23 listings in Cincinnati, OH: free days out with kids: museums, workshops, storytimes and more.
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Open during park hours
Everybody's Treehouse, Mt. Airy ForestCincinnati
Everybody's Treehouse in Mt. Airy Forest reopened in fall 2026 after renovations. Ramps lead up into a 1,500-square-foot treehouse built around living trees and designed so kids and adults of all abilities can get 'up in the trees'. It's part of a public city park.
Verified Oct 27 · cincinnati-oh.gov
No catch
Tuesday–Sunday, 11am–5pm (Thursday until 8pm); closed Mondays
Cincinnati Art Museum
General admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is free every day it's open, Tuesday to Sunday, with late hours until 8pm on Thursdays. Parking is free too. Some special exhibitions are ticketed, such as The Art of Charley Harper (through March 7, 2027).
Verified Oct 27 · cincinnatiartmuseum.org
No catch
Mon–Thu 9am–8pm, Fri–Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 1–5pm
Oxford Lane LibraryCincinnati
Lane Libraries' Library of Things lets you check out acoustic guitars, ukuleles, banjos, a mandolin and sewing machines from the Oxford branch, plus seeds from the Lane Seed Library and kids' Launchpad tablets. Instruments and sewing machines are picked up and returned at the Oxford Lane Library.
Verified Oct 27 · lanepl.org
No catch
Park grounds open daily, 9am–4pm; house tours when the Taft Education Center is open
William Howard Taft National Historic SiteCincinnati
The birthplace and boyhood home of President William Howard Taft in Mount Auburn is a National Park Service site with no entrance fee. Start at the Taft Education Center for the park film and exhibits, then take a guided or self-guided tour of the restored house. Free parking on Auburn Avenue and behind the house.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
No catch
Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm (choice shopping ends 3:30pm)
Freestore Foodbank Liberty Street MarketCincinnati
Freestore Foodbank's Liberty Street Market is a choice pantry where you pick your own groceries for free, Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm. Protein items are for people who shop in person. Bring a photo ID and household verification (address, birth certificate or medical card). Shopping ends 30 minutes before closing; if you can't shop in time you may get a pre-packed emergency box.
Verified Oct 27 · freestorefoodbank.org
Catch: Bring photo ID and household verification (address, birth certificate or medical card)
During museum hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11am–5pm (Thursday until 8pm)
Rosenthal Education Center, Cincinnati Art Museum
Inside the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Rosenthal Education Center is open during museum hours for free hands-on artmaking and activities for families. Museum entry is free as well, so it's an easy indoor outing with kids.
Verified Oct 27 · cincinnatiartmuseum.org
No catch
Monday–Thursday 10am–7pm, Friday 10am–5pm
Fitton Center for Creative ArtsCincinnati
All exhibitions at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in downtown Hamilton are free and open to everyone, Monday to Friday. Galleries close now and then while new shows are installed, so check the exhibition schedule before you go.
Verified Oct 27 · fittoncenter.org
No catch
Monday–Friday after school; times vary by branch (e.g. Downtown Main Library 4–5pm)
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library branches
Kids and teens ages 1 to 18 can get a free meal after school, Monday to Friday, at 18 library locations including the Downtown Main Library, Price Hill, Walnut Hills, Westwood, Northside and the West End. Meals are eaten at the library. Times vary by branch (for example Downtown Main 4–5pm). No other eligibility rules.
Verified Oct 27 · chpl.org
Catch: Only for: ages 1–18 (and 19–21 with an IEP) · Must be eaten at the library
Phone intake Monday–Friday, 8:45am–4:30pm: 513-241-9400 or 1-800-582-2682
Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati (by phone)
Legal Aid helps low-income people with civil legal problems: protection orders, custody and divorce, evictions and foreclosures, utility shutoffs, unsafe housing, consumer debt and tax disputes, unpaid wages, veterans' disability claims, benefits, and special education. Call intake Monday–Friday, 8:45am–4:30pm. It doesn't take criminal or traffic cases.
Verified Oct 27 · lascinti.org
Catch: Only for: households under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines · Eligibility decided at an intake interview · No criminal or traffic cases
Mon 11am–4pm (food, diapers, hygiene); Wed 11am–4pm (seniors 55+); Tue & Thu 12:30–4:30pm (resources + pantry)
Brighton Center Family CenterCincinnati
Brighton Center's Family Center in Newport helps Campbell and Kenton County residents in crisis with a choice food pantry, diapers and hygiene items on Mondays 11am–4pm, and food assistance for seniors 55+ on Wednesdays 11am–4pm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30–4:30pm, customers can get help with housing, jobs and benefits and also shop the pantry. Bring ID and proof of household members, income and address.
Verified Oct 28 · brightoncenter.com
Catch: Only for: Campbell and Kenton County residents · Bring ID and proof of household members, income and address
Fri, Nov 6, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Fairfield Community Arts CenterCincinnati
MetroParks of Butler County brings live animals to the Fairfield Community Arts Center on Friday, November 6, 6:30–7:30pm, to show how wildlife sleeps, migrates or adapts through winter. All ages; free, no registration.
Verified Oct 28 · reservations.yourmetroparks.net
No catch
Wednesday 10am–5pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday–Sunday 10am–4pm; closed Mon–Tue
Contemporary Arts CenterCincinnati
The Contemporary Arts Center downtown is free for visitors 18 and under and for SNAP/EBT recipients. General admission for everyone else is $12. Children 12 and under need an adult with them.
Verified Oct 27 · contemporaryartscenter.org
Catch: Only for: visitors 18 and under, and SNAP/EBT recipients ($12 for other adults) · Visitors 12 and under must come with an adult
Sat, Nov 7, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Meadow Ridge MetroPark (archery range)Cincinnati
Bring your old jack-o'-lantern to Meadow Ridge MetroPark on Saturday, November 7, 1–3pm, and watch it launched from pumpkin-slinging machines (the machine builders do the launching). Pumpkins can be carved or whole but must be free of paint and decorations, 30 lb max. Meet at the archery range. Free, all ages, no registration.
Verified Oct 27 · reservations.yourmetroparks.net
No catch
Sundays and Mondays, 10am–5pm (museum closed Tuesdays)
Taft Museum of ArtCincinnati
The Taft Museum of Art, a 200-year-old historic house with the Duncanson murals and a collection of more than 800 objects, is free on Sundays and Mondays. On other days adult admission is $15. Youth 17 and under, students, teachers and military with ID are free every day.
Verified Oct 27 · taftmuseum.org
No catch
Sun, Nov 8, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
National Underground Railroad Freedom CenterCincinnati
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on the riverfront is free on Sunday, Nov 8, 2026, one of its Fifth Third Community Days. Regular adult admission is $21.50. The museum tells the stories of freedom's heroes from the Underground Railroad to today; plan on 3–4 hours. Reserve tickets online or in person; last entry 4:30pm.
Verified Oct 27 · freedomcenter.org
Catch: Free tickets: reserve online or in person
Thu, Nov 19, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Boone County Public Library, Scheben Branch (Meeting Room AB)Cincinnati
Families build their own sweet creations at Gingerbread Construction, Thursday, November 19, 6–7pm, at Boone County Public Library's Scheben Branch. Registration required.
Verified Oct 28 · boone.libnet.info
Catch: Registration required (limited seats)
Sat, Nov 28, 5:00 PM
Downtown Middletown (Central Ave. to Governors Square)Cincinnati
Middletown's Santa Parade steps off at 5pm on Saturday, November 28, heading west on Central Avenue to Governors Square, where Santa lights the city's holiday tree. Free to watch.
Verified Oct 27 · travelbutlercounty.com
No catch
Sat, Dec 5, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Historic downtown Lebanon, OhioCincinnati
Downtown Lebanon's 37th annual Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade is Saturday, December 5: decorated carriages roll through the historic downtown in a 1pm daylight parade and a 7pm candlelight parade. The Christmas festival runs 10am–8pm. Watching is free; food and shopping cost extra.
Verified Oct 27 · lebanonchamber.org
No catch
Sun, Dec 6, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
National Underground Railroad Freedom CenterCincinnati
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on the riverfront is free on Sunday, Dec 6, 2026, one of its Fifth Third Community Days. Regular adult admission is $21.50. The museum tells the stories of freedom's heroes from the Underground Railroad to today; plan on 3–4 hours. Reserve tickets online or in person; last entry 4:30pm.
Verified Oct 27 · freedomcenter.org
Catch: Free tickets: reserve online or in person
Sun, Dec 20, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
National Underground Railroad Freedom CenterCincinnati
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on the riverfront is free on Sunday, Dec 20, 2026, one of its Fifth Third Community Days. Regular adult admission is $21.50. The museum tells the stories of freedom's heroes from the Underground Railroad to today; plan on 3–4 hours. Reserve tickets online or in person; last entry 4:30pm.
Verified Oct 27 · freedomcenter.org
Catch: Free tickets: reserve online or in person
Request any time through Cincinnati 311; installs scheduled as alarms are available
Cincinnati Fire Department (request via 311)
The Cincinnati Fire Department and the American Red Cross install free smoke alarms in homes within the City of Cincinnati. Request one through the city's 311 service; requests are filled on a rolling basis as alarms become available. Residents outside the city can call the Red Cross at 1-844-207-4509.
Verified Oct 27 · cincinnati-oh.gov
Catch: Only for: residents within the City of Cincinnati · Request through 311; filled as alarms are available
Reserve a pass online; dates depend on each attraction
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
With a Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library card you can reserve a free Discovery Pass to local attractions such as Krohn Conservatory, the Contemporary Arts Center, Children's Theatre of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub. Library cards are free for Ohio residents, and for Boone, Campbell and Kenton County, Kentucky, residents who have a card from their local library.
Verified Oct 27 · chpl.org
Catch: Library card required (free for Ohio residents and Boone, Campbell and Kenton County, KY, cardholders) · Reserve a pass online in advance
During Hebron Branch hours, through January 3, 2027
Boone County Public Library, Hebron BranchCincinnati
Through January 3, 2027, the Hebron Branch of Boone County Public Library hosts Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites, an interactive exhibit from Minnesota Children's Museum where kids play inside scenes from The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Snowy Day and Where's Spot?
Verified Oct 28 · bcplundiscovered.org
No catch
