Don’t be scared of a few April showers. There are lots of ways to spend some sunny days outside this month!

Dominion Family Easter at Maymont
Saturday, April 4, 2015
10am-3pm
Maymont Carriage House Lawn

Enjoy one of Richmond’s favorite Easter traditions with egg hunts, crafts, games, live entertainment including Power UP!, School of Rock, Jonathan Austin and  Virginia Repertory Theatre.  Kids can enjoy a ziplines, a rock climbing wall, carriage rides, egg hunt and puppet shows and more. FREE to attend although many activities will require tickets.

Legend Brewing Company’s 21st Anniversary Party
Saturday, April 11th
2pm – 9pm
Pub and Brewery -321 W 7th St, Richmond, Virginia 23224
This event is open to the public and is family friendly. Legend will have live music playing all day, a food buffet, activities for children, and of course, a varied selection of Legend beers.Admission for 21 and up is $20 which includes a commemorative anniversary cup, two beer tickets, and live music and entertainment. Ages 12-20 and designated drivers pay $8 and kids under 12 are FREE. Additional beer tickets and a food tickets are available for purchase.

22nd Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 18
at 11:00am – 5:00pm

Great Shiplock Park on Shockoe Bottom’s riverfront on Saturday, April 18 for live music, local fare, children’s activities, and the chance to meet hundreds of earth-friendly artists, farmers, and organizations.

RVA Earth Day
Saturday, April 18
12:00pm – 7:00pm

Style Weekly is proud to bring you the city’s favorite celebration of earth day, were local artists, bands, chefs, food trucks, breweries, environmentalists and vendors gather to celebrate mother earth. Learn about locally available sustainable products and services. Arts, crafts and kids activities.

Gold Festival on Broad 
Sunday, April 19, 2015
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Gold’s Gym Plaza at West Tower between Homeview Drive & West End Drive

The Gold Festival on Broad is a day filled with family fun!  The event will take place inside the Gold’s Gym parking lot between Homeview Drive and West End Drive.  In addition to providing a fun, festive event, the Gold Festival on Broad provides a turnkey fundraising opportunity for local community organizations. Exclusive areas within the festival for specially-themed activities, and vendors, such as the educational classes, fitness expo, and the community corner. FREE.

Woofstock Festival
Saturday, April 25, 2015
10:00am – 2:00pm.

Gates will open at 10:00am for the festival. There will be music all day and plenty of fun for the dogs, including games, agility courses and contests. The whole family will also be able to enjoy the kids games, vendor area, and our dog adoption area, which will include animal rescue groups from across the metro Richmond area.

 Get the mid-week update from Richmondmom by signing up for our newsletter. You’ll get an up-to-date look at kid and family friendly events, free things to do, activities and more in the Richmond, Virginia area.  You’ll also read stories, get school and playgroup information, dinner ideas, shopping, camp information, volunteering and a whole lot more. Sign up for our newsletter here and find us on Facebook.

Starting solids is a fun rite of passage for both parents and babies… but those little packages can feel really wasteful not to mention it gets expensive quick!

Relay Foods, Chop Suey Books, Franklin Goose and Hip to be Round are hosting a free baby food demo at the Hip to be Round store in Carytown.

You’ll learn how to make your own baby food, hear tips, watch the process and taste the final product.
In addition to learning a thing or two you’ll  have a chance to meet other moms, win door prizes and get a discount on nursing apparel.

DIY Baby Food Demo
Thursday, March 26, 2015
6:30pm
Hip to be Round in Carytown
3124 W. Cary Street
Richmond, va 23221
No RSVP necessary.

Hip to be Round is a sponsor of Richmondmom

Treasure Island opens at Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre on Friday, March 13, 2015.

This treasured classic written by Robert Louis Stevenson has been adapted for the stage with book, music and lyrics by Paul Deiss and is Directed by John Moon.  Making his Children’s Theatre debut, Landon Nagel plays the role of Billy Bones and Silver. Nagel was most recently seen as Vernon in They’re Playing Our Song at Hanover Tavern. Alexander Sapp returns to Virginia Rep in the role of Jim Hawkins. Recent Virginia Rep roles include Patrick in the hit musical, Mame, and Dami in Tartuffe. Returning to the Children’s Theatre stage and rounding out the company are Jahred King, Paul S. Major, Evan Nasteff, Charley Raintree, and Hannah Zold.

Landon Nagel will be taking on the role of Billy Bones

Treasure Island will take viewers on an unforgettable pirate voyage into the tropical seas as they follow their favorite swashbucklers through treachery and turmoil. Parents, grandparents, and children of all ages are sure to get swept up in the hunt for gold and this young boy’s quest for adventure.

The show lasts for one hour and is best enjoyed by children ages 6+.

Treasure Island
Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn
March 13 – April 19, 2015
Box Office: 804-282-2620
Full Price Show Tickets: $18
Discounted Group Rates available.

Virginia Repertory Theatre is a sponsor of Richmondmom

March means spring!
Spring means outside!
Outside means FESTIVALS!

It’s time to get outside and breathe some fresh (not frozen) air.

Fill your calendar with these awesome outdoor activities:

March 6, 2015

Squirrels First Friday Fan Fest & Ticketpalooza
5:30PM-8:00PM
The Diamond
In homage to the Squirrels 2015 Free Shirt Fridays, the first 100 fans who purchase tickets during the First Friday Fan Fest & Ticketpalooza on March 6^th will receive a free T-shirt. Happy hour drink specials will be available from 5:30PM-7:30PM just as they will be all season long during Free Shirt Friday games. Fans can also enjoy live music, concession items and a sneak peak at the new upgrades taking place at The Diamond. FREE to attend.

March 14, 2015

Shamrock the Block
11:00 am- 5pm
1301 North Boulevard, Richmond , VA 23230

Shamrock The Block is free to attend, with great food, live music all day and plenty o’ green beverages for you to enjoy safely, so bring a designated driver. Special kids area with face-painting, bounces, games and more. Come early though, as some lines can get long. FREE.

St. Paddy’s Day Palooza  ***THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY MARCH 15***
11:00am-5:00pm
Innsbrook Pavilion 4901 Lake Brook Dr.

Last year over 10,000 people attended the family-friendly St. Paddy’s Day Palooza a benefit for St. Baldrick’s Innsbrook is gearing up to help you shake off the winter doldrums and enjoy everything Irish! Families can enjoy live music, Irish dancing, bands, food, inflatable: slide, moon bounce, and obstacle course, ice cream, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and a hot air balloon.  Free to attend.

Shockoe Festival
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
17th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220

Live music, Irish dancing, beer, Irish coffee and food. More information to come.

March 15, 2015

St. Paddy’s Day Palooza 
11:00am-5:00pm
Innsbrook Pavilion 4901 Lake Brook Dr.

Last year over 10,000 people attended the family-friendly St. Paddy’s Day Palooza a benefit for St. Baldrick’s Innsbrook is gearing up to help you shake off the winter doldrums and enjoy everything Irish! Families can enjoy live music, Irish dancing, bands, food, inflatable: slide, moon bounce, and obstacle course, ice cream, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and a hot air balloon.  Free to attend.

March 21 & 22, 2015

Church Hill Irish Festival
March 21 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.
March 22 the HillTopper 5K race will begin at 8:00 am. The festival closes at 6:00 pm

In addition to great entertainment, there will be plenty of family fun, including children’s games, a large children’s play area, face painting and Irish-themed crafts. Over thirty Irish vendors will be in attendance. Food and refreshments will also be available. Enjoy wonderful “Irish Lasagna” prepared by the Ladies of St. Patrick’s, “Fish and Chips” and other favorites provided by Rare Olde Times Irish Pub, and many more.
A $5.00 donation will be collected at the gate, proceeds benefit neighborhood causes as well as St. Baldrick’s Society and the historic preservation of St. Patrick’s Church.

March 27-29, 2015

Virginia Horse Festival 
March 27: 1-9 p.m.
March 28: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
March 29: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A three day festival perfect for horse owners, riders and enthusiasts. Food vendors, storytelling, horse shows and more.  Find out more about this family friendly event here.

 Get the mid-week update from Richmondmom by signing up for our newsletter. You’ll get an up-to-date look at kid and family friendly events and activities in the Richmond, Virginia area as well as great stories, school and playgroup information, dinner ideas, shopping, camp informations, volunteering and a whole lot more. Sign up for our newsletter here and find us on Facebook.

 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Legends comes to the Richmond Coliseum March 11 – 15, 2015! Purchase Tickets here.

Keep your eyes peeled for a special giveaway from Richmondmom!

What animal can see in the dark six times better than a human can?

A. Tiger
B. Mole
C. Horse

Which circus animal is not a vegetarian?

A. Tiger
B. Elephant
C. Camel

What animal has its own unique stripe pattern similar to that of a human fingerprint?

A. Tiger
B. Zebra
C. Cow

What is “pachyderm” another name for?

A. Chimp
B. Elephant
C. Goat

A camel’s hump doesn’t really store water. What’s it made of?

A. Fat
B. Muscle
C. Hair

How long do Ringling Bros. Elephants live?

A. 10-20 years
B. 30-40 years
C. 60-70 years

How many sets of teeth will an elephant have in its life?

A. 6
B. 1
C. 10

Bengal tigers come from what country?

A. India
B. United States
C. Spain

So, you did well on the multiple choice questions?
Do you know this circus trivia?

Over the years, which animal has been the most popular with Ringling Bros. audiences?

Which U.S. President gave America his horse as a circus attraction?

The most famous circus animal of all time arrived in New York City on Easter Sunday of 1882. Can you name him?

Who was the greatest living animal trainer of all time?

What year was the first animal menagerie in the United States established?

What are the names of the first two baby elephants born at the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation?

What is an elephant’s favorite food?

Ready for your answers? Get them here: pop quiz answer sheet.

Kids 14 and under get special perks with the Richmond Flying Squirrels FREE Kids Club. They’ll get a membership card, a special newsletter, invites to FREE Squirrel Tails Parties, special giveaways just for kids and a free ticket to all of our Sunday home games!

Follow this link to sign up your son or daughter today so they don’t miss out on all the FUNN.

There’s still time to sign up for The Flying Squirrels Dance Team!

The program fee includes three on-field performance game dates, two rehearsal dates, The Flying Squirrels Dance Team T-shirt, two Terrace level tickets to each game date for the performer & discounted ticket prices for family and friends, and professional instruction with choreographed dance routines.  Learn more and sign up here.

We can’t wait for the season to start! Find more information here!

All Fired Up is getting ready to welcome spring with some beautiful art projects for adults and kids.  Learn a new skill, come in for a little bonding time with your favorite buddy or drop in and paint whatever you’d like. Don’t forget, Richmondmom readers get 10% off walk in projects anytime!

Camp Sign-Up Open Now, early bird special until MARCH 31st, 10% off price of entire session, learn all about the amazing summer camps at All Fired Up and register online or in the store.

Technique Workshop: Paris Canvas
Thursday, March 5, 6-8 pm

Come out to our workshop to paint a beautiful ceramic canvas with a Paris theme. Reservations are required, only $35. All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

Kid’s Fun Night
Friday, March 6, 6-8 pm

Drop off the kids with us as we create a clay St. Patrick’s  Hat Mug, Splatter 4-Leaf Clover Plate, AND enjoy a pizza dinner! The cost is $25 per child and is for ages 6 and up. Reservations are required and space is limited, so call and sign up today. All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

Mug Monday
Monday, March 9, all day

Get 20% off all mugs all day long. All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

Technique Workshop: Starry Night Tray
Thursday March 12, 6-8 pm

Come paint a Van Gogh inspired ceramic tray for only $35, reservations are required. All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

Preschool Pottery: St. Patrick’s Rainbow
Friday, March 13, 10:30-11:30 am

WHAT:  Parents, come in with your preschool aged kids for a shared creative experience, as we make a fingerprint rainbow and pot of gold on a small coupe plate inspired by St. Patrick’s Rainbow for only $15.  All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

Pi Day Special
Saturday, March 14^th, all day

WHAT:  When you mention Pi Day, you can receive $3.14 off of a purchase of $15 or more. Does not apply to private parties or gift certificates. All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

www.getallfiredup.com

St. Patrick’s Day Special
Tuesday, March 17^th, all day

Wear green, save gold. 10% off all day when you wear green. All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

Technique Workshop: Pop Art Vase
Thursday, March 19, 6-8 pm

Create a Piet Mondrian inspired primary color rectangle vase for only $35, reservations required. All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

Make-an-Alien Kids Class
Friday, March 20, 6-7:30 pm

Drop off the kids for an out-of-this-world kids class where we will be making our own unique wet clay aliens. The price is just $25 and reservations are required. All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

Glass Jewelry Special
Monday, March 23, all day

Buy 3 Dichro glass necklace kits, get the 4^th FREE.  All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

Ladies Night Out
Thursday, March 26, 6-9 pm

Come join us for ladies night. We close down the studio to the public to give you a relaxing night off. Plus you will receive %10 off and snacks are provided. Reservations are recommended, so please call ahead to sign up your group. All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

Princess Party Kids Class
Friday, March 27, 6-7:30 pm

Drop off the kids with us for a fairytale inspired evening. Enjoy a night on the town while your kids paint a high heel slipper or princess bank. Call to sign up for this class. A snack is included all for the price of $30. All Fired Up, both Midlothian and Short Pump locations

All Fired Up is a Sponsor of Richmondmom

Mommy & Me (and Daddy Too)!  is a FREE morning out with live entertainment and activities designed to enhance parent’s interaction with their children outside in the sun on the Willow Lawn Plaza.

As always, come say hello to us at the Richmondmom.com table! We’ll have treats for the kids and we always love chatting with you.

Don’t forget this event is FREE!

MOMMY & ME (And Daddy Too!)

2nd Wednesday of Each Month
10:00am–11:30am Willow Lawn Plaza

See you there!

Don’t miss out on Free events the whole family can enjoy!
Sign up for the mid-week update from Richmondmom by signing up for our newsletter. You’ll get an up-to-date look at kid and family friendly events and activities in the Richmond, Virginia area as well as great stories, school and playgroup information, dinner ideas, shopping, volunteering and a whole lot more. Sign up for our Wednesday newsletter here and find us on Facebook.

Tickets are $50 at the door and your ticket includes dinner and a fantastic night of dancing your socks off! All proceeds will benefit The Fanconi Anemia Research Fund in the names of three Midlothian children, Jacqueline (grade 2) and Alex Vandermeys (grade 6), and Sean McQueen (grade 8).

From The Fanconi Anemia Research Fund website:

“Fanconi anemia (FA) is one of the inherited anemia’s that leads to bone marrow failure (aplastic anemia). It is primarily a recessive disorder: if both parents carry a defect (mutation) in the same FA gene, each of their children has a 25% chance of inheriting the defective gene from both parents. When this happens, the child will have FA. Scientists have now discovered 16 FA or FA-like genes. These genes account for over 95% of all known FA patients. Some patients do not appear to have mutations in these 16 genes, so it is anticipated that additional FA genes will be discovered in the future. FA occurs equally in males and females. It is found in all ethnic groups. The current median lifespan for a patient with FA is 33 years, although there are now patients living into their 30s, 40s and 50s. Though considered primarily a blood disease, it can affect all systems of the body. Many patients eventually develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at a very early age. FA patients are extremely likely to develop a variety of cancers and at a much earlier age than patients in the general population. Patients who have had a successful bone marrow transplant and are therefore cured of the blood problem associated with FA still must have regular examinations to watch for signs of cancer.”

Call up your girlfriends and make this very a very special evening for the  incredible local families who have children suffering from this disease.

Richmond Mom Prom

Saturday, March 21 at 7:00pm
Salisbury Country Club
13620 W Salisbury Rd, Midlothian, Virginia 23113
Tickets sold at the door & cash bar.

Visit the Facebook Page for more information.

Busch Gardens has lots of KIDsiderate rides shows and tours.
Kids can hang out with their favorite pals at Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™ or explore the Land of the Dragons® and discover a magical play land at Busch Gardens®.  You’ll want to cool off over at Water Country USA®.  Both parents and kids will love interactive splash zones like H2O UFO® and Cow-A-Bunga®.

Last year Christa brought her preschoolers to the park read her review of Busch Gardens here.

The 2-Park Preschool Pass offers unlimited admission to both Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA for children ages 3 – 5, through Sept. 7, 2015.

Hurry, passes must be registered and redeemed by May 31, 2015. Learn more and register for your pass here.