Homeschool & family fun around Cincinnati

Pumpkins, a corn maze and a full day of farm activities for one price, plus a bakery and market barn.

• When: Daily through Nov 1, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Pick a pumpkin at the Great Parks farm on October Saturdays.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sat, Oct 31, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24 and Sat Oct 31, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Price: $4 per pumpkin
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The zoo's fall weekends of Halloween fun, free with zoo admission. Two weekends remain.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026; Sat, Oct 31, 2026; Sun, Nov 1, 2026

• When: Sat–Sun Oct 24–25 and Oct 31–Nov 1, 2026
• Time: Noon–5 p.m.
• Price: Free with zoo admission
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Shop free, gently used kids' Halloween costumes, while supplies last. With Be Kind Harrison.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24, 2026
• Time: Noon–4 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Kids
• Booking: Not listed on source

Wear a hiking-friendly costume for a trail adventure with trinkets and treasures to find along the way.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24, 2026
• Time: 5–6 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Ages 6–9
• Booking: Not listed on source

Explore nature at night on a path lit by jack-o'-lanterns. Bring a flashlight.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24, 2026
• Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
• Price: $7 entry; $6 per pumpkin
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The farm's weekend fall festival with family activities included in admission. The last weekend is Oct 24–25.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026

• When: Sat–Sun Oct 24–25, 2026
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: $15 per person; $12 seniors 65+; 2 and under free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Free parking.

A family Halloween party in the Highfield Discovery Garden with crafts, storytimes, pumpkin science and some not-so-creepy crawlers. Costumes encouraged.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Oct 27, 2026; Wed, Oct 28, 2026

• When: Tue Oct 27 and Wed Oct 28, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m.–noon
• Price: $7 (free for Highfield passholders)
• Ages: Ages 2–7
• Booking: Not listed on source

For teens (13+). A teen Halloween movie hang showing The Addams Family (1991, PG-13). Come and go as you like; snacks and popcorn provided.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Oct 27, 2026

• When: Tue Oct 27, 2026
• Time: 4–5:45 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: For teens (13+)
• Booking: Not listed on source

An evening on the archery range shooting at Halloween-themed targets to seasonal tunes. Costumes welcome.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Oct 27, 2026

• When: Tue Oct 27, 2026
• Time: 5:30–7 p.m.
• Price: $10
• Ages: Ages 8+
• Booking: Not listed on source

A Halloween escape room: solve your way past the zombies to a safe haven. Not recommended for anyone under 10.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Oct 28, 2026; Thu, Oct 29, 2026; Fri, Oct 30, 2026

• When: Wed Oct 28, Thu Oct 29 and Fri Oct 30, 2026
• Time: Oct 28: 5–6 p.m.; Oct 29–30: 3–4 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Ages 10+
• Booking: Registration required.

Dance to monstrously good music and make crafts. Costumes welcome.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Oct 28, 2026

• When: Wed Oct 28, 2026
• Time: 6–7 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Families
• Booking: Not listed on source

A Halloween open house with themed activities and treats. Wear your costume.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 30, 2026

• When: Fri Oct 30, 2026
• Time: 3:30–5:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Kids and families
• Booking: No registration required.

For teens (13+). The library is yours after hours for a spooky night of games and snacks; costumes optional. The library lists this for grades 6–12.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 30, 2026

• When: Fri Oct 30, 2026
• Time: 6:30–8 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: For teens (13+)
• Booking: Registration required.

Homeschool students explore a new topic each month alongside fellow students. November's topic is Indigenous Storytelling.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Oct 28, 2026; Wed, Nov 18, 2026; Wed, Dec 16, 2026

• When: Wed Oct 28, Nov 18 and Dec 16, 2026
• Time: 1:30–2:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Homeschool students K–6
• Booking: Registration required.

An informal meetup for homeschool families with kids of any age: socialize, share resources and use the board games, learning activities and craft supplies. On Nov 11, Buckeye Search and Rescue Dogs visit with their handlers.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Oct 28, 2026; Wed, Nov 11, 2026

• When: Wed Oct 28 and Wed Nov 11, 2026
• Time: 1:30–2:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Registration recommended.

Hands-on, interactive nature science for homeschoolers with a new topic each month, from aquatic life to sweet sap.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Nov 6, 2026; Wed, Nov 11, 2026; Mon, Nov 16, 2026; Wed, Dec 9, 2026; Mon, Dec 21, 2026; Wed, Jan 13, 2027; Mon, Jan 18, 2027

• When: Nov 6, 11 and 16, Dec 9 and 21, 2026; Jan 13 and 18, 2027
• Time: 10 a.m.–noon
• Price: $9
• Ages: Ages 6–12
• Booking: Registration required. Locations vary by date.

Monthly hands-on STEAM for homeschoolers: build with Keva Planks and Rigamajig Jr. (Nov 9), track and graph your shots at Basketball Bonanza (Dec 14) and explore electronics with Snap Circuits (Jan 11).

Upcoming dates: Mon, Nov 9, 2026; Mon, Dec 14, 2026; Mon, Jan 11, 2027

• When: Mon Nov 9 and Mon Dec 14, 2026; Mon Jan 11, 2027
• Time: 10:30–11:30 a.m. (Jan 11: 1:30–2:30 p.m.)
• Price: Free
• Ages: Ages 6–14
• Booking: Registration required; register each child attending.

Make new friends with other homeschool students while trying a new activity each month: storytime and art with the Cincinnati Urban Native Collective (Nov 10) and edible Christmas trees (Dec 8).

Upcoming dates: Tue, Nov 10, 2026; Tue, Dec 8, 2026

• When: Tue Nov 10 and Tue Dec 8, 2026
• Time: 11 a.m.–noon
• Price: Free
• Ages: Families, all ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Contemporary Arts Center educators lead hands-on art making, introduce contemporary artists and share tips for building on what you've discovered at home.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Nov 11, 2026; Wed, Dec 9, 2026; Wed, Jan 13, 2027

• When: Wed Nov 11 and Wed Dec 9, 2026; Wed Jan 13, 2027
• Time: 1:30–2:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: School-age children
• Booking: Registration recommended; drop-ins welcome. Space is limited.

Learn about dinosaur habitats for DiNovember, then build a 3D prehistoric landscape with toy dinosaur skeletons and air-dry putty. All materials provided.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Nov 11, 2026

• When: Wed Nov 11, 2026
• Time: 1–2 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Grades K–5
• Booking: Registration suggested but not required.

Uncover Boone County's history through artifacts and activities with the library's local history specialist.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Nov 11, 2026

• When: Wed Nov 11, 2026
• Time: 3–4 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Elementary
• Booking: Not listed on source

Monthly homeschool science: growing plants without soil with the county Extension Office (Nov 12), then the life cycle of a snowflake (Dec 10).

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 12, 2026; Thu, Dec 10, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 12 and Thu Dec 10, 2026
• Time: 1–2 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Grades K–5
• Booking: Not listed on source

Learn what fossils tell us about life on Earth, and why scientists look for fossils on other planets too, then make a craft to take home. Presented by the Cincinnati Observatory.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Nov 13, 2026

• When: Fri Nov 13, 2026
• Time: 10:30–11:30 a.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Recommended for ages 8–12; older and younger welcome
• Booking: Pre-registration required; 45 spots.

Monthly homeschool STEAM: science activities led by Skool Aid (Nov 17), the library's STEAM tech toys (Dec 15) and homemade soda and popping boba chemistry (Jan 12).

Upcoming dates: Tue, Nov 17, 2026; Tue, Dec 15, 2026; Tue, Jan 12, 2027

• When: Tue Nov 17 and Tue Dec 15, 2026; Tue Jan 12, 2027
• Time: 10–11 a.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Grades K–5 and tweens 8–14
• Booking: Not listed on source

A discovery-based outdoor series the park calls perfect for homeschoolers: making natural dyes, fossils, wilderness skills and creepy crawlers.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Nov 18, 2026; Wed, Jan 20, 2027

• When: Wed Nov 18, 2026 and Wed Jan 20, 2027
• Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Price: $9
• Ages: Ages 5–12
• Booking: Registration required. Children must come with an adult.

⚠️ Dress for the weather.

This month the club reads "A Little Princess" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Registered families get one free copy of the book while supplies last.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 19, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 19, 2026
• Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Tweens 8–14
• Booking: Register to get the free book.

A homeschool cooking club that explores the science behind food. Upcoming classes: Pad Thai (Nov 19), Homemade Italian Classics (Dec 3) and Crispy, Golden Latkes (Dec 17). Each class lists its allergens.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 19, 2026; Thu, Dec 3, 2026; Thu, Dec 17, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 19, Thu Dec 3 and Thu Dec 17, 2026 (next: Jan 28, 2027)
• Time: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Price: $50 ($40 members)
• Ages: Ages 7–14
• Booking: Buy tickets online; sales end at noon the day before. Sold-out classes can reopen, so check back.

⚠️ Recipes can't be modified for allergies. Parking is not included for non-members. A $20 cancellation fee applies.

A contemporary-art workshop for homeschool students: hands-on art making, learning about contemporary artists and a take-home sheet of tips and resources.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Dec 1, 2026

• When: Tue Dec 1, 2026
• Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Children and teens
• Booking: Registration recommended. Space is limited.

Read "Tunneling Earthworms," then get hands-on with a worm bin to learn what worms eat, how they survive and why the underground world matters. Presented by the Hamilton County Conservation District.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Dec 4, 2026

• When: Fri Dec 4, 2026
• Time: 10:30–11:30 a.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Not listed on source
• Booking: Pre-registration required.

Hands-on, inquiry-based programs for homeschool groups at Greenacres' 600-acre Cincinnati campus: agriculture, the environment, equine studies, fine arts and more, across seven education sites such as Nippert Barn, the Arts Center and Spooky Hollow Farm.

• When: Now booking 2026–2027 field trips
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: Ages 5–18
• Booking: Assemble a group of 15–30 participants (at least 3 families) and send a scheduling request on Greenacres' online form.

General admission is free every day. Special exhibitions such as "The Art of Charley Harper: Creatures Wild and Tame" (Oct 16, 2026–Mar 7, 2027) are ticketed. Sketching in pencil is welcome in the permanent galleries.

• When: Any open day
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free general admission; some exhibitions and programs cost extra
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Groups should contact the tour coordinator at least 3 weeks ahead.

Visitors 18 and under get in free, as do SNAP/EBT recipients. General admission for adults is $12.

• When: Wed 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thu–Fri 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free for 18 and under; adults $12
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Admission is free every Sunday and Monday. It is always free for youth 17 and under, students and teachers with ID; other days adults pay $15.

• When: Wed–Mon 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Tuesdays
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free Sun–Mon; youth 17 and under always free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source
• Proof of homeschool: ID for student or teacher admission

Krohn's 2026 holiday show. Free admission passes are available through the library's Discovery Pass.

• When: Opens Sat Oct 31, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The library's annual Veterans Day program honoring all veterans, with music, a special token and a talk on the planned Cold War Memorial commemorating the USS Cincinnati.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Nov 11, 2026

• When: Wed Nov 11, 2026
• Time: 10:30 a.m.–noon
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The Duke Energy Holiday Trains, a Cincinnati tradition since 1946, with more than 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives, plus a Northern Lights photo spot. Santa arrives Fri Nov 27 at noon; a sensory-friendly Santa visit is Wed Dec 16.

• When: Nov 13, 2026–Jan 4, 2027
• Time: Museum hours, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (closes 2 p.m. Dec 24)
• Price: Included with museum admission; free for members
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The zoo's holiday lights, included in zoo admission. Santa's Village opens at 4 p.m. daily through Dec 23, and Madcap Puppets perform nightly at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30.

• When: Nov 19, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. Closed Nov 26, Dec 24 and Dec 25.
• Time: Dec 20–31: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; other dates vary
• Price: Included with zoo admission
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Calling all builders: design a sweet gingerbread creation as a family.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 19, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 19, 2026
• Time: 6–7 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Families
• Booking: Please register.

Bundle up in your ugliest sweater and hike while learning how native wildlife handles winter.

Upcoming dates: Sun, Nov 22, 2026; Sun, Dec 6, 2026

• When: Sun Nov 22 and Sun Dec 6, 2026
• Time: Noon–1 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Ages 8+
• Booking: Registration required.

Fountain Square lights its holiday tree with performances and fireworks. More details are still to come.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Nov 27, 2026

• When: Fri Nov 27, 2026
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Make your own gingerbread house.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Dec 3, 2026

• When: Thu Dec 3, 2026
• Time: 4–5 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Grades K–5
• Booking: Not listed on source

Holiday lights, festive tractor rides, farm animals, open fires, hot chocolate and a visit with Santa (included).

Upcoming dates: Thu, Dec 3, 2026; Fri, Dec 4, 2026; Sat, Dec 5, 2026; Sun, Dec 6, 2026; Thu, Dec 10, 2026; Fri, Dec 11, 2026; Sat, Dec 12, 2026; Sun, Dec 13, 2026; Thu, Dec 17, 2026; Fri, Dec 18, 2026; Sat, Dec 19, 2026; Sun, Dec 20, 2026; Mon, Dec 21, 2026; Tue, Dec 22, 2026; Wed, Dec 23, 2026

• When: Dec 3–6, 10–13 and 17–23, 2026
• Time: 4–8 p.m.
• Price: $10–$12
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Timed tickets required.

A cozy afternoon of crafts, hot chocolate, music, a photo area and the return of Jolabokaflod, the Icelandic tradition of giving books.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Dec 5, 2026

• When: Sat Dec 5, 2026
• Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

A Cincinnati Museum Center docent tells the story of the CG&E (later Duke Energy) Holiday Trains, first set up in the CG&E lobby and now part of Holiday Junction.

Upcoming dates: Mon, Dec 7, 2026

• When: Mon Dec 7, 2026
• Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Not listed on source
• Booking: Not listed on source

For teens (13+). Make diamond-painted snowflakes to use as gifts or ornaments. The library lists this for grades 6–12.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Dec 11, 2026

• When: Fri Dec 11, 2026
• Time: 4–5 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: For teens (13+)
• Booking: Registration required.

Make and decorate a candy-covered gingerbread house to take home.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Dec 17, 2026

• When: Thu Dec 17, 2026
• Time: 4–5 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Not listed on source
• Booking: Not listed on source

Cincinnati Ballet's holiday Nutcracker at Music Hall.

• When: Dec 17–27, 2026
• Time: Varies by performance
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

An after-hours evening of holiday crafts for all ages, with lots of new ideas.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Dec 18, 2026

• When: Fri Dec 18, 2026
• Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Reservations required; space is limited.

Ring in 2027 a little early with crafts, activities and a balloon drop at noon.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Dec 31, 2026

• When: Thu Dec 31, 2026
• Time: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Families
• Booking: Not listed on source