January Family Fun in Cincinnati & NKY {2019}

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Great Parks FREE Entry Days 

January 1
Great Parks of Hamilton County
8am-8pm
FREE

Great Parks is celebrating special days with free entry for all into Great Parks! Guests can experience 78 miles of trails, over 17,500 acres of natural habitat and wildlife, lakes and river access, playgrounds, dog parks, golf courses and so much more. 

Taft Jr.: Fairy Tale Fun 

January 3
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11:15am-12:15pm
FREE for children and Taft members; Regular admission pricing for non-members; Questions: [email protected] or (513)684-4517.

Taft Jr. welcomes visitors 3 to 5 years old, along with their caregivers, on the first Thursday of each month from September-May. This month: what is your favorite fairy tale? Learn how a vase can tell a tale, hear a story about a fairy tale that goes wrong, and make your own dragon.

Thursday Art Play: A New Perspective   

January 3
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10:30-11:30am
$5 for non-members, FREE for members

Ever felt the need to change things up a bit? We sure do! Join us for a special Art Play where we look at things from a new perspective. What if we used our feet to draw? What if we painted under the table? Help us explore new possibilities and think about art making from a different point of view. Stick around for some kid-friendly yoga on the sixth floor following each Art Play session.

Family First Saturday: New Year, New Adventure  

January 5
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-4pm
FREE

What’s going on? A lot, and then some more! Performances, artist demonstrations, storytelling, scavenger hunts, tours, and hands-on art making activities are just the start of the fun for the whole family.

Thursday Art Play: Ice, Ice Baby   

January 10
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10:30-11:30am
$5 for non-members, FREE for members

Let’s embrace the spirit of winter with some ice related art activities. We’ll be experimenting with snow and watercolors, using ice chalk to create some beautiful (but cold) paintings and designing snowy sculputres. Stick around for some kid-friendly yoga in the UnMuseum following each Art Play session.

Cavalcade of Customs

January 11-13
Duke Energy Convention Center
525 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Friday: 3-10pm; Saturday: 10am-10pm; Sunday: 10am-6pm
Adults: $19; Children (6-12) $7; Children 5 and Under FREE; Discount Tickets available at KOI Auto Parts

Custom car, classic car, and hot rod show. More than 500 show cars on display, music and numerous celebrity appearances. 

Linton PB&J Concert: It’s a String Thing 

January 12
Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church
6474 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230
10-10:45am & 11:30am-12:15pm
$6 for an individual ticket (child or adult); $20 for a Flexible Ticket Book (4 tickets)

January 19
Sycamore Presbyterian Church
11800 Mason Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249
10-10:45am & 11:30am-12:15pm
$6 for an individual ticket (child or adult); $20 for a Flexible Ticket Book (4 tickets)

January 26
Kennedy Heights Arts Center – New Kennedy Heights Location!
6546 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45213
10-10:45am & 11:30am-12:15pm & 1-1:45pm
$6 for an individual ticket (child or adult); $20 for a Flexible Ticket Book (4 tickets)

The wonderful sounds of the violin, viola, and cello will “string you along” as you listen, dance, and sing to the music of the string family! Come hear why Mozart and Beethoven loved this family of instruments.

Second Sunday Family Showtime: Martin’s Dream  

January 13
Clifton United Methodist Church
3416 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220
2-3pm
$5 adults, FREE children

Who was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., really?  Martin’s Dream answers this question and more as it brings this historical figure to life through the power of story, speech and song.  Watch as Dr. King tells the story of his life, from his childhood in the Deep South all the way to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.  Created and performed by the talented and charismatic Deondra Kamau Means, this one-man show explores the real person behind the pictures, a funny intelligent, passionate man whose faith, family and education made him one of the most revered people in our nation’s history. Recommended for grades 2-12 and families. 

Fiddler on the Roof 

January 15-27
Aronoff Center for the Arts
650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Various matinee and evening performances
Tickets start at $31

The original production won 10 Tony Awards, including a special Tony for becoming the longest-running Broadway musical of all time. You’ll be there when the sun rises on this new production, with stunning movements and dance from acclaimed Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins. A wonderful cast and a lavish orchestra tell this heartwarming story of father and daughters, husbands and wives, and the timeless traditions that define faith and family. Fiddler on the Roof will introduce a new generation to this uplifting celebration that raises its cut to joy! To love! To life!

Kentucky Wilderness Survival 101 

January 17
Boone County Public Library – Main Branch
1786 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005
6:30-7:30pm
FREE

Acclaimed outdoorsman and Director of the Nature Reliance School, Craig Caudill, will lead this session for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels! Craig is the author of three wilderness related books and has been featured on three KET shows. Topics will include wilderness first aid, land navigation, shelter building, water purification, and much more.


Pops in Space

January 18-20

Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Friday & Saturday: 8pm & Sunday: 2pm
Adult tickets starting at $25; Kids tickets $15

JMR and the Pops inspire wonder with this all-new program celebrating the marvels of the universe. Experience favorite selections from Holst’s The Planets, plus Star Wars, Star Trek and more, accompanied with jaw-dropping NASA images by creative partner Lightborne. The Pops unveils a new work by Star Trek and Rogue One composer Michael Giacchino, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing.



Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show 

January 18-20 & 23-27
Duke Energy Convention Center
525 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Times vary depending on day
$12, FREE ages 12 and under with adult; $3 discount at Kroger with plus card

More than 300 displays and exhibits. Boats, equipment, gear, seminars, guides, outfitters and more.

Off the Hill Touring Plays: Cyrano  

January 18 – February 17
Various Locations in Cincinnati & NKY
Various times depending on location
FREE – $5 depending on location

Cyrano de Bergerac is a master of swordplay and wordplay, but a “magnificent Mount Everest of a nose” blocks his path to true love. Tongue-tied Christian borrows Cyrano’s words to woo beautiful Roxane — but is she falling for Christian’s looks or Cyrano’s soul?
Recommended for ages 8 and up.

The Magic School Bus  

January 19
Memorial Hall
1225 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12pm & 2pm
$14

When the class gets lost on the way to the planetarium, Ms. Frizzle saves the day by blasting into outer space for an epic interplanetary field trip!  But when rivalries both old and new threaten to tear the students apart, our young heroes must learn to pull together or risk getting forever lost in the solar system.
Hop on the Magic School Bus for a ride in this new musical adaptation based on the original book series published by Scholastic. Recommended for grades K through 5.

TRAXXAS Monster Truck Tour  

January 19
BB&T Arena
500 Nunn Drive, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099
1:30pm & 7:30pm
Tickets start at $19.50

See these incredible 10,000-pound, car crushing giants compete in racing, wheelie contests, and then rock the house with amazing freestyle action during the TRAXXAS Monster Truck Tour!

Madcap Puppets presents Rumpelstiltskin  

January 19 & 20
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
1-3pm
$10 general public; FREE for children under 1; CAM Members (Family Level+) receive 5 free tickets per performance. Reservations recommended. Reservation can be made online or by calling 513-721-ARTS.

Rose must spin straw into gold to save her father! With the help of a strange little creature, she does the impossible, but she could lose everything if she can’t guess his name. This musical adaptation is sure to delight audiences of all ages!

Martin’s Dream

January 19 & 20
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
4015 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227
Saturday: 11am & 2pm; Sunday: 2pm
$13 plus service fee; Tickets are available exclusively through ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Back by popular demand!  Who was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., really?  Martin’s Dream answers this question and more as it brings this historical figure to life through the power of story, speech and song.  Watch as Dr. King tells the story of his life, from his childhood in the Deep South all the way to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.  Created and performed by the talented and charismatic Deondra Kamau Means, this one-man show explores the real person behind the pictures, a funny intelligent, passionate man whose faith, family and education made him one of the most revered people in our nation’s history.
This show is ideal for children in grades 2-12, with a question-and-answer session after the show.

3rd Sunday Fundays: Vive la France 

January 20
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
1-4pm
FREE

Celebrate all things French at the Taft. See Paris to New York before it closes, practice your French at the Art Cart, and create a photo transfer project to take home. Look for a wandering mime from Cincinnati Circus, 2–4 p.m.
Learn about French macarons in a cooking demonstration* by OCD cakes at 1:30, 2:30, or 3:30 p.m. Seating is limited for the cooking demonstrations and available on a first-come, first served basis.

Cyclones Hockey: Paw Patrol Matinee 

January 20
U.S. Bank Arena
100 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Doors Open: 2pm; Puck Drops: 3pm
Tickets start at $15; Group and Family rates available

Paw Patrol is on a roll! Meet Marshall and Skye from Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol plus the Cyclones will wear special Paw Patrol inspired jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game.

Autism Family Exploration  

January 26
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
9-11am
FREE

This program is designed for families with children with developmental disabilities to explore the Art Museum before public hours. Families or individuals are welcome to explore the museum at their own pace, or participate in the day’s activities.  Upon entrance, visitors will receive a sensory friendly map which includes a visual scavenger hunt. Families are welcome to participate in an art making in the Rosenthal Education Center and hands on learning centers in the galleries.

Family Festival   

January 26
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-3pm
FREE

Drop in and join the fun! Guest artists and educators with a talent for working with children teach hands-on art projects that can be taken home or displayed in the UnMuseum®. Projects use unusual materials and processes that artists of all ages can enjoy. This is an open-house style program, so drop in any time during the offering.

Astronomy Friday 

January 4, 11, & 18
Cincinnati Observatory Center
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
7-8:30pm
$7, $5 ages under 18; FREE for Observatory members; Please call 513.321.5186 for reservations

In awe with the beauty of the night sky? Have questions about the Universe? This is where you can get the answers. Astronomy Fridays include short presentations on a wide variety of topics and plenty of time for your astro questions. Tour of the Cincinnati Observatory, which as a National Historic Landmark played an important role in the history of Cincinnati and our nation. Once dark, we will view the Moon, planets and deep space treasures through the historic 1845 telescope. (The program is held rain or shine; telescope viewing if clear skies). The topics and the night sky change week-to-week/month-to-month so you can visit often to hear and see something new.

REC Reads 

Wednesdays
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11:30am-12pm
FREE

Bring your toddlers or preschoolers to the Rosenthal Education Center for a morning of art-themed storybooks, songs, and sensory activities. This 30-minute program will get your little one excited about art in a fun and interactive way.

STEM Education – and the Wind in Your Face! 

Through January 6
Boone County Public Library – Main Branch
1786 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005
Monday-Friday: 9am-9pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Sunday: 1-5pm
FREE

Exciting news! BCPL has a new STEM exhibit on display – Hands-on Harley Davidson. This educational traveling exhibit is designed for all kids with an emphasis on STEM education for ages 3 to 12, and it illustrates science, technology, engineering and math through a one-of-a-kind visitor experience that lets kids Dream It! Build It! … and Ride It!.

GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World 

Through January 6
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Mondays-Saturdays: 10am-5pm; Sundays: 11am-6pm
Member Adult: $7, Member Child: FREE, Non-member Adult: $14, Non-member Child: $10

GUITAR is a full immersive exhibition that explores the instrument’s evolution and history, the science of creating sound with wood and steel and the cultural impact on cultures over the past 5,000 years.

Chocolate: The Exhibition  

Through January 6
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Mondays-Saturdays: 10am-5pm; Sundays: 11am-6pm
Member Adult: $7, Member Child: FREE, Non-member Adult: $14, Non-member Child: $10

From kings to kids, rainforests to candy wrappers, experience the global journey of everyone’s favorite sweet treat.
Chocolate hasn’t always been a bar. It hasn’t always been widely available. It hasn’t even always been sweet. Chocolate: The Exhibition tracks the rich history of the cacao bean, from its beginning as a royal — even divine — Mayan drink to its current role as a romantic gesture, guilty pleasure and global commodity. Follow the history of chocolate culture and science from the 10th-century rainforest to the modern-day corner store. Few food items are both so historically and gastronomically (deliciously?) rich. Vivid environments and imagery, over a hundred exhibited objects and the tantalizing scent of chocolate await to tell this treat’s amazing history.

SkyStar Observation Wheel 

Through June 16
The Banks
150 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Various times depending on day of the week
$12.50/person

Enjoy unique views of downtown Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and the Ohio River from aboard the 150 foot Skystar Observation Wheel. Each of the 36 gondolas is enclosed, climate controlled and can hold up to six passengers. The SkyStar experience consists of four revolutions and lasts approximately 12 minutes.


Looking Ahead!

Fiona’s Playlist: Lollipops Family Concerts

February 2nd

Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
One day only 10:30am; Doors open at 9:30am
$7.50 and up for adult tickets
$4 and up for child tickets – 12 and under

What would Cincinnati’s favorite baby hippo listen to? The Pops has built a playlist for Fiona in collaboration with the Cincinnati Zoo. From Carnival of the Animals to music from A Bug’s Life and Harry Potter (Hedwig’s Theme, of course!). Fiona would feel right at home in this musical menagerie—your family will, too!Experience instrument demonstrations, crafts and more at the pre-concert Family Fun Zone. Doors open at 9:30 AM!

CMB Mom Tip – Subscribe to the Lollipops season to see all three shows and save! 

 

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Lisa Springer
I am a native Cincinnatian, born and raised on the West Side and currently settled across the river in Northern Kentucky. I’m a former Highlander, Bearcat, Falcon, and Fulbright Scholar. My greatest challenge hitherto is the one I love the most: being a Mom to an energetic eight-year-old boy. When not working full-time at one of the city’s great hospitals, I’m trying to fit in all there is to do in this wonderful city – and there is certainly A LOT to do! As one who loves to read, I am an advocate for the public library and go multiple times a week. You can often find me at Music Hall enjoying the ballet, opera, and orchestra. I am an introvert, a bit of a foodie, an NPR listener, a pessimist who likes to think she’s a realist, a middle child, an ex-wife and amicable co-parent, a fiancée, and much, much more. I feel lucky to have grown up in Cincinnati and to be raising my own child in this wonderful city.

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