Spring Break Events: Plan Ahead

Lots of kids recently enjoyed their winter/spring break from school. But there are still hundreds of kids anticipating a fun spring break the week of April 8 when schools close for a week of family fun.

We’ve compiled a list of family-friendly events to help you with planning your upcoming spring break.

If you’re planning to stay in Richmond during spring break – you’re not alone – and there are lots of activities in the area. Many of them are free so check out our list. If you know of any family-friendly events going on during the week of April 8, please email us so we can continue building our Spring Break Event Listing.

And here’s a listing of summer events from 2011 but many are still available this year during spring and summer, so check them out – we’ll be updating this list over the next few weeks so let us know of other events to add.

Enjoy!

Spring Break Fun – Anytime

Metro Richmond Zoo – Located at 8300 Beaver Bridge Road, more than 400 animals, some of which are endangered species displayed in spacious, naturalistic exhibits. For more information, call (804)739-5666.

Science Museum of Virginia – Located at 2500 West Broad Street, the Science Museum is the best Richmond has to offer in the way of hands-on science. Adults and children alike will be fascinated by the exhibits, which explain the physics of aviation, the insides of a computer, or the astronomy of the night sky. Fly a flight simulator, write a computer program, grow your own crystals, or catch an Omnimax film in the planetarium. Traveling and seasonal exhibits give visitors a dynamic, current perspective on science. Enjoy Cultural events at the Museum right now.

Romp n’ Roll has a variety of classes and camps for kids from babies to 5 years. Check them out during Spring Break and tell them Richmondmom.com says “hi”!

Children’s Museum of Richmond – Fun any day of the year. Special Spring Break Camp 2012: The Sights and Sounds of Spring. 9 a.m. – 12 noon from April 9-13, 2012. For more information, call (800)659-1727. CMoR’s Springtacular! 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Children’s Museum of Richmond, Central Location. For more information call: (804) 474-7000. Enjoy the Sights and Sounds of Spring at the Children’s Museum of Richmond’s Spring Break Camp. Campers will bloom with all that springtime has to offer while learning about plants and animals, cooking, creating amazing art, reading stories and, most of all, having fun!

Multiplication Madness Spring Camp will focus on learning multiplication facts (0-12) in a positive, effective, and fun way.  Each session is limited to first 20 students registered per location.  Register by Sat, Mar 31st at this link. $50 per student. Mon, Apr 9th – Thurs, Apr 12th – Session 1: 9:00am – 11:00am; Session 2: 11:00am – 1:00pm – Locations: Short Pump: 3151 Lauderdale Drive – 804-364-3333 – [email protected]; Midlothian: 15508 WC Commons Way – 804-378-2211 – [email protected]; Mechanicsville:  9369 Atlee Rd #3103 – 804-559-0550 – [email protected]

Richmond Parks – special events listing by park location. Lots of free events and outdoor activities.

Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg – fun anytime.

Bass Pro Shop has activities for kids all the time and a large aquarium in the middle.

Sweet Spot in Short Pump has plenty of spring and Easter treats so hop in anytime! And don’t miss March 24th, National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day when you get 10% off their chocolate covered raisin in bulk, or 10% off boxes of Raisinets!

April 8

Easter on Parade on Monument Avenue on April 8. Each year more than 25,000 people converge upon the four-block site to celebrate the arrival of spring and the beauty of Monument Avenue, taking this once-a-year opportunity to stroll in the streets. Music, arts, crafts, children’s activities, food, balloon artistry, a petting zoo, and of course, people and pet watching are all part of the celebration. This is a parade for all Richmonders to come out and participate!

Bald Eagle Tour at Deep Bottom Boat Landing, 9529 Deep Bottom Road, Richmond. 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. An incredible two-hour journey into the world of bald eagles. Listen to the conservation success story of bald eagles on the James River as you travel through Jefferson’s Reach on the James. Reservations are limited: 804-938-2350. Great for elementary age kids.

Wading through Wetlands at Maymont  What is a café, nursery and water treatment plant all rolled into one? A wetland! We’ll discover the importance of wetlands and the living things that call them home as we head outside and explore. Kids and parents will use dip nets and other tools to search for aquatic creatures and discover their role in this fragile habitat. $8 per parent and child pair/$7 members (includes admission to the Nature Center). Register online (preferred) or call 804-358-7166, ext. 333. Limited space for walk-ups.

April 9

All week: Fishing and Mountain biking day camps with Virginia Outside, click on their calendar for schedule of Richmond day camps for spring break. For our review of one of their summer week-long fishing camps with sister company Virginia Fishing Adventures, click here.

Great Gardening with Kids: Growing a Spaghetti Garden at Maymont, April 9, 9:30-10:30am, Children’s Farm. Growing vegetables with kids can be easy, fun and nutritious for the family! Come to Jack’s Vegetable Garden near the Children’s Farm to learn about growing vegetables and see how to grow a spaghetti garden in a container. Ages 5 and older; adult must accompany child. $5 per person. Space is limited; register online or on-site the day of the program. For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 310. Just $5 per person.

Discover Magic at Enon Library with magician Mike Klee leading a magical adventure based on children’s books.

Storytime with Miss Peninsula Outstanding Teen 2012, at CMoR at 11:00 a.m.

University of Richmond Department of Music FREE Concert Series: University Jazz Ensembles, Mike Davison, Director at 7:30 p.m. – Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music. For more information call: (804) 289-8277 or visit website.

Sur la table – Learning the key techniques of cooking and baking is important for everyone—especially kids! This spring break, bring in your little chefs for our three-day culinary boot camp filled with hands-on culinary exploration. Working side-by-side with our expert instructors and other young cooks, junior chefs will learn essential cooking and baking techniques as a foundation for a lifetime of fun and creativity in the kitchen. $120 per person for 3 days – 4/9-12.

April 10

Spirited Art is offering 3 days of painting available for kids at their Short Pump studios and kids have a choice of attending one, two, or all three days (April 10-12) – it’s up to you.

Melody Magic Music has some fantastic spring-themed play dates planned for April 10 – “Bunnies, Chicks, and Sheep” – and they are JUST $8/kids.Visit the website or call 804.334.6241. They’re located at 3041 Lauderdale Drive.

Young at Art: Ancient Art and Languages.  10am-11am.  VMFA – Preschool Program. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each month. Check website for times and details. Also April 11 and 12.

Digging for Dinos at Maymont from 11-12 noon. How big was a T-rex tooth? Did cavemen and dinosaurs exist at the same time? Learn the answers as you explore the world of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Playing the part of a paleontologist, kids will dig through sand to find fossils and learn what these artifacts can tell us of an earlier time. Ages 5-9. $8 per person/$7 members (includes admission to the Nature Center). Register online (preferred) or call 804-358-7166, ext. 333. Limited space for walk-ups.

Mickey’s Magic Show at Glen Allen Libraray on 10501 Staples Mill Road. An afternoon of magic and fun for the netire family and meet Mickey’s assistant – Jack the Magic Bunny. It’s all FREE.

April 11

Mommy & Me at Willow Lawn on April 11 features Hope Harris and the Cousins Jamboree with lots of foot-stompin’ fun! Kids and adults will love this and it’s all FREE.

No Batteries Required at Glen Allen Crump Park and Meadow Farm Museum. Fun for the whole family. Ages 5 and up can try trundle hoops, walk on stilts and experience other 19th century fun and games. Free family event.

Spirited Art is offering 3 days of painting available for kids at their Short Pump studios and kids have a choice of attending one, two, or all three days (April 10-12) – it’s up to you.

Overtime Athletics Spring Break Sports Camp At Cool Spring Baptist Church. Don’t just sit at home during spring break – come out to camp! You’ll make friends, play games, win prizes and get MOVING. Camp will feature games like kickball, dodgeball, capture the flag and relay races. We’ll learn some basic sport skills for basketball, soccer and flag football. And you won’t want to miss out on our fun fitness events like the Exercise Scavenger Hunt. For boys and girls in grades 1-5. 9am-Noon on Wednesday April 11, Thursday April 12 and Friday April 13. www.overtimecamps.com to register.

Young at Art: Ancient Art and Languages.  10am-11am.  VMFA – Preschool Program. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each month. Check website for times and details. Also April 12.

April 12

Barnes & Noble Storytime at Short Pump Children’s Storytime: Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 6 and Under). Join us each Thursday for our Children’s Storytime. On the third Thursday of each month, we’ll have a special visit from Seymour and the Children’s Museum.

Spirited Art is offering 3 days of painting available for kids at their Short Pump studios and kids have a choice of attending one, two, or all three days (April 10-12) – it’s up to you.

Who Goes There – From paw prints and burrows to smells and scat, animals leave many clues to their whereabouts. We’ll take a look at some of the animal signs that tell us who’s been hanging around. Participants will create their own track guidebook and practice making molds of tracks. Ages 5 and older. $8 per person/$7 members (includes admission to the Nature Center). Register online (preferred) or call 804-358-7166, ext. 324. Limited space for walk-ups.

Overtime Athletics Spring Break Sports Camp At Cool Spring Baptist Church. Don’t just sit at home during spring break – come out to camp! You’ll make friends, play games, win prizes and get MOVING. Camp will feature games like kickball, dodgeball, capture the flag and relay races. We’ll learn some basic sport skills for basketball, soccer and flag football. And you won’t want to miss out on our fun fitness events like the Exercise Scavenger Hunt. For boys and girls in grades 1-5. 9am-Noon on Wednesday April 11, Thursday April 12 and Friday April 13. www.overtimecamps.com to register.

Samantha’s Tea Party at Maymont. The 1904 world of Samantha, a lively young American girl, comes to life during this delightful morning of old-fashioned games, crafts, exploring, manners, carriage rides, a special tea party and more. Dolls are welcome, too! Meet at Maymont’s Carriage House. Ages 7-11. $25 per person/$20 members. Registration required; for information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 329.

Little Lambs Eat Ivy For all ages. Watch as the sheep are shorn with hand-shears. Learn how the wool is processed and what it can be used for while visiting the new lambs. Information: 501-2130. Thur, Apr 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m. – Meadow Farm Museum. Free.

Young at Art: Ancient Art and Languages.  10am-11am.  VMFA – Preschool Program. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each month. Check website for times and details.

April 13

Flying Squirrels Picnic Night includes two hour all you cna eat buffet (begins 1 hour before game time), a reserved Diamond Club Seat down the 3rd base line, and pregame music on the concourse. Enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, BBQ chicken, Coca Cola products, garden salad, cookies md more. Fireworks after the game! To order tickets call 804.359.3866 ext. 339. Limited seating available.  Game starts at 6:30 p.m. as Flying Squirrels take on Altoona Curve. Just $28 per person.

Meet the Critters For all ages. Turkeys, chickens, sheep, horses, cows, and pigs. You will find them all here at Meadow Farm. Join a costumed guide as they offer a personal introduction to the farm animals. Information: 501-2130. – Fri, Apr 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m. – Meadow Farm Museum. Free.

Overtime Athletics Spring Break Sports Camp At Cool Spring Baptist Church. Don’t just sit at home during spring break – come out to camp! You’ll make friends, play games, win prizes and get MOVING. Camp will feature games like kickball, dodgeball, capture the flag and relay races. We’ll learn some basic sport skills for basketball, soccer and flag football. And you won’t want to miss out on our fun fitness events like the Exercise Scavenger Hunt. For boys and girls in grades 1-5. 9am-Noon on Wednesday April 11, Thursday April 12 and Friday April 13. www.overtimecamps.com to register.

April 14

Virginia War Memorial Run Walk. Join us as we honor and remember the sacrifices of the United States military in this inaugural event. All ages invited. Online registration.

Intercultural Festival at VCU. This is a FREE festival that brings together and supports all of the beautiful diversity that VCU and the surrounding community has to offer.Games, food, petting zoos, cultural performances, and more! The event is FREE, and is open to everyone. Bring your friends and family and immerse yourself and your mind into the various cultures found all around the world!

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Jammin’ – Enjoy a special “vibe” in the Children’s Garden. The Garden rocks and rolls with the special energy that comes from listening, dancing, clapping and stomping feet to the music. Visit website for fee information.