👋 Hey there, friend! —

Kentucky’s biggest sandbox is opening its doors, tacos are sizzling in Erlanger, and PlayArt promises messes so good you’ll want to frame them. Add in a pup or two listening to your kids read, a craft that makes your windows glow, and a community moment reminding us to slow down, and you’ve got a week that’s part fiesta, part family hug.

Here’s what’s in store

• One Place to Play — The Kid’s Dig!

• 3 Events to Check Out — Pinecone Bird Feeder, Puppy Tales, and PlayArt!

• One Place to Eat — El Ocho Loco!

• One at Home Activity — Fall Leaf Suncatchers!

• One thoughtful moment — The Pull of the Screen!

🚜 The Kid’s Dig: Kentucky’s Biggest Indoor Sandbox!
📍 11 Spiral Drive, Suite 12, Florence, KY

Mark your calendars—The Kid’s Dig opens Saturday, October 4th! This brand-new play space is every little builder’s dream: over 60 tons of sand and more than 100 toys to dig, scoop, dump, and create with.

✨ Why Families Will Love It
– Construction Wonderland – Trucks, diggers, shovels, and endless sand to move. It’s basically a sandbox supersized.
– Indoor Fun – Rain or shine, kids can play in a safe, climate-controlled space.
– Walk-In Friendly – No need to plan ahead; just drop in during business hours.
– Birthday Ready – Parties available—check the website to snag a spot.

🕒 Hours for Walk-In Play

• Monday–Friday: 9 AM–5 PM

• Saturday–Sunday: 9 AM–6 PM

💵 Pricing

• 1 Hour – $16

• 1.5 Hours – $18

• 2 Hours – $20

• Day Pass – $30
  (Non-walking infants are free. Two adults free with each child; $5 for extra adults.)

📌 Good to Know
– Waivers are required (you can fill them out online or at check-in).
– Bring socks. (Sand + shoes = mess) But socks make for easier clean up.
– Plan for a car vacuum afterward if your kiddo is a true “sand enthusiast.”

🔥Events to Check Out:

🌲 Kids’ Pinecone Bird Feeder Class
📅 Saturday, Sept 27 | ⏰ 1–2 PM
📍 Jamie’s Landscaping (8408 Princeton Glendale Rd, Beckett Ridge, OH)
💵 $12.51 per child- Register Here

Looking for a cozy fall craft that also helps our feathered friends? 🍂 Bring the kids out to Jamie’s Landscaping for an hour of hands-on fun making pinecone bird feeders.

Everything you need is provided—just show up ready to get a little sticky and a lot creative. Kids will roll pinecones in seed, decorate their creations, and head home with a treat to hang up for neighborhood birds. 🐦

🧡 Parent Tip: Wear play clothes (peanut butter + birdseed = messy fun). This is an easy, low-stress craft that’s perfect for ages 3–8.

🐶 Puppy Tales
📅 Thursday, Oct 2 | ⏰ 6–7 PM
📍 Erlanger Branch Library | Children’s Activity Room
💸 Free | Best for ages 5–12

What’s better than a good book? A good book and a furry friend to listen along! At Puppy Tales, kids can curl up with a therapy dog and read aloud in a calm, no-pressure setting.

📚 Here’s how it works:
– We’ll have a stack of fun books to choose from (but feel free to bring your child’s favorite).
– Each reader gets a 15-minute turn with one of the dogs.
– Time slots are first-come, first-served when you arrive.

🎨 PlayArt
📅 Friday, Oct 3 | ⏰ 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
📍 Erlanger Branch Library | Children’s Activity Room
💸 Free | Best for ages 0–5

What do you get when you mix storytime, dancing, art, and sensory play? Pure toddler magic! ✨ PlayArt is a chance for little ones to wiggle, paint, squish, splash, and create—all while building those big imaginations.

👶 Why families love it:
– Process art = no pressure masterpieces, just joyful mess-making.
– Sensory play keeps little hands busy and curious.
– Storytime + dancing keeps the energy flowing between projects.

🧡 Parent Tip: Dress the kiddos (and yourself) in clothes that can handle a little mess. Think of it as a badge of honor for a morning well spent.

 🌮 El Ocho Loco: Big Flavor in a Small Spot
📍 Erlanger, KY $

Don’t let the “hole-in-the-wall” look fool you—El Ocho Loco is one of those places locals boast about and newcomers fall in love with. Known for its authentic street tacos, friendly faces, and portions that could feed an army, this little spot packs a serious punch.

✨ Why Families Love It
– Real Deal Flavors – Street tacos that taste straight out of Mexico. Chicken + chorizo is the crowd favorite, but you can’t go wrong with carnitas, carne asada, or their homemade salsa.
– Kid-Friendly Options – They’ve got a dedicated kids’ menu with quesadillas, rice + beans, or even nuggets and fries for the pickiest of eaters.
– Welcoming Vibe – Review after review mentions the staff going above and beyond to make families feel comfortable.
– Easy on the Wallet – Generous portions mean leftovers are practically guaranteed (and tomorrow’s lunch is sorted).

👶 Good to Know for Parents
– The space is on the smaller side, so it can get a little tight during peak hours.
– Decor is simple—this place puts all its energy into the food.
– High chairs are available, but strollers might feel squeezed in.

🧡 Parent Tip: Go early or grab takeout if you’ve got a toddler who doesn’t love crowds. Either way, your taste buds will thank you.

🔗 Check out their menu here

🍂 Craft Spotlight: Fall Leaf Suncatchers

Want to bring a little autumn magic inside? These coffee filter suncatchers turn your windows into a rainbow of fall colors—and they’re simple enough for even the littlest artists.

✨ What You’ll Need
– Coffee filters (round work best)
– Food coloring + water (reds, yellows, oranges, greens—mix fall shades!)
– Droppers or spoons for dripping color
– Plastic wrap or foil for drying
– Safety scissors
– Tape (clear or rolled sticky-side out for hanging)

🍁 How to Make Them (Big Kid Version)

1. Color the Filters – Place coffee filters on a tray or covered table. Drip watered-down food coloring onto the filter and watch the colors spread into tie-dye patterns.

2. Dry Them – Transfer filters to foil or plastic wrap to dry completely.

3. Cut Them Out – Fold filters in half and cut leaf shapes (use a printed template if you’d like).

4. Hang Them Up – Tape your finished leaves to a sunny window and watch them glow!

👶 Toddler-Friendly Twist
Not ready for scissors? No problem! Print or trace a simple leaf outline on plain paper. Let your toddler color or paint inside the lines using crayons, markers, or even finger paints. For extra flair, they can glue tissue paper squares inside the outline. Hang their “baby suncatcher” alongside the big kids’ coffee filter versions so everyone gets a spot in the window display.

🧡 Parent Tip: Make extras! Kids love revisiting this craft, and a cluster of colorful leaves in the window makes the whole house feel cozy and festive.

The Pull of the Screen

I caught myself doing it again – scrolling through my phone while Little E played quietly with his ball nearby. He was contentedly rolling it down the ramp and chasing after it, completely absorbed in his little world, and I told myself he was fine. He didn't need me hovering over him every second.

And that's true, to a point. Independence is healthy for him, and he's perfectly capable of entertaining himself for stretches of time. But somewhere over the past few days, I've noticed my phone creeping into more and more moments. A quick check of messages during his snack time. Scrolling through TikTok while he “mowed” the living room. Answering emails while he explored the basket of laundry I left on the couch.

The wake-up call came when he toddled over with a book, looked up at me with those expectant eyes, and I held up a finger – "Just one second, buddy" – while I finished reading something that, honestly, wasn't that important.

He waited patiently, book in hand, for what felt like forever but was probably only thirty seconds. When I finally looked down at him, really looked at him, I saw something that made my stomach sink. He'd quietly moved on, settling down to "read" his book alone instead.

That moment hit me harder than any parenting article ever could. Here was this little person who wanted to share something with me, and I'd chosen the screen over connection.

I'm not aiming for perfection – I know I need to stay connected to the world beyond our living room. But I'm realizing there's a difference between using my phone intentionally and letting it steal moments I can't get back.

Little E won't be fifteen months forever. These quiet mornings when he wants to share his books and discoveries with me are fleeting. My phone will always be there. These moments won't.

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…
Something to think about is that our kids don’t really care if our house is picture-perfect. They care that we notice when they yell “watch this!”—even if “this” is just going down the slide for the fifteenth time.

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

With sand in my socks and tacos on my mind,
Otto Neff
Creator of Hopscotch Highlights and Chief Fun Finder