“What’s in a name?
That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
-Juliet, Romeo and Juliet

Of course a rose would be just as beautiful if it had a different name, Juliet! As we were browsing Natorp’s website for plants to spruce up our garden, we couldn’t help but notice the things that modern plants and flowers go by. Some of the names that botanicals go by this days are downright FUN! Check out these fun finds at Natorp’s which  boast unique monikers!

Natorp’s Nursery is Cincinnati’s place for plants, with 1 million plants online!
Did you know? Natorp’s Nursery has curbside pickup! Simply complete your order and you will receive an email when your order is ready. It may take 2 business days-so plan accordingly

Natorp’s Nursery
8601 Snider Road
Mason, OH 45040
(513) 398-4769 | www.natorp.com

Click here to discover easy spring curb appeal ideas to refresh your home!

The post Fun Finds at Natorp’s appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Summer adventures are right around the corner and one of the best parts of June and July is cooling down with friends. Whether you are spending time at a creek, lake, river, ocean or pool, a few precautions can ensure everyone has a fun and safe time. Get ready to splash into summer by brushing up on basic summer water safety.

SWIM LESSONS
For inexperienced swimmers, taking a few swim lessons can result in life-saving skills. Even experienced swimmers can benefit from brushing up on skills, too.
Check out these Cincinnati designations that offer swim lessons:
Bear Paddle | Goldfish Swim School | YMCA | Cincinnati Recreation Commission 
 University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati Sports Club | Kids First Sports | TriHealth | Lori’s H2O Skills | Mayerson JCC  |
British Swim School | Five Seasons NKY

DON’T SWIM SOLO
Swimming with a buddy is both more fun and more safe. The buddy system is a great way to spend time together in the water.

DESIGNATE A WATER WATCHER
Supervision is an important part of water safety. The water watcher is an adult who needs to stay distraction-free and keep a watchful eye on swimmers.

FOLLOW POSTED RULES
Look for posted signs regarding swimming conditions when visiting natural bodies of water. While it is preferable to swim at pools with life guards on duty, if unavailable, see posted pool rules for guidance.

CHOOSE A SMART SWIMSUIT
Brightly colored and neon swimsuits that contrast with water make swimmers  easily visible. Avoid dark color swimsuits, which make it hard to spot children while swimming. UPF swim suits are also available which provide protection from the sun!

WEAR A LIFE JACKET
For children who are unable to swim, a Coast Guard certified life vest is the way to go.

GRAB THE SPF
Be sure to apply, and reapply sunscreen. Nothing dampers summer fun more than a painful sunburn.

TAKE BREAKS
Swimming is great exercise! Be sure to remind children to take breaks, grab a snack and, of course, stay hydrated.

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
Cannonballs, can openers and diving are so much fun! Make sure to follow rules and also to literally look before you leap to make sure the area you are jumping into is deep enough and that no one is in the space.

Wishing you the safest (and most fun) summer yet!

The post Summer Water Safety appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Wherever You Go (An All Are Welcome Book)
By Alexandra Penfold, Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
From the creators of the bestselling All Are Welcome comes a modern and inclusive picture book that celebrates the many milestones of a child’s life ranging from a school play to graduation with an emphasis on kindness and community.
Buy here for $18.99 

Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Coloring Book
By Random House
Celebrate new beginnings with Dr. Seuss! Featuring designs and patterns based on the best-selling Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, this coloring book for all ages is the perfect way to relax and exercise your imagination.
Buy here for $18.99

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! 
By Dr. Seuss
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the perfect gift to celebrate all of our special milestones—from graduations to birthdays and beyond!
Buy here for $18.99

The Blur
By Minh Lê, Illustrated by Dan Santat
Meet a child with superhero-like abilities . . . and the parents who are racing to keep up with her in this sweetly funny picture book about the blur of childhood, from the award-winning creators of Drawn Together. A perfect gift to celebrate all of our special milestones–from graduations to birthdays and beyond!
Buy here for $18.99

The Wonderful Things You Will Be
By Emily Winfield Martin
The New York Times bestseller that celebrates the dreams, acceptance, and love that parents have for their children . . . now and forever. This is the perfect heartfelt gift for kids of all ages, plus a great choice for baby showers, birthdays, graduations, and other new beginnings!
Buy here for $17/99

June B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl
By Barbara Park
Meet the world’s funniest kindergartener, Junie B. Jones, as she gets ready to become the world’s funniest first grader! Barbara Park’s #1 New York Times bestselling chapter book series has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for more than twenty-five years. Over 65 million copies sold!
Buy here for $6.99

Graduation Day in Adventure Bar
By Matt Huntley, Illustrated by Nate Lovett
A hardcover storybook featuring the pups from Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol that’s perfect for graduation celebrations–and includes over 50 stickers.
Buy here for $10.99

Kindergarten Graduation! A Book for Soon-to-be First Graders
By Jennifer Liberts, Illustrated by Courtney Dawson
The perfect Little Golden Book to celebrate finishing kindergarten!
Buy here for $5.99

The Spark in You 
By Andrea Pippins
This jubilant picture book filled with powerful affirmations celebrates the beautiful magic that makes each of us special. This is the perfect heartfelt gift for a birthday, graduation or other new beginnings.
Buy here for $18.99

You and the Universe
By Stephen Hawkins and Lucy Hawking, Illustrated by Xin Li
Inspire kids to ask the big questions about Earth and the cosmos with this stunningly illustrated version of Professor Stephen Hawking’s final message to humankind.
Buy here for $19.99

It’s Not Bragging If It’s True
By Zaila Avant-garde
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Kids will be inspired to embrace their inner weirdness and persevere through obstacles after reading this empowering collection of true stories from teenage Scripps National Spelling Bee champ and Guinness World Record holder Zaila Avant-garde! Includes 8 pages of never-before-seen photos.
Buy here for $8.99

Do Your Best Every Day To Do Your Best Every Day 
By John Cena, Illustrated by Susanna Harrison
Bestselling author and entertainer John Cena motivates and inspires readers with this illustrated book of uplifting encouragements adapted from his popular Twitter feed. The perfect gift for graduations, birthdays, and life’s biggest celebrations!
Buy here for $14.99

The Teachers I Loved Best
By Taylor Mali, Illustrated by Erica Root
Educator and acclaimed poet Taylor Mali honors the magic of teachers and mentors in this joyful, energetic, uplifting gift book.
Buy here for $18.99

Dr. Seuss’s Oh, What I’ve Learned Thanks to MY Teachers
By Dr. Seuss
Say thank you to a teacher with this small hardcover gift book featuring art by Dr. Seuss! An ideal choice in place of a greeting card, this charming keepsake includes unrhymed lines of appreciation for the many different ways that teachers help shape our lives!
Buy here for $8.99

World’s #1 Teacher 
By Mike Berenstain
Say thank you to a teacher in your life with this Berenstain Bears gift book that celebrates teachers of all kinds!
Buy here for $9.99

Getting Ready for First Grade
By Vera Ahiyya, Illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Get ready for first grade in this exciting new series for kids embarking on new adventures! Vera Ahiyya, the Tutu Teacher, knows everything your family needs to get ready… and to celebrate every precious moment!
Buy here for $10.99

Discover more great book roundups by clicking here.

The post Books for Graduates appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

By Madison Voorhies

As summer approaches and kids gear up for camps, many parents are focused on sign-ups, gear, and transportation. But there’s something even more important to consider: your child’s safety. The U.S. Center for SafeSport recently released a Summer Safety Checklist to help parents ask key questions before sending their children to summer programs. These questions are designed to make sure the organization has policies in place to prevent and respond to abuse and misconduct.

“Asking safety questions helps to demonstrate one of the most important life lessons for young athletes: their well-being matters,” says April Holmes, interim CEO of the U.S. Center for SafeSport and four-time Paralympian.

The checklist includes eight important questions:

1. What are the criteria for volunteer and staff screening and background checks? 
2. How are program participants supervised during structured activities and free time? 
3. What kind of abuse prevention and response training do volunteers and staff undergo? 
4. Do you have policies that limit unsupervised one-on-one contact between adults and minors? 
5. What are the established processes for reporting and responding to abuse and misconduct? 
6. How do you communicate expectations about how program participants treat one another? 
7. What are the sleeping arrangements for program participants and overnight staff or volunteers, and how are they monitored? (For overnight programs) 
8. Is an adult emergency contact available 24/7? (For overnight programs)

You can ask these questions directly to a coach, camp director, or check the program’s policies.

Monica Rivera, SafeSport’s Vice President of Education & Research, reminds us, “Safety is not just the foundation for play and growth, but something every child deserves.” 

SafeSport was created in response to abuse scandals in Olympic and Paralympic sports. It now helps protect athletes of all ages through safety rules, investigations, and education. In addition to the checklist, SafeSport offers a free Parent and Guardian’s Handbook for Safer Sport, which helps families understand risks and create open conversations. Their Summer Playbook is also full of helpful tips.

At the end of the day, sports should be fun, positive, and safe. Before your child starts their summer activities, take a few minutes to ask the right questions, because nothing matters more than their safety. Learn more and access SafeSport’s full checklist at uscenterforsafesport.org.

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Renowned Cincinnati bakery SERVATii serves up mouthwatering baked goods every day at 15 convenient locations (including 6 bakery & deli stores). This family-owned German storefront bakes up delicious goods for every meal and occasion, making it a part of Cincinnati families dinner tables and their traditions, too. Breakfasts are delightful with donuts and pastries, parties are made popular with the addition of a giant Bavarian pretzel sandwich and of course there are those legendary SERVATii cakes.

If you are a Cincinnati native, we don’t need to sell you on SERVATii. It’s kind of a “If you know, you know” situation.

Something you may not know is that SERVATii is debuting four new specialty loaves to celebrate World Baking Day, which falls on Saturday, May 17th this year! The lineup of SERVATii’s new limited-time specialty loaves includes:

• Shepherd’s Multigrain: Crafted with SERVATii’s signature sourdough starter and packed with flaxseeds, millet, sunflower seeds and oatmeal.
• Roasted Garlic and Peppercorn: This sourdough loaf is infused with slow-roasted garlic and cracked black peppercorns for bold, savory flavor. Naturally fermented for 24 hours to develop a tangy crumb and golden crust.
• Blueberry Pecan: This rich, buttery wheat sourdough is loaded with sweet blueberries and rustic pecans, creating the perfect balance of natural sweetness and nutty crunch.
• Asiago Semolina: Crafted with high-protein semolina flour and loaded with bold asiago cheese, this naturally fermented loaf is both buttery as well as nutty and golden brown.

To celebrate the four new specialty loaves and World Baking Day, SERVATii is offering a very special BOGO deal on Saturday, May 17th, while supplies last. Customers can purchase any fresh baked loaf and receive a new specialty loaf for free!

ABOUT SERVATii
For more than 60 years, SERVATii has been a trusted name in the Greater Cincinnati region, offering freshly baked pastries, pretzels, decorated cakes, and an assortment of deli products. As a family-owned business spanning five generations, the Gottenbusch family remains committed to using only honest, fresh ingredients, free from enzymes or additives. We honor the legacy of our original Café SERVATii bakery in Muenster, Germany, by preparing our products using authentic, time-honored recipes. Additionally, SERVATii is proud to give back to the community by donating leftover baked goods to local charities daily.

Browse the SERVATii Bakery menu and learn more by clicking here 

Discover more Cincinnati food news by clicking here

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Going on a big adventure doesn’t always mean traveling hours by car or plane. Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are worthy travel destinations for locals, and there are some truly unique local stays that make being a tourist in your own town feel like a real luxury! So whether you are planning a staycation with the family, a romantic getaway or a girls night out on the town, check out these outstanding overnight options available right in our backyards…

21C Museum Hotel
This 100-year old hotel has been reimagined as a contemporary art museum that welcomes guests to stay, explore and discover! With 156 rooms available for booking, comfort is key but so is experience. The spacious rooms, luxury bedding and custom furniture allow maximum relaxation while the unique touches like Rookwood Pottery body-part tiles and original artworks boost the cultural relevance of a guest’s stay. 21C also has an in-house spa available for bookings, a 24-hour museum and Metropole serves up tasty locally-sourced ingredient bites and delicious drinks, too.
609 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH  | 513-578-6600 | www.21cmuseumhotels.com

The Swing House
Immerse yourself in an art experience, overnight. This 1880’s three-story brick building may look unsuspecting from the outside, but upon entry the home reveals its truly unique nature. A playful swing descends from the high ceiling! Metal beams and large industrial fans compliment the rusticly exposed bricks, which were painted to the liking of residents from decades past. Trendy furniture and hip music further set the ambiance, and a trip down the spiral staircase brings guests to an actual art exhibit in the basement. Feel like you’ve lost some of your “cool”? A stay at The Swing House can help you get your groove back.
1373 Avon Place, Cincinnati, OH  | 513-325-6625 | www.swing-house.com

Graduate by Hilton Cincinnati
Love Cincinnati? The suites within this hotel have been expertly curated to highlight all things Cincy! Located on the University of Cincinnati Campus, the Ohio-inspired guest rooms serve up a bit of whimsical “Wow!”. Modern furniture, playful patterns and a dash of cute make a stay at the Graduate so much fun. Families can even book the Graduate Familyroom, which has animal centric wallpaper that tips a hat to the world-famous Cincinnati Zoo and has an actual custom bunk bed for when it is time to catch some z’s. The powerful pops of color in the playful lobby restaurant make it a must-stop dining destination!
151 Goodman Street, Cincinnati, OH  | 513-487-3800 | www.hilton.com

The Lytle Park Hotel
This chic hotel also boasts some super cool history! This 1909 Queen City building is part of the National Registrar of Historic Places Lytle Park Neighborhood and is mere steps away from Lytle Park and a stones throw away from the Taft Museum of Art. An elegant and classic feel meets modern luxury within the boutique hotel’s suites, especially the newly renovated Taft Suite Presidential Bedroom which boasts a king bed, separate dining room, separate living room and more. For those looking for a spa feel, be sure to investigate Rainwater and its marble bathroom— the spa robes and slippers elevate the experience! Blackout drapes in each room mean a good night’s sleep for all. Looking to truly unwind? Book the Serene Spa Package which includes a spa treatment from the nearby Mitchell’s Salon and Day Spa!
311 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH | 513-621-4500 | www.thelytleparkhotel.com

BONUS: Unique NKY Stay

Hotel Covington
With Hotel Covington’s new “NORTH” addition, this boutique overnight option is absolutely a must-visit for those looking to stay local yet experience the innovative. The Deluxe Gym Loft and Luxury Lightwell Loft both reside in a space that was once a YMCA gymnasium! The open two-floor spaces boast spiral staircases, king beds and full kitchenettes. Don’t sleep on the dreamy rooms within the main hotel though! Rooms like the Coppin King and Queen City Queens showcase royal designs, elegant flare and a touch of vintage, too. An ideal dining destination during a stay at Hotel Covington (or any time, really!) is Coppins’ Restaurant + Bar—a true local favorite. 
638 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY | 859-654-7539 | www.hotelcovington.com

Find Things to Do during a staycation in Cincinnati/NKY by clicking here.

The post Unique Cincinnati Stays appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Ted Karras, a true gentle giant. At six-foot-four and 310 lbs., the center for the Cincinnati Bengals is a fearsome beast of an opponent on the football field. Off the field, Karras tackles an issue near and dear to his heart: adults with developmental disabilities have a lack of continued education opportunities and limited options when it comes to inclusive living communities. Karras aims to shine the light on these community needs by bringing awareness and raising funds for organizations that are paving the way to meet the needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

Ted Karras’ foundation, The Cincy Hat, produces hats that are both stylish and do good. Sales proceeds are divvied up between two fabulous organizations- The Village of Mericici, an Indianapolis based living community, and also the University of Cincinnati’s Transition and Access Pathways program. Karras won the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Charity Challenge, a fan voted recognition that proves both the Jungle and the nation sees and values Teds amazing initiatives.

“It is important to give back and help out where it’s needed.”
-Ted Karras

The Cincy Hat has had many collaborations including various local schools, Cincinnati events and more. Fans are able to rep Cincy in a way that recognizes their organizations and also benefits a great cause.  A new style of hat has been launched for The Christ Hospital! Pre-order one today to rep The Christ Hospital for only $35—100% of sales proceeds help support The Cincy Hat Foundation’s missions. Click here to preorder yours today.

Discover more Health news coverage from Cincinnati Family Magazine by clicking here.

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This Saturday, May 17th, 2025, a community event will take place to help promote bike safety!
Families can venture to Julifs Park in Anderson Township for a Put a Lid on It event where Pediatric Associated of Mt. Carmel will be onsite to fit up to 120 local children with free bike helmets*. Families can head to the park from 10 a.m.-noon to learn all about bike safety. Pediatric Associated of Mt. Carmel will be on site

About the Put a Lid on It! Program
This program started in 2011. Through the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 100,000 bike helmets 100,00 bike helmets have been distributed to Ohio’s children. The Ohio AAP aims to prevent unintentional injuries. The Ohio AAP reports that 10-20% wear bike helmet and 75% of bike-related fatalities would be prevented with a helmet.

Learn more about the Put a Lid! program by clicking here.

Visit the Pediatric Associates of Mt. Carmel, Inc. website by clicking here.

*subject to proper sizing and availability.

Discover more health website by Cincinnati Family Magazine by clicking here.

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Keen eyes may have seen some massive mammoths at the Reds Opening Day Parade! This exciting happening kicked off a mammoth move, literally. The Cincinnati Museum Center’s (CMC) collection of four wooly mammoths are moving from their most recent home, outside of the Geier Collections and Research Center, to right next to the museum center at 1518 Dalton Avenue. The mammoths will mark the new home of CMC’s collections, the Treasure Facility, which includes over six million artifacts! The new, state-of-the-art 200,000-square-foot facility will undergo renovations through 2027 and once complete will span 11 acres and house education, research and collections initiatives. Stay in-the-know by visiting cincymuseum.org.

More on this mammoth move!

The Vontz Family Education, Research and Collections Center will house many of CMC’s collections.

Per Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC):

CMC cares for over six million historic artifacts and scientific specimens cataloged into over a dozen collections, including both vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, zoology, mineralogy, archaeology, history objects, fine art, manuscripts, moving images and photographs. Among those treasures, CMC boasts the world’s largest and finest collection of Ordovician fossils from over 420 million years ago, the world’s largest collection of sauropod dinosaur skulls – both critical to ongoing scientific research – and the most complete collection of photographs from Cincinnati-based Black photographer and abolitionist J.P. Ball. The region’s treasures within CMC’s collections include objects with national and global significance, including a July 9, 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence known as the Holt Broadside – one of only five surviving copies – and the remains of the last living great auk. From local students to international researchers, local genealogists to amateur historians, CMC receives over 1,000 research visits each year with another 8,000 online collections portal searches. Dozens of collections items are loaned out each year to museums across the globe, demonstrating the global impact of Cincinnati’s local stories.

The Vontz Family has hired SmithGroup to make designs turn to construction and conclude in  a finished product in late 2027.

Additional funds are being raised for this project. Those interested in making a donating can visit supportcmc.org

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