It’s March. The month between winter and spring (in like a lion, out like a lamb!). But this transitional month is underrated — you’ve got March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break! Plus Cincinnati traditions like the start of the Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory and Reds Opening Day. (And Easter is April 1st, so March is full of Easter Egg Hunts, too).Â
Here are 26Â Free Things to do this March in Cincinnati:
Floam Fun
March 1 from 4-5 pm at Mt. Washington Branch Library
It’s not slime. It’s not foam…It’s floam! Make your own floam to keep, and then get creative sculpting your own masterpieces. Bring your imagination and be ready to get your hands messy. Grades K-6. Registration required.
Out of this World
March 2 from 7-9 pm at Sharon Woods/Sharon Centre
Drop in to enjoy the park after dark and celebrate all things space! Walk along a scale model of the solar system, launch water-powered rockets, explore the constellations in a pop-up planetarium and more! Some activities available for a small fee.
2018 Scale Model Expo
March 3-4 from 12-4 pm at Entertrainment Junction
Come and see all.the.trains! Expo features 1/6 scale figures and dioramas; live steam locomotives; models of boats, planes, military vehicles and more.
Birds of Prey
March 4 from 1-3 pm at Miami Whitewater Forest/Visitor Center
Explore the high-flying world of raptors during this live animal program. Cameras welcome!
Maple Sugaring Season
March 5 from 4-5 pm at the Oakley Branch Library
Join a naturalist from Great Parks of Hamilton County as we learn about maple sugaring! Ages 5-12. No registration required.
Nature Stories
March 6 at 11 am and 1 pm at Sharon Woods/Sharon Centre
Parents and children are invited to join us for stories, songs and activities about the natural world.
Little Tykes
March 7 from 11 am-12 pm at Winton Woods/Winton Centre
Shake off the cold of winter and reach for the warmth of springtime. Join us as we start a new season for Little Tykes and welcome the change of seasons. For ages 3–6.
manaBabies at Blue Manatee
March 8 at 10:30 am (ongoing on Thursdays)
A fun introduction to language for your smallest ManaBabies! Miss Alicia will be doing finger plays, rhymes, songs and bouncy times with our youngest customers! Just for babies under 1.
Half-Price Days at the Cincinnati Zoo
March 9 from 10 am-5 pm
It’s the FINAL DAY to take advantage of half-price admission at the Cincinnati Zoo! Enjoy an almost-spring day at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Repair Fair Cincy
March 10 from 9 am – 12 pm at Pleasant Ridge Recreation Center
Join us at Repair Fair Cincy, an all-ages, do-it-together community event. Bring your broken household items and learn how to repair them instead of sending them to the landfill.
Second Sunday Family Showtime: Bee Happy
March 11 at 2 pm at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center
Terrence Burke is known for a performance that is high energy, fun and appropriate for ages 3 – 10 and parents too! This lively performance features two new puppet skits featuring puppet stars Coleman the Sasquatch, Unka Unka, and Space Princess G’Wizzl visiting The Queen Bee, to learn how bees help us, and how we can help them. Bee Happy includes audience participation, a short dance break, and lots of puppet fun through the magic of live puppetry! Tickets are FREE for kids and $5 for adults.
Hands-On Chemistry with Miami University
March 12 from 4-5 pm at the Pleasant Ridge Branch Library
Learn about polymer chemistry with hands on experiments, led by Miami University’s Chemical Society. No registration required.
Harry Potter Cookies
March 13 from 4-5 pm at the Wyoming Branch Library
Decorate Harry Potter inspired cookies with Cincinnati Cake & Candy Supplies. For kids in grades 6-12. Registration required.
ManaTots Story Time
March 14 at 10 am (ongoing on Wednesdays)
A story time for the younger set, with stories, songs, and silliness with Miss Sarah! Best for ages 4 and under.
Between the Miamis: Great Art for Great Parks
March 16-30 at Art Design Consultants, 310 Culvert St. 5th Floor, 45202
This one-time art event is an expertly curated exhibition of nationally-recognized nature artists, including Cincinnati’s own John Ruthven. FREE.
Leprechaun Homes
March 17 from 1-3 pm at Sharon Woods/Sharon Centre
Stop in Sharon Centre for directions to a secret site, and then join us to build homes for fairies, gnomes and leprechauns using natural materials.
Cincinnati Parent’s 2nd Annual Summer Camp Fair
March 17 from 1-4 pm at KidsFirst Sports Center
Cincinnati Parent annual Camp Fair is the one day every year when families from all over the tri-state area have the opportunity to explore overnight camps, day camps and summer programs all in one afternoon! It’s the perfect time to plan a summer of fun – all in one day!
Third Sunday Funday: Spring in Bloom
March 18 from 1-4 pm at the Taft Museum
Have a blooming good time at this funday! Get ready for the first day of spring at the Taft. Learn about the tools a painter uses at the Art Cart, and create your own springtime craft to take home. Wump Mucket Puppets will perform at 2 pm and have you laughing and looking forward to the return of flowers and bees. At 3 pm, meet animals from Sunrock Farm.
YMCA Underwater Easter Egg Hunt(s)
March 18 from 12-2 pm at select YMCA locations (see below)
Head to your local Y for the annual underwater egg hunt on Sun., March 18, from 12-2 pm. Participating locations include: Blue Ash YMCA, M.E. Lyons, Clermont Family, Campbell County, R. C. Durr, Gimble-Nippert, Powel Crosely, Jr., Clippard Family, Richard E. Lindner and Carl H. Lindner.
ManaTotZzz
March 20 from 10:30-11 am at Oakley Sleepy Bee
Join Miss Sarah at the Oakley Sleepy Bee for blue manatee tradition of great books, easy laughs, and sweet songs! Most appropriate for ages under 4.
Animal Tales
March 22 at 11 am at Woodland Mound/Seasongood Nature Center
Nature has many stories to tell. Families are invited to join us for a nature-themed story.
The Amazing Race
March 24 from 12-3 pm at Miami Whitewater Forest/Visitor Center
Do you love deciphering clues and solving challenges? Come see if you have what it takes to complete this around-the-park family adventure.
Washington Park Egg Hunt
March 24 from 10 am-4 pm
Over-the-Rhine’s biggest egg hunt returns to Washington Park Saturday, March 24th! This event boasts over 10,000 eggs, appearances by the Easter Bunny and is FREE and open to the public.
RAPTOR Inc. Open House
March 25 from 1-4 pm at RAPTOR Inc.
RAPTOR Inc. opens its doors to the public on the last Sunday of each month (March-November) from 1-4 pm. During these times our educators will be available to welcome guests, lead tours, conduct educational programs with our avian ambassadors, share biological artifacts, and answer questions. Participate in special activity stations, shop for merchandise, and enjoy some treats! The Open Houses are FUN and FREE!
Opening Day Celebration on Fountain Square
March 29 from 10 am-8 pm
Join us on the Square for an Opening Day celebration! More details to come. (2018 Opening Day Parade and Washington Park festivities will take place on April 2 — and are also FREE!)
Night Owls
March 30 from 1-2 pm at Woodland Mound
When darkness falls in our woodlands, a cacophony of rustlings, hoots and howls can be heard coming from the trees. Meet a nocturnal animal to help discover the outdoor world that exists after our bedtime.
