Calendar of Events - Family Friendly Events

All events were scheduled at the time of posting. Please confirm with event hosts before making plans.

Sarah's Family Friendly Event Picks

April

Artesanitos. Artesanitos is a free educational program centered on passing down folkloric traditions in Latin American arts and crafts. Every Saturday through May 27 at the Creative Alliance. FREE. 11AM-1PM. Creative Alliance, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/artesanitos/2023-04-01/

Kerplunk! Family Art Drop-In. Kerplunk! Family Art Drop-in class is great for younger kids and families! Join the Creative Alliance in their Creativity Center to create fun seasonal crafts and art projects based on current exhibitions. This week, drawing with stitches - learn the basics of sewing/embroidery. Make a mess at their house! FREE. 12PM-3PM. Creative Alliance, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/kerplunk-free-family-art-drop-in-2/2023-04-01/

Rockfield Manor Easter Egg Hunt. Join the community at Rockfield Park for Rockfield Foundation Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The field will be sectioned off by age group. The Easter Bunny will be visiting! $5 per family, 10AM-11AM. Rockfield Manor, 501 Churchville Rd., Bel Air. https://rockfieldmanor.com/events/

The Baltimore Farmers' Market Opening Weekend. Come explore Maryland's largest farmers' market on its opening weekend! A gathering place where Baltimoreans can connect, shop for fresh produce, and support local businesses, organizations and performers. FREE admission. 12PM-7PM. Underneath the JFX at 400 E Saratoga St., Baltimore. https://farmersmarketbaltimore.org/

Orioles Opening Day. The Orioles take on the NY Yankees for the 2023 season opener. Go Os. Tickets are limited and prices vary. Game time 3:05PM. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W Camden St., Baltimore. https://www.mlb.com/orioles

7-8

Bunny Bonazoo. It’s one of the most egg-citing events of the year! This annual family tradition features games, activities, crafts, live entertainment, and non-stop egg hunts! It’s a fun (and wild) way to celebrate the spring season. Photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny and Zoo mascots, two free crafts per child while supplies last, non-stop egg hunts, one free Mary Sue Easter Egg, access to carnival games and more activities including the Puppet Theater in the Wild. FREE with Zoo Admission. 10AM-4PM both days. Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/special_events/bunny-bonanzoo/

Easter Egg Hunt & Train Ride. Annual B&O Museum Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny! Celebrate the holiday and search around the Roundhouse for a chance to win special prizes! Afterwards, board the Mile One Express with the Easter Bunny for a special train ride. $5 per child (members); $20 per child general admission; $23 per adult. 9AM-10:30AM. B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W Pratt St., Baltimore. https://www.borail.org/events/easter-egg-hunt/

Kerplunk! Family Art Drop-In. Kerplunk! Family Art Drop-in class is great for younger kids and families! Join the Creative Alliance in their Creativity Center to create fun seasonal crafts and art projects based on current exhibitions. This week, Dance Party People Sculptures. Make a mess at their house! FREE. 12PM-3PM. Creative Alliance, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/kerplunk-free-family-art-drop-in-2/2023-04-08/

Corn Husk Art. Using corn husk to create art is a long standing tradition in Mexican culture. In this corn husk leaf art workshop, Artesana instructor Rosario will teach you how to create a one-of-a-kind art piece, while explaining the history and the inspiration behind the artform. Ages 12+ $40 Registration; $37 Members. 6PM. Creative Alliance, Creativity Center, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/corn-husk-art/

14-16

Irish Trad Fest. A weekend of workshops, performances and sessions in Irish traditional music, dance and song. Some of the world's finest traditional Irish musicians will gather in Baltimore to teach workshops, perform and lead sessions. Highlights include an all-star concert on Saturday evening at the Creative Alliance, workshops on Saturday and Sunday, and sessions all weekend long. See full list of events, ticket costs and venues using link: https://www.baltimoreirisharts.com/

Bel Air Kite Festival. Kite flying for kids of all ages along with great music and food for the whole family. Volunteers will be on hand to help kite flying novices. Free kites while supplies last. Sponsored by the Town of Bel Air and APG Federal Credit Union. Rain Date: April 16. FREE. 10AM-4PM. Rockfield Park Ball Fields, 501 E Churchville Rd., Bel Air. https://www.belairartsandentertainment.org/event/bel-air-kite-festival/

The Big Science Bike Party. Bikes, Trikes, BMX and more! The Maryland Science Center is celebrating all forms of these wheeled wonders at the second annual Big Science Bike Party! Visit MSC to try out all sorts of hands-on, bike-focused demonstrations. Learn about the different parts of a bicycle and discover how they work. Take on a helmet materials challenge and find out what works best for protecting your noggin. Create your own reflective patch to wear while you ride. Get pedaling to power a bubble blowing machine, provided by Bike Powered Events, and more! Whether you are a life-long biking enthusiast or just starting to pedal around with training wheels, you won’t want to miss this. FREE with admission. 12PM-4PM. The Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/event/the-big-science-bike-party/

SpringFest 2023. SpringFest 2023 brings the promise of spring, live music, great family fun and a day you don’t want to miss. Old Ellicott City will rock from two outdoor stages. At the Main Stage in Lot D behind the Welcome Center, featuring Smackmaster, Soul Island Rebels and headliner, Foreplay. On Upper Main find the Wine Bin Stage full of local favorites including headliner, Mallow Hill. Between sets at both stages, hear tomorrow’s rockers and singer songwriters from Soundcheck Rock Academy. At the B&O Plaza on lower Main, explore the Artists’ Village where you can meet and see local artists demonstrating their craft along with a pop-up gallery full of one-of-a-kind treasures. Let the kids get creative with Spring and nature inspired free crafts and activities (while supplies last) next door to the Wine Bin at the Log Cabin and in Lot D near the Courtyards. Back by popular demand – all these areas will have face painters. The Artists’ Village and kids’ fun happen from noon to 5 pm. Expect great local craft brews from Manor Hill and Jailbreak Brewing plus pours from boutique wineries. Sobar will be in Lot D offering their non-alcoholic handcrafted mocktails. Food options abound with food trucks and OEC’s full time eateries. Take home a souvenir of the day from the 17 artisan vendors in Lot D, 40+ OEC boutiques throughout town, or the latest OEC swag from Ellicott City Partnership near the ticket tents. Free parking and a free shuttle service from outer parking lots. FREE admission. 12PM-8PM. Closest Street Address: 3741 Hamilton St., Ellicott City. https://visitoldellicottcity.com/springfest/

22-23

Party for the Planet. Celebrate Earth Day and spring into action to protect wildlife and wild places. Event takes place throughout the Zoo with keeper chats, educational activities, and more! Along the way, complete the Operation: Conservation activity (while supplies last), carrying out missions to protect the planet. Work your way through the Zoo with activities and fun to become a planet protection agent! FREE with Zoo admission. 10AM-2PM both days. Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/earth-day/party-for-the-planet/

Carnival! Sponsored by the Harford County Child Advocacy Center. Enjoy a Funny Farm Petting Zoo, Bounce House, Crafts & Games, Food Trucks, Harford Co. Sheriff's Office Child ID! Park at the Bel Air Town Parking Garage. Parking permits will be provided. Parking is also free after 5pm in Town. FREE. 3PM-7PM. Bel Air Armory, 37 N Main St., Bel Air. https://www.belairmd.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=5967&month=4&year=2023&day=28&calType=0

Ongoing Online and Virtual Enrichment Events

Miscellaneous and Just for Fun

LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems! Mo Willems, beloved children's author, invites you into his studio every day for his lunch doodle. Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together. If you post your art to social media, be sure to hashtag it with #MoLunchDoodles! New episodes will be posted each weekday at 1PM and then remain online to be streamed afterwards. Check back each weekday for new lunch doodles! FREE. https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems

Museums, National Parks and Gardens

Virtual Tour of The Waddesdon Manorm in Waddesdon, England. This Neo-Renaissance style château that has been a Rothschild family home since the late 1800s. The house, the grounds, and the majority of the collections seen throughout the home have been left to the National Trust, so that the public can visit and appreciate the home and gardens. The gardens were designed by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild with help from landscape architect Elie Lainé. The breathtakingly beautiful interiors of Waddesdon Manor can also be virtually toured using the link provided. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyYuxTfdtKo

Virtual Tour of Claude Monet’s Garden, Giverny, France. Claude Monet's garden inspired much of his painting. Royal Academy curator Ann Dumas introduces Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny in Normandy, which is open to the public between March and November and maintained by a team of gardeners led by James Priest. FREE. Garden tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjWx2WNXFF4.

Virtual Tour of Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago IL. With over 50,000 members, the Chicago Botanic Garden has the highest membership of any public garden in the United States. The Garden consists of 385 acres and has a grand total of 27 gardens and four natural areas. Some of the 27 gardens include the English Walled Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Plant Science Center. Boyce Tankersley, director of plant documentation, takes you on a tour of what's in bloom this summer. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV0Ryaw0hGc

Virtual Tour of Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Papaikou, HI. The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden sits on 17 acres and it includes not only its own garden, but a nature preserve as well. With waterfalls, streams, and a boardwalk situated on the Pacific coast, this virtual tour is certainly a calming one, both visually and audibly. Expect to see more than 2,000 plant species, including over 80 species of heliconias and bromeliads, not to mention coconut and mango palm trees that have been around for over a century. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtZ0dcUzGX8

Virtual Tour of Kew Gardens, Richmond, England. Kew Gardens is part of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which also includes Wakehurst, a historic house and garden located over an hour away, in West Sussex, England. Located on 326 acres and boasting its own palace, Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This virtual tour of 10 of the top ten sites in the Kew Gardens, also includes Kew Palace, the main surviving structure is known as Dutch House, which was once the residence of King George III and his family. Kew Gardens and Wakehurst have a grand total of approximately 27,000 taxa of plants, over 8 million specimens of plants and fungal herbarium, and a seed bank that contains more than 40,000 species. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioG_Vfh0Kxw

Virtual Tour Five National Parks. If you want to escape to the great outdoors, you can virtually explore national parks. Google Arts & Culture teamed up with five national parks across the country to provide video tours led by rangers. From glaciers in Alaska to volcanoes in Hawaii, the tours will take you on incredible journeys. FREE. https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/en-us/national-parks-service/parks

Museum Tours from Around the World. On Google Arts & Culture, you can take a virtual tour of thousands of museums around the world. According to Fast Company, the tech giant partnered with more than 2,500 museums and galleries, some of which include the Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and London's National Gallery. FREE. https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en

Virtual Tour the Louvre. While the Louvre in France is closed, you can virtually tour their exhibits. Tours allow you to zoom in on certain pieces and descriptions for more information. FREE. https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne

Virtual Tour Buckingham Palace. An iconic building and official residence of The Queen, Buckingham Palace has been the focus of many moments of national celebration. It is also a busy working building welcoming tens of thousands of people through its gates each year for Investitures, Garden Parties, Audiences and other events. Explore this magnificent building via a virtual tour. FREE. https://www.royal.uk/virtual-tours-buckingham-palace

Virtual Tour of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami, FL. Vizcaya is a Mediterranean Revival-style villa with Baroque elements that was once the home of businessman James Deering. The estate consists of 43 acres. It took eight years and $15 million to build the villa, and another year to complete the Italian Renaissance-style gardens and Vizcaya Village, which consists of 11 buildings across 12 acres, including greenhouses, fields, staff quarters, a garage, barns, and workshops. Explore the grounds and buildings in this virtual tour. FREE. https://vizcaya.org/virtualtour/

Virtual Tour of The Frick Collection, New York, NY. This Beaux Arts-style mansion located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan was once home to Henry Clay Frick, one of the most prominent industrialists during the Gilded Age. Take a virtual tour and see Old Masters paintings, decorative arts, and European sculptures in this former residence turned art museum, which includes Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Whistler, Bellini, Vermeer, and Goya, to name a few. FREE. https://www.frick.org/visit/virtual_tour

Virtual Tour of the Vatican Museums. Instilling a sense of wonder in everyone who enters, the 15th century Sistine Chapel is most renowned for Michelangelo's ceiling frescos. You'll have them (and the rest of the place) to yourself if you visit virtually, before making your way through a whole series of Vatican Museums—not least, Raphael’s Room and the New Wing. FREE. http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.1.html

The National Museum of Natural History. One of the world's most visited museums, and in our own backyard, this branch of the Smithsonian is magic at keeping kids of all ages entertained and learning. If your household could use some of that right now, head on in and start exploring the fossils, ocean life, even the insect zoo. And for pure eye candy, hit the Gems and Minerals Wing, or the Butterfly Pavilion. FREE. https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour

Volcanoes National Park. It may not be the best known of our national parks, but Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is certainly one of the most unforgettable, as you'll experience on this ranger-led tour. You’ll see stunning images of the rippling black rock formations and the still-fiery lava flows that feed them. You’ll also stand inside a rainforest, go underground to tour a lava tube and take a helicopter flight over an active volcano—a vantage you’d be hard pressed to find on an actual visit. FREE. https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/en-us/national-parks-service/hawaii-volcanoes/nahuku-lava-tube-tour

The British Museum. Home to no fewer than 8,000,000 works, this is one of the world's largest collectiosn. Even the tiniest objects hold their own on this virtual tour - you can view individual pieces, play audio to learn more, and search for related works. There's also a scrolling capability that lets you go back thousands of years. FREE. https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/

Tour the Taj Mahal. Built by a 17th-century Mughal emperor in memory of his favorite wife, who died during childbirth, the Taj Mahal is one of the most lavish architectural tributes on earth. For perspective on how the marble exterior shade-shifts throughout the day, from early-morning pinks to dusky blues, check out this video. The persistent thrum of tour groups makes the scene that much more realistic. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=665AHTNpf2o

Virtual Deep Dives. Immerse yourself in the deep blue sea. NOAA is willing to take you there gear and cost free: You can do a series of virtual dives through National Marine Sanctuaries, whether you want to peace out to the waters around American Samoa (don’t miss Big Momma), the Florida Keys (have a look at the Aquarius Reef Base research center) or any of several spots in between. FREE. https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/vr/

Street Art Tours. If you’ve ever turned a city corner to be stopped in your tracks by the Technicolor explosion of a mural, you know the impact of street art. You can explore the world’s best graffiti, from Buenos Aires to Bombay, in Google’s impressive Street Art collection. See dozens of collections of the world's street art including giant abstractions that transform no-nonsense industrial buildings in Moscow, portraits in the arrondissements of Paris, and in Berlin, relive the fall of the wall through its iconic graffiti. FREE. https://streetart.withgoogle.com/en/online-exhibitions

Northern Lights. The traditional version of Northern Lights chasing includes piling on layers of clothing, waddling into a gorgeous but bone chilling expanse, waiting, running inside to warm up and repeating this dance hoping that you don't miss your chance. One advantage of watching from home, which you can do thanks to Manitoba’s Churchill Northern Studies Center, is that you cut straight to nature’s most amazing light show. Late winter into early spring happens to be among the best times to tune in. FREE. https://explore.org/livecams/aurora-borealis-northern-lights/northern-lights-cam

The Great Wall of China. Of the Great Wall's 4,000 total miles, 3,000 or so are walkable. Visit this New Wonder of the World virtually and start doing reconnaissance for your own trek without wearing out the tread on your gym shoes. FREE. https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china

Zoos and Aquariums

Smithsonian National Zoo Webcams. Aquariums and zoos across the country are live streaming their animals, so you can see what they're up to. Smithsonian's National Zoo has webcams of naked mole-rats, lions, giant pandas, and elephants. While the webcams will remain online, the animals might not be visible because volunteers won't be operating the webcams. FREE. https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams

Houston Zoo Webcams. Tune in to the Houston Zoo webcams to see giraffes, gorillas, elephants, chimps, rhinos, and and leafcutter ants. FREE. https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Webcams. Through 10 webcams, you can virtually visit sea otters, moon jellies, sharks, penguins and other see creatures. FREE. https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams

The National Aquarium Webcam. Tune into the National Aquarium's Blacktip Reef, Jellies Invasion and Pacific Coral Reef livestreams and enjoy a piece of the Aquarium from home. Cameras are only live streaming during business hours. After hours you can enjoy a previously recorded live stream segment. FREE. https://www.aqua.org/Experience/live#pcr

San Diego Zoo Webcams. The country’s most-visited zoo, with more than 3,500 animals in residence, was a pioneer in the world of open-air habitats and remains a leader in conservation science. You can catch a number of the most beloved inhabitants on live streams. Your virtual visit even has an edge over real life: Though mega-celebs Bai Yun Xiao Liwu were repatriated last year, you'll still find great archival footage of them on the Panda Cam. FREE. https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams

Safari Live. SafariLive comes very close to the experience and thrill of going on a safari. Track lions, leopards and hyenas as you make your way around herds of wildebeest and elephants, all while expert rangers school you on what you're seeing. Great inspiration to book your next safari, when we are all out of our social isolation, of course. https://www.facebook.com/WildEarthLIVE/ or https://www.facebook.com/WildEarthLIVE/videos/904091053345547/

Musical Performances

BroadwayHD. BroadwayHD, a streaming service for theater fans started in 2015, has long been bringing Broadway performances to people’s living rooms. On the platform, subscribers will find a combination of acquired performances including performances of Cats, The King and I, and Sound of Music, along with originals the platform filmed including performances of Kinky Boots and 42nd Street, from Broadway, The West End, and other elite venues around the world. The platform is currently offering a free seven-day trial, along with a wildly affordable $8.99 monthly plan. So go ahead and watch as many times as you want. You can even sing along if you please because you’re in your own house, who’s going to complain? $8.99/month or $99.99/year after the 7 day FREE trial. https://www.broadwayhd.com/

Digital Stage from The Kennedy Center. Watch extraordinary performances from the Kennedy Center's stages and beyond. They'll feature original works, new clips, and the best of their vast archive which you can also explore on your own. FREE. https://www.kennedy-center.org/digitalstage/

Sydney Opera House. Now is your chance to take a peek inside the Sydney Opera House. Accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, cellist Benjamin Schwartz and soprano Nicole Car, you'll wander through a day in the life of the site, from early morning, before the performers arrive, to stolen moments between acts. FREE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hunddVoMjo

Educational Resources and Entertainment for Kids

Scholastic Education Courses. To help millions of students whose schools have closed continue to learn, Scholastic is offering free day-by-day projects. According to its website, “Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers.” The educational projects are categorized by grade levels, which range from pre-k and kindergarten to grades 6 plus. FREE. https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

Science at Home. These science experiments, brought to you by the Maryland Science Center, will keep kids' minds learning and engaged. FREE. https://www.mdsci.org/learn/resources/science-at-home/

American Visionary Arts Museum Educational Resources. AVAM offers art workshops at the museum year-round that complement their collection and exhibitions. With these videos, they are coming to YOU with how to's of art projects you can do right at home with everyday household items. Enjoy, and have fun! FREE. http://www.avam.org/for-educators-and-educatees/educational-resources.shtml

Wilkening Consulting. A Seattle based parent and museum consultant has compiled a list of museums with online lesson plans and learning. Check back often for updates and additional links. FREE. http://www.wilkeningconsulting.com/parental-resources.html

Neil Gaiman Reads. English author, Neil Gaiman, is known for writing a vast array of books from graphic novels to children’s books, from short stories to collaborations with the late-great Terry Pratchett. Readers may also know Neil Gaiman for his soothing voice when he reads the likes of Lewis Carroll’s The Jabberwocky in no other than a tulgey wood for a charitable cause. Gaiman has shared free online readings of his works The Graveyard Book and Coraline. Head to his Mouse Circus website for younger readers to listen. FREE. http://www.mousecircus.com/videos/

Goodnight with Dolly. Beginning April 2nd, everyone’s favorite Book Lady, Dolly Parton, is bringing children and families everywhere just what they need during a time of unrest. Goodnight with Dolly is a 10-week special series of weekly videos featuring Dolly reading select Imagination Library books. It is the hope that this gift will further inspire a love of books and shared storytime during this important period. Dolly hopes this series of stories will provide comfort and reassurance to coping kids and families during the shelter-in-place mandates. There are also links for activity sheets on the site. FREE. https://imaginationlibrary.com/goodnight-with-dolly/