf).

🧡 Parent Tip: Once it’s dry, frame your family handprint tree—it makes a sweet seasonal decoration and a keepsake you’ll treasure long after the leaves outside have fallen. Bonus: it’s the one tree in the yard that never needs raking.

The Joy in the Chase

Over the past few weeks, my wife and I have been on a mission to baby-proof more of our home. We've secured cabinets, moved breakables higher, and covered outlets – all so Little E can explore freely without us having to say "no" every thirty seconds. The living room, hallway, and nursery are now his territory, safe zones where his adventurous spirit can run wild.

And run wild he does.

We've stumbled into this game that has become the highlight of my evenings. Little E will sprint down the hallway, his little legs carrying him as fast as they can, and mostly close the nursery door, all with a triumphant giggle. I hide just around the corner in the hallway, waiting.

There's always a moment of anticipation. Then, slowly, his little head peeks around the doorframe, checking to see if I'm there. Our eyes meet.

"RAWR!" I growl, and he shrieks with delight, turning to run back into his room while I chase after him. He's laughing so hard he can barely keep his balance, stumbling over his own feet, pure joy radiating from his whole body.

We've been playing this game for several nights now, and it never gets old. Every time I hear him try to close the door and see his face peek around the corner, my heart swells. The sound of his laughter echoing through the hallway is better than any music I've ever heard.

I know parenting isn't all sunshine and roses. There are hard days, exhausting nights, and moments that test every ounce of patience I have. But I don't think I've ever laughed or smiled more in my entire life than I have since Little E came into our world.

These simple moments – a game of chase, a shared belly laugh, the way he looks back to make sure I'm following – these are the moments I'll carry with me forever.

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…
Between the trails, hay bales, unicorn rides, and handprint masterpieces, we’ve got plenty to keep your crew busy this week. And hey, if all else fails, a walk through Pioneer Park counts as exercise… even if it ends at the concession stand.

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

Still sweeping sand out of my car from last week,
Otto Neff
Creator of Hopscotch Highlights & Professional Bag Carrier