Founding FOD members - Pee-Paw & Cici
with current FODDY, S.
FAMILY OUTING DAYS
(FOD'S)
I'm sure you can tell by now that I enjoy getting out and doing things with my family. I think it stems from how I grew up - my parents took us on all sorts of adventures. My childhood was filled with trying new things, seeing new things, and tasting new things so I think that's what I want to do with my kids (we need to work on the tasting new things - they don't have the best pallets). We would "lovingly" refer to these outings as FOD's (Family Outing Days). Sometimes there would be grumblings from the peanut gallery (I have 3 brothers) but once we got to where we were going, we'd all have a good time.
When I met my husband, Chris, he was introduced to our FOD world (boy, he didn't know what he got himself into). Now, my parents (Cici & Pee-Paw as my children have named them) continue with us on many of our FOD adventures. For once you are a Foddy, you'll always be a Foddy - the quest continues!
FOD's first members -The Siblings (all a little older now)
"It's time to go on a FOD"........
Krohn/Eden Park/Mt. Adams FOD -
- Begin your day with a visit to the Krohn Conservatory. Remember to bring those cameras. If it's a nice day, pack a picnic lunch and then head to the playground/park at the top of the hill to check out some amazing views of Cincinnati and let your kids get some energy out by playing on the playground. Take a walk around the duck pond and enjoy being outside. From there, head to Mt. Adams for dessert and go to the United Dairy Farmers for an ice-cream cone! Then head for home. (you can also do Cincinnati Art Museum/Eden Park/Mt. Adams FOD). Read more on Eden Park on Family Friendly Cincinnati.
Downtown/Fountain Square/Carew Tower/Hathaway's Coffee Shop/Graeter's FOD -
- Okay, this is one you need to do if want to say you're from the Cincinnati area. Head downtown (park in the Fountain Square parking lot for a buck if there aren't any special events going on), check out the newly renovated Fountain Square and our famous Lady in the Water statue. Then head over to Carew Tower: 441 Vine St., Cincinnati, Ohio and go up, up & up until you get to the top - you will see the most amazing views of Cincinnati (take those cameras) and it's really cheap to do. After, head down to Hathaway's diner (in the same building area) and sit at the counter - order a coke and a burger and enjoy the old-style diner (it's been there forever). If you're not too full, head back through Fountain Square and go to Graeter's for a delicious ice-cream treat.
"A FODDING we will go"......
Cincinnati Museum Terminal/Ice-Cream FOD
- Pick two museums to see. We like to head to the Museum of Natural History first - do the sand pit, walk through the cave, see the ice-age and the dinosaurs. Then, we head up to the rotunda, have some pizza (bring your own drinks to save money or pack your lunch). After you are fortified, head to the Children's Museum for all the fun things it has to offer. To get your kids to leave the museum, tell them they get to have an ice cream cone.
United States Airforce Museum FOD -
- This is such a huge place that this FOD will take you most of the day since you do have to drive up and back and that takes a little more time than FODs closer to home. But, it is well worth the drive since it is FREE and will make you proud to be an American. See all that the museum has to offer then catch a bite to eat in their cafeteria. You could even check out the I-max movie that is playing (extra charge).
"To FOD or not to FOD, that is the question".....
Young's Jersey Dairy Farm/Yellow Springs FOD
- This is a future FOD I'd really like to do. You'll want to take the day and head up to Young's Jersey Dairy Farm. After your kids have a great time playing mini-golf, eating ice-cream and seeing the animals, it's time for a little adult treat - head into the town of Yellow Springs. It is a quaint little town with some adorable unique shops and great restaurants. Check out www.yellowspringsohio.org to see all that this little town has to offer.
"A FOD with food, what could be better".....
Findlay Market - This is a local treasure for Cincinnatians. You really need to take the family here at least once to experience all the sights, sounds and smells associated with the market. All the vendors are so friendly and they have fresh, healthy produce at great prices. There are meat & cheese vendors, flowers, bakeries and so much more. Sometimes they'll have street performers and other events going on. Take a look at the buildings surrounding the market - they are so colorful - you don't feel like you are in Cincinnati. There is onsite parking available too. Bring a cooler with you and after the market head to one of Cincinnati's parks and have your very own picnic with all the good food you've purchased. Visit www.findlaymarket.org for more info. 1801 Race St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Email info@findlaymarket.org.
"Let us be thankful for the FOD's"
Sharon Woods (part of Hamilton County Parks)
- Hamilton County's park system can't be beat. For only $5, you can get a parking pass that gets you into any of the parks for an entire year. One of our favorites is Sharon Woods. This is a great place to do a FOD - you have so many things to do. You can start off visiting the Sharon Centre and let the kids play in the outdoor playground (free) or go inside and they can play in the indoor play area ($2.50/child) or walk through the small nature center (free). Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenic beauty - grills are also available if you want to have a cookout. If you'd like to see some history, head over to the historic Heritage Village and you can see authentic buildings, artifacts and grounds ($5 adults, $3 children 5-11). You really can't see the entire park in one day. On the other side of the park is the Harbor area that has pedal boats, canoes, rowboats and bikes to rent, fishing supplies are available too. The kids will enjoy the ice-aged themed wet playground which has a snack bar on site if you don't feel like packing a lunch. You can also take a great nature hike throughout the woods or have a nice stroll along the paved path surrounding the beautiful lake. Oh, and there's a golf course there too. Wow, this FOD is turning into a marathon FOD! Enjoy the day! Read more about Sharon Woods on Family Friendly Cincinnati.
- To extend your FOD during the summer, head to the Root Beer Stand in Sharonville, Ohio. You can enjoy homemade root beer buy the jug or in a frosty mug. They have foot-longs, hamburgers and sandwiches too. Read more on my post on Family Friendly Cincinnati.
Winton Woods (party of Hamilton County Parks)
- We love Winton Woods. During the summer we head to Parky's Ark wet playground for some fun in the sun ($2/child up to age 12, adults are free). The dry playground is directly across from Parky's Ark so we get to enjoy two playgrounds on our visit. The snack bar is great and has some yummy treats but we usually pack our lunch and buy an ice-cream after. We also like to head to the top of the pavilion that overlooks the beautiful lake and park. If my girls aren't too tired, we then head up to Parky's Farm to see all the farm animals, pet the goats and play at either the indoor play barn ($2.50) or the outdoor free barn themed playground. You can read more on Winton Woods on my post on Family Friendly Cincinnati.
"A FODDY's job is never done"......
(check back for more FOD's to come)
