Family events in Madison, IN

Pop Up Play offers a burst of creativity with games, adventures, and craft projects. Each week brings fresh activities in collaboration with local partners such as Skool Aid, Indigo Hippo, Black Art Speaks, Girls Can Hoop, Abrakadoodle, Pones, Dino Buddies, and the Cincinnati Public Library. The lineup rotates and some sessions may be announced closer to the day, so experiences can vary from week to week. Sponsored by Urban Sites, the Hubert Family Foundation, and P&G.

Presented by Medpace, this event returns for a third year at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Walk a half-mile route lined with more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins and autumn displays, creating the biggest experience of its kind in the Tri-state. Glowing jack o’lanterns, striking scenes, and special effects fill the pathways for a seasonal outing suitable for all ages. The Reptile House and Night Hunters will also be open during the event. This is a separate ticketed experience and is not included with Zoo membership or regular admission.

Discover adoptable dogs at Petco - 5 Mile in Cincinnati. Meet a welcoming mix of pups at different life stages, from energetic youngsters to mellow seniors, all looking for a home. You can review available pets in advance and submit an application ahead of time or complete one on site. If adopting is not possible right now, volunteers will be available to share ways to get involved.

Operation Santa's Helpers gathers new toy donations to provide gifts for children in military families at Fort Knox. Admission is a new toy donation. The event features food trucks, DJ music, and trophies. In partnership with Owen Funeral Homes and Top Shelf Performance, it focuses on appreciating Fort Knox military families and bringing holiday smiles to children. For more information, contact Genene Nisbet at 502-447-7759 or genene.nisbet@owenfuneralhome.com.

Unwind on a laid-back cruise along the Ohio River in Louisville. The experience suits all ages, with complimentary Adventure Passports for kids. Opt for a pre-selected boxed meal with the picnic lunch option, or relax and enjoy the scenery on the afternoon cruise.

Every other Sunday, California Park hosts a lively farmers market featuring themed editions, music from a DJ, a variety of vendors, and cooking demonstrations. The atmosphere is family focused and welcoming, creating a warm community experience.

Local and regional jazz artists perform every Monday at the Sherwin-Williams Porch, adding to Cincinnati’s thriving jazz scene. Attendees can enjoy a favorite drink while a rotating roster brings a range of sounds and ensembles. Artists featured across the run include Sophia Troyer, Love of Country Jazz Quintet Plays Cowboy Bossa Nova, Brent Gallaher Quintet, Mambo Combo, Estrada do Sol, Faux Frenchmen, Ricky Nye, Pamela Mallory Quartet, Little Saudade, Mandy Gaines and Brad Meyers, Jim Connerley Quartet, Camille Saba Smith, Bacchanal Steel Band, Marc Fields, Keigo Hirakawa Trio, Lili Shires and Steve Schmidt, Hank Stephens and Erwin Stuckey, Five Little Bears, Phil DeGreg Trio, Retro Nouveau featuring Jack Garrett, Noisepolice, Al West Jr, Jordan Pollard Trio, Queen City Cabaret, Daniel Bennett and the Dirty Shirleys, and Dixie Karas. Admission is free and tickets are not required. Programmed in collaboration with Jazz at the Memo, with thanks to sponsors GBBN, Sherwin-Williams, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Jack O’Lantern Glow, presented by Medpace, returns for its third year at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden with a walk-through featuring more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins and autumn displays along a half-mile route. Glowing jack o’lanterns, illuminated displays, and special effects transform the Zoo into a vivid fall setting, making it the biggest event of its kind in the Tri-state area. This family-friendly experience welcomes all ages. The Reptile House and Night Hunters will also be open during the event. Tickets are sold separately and the experience is not included with Zoo membership or regular admission.

This family friendly evening of trivia at the new Bootleggers features opportunities to show what you know, win prizes, and share a fun night out together. More is on the horizon from Bootleggers.

Curious about tubers? This edition of Wednesday Wonders welcomes elementary-age learners to explore the world of tubers through outdoor discovery, hands-on science, playful activities, and art. Created for young children, especially ages 5 to 9, the series features a new natural history topic each week and nurtures critical thinking, scientific literacy, and care for the environment. Sessions are held at the Ben Stout House in Turkey Run Park in Louisville, KY. Expect time outside on hikes and along the creek in every season, so dressing for the weather is recommended.

Build early language skills through stories, songs, rhymes, and playful activities. Open to infants through school-age children. Please register and include the total number of people in your group.

Parents considering high school options for their daughters can take part in Walkabout Wednesdays at Saint Ursula Academy, a casual campus tour that showcases what makes the school a nurturing place to learn and grow. Explore the campus, get a feel for the community, meet dedicated staff members, and see learning in action. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and attendees are encouraged to bring questions.

Pop Up Play brings hands-on creative fun to Imagination Alley with activities designed to spark imagination. Each installment features a different community partner, with organizations such as the Cincinnati Public Library, Abrakadoodle, the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and Black Art Speaks leading the experience. Additional summer information is forthcoming. Events in Imagination Alley are supported by PNC Bank, the Hubert Foundation, KPMG, and Urban Sites.

Yappy Hour, presented by Mission Vet Urgent Care, is a dog-friendly gathering held on the first Wednesday of each month. Pups and their people connect with Pet Wants at the Dog Park, then head out together on a community walk to Elm Street Plaza. Each edition features a new theme and activity, ranging from scavenger hunts and relay races to painting sessions, splash time, treat-catching contests that support the Stray Animal Adoption Program, and quick sit challenges. The October edition, Happy Howl-O-Weenie, invites everyone to show off their spookiest costumes. Sponsors include Mission Vet Urgent Care, Pet Wants, Decal Impressions, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

CKCSC USA celebrates its 65th Annual National Specialty Show at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Ctr, an IHG Hotel. The event features breed sweepstakes for puppies, adults, and veterans, a Pee Wee puppy class, junior showmanship, the Top 20 showcase, the Trudy Brown Albrecht Memorial Rally, the National Specialty, and the Elizabeth I. Spalding Memorial trophy show, along with obedience, rally, and trick dog activities. The schedule also includes the Annual General Meeting and a Parade of Veterans on Saturday, plus a banquet and an online silent auction. It takes place in Louisville, the city where the club started. Sweepstakes will be judged by Mimi Hodges, with mystery judges overseeing the Top 20. Liz McInally judges the Trudy Brown Albrecht Memorial Rally. Michael Levy presides over the National Specialty, and Rachel Venier judges the Elizabeth I. Spalding Memorial Show. Obedience and Rally are officiated by Katie Maess on Friday and Saturday and by Nancy Cheski on Sunday, and Trick Dog entries are judged by Carolyn Peterson.

Wee Walking Club is a relaxed, nature-focused meet-up for parents, caregivers, babies, and toddlers. Each outing explores a different trail that is less than 1.5 miles and set at an easy pace for small children and conversation. The program is free, and no registration is required. Walks continue in the rain; for hazardous weather, check the alerts page on the website for updates or cancellations. For this session, participants will meet park rangers at the Boulder Pond Parking Lot in Turkey Run Park for a paved, stroller-friendly stroll on the Sky Meadow Trail covering about a half mile round trip. Port-a-potties will be available, and there are no changing tables. For the well-being of the group, only service animals are permitted.

Families can explore creativity at the CAC through tactile art activities followed by a kid-friendly yoga sequence. Children will learn about artist Sheida Soleimani, then make their own pieces inspired by her work, with yoga offered after each Art Play session. The program is intended for ages 2 to 6 with parents or caregivers. Admission is free for members and for families with a valid SNAP or EBT card, and costs $5 per child for nonmembers. Presented with support from the Charles H Dater Foundation and ArtsWave.

At the KY Expo Center, Kentucky’s largest sports card and TCG show fills four days with hobby excitement. Dealers and collectors from across the country gather, making it a place to hunt grails or track down the last card for a set. There will be baseball, basketball, football, hockey, Pokemon, One Piece, and MTG, offering something for every collector.

G-FORCE is a peer-focused program for children ages 6 to 12 who are grieving the loss of someone close. Through activities, conversation, and guided guidance, participants build healthy ways to understand and express their feelings in a safe, caring setting. This weekly program is free, and registration is required. Parents and guardians begin by registering to attend G-FORCE Basic Training before their child participates. Sessions take place at Hosparus Health Grief Counseling Center.

Travel back in time on a two hour retro-inspired cruise aboard the Belle of Louisville. This budget-friendly outing welcomes kids and adults alike, featuring song-based bingo, family games, and additional nostalgic activities.

The Florida State Seminoles visit the Louisville Cardinals for an ACC clash at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Expect a fast pace, physical play, and high-stakes moments throughout. Both teams are pushing for position in the conference, creating an electric atmosphere from the opening kick to the final snap.