Things To Do in Sidney

One fateful day 24 years ago, a group of doomed souls got lost amid the shadows of 22 acres of wooded land and were never found. Each year following that, more and more people met the same fate. Dayton Scream Park dares guests to gather their courage and walk—or run—down the haunted trail where these souls were last seen, confronting characters from horror movies and being chased by four-wheelers that were deprived of their afternoon nap. During the 30-minute adrenaline-filled adventure, participants encounter more than 30 scenes and more than 40 live monsters that will soon join their nightmares.

For wee ones and those who would rather smile than scream, Dayton Scream Park also hosts Hillbilly Hayrides that set out in the crisp autumn air, while the sun is still duct taped to the sky. In addition to free parking, the amenities include onsite concessions for fortifying the strength of those who have fainted.

Though they operate more than 200 locations in upwards of 30 states, the team behind U.S. Baseball Academy aims to make each young athlete's experience a personal one. Their four- or six-week camps are taught by local instructors who are current or former coaches at the high school or college level, and typically offer a 6:1 or better player-to-teacher ratio for intense, professional-style training. The Academy's proven itinerary of hitting, pitching, fielding, and baserunning drills was developed by an advisory board of college coaches and Major League players, including Cy Young Award–winner and ace pitcher Brandon Webb.

The SuperGames staff help plan events that go off without a hitch, drawing on lessons learned over years of arranging everything from corporate picnics to kids’ birthday parties. Clients can enjoy themselves without worrying about setting up games or matching party favors to each participant’s astrological sign. Along with running the Adventure Education Center, SuperGames staff lead outdoor expeditions that build teamwork and foster a strong connection to nature through heart-to-heart talks with trustworthy tree branches.

Despite its name and its kangaroo mascot, Jumpy’s Fun Zone's wide range of attractions offers families more to do than just jump. In the 5,300-square-foot Laser Zone, players shuttle through an industrial warehouse, ducking behind barrels and clouds of fog. Beams of light continue to confound in Laser Frenzy, where kids try to navigate their way through the 18-foot course without breaking a beam. Elsewhere, the eponymous Jumpy Zone’s rainbow-colored inflatables allow kids aged 12 and younger to demonstrate how they’d moonwalk on the moon, as well as slide and climb in bouncy areas.

Revelers refuel with snacks such as pizza, hot dogs, and chips, and give their nimble fingers exercise in the arcade. Additionally, a toddler area gives tykes a safe place to practice walking or talking in pig latin.

The telltale sounds of fun fill the air at either Magic Mountain Fun Center location, as friends and families careen around tracks in go-karts, compete on mind-bending mini-golf courses, or do battle in bumper cars. Piping-hot pizzas fuel days of rides and arcade games, and the park's varied birthday packages catapult parties into a fun-filled gamut of feasting, bumper boats, and laser tag. Open late, the parks afford guests the opportunity to while the night away or lure their night terrors in front of a speeding bumper car.

For three generations, the Morgan family has equipped adventurers with the accouterments they need to conquer the great outdoors. The outfitters supply canoes, kayaks, and rafts for excursions at both their Fort Ancient location on the Little Miami River and Brookville location on the Whitewater River. Adventurers choose from a range of downstream floats, with river jaunts stretching from 3 miles up to 18 miles. The company also operates campgrounds with cabins and tent space on the banks of both rivers, allowing guests to stop overnight to rest their muscles or practice non-native birdcalls while everyone else sleeps.