January Family Fun

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Start 2020 off with a bang! We can’t think of a better New Year’s resolution than to spend more intentional time as a family. This guide is full of things to do with your family in January!


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.: Draw the Line 

January 2
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. Join the Taft for a day of turning simple lines into art. Hear a story about a boy who uses a line to go on an adventure, practice your looking skills by finding lines in one of our paintings, and create your own line art by drawing with strings.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Film with Live Orchestra 

January 3-5
Music Hall – Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Friday: 7pm, Saturday: 7pm, Sunday: 2pm
Tickets start at $25

Based on the third installment of J.K. Rowling’s classic saga, the thrilling tale is accompanied by the live music of the Pops as Harry soars across the big screen. Get ready to encounter a Dementor™, ride the Knight Bus™ and discover just who Sirius Black™ really is.

Family First Saturday: Fiesta! 

January 4
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11-4pm
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. Spend the day with your family and celebrate our special exhibition, Treasures of the Spanish World, with free and fun activities for the whole family.

Disney’s The Lion King    

January 8 – February 2
Aronoff Center for the Arts
650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Multiple showtimes
Tickets start at $31

A lively stage adaptation of the Academy Award-winning 1994 Disney film, The Lion King is the story of a young lion prince living in the flourishing African Pride Lands. Born into the royal family, precocious cub Simba spends his days exploring the sprawling savanna grasslands and idolizing his kingly father, Mufasa, while youthfully shirking the responsibility his position in life requires. When an unthinkable tragedy, orchestrated by Simba’s wicked uncle, Scar, takes his father’s life, Simba flees the Pride Lands, leaving his loss and the life he knew behind. Eventually companioned by two hilarious and unlikely friends, Simba starts anew. But when the weight of responsibility and a desperate plea from the now ravaged Pride Lands come to find the adult prince, Simba must take on a formidable enemy, and fulfill his destiny to be king. A vibrant and exciting tale from the great creatives at Disney, The Lion King is a story of love and redemption that nobody should miss.

Cavalcade of Customs

January 10-12
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. 

Storytime with Sparkle! – Squirt the Squirrel: A Focus on Mindfulness 

January 11
Know Theatre of Cincinnati
1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10:30am & 1pm
FREE, but a suggested donation is listed, if you are able! Please reserve your spot(s) on the Facebook events page

Squirt is an over-active & imaginative squirrel who loves to munch on fast food and leftover pizza! In the “Forest of Frenzy” outside of Toon Township, kids must help Squirt save their world by working together mindfully with Sparkle on why eating your veggies could help save YOURS! A whirlwind adventure about staying happy & healthy!
Sparkle Leigh reads you and your kid’s stories of Love, Light, Bravery, and PRIDE! This LGBTQ family-friendly event for all ages & allies, feature songs, and games along with a focus on books from LGBTQ Authors and especially Authors who are POC! Each and every Storytime is a brand new adventure with brand new friends! Costumes & dressing up are highly encouraged! We will have a costume contest where a few lucky friends may walk away with a shiny ticket for FREE Admission for them & their Family next Adventure!

Linton PB&J Concert: High-Low, Fast-Slow, Let’s Go!

January 11
Sycamore Presbyterian Church in Symmes Township
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 18
Westwood first Presbyterian Church
3331 Koenig Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45221
10-10:45am & 11:30am-12:15pm
$6 for an individual ticket (child or adult); $20 for a Flexible Ticket Book (4 tickets)

January 25
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
3445 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220
10-10:45am & 11:30am-12:15pm
$6 for an individual ticket (child or adult); $20 for a Flexible Ticket Book (4 tickets)

Opposites attract when it comes to making music! We’ll have lots of fun listening to the flute, string bass, piano, and drums show us how it’s done with musical opposites. Can you spot all the differences?

Second Sunday Family Showtime: Passport to the World 

January 12
Clifton Cultural Arts Center
2728 Short Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219
2-3:30pm
$5 adults, FREE children

Take a journey around the world without ever stepping on an airplane! Join our cultural indigenous games as we explore traditions and celebrations from around the world. Students will “visit” various countries in this hour-long program which can be customized to fit the specific needs of the audience. Participants will explore different cultures through a variety of hands-on activities such as learning a traditional dance from India, playing a tag game from Mexico, participating in a Japanese green tea ceremony, or experiencing the joy of Irish fiddle music!

3rd Sunday Funday: Get Moving! 

January 19
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
1-4pm
FREE

Get active this winter at the Taft! Learn how poses can create mood in an artwork at the Art Cart and make an action painting to take home. Join Mission2Move for an interactive program that will have you stretching, dancing, and having fun, 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.

Marvel Weekend @ Cincinnati Cyclones  

January 17-19
Heritage Bank Center (formerly US Bank Arena)
100 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Puck drops 7:30pm on Friday & Saturday; 3pm on Sunday
$18-$32; Family 4-pack available

Cyclones Fans Assemble for Marvel Weekend! Meet some of your favorite Marvel Super Heroes throughout the game. The Cyclones will wear specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off.

Cirque De Soleil: AXEL    

January 23-26
Heritage Bank Center (formerly US Bank Arena)
100 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Multiple event times
$44-$130

Cirque du Soleil is back on ice with AXEL, a new electrifying experience fusing world-class ice skating with breathtaking acrobatics. Follow AXEL and his dynamic group of friends whose passion for live music and graphic arts come to life in an exhilarating adventure that reminds us that our dreams are within reach.

Discover this young artist as he falls for the fascinating Lei in a high-speed chase for love and self-realization. Sparks fly as they set out on a fast-moving quest through fun colorful fantastical worlds. Will he fulfill his destiny and find his voice?

Chinese New Year Celebration 2020    

January 24
Memorial Hall OTR
1255 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Pre-concert festival: 6:30pm, Concert: 8pm
$15-$55

Shanghai Chinese Orchestra (SHCO), founded in 1952 in China. It is famous for its harmonious cooperation among the members of the orchestra and its excellent mastering of all kinds of works. Shanghai Chinese Orchestra is the first big-scale modern Chinese Orchestra plays an important role in the development of Chinese music. After more than half a century development, SCHO now turns into a large-scale integrated national orchestra embracing four sections, that is, the stringed, plucking, wind and percussion voice, and thus accumulated a number of classic works and projects.

Family Festival: Frosty Frozen Fun!   

January 25
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-3pm
FREE

Join us for a meet and greet with a real live penguin from the WAVE Foundation (from 12:00-2:00). Stop by for some frosty fun as we experiment with ice painting, design a frozen snow crown and take part in an epic snowball battle. No blizzard bash would be complete without a hot chocolate warm-up station stocked with all your favorite toppings (because whip cream makes everything better).

Sensory Saturdays  

January 25
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
9:30-11:30am
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.

Madcap Puppets: Fairy Tale Follies 

January 25 & 26
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
1-2pm
$10 general public, FREE for CAM Members (Family Level +; reservations required)

Zany court jesters, Winx and Jinx, deliver a flurry of fairy tales for the Queen’s celebration. Their hilariously twisted tales of Hansel and Gretel, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, and The Three Little Pigs had better win the Queen’s approval or they may end up facing her fire-happy dragon!

Wee Wednesdays 

January 29
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-12pm
FREE

Your preschooler will learn about their local community through sensory play this Wee Wednesday. You and your toddler will wander through the galleries to find interactive art stops, as well as an art-making activity. This “Open house” program is recommended for preschoolers (ages 5 and under) accompanied by an adult. We’re sorry, but we are unable to accommodate school groups for this program. Visitors with strollers: you may enter the museum through the Dewitt entrance near the south side of the building. Parking available near that entrance.

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.

Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission  

Through February 17
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Daily 10am-5pm
Special Exhibit Ticket Required

Destination Moon gives guests the rare opportunity to see artifacts that made the 953,000-mile journey possible, like Buzz Aldrin’s gold-plated extravehicular helmet visor and thermal-insulated gloves. The dizzying star chart that helped Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins navigate the historic journey and the rucksack and survival kit that accompanied the astronauts are also included. The star of the exhibition is the Columbia command module, on display outside the National Air and Space Museum for the first time since 1976.

 

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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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