A Mom’s Guide to June Family Fun in Cincinnati & NKY {2017}

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Star Wars And The Power of Costume

Through October 1
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Mondays-Saturdays: 10am-5pm; Sundays: 11am-6pm
$24 Adult, $17 Member Adult, $21 Senior (60 and over), $16 Child (3-12), $12 Member Child

Iconic costumes from “a galaxy far, far away” are presented in the Smithsonian traveling exhibition.

FC Cincinnati Day at The Zoo

June 1
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220
2-2:30pm – Fans will experience an exclusive Player Q&A
General Admission Rates apply

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and Cincinnati’s professional soccer team, FC Cincinnati, are partnered up to host a fun-filled FC Cincinnati Day at the Zoo. Visitors are encouraged to sport their best blue & orange FC Cincinnati gear as they spend the day on wild adventures around the Zoo with familiar faces from the field!

Summerfair

June 2 – 4
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45228
Friday: 2-8pm; Saturday: 10am-8pm; Sunday: 10am-5pm
$10, FREE ages 12 and under, FREE Parking

Fine artists and craftspeople exhibit and sell their works. Music and entertainment. Food vendors. Youth Arts Rocks area with art activities for children.

Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat

June 2 – July 9
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
4015 Red Bank Road
Cincinnati, OH 45227
Friday: 10am & 7pm; Saturday: 12pm-5pm; Sunday: 2pm-5pm
$20

This summertime adventure features silliness for all ages when everyone’s favorite cat comes to mischievous life in this theatrical adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic. From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat that they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and the craziest of ideas, he is certainly loads of fun. He turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure… but what will mum find when she gets home…?

Art in The Garden

June 3
Riverside Drive Augusta
116 Main Street, Augusta, KY 41002
10am-5pm
FREE

Showcases over 60 local and regional artists, live music, local cuisine and children’s activities, including Madcap Puppets. The Augusta Ferry brings cars and people across the Ohio River during the event, presenting a picturesque view of Augusta.

Adventure Fest

June 3
Mitchell Memorial Forest
5401 Zion Road, Cleves, OH 45002
12-5pm
FREE admission; some activities may require paid advance registration

Trail races, mountain bike demos, orienteering races, animal encounters, nature walks, food, music, beer, pop-up bike shop and more.

Recess in the Stadium

June 3
Paul Brown Stadium
1 Paul Brown Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
9am-12pm
FREE; Registration required

This FREE event is for kids ages 4-16 and their families to experience the Cincinnati Bengals stadium first-hand, all while learning and playing at interactive activity stations. This event includes health screenings for kids.

Bike Rodeo & Touch-a-Truck Event

June 3
Target
9099 Plainfield Road, Blue Ash, OH 45236
10am-2pm
FREE

Blue Ash police, fire, and public works visit. Features safety information, face painting, snacks, free helmets from Children’s Hospital, obstacle course, giveaways, and touch-a-truck event.

Pop Up Play with Happen Inc. – Spin Art! 

June 7
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
1-2:30pm
FREE

Join Happen, Inc., a local, award-winning nonprofit bringing families and communities together through art and creative experiences, for a free afternoon art activity at Pop-Up Play! Art Goes Round & Round With Happen’s Spin Art! Make your own colorful masterpieces in the round. Learn about all the things that spin around us. It’s easy, free and fun for the whole family. This Happen make and take activity is designed for children 6 to 10 years old accompanied by an adult and is first come first served while supplies last.

Shazaam Series: Zak Morgan

June 7
Beech Acres Park Amphitheater
6910 Salem Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230
10-10:45am
FREE

Bring your own seating to enjoy a free performance from GRAMMY nominee, Zak Morgan, before you eat at Grilled Cheese Wednesday. Zak Morgan’s unique brand of children’s music delivers songs and poems with wit and charm that inspire and tickle the funny bones of children and adults alike.

Wednesdays on the Green

June 7, 14, 21, & 28
Clifton Cultural Arts Center
3711 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220
7pm
FREE

Join us for the opening concert of this year’s Wednesdays on the Green – free evening concerts every Wednesday at 7pm. We’ve lined up musical performances from May 31 – August 9, and we can’t wait for a summer filled with music, dancing, hands-on art making for kids, picnics, summer treats and shared memories. Kick back in the grass, enjoy the show and meet some new friends on the beautiful lawn at CCAC.

Puppets for Lunch

June 9
Grove Park
9150 Winton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
12-1:30pm
$2 per child (suggested donation)

What?! Puppets for lunch! We can’t eat the puppets!!! No, of course not – but plan to pack your picnic lunch and favorite blanket for an entertaining lunchtime Madcap Puppet Show performance on the lawn at The Grove, located behind the Springfield Township Fire Station. After the show, stay for a make it – take it craft and enjoy an afternoon in the park. 

Schwabenfest

June 9 & 10
Donauschwaben Park
4290 Dry Ridge Road, Cincinnati, OH 45252
Friday: 6pm-12am & Saturday: 2pm-12am
$3

German-style festival with homemade sausage and oxen roast. American and German music, live music, dancing and contests.

Dive Into Summer at Coney Island

Dive Into Summer with High Diving Pirates

June 10-18
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45230
See website for schedule of events.
Prices vary based on package purchased. Buy online and save!

Ahoy, Matey! Kick off your summer at Coney with a death-defying high-diving pirate show from June 10-18 in Sunlite Water Adventure. This cast of diving pirates bring their story to life with their acrobatic tricks, thrilling stunts, Olympic dives and a little mischief! Come see what these tricky high diving pirates have in store. Plus, don’t miss a fire performance at 6pm each day. Dive Into Summer is a NEW special event that Coney is bringing to the pool area for a day of high dives, laughs and family fun. Not only does this event include high-diving pirates, but also daily events to take place in Sunlite Water Adventure.

Lollipops Family Concert: Superheroes Up, Up, and Away!

June 10
Taft Theatre
317 E. Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10:30am; 9:30am pre-concert Family Fun Zone activities
$10-$15

This lighthearted and action-packed program features music from many of your favorite superhero stories, including Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Hercules, The Avengers and more…costumes and imagination encouraged!
Visit the Family Fun Zone to try orchestra instruments, make a craft and more! Open pre-concert starting at 9:30 am and immediately following the concert.

Sayler Park Sustains

June 10
Nelson Sayler Memorial Park
Parkland Avenue and Monitor Streets, Cincinnati, OH 45233
12-10pm
FREE

Sayler Park Sustains educates and empowers festival-goers to bring DIY sustainable practices into their daily lives. The festival was born out of  love for the neighborhood, and its unique agricultural heritage.  In an effort to foster neighborhood engagement, educate residents in sustainable and Earth-first practices, entertain with free music and activities for kids, and offer a dynamic experience with food trucks, local beer, vendors, and raffles, those who make Sayler Park Sustains happen work hard most of the year to offer something special for the area.

Opera In The Park

June 11
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
7pm
FREE

Cincinnati Opera will kick off the season with Opera in the Park, a free concert in Washington Park featuring a Spanish-themed program of opera and musical theater favorites performed by stars from the 2017 season, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus.

MainStrasse Village Original Goettafest

June 16 – 18
MainStrasse Village
Main Street, Covington, KY 41011
Friday: 5-11:00pm; Saturday: 12-11:30pm; Sunday: 12-9pm
FREE admission

Goetta, arts and crafts, live music, entertainment, children’s activities.

The City Flea

June 17
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-4pm
FREE admission

The City Flea is Cincinnati’s original curated, urban flea market that takes place once a month at Washington Park and various other locations throughout the year. Since its conception in 2011 The Flea has seen dozens of vendors grow from hobby to full time business and it is with much pride that we consider ourselves not only a monthly market, but a small business incubator, community organization, and city advocate. The Flea is a place to keep your dollars local, support small business and experience YOUR city in a unique and engaging way. Our vendors range from vintage dealers to artisan pizza makers to plant studios. We have something for everyone.

Castle Days

June 17
Loveland Castle
12025 Shore Road, Loveland, OH 45140
11am-5pm
$8 per person, FREE kids 5 and under

Join the Knights of the Golden Trail for a fun-filled day. Take a jaunt through the beautiful castle gardens, visit the marketplace full of handmade crafts, or sit for a spell and watch comedy acts, Music & historic reenactments. There’s something for everyone! It’s sure to be another wonderful Saturday outing for you and your family!

CMB Summer Playdate Series

June 17
Sharon Woods Park
11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH 45241
10-11:30am
FREE; Registration required

Join the Cincinnati Moms Blog team this summer for a series of fun playdates. We will be hosting one each month from June-August. June’s Playdate is sponsored by Hike It Baby.

Juneteenth Festival

June 17 & 18
Eden Park
950 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-9pm
FREE

Family festival celebrating end of American slavery. 2 stages of entertainment, food, history, kids’ area. Parade of flags at noon representing all countries people were taken from and taken to and enslaved. Music starts at 1 p.m. and ends with tribute to Prince. Father’s Day concert on Sunday of inspirational music starts at 2:30 in Seasongood Pavilion.

3rd Sunday Funday: Horsing Around Funday

June 18
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
1-4pm
FREE; No reservations required

Saddle up for this silly Funday! See horses in art when you visit Treasures of British Painting 1400-2000: The Berger Collection, and meet a real mini horse and some of his barnyard friends from Honey Hill Farm, 1-2 p.m. Get giggly at the Art Cart with some Appalachian toys, make a horsey craft, and then enjoy a performance of circus tricks by My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus, 2-3 p.m.

Fatherhood Community Celebration

June 18
Sawyer Point
Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11am-4pm
FREE

Community-wide celebration for fathers and their families to enjoy day of free food, entertainment, and activities.

Family Festival: UnMuseum Block Party

June 24
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-3pm
FREE

Stop by the CAC for a giant block party in honor of the artwork from the UnMuseum. Design your own solar system necklace, draw a mirrored self portrait, create a Deep Space inspired kaleidoscope and take part in some Metrobot cornhole. Everything you create will be inspired by a piece from the 6th floor, even the food!

Kids Live At The Levee

June 24
Newport on the Levee
1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071
12:30-4:30pm
FREE

Kids LIVE at the Levee invites families to enjoy an afternoon of free live music and entertainment! Musical performances, a magic show, and a puppet show will take place on the stage on the main plaza throughout the day.There will also be clowns, face painting, balloon animals, an appearance from Woody from Toy Story & Doc McStuffins, games, and more!

Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival

June 24
Sawyer Point
Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11am-9pm
FREE

Two-hour parade with famous grand marshal, main festival with music, drag queens, beer and spirits, and Family Fun Zone.

O.F.F. Market

June 24
Oakley Square
2890 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
10am-4pm
FREE admission

The Oakley Fancy Flea Market is Oakley’s neighborhood monthly marketplace and the stomping ground to specialty food and beverage vendors, independent small businesses, artists, and farmers from across the region.

Sun-Day Sunday Sundae

June 25
Cincinnati Observatory
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
1-4pm
FREE admission thanks to P&G; No reservations needed

The Sun is the star attraction and you can learn all about our nearest stellar neighbor. Sun-day Sunday Sundae includes short talks about the Sun, tours of our historic buildings, and safe viewing of sunspots and solar flares from our 1845 telescope (weather permitting).
As a special treat we will also have free sundaes for those in attendance.

Oakley After Hours

June 30
Oakley Square
Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
6-10pm
FREE

Music, entertainment and various games and samples from sponsors.

Anne Frank: A History for Today Exhibit

Through June 9
Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education
8401 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
Mondays-Fridays 1-4pm, Sundays 11am-3pm
$10, $5 students

The life history of Anne Frank and her family is the leading thread running through this exhibition. The family’s story is juxtaposed against world events before, during and after the rise to power of the Nazi party. Throughout the exhibit, Anne’s own wonderfully candid writing provides a central voice to the exhibit narrative, bringing a poignant and truly beautiful perspective to the story.

International Butterfly Show: Majestic Monarch

Through June 18
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-5pm daily
$7, $4 ages 5-17, FREE ages 4 and under

Welcome to the Cincinnati Parks Krohn Conservatory 2017 Butterfly Show, The Majestic Monarch!. Grab your Butterfly Show Field Journal and flutter along with us and our imaginary character “Mona” through the Krohn showroom resembling fields and forests that “Mona” and her Monarch friends would likely visit on their long journey across North Americas. Experience what it’s like to be a butterfly surrounded by towering fir trees, giant flowers, and islands of color as you fly by beautiful hydrangeas, marvelous marigolds, and gorgeous celosia.

A Day in the Life: As the Betts Family Lived in the Mid 19th Century

Through June 30
Betts House
416 Clark Street, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 12-5pm
$5, $2 children

Exhibit features materials and programs showing how adults and children entertained themselves in the mid nineteenth century.


Mark Your Calendars!

If you are a parent, teacher, or caregiver, and if you would like to improve your child behavior management skills, you should make plans to attend the Kid Whisperer University Summer Conference!
You will learn to calmly set limits with the children in your care while strengthening your relationships with those children!
Where: August 2-4, 2017
When: 8am-3:45pm at Cox Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio
Cost: $250 through May 25th; $325 through August 2nd
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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.

2 COMMENTS

  1. The Panegyri Greek Festival is June 23 – 25 this year. Holy Trinity-St.

    Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
    7000 Winton Road
    Cincinnati, OH 45224

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