What's Up This Weekend (Aug. 20-22, 2010)

No matter what your kids’ ages and interests, I guarantee you’ll find something they’ll love to do this weekend. There’s a ton of variety and fun to be had —  go get ’em!

All Weekend

At Sawyer Point, the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion will include themed pavilions, health screenings, youth and young adult activities, food and merchandise vendors and more.

If you’re up for a good old-fashioned church festival, this is a good weekend to head out to one. Lots of family fun can be had at St. Francis de Sales Family Fun Fest in Lebanon (513-932-2601 for info), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Festival in Milford (513-575-0119 for info), St. Mary Family Funfest in Hyde Park, and St. Ignatius Festival on North Bend Road (513-661-6565 for info).

On the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, take a Train Ride with Clifford the Big Red Dog and Emily Elizabeth. Play on the LM&M play set, enjoy story reading of classic Clifford favorites and create a fun craft. Visit the LM&M website for tickets and ride times.

Want a little Family ARTventure? Head to the Cincinnati Art Museum (Saturday at 1 pm or Sunday at 3 pm) and meet in the front lobby for a tour featuring touchable objects and hands-on art stops led by specially trained docents.

When the heat is one this weekend, cool off at Sharon Woods’ Sharon Centre for Ice, Ice, Baby: Ice Age-themed activites indoors and naturalist-led hike in the Gorge to see how glaciers shaped Sharon Woods. Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm.

Friday

Late summer is the perfect time for Sleeping Under the Stars: An Overnight Adventure at Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods. Camp out in a field, and enjoy a night hike with activities, crafts, campfire to cook dinner and more. Bring your tent and dinner to cook. Light breakfast provided. Ages 6 and up.

Saturday

Starting on Saturday at 8:30 a.m., the Fremont Paddling Festival highlights the efforts of Adopt-A-Stream clean-ups and realizes the recreational potential of Great Miami River. Enjoy paddling races, a recreational float, entertainment, camping, boat rentals, vendors, expo, and more.

If you’re deathly afraid of snakes, you might want to ask someone else to take your kids to this one: Goodness Snakes is a (you guessed it!) snake-themed program at the new Fernald Preserve in Harrison. Stop in from 9 to 4 to check out live snakes and get a wiggly wooden snake with realistic slithering motion to take home.

For the wee ones, there’s ManaTots at Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore in Oakley, stories and songs for children up to age 4, starting at 9:30. (Tip: Mom and Dad can get a good cuppa joe at the Manatee Decafe while the kids enjoy storytime!) Later in the day, at 1 p.m., Snoopy will be stopping by the store for stories and pictures.

Any budding chefs in the kitchen? Get ’em cooking at Kids Can Cook Too, 10 am at Whole Foods Market — it’s free, but registration is required.

Kids ages 6-12 can try their hand at Acting and Storytelling for Kids, 11:30 am to 1 pm at Bi-Okoto Drum and Dance Theatre. During this workshop, they’ll play theater games, acting exercises, act out African parables and learn professional techniques for TV and stage.

Your young crafter might enjoy Kids Club Krafts at the Clubhouse,  1 to 3 pm at Scrap-Ink on Bridgetown Road. Children ages 4-12 learn the basic elements of art, design and style.

Are your kids all pumped about tennis after the Western & Southern masters tournament? Tennis KidsFest at Mercy HealthPlex Fairfield and Anderson (1 to 3 pm) is geared to ages 5-11 and is designed to teach tennis quickly in fun environment. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate.

Everyone put on their dancing shoes for the Street Dance & Family Fest in Madeira from 6 to 11 pm. Listen to music by Leroy Ellington and the E-Funk Band and a DJ on deck playing hits, along with food and drink booths.

Sunday

Did somebody say free ice cream? Yep, if you stop by Joseph-Beth Booksellers around noon. The Wimpy Kid Ice Treat Truck Tour will be there, and you and the kids can get a free frozen treat to celebrate the upcoming release of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 5.”