👋 Ahoy—

Parenting is a tag-team sport, and so is this week’s lineup: England-Idlewild Park gives you a breather while the kids burn energy, Erlanger’s 5K and festival keep the weekend buzzing, and East African Restaurant proves picky eaters sometimes just need mango juice. Sprinkle in Play Bakery and a Viking battle demo, and you’ve got yourself a pretty epic week.

Here’s what’s in store

• One Place to Play — Idlewild Park!

• 3 Events to Check Out — Summer Sendoff, Play Bakery, Viking Fest!

• One Place to Eat — East African Restaurant!

• One at Home Activity — Animal Masks!

• One thoughtful moment — Partnership

🌳 England-Idlewild Park (Burlington, Boone County)

If you’re looking for a park that works for the tiniest toddlers and their big siblings, England-Idlewild checks all the boxes. This massive 290-acre park has it all—sports fields, fishing ponds, trails, and most importantly, a fully fenced-in playground where parents can actually exhale for a second.

✨ Why Families Love It:
– Safe for Littles – The fenced playscape has low slides, bucket swings, and simple climbing spots—perfect for wobblers and tiny explorers. No great escape attempts here.
– Big Kid Approved – Older siblings can scale the larger play structure, kick a ball in the open fields, or show off on the basketball court that is right next to the play area.
– Extra Adventures – Beyond the playground, there are hiking trails, ponds for fishing, and even a bike pump track for the more adventurous crowd.

👶 My Take:
I brought my 15-month-old here, and he had an absolute ball. The tandem swings had him giggling nonstop—those little “butterflies in the tummy” moments you never forget. He played peek-a-boo around the play area, toddled confidently up and down the stairs, and after a few practice runs, went down the slide all by himself (with me waiting proudly at the bottom). It’s the kind of playground that gives little ones the right mix of independence and safe exploration.

🧡 Parent Tip: Pack extra snacks and water—this park is big enough that your “quick playground stop” can easily turn into a half-day adventure.

🔥Events to Check Out:

☀️ Erlanger Summer Sendoff 5K + Family Festival

📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025 $
📍 Silverlake Park, Erlanger, KY

Kick off your weekend with a morning race and end it with a bang (literally—fireworks!) at Erlanger’s biggest family celebration of the year. Whether you’re lacing up your running shoes or just showing up for the music, food, and bounce houses, the Summer Sendoff has something for the whole crew.

🏃‍♀️ Morning Fun: 5K Run/Walk + Kids’ Run

– 5K Run/Walk – 8:30 AM
$15 for the race | $25 with event t-shirt
Online registration closes Sept 16 (late signups open race morning at 7:30 AM).
Awards for top finishers in each division.
– Kid’s Fun Run – 9:15 AM (FREE!)
For ages 9 and under—no registration required. Kids will race a short loop with a Hawaiian theme, complete with giveaways. Luau gear encouraged!

🎶 Evening Festival: 4–10 PM

Come back later for the main event—a city-wide party with:
– Live Music – School of Rock, Rivers, and Gamut on stage
– Food + Drink Vendors – Dinner + dessert, no dishes for you
– Kid Favorites – Free bounce houses, Cincinnati Circus stunt shows
– Skyline Coney Eating Contest – 6:30 PM (watch at your own risk!)
– Fireworks – 9:30 PM

🧡 Parent Tip

Do the 5K in the morning, nap in the afternoon, then head back for food, music, and fireworks—basically a full day of family fun without leaving Erlanger.

⚠️ Heads Up: No pets, coolers, or outside food/drink. Parking is available at Silverlake and the Kenton County Public Library. Handicap parking is off Division Street.

🥖 Play Bakery: Flour Power for Little Hands
📅 Wednesday, Sept 17 | ⏰ 3:30–5 PM
📍 Erlanger Branch Library | Children’s Activity Room
💸 Free | Best for ages 2–8 Free

Roll up those sleeves—it’s time to play chef! Kids can dive into bakery-themed imaginative play and sensory fun, mixing, “kneading,” and creating their own pretend treats. No ovens, no recipes—just pure, flour-dusted fun.

🧡 Parent Tip: Dress for mess. Aprons optional, smiles guaranteed.

⚔️ Viking Fest: Legends, Longships & Lots of Fun📅 Saturday, September 20 | ⏰ 11 AM–3 PM📍 Independence Branch Library- Free

Grab your shields (bonus points if you made one back from Issue 10!) and get ready to time-travel! Viking Fest is bringing Norse history to life with a family-friendly twist.

Here’s what’s on deck:

⚔️ Live Combat Demo – Watch the Vatnsdal Vikings battle it out, safely of course—this is more “whoa!” than “ouch.”

🏺 Traveling Viking Museum – Peek at artifacts and everyday objects that make ancient history feel real.

🎨 Hands-On Crafts – Little warriors can make their own take-home treasures.

🎭 Storytime of Legends – Viking tales told just for kids, filled with dragons, heroes, and more.

🎨 Face Painting & Vendors – Because every Viking needs war paint (or glitter).

🧡 Parent Tip: If your kiddo is sensitive to noise, bring headphones for the combat demo—it’s exciting, but a little loud!

 🍴 East African Restaurant: A Warm Welcome + Flavorful Adventure

📍 Florence, KY $$

If your family is ready to venture beyond the usual pizza-and-fries routine, East African Restaurant in Florence is a hidden gem that reviewers can’t stop raving about. Known for its Somali comfort food and big portions, this spot pairs authentic flavors with the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like family from the moment you walk in.

🌟 Why Families Love It

– Super Welcoming Staff – The owners are famously kind. One reviewer said the staff brought out extra food just for the kids to sample—talk about going the extra mile.
– Kid-Friendly Eats – While the menu leans traditional Somali, there are easy wins for younger palates: crepes (called malawa), rice dishes, and sweet mango juice are all kid-approved.
– Spices That Smile, Not Scare – Flavors are rich and aromatic without being too spicy. Hot sauce is served on the side, so you control the kick.
– Relaxed Atmosphere – The space is simple and no-frills, which makes it easier to relax if your toddler decides to wiggle in their high chair or drop some rice on the floor.

🧡 Parent Tip

This is a great place to gently expand your kids’ taste buds. Start with crepes or rice, then sneak in a bite of stew or a sip of mango juice. And if you’ve got picky eaters? Don’t sweat it—the staff is happy to help tweak dishes or suggest milder options.

🎭 DIY Safari Animal Masks

Looking for a craft that’s low-prep but high on imagination? Safari animal masks are a perfect way to bring a little East African adventure into your living room. Kids can color, cut, and decorate their way into becoming lions, zebras, elephants—or whatever wild creature their heart desires.

🛠 What You’ll Need

– Paper plates or cardboard
– Crayons, markers, or paint
– Child-safe scissors
– Tape or a stapler
– Optional extras: yarn (for a lion’s mane), feathers, raffia, or fabric scraps for extra flair

🧒 How to Play It by Age

– Toddlers (0–3) – Keep it simple! Pre-draw an animal face on a paper plate and let your toddler go wild with crayons. Add easy extras like a yarn mane together.
– Preschoolers (3–5) – Let them choose their own animal and help cut out simple features (ears, a trunk, or a mane). Hand over the paints or markers and watch their animal come alive.
– Big Kids (6–8) – Talk about symmetry in African art and challenge them to design their own mask shape. Add textures with string, feathers, or natural fibers for a more “authentic” look.

🦁 The Big Finish

Cut out eye holes and attach a string or a stick handle, and your kiddos are ready to put on their very own safari play. Cue the animal noises and giggles—it’s a craft and pretend game all in one.

🧡 Parent Tip: Keep a stash of plain paper plates on hand—kids love revisiting this one, and every mask turns into a brand-new character for playtime.

When the Day Shifts: A Lesson in Partnership

The text came at 3:28 PM: "Wow… today is rough."

I could picture my wife's afternoon – our 15-month-old son probably fighting the diaper changes, throwing his snacks, and delivering those dramatic wails of our Gump-a-saurus we've come to know so well. By the time I arrived to pick him up so she could head to work, I could see the exhaustion in her eyes.

Then something magical happened. As soon as we got in the car, he transformed into the sweetest little guy. We played with Mr. Potato Head when we got home, he ate his dinner without complaint, and during his diaper change, he turned it into an extended game of peek-a-boo, giggling every time he lifted his pajamas over his head. At bedtime, he sat perfectly still in my lap through the whole book and even helped me brush his teeth instead of clamping his mouth shut.

It would have been easy to feel smug, to think I had some special touch. But I've been on the other side of this equation plenty of times – days when he saved his best behavior for mama while I got the meltdowns and the food throwing.

Toddlers are mysterious creatures. Sometimes they need to release all their big feelings with the parent who feels safest, and sometimes they need the novelty of fresh energy. Neither scenario reflects our parenting skills.

When my wife got home that evening, I didn't lead with how perfectly he behaved for me. Instead, I started with, "Sounds like you had a really tough afternoon." I listened to her day, acknowledged how draining those grumpy hours can be, and reminded her that tomorrow would likely bring a completely different version of our son.

Parenting is a tag-team sport, and sometimes the most loving thing we can do is simply hold space for our partner's hard moments without making them feel inadequate.

P.S. This space isn’t just for me to reflect on my journey through parenthood. This is a place that we can all share in our successes and failures, our laughs and cries. If you have a story you want to share with our community, please click the button at the bottom of the page that says “ Have an experience to share?”

~ Otto

Until Next Week…
Your toddler might save their best behavior for you, or their grumpiest hour. Your partner might get the giggles while you get the wails. But with playground fences, flour power, and festivals that end in fireworks, we’re reminded that family fun is always a team effort.

With grass stains on my knees,
Otto Neff
Creator of Hopscotch Highlights, cardboard sword held high!