Family Fun in Oxford, Ohio

School's out. The sun's out. This can only mean one thing: it's summer and your kids (or maybe just your inner child) have tons of pent up energy! Fortunately, there are plenty of family-friendly opportunities in Oxford to get you out of the house. (And a busy day full of fun means everyone will be tired come bedtime, so it's a win-win.)

We've rounded up some attractions and activities in town that cater to everyone, whether you want to paint, play a board game, or go for a swim.

We encourage you to continue practicing physical distancing from others whether you're indoors or outside. Take turns on swings and slides on the playground. Wash your hands frequently and keep hand sanitizer on your person so you can disinfect your hands before and after touching anything in public. Avoid touching your face. Wear a mask when you cannot keep your distance from others. And if you're experiencing any cold symptoms, stay home until you feel better.

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Aquatic Center

Oxford's Aquatic Center (701 Kay Rench Dr.) boasts plenty of ways to have fun no matter your age or mood. Feeling energetic? Play a game of water basketball! Feeling a little more relaxed? Lounge on an inner tube and float down the lazy river.

There are also slides of varying sizes including shorter, wider ones for toddlers. Guardians with little ones can also enjoy a wading pool!

And if you're feeling hungry don't forget to stop by the concessions stand for snacks like chips, ice cream, and soft pretzels. You're also free to bring your own food into the Aquatic Center. (Alcohol not permitted.)

Right now the Aquatic Center hours are as follows: Monday - Friday 12 - 3 pm and 4 - 7 pm, Saturday 11 am - 2 and 3 - 6 pm, Sunday 1 - 5 pm. The pool will have a max capacity of 200 people to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines. Feel encouraged to call ahead (513 523-7946) before your visit to make sure they are not yet at capacity. The pool will be closed for an hour between swim sessions for cleaning.

Playgrounds

Oxford has several playgrounds throughout town, like the ones found at both the Community Park (6801 Fairfield Rd.) and Tri-Center (6025 Fairfield Rd.) where you'll find all the playground classics like swings, slides, and monkey bars.

Then there's Spring Street Treats (321 W. Spring St.) which has an outdoor area with a teeter tot, tetherball, and more. Oh and soft-serve ice cream (with tons of toppings to choose from), of course!

Skate Park

Oxford's Skate Park, located next to the playground at the Tri-Center (6025 Fairfield Rd.), is free and open to the public. The skate park is designed only for the use of skateboards and skates, so make sure to save your bikes and scooters for outside use.

It's recommended that everyone wear protective gear while skating, such as helmets and knee and elbow pads!

You're Fired

We talk a lot about You're Fired (6 N. Beech St.) and with good reason. Oxford's paint-your-own-pottery studio has walls of pottery pieces to choose from, ranging from animal figurines to practical items like dishware. Pick your pottery, pick your paint, and let your inner artist shine.

You can either sit inside or request the studio's new outdoor seating to enjoy fresh air while you paint. You can also take your pottery to go and paint at home!

In addition to open studio hours, You're Fired has a calendar of classes where you can learn to make anything from plant signs for your garden to wooden casserole dishes. Classes usually fill up quickly so bookmark the calendar and register as soon as something catches your eye!

Lane Library

The Oxford Lane Library (441 S. Locust St.) reopened its doors to the public on Monday, June 29th. It has a large selection of children's materials that include books, games, and music for you to check out and take home. There's also a friendly and knowledgeable team of children's librarians who are happy to assist with recommendations.

While in-person library activities have not yet resumed, the library is offering virtual alternatives such as Storytime with Akiko and Kids Culinary Adventures. Subscribe to the Lane Library's Youtube channel to see these videos and more!

Oxford Area Trails

The Oxford Area Trail is perfect for walking or biking or rollerblading, especially if you've got kiddos with you because the path is wide and paved.

When it is complete, the OATS will be a whopping 12 miles long all around Oxford. For now, the first phase is complete and is 1.25 miles long, connecting Kelly Drive to Bonham Rd. (Construction for the second phase of the trail began in October of 2019.)

Access points for the first phase of the trail can be found at Leonard G. Howell Park and the Black Covered Bridge.

Books & Brews

Books and Brews (107 E. Church St.) is the perfect place to spend the afternoon. They have plenty to keep you occupied, from their walls of books to their shelves upon shelves of board games. Stay awhile and have a tournament between teens and parents! They also have a menu of delicious food (like loaded flatbreads) and drinks (craft beer and wine slushies!), all of which you can enjoy inside or out on the patio.

Other Activities

Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Society Tour

Saturday, July 11th from 12 - 6 pm
Midwestern & Rainbow Tunnel Rd. at 111 Country Club Drive
Oxford, Ohio, 45056

Oxford is the FIRST top on the 2020 Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Society Tour! Bring the whole family to marvel at an expansive, intricate railroad set in a garden with over 60 varieties of plants, a rock stream and pond, and more than 20 buildings.

For more details, including directions and other stops on the tour, click here.

Summer Photo Challenge

Enjoy Oxford is throwing an online photo challenge this summer with a new theme every month! Complete the checklist of photos, upload them to Facebook or Instagram (and tag us!) and we'll enter your name into a prize drawing. You can make this an engaging activity for the little ones by handing your camera over to them and letting them take the pics!

Oxford Museum Association Summer Programs

The Oxford Museum Association's (OMA) summer programming includes Frontier Treats Ice Cream Churning and Pioneer Crafts, Candles, and Doll Making! These activities are not only fun for the kids, they're free, too. They take place at the Hueston Woods Pioneer Farm (6924 Brown Rd.). Full schedule below.