Things to Do in May

THINGS TO DO // MAY 2021

PLEASE NOTE DUE TO COVID-19, THESE EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK TO VERIFY EVENTS ARE STILL BEING HELD AS SCHEDULED BEFORE MAKING PLANS TO ATTEND BY CALLING OR VISITING THE BUSINESS OR EVENT WEBSITE.

SAT 01 Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Cubs Come cheer on the Reds as they take on the Cubs! Today’s ‘Super Saturday’ giveaway is a Reds tote bag! • Time: 4:10 pm, Location: Great American Ballpark, mlb.com/reds/

schedule/2021-05

Stonelick Star Gazes This is a great opportunity to view planets, galaxies, nebulae, star clusters and stars. It is also a good opportunity to see many different types of telescopes in action, ask questions and become involved in the fascinating world of astronomy. Free stargazes are held only if the skies are clear. • Time: After dark, Location: Stonelick State Park, cincinnatiobservatory.org

SUN 02 Spring Serenade Back by popular demand, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra is bringing the music to Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park! Take a socially-distanced stroll at this unique outdoor musical and artistic experience crafted by the CCO and Pyramid Hill amid the natural landscapes and sculptures of the breathtaking outdoor oasis. Registration required. • Time: 4-5 pm or 5-6 pm, Location: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum,

pyramidhill.org FREE

Free Family STEAM Night Come and explore the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math or STEAM with your family! Enjoy an exciting evening of hands-on learning activities and games, as you become engineers to tackle difficult real-world problems. • Time: 6-7:30 pm, Location: The STEM Lab, Sharonville,

cincystemlab.com

MON 03 Outdoor Storytime Join Ms. Amy outside at the Greenhills Gazebo and enjoy books, songs and activities while building early literacy skills • Time: 10:30-11 am, Location: Greenhills Branch Gazebo, cincinnatilibrary.com FREE

TUES 04 Take & Make: DIY Baby Yoda The Force will be strong when you pick up your DIY Baby Yoda figurine from the DIY Craft Bar starting May 4! Ages 10 & up. Limit supplies, early you must be! • Time: All day, Location: Green Township Library Location, cincinnatilibrary.org FREE

WED 05̶SUN 09 Cincinnati

Auto Expo Must-see exhibits include the General Electric Credit Union Dream Machine Boulevard and the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Toyota Dealers Safe Travel Family Zone made up of educational and fun exhibits for kids. • Time: See website, Location: Duke Energy Convention Center, duke-energycenter.com WED 05 Hootin’ in the Holler Whooo’s hootin’ at whoooo? Learn the different species of owls in our area and take a hike to visit our neighbors down in the holler. • Time: 6-8 pm, Location: Cincinnati Nature Center, cincynature.org

Family Storytime @ Home Join us online for quality family time with books, songs, and fun activities for children of all ages and caregivers to enjoy together. After you register, you’ll receive details by email on how to join the meeting on the day of the event. • Location: Virtual, Time: 4-4:15pm,

daytonmetrolibrary.org FREE

THURS 06 Drive-In Story Time You and your child will shake it together! Sing, dance and enjoy music, movement and fun. Recommended for ages 1-4. Weather permitting! Space is limited. Please bring an instrument! • Time: 9:30-10:30am, Location: Madiera Library Branch, cincinnatilibrary.org

FREE

CAC Thursday Art Play Join the Contemporary Arts Center and Cincinnati Parks for some outdoor fun and creativity. Early spring themed nature activities, a take home art bag, and in-person project with Artist Julia Lipovsky. Online registration for this free event is required. Please register online. (Completely outside program. Severe weather cancels event.) • Location: Burnet Woods, Time: 10:30-11:30am,

cincinnatiparks.com/calendar/

Bonanza: Pen Pals What’s your favorite farm animal? This farmyard tour includes a variety of our livestock to help you decide! Moo! We are following protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Ohio Department of Health. Physical distancing and sanitation recommendations will be followed. Children must be accompanied by a paid, participating adult. Total program registration is limited to no more than 9 guests. ($8.00/person, register 1 day in advance) • Location: Winton Woods Parky’s Farm, Time: 11-11:45am, greatparks.org/

calendar#

CancerFree KIDS’ Butterfly Walk Experience (Presented by Anthem) This year, families and supporters have the opportunity to do their walk at Cottell Park through our two-day Butterfly Walking Storyboard or to participate in their own neighborhood. Leading up to the event, we’ll reach out with fun weekly challenges and ideas you can do at home with your family. Show us your creativity by posting photos with #butterflywalk and tag us @CancerFree KIDS and @Butterfly Walk for CancerFree KIDS on Facebook, @cancerfreekids on Twitter, and @ cancerfreekids on Instagram. • Location: Cottell Park or in your own neighborhood, cancerfreekids.org/

events/ FREE

FRI 07 Kindergarten Curiosity Hikes Our enthusiastic hike leaders will lead children through sensory fun on the trails, games, hands-on experiences outdoors, and finding “curiosities” in the world around them. • Time: 9-11 am or 1-3 pm, Location: Cincinnati Nature Reserve,

cincynature.org

Disney’s The Lion King Through May 23. Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s The Lion King, making its triumphant return to the Schuster Center! • Location: The Schuster Center, Dayton, daytonlive.org *ONGOING

SAT 08 Family Fun With Messy Science Family friendly outdoor STEM event! • Time:10:30 am-12:30 pm, Location: North Central Branch, cincinnatilibrary.org FREE

Family Fishing This experience is designed for someone who wants to fish but doesn’t own equipment. It is ideal for a caregiver and child who wish to make memories casting a line together. Fishing pole and bait are provided along with a short orientation to get you started. Each registration is for a family (up to 4 people). Additional family members can be added. Weather Dependent. • Location: Possum Creek MetroPark, Dayton, Time: 10-11:30am,

metroparks.org

The City Flea The City Flea is Cincinnati's original curated, urban flea market that takes place once a month at Washington Park and various other locations through out the year. 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. • Location: Washington Park, Time: 10am-4:00pm, thecityflea.com FREE

SUN 09 Mother’s Day Cruise Treat mom to spectacular views, sensational food, and a souvenir photo. Boarding begins one hour prior to departure time. • Location: BB Riverboats, Times: 1-3:00pm or 5:30-7:30pm, bbriverboats.com/

cruises/mothers-day-cruise

Zoo Babies Daily Through May 31. Visit the zoo to see adorable zoo baby faces, or follow along on social media to see the babies in action, and to find out who’s expecting! • Location: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, cincinnatizoo.org *ONGOING

MON 10 Outdoor Explorers Outdoor play is vital to child development and well-being. Children will learn about nature and the outdoors. Activities include discovery, challenges and games. Ages 9-12. • Time: 4:30-6 pm, Location: Grant Park, cwpd.org

TUES 11 Nature Tots Come catch your breath while enjoying some quality time with your little one. You will both get a taste of nature through naturalist-led stories, games, animal encounters and more in a safe and relaxing atmosphere. New theme each week. Online registration is required. • Time: 9:30-11 am, Location: LaBoiteaux Woods Nature Center,

cincinnatiparks.com

WED 12 Story Tree Time Bring your little one and join us as we play, dance, sing and listen to a new story (virtually)! • Time: 11 am, Location: Virtual, Time: 11:00am, cincymuseum.org/story-tree-

time

THURS 13 Wearable Mosaics Workshop Learn how to create a mini-mosaic bracelet, necklace or keychain. Cut stained glass and tiles to shape into a one of a kind, wearable mosaic. Registration required. Ages 13+. • Time: 6-8 pm, Location: Filton Center for Creative Arts, fittoncenter.org FRI 14 2021 Taste of the Jewish Cultural Festival A series of three drive-thru events will take place this spring in April, May and June, each one centering around a specific holiday or aspect of Judaism and will include fresh baked goods available for pre-order. Special kids activity kits with interactive crafts and projects help to share Jewish traditions with our youngest attendees. • Time: 4-7 pm, Location: Temple Israel, Dayton, tidayton.org/festival

FRI 14̶SUN 16 Springfield Antique Show Extravaganza The Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market has been a favorite source for thousands of collectors and dealers for more than 25 years. • Time: See website, Location: Clark County Fairgrounds,

springfieldantiqueshow.com

SAT 15 Kings Island Opening Day Kings Island has announced its 2021 Season Operating Calendar and we look forward to welcoming you back for what is sure to be an amazing season. As a reminder, all 2020 season passes will be honored for 2021. • Time: See website, Location: Kings Island, visitkingsisland.com

6th Annual Superhero Donut Run Come out in your superhero costume and run to help grant the Special Wishes of Dayton area children who are battling life-threatening illnesses. 5k/10k/fun run sponsored by Bill’s Donuts. • Time: 7:30 am, Location: Centerville High School,

aspecialwishdayton.org/run.html

Greater Cincinnati Remake Learning Days Join this virtual festival to experience innovative, hands-on learning activities in your own space hosted by community organizations for youth and families. This celebration highlights innovative experiences and opportunities for youth to develop their sense of creativity, perseverance and curiosity. See the full schedule of online learning opportunities online. #RemakeDays • Location: Virtual, Times: 8:00am9:00pm, remakelearningdays.org/gc/ FREE

Chippie’s Sensational Science Labs Are there budding young scientists in your household? Nurture the curious spirit of your preschoolers by enrolling them in Chippie's Sensational Science Labs, a new educational series for children aged 3 to 5. • Time: 1 pm, Location: Behringer-Crawford Museum, Covington

bcmuseum.org

Kids to Parks Day - Cincinnati Insects! Bring your little ones to come experience the joy of Smale Park during the height of cicada season! It only comes once every 17 years, so drop by our table and come learn about these long-lived insects and be sure to check out the playground after! For more information, call 513-861-3435. • Location: Smale Riverfront Park, Time: 11am-1:00pm, cincinnatiparks.com/calendar

SUN 16 Meadow Links Family Scramble Families unite! Bring three relatives to compete in this fun 9-hole event. Registration includes golf and prizes. Tee times are available from 9 am-3 pm. $50/team. • Time: all day, Location: Meadow Links, greatparks.org

Painting With Nature Capture spring colors on paper as we transform nature into art supplies. Amid the awakening forest, we’ll harvest color on a foraging hike, discover pigmented plant stories, and paint greeting cards with handmade inks and tools. Ages 8+. • Time: 12-1:30 or 2:30-4 pm, Location: Rowe Woods, Cincinnati, cincynature.org

MON 17 Virtual Author Visit Join Cincinnati picture book authors Ashley Aya Ferguson and Will Hillenbrand to learn about their creative processes, and get a chance to ask questions about how you can get started as a writer or illustrator. Intended for ages 8-13. • Time: 4-5 pm, Location: Virtual, cincinnatilibrary.com FREE

TUES 18 Rain—A Tribute to The Beatles In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the release of Abbey Road, RAIN will bring the Beatles’ greatest hits to life in addition to all of your early favorites. • Time: 7:30pm, Location: Arnoff Center,

cincinnatiarts.org

Tot Tuesdays! Museum activities and crafts just for your little ones, offered both in person and virtually. Free for members. This month’s theme: Bees • Time: 10:30-11:30 am, Location: BehringerCrawford Museum, Covington, bcmuseum.org/

activities/tot-tuesdays

WED 19 Period Dinner Join us for a period dinner and sample some 19th century cuisine. Education director Steve Preston will prepare the meal and give guests background into the history and preparation of each dish. . • Time: 6-9 pm, Location: Heritage Village Museum,

heritagevillagecincinnati.org

THURS 20 Preschool Nature Series: May Flowers Do April showers bring May flowers? Embark on a search for some beautiful blooms in this little park.. • Time: 6-7:30 pm, Location: Forest Walk Park, Dayton, cwpd.org Wiggle Worms: Nature’s Treasure Hunt Are you ready for a treasure hunt? Get ready to use your senses to find some of nature’s gems – BIRDS! Follow your treasure map to find six stations, each with their own treasure hunting challenge, and earn your colorful gems. Once you have all six gemstones, you can trade them in for a bird related prize. This is a drop-in program, you do not need to stay for the full 2 hours. An adult is required to stay during the program. Face masks are required when social distancing cannot be maintained. • Location: James Park Ranch, Xenia, Time: 10am-1:00pm, reservations.

gcparkstrails.com/programs/2005/

Habitat Hunts Join us each week as we explore the distinct habitat types of California Woods. Look for critters under logs in the forest, find bugs and flowers in the meadow, and see what’s crawling around in the creek! Registration required by May 10. • Location: California Woods Nature Preserve, Time: 10-11:30am, cincinnatiparks.com/calendar

FREE

FRI 21 Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers Come cheer on the Reds as they take on the Brewers! It's ‘Fireworks Friday,’ stay after the game for a fireworks show! • Time: 7:10 pm, Location: Great American Ballpark, mlb.

com/reds/schedule/2021-05

Spring Celebration Through May 31. Celebrate spring with EnterTRAINment Junction. Purchase a Do-It-All ticket to visit the world’s largest train exhibit and A-Maze-N FunHouse, plus get another ticket to visit again another day. • Location: EnterTRAINment Junction, entertrainmentjunction.

com *ONGOING

FRI 21̶SUN 23 Fair Food

Weekend Your favorite fair foods are back! Enjoy a weekend of your favorite fair foods, adult beverages, and fun events for the whole family. • Time: 11 am-2 pm, Location: Greene County Expo Center,

facebook.com/events/287811886110130

FRI 21 & SAT 22 Barnyard

Bonanza: Pretty Pony Take this very personalized opportunity with your child to brush and decorate a real pony! Learn how to care for ponies. Wear old clothes and be prepared to get messy. We are following protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Ohio Department of Health. Physical distancing and sanitation recommendations will be followed. Children must be accompanied by a paid, participating adult. Total program registration is limited to no more than 9 guests. ($8.00/person, register 1 day in advance) • Location: Winton Woods Parky’s Farm, Time: 9-9:45am,

greatparks.org/calendar#

SAT 22 Yoga in the Park Enjoy fun, effective and FREE outdoor workouts under the pavilion! Center yourself on yoga days with Tori Reynolds of Speakeasy Yoga. Masks will be required when coming to and leaving the program. Preregistration is required. Remember to bring your own mat, water bottle and towels. The class will also be live streamed on the Five Rivers MetroParks YouTube page. Presented by Kettering Health Network and supported by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Weather Dependent. • Location: Riverscape MetroPark, Dayton, Time: 10-11:00am, metroparks.org

FREE

SUN 23 Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers Come cheer on the Reds as they take on the Brewers! Today's ‘Family Sunday' kids giveaway is a Team Baseball Card Set! • Time: 1:10 pm, Location: Great American Ballpark, mlb.

com/reds/schedule/2021-05

MON 24 Virtual Storytime for Tweens Kids! Join the library on Zoom for exciting book discussions and fun activities! For ages 10-12. Registration required. • Time: 4:15-5 pm, Location: Virtual, cincinnatilibrary.com

TUES 25 Seed Nursery Planting We have a lot of native flowers to plant and could use your help! We will learn the names and the benefits of what we are planting. Participants will get to pick a plant for their own yard as a thank you! Ages 12-17. • Time: 4:30-6 pm, Location: Bill Yeck Park, cwpd.org

WED 26 Howl at the Moon Hike Discover the magic of hiking at night when the full moon lights the way and your canine companion is right by your side. You do not have to have a dog to enjoy the night walks. • Time: 9-10 pm, Location: Sara Lee Arnovitz, Dayton, gcparkstrails.com

THURS 27̶MON 31 Memorial

Day Weekend at Young's Jersey Dairy Celebrate Memorial Day with us at Young's Dairy. You show up, we’ll supply the fun! Carnival Rides will be available in the gravel lot north of the dairy store during Memorial Day Weekend! • Location: Young's Jersey Dairy, Times: See website, Price: Tickets are $1 each (number of tickets per ride varies), $20 for all-day pass, Carnival wristbands available, youngsdairy.com/memorial-day-weekend/

FRI 28 Glow Night Friday Nights We're different after dark. Lasers, music and blacklight transform the whole park into a crazy jumping dance club. Remember to wear a light colored shirt that glows under black light such as white or neon colors. Ages 8+. • Time: 8-10 pm, Location: Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Dayton, skyzone.

com/dayton

SAT 29 Coney Island Opening Day Come visit us on opening day 2021! Challenge yourself and your friends on our brand new Challenge Zone—the largest Aquaglide pool obstacle course in the U.S. • Time: See website, Location: Coney Island, coneyislandpark.com

SUN 30 Preschool Virtual Storytime Enjoy books, songs, activities and more, while building early literacy skills. Recommended for ages 3-6. • Location: Price Hill Branch Library, Time: 10-10:30 am, cincinnatilibrary.

com FREE

MON 31 Kids’ Mystery Fish Challenge on Lake Isabella These events are intended for children under 16 years of age, accompanied by an assisting adult. Live bait is permitted. Prizes will be awarded in three age groups to the kid who weighs in a fish closest to the mystery fish weight. Any species of fish can be weighed. Trophies will be awarded to every kid who catches a fish. All anglers are required to wear a face mask that covers both the nose and mouth when inside and outside if physical distancing is not possible. Registration opens for this activity on May 3, 2021. • Location: Lake Isabella, Time: 9-11:00am, greatparks.

org/calendar# FREE

ONGOING EVENTS

Spring Frogs Art Display Through

May 31. Tue–Sat 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun noon–5 p.m. Delight in these uniquely made frogs displayed throughout the garden. Local students from Mercer Elementary created these wonderful reflections of nature. Find inspiration and joy through the artistic eyes of these youngsters. Great Parks is following protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health. Physical distancing and sanitation recommendations will be followed. (Program included with Highfield Discovery Garden admission: $5.25/person) • Location: Highfield Discovery Garden, greatparks.org/

calendar#

Zoo Babies Daily, May 1-31. Visit the zoo to see adorable zoo baby faces, or follow along on social media to see the babies in action, and to find out who’s expecting! • Location: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, cincinnatizoo.org

Strawberry Festival at Blooms & Berries Farm Market Daily, May 22–June 6. Enjoy the 2021 Strawberry Season with strawberry picking, games, a strawberry bounce pad, bakery treats and more! Plus, there will be live music and food trucks on the weekend! • Location: Blooms & Berries Farm Market, Time: See website for daily times,

bloomsandberries.com/strawberry-festival/

Great Bear Rainforest Thursdays

through Sundays, 10am-4pm. Travel to the land of grizzlies, coastal wolves, sea otters, humpback whales and the fabled white Spirit Bear – one of the rarest animals on Earth. Set in one of the planet’s most exquisite and secluded wildernesses on Canada’s rugged Pacific coast, Great Bear Rainforest is a story of wilderness and balance, belief and preservation. Narrated by Ryan Reynolds. • Location: Cincinnati Museum Center, cincymuseum.org/great-bear-

rainforest/

Dragons Love Tacos Through May 16. A Virtual Off the Hill Production, presented by Playhouse in the Park! Do you know what dragons really love? Tacos, of course! Chicken tacos, beef tacos, big tacos and tiny tacos. As a boy and his dog watch a television show about dragons, they unexpectedly get caught up in the “Dos and Don’ts” of what to feed them. But if they accidentally eat spicy salsa, watch out! Recommended for ages 3 and up. • Location: Virtual, cincyplay.com/productions/

dragons-love-tacos

Rapunzel’s Hairy Fairy Tale Digitally

Streaming Through May 31. The classic fairy tale of “Rapunzel” comes to life in an exciting worldpremiere musical adaptation adventure featuring everyone’s favorite long-locked lady in a tower. But don’t forget the array of other characters braided in this hairy fairy tale, comically played by only two actors! Yes, your read that correctly. ONLY TWO ACTORS! This fresh new adaptation will make your audiences throw their heads of hair back in laughter and delight as two incredibly talented and versatile actors untangle this hairy fairy tale like you’ve never seen it before! Digitally streaming via The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati! • Location: Virtual,

thechildrenstheatre.com/shows/rapunzels-hairyfairy-tale/

Disney’s The Lion King May 6-23. Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s The Lion King, making its triumphant return to the Schuster Center! • Location: The Schuster Center, Dayton, daytonlive.org

The Velveteen Rabbit Digitally

Streaming Through May 31. Margery Williams’ award-winning classic tale of a stuffed toy rabbit made real by a child’s enduring love is retold in a modern and delightfully electric holiday musical. In an era of virtual reality and Minecraft, this musical captures the joy and magic of the book you know and love, with a 16-bit digital twist. This happy, hoppy, holiday show will get the entire family into the spirit of the season. Digitally streaming via The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati! • Location: Virtual, thechildrenstheatre.

com/shows/the-velveteen-rabbit/

Jacqueline and the Beanstalk

Digitally Streaming Through August 31. Girls are so often stereotyped, but Jacqueline will climb to great lengths to prove them all wrong! One upon a time, Jacqueline had a brother named Jack. The entire village thought Jack was so smart, strong and witty, but when the family ran out of money it was Jacqueline who used her brain to get them out of trouble. Follow Jackie up the beanstalk as she shatters stigma to discover it wasn’t because she was less capable, but because she was made to believe so. Now, she has the chance to prove her worth. Whether you are young or old, this fun and interactive one-woman show is important for everyone to see. Not because it’s unique, but because it’s not. It is the story of many girls. Digitally streaming via The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati! • Location: Virtual, thechildrenstheatre.

com/shows/beanstalk/

Spring Celebration Through May 31. Celebrate spring with EnterTRAINment Junction. Purchase a Do-It-All ticket to visit the world’s largest train exhibit and A-Maze-N FunHouse, plus get another ticket to visit again another day. • Location: EnterTRAINment Junction,

entertrainmentjunction.com

Storywalk at California Woods Through May. Visit the Ridge Loop trail through the months of April and May, and enjoy Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms, written by Julia Rawlinson on the StoryWalk trail. • Location: California Woods Nature Preserve, cincinnatiparks.com

MAY 22̶JUNE 6

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL AT BLOOMS & BERRIES FARM MARKET