The Cincinnati Mom’s Guide to February Family Fun {2017}

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Blooms on the Bayou 

January 21-March 17
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-5pm daily, Closed Mondays
$4, $2 ages 5-17, free ages 4 and under

Blooms on the Bayou is inspired by the colorful culture of New Orleans which features both a fun, festive side of the ‘Big Easy’ as well as the eerie, yet enchanting, swampy southern bayou.

Wintertime Archery

January 29, February 11 & 26
Winton Woods – Adventure Outpost
10245 Winton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
1:00pm
$15, valid motor vehicle permit required to enter park, Registration required at least 2 days prior to event 

Aiming for a new way to enjoy the great outdoors? Try out your skills with a little target practice! Our archery instructor will guide you through the basics of shooting a compound bow while explaining the archery steps to success. All equipment is provided. For adults and children ages 8 and up. An adult must be present for the duration of the program.

Preschool Open Gym

January 31-March 30
Beech Acres Park RecPlex
6915 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30-11:30 am
$2 per child per date

Parents and preschoolers can burn off steam during unstructured playtime. Parents must remain on-site and supervise children at all times.

Taft Jr.: Shape UP!

February 2
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11am-12pm
FREE with museum admission, Registration (513) 684-4517 or [email protected]

Just for visitors aged 3—5 years, along with their caregivers! Taft Jr. will allow preschoolers to have fun learning about and making art with their favorite adults while absorbing good museum manners. Each program will feature a story time, a close-up encounter with a piece of art, and a craft. This month, practice naming the shapes, then finding them in a work of art. You’ll even get a chance to use shapes to create your own masterpiece!

Astronomy Friday

Fridays through February 24
Cincinnati Observatory Center
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
7-8:30pm
$7, $5 ages under 18, Free for Observatory members; Please call 321-5186 for reservations.

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. Astronomy Friday admission is $7 adults, $5 under 18. Free for Observatory members! Family Friendly.

Toddler Trail Time

February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5
Children’s Meeting House Montessori School
927 O’Bannonville Road, Loveland, OH 45140
9-10am
FREE, Registration recommended

School naturalist leads hike especially designed for families with young children.

Syrian Shrine Circus

February 3-5
BB&T Arena
500 Nunn Drive, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY41099
Friday 7pm; Saturday 1 & 7pm; Sunday 1pm
$30, $20, $10

With three rings of affordable, family fun, and the only three – ring circus act in town; the Syrian Shrine Circus will thrill fans of all ages. Come see the death-defying aerial acts, the hilarious Shrine Circus Clowns, and animal attractions including tigers and elephants. In addition to the performing acts, kids will have the unique opportunity to ride and pet different types of animals including elephants, donkeys and camels.

Family First Saturdays: Black History Month

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

Designed with the whole family in mind! Performances, artist demonstrations, storytelling, scavenger hunts, tours, and hands-on art making activities are just the start of the fun for the whole family. There’s a different theme each month, so be sure to come to everyone, and bring your best friends!

Early Childhood Fair

February 4
Boone County Main Library
1786 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005
10am-1pm
FREE

Discover what Boone County has to offer for children birth to age 5. Giveaways, developmental and vision screenings and meet with Tales the Library Dragon and Pete the Cat. Cincinnati Zoo on the Move from 10-11 a.m.; Dale the Balloon Twister from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Maple Syrup Making and Guide Sap Collecting Hikes in the Sugarbush

February 4, 12, 18, 25
Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods
4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150
Feb 4: 10am-3pm & 12-4pm; Feb 12: 12-4pm; Feb 18: 10am-2:30pm; Feb 25: 10am-3pm
Free with admission ($9 adults, $6 seniors and active military, $4 ages 4-12)

Experience the whole process of producing liquid gold from maple sap. Bask in the warmth of the evaporator and its maple-scented steam. Drop by the sugar house near Krippendorf Lodge and join in an interactive sap collecting maple hike. 

Join in an interactive sap collecting maple hike on Saturdays at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm or 2 pm and Sundays at 1 pm, 2 pm or 3 pm.  Hikes start at the sugar house.  

Year of the Pioneer Kickoff: A Birthday Celebration for Laura Ingalls Wilder

February 7
Goshen Branch Library
6678 Ohio 132, Goshen, OH 45122
6:30pm
FREE, Reservations required

Celebrate 150th birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder and experience slice of pioneer life with music, crafts and pioneer experiences, plus some birthday sweets.

Valentine’s Day Family Swim with Goldfish Swim School

February 10
Goldfish Swim School West Chester
7058 Ridgetop Drive, West Chester, OH 45069
6:30-8pm

$5 per swimmer ($15 max per family)

Enjoy open swim in the 90 degree pool plus arts and crafts! *For your safety and comfort, please RSVP to 513-857-1700, via e-mail or at the front desk. Children ages 6 and under must be accompanied in water, by an adult during family swim.

The Wizard of Oz 

February 11-12 & 17-19
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati at Taft Theatre
317 E. Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Various performances

A cyclone transports Dorothy, a young Kansas girl, and her dog, Toto, to magical Munchkin Land. Unfortunately, they land right on top of the Wicked Witch of the East! As Dorothy and Toto head down the Yellow Brick Road to find the Wizard and their way back home to Kansas, they meet new friends, each with a wish that they hope The Great Oz can grant for them. A scrawny Scarecrow needs a brain, a rusty Tin Man needs a heart, and a Cowardly Lion needs courage.

Second Sunday Family Showtime: Zak Morgan

February 12
Clifton Cultural Arts Center
3711 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220
2pm
FREE for kids, $5 per adult

With a background in children’s literature plus a GRAMMY® nomination for his kids’ songs, Zak Morgan brings all of his life experiences and a simple delight in words and music to his live performances. His interactive concerts are warm, full of humorous wordplay, and fun for all ages.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

February 12
Boone County Public Library – Scheben Branch
8899 U.S. 42, Union, KY 41091
2-3pm
FREE

Historical interpreter Novella Nimmo shares African American history through games, storytelling and hands-on interactions with artifacts.

Celebrate All Things Chocolate

February 12
Great Parks of Hamilton County – Winton Woods
10245 Winton Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231
2pm
$6 per person

Indulge in the tales and tastes of one of our sweetest guilty pleasures at All Things Chocolate on Sunday. Learn the interesting history, production and uses of chocolate while sampling a variety of sweet, and not so sweet, flavors. A valid Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter the parks. Cost for residents of Hamilton County: $10 annual/$3 daily; other visitors: $14 annual/$5 daily.

Peanut Butter & Jam Session: A World of Music

February 18
Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church
6312 Kennedy Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45213
10-11:30am
FREE

Explore the World through music! The Flute, cello, and harp will guide us on this noteworthy journey!

Families Create! 2D 3D 4U: Digital Objects

February 18
Weston Art Gallery
650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-12pm
$5 per child, Reservations required

Families Create! is a popular series of workshops designed to introduce art techniques and concepts to children ages 5–12 years and their families. Participants meet the exhibiting artist and explore the world of art through gallery talks, tours, and hands-on activities with take-home art projects.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live 

February 18
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall
650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
3pm & 6:30pm

Won’t you be our neighbor? The legacy of the beloved ‘Mister Rogers’ lives on with the hit television series, ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’, from The Fred Rogers Company and airing daily on PBS KIDS. Now, Daniel and all of his friends are hopping aboard Trolley to delight live audiences with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE! Donning his iconic red sweater, Daniel takes the audience on an interactive musical adventure as he and his friends explore the vibrant world of their much-loved Neighborhood of Make-Believe, sharing stories of friendship, helping others, and celebrating new experiences. This live theatrical production filled with singing, dancing, laughter, and ‘grr-ific’ surprises will warm the hearts of multiple generations.  

3rd Sunday Funday: Year of the Rooster

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

Happy Chinese New Year! Celebrate the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Rooster with a fun day at the Taft. Make a rooster-ish craft to take home, explore Chinese symbols at the Art Cart, and look at celebrations and children in Chinese art. Maybe a real hen (a female rooster) will stop by for a visit, too! Dancers from the Greater Cincinnati Chinese School will perform at 2.

President’s Day Fun!

February 20
Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore
3054 Madison Road, Oakley, OH 45209
2-3pm
$3, Call 731-2665 to reserve your spot. Space is limited. (Ages 4-7)

Join us today as we celebrate our presidents! Let’s read a few favorites on the subject, take a look at the famous faces on our currency and create our own “Kid Coins”. They may not be useful in the real world, but they’ll be perfect for play at home!

Wee Wednesdays: Old and New

February 22
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.

Wee Wednesdays: Old and New

February 22
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.

Family Festival: Frosty Frozen Fun

February 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 (at the CAC from 12:00-2:00)! Stop by for some frosty fun as we experiment with snow and ice painting, build a giant igloo, and take part in an epic snowball battle. No blizzard bash would be complete without a hot chocolate warm up station stocked with all of your favorite toppings (because whip cream makes everything better).

Harriet Tubman by TCT on Tour

February 25
Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center
6980 Cambridge Avenue, Mariemont, OH 45227
10-11am
$5, Reservations recommended

Watch as Harriet Tubman journeys back into slave country to rescue her family and many others in exhilarating musical drama. Sponsored by Mariemont Preservation Foundation. Ages 8 and up.

Seahorses: Unbridled Fun

Through March 31
Newport Aquarium Aquarium
Admission prices apply; one kid FREE with an adult paying full price through February 26.

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.

Vikings: Beyond the Legend

Through April
Cincinnati Museum Center
$19.50 adult, $12.50 child, $12.50 adult member, $8.50 child member

Explore the rich, often-misunderstood Viking culture through a rare collection of artifacts and fresh insights revealed through new archaeological discoveries that gives you a real look into the lives of Vikings and shows why they continue to capture our imagination.

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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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