Friday, May 30
CINCINNATI REDS VS. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Take me out to the ballgame! Head to Great American Ballpark for a super eventful evening as the Reds take on the Nationals. The park will be celebrating Star Wars Night (theme tickets are available for purchase, includes an exclusive Darth Vader bobblehead), “Sam” the bald eagle from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens will be flying from center field to home mound during the National Anthem AND the night will be capped off with fireworks Friday. Great American Ballpark, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati; 7:10 p.m.; Individual tickets starting as low as $5, visit website or call for theme ticket promotional pricing.; 513-765-7000 or mlb.com/reds/tickets/promotions
FREE ART AFTER DARK: ON THE FRINGE
Check out the super cool exhibit, The Art of Burning Man: No Spectators, enjoy a live musical performance and get a preview of Cincinnati Fringe Festival artists. There will also be tasty bites available from food trucks (featuring Eli’s BBQ, Dewey’s Pizza and Graeter’s Ice Cream). Cincinnati Art Museum , 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati; 5 – 10 p.m.; 513-721-2787 or facebook.com/events/2138009373157223
FREE NATURE’S FIREWORKS
Take a two-mile hike along the Wetland Loop Trail to learn about nature’s fireworks- fireflies. Cotswold Visitor Center, Glenwood Gardens, 10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati; 8:30 p.m.; A valid motor vehicle permit is required to enter the park.; 513-521-7275 or greatparks.org
SENSORY SOLDIERS
Sensory preschoolers will love making discoveries with hands-on crafts and activities; kiddos can also run their way through obstacle courses, bounce on large trampolines, explore open gym mats and so much more! 1 Cinchris Drive, Fairfield; 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; $10 for 1 child, $5 per each additional child. ; 513-767-5994 or sensorysoldiers.org/events
ZOO BABIES
Meet the Zoo’s newest family members, the zoo babies. Six-foot-tall stork statues will lead visitors to adorable baby animals throughout the zoo. Zoo members and adventure ticket holders can enter the grounds one hour early, at 9 a.m. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; NEW! Save money and utilize plan-ahead ticketing by visiting the zoo website. Walk-up tickets available for purchase, call or go online for more information.; 513-281-4700 or cincinnatizoo.org/events/zoo-babies
Saturday, June 1
FREE FAMILY SAFETY FAIR
Learn about health and safety at home and at play. The first 50 children to attend will receive free properly fitted bike safety helmets, plus kids can earn a raffle chance to win a new bicycle by completing all safety activities. Then check out the Fire Safety Interactive Smokehouse, the Safety Rocks program and more. Kemper Heights Early Learning Center, 924 Waycross Road, Cincinnati; 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
SUMMER FUN AT ENTERTRAINMENT JUNCTION
Chugga chugga, choo choo! Chug on over to EnterTRAINment Junction to enjoy two popular outdoor train rides opening for the summer, the hand-cranked locomotives and the family train ride (weather permitting). Plus, visitors purchasing a special Do-It-All ticket through June 23 will get a free admission ticket to Coney Island’s classic rides. EnterTrainment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; $16.95 Do-It-All admission, includes FREE Coney Island classic rides ticket; 513-898-8000 or entertrainmentjunction.com
FREE SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK
Bring the family to kick back and relax or get up and dance! Wild Rice Musical Revue will be taking the stage at the Harbor to perform eclectic rock, pop, dance, R & B, funk soul, oldies and country music. Bring a blanket or lawn chair; refreshments available for purchase. Miami Whitewater Forest , 9001 Mount Hope Road, Harrison; 7 – 9 p.m.; A valid motor vehicle permit is required to enter the park.; 513-367-4774 or greatparks.org
Sunday, June 2
BUTTERFLIES OF ECUADOR
The most whimsical family tradition has fluttered it’s way back to the Queen City. Head to the Krohn Conservatory with the whole family to experience thousands of beautiful butterflies happily flying overhead; a butterfly might even land ON your head if you are lucky! Be sure to look within the pages of Cincinnati Family Magazine for a $1 off admission coupon. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; $10 adults, $7 children 5 to 17 years old, Free for children 4 years old and under.; 513-421-4086 or cincinnatiparks.com/krohn
EGYPT: THE TIME OF PHARAOHS
Egyptologists of all ages will enjoy learning about the daily life of Egyptians during the time of Pharaohs. Step back in time with over 350 original artifacts (including some more than 4,500 years old), impressive scale models of cities and interactive hands-on components. Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; $19.50 Adults, $17.50 Seniors, $12.50 Children ages 3 – 12, Member Adults, $12.50, Member Children $8.50. ; 513-287-7000 or cincymuseum.org
FREE HYDE PARK FARMERS’ MARKET
Browse local food, flowers and more while enjoying live music with the family; this weekly event runs on Sundays through October 27. Hyde Park Square, 2700 Erie Avenue, Cincinnati; 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; hydeparkfarmersmarket.com
FREE SHOW AND TELL ON THE FARM: GOAT JAMBOREE
Bring all of the kids to meet the kids on the farm! Visit with farm animals and learn all about goats through hands – on activities, crafts and a snack. Chrisholm MetroPark Historic Farmstead , 2070 Woodsdale Road, Trenton; 2 – 4 p.m.; A valid MetroParks vehicle permit is required to enter the park, see website for more information.; 513-867-5835 or yourmetroparks.net
FREE THE FRIENDS’ 47TH ANNUAL JUNE BOOK SALE
The Friends’ 47th Annual June Book Sale is back and bigger than ever, with over 100,000 items. Head to the warehouse location in Hartwell at 8456 Vine Street for the discount event of the summer featuring DVD’s, CD’s, audiobooks, vinyl, books and more. Warehouse Location, 8456 Vine Street, Cincinnati; 12 – 5 p.m.; cincylibraryfriends.org
WORM CHARMING COMPETITION
Learn the tricks and trades of how to lure earthworms out of hiding; everyone who finds a worm will win a prize to take home. Cincinnati Nature Center, Rowe Woods location, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford; 1 – 2:30 p.m.; Included in admission ($9 nonmember adult, $4 nonmember child/ free for members); 513-831-1711 or cincynature.org