Things to Do in May

SUN 01 Disney’s Frozen, the Broadway Musical FROZEN is an unforgettable, magical adventure, which Newsday calls “a serious megahit with amazing special effects, eye-popping costumes, and incredible performances.” It’s a theatrical experience like no other, so let yourself go. • Location: Aronoff Center, cincinnatiarts.org

Show and Tell on the Farm - Magnificent Moms Bring your magnificent moms, sisters, aunts, grandmas and friends to Show and Tell to explore motherhood on the farm through hands-on activities, craft and live animal demonstrations. • Location: Chrisholm MetroPark, Time: 2-3 pm,

MON 02 Toddler Storytime Encourage emerging language skills with books, rhymes, music and fun. Recommended for ages 18 months – 36 months. • Location: Oakley Branch Library, Time: 10-10:30 am, cincinnatilibrary.org FREE

TUES 03 Storytime: Preschool Enjoy books, songs, activities and more, while building early literacy skills. Recommended for ages 3 – 6. • Location: Symmes Township Branch Library, Time: 10:30- 11 am, cincinnatilibrary.org FREE

WED 04, 11, 18 AND 25 Turtle

Creek Valley Flyer Experience a historic 1 hour and 15 minute round trip train ride on the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad. You will travel through the countryside of Warren County in Southwestern Ohio. The Turtle Creek Valley Flyer is a delightfully unique educational experience that fits the schedules of schools, daycare’s, senior centers, scouts, and many more. • Location: Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, Time: see website for times, lebanonrr.com/tcvf THURS 05 Discovery: Full STEAM Ahead with Mister C Are you ready for some hair-raising science, toe-tapping music and mind-blowing media? Join Mister C for another fun day of learning in the lab! • Location: Victoria Theatre, Time: 9:30 or 11:30 am, daytonlive.org

Show and Tell on the Farm - ABC's of Farm Life Letters I & J Through hands-on activities we'll learn about items starting with the letters "I & J" on the farm. Try your hand at making ink and writing with a feather quill. Does a Jersey Cow make jam? Mooove on down to show and tell and find out through fun activities, craft and live animal demonstrations. • Location: Chrisholm MetroPark, Time: 10-11 am, yourmetroparks.net FREE

FRI 06 Passport to MetroParks Join them for an exciting family friendly evening full of music, food and fun activities! Go on an adventure through the park to learn about events and programs available through Five Rivers MetroParks and even experience some of them that night. • Location: RiverScape MetroPark, Time: 6-9 pm, metroparks.org

Story Time in the Garden Join them for their weekly story time that promises to engage your youngster(s) in the joys of nature and imaginative adventure! • Location: Highfield Discovery Garden, Time: 10- 10:30 am, greatparks.org

SAT 07 Whimsical Wildflower Trail Springtime is the perfect time to explore the enchantment of the forest. With a naturalist, families will take a hike and hunt for gnomes and fairy houses along a woodland trail. • Location: Avon Woods Nature Center, Time: 10- 11:30 am, cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks Art on the Playground Enjoy creative, hands-on art activities this spring at Art on the Playground, an award-winning, interactive art festival for kids of all ages. • Location: The Habitat Environmental Center, Time: 11 am- 3pm, playkettering.org FREE

Family Adventures in the Park Connect with your family and your community throughout Eden Park as Cincinnati’s most iconic arts and cultural organizations offer free outdoor art performances and activities inspired by the book, “No Cell Phone Day,” written by jazz trombonist, producer, educator and NEA Jazz Master, Delfeayo Marsalis – who will close out the celebration with a read aloud and concert at Seasongood Pavilion. • Location: Eden Park, Times: 11am - 5pm, lta30th.com/ FREE

CAM Kids Day: En Español Celebrate Hispanic cultures on this fun-filled day for the whole family. Join them in the morning from for story time with the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library, an art making activity with Happen Inc., and hands-on learning centers and more. • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum, Time: 10 am- Noon, cincinnatiartmuseum.org

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. • Location: Winton Woods, Time: 9:30- 10:15,

SAT 07 – SUN 08 Appalachian

Festival One of the springtime’s most popular family festivals held along the scenic Ohio River at historic Coney Island. The Appalachian Festival is a Mother's Day Weekend tradition that brings Appalachian culture to life. This three-day festival features traditional Appalachian music, handmade crafts,

SUN 08 Sensory Sundays @ Boonshoft Museum of Discovery The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery’s Sensory Sunday program offers extended hours for local families with a member who has a sensory disorder, such as being on the autism spectrum. During these special hours, the Museum will adjust lighting and sound, have trained volunteers and additional staff, and offer programs that appeal to families who could benefit from a less stimulating atmosphere. • Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Time: 10 am- Noon, boonshoftmuseum.org *SN

Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk & Craft After making her breakfast in bed, bring mom out to the park to look at lovely wildflowers along the trail on a short hike! Instead of picking these beauties however, they will provide flowers to make flower crowns after the hike. • Location: Sharon Woods, Time: 1 pm, greatparks.

Mother’s Day at the Cincinnati Zoo Moms can enjoy FREE admission on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8 at the Cincinnati Zoo. In addition, the first 2,500 moms will receive a free magnet, courtesy of General Electric Credit Union. • Location: Cincinnati Zoo,

Cincinnati Reds VS Pittsburg Pirates Every Sunday Reds home game is a Family Sunday presented by Klosterman Bakery! Families can save by purchasing up to three half-price tickets with the purchase of a full-price ticket in select areas of the ballpark. Plus, enjoy giveaways for kids, carnival games, familyfriendly activities and more. • Location: Great American Ballpark, Time: 1:40pm, mlb.com/reds/tickets/specials/

MON 09 Pop Up Program: Dance Party This program is for kids who love to move and dance around! Dance to different songs, practice following directions, learn rhythm, and even develop our fine and gross motor skills. This program is not only fun, but it will help your child to develop early literacy skills! • Location: West Carrollton Branch Library, Time 10:30- 11 am, daytonmetrolibrary.org FREE

Outdoor Storytime: Preschool Enjoy books, songs, activities and more, while building early literacy skills. Recommended for ages 3 – 6. • Location: Nisbet Park, Time: 10:30- 11 am, cincinnatilibrary.org

WED 11 Garden Adventures: Frogs and Toads Join them in Highfield Discovery Garden and learn all about their hoppy friends. Explore the pond life, meet a real life toad, and make a frog craft. This program is recommended for ages 2-5. • Location: Highfield Discovery Garden, Time: 10- 11:15 am,

Family Storytime Join them for family storytime fun! All ages are welcome as you enjoy reading stories, doing fingerplays and rhymes, and singing songs together! • Location: Southeast Branch Library, Time: 11-11:30 am, daytonmetrolibrary.org FREE

THURS 12 Babbling Brook Come explore the creek and find creatures like crawdads, salamanders, and rainbow darters! You will also be discussing how precious our water is, and what preschoolers can do to protect water. Kids and parents should wear clothes that can get wet and muddy. Toe-covered shoes required. • Location: Sugarcreek MetroPark, Time: 10-11:30 am, metroparks.org FREE

THURS 12 – SUN 22 Bold Moves

Festival The immersive dance experience will feature six rotating mainstage productions accompanied by a variety of activities and interactive events that will please discerning balletomanes and families alike. • Location: Aronoff Center, Time: see website for times,

FRI 13 Little Explorers Each Little Explorers session will introduce toddlers to nature while learning about letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and so much more! This program is meant to help strengthen and build the skills that your preschooler is learning at home and preschool while building a love of the outdoors. Don’t miss out on the fun! An adult companion must attend. • Location: Park District Headquarters, Time: 10:30- 11:30 am, bellbrooksugarcreekparks.org

FRI 13 – SUN 15 Monster Truckz Extreme Tour The Most Insane Show on Earth! This adrenaline filled show features the most massive Monster Truckz destroying cars, flying over mind boggling jump pushing drivers and trucks to the brink of destruction. The Nitro Motocross Team will amaze and astonish as the soar 80 feet above your head doing things that shouldn’t be possible. For the first time on planet earth see a man fired from a Monster Truck Cannon! • Location: Montgomery County Fairgrounds,

MAY 13-15

MONSTER TRUCKZ EXTREME TOUR AT MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS SAT 14 Little DaVincis Explore a new STEM concept each month through fun activities, experiments, and art. • Location: Miami Township Branch Library, Time: 11 am- 4 pm, daytonmetrolibrary.org

Fairborn Annual Fishing Derby This free fishing derby is held at the Community Park pond and is open to all ages! This is a catch and release derby and no fishing license is required. • Location: Fairborn Community Park, Time: 8 am- 1 pm FREE

Art in Bloom Children's Bouquet Making Continue to celebrate the caregivers in your life, join them to create a special bouquet of fresh florals in honor of Mother’s Day. • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum, Time: 11 am- 3 pm, cincinnatiartmuseum.org

SUN 15 DPYO Spring Concert Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra brings together the greater Dayton area’s most gifted young orchestral musicians, providing the opportunity to study and perform a broad range of orchestral repertoire. • Location: Schuster Center, Time: 3 pm, daytonlive.org

Spot-A-Truck Liberty Township, Liberty Center and the MidPointe Library System are teaming up again to bring another Spot-A-Truck experience to the community. Join us in the parking lot next to the Taylor Garage at Liberty Center for an exclusive look at some of your favorite trucks and vehicles. Enjoy complimentary face painting, balloon animals and bumper cars! *Vehicle count may vary. • Location: Midpointe Library Liberty, Time: 10 am -Noon, midpointelibrary.org/

MON 16 Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Grab a scavenger hunt sheet, go in the front yard, and match the food with the animals to win a prize. • Location: Northside Branch Library, Time: 10 am- 5 pm,

Grasshoppers – Bird Sleuths The birds of James Ranch Park are keeping a secret. Can you use your observation and detective skills to find all of the birds and learn what information they are hiding? When you put it all together, it will reveal a surprise! • Location: James Ranch Park, Time: 6-8 pm, gcparkstrails.com FREE

TUES 17 – WED 18

Dance Theatre of Harlem The multi-ethnic company performs forward-thinking repertoire of treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, and innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate Black culture. • Location: Aronoff Center, Time: see website for times, cincinnatiarts.org

WED 18 Pop Up

Program: Preschool Storytime with Friends Join them on the Children's Terrace for a storytime filled with rhymes, songs, and fun books! Every now and then they will have a community friend or helper join to help read a book or talk to you about what they do. • Location: Dayton Metro Main Library, Time: 10-11 am,

THURS 19 Wiggle

Worms – Alphabet Soup Did you know that you can find almost all of the letters of the alphabet by simply looking at the world around you? B… birds! C…cedar tree! S….Sun! What other letters can you find? Help them create a big pot of alphabet soup by searching for items in the park to complete our recipe. • Location: James Ranch Park, Time: 10 am- Noon,

FRI 20 – SUN 22

Storybook Weekend: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Fall down the rabbit hole and join them in Wonderland! Meet the White Rabbit, play crochet, have a tea party, paint the roses red and so much more. • Location: Highfield Discovery Garden, Time: Fri-Sat 9:45 am- 5 pm, Sun 12:15- 5 pm,

Spring Fest in The Burg Spring Fest in the Burg is a familyfriendly community festival. They are featuring over 100 curated artisans, three days of live local music, delicious food, Fun time Carnival, Free kids’ activities and a chalk show. • Location: Riverfront Park, Time: Friday 5-10 pm, Sat. 10 am- 10pm, Sun. Noon- 6pm,

SAT 21 Super Science Saturday @ The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery The Boonshoft Museum is committed to providing the greater Dayton community with science-focused programming and fun for the entire family. These special learning days include access to our Special Exhibitions, Space Theater Shows (limited seating available), and public programming. • Location: The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Time: 10 am -4 pm, boonshoftmuseum.org FREE

12th Annual Kids to Park Day Join them for Kids to Park Day as you select and make your very own walking sticks to use and enjoy on the trails. Kids will select a stick and decorate to make it their own. After everyone has completed their sticks, you will try them out on a hike in the preserve. • Location: Caldwell Nature Preserve, Time: 10 am- Noon, cincinnati-

Trail "Scavenger" Hunt Join them for Kids to Parks Day to meet our special guest scavenger, the vulture. Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet for a challenge of your very own along the trail. • Location: Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, Time: 11 am- 2 pm, greatparks.

SUN 22 Bernstein’s Candide Part opera and part musical theater, Candide is Leonard Bernstein’s take on Voltaire’s satirical Enlightenment-era novella of the same name- rebellious, heartfelt and thoroughly entertaining. Austrian conductor Katharina Wincor makes her May Festival debut • Location: Music Hall, Time: 2-4:30 pm, mayfestival.com/

MON 23 Jump, Wiggle & Shout This program is all about silly wiggles, goofy babbles, having fun and making friends. Your little one will have a blast movin’ and groovin’ to music while developing coordination, balance, listening skills, and gross motor skills. • Location: Park District Headquarters, Time: 10:30- 11:30 am,

TUES 24 Candy Carnival Come celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of the summer at their Candy Carnival! There will be stations with candy crafts, candy science, and candy games, including life-size Candyland. Visit all of the stations throughout the library and receive a special prize! • Location: West Carrollton Branch Library, Time: 6-8 pm,

WED 25 Pop Up Family Storytime Pop Up Program: Crafts, music, stories, STEM experiments - you never know what will POP UP outside your Library, weather-permitting (and following all health and safety guidelines). Feel free to bring lawn chairs and or a blanket. • Location: Northmont Branch Library, Time: 10:30-11 am, daytonmetro

THURS 26 – SAT 28 Roald

Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl’s amazing tale is now Dayton’s golden ticket! It’s the perfect recipe for a delectable treat: songs from the original film. Willy Wonka is opening his marvelous and mysterious chocolate factory… to a lucky few. That includes Charlie Bucket, whose bland life is about to burst with color and confection beyond his wildest dreams. • Location: Schuster Center, Time: see website for times, daytonlive.org

THURS 26 – MON 30 Memorial

Day Weekend at Youngs Dairy Celebrate Memorial Day at Young's Dairy! You show up, they’ll supply the fun! Don't miss the carnival rides and sweet treats. • Location: Young’s Dairy, Time; 10 am,

FRI 27 – SUN 29 Feast of the

Flowering Moon Festival Live entertainment, Memorial Day Parade, Carnival rides, Kayaking or canoeing on the lake and much more! • Location: Yoctangee Park, Time: 10 am,

SAT 28 Sensory Saturday @ Cincinnati Art Museum Join them for a socially distanced version of the Cincinnati Art Museum program for families with children who have developmental disabilities. Sensory Saturday will continue to begin before public hours, so families can enjoy a less crowded environment if they wish to do so. • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum, Time: 9:30-11:30 am,

Family Hot Dog Roast: Help the Birds! Kick off summer by celebrating “nature’s hot dogs,” the caterpillars. Roast real hot dogs while unearthing the relationship between baby birds and "nature’s hot dogs,” and why caterpillars are the pickiest eaters of all. • Location: Rowe Woods, Time: 1-2:30 pm, cincynature.org Cincinnati Started in 1979, Taste of Cincinnati is a Cincinnati culinary tradtition that features more than 65 restaurants, food trucks and Findlay Market vendors. • Location: Fifth Street, Downtown Cincinnati, Times: Vary daily, tasteofcincinnati.com/

SUN 29 Dayton Heritage Festival at Carillon Park An old-fashioned patriotic celebration to remember. Explore exhibits and buildings and celebrate Dayton’s unparalleled history through special activities, costumed interpreters, and more. Draped in patriotic decorations, the Park welcomes thousands of guests each year to this family-friendly event! • Location: Carillon Park, Time: Noon- 8:30 pm,

Raptor Inc. Monthly Open House Take a peek behind the scenes! Educators will be available to welcome guests, lead tours, and conduct educational programs with their LIVE avian ambassadors. Stop in to meet and learn about their amazing local birds of prey and to support raptor conservation! • Location: Raptor Inc., Time: 1-4 pm, raptorinc.org/open-houses FREE *ONGOING

Cincinnati Reds VS San Francisco Giants Every Sunday Reds home game is a Family Sunday presented by Klosterman Bakery! Families can save by purchasing up to three half-price tickets with the purchase of a full-price ticket in select areas of the ballpark. Plus, enjoy giveaways for kids, carnival games, family-friendly activities and more. • Location: Great American Ballpark, Time: 1:40pm, mlb.com/reds/

TUES 31 Pop Up Program: Baby & Toddler Storytime Parents and caregivers, bring your little ones to the library for stories, songs, nursery rhymes and fingerplays. For children up to 36 months. • Location: West Carrollton Branch Library, Time: 10:30-11:30 am, daytonmetrolibrary.org FREE

Zoo Babies 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, Time: 10am-5pm

Spring Celebration Through May 28. Celebrate spring with EnterTRAINment Junction. Purchase a Do-It-All ticket to visit the world’s largest train exhibit and their famous A-Maze-N FunHouse PLUS get another ticket to visit them again for more fun on another day. • Location: EnterTRAINment Junction,

The Music Man Through May 21. Often described as a “perfect musical,” The Music Man has endured for generations as one of the most popular and unique pieces of theatre in American history. The Music Man is family entertainment at its best. The Tony Award-winning musical comedy has been entertaining audiences since 1957 and is a family-friendly story to be shared with old and young alike. • Location: La Comedia Dinner Theatre, lacomedia.com/event/musicman

Butterfly Show: Butterflies Along the Nile Through June 19. Flutter with their beautiful butterflies and soar back in time in to the Ancient Egyptian Garden! Immerse yourself in the floral exhibit specifically designed to show just how lush and inviting the gardens of ancient Egypt could be. Inspiration was taken from actual paintings found in temples and tombs. • Location: Krohn Conservatory,

The Science Behind Pixar Extended through Summer! The interactive exhibition showcases the boundless limits of STEM, imagination and curiosity, thrilling you as you come face-to-face with popular characters, including Buzz Lightyear, Dory, Mike and Sulley, Edna Mode and WALL•E. • Location: Cincinnati Museum Center,

Escape the Village Monthly until September 17. Escape the Village is an escape room style challenge! Choose from one of their two escape room adventures “Morgan’s Raiders of the Lost Art” or “Leaving the Station.” • Location: Heritage Village Museum, heritagevillagecincinnati.org/events/

Mean Girls Through June 5. Direct from Broadway, MEAN GIRLS is the hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. • Location: Schuster Center,

Nature Encounters Saturdays Weekly. Nature lovers of all ages are invited to join the Cincinnati Park staff and volunteers at the Trailside Nature Center in Burnet Woods to learn about the natural world around us. Each week is a different themed topic with activities, scavenger hunts, crafts and more. Live animals make special appearances during some of the weeks. • Location: Burnet Woods, cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks

PLEASE NOTE WE WORK HARD TO ENSURE OUR CALENDAR AND GUIDE INFORMATION IS ACCURATE. OCCASIONALLY, EVENT SPECIFICS CHANGE AFTER WE GO TO PRESS. THEREFORE, WE ENCOURAGE OUR READERS TO CALL LOCATIONS OR VISIT THEM ON THE WEB TO VERIFY INFORMATION.