How does your family stay fit in the winter? Fencing? Hockey? Figure skating? Maybe a little karate?
No? Well, why not?! You can learn each of these skills right here in Greater Cincinnati.
Introduce variety
If your little one isn’t sure which sport to undertake, try one or two classes at Kids First Sports Center on Kemper Road. Programs include tumbling, gymnastics, swimming by Hubbard Family Swim School, yoga with Pooja, fencing hosted by Salle Du Lion and karate by Nishime Family Karate.
The center is also home to Queen City Storm cheerleading, the Ronnie Grandison Basketball Academy and Patty Pille’s School of Dance, which offers ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop classes.
Registration rates vary depending on the program. Classes for toddlers (with parent participation) to teens are available, and all skill levels are welcome.
Excel at winter sports
The Northland Ice Center offers group and private lessons for beginners as well as seasoned veterans. This facility is home to the Queen City Figure Skating Club and Learn to Skate Cincinnati ““ programs for all skills levels and ages, some with free trial sessions. Your kids can join hockey leagues, take lessons or just test their skills during open ice times. Public skating and skate rental is $9 for adults and $7 for kids under 12. Open hockey is $10 for all ages.
The Icebreakers Sled Hockey team is another unique hockey program in Cincinnati. These young people and adults have physical disabilities that prevent them from playing hockey while standing upright. The Icebreakers’ home ice is located at Sports Plus Cincinnati on Reading Road. This rink also offers public skating for $10 per person and hosts tournaments for local youth, adult and amateur teams.
Once you’ve mastered skating at an indoor rink, the U.S. Bank Ice Rink at Fountain Square is open until February 15. Be sure to add skating at one of Cincinnati’s favorite downtown attractions to your calendar before it’s too late! Admission is $4 and skate rental is an additional $4.
Try something new
Your kids may be active already or maybe your family has already been ice skating this year. If you’re looking for an activity that will stimulate your child beyond the TV, tablet or cell phone, try creative workshops at The Carnegie in Covington instead. The 2015 workshops include film making, working with clay and introductions to world dance. The 8-week programs costs $20 and details can be found online.
You can also visit the Cincinnati Museum Center calendar to see which exhibits, series and activities would interest your kids.
If holiday spending wiped out your budget, remember the Taft Museum of Art hosts Sunday Funday activities every third Sunday, which includes a celebration of the Chinese new year on February 15 this month.
