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10 FREE or Inexpensive Ways to Enjoy the Arts with Kids in Greater Cincinnati


Greater Cincinnati is filled with an amazing arts community. We have an abundance of orgnizations dedicated to sharing the arts - dance, music, live theatre, art, etc. Enjoying the arts with your kids doesn't have to cost alot. Some events are free and others cost less than what you'd pay to see a movie.

Here are 10 ways to enjoy the arts with your kids without breaking the bank (in no particular order).

1: Fitton Family Fridays

Fitton Family Fridays - Head to Hamilton and visit the Fitton Center for Creative Arts. On select Friday nights, they will have live performances. Kids 16 and under get in FREE with a paid adult (up to 4 per adult ticket and adult tickets are only $10 for members and $12 for non-members). Plus, they have a FREE pre-show kid-friendly reception (6:30 p.m.) with drinks and appetizers to enjoy. 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton, Ohio. Box Office: (513) 863-8873 ext. 110.

  • Friday, Jan. 15 - Zak Morgan

  • Friday, Feb. 5 - Puss In Boots

  • Friday, March 4 - David Kaplan

  • Friday, April 19 - Henny Penny

2: Second Sunday Family Showtime

3: Off the Hill

Off the Hill - Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has a group of talented peformers who tour around Greater Cincinnati and do shows at local venues. Shows are either FREE or have a nominal admission charge.

4: Cincinnati Art Museum

Cincinnati Art Museum - FREE, FREE, FREE! See real art by some of the masters. The Cincinnati Art Museum is very welcoming for families. The Rosenthal Education Center is now open and kids will love enjoying this interactive space. Or, you can pick up an "art" scavenger hunt at the front desk for the kids to complete (a great way for them to explore the museum and learn more about the art there while having fun). The CAM offers so much for families. Every month (Sept-May) they have Family First Saturdays. This is a free event with a new theme each month. If you have younger kids (ages 2-5), check out Wee Wednesday (last Wed. of the month). They even host programs for teens. If you want a tour of the museum, stop by for their Family ARTventure tour (Saturdays at 1 p.m.) or on Sunday they will have Family ARTventure Art Stops (Sundays at 3 p.m.). They even have live theatre shows with the Madcap Puppets (tickets are $8).

  • Aesop's Classic Fables - Jan. 16-17, 2016 (1 & 3 p.m.)

  • Monster's of Baseball - March 19-20, 2016 (1 & 3 p.m.)

5:Contemporary Arts Center - The UnMuseum

Contemporary Arts Center- The UnMuseum is a great space to introduce kids to art. They even have a large art area filled with supplies where kids are free to create their own art. The CAC is FREE on Wed nights (5-9 p.m.). Every Thursday, they also have Thursday Art Play (best for kids ages 3-5 years). Kids 5 and under are FREE and adult admission is only $7.50, educators, seniors (60+) and student admission is $5.50 (free for members).

6: Taft Museum of Art

Taft Museum of Art - The Taft hosts 3rd Sunday Fundays and they are so much fun for families. They usually have an art activity and some form of family-friendly entertainment and they are all FREE. If you can't make it for the 3rd Sunday Funday, you can go any other Sunday for FREE. 316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.

  • Heroe's Unite - Jan. 17, 1-4 p.m.

  • Beauty in the World Around Us - Feb. 21, 1-4 p.m.

  • Viva La France - March 20, 1-4 p.m.

  • Once Upon a Time - April 17, 1-4 p.m.

7:Linton Music - Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions

Linton Music PB&J Sessions - Introduce your kids to classical musica and enjoy a live musical concert performed by Linton Music. The kids can get up close to see the musicians too. The shows are geared for ages 2-6 years but all are welcome. Tickets are only $5 (or $15 for a flex book of 4 shows) and performances are scheduled throughout Greater Cincinnati.

Winter Concert Schedule 2016: "Music Inside Out"

  • January 23, 2016 (10am & 11:30am & 1pm*) - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

  • January 30, 2016 (10am & 11:30am) - Wyoming Fine Arts Center

  • February 13, 2016 (10am & 11:30am) - Pilgrim United Church of Christ – West Side location.

  • February 20, 2016 (10am & 11:30am) - Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church

  • February 27, 2016 (10am & 11:30am) - Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church – FREE ArtsWave Sampler Concerts

  • Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 4:30pm​ - SPECIAL FREE WINTER PRESENTATION In collaboration with MYCincinnati – a free youth orchestra program in Price Hill

Spring Concerts begin April 9 through May 4 - "Madcap Music Making"

8:Happen Inc.

Happen Inc. - Located in Northside, kids can visit and create art. They have FREE open studio times during the week. Click here for their calendar. You can also book a visit to the Happen Inc. Toy Lab and kids can let their imaginations run wild and create a one of a kind toy (Toy Lab open Sat. & Sun, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Call (513) 751-2345 to make a reservation for the Toy Lab. 4201 Hamilton Ave.

9: Calico Children's Theatre

10: Community Art Centers

Community Art Centers - If you have a community art center, they usually have great programs. These may include classes for dance, drama, art, music, and more. Many times they also provide opportunities for live community performances and may host various art organizations. See our community art center page for listing/links. Near where I live (Mason and Deerfield Township), we are lucky to have The Arts Alliance . They provide many opportunities for our community to enjoy the arts.

  • February 7, 2016 MadCap Puppets: Aesop’s Fables ($2/ticket, kids 2 and under are FREE - Kings Highs School)

  • March 20, 2016 Frisch’s Marionettes: Peter and the Wolf & The Frog Prince ($2/ticket, kids 2 and under are FREE - Kings Highs School)

  • Date TBD - Cincinnati Shakespeare Company: Shakespeare in the Park – Cottell Park – Performance time: 7:00pm

  • Date TBD - Comet Bluegrass All-Stars – Cottell Park – Performance Time: 7:00pm

  • Date TBD - December Holiday Performance

  • Date & Location TBD - Kentucky Symphony Orchestra: Boogie Woogie Band

Disclaimer: All dates/times were current as of the original posting date. Please double check with the venue to make sure nothing has changed. Weather and unforseen circumstances may sometimes occur and an event may be cancelled or rescheduled.

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