Looking for some free family fun this month? We’ve got you covered. Here are 65 events to keep the kids occupied without costing you a dime. From fairs and festivals to Earth Day activities, there are plenty of events for all ages in the Baltimore-Annapolis-Washington, D.C. area.
1 Friday
Earth Stewardship Days
April 1-30. Month-long series of events designed to raise awareness of the importance of taking care of the Earth. Art exhibits, fair and more. Times vary. Various venues, Chestertown. chestertownriverarts.org/events/earth-stewardship-days
National Poetry Month Contest
April 1-May 1. Write and submit a poem about spring for a chance to win a prize. Some submissions will be displayed in the library. Ages 5-12. Free. 9am-9pm. Broadneck Community Library. 410-222-1905, aacpl.net/location/broadneck
2 Saturday
Project Clean Stream
Children’s activities, environmental clean-up and more. Registration required. Free. 9am-1pm. Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center, Baltimore. masonvillecove.org
Wildlife Loop Adventure Scavenger Hunt
Using clues and locations, families and groups can drive the North Tract’s Wildlife Loop and nearby trails to hunt for sculptured stones, mystery objects, plants and animals. A camera or cell phone that takes pictures recommended. Free. 9am-1pm. All Ages. Registration required. Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract. 301-497-5887, fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/visit/PublicPrograms.html
Patuxent River Cleanup
Volunteer to help remove debris from the Patuxent River. All ages. Free. 9am-noon. Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary, Lothian. Jugbay.org
Chesapeake Family Camp Fair
Meet and talk with camp directors one on one. Face painting, balloon fun and more for kids. Give-a-ways including major camp savings for those who preregister. Free. 10am-2pm. Kenhill Community Center. Chessaepakefamily.com/2016-camp-fair
April Maker’s Market
Handmade crafts, treats and more. Free. 9am-1pm. Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Solomons. 410-326-4640, annmariegarden.org
Cherry Blossom Kite Festival
Competitions, demonstrations, tricks, kite activities and kite flying. Free. 10am-4:30pm. Grounds of the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
American Indian Village Discovery Day
Explore the replicated Eastern Woodland American Indian Village. Free. 10am-noon. Patuxent River Park, Upper Marlboro. 301-627-6074, pgparks.com
Library Day at the Baltimore Museum of Industry
Story time, learn how to repair damaged books and more. Free museum admission with library card. Noon-3pm. Baltimore Museum of Industry, Baltimore. aacpl.net
3 Sunday
Family Fun: Spring Fling!
April 3-4. Drop-in program. Learn about eggs and animal babies through self-paced interactive games and activities for all ages. Both indoor and outdoor activities. Ages 3 and older. Free. 10am-1pm. National Wildlife Visitor Center, Laurel. fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/visit/PublicPrograms.html
Blacksmith Shop Workday
Visit with Kinder Farm Park’s resident blacksmiths. Free. 1-4pm. Kinder Farm Park, Millersville. kinderfarmpark.org
Free Family Sunday: Masterful Matisse
Print portraits inspired by Matisse. Free. 2-5pm. Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore. artbma.org
4 Monday
Monday Morning Movies & More
Dancing, stories, movies and fun. Free. 10-11am. Calvert Library Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
5 Tuesday
Curiosity Workshop
STEAM workshop designed to engage kids in creative problem solving using experimentation and exploration. 8-12 years old Parents and caregivers encouraged to stay. Free. Register. 6:30-8:00pm. Calvert Library Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862. calvertlibrary.info.
6 Wednesday
Batter Up!
Celebrate the start of the baseball season with crafts and activities for the whole family. Free. 7pm. Severn Community Library, Severn. 410-222-6280, aacpl.net/location/severn
7 Thursday
Tween Choice Night: Vine and Dine
Vine and YouTube viewing night. Also, eat pizza and create candy sushi. For children in grades 5-7. Registration required. Free. 6:30-8pm. Calvert Library Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
9 Saturday
Flea Market Series
New and used items for sale, including household goods, kids’ toys, tools, garden equipment, computers, electronics, party plan vendors and more. Free. 8:30am-2pm. Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, Crownsville. aacountyfair.org.
Bowie Green Expo
Family event features puppet shows, information, green products and more. Free. Noon-4pm. Kenhill Center, Bowie. bowiegreenexpo.org
School of Rock Concert
Students preview what they have learned. Free. Noon-2pm. Union Jack’s Annapolis. Schoolofrock.com
Fireworks Festival
Music, family friendly water-related activities, cultural experiences, live entertainment, food and fireworks. Free. 1-9pm. Southwest Waterfront, 600 Water Street, SW, Washington, D.C. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
Community Observing Night
Bring your own telescope and binoculars or use the college’s telescopes to view the stars and the moon. Free. 7:30pm. Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold. 410-777-2260, aacc.edu/science/observatory
10 Sunday
Good Deeds Day
International day of service. Find a project with the Jewish Volunteer Connection. Free. Various venues throughout Baltimore. 410-500-5914, jvcbaltimore.org
Nature Connections: Reptiles & Amphibians
Learn about animals like frogs, salamanders and turtles. Also, crafts and activities. Free. 1-4pm. Natural History Society of Maryland, Baltimore. marylandnature.org/nature-connections
11 Monday
National Library Week Fun
April 11-16. Drop in and make a personalized book mark or do a library scavenger hunt. Free. 9am-5pm. Edgewater Community Library, Edgewater. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net/location/edgewater
Cinema Café
Watch the most recent Star Wars film on the library’s big screen. Free including popcorn. 6-8:30pm. Calvert Library Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
14 Thursday
Family Movie Night
Watch “Shaun the Sheep,” rated PG. Free. 6:30-7pm. Linthicum Community Library, Linthicum Heights. 410-222-6265, aacpl.net/location/linthicum
Click next below for more free fun in April.
