July Dayton Dozen: Guide to Family Friendly Events

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Summer is officially here now and there’s no better way to spend it than with your kids. Try any (or all) of these family friendly events and let the good times roll and make those magic summer memories!

If you are looking specifically for 4th of July events, you can find that list HERE.



1) Annie the Musical @ La Comedia Dinner Theater– Springboro

***DMB Tip*** This is dinner and a show! Keep in mind that very small children may not be able to sit through the whole show.

  • July 1 (Thurs-Sun with multiple shows available) through August 29
  • $30 children & $61+ adults

Leapin’ lizards, she’s back in town! Annie is one of the most popular Broadway shows ever and a true family classic! 

2) Early Adventures @ Beechwood Springs Park– Dayton

***DMB Tip*** Don’t forget the sunscreen- even in the shade of a forest, sensitive baby skin can get burned quickly.

  • July 3 & 5 from 6:30- 7:15 PM
  • Ages 0-3 with adult
  • Free

Taking your little ones outdoors provides them with a beneficial experience. There are new unique sounds, colors, sensations, and textures to process. These leisurely hikes provide quality family time in nature! 

3) 2018 Clinton County Fair– Wilmington

***DMB Tip*** This is a small town fair, so watch out for possible mud in the parking area and a jogging stroller might serve you better than small wheeled strollers.

  • July 7-14
  • All Ages, 5 & under free
  • Gate entry – $10.00, Ride Armbands – $5.00

With live entertainment, harness racing, an antique tractor pull and a demolition derby, this good old-fashioned fair with small town feel is full of family fun, perfect for making memories!

4) Sky Jam @ Sky Zone– Washington Twsp

***DMB Tip*** Your child must have a waiver filled out. You can do this online HERE.

  •  July 7, 14, 21 &28 from 10-11:30 PM
  • 14 yrs and older
  • $20 each

90 min of jumping followed by pizza and drinks that is included in the price of the ticket. Sometimes it’s hard to be a big kid, but sometimes there are perks, like this!

5) Turtles Galore @ various Greene County Libraries– Dayton

***DMB Tip*** Registration is required for the Fairborn and Bellbrook programs.

Always a favorite, Nancy Lockard the Turtle Lady brings live turtles, snakes, frogs and even small dragons to the library! Kids of all ages can learn about amphibians and touch them, too. 

6) Team Combat Dayton– Huber Heights

***DMB Tip*** Get those video-gamer teens out of the house this summer and show them who’s the B-O-S-S!

  • July 1-31
  • For Adults, Teens, and 10-12 year olds.
  • $20 Half Session / $30 Full Session

 Tactical laser tag meets first-person shooter gaming. Team formatted, objective-based missions using top of the line law enforcement/military grade equipment. 9000+ sq ft battlefield. 

7) Sensory Sundays @ the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery-Dayton

***DMB Tip*** Advance tickets for each date will be available at BoonshoftMuseum.org and are $8 per person.

  • July 15 from 9:00 AM – Noon
  • All Ages
  • Tickets at the door $9

During these special Sunday morning hours, the Museum will offer programs to appeal to families with children who could benefit from a less stimulating atmosphere. To reach this goal, the Museum has been analyzed by doctors that specialize in pediatric spectrum disorders to ensure children with special sensory needs receive the best possible experience while visiting the museum.  

This specialized environment allows families to enjoy a fun day out, meet with other ASD families, and get hands-on with science in an environment free of judging and unsafe spaces.

 8) Chalk It Up To Our Heroes @ Austin Landing– Dayton

***DMB Tip*** FREE QUESO from Chuy’s to anyone that is wearing Red, White & Blue! Go get yourself some QUESO, Mamas- we won’t blame you if you don’t want to share!!

  • July 21 from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
  • All Ages
  • Free

Nationally recognized chalk artists will be chalking pieces of art in honor of all of our heroes that have served our country. Stop out and witness some amazing art, along with loads of patriotic fun for the whole family! Free bounce houses, interactive chalk art, giant games, and more activities all day long!

9) Dog Days of Summer Friends & Family Hike @ Bill Yeck Park– Centerville

***DMB Tip*** Strollers are not recommended for this hike.

  • July 21 from 9:30-10:30 AM
  • All Ages
  • Free

Hiking with your dog is a great way to spend time in nature. Enjoy a leisurely hike in this beautiful nature park. Dress for the trails and bring water for you and your dog. Rain date is Sunday, July 22.

10) It’s a Harry Potter Extravaganza @ Winters Library– Bellbrook

***DMB Tip*** Watch the movies as a family to brush up for the trivia!

  • July 31 from 4:00- 6:30 PM
  • All Ages
  • Free

Calling Harry Potter fans! There will be trivia, games, contests, Scene It, crafts and wand making. Muggles are welcome too, of course.

11) Selfie Scavenger Hunt @ Creekside Trail-Xenia

***DMB Tip*** For more information: (937) 562-6440 or [email protected]

  •  July 1 – July 31
  • All Ages
  • Free

Do you like a challenge? Like to solve mysteries or puzzles? Participants must take a selfie at each place or with each thing. Download the selfies showing how many you have found. Prizes will be given for completing the scavenger hunt!  Creekside Trail between Alpha and Grange Hall Rd.

12) Geocaching @ Five Rivers MetroParks-Dayton

***DMB Tip*** You may take what you find Geocaching, only if you have brought something to replace it with!

  • Anytime
  • All Ages
  • Free (some apps cost $ but most are free)

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game using a GPS receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers called “geocaches.” Dozens of geocaches are hidden throughout Five Rivers MetroParks. You can get the app and it will allow you to search for Geocaches around you!



Hopefully, this list will help you keep your kids happy and busy this summer! Have some favorites NOT on this list? Share them in the comments!

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Audrey M.
Hey Ya'll! I’m Audrey, a middle of nowhere, East Tennessee transplant. My husband (and forever crush) Andy and I were born and raised in Ohio State Buckeye territory, where we met in junior high school and married halfway through college. We have 2 tweens here on Earth: Lucas-the sweetest jokester boy you will ever meet, and Alaina-a charismatic and responsible redhead. We were hoping for a bigger family, but it wasn’t in the cards for us. For years we vacationed here in and around Knoxville, and so when the opportunity came to move here, we took it! Prior to moving here, I was first and foremost a Wife and Mother, but filled my days at a special needs preschool, title company, and as a FT volunteer-a-holic. In my spare time, I love diy, crafting, reading and writing. And I will always be a barefoot farm girl at heart. We raise/grow our own food- and I occasionally even make dinner out of our homegrown goodness- but I hate cooking! I can’t wait to immerse myself in this sweet, southern community!