I’ve always been a big fan of amusement and water parks, but the thought of taking my two toddlers along for the ride (pun intended) was never appealing to me. Keeping a close eye on them around all of that water and then trying to convince them to go on rides sounded more stressful than fun. But then we paid a visit to Coney Island. Coney Island and Sunlite Pool were two of my favorite places as a kid and I am very happy to report that it is the perfect place to introduce your youngest family members to the thrills and fun of an amusement park!
Thanks to my early risers, we arrived at the park right when the pool opened at 10 a.m. We were able to secure some chairs perfectly placed between the roped off wading area and the brand new Typhoon Tower. The pool was as large and inviting as I remembered it. The slide is still right in the middle and still draws a crowd. I’m pretty sure it should be a right of passage as a Cincinnati kid to have to go down that slide! There are larger slides and diving boards for the adults and big kids, but we stayed on the side that is set up just right for the little ones. My son and daughter LOVED the one-foot deep section that is roped off just for them. And I loved the convenience and security of it.
And Typhoon Tower! This new area is the king of splash and spray parks. There are so many sections and things to play with; it’s hard to decide where to splash to first. You could easily spend all day just in the waterpark!
But, we wanted to see all that Coney has to offer. So after a shady lunch and drying off in the (very convenient) changing rooms, we set off for the rides. I honestly wasn’t sure how my kids would do with rides, or if they were even big enough to ride them! But, according to the chart posted throughout the park, my son was a few inches over the line (he’s 39 inches tall) and my daughter was just at the 36-inch mark. I tried to hide my nerves from them as I buckled them into the little airplane. But then I turned into “that mom.” Recording a video, waving with the cheesiest grin ever and possibly even shedding a tear behind my sunglasses.
They LOVED it and spent the next two hours riding them over and over and over again. There were plenty of age-appropriate rides for them, and even just walking around the grounds of the park was beautiful and enjoyable.Throughout the park there are different types of shows and plays, which were perfect for stopping to cool off. We ended the day on the carousel and I was pleasantly surprised at how well both kids handled a day filled with new experiences and thrilling activity.
I’ve mentioned this before, but taking my children to places I loved as a kid is as exciting for me as it is for them. I have vivid memories of talking myself into going off the diving board (and loving it) and spinning around on “The Scrambler.” The lake with the paddleboats and walking through the nostalgic fairways still hold the same magic. I’ve taken my family to many classic Cincinnati destinations, but Coney Island and Sunlite Pool are about as classic and treasured in our city as it gets.
Coney Island is located at 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230. Click here for Coney’s upcoming events, including Cincinnati Parent’s KidsFest on August 14!
About Andrea:
A native Cincinnatian, Andrea has experienced life in all four corners of this city. After growing up on the west side, she headed north to attend Miami University, then moved east to Hyde Park and now lives in Northern Kentucky with her family.
When she’s not playing trains and doing the “hot dog dance” as a stay-at-home mom to her two toddlers, Andrea is busy writing for Cincinnati publications and sites. With a newfound passion for fitness and overall health, she spends a lot of time at her family gym and loves to play outside.
Andrea worked in education for several years and has a special love for children’s literature. She loves showing her children all our city has to offer and enjoys sharing her finds with other parents. Her favorite spots include the Cincinnati Zoo (although she steers clear of the bird house), her local library and any playground.