How cool is this? Rosalind Wiseman – the best-selling author of Queen Bees & Wannabes, the basis for the hit movie Mean Girls – will be in town hosting a workshop filled with mother-daughter bonding, but also an interactive discussion about confidence, friendships and how to navigate those sweat-inducing “moments”. She will also be signing copies of her books, which attendees will receive at the event.

That’s right; the Rosalind Wiseman’s Girl World workshop for moms and tween girls comes to Cincinnati on Thursday, March 25^th and WE’VE GOT TICKETS!! Already more than 500 tickets have been sold and this is sure to be one great event.

EVENT DETAILS
Rosalind Wiseman’s Girl World Tour, presented by Dove go fresh

Date:                  Monday, March 15
Time:                  6:30- 8:30 p.m.
Location:           Cintas Center at Xavier University
Tickets:              $40 per mother-daughter pair

Event Details:  http://rosalindwiseman.com/events/girl-world-tour/

WIN TICKETS
Two lucky readers will win a pair of tickets, courtesy of the Girl World sponsors, Dove go fresh Deodorant and Body Mists. Contest closes on Tuesday, March 16th.  Open to greater Cincinnati residents.

There are several ways to enter, you can do one or all of them for additional chances:

1. Leave a comment sharing something you enjoy doing with your daughter.
2. Add Family Friendly Cincinnati to your blogroll and leave a comment letting us know you did so.
3. Become a fan of Family Friendly Cincinnati on Facebook (see FB widget on right), leave a comment letting us know you did so.
4. Subscribe to the FFC eNewsletter and leave a comment letting us know you did so.
5. Tweet  about this giveaway (include @famfriendlycin) and leave a comment

What are you doing this weekend? The weather’s starting to take a turn for the better, and if your kids are like mine they can’t wait to get out of the house. Here are a few events and activities you might consider this weekend.

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St. Patty’s Day Parade (Downtown) –This weekend is the wonderful St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Festivities begin  at 11:00 a.m.  with the parade starting at Fifth and Sentinel Streets. The Parade travels west on Fifth to Plum Street.  Visit the Cincinnati St Patrick’s Day Parade web site for details.

Zing Zang Zoom (Downtown)- At US Bank Arena Friday, Saturday & Sunday – The Circus continues through the weekend!  Catch shows Friday March 12: 7:00 pm; Saturday March 13: 11:00am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm and Sunday March 14: 11:00am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm. SAVE $5* on tickets using code FAMFUN in person at the US Bank Arena box office or online www.ticketmaster.com.

St. Andrew’s Church Model Train Display (Milford) – More than 70 train enthusiasts come together at St. Andrew Church for an event that’s sure to have children in awe.  Saturday, March 13, 9:30am to 2:30pm; cost is $3, children 12 & under free.  Visit http://www.standrew-milford.org or call (513) 732-2793 for details.

1/2 Price Books Half Pint Book Drive (Florence, Kenwood, Northgate)- A fun way to teach children about giving back. This weekend drop off your gently used books and know that they’ll go to children in need. Visit Half Priced Books online for details.

Babywearing Bliss (Downtown)- Park + Vine hosts Babywearing Bliss, a free workshop on safely and comfortably carrying a baby from birth through toddler years at 2pm, Sunday, March 14th. Visit Park +Vine online for details.

Jungle Book (Clifton)- The Clifton Performance Theatre presents the Jungle Book. Children’s Repertory performances take place Saturday March 13 at 7 PM & Sunday March 14 at 2 PM. Tickets available online or by calling 513-861-7469.

Fifth Third Bank Cincinnati Home & Garden Show – (Downtown)  March 12-14 – Kids under 13 are free. Adults/$11.  Duke Energy Convention Center. Click here for more info.

The Children’s Theatre of Mason (Mason) presents Cinderella – Mason High School Auditorium.  Tickets can be purchased at the door one hour before show time. $10/person.

Whole Foods Market (Deerfield Towne Center) – Saturday, March 13 – Get Your Irish On – St. Patty’s Day Celebration Party – Noon-3pm – Free – Kid get to participate in potato stamping and face painting.  First 100 patrons arriving at Noon will get a goodie bag.

Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic – (various locations) – 1oam - Saturday, March 13 – build a tabletop basketball goal - free bu please pre-register.

Rosenthal Next Generation Series -(Mt. Adams) – Saturday, March 13 -   ”The Stinky Cheese Man” – Cincinnati Playhouse in Park – 1o:30am & 1pm – $5/kids 4-18 and $6/adults. See our previous FFC post for more information.

Celtic Lands Culture Fest (dowtown) -Passport to the World –  Cincinnati Museum Center - March 13-14 - Activities in the rotunda are free but admission charged if you visit a museum. Enjoy singing, dancing, and more.

Pathways Concert Series (dowtown) -Magnifique –  Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Sunday,March 14 – 3pm – $5/kids, $10/adults.  Concerts are shortened and last 60-90 minutes.

I didn’t think my girls would love playing laser tag so much but they do. Plus it’s something we can do as a family and my husband really enjoys it too. Although, he’s a good sport, I think he gets tired of me schlepping him all over Cincinnati for all the other things we do. But for this activity, he’s all for it. Now, laser tag may be a bit difficult for pre-schoolers since the “mission packs” are a tad heavy, but last year my youngest tried it. Granted, the “mission pack” was as long as she was and probably just as heavy but she loved it. Now that I think about it, my girl had some strength lugging that around while navigating her way through a laser tag course.

There’s going to be a brand new laser tag facility opening soon. It’s called, THE WEB extreme entertainment, and will make its big debut at the end of March. Their facebook page says it all, “The Tri-States newest and most exciting FamilyEntertainment Facility! Featuring Inside Track go-karts, Laser Web laser tag, Hang Ten bowling, Jurassic Park mini-golf and a fantastic arcade and redemption center!” Wow, looks like so much fun.

On March 26, they are having a grand opening celebration. From 6-11pm, you can enjoy all the great features. There’ll be laser tag, Hang Ten mini-bowling, Jurassic Park golf, go-karts, and arcade games. They also have an onsite pizza parlor, Noble Romans & Tuscano’s Italian Subs and the Sweet Spot Ice Cream Shop that features Aglamesis Brothers ice cream (yum yum).  100% of all proceeds for the grand opening celebration will benefit the Anthony Munoz Foundation and Mr. Munoz will make a special guest appearance. You can purchase the tickets the night of the event for $15/kids 9 and under and $25/10 and up. The ticket price includes all the attractions but there are some age limitations. Golf and bowling are open to all ages but you have to be at least 7 years old to play laser tag. In order to ride the go-Karts, you have to be 10 years old and 54” (if under 10 then you can ride with a licensed driver if you are able to be secured safely). It’s nice to know that THE WEB is big on promoting family safety.

In addition to the new West Chester location, Laser Web is also located in Centerville (their Fairfield location will be closing March 14).  When the weather warms up you can also enjoy Adventure Golf South in Centerville.  Both locations are great places to host a child’s birthday party. A place where they can play hide and seek,  play arcade games, eat pizza & ice cream and zap people with cool toys that have sound effects sounds like a winning combination to me.

Hurray for the weekend! We don’t know about you, but the visit from the sun on Thursday got our families itching to get and and enjoy the city.  As always, here are a few of our picks for fun things to do this weekend.  If you’ve got something fun on your agenda for this weekend that we don’t have listed, please leave it in the comments if it’s something you think FFC readers might enjoy too.
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CANstruction (Downtown) – Check out fun large sculptures built from canned goods at the Weston Art Gallery downtown.  Exhibit benefits the FreestoreFoodbank. Cost: Attendees encouraged to bring canned goods for donation; Hours are Sat. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sun. 12pm to 5 p.m. Visit http://www.westonartgallery.com for details.

Princess Tea Party (Cincinnati) - Children ages 3-8 will enjoy this magical event at Beech Acres Park RecPlex.  Fun includes treats, pretend tea and a visit from a real live princess! Saturday, March 6, 10:30 – 12pm. Cost is $15, $12 residents.  Registration required. Visit www.andersonparks.com or call (513) 388-4515 for details.

Lebanon Quilt & Fabric Show (Lebanon) - Take your children back in time to learn about the art and craft of quilting.  Show includes quilt exhibit & sales from more than 35 vendors. Benefits Warren County Historical Society. Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Cost is $6; for additional information visit http://www.wchsmuseum.org or call (513) 932-1817 for details.

Bead Crazy Earing Class (Springdale) -  A great way to spend the day with your daughter! Participants will learn how to make two pairs of earrings. Saturday, March 6, 10am – 3pm. Appropriate for ages 12 and up (children must be accompanied by an adult). Visit www.beadcrazygirl.com or call (513) 671-3456 for details.

Cincinnati Home & Garden Show (Downtown) – Who’s ready for spring?? Head downtown this weekend for the Fifth Third Bank Cincinnati Home and Garden Show at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Show runs this Saturday & Sunday (and next weekend too). Cost is $11 adults, children 13 and under free. For complete details visit http://www.hartproductions.com.

Jack & The Bean Stalk (Downtown) - Check out the final performance of the Children’s Theatre’s production of Jack & The Bean Stalk this Saturday, March 6th at the Taft Theatre.  Show starts at 2pm and tickets range in price from $7-$20. Visit http://www.thechildrenstheatre.com or call (513) 569-8080, ext. 10 for more information.

Percussion Group Cincinnati (Clermont County) – Music from Scratch – Part of Calico Children’s Theatre at UC Clermont College. March 5 at 7pm and March 6 at 10:30am.  $6/adults and $4/kids. More info on http://www.ucclermont.edu/collegecalendars/calico_theater.html.

Rosenthal Next Generation Series (Mt. Adams) - World of Wonder – Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park - Saturday, March 6 - 10:30am & 1pm. $5/kids 4-18 and $6/adults. Free parking.

Family First Saturday (Eden Park) - Cincinnati Art Museum - Saturday, March 6 - 1-4pm – Great free family event where you can introduce your kids to the art musuem and take part in lots of fun activities including art making, story telling, dancing, and much more.

Learning Through Play Conference (Downtown) – Cincinnati Musuem Center - Saturday, March 6 – 9:30am-4pm – Great parenting forums and interactive workshops for kids.

Madcap Puppets - Annie Oakley’s Wild West Show – Part of Xavier University’s Hat’s Off Series - March 6 & March 7. $7/ticket.

“Are you ready for some football?”……..The Cininnati Commandos have arrived and their season opener is on Saturday, March 13.  They are part of the Continental Indoor Football League. So get your tickets and head to the Cincinnati Gardens to see the Cincinnati Commandos take on the Miami Valley Silverbacks (got to love the names).  Game time is 7:30pm.

For their opening season, patrons will have free parking and they are offering $1 beers at every home game.  They want to make the games affordable for families so children under 10 are only $7.  Regular seating is $12 and premium seating is $17. Military and student tickets are $10.  They also have season ticket options ($50/$75 depending on the row).

Here is their upcoming home schedule (from website):

• Game 1: Miami Valley Silverbacks – Sat, 3/13/10 07:30 PM
• Game 2: Columbus Aces – Fri, 03/26/10, 8:00 PM
• Game 4: Wisconsin Wolfpack – Sat, 04/10/10, 7:30 PM
• Game 6: Miami Valley Silverbacks – Sat, 04/24/10, 7:30 PM
• Game 8: Chicago Cardinals – Sat, 05/15/10, 7:30 PM
• Game 9: Ft. Wayne Firehawks – Sat, 05/22/10, 7:30 PM

We all know how important birthday parties are. We work hard to make sure they’re perfect, that our children have fun and that great memories are made. Unfortunately, sometimes this is easier said than done, as it can be hard to find places other than the typical ones you think of {you know the places we are talking about }.

This is exactly why a few weeks ago on Facebook we asked you to share your favorite birthday party locations in Cincinnati. Boy were we excited about your responses! So many great suggestions – places we’d not heard of, places we’d been to, places all over the city.  It was a great list and we couldn’t wait to share it here on the blog.

**Please note that our goal is to continue to grow this list, adding new places as we discover them or when you send them our way. If you know of a great place that’s not included on our list, please feel free to leave information about it in the comments, or you can shoot us an email at FamilyFriendlyCincinnati(@)gmail.com.

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Jump! Zone ~  Jump!Zone is an indoor party center featuring nine large inflatables, interactive games and various toddler activities. Prices start at $159 for 15 kids and run to $259 for 25 kids. Locations in Florence & Milford. Visit the Jume!Zone web site for complete details on party packages and pricing.

Beechmont Rollarena ~ If your child is old enough, roller skating may be the party for you.  Party pricing is based on attendance – $7.00 per child, includes skate rental, party supplies, drinks & ice cream. Pizza & soda avail; minimum of 8 children. For complete details visit the Beechmont Rollarena web site.

Here’s a fun idea, paint pottery for your next party. Locally, two options include Star Glazers and Color Me Mine.

• Star Glazers ~No need to travel, Star Glazers brings the party to you.  Paint ceramic mugs, plates etc and w/I 2 weeks your finished pieces return! Details on the Star Glazers web site. Call for party pricing.
• Color Me Mine ~ Located in Crestview Hills Towne Center children will have fun painting pottery with their friends. Prices vary based on pieces painted. Details on Color Me Mine Web site.

Snappy’s Tomato Pizza Party ~ What child doesn’t love pizza? How about a party at Snappy Tomato where you get to eat what you helped make?  Call your local Snappy Pizza to see if this is offered. We know in Bright, IN the Snappy location offers a ‘make your own pizza’ party for kids for just $5 per child.

Pump It Up ~ Large private indoor arenas, filled with gigantic inflatable slides, bounce houses, obstacle courses and more (Parents can play too!) Parties include a private party room with a party coordinator to help run things so parents can just sit back and enjoy. Parties run from $189 – $269. Located in West Chester. Complete details on the Pump It Up Web site.

The Little Gym ~ Located in Liberty Township, Kids who have their birthday party at the Little Gym get the whole place to themselves! Party includes lots of tumbling and “gymnastics” fun and they take care of everything for you.  Visit The Little Gym web site for details, call for pricing.  Perfect for children 12 and under.

Cincinnati Museum Center ~  Choose from the Duke Energy Children’s Museum or the Cincinnati Museum Center for your party. Lots of party themes available including Construction, Fish, dinosaur, cave and more.  Party includes 15 guests with prices ranging starting at $160 for Museum members, $185 for non members. Visit the Cincinnati Museum Center Web site for complete details and pricing.

Happen, Inc’s Toy Lab ~ How fun would it be to create your own toy? Party goers at Toy Lab on Beechmont Avenue get to do just that with the help of one of Happen’s wacky professors.  Party packages range in price from $160 – $240. Complete details are available on the Happen, Inc. Web site.

Wake Nation ~ Want to take your party to the ‘Extreme’? How about a party at Wake Nation in Fairfield?  Party goers can learn to wakeboard, water ski, and/or kneeboard WITHOUT a boat. The main lake is good for kids 10 and up and this summer they are opening The Practice Pond for ages 5 and up. Pricing starts at $300. Complete details on the Wake Nation Web site.

Little Songbird Music ~ Perfect for little ones ages 1-4, Little Song Bird music will bring the party to you. Parties include a half hour music class and creating a musical craft. Costs start at just $45.  Visit the Little Songbird Music web site for complete details.

The Enchanted Village in Lebanon~ In addition to being an amazing toy store, one the second level they have the cutest rooms perfect for a princess party for a little girl. You can decorate cookies in the pretend kitchen, play dress up with their beautiful costumes and have cake and a tea party with your animals. Visit the downtown Lebanon web site for contact information.

Here’s a fun idea one reader submitted:  “We take all the kids to a matinee performance at the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati and then have a party at home w/ food and games inspired by the show.” Lots of great local theater productions for children. Visit the Ensemble Theatre or The Children’s Theatre web sites  for details/inspiration.

The Royal Table -  If you have a princess at home, then think about taking her to The Royal Table in Mt. Lookout for her next birthday party.  They just opened in Feb. and have dress-up princess party packages to delight kids ages 3 to 10 years. 

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Don’t forget, we know this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you know of a great place to have a party, please let us know. We want to keep this list up-to-date and growing!

Thanks to everyone who shared ideas on the Family Friendly Cincinnati Facebook Fan page!

Oh yes Cincinnati, the Circus is coming to town and a whole bunch of Cincy bloggers have free tickets to give away courtesy of Mom Central.  So up your chances and visit all the following:

mommybits.net

mommysnacks.net

doingtheworkingmomthing.com

blog.nickels-n-dimes.com

amyinohio.com