Ault Park Playground

If you live on the east side of Cincinnati, you already know Ault Park is worth the drive — but the playground specifically holds up better than most in the city. There’s solid equipment for the little ones and older kids alike, with slides, swings, and a climbing structure that actually keeps everyone busy for a while. The shade situation is genuinely good here; mature trees cover enough of the area that summer afternoons don’t feel brutal. Pack a lunch because the picnic tables and BBQ grills make it easy to turn this into a half-day thing. The trails running along the edge of the park are a nice bonus when the kids need a change of scenery.