Turning sweet 16 in Kentucky used to mean a trip to the DMV. Now Kentucky teens have less of a wait time to get behind the wheel. Kentucky’s House Bill 15 has passed, meaning 15 year olds are now eligible to apply for their driver’s permits.

Introduced to the House on January 8th, Kentucky’s House Bill 15 proposed to “allow persons who are at least 15 years old to apply for a motor vehicle instruction permit”. The bill moved it’s way through Senate, the Department of Transportation and was effectively passed with a 90-5 vote on March 13th.  Delivered and signed by Governor Andy Beshear, the bill is now in effect as of March 25th, 2025.

For families with 15 year olds, the steps to acquiring a permit remain the same.

• Pass a written knowledge test (study using the KY Driver Manual, click here)
• Take a vision test
• Apply for a permit at local DMV

When applying for a permit, bring the following documents:

1. Original Birth Certificate (or certified copy)
2. Social Security Card (must bring card as proof)
3. One proof of Residency (two for REAL ID)
4. School Compliance Verification Form issued by their school

A parent or legal guardian that is listed on the applicant’s birth certificate must also sign the license/ID card application form.

Permit holders must abide by certain rules to maintain their permit status, including:

• May only driver with a licensed driver 21+ in the front passenger seat
• Limited to one unrelated passenger under 20 years old
• Before obtaining a full, unrestricted license, drivers must complete a driver’s training program
• Additional rules may apply, see drive.ky.gov

Drive safe, Kentucky!

Learn more about the new driver licensing law for 15-year-olds by clicking here. 

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Grab a front row view of enchantment! The newest aquatic spectacle at the Newport Aquarium will showcase glowing, glittering jellyfish. Jellies: Go With The Flow opens this month and is included with general admission to the aquarium. Families can discover the life cycle of this incredible underwater creature and watch in awe as five different stunning species float, pulse and glow in their innovative tanks. Simply lounge in the cozy new seating, marvel at the whimsical ceiling element, relax under the atmospheric lighting and just… go with the flow. Visit newportaquarium.com for all the info.

Newport Aquarium extended their registration process for their FRE Pre-K Membership to March 7th!

Read about the process for this free membership for children ages 2-4, CLICK HERE!

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Those who decipher the clues can enter for a chance to win a $100 Skyline Chili gift card and four gold memberships to the aquarium! Another anniversary offering is for the aquarium’s littlest visitors. The new free Pre-K membership program will allow kids ages 2 – 4 unlimited free visits to the aquarium for a full year! This will be available through March 3, or while supplies last.

For more information, visit newportaquarium.com or give 800-406-3474 a call.

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Learn more by visiting newportonthelevee.com/the-brickery-cafe-play, and follow on Facebook at facebook.com/thebrickerycafe.

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More upcoming performances are on August 6 and 7 will pay tribute to Stephen Sondheim with selections from Sweeney Todd; West Side Story and other shows. Finally, September 3 and 4 will spotlight crooning tunes from The Rat Pack.

Visit kyso.org or call 859-431-6216 for more information about the KSO’s Summer Series shows.

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If you’re looking for safe and festive things to do this holiday season with the family, check out a drive-through light display you can enjoy right in your cozy vehicle!

Christmas at Prasco
Prasco Park 6125 Commerce Ct., Mason, Oh; prascopark.com/anightinlights
This is a FREE family-friendly holiday event! Enjoy over 100,000 lights, nativity, Santa and more!
December 4 – 6 from 6 – 9 p.m.

Journey Borealis at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum
1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, Oh; journeyborealis.com
‘Tis the season for this unique outdoor museum to flip on the switch for over a million lights and laser light displays woven through the trees, gardens and sculptures of the park. The 2.5-mile annual drive-through display of Journey Borealis features holiday art installations by regional and national artists. November 20 – January 3, 2021.

Holiday in Lights
Great Parks of Hamilton County Sharon Woods; 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, Oh; holidayinlights.com
Bring the family to this 31-year tradition featuring 1 million lights, special effects and more; November 21 – January 2; closed Thanksgiving and New Years Eve; Sunday – Thursday 6 – 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 5:30 – 10 p.m.; $15 dollars a car, $45 for buses, credit cards only, check their website for a $2 dollar off coupon! You can also choose to walk through the display December 2 and 30.

The post Mom Report: Top Drive-Through Light Displays this Season appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

AJ Jolly Park and Campground
1501 Race Track Road, Alexandria, Ky | 859-635-4433 
campbellcountyky.gov

Big Bone Lick State Park
3380 Beaver Road, Union, Ky | 859-384-3522
parks.ky.gov/union/parks/historic/big-bone-lick-state-historicsite

Lake Isabella Campground
10174 Loveland-Madeira Road, Symmes Township, Oh | 513- 791-1663
greatparks.org

Miami Whitewater Forest Campground
9001 Mt. Hope Road, Harrison, Oh | 513-851-2267
greatparks.org

Winton Woods Campground
651 Lakeview Drive, Cincinnati, Oh | 513-521-7275
greatparks.org

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PYRAMID HILL SUMMER SERIES FOR KIDS
Register. Sign up kiddos ages 5 – 12 for some super fun summer programming! Each program has a different theme ranging from arts and crafts, nature, animals and more. Workshops have a cap of 30 children, so be sure to call and register ASAP. Pyramid Hill, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton; 12 – 1 p.m.; included with general admission, $8 adults, $3 children, free for members; 513-868-8336 or pyramidhill.org/summer-seriesfor-kids.

FREE CCAC WEDNESDAYS IN THE WOODS
Join the Clifton Cultural Arts Center as they welcome the popular Wednesdays in the Woods concert series back to the Burnet Woods Bandstand! Each concert features a different local performer plus sweet and savory food truck vendors, so round up the family for a fun free concert every Wednesday in July. Burnet Woods Bandstand, 3298 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati; 7 – 9 p.m.; 513-497-2860 or cliftonculturalarts.org/wednesdays-in-the-woods.

Wednesdays and Saturdays

U-CUT FLOWERS AT MARMALADE LILY
Bring a vase from home and get ready to create beautiful floral arrangements; Marmalade Lily will have clippers and baskets on-hand as well as gorgeous u-pick flowers like zinnias (.50 each) and huge hydrangeas ($4 each). Senior and immunocompromised guests may visit half an hour early (6 p.m. Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. Saturdays). Other social distancing measures being utilized include masks, additional sanitizing measures for equipment, spacing and
more; Marmalade Lily, 9850 Schlottman Road, Loveland; Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Saturdays 9 – 11 a.m.; 513-604-6561 or themarmaladelily.com.

Thursdays

CREATURE FEATURE AT THE NATURE PLAYSCAPE
Drop by the Nature Playscape to get to know the creatures that call the great outdoors home; feel the wiggling of worms or even see small salamander toes while making crafts. Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; included with admission, $9 adults, $4 children, free for members; 513-831-1711 or cincynature.org.

Sundays

FREE. FAMILY YOGA WITH THE CARNEGIE CENTER OF COLUMBIA TUSCULUM
Register. Spend Sundays this summer doing family-friendly yoga; classes will be led by TriYoga with LQ. Yoga will be performed in a large room with plenty of room for social distancing. The Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum, 3738 Eastern Ave., Cincinnati; 12 – 1 p.m.; 513-473-5745 or thecarnegiecenter.org.

Find more family-friendly events at our award-winning calendar at cincinnatifamilymagazine.com/events.

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I have written about why I love Neltner’s Farm SO much, here: https://cincinnatifamilymagazine.com/uncategorized/mom-report-neltners-farm.

But here is a quick refresher on why Neltner’s Fall Festival needs to be on your autumn to-do list. Visit Neltner’s once and it is sure to become a family tradition. 

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”46″ display=”basic_slideshow”]Included Activities with $5 admission

-Horse drawn wagon rides

-3+ acre corn maze

-Live music on weekends 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

-Access to train display

-Petting zoo (feed is available for 50 cents a cup)

-Craft Menagerie

-NEW Toddler Corn Maze 

-NEW Corn pit

-Free parking

Extras

-Barrel Train Rides: $3 each

-Pony Rides: $3 each

-Items available for purchase at the Farm Stand (I recommend the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bread- YUM!)

-Delicious home-cooked food available for purchase

-Pumpkins are 45 cents a pound

-Gorgeous Mums 

Attention to detail sets Neltner’s apart!

There are cute photo opportunities around every corner; I love looking back at old pictures of my boys posing year after year on the piggy barrel. It is so fun to watch them change every year as they grow bigger and the pig stays the same. Another standout is the super cute train display. My boys ran in circles as they followed Thomas around the tracks. My youngest was simply mesmerized by the trains; it proved to be a difficult task to pry him away! Thankfully, the brand new corn pit is nearby. This LARGE corn pit is filled with plenty of buckets, scoops and trucks; all 3 of my boys played happily for an eternity. The new toddler corn maze was a big hit for my little ones. The path was wide and smooth enough for a stroller and I didn’t have to worry about my kids getting lost because there is only one way out. 

Special 2019 dates:

October 19: Antique Tractor Display by Licking Valley Antique Machinery Association (rain date: Oct 26)

October 26 -27: Food Truck Weekend featuring Marty’s Waffles, Pinky’s Pit. Cheese Melt Grill Oct 26 only. Texas Joe Oct 27 only.

Fall Festival will be held Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. through October 27th.

Neltner’s Farm is located at 6922 Four Mile Road in Melbourne, Kentucky.

Call 859-496-7535 or head to neltnersfarm.com for more information.

The post Fall Bucket List: Neltner’s Farm appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Bring the kids to check it out, and while there, learn about the Families Create! educational art workshops for $5 a child.

Weston is located in the Aronoff Center for the Arts at 650 Walnut Street. Check out the exhibit and workshop schedules at visit cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery.

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