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.
Activities, Classes & Enrichment
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.
Beavercreek: (937) 200-1120 aqua-tots.com/beavercreek
2451 Lakeview Dr., Ste. 106, Beavercreek, OH 45431
Springboro: (937) 886-4321 aqua-tots.com/springboro
716 N. Main St., Springboro, OH 45066
COSI Connect Kits
At COSI, we believe science is everywhere and for everyone. That’s why we’ve created COSI Connect Kits – kid’s STEM science boxes with themed activities and science experiments for kids delivered right to your front door. Go birdwatching and note your observations with the Nature Box, or learn why certain objects float and others sink with the Water Box. Order for the holidays and buy your kits at COSI, or online at COSI.org.
Phone: (614) 228-COSI
Address: 333 West Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Give the Gift of Fun at EnterTRAINment Junction!
Looking for a unique gift for someone this Christmas? Give a gift certificate to EnterTRAINment Junction! Perfect for all ages, an EnterTRAINment gift certificate can be used to explore the World’s Largest Indoor Train Display, laugh your way thru the hilarious A-Maze-N FunHouse. Of course, kids will love the indoor play area and everyone can use it to shop for something fun in our hobby & toy store.
Phone: (513) 898-8000
Address: 7379 Squire Ct, West Chester Township, OH 45069
Kids First Sports Center
Gift cards and packages are available! Gymnastics and swim packages include one month’s tuition and select accessories. Gift cards are valid for any program within our facility. Spanning 108,000sf, Kids First Sports Center offers over two dozen programs, making it a premier children’s sports facility. Kids First… WHERE KIDS LOVE TO LEARN!
Phone: (513) 489-7575
Address: 7900 E. Kemper Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249
Music Together of South Dayton
“Fun. Fabulous. Uplifting. Magical.” Just a few ways parents describe Music Together, an early childhood music program for children ages 0-8 (and the grownups who love them®). Class Gift Certificates are now available! Certificates can be given by any grownups who want to give a unique, memorable gift to the special children in their life. Special Holiday Offer – 15% off Gift Certificate orders, or 20% off Certificate orders with any donation to our Family Scholarship Fund! (through December 15)
Phone: (614) 499-4133
Address: Locations in Beavercreek, Centerville, and Oakwood
Unwrap the Gift of Water Safety with Goldfish Swim School!
This holiday season, give the kids in your life the gift of swimming at Goldfish Swim School! They’ll be unwrapping more than just the usual presents. They’ll be unwrapping memories and fun, in a safe and clean environment. Most importantly, they’ll be unwrapping the gift of water safety – the gift that can save their lives! Goldfish Swim School has locations in West Chester, Anderson and Kenwood (Now Open!).
Anderson: (513) 813-5534 | 8253 Beechmont Ave.
Kenwood: (513) 715-5043 | 8261 Pine Rd.
West Chester: (513) 449-2751 | 7058 Ridgetop Dr.
Attractions
Ark Encounter
Bigger than imagination – visit the life-size Noah’s Ark – Enjoy Ararat Ridge Zoo, presentations in Answers Center, zip lines, virtual reality experiences and more. South of Cincinnati, off I-75.
Phone: (855) 284-3275
Address: 1 Ark Encounter Dr., Williamstown, KY 41097
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.
Phone: (513) 933-8022
Address: 16 E South St., Lebanon, OH 45036
Wonderland Playground
Wonderland Playground was built for fun! Our space was designed for ages 1-8 with several different play areas. In addition to play areas, Wonderland has a nursing room, a cafe with snacks and beverages and free wi-fi. Purchase play passes for gifting online at: shop.wonderlandplayground.com.
Phone: (513) 440-6770
Address: 8255 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45255
Memberships
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is a Natural History Museum, Science Center, AZA Accredited Zoo, Planetarium, and Children’s Museum that provides interactive learning experiences that enrich the lives of children and adults, enhances the quality of life in our community, and promotes a broad understanding of the world.
Phone: (937) 275-7431
Address: 2600 Deweese Pkwy., Dayton, OH 45414
Cincinnati Museum Center
A Membership is more than free admission to three museums. It’s more than free parking. And 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 Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45203
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, OH 45220
Contemporary Arts Center
Give the gift of creativity with a family membership to the Contemporary Arts Center. Members enjoy free programming—including Thursday morning Art Play—plus discounts at our Snack Bar and Shop. Your membership supports the next generation of artists and innovators in Cincinnati’s home for contemporary art.
Phone: (513) 345-8400
Address: 44 E 6th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Pogo Pass Cincinnati
Pogo Pass is your ticket to some of the best family attractions in Cincinnati! Explore Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Museum Center, EnterTRAINment Junction and much more! The Pogo Pass is completely digital and good for one full year! Give your kids the gift of EXPERIENCES this holiday season with Pogo Pass! Use code: GIFTGUIDE23 to save 50% on your pass!
Phone: (513) 898-8000
Taft Museum of Art
Enjoy 20% off Family Level gift memberships this holiday season, November 1–December 31. Taft members receive extra perks and discounts on year-round programming and on Summer Art Camp (member Early Bird savings begin January 2024)! Use code HOLIDAY23 to check the Taft off your holiday wish list!
Phone: (513) 241-0343
Address: 316 Pike St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Upcoming Productions & Shows
Cincinnati Ballet’s presents The Nutcracker
A spectacular holiday treat for the entire family, December 14-24 at Music Hall. With spectacular choreography by Victoria Morgan, grand sets and costumes, and a beloved story, the narrative follows a girl named Clara who receives a nutcracker on Christmas Eve. Her dreams take her on a great adventure to the amazing Land of Sweets. Accompanying this winter fantasy is the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s melodic score. Tickets start at $29.
Phone: (513) 621-5282
Address: Music Hall: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati OH 45202
Dayton Live’s Children’s Theatre Series
sponsored by Dayton Children’s
Dayton Live is all about introducing the children of our community to the joys of live performing arts. Come experience the best children’s theatre from around the globe, plus some out-of-the-box experiences – all at a price that makes it possible to come as a family.
Phone: (937) 228-7591
Holiday Pops with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Join the Cincinnati Pops at Music Hall DEC 8-10 for Holiday Pops! Music Hall will be decked-out in the razzle-dazzle of the season as choruses, vocalists, dancers, and more bring festive favorites and holiday classics to life. Tickets start $26 for adults and kids’ tickets are available for just $15.
Phone: (513) 381-3300
Address: Music Hall: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati OH 45202
NARNIA The Musical presented by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
This December, experience NARNIA THE MUSICAL based on the beloved book “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.” It’s a MUST-SEE holiday adventure! Four children stumble upon a wardrobe and into the magical kingdom of Narnia, a frozen land where it’s “always winter – never Christmas.” Tickets start at $10.
Phone: (513) 569-8080
Address: Shows at The Taft Theatre: 317 E. 5th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Summer Camps
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Give your girl independence, adventure, and the best summer memories at camp! Girl Scouts of Western Ohio has 8 weeks of day and overnight camps with themes to match her interests. Overnight camp registration opens January 24 at 6am. Make it a year of adventure with a $25 membership!
Phone: (888) 350-5090
The Lost Art, LLC
The Lost Art, LLC offers customized programs to improve etiquette and leadership skills for all ages. Our certified instructors specialize in teaching these skills using various topics, personal coaching techniques, and unique seminars that help participants confidently navigate society’s complexities using age-appropriate discussions, roleplay, and skills needed to succeed today.
Phone: (888) 354-4649
Address: 9378 Mason Montgomery Rd., Ste. 237, Mason, OH 45040
