Kids are bundles of joy — and energy. If the sniffles or the weather have kept your little ones cooped up at home, it’s time to get out of the house. Here are six terrific places to let the kids loose near Deerfield Township, Ohio.

Deerfield Parks and Recreation

Deerfield’s Parks and Recreation on Parkway Drive offers a variety of ways for active kids to let off some steam. Its Activity Trails program is a free, self-guided exercise that you can do at any of the Township’s seven parks. You and the kids will enjoy strolling through nature while you follow the instructions on the signs along the trail. You might strike a pose, unscramble a word, or go on a scavenger hunt.

The family can also try out your skills at the free archery center at Carter Park on King Avenue. This range sits on the northeast edge of the park near the paved pathway loop, past the pond. Its 10-foot wide lines face block targets spaced from 10 yards for beginners to 40 yards for your advanced archers in the family. These are just two fun-filled activities the department offers. It also hosts summer camps, races, and community garden plots.

The Mason Municipal Aquatic Center

Image via Flickr by shixart1985 Licensed CC BY 2.0

The city of Mason staff dedicate their resources to your family’s wellness, and its new aquatics center is an extension of that goal. This premier, $20 million facility opened in 2021 and has three areas where your kids can work off some energy.

The center provides an interactive playground for the whole family. There’s a splash pool, a leisure pool, and a 50-meter Olympic-style competition pool. There’s also a lazy river, diving boards, and a three-story water slide for the big kids. Parents can relax in the 5,900-gallon whirlpool or dive into action and swim a few laps.

Remember to enroll the kids in a swim lesson and make sure they understand water safety before heading to the aquatics center. Mason’s park’s department utilizes the SwimAmerica aquatic program to teach children and adults how to swim. There’s also a water aerobics class for mom and dad, and if you’re children develop a passion for swimming, they can join the Mason Manta Rays swim team.

Jump & Jack’s

Next time your children are tearing down the walls, take them to Jump & Jack’s. There’s never a dull moment at this thrilling spot. Crawlers and kids up to 11 years old are going to love the huge indoor play paradise. Designers filled it with slides, climbing structures, and interactive elements that keep kids smiling with open play hours every day.

Your little ones will crawl, run, and explore The Toddler Zone as they make their own wee adventures. Jump & Jack’s made its soft play structures just for them, and it’s considered safer than most outdoor equipment. The Rockin’ Bounce House and Thrilling Obstacle Course are the perfect places for the kids to bounce until they can’t bounce anymore. 

When they need to refill, they can grab a bite to eat at Tony’s Pizzeria. This onsite restaurant bakes, never fries, its hot food, like delicious handcrafted pies, and other kid-friendly favorites like chicken strips. There are even gourmet coffees and sandwiches that suit your grown-up tastes. Stop by every Friday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for family night specials. Jump & Jacks is on Office Park Drive in West Chester Township, and adults are always free.

Caesar Creek State Park

Caesar Creek State Park on East State Route 73 in Waynesville is an inviting destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the family. The 7,900-acre park offers a 2,830-acre lake with a 1,300-foot public swimming beach and various sports like mountain biking, horseback riding, and archery that will tire out the most energetic kids in your family.

This outstanding wilderness spot also offers multiple hiking trails. Many paths provide views of scenic waterfalls, and you can cross a swinging bridge or wind around the lake. It’s a terrific place for families to stay active, and there’s a path for everyone’s skill level, including:

  • Fifty Springs Loop Trail (3.3 miles).
  • Horseshoe Falls Trail (0.7 miles).
  • Old Woods Trail (0.6 miles).
  • Peninsula Trail (1 mile).
  • The Cove Trail (0.7 miles).
  • Horseshoe Falls Trail (0.7 miles).

The Children’s Museum

Physical development is an essential part of your child’s growth, and most kids thrive in a balanced learning environment that includes playful activities. If your fidgety kids are driving you up a wall, pile in the car and go to Cincinnati’s Children’s Museum. This pick isn’t the typical somber halls you’ll find at most local museums. This center’s eight educational themed play areas offer the perfect getaway for your little ones to discover hands-on fun.

With engaging programs, it’s the right place for your active children to spend their free time expending extra energy. The Children’s Museum included two specifically designed exhibits for preschoolers and younger children, like The Little Sprouts Farm. Your child will pretend to fish from the rowboat, then you both can gather around the Story Tree on Wednesday at 11 a.m. for free story time. This museum is on Western Avenue.

Mason Public Library

Deerfield Township residents are lucky to have access to various programs through the Mason Public Library, including those that help kids reach the 120 minutes of recommended active playtime every day. That’s right. Your local branch meets up with families at one of three awesome local parks for Bouncy Time.

With this outdoor active story time, your preschoolers three and under will listen to Ms. Cheryl share books, fingerplays, and sign language. Your children will stretch their bodies and brains while singing, dancing, and playing rhythm instruments. Check the library’s website for weekly locations, including Fleckenstein, Pine Hill Lakes, and Cottell Parks.

So, there you have it. Crème de la Crème of Deerfield Township put together this list of six places where your kids can burn off some energy near home. What do you think of our ideas? Let us know if we forgot your family’s favorite place to run wild? Send us a note so we can add your ideas to our next guide.