The Mom’s Guide to April: Family Fun in Cincinnati {2016}

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THE MOM'S GUIDE TO APRILFamily Fun Fridays

Fridays, April 1-29
The Place Retro Arcade
6-11pm
$20

Bring your family for a fun night at the arcade — players can check out retro games like Donkey Kong, Asteroids and more, as well as console games.

Photo credit: Michelle Curley
Photo credit: Michelle Curley

Zoo Blooms

April 1-30
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
10am-5pm

The Zoo explodes with color and features the largest tulip display in the Midwest. Every Thursday is Tunes & Blooms, a free evening concert in the garden.

OperaCadabra

April 2
Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater
11am, 1:30pm, & 7pm
$10

Back by popular demand! OperaCadabra! reveals all the basic elements of opera in a spirited show that combines Vaudeville and clowning techniques with well-known opera excerpts and magical effects. Appealing to families and young people of all ages, this original production presents opera’s “greatest hits,” inviting exploration of the art form.

Family First Saturdays: America

April 2
Cincinnati Art Museum
1-4pm
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!

Reds Opening Day Celebration

April 4
Washington Park
11am
FREE

Games, beverage sales and live music from The Menus. Findlay Market Opening Day Parade kicks off at noon and passes by park on Race Street.

Photo credit: www.findlaymarketparade.com
Photo credit: www.findlaymarketparade.com

Findlay Market Opening Day Parade

April 4
Findlay Market / Fountain Square
12pm
FREE

Since 1920, this parade has made its way from Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine through the streets of downtown each spring to kick off the Cincinnati Reds baseball season. Bring a chair and some noise makers and make a party of it at either Washington Park or Fountain Square as the parade passes by. The celebration continues throughout the day at Fountain Square with concessions and watching the game on the big screen. Show your Reds pride or be wowed by everyone else’s and join in the fun!

Monster Jam

April 8-9
U.S. Bank Arena
7:30pm & Saturday only 2:00pm
$20-60
Monster truck racing.

Shrek the Musical Jr.

April 8-10 & 16-17
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Taft Theatre
$7-25 plus fees

Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film. It’s a “big bright beautiful world” for everyone’s favorite ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film. In a faraway kingdom, the green ogre Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits, runaways who’ve been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wise-cracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task – if he rescues feisty Princess Fiona from the Dragon-guarded tower, his swamp will be returned to him. But, a fairy tale wouldn’t be complete without unexpected twists and turns along the way.

Seahorses: Unbridled Fun

April 9-September 30
Newport Aquarium
10am-6pm

A new, interactive exhibit where guests can discover 10 species of seahorses, sea dragons, trumpetfish, shrimpfish and pipefish.With a head like a horse, snout like an aardvark and belly pouch like a kangaroo- seahorses are anything but ordinary. The way the exhibit is designed; guests will be completely immersed in the world of seahorses with something new to experience around every corner.

Kid’s Opening Day with the Reds

April 10
Great American Ballpark
1:10pm vrs the Pittsburg Pirates
Tickets starting as low as $5

Be there to celebrate the first Family Sunday of the season with special activities for kids. Kids 14 and younger will recieve a free Kids Reds Cap as part of the festivities.

Second Sunday Family Showtime: Puss in Boots

April 10
Clifton Cultural Arts Center
2pm
FREE for kids; $5 for adults

Some may say that a cat is just a cat – 
But I, my friends, I am much more than that! 
With a feather in my cap and boots on my feet, 
I can wheel, I can deal, I can trick, I can treat. 
So join me today – I’m the cat with a plan, 
And if you don’t, then catch me if you can! Adapted for Lexington Children’s Theatre by Jeremy Kisling

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Cincinnati Flower Show: An International Adventure

April 13-17
Yeatman’s Cove
Wednesday 10am-7pm; Thursday-Saturday 9am-7pm; Sunday 9am-5:30pm
After show plant sale begins 6pm on 4/17
$20, $15 advance; $5 ages 16 and under

The five-day event will blossom with unique floral displays and design demonstrations, celebrity lectures, international flavors, culinary events, and live entertainment for all ages and interest. Kid’s Day is Thursday, including a kids potting program with Delhi Garden Center and an education tent.

Lollipops Family Concert: Celebrate Earth!

April 16
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Music Hall
10:30am
Free Family Fun Zone starts at 9:30am
$14, $9 children

Bring the family to celebrate Earth Day through song and music, including “Circle of Life” from The Lion King and Debussy’s La mer (“The Sea”). Stunning visuals will play above the stage to help bring nature center stage at Music Hall.

Wild Kratts Live!

April 16
Aronoff Center for the Arts
1pm & 4pm
$25-45

The popular PBS KIDS show comes to life as animated brothers, Martin and Chris, activate some fan favorite Creature Power Suits to confront a comic villain. Through hilarious pratfalls and animal facts, the Wild Kratts rescue their favorite invention so the animals are safe again.

Bat Night

April 16
Gorman Heritage Farm
7-8:30pm
$5 per person (member & non-member)

Celebrate all things batty for National Bat Appreciation Day! April is the perfect time to learn about our native bats as they start to wake up and come out of hibernation. Bats provide important benefits to humans and are particularly helpful to farmers because they control many agricultural pests. Learn about bats and specific things you can do to help support them in your community, from installing a bat box to learning bat-friendly gardening techniques. Even a small effort can make a difference for our native bats.

Carnival: Fun to Cure T1D

April 17
Sharon Woods Park, Council Bluff Shelter Area
11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH 45241
11am-4pm
$20; Tickets purchased by 1:00pm April 16th to be entered into a drawing for door prizes! All ticket proceeds go to the 2016 JDRF One Walk Kings Island and JDRF One Walk Dayton

Carnival Games, Bounce House and Obstacle Course, Clowns, Face Painting, Prize Raffle, Food, Local Vendors, Door Prize Drawings and MORE! Parking at Sharon Woods is FREE for all Carnival: Fun to Cure T1D guests

3rd Sunday Funday: Once Upon a Time

April 17
Taft Museum of Art
1-4pm
FREE

Learn about the art of fairy tales, make dragon to take home, explore how artists tell stories at Art Cart, and enjoy performance of Henny Penny by ArtReach at 2 p.m. (ideal for kids in grades K–4).

Celebrate Earth Day!

April 22-24
Cincinnati Nature Center
8am-8pm
FREE

Celebrate Earth Day with Cincinnati Nature Center. Bring your friends- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be free admission for nonmembers.

Photo Credit: YMCA
Photo Credit: YMCA

Healthy Kids Day® event at Parky’s Farm

April 23
Parky’s Farm
10073 Daly Rd.
11am-2pm
FREE

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and Great Parks of Hamilton County invite all local children and their families to a free afternoon of fun at Parky’s Farm. Healthy Kids Day® is a national YMCA initiative to improve the health and well being of kids, offering lots of opportunities for them to explore fun new activities that will help stimulate both their minds and their bodies. Among the many free activities available at Healthy Kids Day®: family Zumba®, line dancing, hula hoop competitions, scavanger hunts, family obstacle courses, bounce houses, and much more.  The Parky’s Play Barn will be open to enjoy slides, ball pits, ropes courses, and a carrot maze.  There will be opportunities to visit with farm animals, take a wagon ride, have your face painted, meet mascots from various schools and businesses, along with princesses and Super Heroes! In addition, there will be a disc jockey spinning your favorite music, and lots of vendors offering more free activities and giveaways.

Family Festival: A Whale of a Tale

April 23
Contemporary Arts Center
12-3pm
FREE

Join a Family Festival filled with nautical art and storytelling. Check out the newest exhibit, Chasing the Whale, design your own scrimshaw, make a sailors’ valentine and learn about the stories these unique works of art have told throughout the years. Some special guests will stop by from the Cincinnati Book Arts Society and Chase Public, for a “whaley” good time!

Photo credit: www.cincinnatifamilymagazine.com
Photo credit: www.cincinnatifamilymagazine.com

Spring in Early Cincinnati: An 1808 Muster and Social

April 23-24
Heritage Village Museum inside Sharon Woods
Sat. 10am-7pm; Sun. 12-5pm
$8 adults, $5 ages 5-11, free ages 4 and younger

Before the war of 1812, militia musters were not just for drilling — they were social opportunities for men and women alike. Linigle’s Company of Ohio Militia will join Heritage Village Museum for a new 1808 event that will include drilling, civilian demonstrations, hands-on activities, and a dance on Saturday.

Playhouse in the Park: The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi

April 24
Evendale Cultural Arts Center
3pm
FREE

Written by award-winning playwright Y York, The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi, is a free-flowing adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s beloved classic starring a bossy bird, a dimwitted muskrat and a pesky mongoose who must band together to save their home from a tyrannical cobra. This delightful comedy about sharing and cooperation is recommended for audiences ages 5 and up.

March for Babies

April 24
Paul Brown Stadium / Sawyer Point
7:30am
Donations gratefully accepted

Join families from all over Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky and show your support for improving the health of babies. New this year is the Fifth Third Bank 5.3K Run for Babies beginning at 7:30 a.m., with the walk following at 9 a.m.

BLOOM

April 30

West Chester Hospital
7700 University Drive
West Chester, OH 45069
9am-12pm
Tickets range from $15-30

Bloom is a national event for new and expectant moms, which will be taking place in nearly 40 cities across the country on April 28th and 30th. This event is geared towards moms who are currently expecting a baby, had a baby within the last year, or are planning on growing their family soon.

Peanut Butter ‘N Jam

April 30
Lakeside Presbyterian Church
10am & 11:30am
$5

Join the Linton Musicians and Madcap Puppets for a “ribbeting” fun time, as they tell the tale of The Frog Prince through the music of Brahms. Designed for ages 2-6.

Family Fun Festival

April 30
Yeatman’s Cove
8:30am-3pm
FREE

Celebration in conjunction with Toyota 10K. Part of Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon weekend.

The Art of the Brick

Through May 1
Cincinnati Museum Center
Members: $12.50, Child $8.50; Non-members $19.50, Child $12.50

The Art of the Brick presents LEGO® bricks in a whole new light, demonstrating the potential of creativity and the power of imagination. The Art of the Brick features over 100 works of art by contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya. But rather than paint and canvas, these masterpieces are made entirely of LEGO bricks. Millions and millions of little LEGO bricks.

A Day in the Life…: Mid 19th Century Daily Life for the Betts Family

Through May 14
The Betts House
$2 per person

The Betts House is pleased to present its upcoming exhibit, A Day in the Life…: Mid 19th Century Daily Life for the Betts Family, showcasing the tools, contraptions, and tales of daily life for a Cincinnati family in the mid-1800s.
The exhibit will be on display at 416 Clark Street, Cincinnati OH 45203, from January 16, 2016 through May 14, 2016 during regular museum hours, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 12:30 – 5:00 p.m.

International Butterfly Show: Butterflies of the Caribbean

Through June 19
Krohn Conservatory
10am-5pm, daily
$7 adults, $4 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and younger

Dozens of countries and scores of cultures, all with one thing in common — a beautiful blue sea. Dive into the Krohn’s annual Butterfly Show, presented by Macy’s and featuring butterflies of the Caribbean, along with whimsical oceanic displays, hundreds of flowers, and plenty of exciting events throughout the duration of the exhibit.

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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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