It’s February, which means it’s still winter here in Cincinnati. But we’re taking a glass-half-full approach: February means special holidays (Black History Month, Groundhog’s Day, President’s Day and, of course, Valentine’s Day), tons of fun indoor and outdoor programs for kids (maple sugaring, anyone?) – and lots of free family fun.
Feel the love all month long with our February Free Guide!
Yoga and Mindfulness
Feb. 1 from 4-5 pm at Blue Manatee
Blue Manatee is now hosting a yoga and mindfulness class let by Emily Hunt from Busy Being Kids Yoga. Each themed class will include a featured book, yoga poses, and more!
Wake Up, Groundhog!
Feb. 3 from 1-2 pm at the Sharon Center
A wild cast of animal puppets will entertain young and old alike. Be sure to stay after the show to meet one of our animal ambassadors.
Family First Saturdays at the Cincinnati Art Museum
Feb. 3 from 12-4 pm
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. February’s Family First Saturday celebrates Black History Month!
Masterpieces in the Making: Sam Gilliam
Feb. 5 from 4-5 pm at the Corryville Ridge Branch Library
Create your own 3-D masterpiece inspired by artist Sam Gilliam! No registration required. Presented by the Kennedy Heights Arts Center.
ValenScience Day
Feb. 8 from 4-5 pm at the Mt. Washington Branch Library
Calling all young scientists! Join us for some Valentine’s themed science experiments. Don’t like science? Join us for the candy treats. Grades K-6. Registration is required.
YA Day at Joseph-Beth
Feb. 10 from 2-5 pm at Joseph-Beth Cincinnati
Join us for the first ever YA Day! At 3 pm we’ll be doing giveaways, handing out freebies, playing trivia, and more, all themed around our favorite young adult books. We’ll also be doing a book club-style discussion about one of our favorite books of 2017, Turtles All the Way Down by John Green. PLUS, when you purchase a young adult book, you get a special prize in the Kids Store all day long!
Oh, Deer!
Feb. 10 from 1-2 at Miami Whitewater Forest
How much do you know about Ohio’s state mammal? Join us to test your knowledge of the fascinating, white-tailed deer.
Maple at Mitchell
Feb. 11 from 2-4 pm at Mitchell Memorial Forest
Drop in to learn about the maple tree. From possible financial freedom for the colonists to sweetening tea today, this tree has been a very valuable resource for generations! You’ll get to see sap being boiled and taste some real maple syrup.
Second Sunday Family Showtime: Pinocchio
Feb. 11 at 2 pm at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center
The much-loved tales about a wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy is packed with magical characters, cartwheels, circus antics and dollops of fun for the whole family. Presented by Playhouse in the Park. Tickets are FREE for kids and $5 for adults.
Valentine’s Day Craft
Feb. 12 from 4-5 pm at the Northside Branch Library
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with crafts at the library! No registration required.
Valentine’s Day Storytime
Feb. 14 at 4 pm at Blue Manatee
Join us for wonderful stories and songs on this special holiday!
Teen Chocolate Tasting
Feb. 14 from 3-5 pm at the Oakley Branch Library
Calling all chocolate lovers! Experience chocolate like never before in this YUMMY taste testing event.
Third Sunday Funday: Celebrate Tiffany
Feb. 18 from 1-4 pm at the Taft Museum of Art
Celebrate all things stained glass at this funday! Learn about transparency at the Art Cart, and create your own pasta “stained glass” work of art to take home. At 2 pm, OTRimprov presents ComedySportz Cincinnati, a hilarious performance of family friendly improv games. Meet some creatures that inspired works in the Tiffany show during a visit from Cool Critters at 3 pm.
President’s Day Storytime
Feb. 19 at 2:30 pm at Blue Manatee
Find out about Presidents Lincoln and Washington, and create a small craft at this special President’s Day story time!
Art for Kids: Kehinde Wiley and Power Pose Self Portrait!
Feb. 20 from 4-5 pm at the Pleasant Ridge Branch Library
Celebrate Black History Month with a Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Masterpieces in the Making project!
Linton PB&J Sessions: Hit It!
Feb. 22 at 5:30 pm at John P. Parker Elementary School
There’s more to being a drummer than just “sticking” to it. Come feel the beat and explore the world of the percussion family with us! Don’t miss this special FREE winter presentation.
Maple Sugar Days
Feb. 25 and 26 from 12-4 pm at Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve/Ellenwood Nature Barn
It’s maple sugaring time! Bring your family to celebrate the awakening of the trees as they prepare for spring with the very traditional craft of making maple syrup. Enjoy this delicious weekend of tastes, crafts, demonstrations and hikes.
Backyard Maple Sugaring
Feb. 25 from 1-3 pm at Sharon Woods/Sharon Centre
Celebrate the sweetest time of year by learning how to make maple syrup in your own backyard. From identifying a maple tree to producing finished syrup, you will with all the knowledge you need to make this sweet treat at home. This program is outdoors, so please dress appropriately.
Potato Chip Taste Test
Feb. 27 from 4-5 pm at the Hyde Park Branch Library
Learn about George Crum by reading “George Crum and the Saratoga Chip.” Then try the Potato Chip Taste Test in honor of George Crum, inventor of the potato chip. We will vote on our favorite chip!
Not Free, But Great Deals:
Half-Price Days at the Cincinnati Zoo
Daily through March 9
Ok – so this isn’t technically free, but half-price admission at the Cincinnati Zoo is a pretty fantastic thing! Bundle up the kids and enjoy special winter-themed animal encounters, a less-crowded experience and lots of heated indoor exhibits — all at half price.
Summit Park Ice Rink
Open daily through Feb. 19 at Summit Park
Summit Park’s newest winter addition will be located directly underneath the glass canopy. The ice rink will open November through February with pre-holiday, holiday, and post-holiday hours. All restaurants will be open during their respective hours, and Nanny Belles will have an outdoor cart selling snacks, drinks, hand warmers, gloves, and more. Admission into the rink is just $5 (and includes skate rental!) and kids 3 and under are free.
Classes at Highfield Discovery Garden
Offered Wed-Sun each week with changing and seasonally appropriate themes
We love the classes at Highfield Discovery Garden, and winter is a great time to bundle up and explore this hidden gem! During winter months, you’ll pay just $2/person for admission, which includes that day’s class (held in a cozy indoor setting!).