Skip the usual spots this weekend! We found some seriously cool, hands-on activities happening around Cincy, from crystal growing labs for older kids to a final showing of a cozy puppet show downtown. Don't miss the chance to tap maple trees up in Mason!
Quick Picks
Local History Scavenger Hunt: Underground Railroad
Downtown
Free, engaging history lesson for pre-teens downtown.
The Great Cardboard Challenge
400 W Washington St, Cincinnati, 45202
Build something epic out of cardboard on a Sunday afternoon.
Frozen Forest Puppet Show Finale
115 E 3rd St, Covington, KY 41011
A short, sweet puppet show perfect for keeping toddlers engaged.
· January 31
3WINTER SCIENCE BLAST: CRYSTAL GROWING LAB : Older kids can get hands-on with real chemistry here—they actually grow their own colorful crystals to take home. Way cooler than the boring kit you already own!This is a limited-run workshop focusing on chemistry that lets kids keep their colorful, homemade creations.
FROZEN FOREST PUPPET SHOW FINALE : Catch the absolute last showing of this cute woodland puppet show! It’s short, so it’s perfect for holding the attention of little ones this weekend.This is the final performance of a show specifically tailored for the attention spans of preschoolers.
LOCAL HISTORY SCAVENGER HUNT: UNDERGROUND RAILROADFREE : Get the pre-teens engaged by tracing Cincinnati's role in the Underground Railroad with this special, one-off guided hunt downtown. Parents need to tag along!It's a unique, free history experience designed specifically to hook older elementary and middle schoolers.
· February 1
3THE GREAT CARDBOARD CHALLENGE : Time to embrace the chaos! Kids use only cardboard, paint, and tape to build massive creations like forts or robots. Perfect indoor project for a Sunday.This hands-on building challenge encourages pure creativity using simple materials—great for a Sunday afternoon activity.
MAPLE SYRUP TAPPING DEMONSTRATIONFREE : Head north to learn exactly how syrup is pulled from trees—they often have hot chocolate afterward! A nice dose of fresh air before the day starts.It's a seasonal, local agriculture experience that gets families outside for a unique morning activity.
TEEN FILM NIGHT WORKSHOP: STOP-MOTION BASICS : If your teen is into making videos, this intensive workshop teaches them the actual skills to make stop-motion animations using apps and props. Super relevant skills!A fantastic, specialized workshop aimed directly at the teen demographic, teaching tangible digital creation skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Cincinnati this weekend?
The best free option for families this weekend is the Local History Scavenger Hunt: Underground Railroad downtown on Saturday (Jan 31st), though booking is required. If you head north to Mason on Sunday (Feb 1st), the Maple Syrup Tapping Demonstration is free to attend, just note there is a $5 parking fee.
Are there any activities geared specifically toward tweens (ages 10-14)?
Yes! On Saturday (Jan 31st) there is the Winter Science Blast: Crystal Growing Lab for ages 8-14. Also, the Local History Scavenger Hunt downtown is perfectly geared toward the 10-14 age bracket.
What’s a good indoor option if the weather is bad on Sunday?
For a rainy Sunday afternoon on Feb 1st, check out The Great Cardboard Challenge downtown where kids 5-14 can build giant structures using only cardboard and tape.