It’s July, folks. Which means the dog days of summer are here! We’ve rounded up 25 free things to do in Cincy in July. Totally free, totally family friendly — totally fun! Because, nothing’s cooler than free, right?
Great Parks Day at Miami Whitewater Forest
July 2, all day
Come out and play in your Great Park! Experience all Miami Whitewater Forest has to offer with free park entry, admissions, golf, boat and bike rentals, concerts, nature and fitness programs and more!
Curiosity Saturdays at Washington Park
July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Presented by the Cincinnati Art Museum, Curiosity Saturdays offer a wide-range of free, engaging, kid-friendly activities that the whole family is sure to love!
Firecracker Festival
July 3, 3-11 p.m. at Home of the Brave Park
Celebrate Your Independence at the Firecracker Festival at Home of the Brave Park! The Firecracker Festival gets underway at 3 p.m. and will feature a variety of food booths, beverage booths, live music and a family friendly area for kids!
Free Movies for Kids
Mondays and Wednesdays in July, 10:30 a.m. at the Esquire, Kenwood, Mariemont and Eastgate Brew n’ View Theatres
Free Movies for Kids (free for parents & guardians too!) will take place at the Kenwood, Esquire, Mariemont and Eastgate Brew & View theatres on Monday and Wednesday morning through August 10.
Related Post: 2016 Guide to Free Summer Movies in Cincinnati.
One Day Mini Brain Camp: There is an A in Steam
July 5, 1-3 p.m. at the Anderson Branch Library
Start thinking like a scientist and learn about Tesselations, String Art, and Mazes by doing experiments and making art projects. For ages 6-11.
Smale Family Fun
July 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Smale Riverfront Park
Smale Kids` Day featuring interactive dance with Pones Inc, A Magic Show by the Cincinnati Circus, and Puppetry by Wump Mucket Puppets. Free face painting, balloon art, lawn games, and so much more!
Thrilling Thursday: Archaeology of Cincinnati
July 7, 10:30-11 a.m. at the Main Library
Join John Picklesimer from Gray & Pape in Cincinnati to learn about all the history that is around us! For ages 6-12.
Oakley After Hours!
July 8, 6-8 p.m. at Blue Manatee
Join us for a special story time during our Oakley After Hours event. The store will be open from 6-8 p.m., and Story Time will be from 7-7:30 p.m.. See you at the LePage Stage!
Ghostbusters Viewing Party
July 9, 2-4 p.m. at the Clifton Branch Library
Watch the original movie on the big screen at the library! Enjoy themed snacks and get your photo taken with Slimer.
Kids Brain Camp – Photography
July 11, 2-4 p.m. at the Main Library
Come to the MakerSpace and be a part of our photography workshop! Each participant will be able to take photos and get an introduction into Photoshop and basic photo editing. Prints of your photos will be provided after the camp!
Madcap Puppets: Aeosop’s Classic Tales
July 12, 2-3 p.m. at the Anderson Branch Library
Catch a free Madcap puppet show. For ages 5 and up.
Zak Morgan
July 13, 2-3 p.m. at the Green Township Branch Library
Enjoy music by Grammy nominated children’s performer Zak Morgan!
Arts at the Library – Cincinnati Art Museum
July 13, 10:30-11 a.m. at the Main Library
Join us for a hands-on program presented by the Cincinnati Art Museum. For ages 6-12.
Celebrate National Summer Learning Day
July 15, all day, at select Cincinnati Public Library branches
National Summer Learning Day is a national advocacy day created to spread awareness about the importance of summer learning for our nation’s youth in helping close the achievement gap and support healthy development in communities all across the country. The Library is hosting a number of events at the Main Library and select branch locations.
French Story Time
July 15, 11-11:30 a.m. at Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore
Bonjour! Learn simple French vocabulary through stories and song.
Splish Splash Bash
July 16, 2-4 p.m. at Winton Woods
Wear clothes that can get wet, because you are in for a messy good time as we play all sorts of water games. Explore the world of water as nature’s essential ingredient. All ages will want to drop by and get in on the act, with hands-on fun and learning for all.
Butterfly Sundae!
July 16, 1-4 p.m. at Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve
It’s a midsummer celebration of butterflies! Kids can complete a butterfly craft or scavenger hunt. This summer outdoor festival will also feature tastes of a teeny, tiny, old-fashioned ice cream sundae, lemonade, iced tea and grilled corn, plus 10% off all butterfly merchandise at Nature’s Niche gift shop.
Yoga for Kids
July 18, 2-3 p.m. at the Hyde Park Branch Library
Kids will learn yoga fundamentals in this free class taught by Vivienne Konz.
Macy’s Kids, Cultures, Critters and Crafts Festival
July 20, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Attend this special event and support Learning Through Art Childhood Literacy Programs via Read to Me! Admission to the Zoo is just $1! (Technically, this event is not free — but $1 admission to the Zoo is pretty fantastic!)
Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo
July 22, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Winton Woods
The Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo, presented by Great Parks of Hamilton County and Green Umbrella, is the largest free outdoor water safety and environmental education event for children in the Midwest! It is a unique opportunity to encourage kids’ interest in the great outdoors and recreational activities. Come out and spend the day discovering the outdoors with more than 60 exhibitors and interactive activities.
Honey Hill Farm Petting Zoo
July 23, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Williamsburg Branch Library
Honey Hill Farm is bringing a menagerie to the Clermont County branch libraries this spring and summer. See cute farm animals that love to be fed and petted as well as more exotic creatures.
Kids’ Mystery Fish Challenge
July 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Winton Woods/Boathouse
Catch the mystery fish! Prizes are awarded in three age groups to each kid who weighs in a fish closest to the mystery weight. Every kid who catches a fish will receive a trophy. Any species can be weighed, and live bait is permitted. Free event for children ages 15 and under, accompanied by an adult.
Ice Cream Social
July 27, 2-3 p.m. at the Oakley Branch Library
Come one, come all to our third annual Ice Cream Social! Stop by anytime between 2-3 p.m. and enjoy a delicious frozen treat.
Shakespeare in the Park
July 29-Sept. 1 at various locations
Enjoy Shakespeare – for free! – at various locations throughout the tri-state. Check website for a full schedule.
Harry Potter MuggleFest and Release Party
July 30, 10:30 p.m. – midnight at Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore
Come dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character… or create your own fantastical, wizardry outfit. We will have games, activities, treats and more!
Dog days, schmog days. We’ll be cool-as-cucumbers all month long having free fun in Cincy!
