Saturday, May 10

MOTHER’S DAY BREAKFAST WITH BARBIE
Moms are icons, just like Barbie! Cincinnati Museum Center is pairing a delicious, perfectly pink breakfast experience with a visit to the Barbie: A Cultural Icon exhibit. Cincinnati Museum Center, 8-9:30am $60. cincymuseum.org

Sunday, May 11 

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH @ THE BELL EVENT CENTER
This relaxing afternoon, filled with delicious food, live music and a touch of creativity, is a perfect treat for moms! Swing by the flower bar to create a beautiful bouquet for just $15! The Bell Event Centre, noon-2 p.m. $40-75. thebelleventcentre.com

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH @ THE CAM
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a delicious brunch at the Terrace Café before enjoying the CAM’s exhibitions. Cincinnati Art Museum, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $47.95+. cincinnatiartmuseum.org

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH BUFFET @ FORNO
Get a stack of Forno’s famous pancakes and other brunch favorites like biscuits and gravy and check out the carving stations, too. Forno Hyde Park and Forno Montgomery, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $25-50. fornoosteriabar.com

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH BUFFET @ SUBITO
Spring-inspired dishes and Italian flare will be a real treat for Mom! Highlights include strawberry Nutella French toast, lemon spring pea campanile, made-to-order cacio e pepe, sugar cane waffles and more. Subito, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $45-79. subitoatlytlepark.com

MOTHER’S DAY BUFFET @ THE LEMPICKA
Celebrate Mother’s Day with an unforgettable gourmet buffet at The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby in Cincinnati. The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/mothers-day-buffet-tickets-1287112009669

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH @ NEWPORT AQUARIUM
Enjoy a Mother’s Day Brunch in the Riverside Room, which includes a special meet&greet with one of the Newport Aquarium’s Animal Ambassadors. Mom will receive a unique piece of art created by one of the Penguin Picassos! Families can then enjoy time at the aquarium, including the new exhibit Jellies: Go with the Flow.
Noon. $49.99 children, $69.99 adult. (Members, brunch price $30 children, $42 adult). newportaquarium.com

MOTHER’S DAY CRUISE
Join BB Riverboats for a fabulous cruise down the Ohio River, live music, a delicious meal and souvenir photo!
1 p.m. $42 children, $64 adults.  bbriverboats.com

MOTHER’S DAY TEA PARTY
This three-course tea will be served with delicious local foods from the Cincy area! The Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum, 1:30-3 p.m. $40 a person. thecarnegiecenter.org

MOTHER’S DAY TRAIN RIDE AND BRUNCH/DINNER
A delicious meal will be served in downtown Lebanon, Ohio at Watkins Catering and Event Venue before families take off on the LM&M train.
9:45 or 11:45 a.m./ 1:45 p.m., $55 per person. lebanonrr.com

Deals Around Town

Cincinnati Museum Center in Cincinnati, OH
Moms (and the women who raised you) receive free admission on May 10 and 11 (does not include OMNIMAX or featured exhibition admission).

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, OH 
Moms receive free admission on Mother’s Day! While supplies last, pick up a free seed pack from General Electric Credit Union.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Columbus, OH
Mother’s Day Deal: Moms get in free and receive 50% off admission or up to 3 of their family members.

LM&M 
Moms ride free during the Mother’s Day Special train rides at 11 am/1 or 3 pm, additional tickets for the family range from $18-25, free for infants under 2.

Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa
Gift Card deal for Mother’s Day, through May 11: $500 for $400 // $100 for $80 // $75 for $60 // $50 for $40.

Newport Aquarium in Newport, KY 
The first 500 moms to visit on Mother’s Day will receive a beautiful flower from Kroger.

Scene75
On Mother’s Day, moms receive an all-day unlimited attraction pass! In-park only.

Snooty Fox 
Gift Card deal for Mother’s Day, through May 11: Receive 20% off gift cards.

The post Mother’s Day Brunches and Deals appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Hop, hop, hop! The Easter Bunny is coming to town. Gather the kids and put them in their Sunday best for some adorable spring photos. Check out this list of local events and egg hunts where the Easter Bunny is scheduled as a special guest. 

Events Around Town

Easter Bunny Photos
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Streetside Brewery
Enjoy a sweet photo op with the Easter Bunny. There will also be raffle baskets and split the pot.
$20 suggested donated to Tusculum Street Fest.
facebook.com/streetsidebrewery

Cincinnati Fire Museum Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 9 a.m. | Cincinnati Fire Museum
Go on an excellent egg hunt and learn all about fire safety, too!
$10, includes admission
cincyfiremuseum.org

Bunny Bash: The Easter Egg Tour
Saturday, April 12, 2025  | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Main Street Toy Co at Morrow Arts Center
Celebrate Easter and National Record Store Day. Join Main Street Toy Co for a day filled with family fun, including trading Swiftie style bracelets with the Easter Bunny.
Free.
mainstreetkids.co

Easter Bunny Breakfast
Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 9 a.m. | Bronte Bistro at Joseph-Beth Booksellers
Feast on a delicious breakfast, making a craft, hearing a story and meeting the Easter Bunny, too!
$25 per person
josephbeth.com

Easter Bunny Express, LM&M Railroad
April 12-13 and 18-19; departures at 10 a.m. 12:30 and 3 p.m.
Take a train ride, get a balloon animal,  go on an Easter egg hunt and meet the Easter Bunny, too!
$30+
lebanonrr.com

Easter Eggstravaganza
Saturday, April 12th, 2025 | 1-4 p.m. | Event hosted by Tree of Life Church at Swaim Park
Five egg hunts for various ages will take place at this exciting event (1:30-2:30 p.m., see link for details). There will also be free food, a petting zoo, face painting, bounce houses and visits with the Easter Bunny, too! Wow!
Facebook Event Link 

Easter Egg Hunt, presented by The Chrome Divas of Cincinnati
Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 11 a.m.  | Fernbank Park
Enjoy an egg hunt, pictures with the Easter Bunny, coffee and donuts.
chromedivas.com

Library Easter Bunny Party + Post-Party Sensory-Friendly Bunny Meet & Greet
Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. + 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Erlanger Branch Library
A super fun Easter party will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Children of all ages can get a photo, make a craft and play with library friends. From 3:30-4:30, families can register for a sensory-friendly time to join in on the fun. The program has been designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities, developmental disabilities or who would otherwise have difficulty attending larger events. There will be lowered lighting, small group sizes, fidgets available and a simple open-ended craft. Please register at the link below.
Free.
Library Link. 

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Sunday, April 13, 2025 | 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. | Main Event West Chester
Enjoy a delicious breakfast, photos with the Easter Bunny and family-friendly activities like bowling and games.
Eventbrite

Easter Bunny Brunch
Sunday, April 13, 2025 | noon-2 p.m. | Bell Event Centre
This brunch will be yummy for every-bunny. There will also be fun activities and an Easter Bunny meet and greet.
$25 Kids 12 and younger, $35 adults
belleventcentre.com

Easter Egg Hunt Family Swim
Sunday, April 13th | 2:45 p.m. | Goldfish Swim School Anderson
Enjoy an egg hunt in the indoor pool, free swim, crafts and snacks, too.
Free.
Eventbrite

Water Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 13, 2025 | 2 – 4 p.m. | M.E. Lyons YMCA
This egg-citing adventure is aquatic! Participants will be able to search for colorful eggs that are floating in the pool.
Free, but registration required.
MyY.org/register

Family Night: Easter Celebration
Monday, April 14, 2025 | 7 – 8 p.m. | Covington Branch Library
Join the library for Easter crafts and snacks! Please register at the link, below.
Free.
Library Link.

Photos with the Easter Bunny
Friday, April 18, 2025 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. and noon – 1 p.m. | Erlanger Branch Library
This is an opportunity for a quick meet-and-greet and photo with the Easter Bunny.
Free.
Library Link. 

CZBG Easter Celebration
Saturday, April 19, 2025 | noon-5 p.m. | Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Meet the Easter Bunny in the Zoo Gift Shop. There will also be Easter-themed enrichment activities (for the animals) all day long and Treat Stations (for the kids) located throughout the zoo.
Included with admission.
cincinnatizoo.org

Operation Egg Drop
Saturday, April 19, 2025 | 1-3 p.m. | New Richmond High School Football Stadium
Connection Point Church presents the 10th Annual Operation Egg Drop! With over 60,000 eggs, prizes.
Free. Please reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
cpcohio.org

Egg Hunt, presented by Graeter’s
April 19-20, 2025 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Washington Park OTR
Children can go on an egg hunt throughout the park to earn prizes. There will be an educational animal farm and the Easter Bunny will be at the park, too.
Free. Registration required.
washingtonpark.org 

Factory 52 Easter Celebration
Saturday, April 19, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Factory 52
Enjoy an afternoon of egg hunts, bounce houses, visits with the Easter Bunny and more.
Free.
factory52.com

Hop & Hunt on the Levee
Saturday, April 19, 2025 | noon – 3 p.m. | Newport on the Levee
Hop over to The Levee for egg hunts (1 and 2 p.m.), Easter Bunny photos, shopping, raffles and more.
Free.
Newport on the Levee Event Link

Easter Brunch Buffet
Sunday, April 20, 2025 | 10 a.m.-noon | Subito at The Lytle Park Hotel
This family-friendly Easter Brunch features a visit from the Easter Bunny!!! Guests will enjoy a lavish spread of Italian pastries and tortes, made-to-order cacio e pepe tossed in a giant parmesan wheel, action stations including custom omelets and charcuterie, tiramisu, cinnamon rolls, sugar cane waffles and kid-friendly favorites like chicken tenders, Mac-n-cheese and endless bacon.
$65 adults, $35 children
Open Table

Fairfield Easter Breakfast
Sunday, April 20, 2025 | Noon | Receptions Fairfield
Come meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet. Kids can participate in a coloring contest and decorate cookies, too.
$29.95 children 5-12 & seniors 65+, $34.95 adults
Eventbrite

Easter Egg Hunt Family Swim
Sunday, April 27, 2025 | 3 p.m. | Goldfish Swim School – West Chester
There will be an Easter egg hunt, family swim, crafts and meet-and-greet with Easter Bubbles!
Free
Eventbrite

Community Egg Hunts 

Reminder: Eggs go fast; arrive early and bring a basket from home! 

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Bellevue Beach Park
100 Ward Avenue, Bellevue, KY | noon | bellevueky.org
Enjoy an egg hunt and photos with the Easter Bunny 

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Chamberlain Park
7640 Painfield Road, Deer Park, OH | 11 a.m.  | deerpark-oh.gov
Four age groups

Devou Park, Volpenhein Shelter
1201 Park Drive, Covington, KY | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | covingtonky.gov
Easter Egg hunt, petting zoo, snacks and drinks, too  

General Ormsby Mitchel Park
261 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, KY | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | fortmitchell.com
Please see Lakeside Park website for hunt times 

Memorial Park
2001 Jackwoods Parkway, Independence, KY | 10 a.m. | cityofindependence.org
Special needs egg hunt starts at 10 a.m., festivities begin at 10:30 a.m., egg hunt starts at noon sharp. Please register for the Independence Egg Hunt on eventbrite

The Park at Liberty Center
7100 Foundry Row, Liberty Township, OH | 10-11:30 a.m. | liberty-township.com

Village Green Park
301 Wessel Drive, Fairfield, OH | 10:15-11 a.m. | fairfield-city.org
Visit with Easter Bunny and activities, egg hunt starts at 10:15 a.m. sharp 

Veterans Park
6231 Harrison Avenue, Cincinnati, OH | 1 p.m. sharp | greentwp.org

Riverside Park
29 Water Street, Milford, OH | 10-11:30 a.m. | milfordohio.org

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Harvest Home Park
3961 North Bend Road, Cheviot, OH | 1-4 p.m. | explorecheviotohio.com

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Fort Thomas Mess Hall
801 Cochran Avenue, Fort Thomas, KY | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | fortthomasky.org
Egg hunt starts at noon sharp 

Newport City Hall
998 Monmouth Street, Newport, KY | 2-4 p.m. | newportky.gov

The post Easter Bunny Sightings 2025 appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

It is fun and enriching for children to learn about different cultures and traditions. This year, put the spotlight on Mardi Gras!!!

So… what is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is a celebration and Catholic tradition that marks the last day of fasting before Lent. This is a time of thanks and treating ones self to some delicious food before fasting begins. It is also known as “Fat Tuesday”.

In New Orleans, Mardi Gras has big parades featuring lots of lively music, costumes and floats. People in the parade throw beads, toys and stuffed animals, too.

Many people associate the colors purple, green and gold, which represent justice, growth and wealth.

Cincinnati Family Magazine  has rounded up some great ideas of how your family can celebrate Mardi Gras right here in Cincy!

First up, order a delicious, colorful, festive King Cake. 

These cakes are so yummy. Flaky pastry, gooey gooey icing and crunchy sanding sugar. Just so good.
Surprise! They hold a fun secret within. Each cake has a hidden plastic baby inside and the person who finds it in their slice of King Cake gets to either host the Mardi Gras party or buy the King Cake next year. It is also thought to be good luck to find the baby! More traditionally, the baby represents Jesus.

Check out these five local spots that sell amazing King Cakes!

The BonBonerie
2030 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH
Click here to visit their website and order ahead.

Servatii
15 locations in Greater Cincinnati
Click here to visit their website and order ahead.

Jungle Jim’s
Fairfield: 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, OH 45014
Eastgate: 4450 Eastgate South Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45245
Cheese King Cake, Cinnamon King Cake, King Cake with Praline Filling, Premium Mardi Gras King Cake COFFEE, King Cake beer, King Cake soda
Click here to visit their website and learn more. 

Graeter’s 
17 locations in Greater Cincinnati
Click here to visit their website and order ahead. 

Busken Bakery
4 Cincinnati/NKY Locations
Large or Small- Cheese, Cinnamon or Strawberry Cheese King Cakes
Click here to visit their website and order ahead. 

Next, play some Mardi Gras Games and Activities

-See who can create the most festive Mardi Gras outfit using clothes in their wardrobe.

-Have a mini parade in your house. Line stuffed animals along the wall and try to throw beads around their head! See who can get the most beads beads on their stuffed animals in one minute.

-Hide some golden coins (or the baby from the King Cake!) in the house and send your pint-sized party goers on a treasure hunt. You can give rhyming clues to make them think or even play “hot” and “cold”. 

-Have a Mardi Gras music dance party- listen to some brassy tunes and get moving.

-Hold up a Mardi Gras necklace, have kids guess how many beads there are!

Of course you will want to make some Mardi Gras Arts and Crafts

-String some beads and make a beautiful necklace to celebrate Mardi Gras. Practice fine motor skills, color identification, patterns and even spelling if you have letter beads.

-Print out our Mari Gras coloring sheets…

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A MARDI GRAS MASK 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A GRAS GATOR

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SOME MARDI GRAS BEADS!

DECORATE YOUR OWN COLORFUL KING CAKE BY CLICKING HERE! 

CLICK HERE TO MAKE SOME NOISE WITH A MUSICAL COLORING SHEET!

Finally, be sure to try some traditional foods like gumbo, jambalaya and red beans and rice! YUM! 

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

“Let the good times roll” with your family this year for Mardi Gras!

Explore Cincinnati Family Magazine’s Things to Do calendar of events by clicking HERE. 

The post Mardi Gras Family Fun appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Make this Valentine’s Day extra special with our printable, color-your-own Valentine’s Day cards for kids! These adorable, pun-filled designs let kids get creative while making heartfelt cards for their friends. Simply download, print, and color for a fun and easy Valentine’s activity. Whether they love roller skating, animals, or sweet treats, there’s a card for everyone! Spread kindness and creativity—grab your free templates today!

Download the Dinosaur Template here.

Download the Waffle Template here.

Download the Roller Skate Template here.

Download the Catcus Template here.

Find Valentine’s Day events around town, here.

The post Free Downloadable Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Whether you couldn’t find a sitter for New Year’s Eve or you just don’t feel like fighting traffic, you can still have a fun, kid-friendly celebration. The key is to keep the kids occupied as the clock counts down. Here are a few family-friendly ideas to help you ring in 2025.

By Tiffany Doerr Guerzon

Countdown the Hours
There are so many fun ways to help little ones mark time until the new year arrives. Pick the time you want to start (and end!), and count down the hours by opening a bag, package, or even popping a balloon. Mark each bag with the time and include a fun activity for each hour. This need not be expensive. You can stuff the bags with:

• Party Hats and noisemakers
• Party poppers
• Candy
• A deck of cards and game instructions
• Pens and paper to write New Year’s resolutions
• Craft projects
• Glow sticks
• Bubbles

Milk & Cookie Cocktails
Every party needs snacks! Serve up milk and cookies in style by coating the rims of small glasses or even wine glasses with colorful sprinkles. Spread a thin layer of honey or corn syrup on a plate, and then pour out sprinkles onto a separate plate. Dip the rims of glasses in honey or corn syrup then dredge in the sprinkles. Leave the glass upside down in the sprinkles for a few minutes so that the sprinkles don’t slide down the glass. Cool the glasses in the fridge, fill with cold milk and serve with cookies.

DIY Noisemakers
Create DIY noisemakers for midnight from objects around the house. Decorate empty, lidded canisters such as butter containers, coffee cans, or Pringles cans, and add dried beans or rice to make shakers. Or, thread large jingle bells onto pipe cleaners before twisting the pipe cleaner together at the ends for a jingle bracelet.

Sparkling Science
Younger kids love to watch bubbles grow when vinegar is added to baking soda. You can glam up this simple science experiment by mixing glitter or confetti to the baking soda. To do this, mix together baking soda and glitter or confetti in a shallow bowl. Be sure to use plastic confetti, not paper. When kids add drops of vinegar with droppers to the soda mixture, it will produce sparkling bubbles. If you don’t have droppers, kids can pour small amounts of vinegar over the baking soda with cups.

Bake a Clock
If your kids love baking, a fun and delicious activity is to make a countdown clock. You can do this by baking cookies or cupcakes and arranging the treats in a circle on a round serving platter or pizza pan. Decorate each with the numbers of the clock and use licorice sticks such as Twizzlers as clock hands to mark the time.

Balloons, Balloons, Balloons
It’s not a party without balloons, right? These confetti-filled balloons will brighten up your space, then you can pop them at midnight for a confetti shower! DECORA offers awesome confetti balloons that your kiddos will love. And, if you really want to wow the kids, stage your own balloon drop. You can make one by taping a plastic party tablecloth filled with balloons to your ceiling, or buy a kit from Amazon to help you get the job done.

Photo Booth
Even if it’s just you and the little ones, why not have a photo booth? No need for an elaborate set-up, tacking up a sheet or plastic tablecloth to the wall to use as a background works well. Gather fun props from around the house such as hats and sunglasses, or buy a New Year’s Eve photo booth prop.

Christmas Crackers
Christmas crackers may be traditional for Christmas dinner, but they’re equally as fun for New Year’s Eve. These brightly wrapped cylinders are pulled apart, breaking the cracker open with a popping sound. Be sure to check the prizes inside before purchasing to make sure you are getting kid-friendly items.

Family Time Capsule
Putting a time capsule together as a part of your New Year’s Eve activities can be a nice way to reflect on the past year. This can be as simple or elaborate as you wish! Grab a shoebox or big manila envelope, and gather your time capsule items. You can include your child’s handprint, a family picture, or an interview. Questioning your kids about their current likes and dislikes, life goals, and more is fun in the moment and to look back on next year. Simply Google “interview questions for kids” for ideas on what questions to ask. Once finished, tuck away your time capsule and open next year.

New Year’s Eve Picture Books
The night can get long, and a quiet break for storytime is good for everyone. Try one of these holiday-themed books to balance out the activities.

• The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing
• Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller
• Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport

Whatever you choose to do with your family on the eve of the New Year, you can make sure it’s memorable with these sure-fire party pleasers.

The post Celebrate NYE with the Kids! appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

What is your New Years’ resolution for 2025?

“Continue to maintain a healthy family and work balance while also making an effort to focus more on ME in 2025! Get better sleep, drink more water, find time to exercise regularly and explore our great city even more.”
-Amanda C., Associate Editor of Cincinnati Family 

“To spend more time with family and friends, lose 20 lbs, and exercise more.”
-Jill B.

“My resolution for 2025 is to downsize all of my stuff–get rid of things I don’t need that are taking up space.”
-Julie G.

“More self care.”
-Colleen K. 

“My resolution is to lose 15 pounds. I always keep my resolutions.”
-Jill B. 

“To read the Bible in a year, and work on my flexibility.”
-Lisa M. 

“To stop worrying about the small things and build more Faith.”
-Amber H. 

“Spend more time with family, especially aging parents.”
-Patricia S.

“Spend less time on electronics and social media and more time with God, family, friends, and in nature.”
-Ann P. 

“My resolution was to relax more and that’s exactly what I started doing!”
-Jennifer B.

The post January Feedback: New Year’s Resolutions appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

From One Elf, to Another

Hey there, fellow elves!!!

It is a magical time of year, and for many families, the magic of the season includes  US, the Elves on the Shelves! But, come mid-December, the magic may be running a bit dry. Whereas December 1st’s set-up may have been lavish, maybe you simply plopped from room-to-room today or maybe you forget to move last night at all (oops).

First, maybe you need a little help remembering to move??? It is so easy to go to the North Pole at night and just come back to the same spot. It’s a tiring journey, afterall. Maybe setting a phone alarm may be helpful to remind you to find a new spot???

Now, as a grade-A Elf, you know your child best. But here are some simple set-up reminders from our North Pole training handbook…

1. Play how they play!

build memories together, show up in a LEGO, Magnatile or Lincoln Log set…

be a doll, hang out in that Barbie house…

Choo Choo, be a conductor in their train set…

have a ball in their ball pit…

wage a battle with their army men or super heroes…

have a snowball fight (using marshmallows??) with their stuffed animals…

2. Eat what they eat!

mind your etiquette and enjoy a spot of tea during a tea party…

set up a hot chocolate station for them to enjoy in the morning, including marshmallows, sprinkles and peppermint sticks…

bring home some Costco double chocolate chunk cookies with a BOOM or DOOM? note…

maybe we could introduce them to our foods, like in that one Elf movie. I think I saw some spaghetti, marshmallows and maple syrup in the kitchen…

s’mores are a hit with humans… why not make a tiny one with a tiny tea light? Yum!…

chill out in the fridge one day… but maybe wrap up in a towel-blanket first so you don’t get TOO cold…

3. Have a potty party!

leave a note in toothpaste (maybe remind them to brush!!!)…

let them find your chocolate chip droppings. extra points if you spell something with your poo…

hide in a toilet paper 3-stack that has been made to look like a silly snowman…

feed their rubber ducky some bread…

show them how elves take baths- find a tiny tub and fill it with sprinkles or marshmallows…

wrap up the toilet, and top it with a bow!…

take a nap in the tissue box…

borrow some of that face mask goop and have yoursELF a spa day…

4. Drive where they drive!

they will look for you all morning! show up in the car, but don’t forget to wear a seatbelt…

5. Participate in their favorite sports/activities!

slam dunk yourself into their basketball hoop…

strike a pose in a tutu (borrow Barbies?)…

make a tiny work of art for them, maybe a sELF portrait…

leave them a lite brite message…

play one of their favorite card or board games with some of their stuffed animals…

6. Watch what they watch!

grab some microwave popcorn + snowcaps and leave a little note asking for a movie night…

7. Read what they read!

make a tiny blanket fort and set up a story time with some of their favorite character toys…

use one of their books as a tent…

surprise them with a NEW book…

dress up like their favorite book character… pretty easy to add a lightning bolt scar, IF your kid likes Harry Potter…

8. Be a part of their family traditions!

is it time to bake cookies? make a flour-angel in the kitchen…

help them decorate and add some fairy lights to the house…

show up in the Christmas tree with a new ornament, or even bring them an ornament kit…

remind them to wrap presents by wrapping yourself! don’t forget to wear a bow hat…

use an expo marker to draw Santa hats on photos around the house…

add something new to their gingerbread house… looks like it could use a few peppermints…

help them decorate and make some cut-out paper snowflakes, you can leave them some paper and scissors, so they can join in on the fun…

9. Root for their fave teams!

When it is game day, gather their team gear and let them know you are rooting for that team,  too!

10. Make ’em laugh!

Throw some googley eyes on household items, EYE’ve heard that’s always a hit…

Toots are always funny to tiny humans, too. Chew some of their gum and blow a toot-balloon…

Banana-faces make them giggle a bunch…

We heard if you grate a potato, potato chips show up on the other side of the grater…

Use those aerial classes and show off by zip lining across a room…

Being an Elf means making magic and memories for some special kiddos. Keep it SILLY, keep it SIMPLE and have FUN! There is nothing more amazing than seeing excitement in their little eyes every morning…

Happy Holidays!

From one elf, to another.

Discover festive holiday events by clicking here!

The post From One Elf, to Another appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Self-Care

Moms are always taking care of others, and alone time can be rare. Gift a spa day voucher, or go the extra mile and book an appointment on a day you know she’s free so that she doesn’t put off taking a day to herself. To make the present more fun to open, put together a box of face masks, nail polishes, and a nice robe–that way the spa day doesn’t have to end after her appointment!

Girls Night Out

When was the last time she got to hang out with her closest friends without worrying about her family? Arrange for childcare (or offer to do it yourself!) and give her a gift card to her favorite restaurant. To lift the burden of organizing yet another thing on her schedule, reach out to her friends and find a time that works for them to all meet up. On Christmas morning, let her know that everything has been planned and that all she has to do is show up and have fun. 

Invest in Her Hobbies

There are endless options when it comes to encouraging her passions. Is she a reader? Get her the newest book by her favorite author. Does she enjoy crafting? Buy supplies for her next project. By investing in the activities she enjoys most, you can show her that you care about her interests. Take it to the next level by booking her a special class for her hobby. Denver has a lot to offer in the realm of hobby classes; check out DIY workshops at Upstairs Circus where she can craft while sipping on a yummy drink, or look into a tea blending class at Fleur Denver that will teach her to create a custom blend.

Closet Makeover

Help her prioritize her sense of identity through fashion! Clothes that are good quality, fit well, and make her feel like herself are a wonderful gift. Take note of her favorite stores and give her gift cards to them, or go in and ask a store associate to help you pick out the perfect outfit. Enhance this gift by buying cute hangers to replace her old plastic ones, a pretty box to store her jewelry in, and a set of closet organizers to help keep everything in order. 

With whatever gift you choose, remember that your thoughtfulness matters more than the item itself. By spending time picking out something special, you’re showing a deep appreciation and care that goes beyond Christmas morning.

The post What Moms Really Want for Christmas appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

The post Kentucky Kingdom: New Holiday Adventure  appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

What has been the greatest gift you have ever received?

Your answers were often about the gift of time, bonds, experience and lives spent together…a heartwarming reminder that gifts are not always physical presents. Happy Holiday season from our Cincinnati family to yours–may every day with your family be the best gift of all! 

“When we were dating, my husband made me a book about our relationship–it was incredibly sweet.”
-Emily W.

“Zoo membership.”
-Grace A.

“My sister-in-law had a bracelet made for me after the death of my daughter. The beads of the bracelet were made from the flower petals of arrangements at the funeral and then dyed pink, my daughter’s favorite color. The most meaningful gift I could ever receive!”
-Jennifer A. 

“Living after a stroke at 15.”
-Connie H.

“Surviving cancer twice.”
-Faith M. 

“Vacuum.”
-Tiffany M.

“My husband’s unconditional love.”
-Kathy H. 

“A pie plate with a recipe for apple pie engraved into it!”
-Arlandra A.

“A cruise.”
-Amanda C. 

“A ring from my kids.”
-Angie T.

“A sweater of my late mother’s.”
-Sarah R.

“A trip to my favorite vacation spot.”
-Barbara C

“All three of my kids gone for Xmas at the same time.”
-Christine S.

“Blanket with my grandchildren’s pictures in it.”
-Mickey H.

“Countertop ice maker.”
-Kelly M.

“I received my engagement ring on Christmas Day eight years ago!”
-Amber H.

“Puppy!”
-Nicole Z.

“My son and daughter–I struggled with infertility for years.”
-Lisa M.

“Everything!”
-Janet J.

Codeword: Sweet!

The post December Feedback the Greatest Gift of All appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.