Happy April!
We scoured our Calendar and came up with 20 free, family friendly activities for this glorious spring month.
And, in light of April’s rainy reputation, many of these events are indoors.
(This is no April Fool’s Joke — we promise!)
Drum roll, please:
Where the Wild Things Play
April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
Kids and adults alike will love the stories and songs, art activities and creative movement, “Where the Wild Things Play” at Washington Park. All activities are led by Cathy Barney, founder and director of Artsy Fartsy Saturdays.
Opening Day Celebration
April 4
Join us for a free fun-filled Opening Day Celebration in Washington Park! Festivities begin Monday, April 4, at 11:00am with beverage sales, fun games and live music from local rock band, Glory Days. The Findlay Market Opening Day Parade kicks off at noon and will pass by Washington Park on Elm Street—directly in front of Music Hall—as it makes its way through the city.
Opening Day Parade
April 4
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.
29th Annual Winton Woods Cleanup
April 9
More than 240 volunteers collected 242 bags of trash, 116 bags of recyclables and other assorted “treasures” during last year’s cleanup. Forest Park Environmental Awareness will add to the fun with lunch and special prizes! Volunteers of all ages welcome. No advance registration required.
CHCA ArtBeat
April 9
Join us at CHCA’s ArtBeat 2016-18th Annual Fine Arts Festival as we celebrate artistic expression!
Ready to Read Festival
April 9
Help your child get ready to read. Bring the whole family to take a walk around the pretend neighborhood and enjoy stations that have fun activities for reading, talking, writing, playing and singing. Enjoy a storytime, have your face painted and take a picture in the photo booth. Earn a prize for visiting every station and take home crafts to continue the fun. The festival is geared toward children age 0-6 and their families, but everyone is welcome. It is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 9, at the Union Township Branch Library, 4450 Glen Este-Withamsville Road.
Free Junior Clinic
April 9
This free, one-hour introduction teaches basic safety, etiquette and full-swing fundamentals to junior golfers ages 7–17.
Cincinnati Public Schools City-Wide Art Exhibition
Through April 10
This annual exhibition of artwork from kindergarten through 12th-grade students includes drawings, paintings, sculptures and photographs. Students compete across the school district for the privilege of exhibiting their work. The pieces are then judged by local artists and art teachers, with awards given to the top students.
Paper Factory with The Hamilton County Solid Waste District
April 12
Nearly 32% of the material going into our landfills is paper, making it the largest component of the waste stream. A recent study identified nearly all the paper is either recyclable or compostable. This program describes the production of paper from its virgin state and recycled state, and allows teens to participate in making recycled paper.
Cincinnati Flower Show
April 13-17
Horticultural and food enthusiasts will enjoy elaborate garden displays, creative containers, brimming window boxes, dramatic table settings, inspiring lectures, great shopping with plant and garden vendors in the Marketplace and tantalizing treats and culinary inspirations at the Fine Food Show and special events.
Photography Travel Series: Galapagos
April 15
The Galapagos is a great place to visit due to its unique combination of fearless wildlife and the role the islands played in Charles Darwin’s work. To say the flora and fauna are amazing in variety and abundance is an understatement. Join Mike Rank on his adventure from earlier this year.
Author Bill Cotter Reads His Book: Don’t Touch This Book!
April 15
Join us as we welcome Bill Cotter, author/illustrator of Don’t Touch This Book! Larry the lovable monster from Don’t Push the Button! has returned in a new and delightful interactive book! Can you help teach him how to share? He’s having a hard time with that!
Party for the Planet
April 21
Join the Greenest Zoo in America as we celebrate Earth Day during our 7th annual “Party for the Planet”! Businesses and organizations from around the region will be on hand to share their expertise and resources about living more sustainably within our communities. Topics include solar energy, composting, recycling, energy efficiency, green building, rain gardens/barrels, sustainable food, green products, and much more! Admission to the Zoo is FREE after 5 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day at the Cincinnati Nature Center
April 22-24
Celebrate Earth Day with Cincinnati Nature Center. Bring your friends- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be free admission for nonmembers. Check website for a schedule of activities.
Healthy Kids Day
April 23
Get moving and enjoy Healthy Kids Day with fitness class demos, scavenger hunts, an inflatable obstacle
course, wagon rides and more. We will be joined by the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and Interact for Health.
Spring Tea Party
April 26
Enjoy a tea, lemonade and finger foods while learning about tea party etiquette. For children and their families. Registration required.
Make a Mug for Mom
April 27
Create a mug using your own design with oil based paint markers in a variety of colors. Then give a gift for Mother’s Day! All materials provided. Registration is required. Grades 6-12.
Henny Penny
April 29
Based on the original folktale, Henny Penny is a hen enjoying a day gathering acorns. When one hits her on the head, she is convinced that the sky is falling and feels it is her duty to tell the king. Along the way she asks her friends to join her on her heroic quest. When almost to the palace, this gang of do-gooders meets the sly Foxy Loxy. The cunning of Foxy Loxy and Henny Penny’s can-do attitude make this a delightful adventure with a strong message of self-confidence, teamwork, and friendship. Presented by ArtReach: A Division of the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. FREE for children under sixteen ($10 for adult members; $12 for adult non-members).
Twelth Annual Wildflower Extravaganza
April 30
We are combining our Flower-a-thon and Wildflower Festival into a true Extravaganza this year. The Flower-a-thon hikes will give you a great chance to learn about the wildflowers of our region. Experts will lead us on hikes through several preserves in the corridor, showing us the amazing variety of plants there.
Star Trek 50th Anniversary Exhibit
Through May 22
The Cincinnati Library Comic Con Series 2016 is celebrating Star Trek’s 50th Anniversary with memorabilia from the Star Trek franchise. Original Series through the new reboot films will be on display in the Popular Library of the Main Branch.
The Calendar at CincinnatiParent.com is updated on a daily basis with fun and free activities. Be sure to bookmark the page and visit us often for to-the-minute events in addition to all our other family-friendly suggestions.
Let’s make it an awesome April!