Southwest Ohio Parent Magazine

Middletown sits almost exactly between Cincinnati and Dayton, and for three days this month its sky belongs to hot air balloons. The Ohio Challenge returns July 17 to 19, 2026, at Smith Park, with more than 20 balloons launching each evening alongside skydiving demonstrations, a drone and fireworks show, and a kids zone. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday, and wa...

Krohn Conservatory’s summer butterfly show has just under four weeks left. Destination Monarch, the Cincinnati Parks’ annual butterfly exhibit at the Eden Park conservatory, runs daily through Aug. 9, and families who haven’t made it in yet are running out of weekends to do it.

The show traces the monarch butterfly’s migration from the United States into Mexico’s Oyame...

Summer is here, bringing family time, outdoor play, and maybe added stress and pressure to make this the best summer ever. If balancing it all this summer seems just out of reach, remember that taking care of yourself is essential to care for others.

We want you to give the world what’s best of you; not just what’s left of you!

Stress is a natural part of life, ...

A Kid’s Review of Paint Playground Parties

Hi! I’m a kid who just had the best day ever at my birthday party at Paint Playground in Milford! I kept yelling “Best day ever!” the whole time — and all my friends and even Grandma did too!

The local pool is a bit overcrowded and you need a new place to swim. We’ve rounded up the best swimming holes in Ohio, some right here in Southwest Ohio, others a great day trip.