Don’t struggle with the hottest trends in toys or tech: Give the gift of local fun this holiday season! With the help of our trusted advertisers, we’ve compiled a guide to great gift ideas for local classes and experiences around Cincinnati and Dayton that are sure to make them smile.
Cincinnati School of Music
Cincinnati School of Music provides lessons to children and adults, with locations in Mason, Montgomery, Anderson, Maineville, and Middletown. We teach piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, violin, viola, cello, drums, brass, and woodwinds! Our students enjoy engaging and informative instruction, quarterly recitals, and professional office staff, for an organized stress-free experience!
Phone: (513) 560-9175
Address: Locations in Mason, Maineville, Montgomery, Middletown, and Anderson
Come Swim with Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Today!
In our year-round, indoor facilities, we focus on teaching water safety as well as swimming skills. Our goal is to help children of all abilities, ages 4 months and up, learn to swim safely while developing a life-long love of swimming.
Springboro: (937) 886-4321 | 716 N. Main St., Springboro
Beavercreek: (937) 200-1120 | 2451 Lakeview Dr., Ste. 106, Beavercreek
Music Together of South Dayton
Class Gift Certificates are now available for the holiday season! Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or other important grownup, giving a musical experience to the young children in your life is the gift that lasts a lifetime. Special Holiday Offer – 15% off Gift Certificate orders when you mention SW Parent! We’re on a mission to make the world a better place by making it more musical™. Bring the gift of music to your little ones in the new year!
Phone: (614) 499-4133
Various Locations: Beavercreek, Centerville, and Oakwood
Give the Gift of Swim Lessons from Goldfish Swim School!
Give the gift that makes a splash! With Goldfish Swim School’s Holiday Packages, you can give something truly priceless: confidence, fun, and water safety skills that last a lifetime. Make a *BIG* Splash with the kids in your life by letting them unwrap something truly fin-tastic this year! The new member Holiday Package includes: 8 weeks of swim lessons for the price of 6!! (2 free lessons!), Annual Membership Fee, Free Goggles, Free Towel & Snack Shack Punch Pass. Group Lesson Price: $233; Group Lesson Value: $344
Anderson: (513) 813-5534 | 8253 Beechmont Ave.
Kenwood: (513) 715-5043 | 8261 Pine Rd.
West Chester: (513) 449-2751 | 7058 Ridgetop Dr.
USA Ninja Challenge Cincinnati
Our 6,800 square foot facility is located on Red Bank Rd in Cincinnati. We incorporate ninja obstacles including rings, balance beams, cargo nets, ropes, a traverse rock wall, devil steps, horizontal peg board, warped wall, and more! Each obstacle also includes conditioning and flexibility stations. The desired result of this program is to improve children’s strength, flexibility, and athleticism while building self esteem and promoting a supportive, clean, and safe environment!
Phone: (513) 739-5528
Address: 4727 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Give your girl independence, adventure, and the best summer memories at camp! Girl Scouts of Western Ohio has 7 weeks of day and overnight camps with themes to match her interests. Overnight camp registration opens January 28 at 6 a.m. Make it a whole year of adventure with a $45 annual membership!
Phone: (888) 350-5090
Address: 4930 Cornell Rd., Cincinnati
Pogo Pass
Give a year of unforgettable family fun with Pogo Pass Cincinnati! One pass unlocks free admission to top attractions—bowling, zoo visits, museums, sports, and more—all for one affordable price. The perfect gift of experiences that last all year long! Use code SWOH to save!
Cincinnati Museum Center
A Membership is more than free admission to three museums. It’s more than free parking. It’s more than the deepest discounts on special exhibitions. It’s an experience shared together. Located in historic Union Terminal, Cincinnati Museum Center is an award-winning multi-museum complex featuring the Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, The Children’s Museum and OMNIMAX Theater.
Phone: (513) 287-7000
Address: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Cincinnati Zoo memberships are on sale through December 31st and make great gifts for everyone on your list! Zoo membership includes unlimited admission, free parking, early entry, free admission to the PNC Festival of Lights and much more! The Cincinnati Zoo has been rated the Best Zoo in the Country by USAToday! A membership is worth your WILD!
Phone: (513) 281-4700
Address: 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati
A Gift That Moves, Inspires & Connects
This holiday season, skip the stuff and give the gift of unforgettable experiences at the YMCA of Greater Dayton. A Y gift certificate opens the door to swim lessons, youth sports, family memberships, personal training, summer camps, and so much more. It’s the perfect way to help kids build confidence, families connect, and loved ones discover healthier ways to thrive. Give a gift that lasts far beyond the holidays—give the gift of belonging, fun, and lifelong skills at the Y.
Phone: (937) 223-5201
13 Dayton Area Locations
LM&M Railroad
The Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad (LM&M Railroad) offers historic train rides in Warren County Ohio departing from downtown Lebanon. Passengers ride in vintage passenger cars behind a historic diesel locomotive. The LM&M Railroad offers the only family friendly train ride experience in Southwest Ohio. Themed events are held year-round for passengers of all ages. Use code OHP25 for 20% OFF your North Pole Express tickets this holiday season!
Phone: (513) 933-8022
Address: 16 E South St., Lebanon
Reindeer Ridge
Load up the family this holiday season and head to Reindeer Ridge. During your visit, you can meet and learn all about Reindeer, visit with Santa,ride the Christmas train and find many festive treasures in the holiday barn. Reservations are required so book your visit today.
Phone: (513) 379-4510
Address: 7621 North Dearborn Rd, Guilford, IN
Holiday Pops with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
December 12-14 at Music Hall! It’s the most wonderful time of the year with JMR, the Pops and Cincinnati’s beloved Holiday tradition! Music Hall will be decked-out in the razzle-dazzle of the season as choruses, vocalists, dancers, handbell ringers and Queen City favorite Capathia Jenkins bring festive favorites and holiday classics to life.
Phone: (513) 381-3300
Address: Music Hall | 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati
Cincinnati Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
No holiday is complete without a trip to the Land of Sweets for The Nutcracker presented by Sheakley Family at Music Hall, December 18 – 28, 2025. When a curious young girl named Clara receives a magical Nutcracker for Christmas, her dreams come to life. Joined by her Nutcracker Prince, Clara meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and a cast of colorful characters. With Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed live by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Tickets start at $39.
Phone: (513) 621-5282
Address: 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati
ELF The Musical JR. Live on Stage at The Emery Theater
Buddy the Elf is back! During the holiday season, TCT is bringing back one of the company’s most popular productions in its 105-year history with a show that is sweeter than maple syrup— the JR. (one-hour) version of Elf The Musical! Join Buddy the Elf on his hilarious journey from the North Pole to New York City in this heartwarming and hilarious holiday favorite. See the magic live on stage at the newly imagined Emery Theater!
Phone: (513) 569-8080
Address: The Taft Theatre | 317 E. 5th St., Cincinnati
