Looking for some free fun for the family in Maryland this month? Here’s a list of events including parades, camp fairs, movies, music classes and more in the Baltimore-Annapolis-Washington, D.C. area — all totally free.
1 Tuesday
Reinvented Books
Turn old, worn books into new, crafty collages. Ages 13-18. Free. 3-4pm. Bowie Branch Library, Bowie. 301-262-7000, pgcmls.info
2 Wednesday
Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Celebration Story Time
Story time to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Free. 11am. Barnes and Noble, Annapolis. 410-573-1115, barnesandnoble.com
3 Thursday
Spring Science
March 1, 3, 15, 17, 22, 29. Explore simple science concepts and experiments inspired by children’s literature. Ages 3-5 with adult. Free. 6:30pm. Howard County Library Savage Branch, Laurel. hclibrary.org
Got Your Back: Self-Defense for Tweens
Situational awareness, escape strategies, assertiveness training and more. For tweens in grades 5-7. Registration required. Free. 6:30-8pm. Calvert Library Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
4 Friday
Play Partners
Stories, baby games and musical activities. Ages infant-23 months. Free. 11:30am. Howard County Library Central Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7800, hclibrary.org/locations/central-branch
Bollywood DIY Dance Craft
Enjoy the sounds of Bollywood and create a traditional folk dance Dandiya Stick to take home. Ages 9-12. Free. 4pm. Howard County Library Glenwood Branch, Cooksville. 410-313-5577, hclibrary.org/locations/glenwood-branch
First Free Friday
Visit the museum for free, hear music from the Calvert High School Jazz Ensemble. Free. 5-8pm. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. 410-326-2042, calvertmarinemuseum.com
5 Saturday
Chesapeake Family’s Summer Camp Fair
Meet representatives from a mix of over 60 local and out-of-state day and overnight camps with summer programs for kids of all ages. Free. 10am-2pm. Annapolis Area Christian School, Annapolis. chesapeakefamily.com/campfair
Dr. Seuss Book Bingo
Make your own Dr. Seuss Bingo cards, play Bingo and win prizes. Ages 5-10. Free. 10:30am. Howard County Library East Columbia Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7700, hclibrary.org/locations/east-columbia-branch
O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
Annual dance performance. Free. 11am. Deale Community Library. 410-222-1925, aacpl.net/location/deale
American Girl Afternoon
Meet author Valerie Tripp of the American Girl series. Bring one item to be autographed. Seating on first-come, first-served basis. Free. 2pm. Severna Park Community Library. 410-222-6290, aacpl.net/location/severnapark
A Disney Dazzler!
Sandy Griese will perform on piano as Emily Bowen Mudd, Nathan Bowen, James Huchla and Caitlin Fagan sing Disney favorites. Free. 2-3pm. Calvert Library Prince Frederick, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
Lecture: ‘Realm of the Tyrant King: Last Days of the Dinosaurs in the American West’
Learn about one of the largest predators that ever walked the earth. All ages. Free. 2:30pm. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. 410-326-2042, calvertmarinemuseum.com
6 Sunday
Annapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Parade starts at Amos Garrett Boulevard and goes through downtown Annapolis. Free. 1pm. Annapolis. naptownevents.com/irish-week
Free Family Sunday
Construct a pop-up sculpture. Free. 2-5pm. Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore. artbma.org
7 Monday
Princes & Princesses
Dress in costume for royal stories, songs and a simple craft. Ages 3 and up. Free. 10:15am. Howard County Library Central Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7800, hclibrary.org/locations/central-branch
Summer Camp Fair 2016
Explore the variety of summer camps offered in the area. Free. 6:30-8pm. Calvert Library Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
8 Tuesday
Pinterest Party: DIY Tech Projects
Learn how to create your own smartphone projector, use flannel to create a case for your phone and make your own phone speakers. Ages 13-18. Free. 4-6pm. South Bowie Branch Library, Bowie. 301-850-0475, pgcmls.info/website/branch/location/SouthBowie
Jump to Jupiter Astronomy Night
Learn about the planets, and view Jupiter through a telescope (weather permitting). Ages 8-10. Free. 7pm. Howard County Library Miller Branch, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950, hclibrary.org/locations/miller-branch
9 Wednesday
Meet the Author
Martha Anne Clark of Clark’s Elioak Farm reads her book, “Trusty the Tractor’s Day Off.” Make a craft. Contact with an animal may occur. Books available for purchase and signing. Free. 11am. Howard County Library Miller Branch, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950, hclibrary.org/locations/miller-branch
Winter Interludes: Electric Brigade
Listen to the Naval Academy’s rock band. Free.7-8:30pm. Calvert Library Prince Frederick, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
10 Thursday
Follow the North Star
Learn about the importance of the North Star for Marylanders Benjamin Banneker, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. Reservations encouraged. Free. 4-5pm. Crofton Community Library, Crofton. 410-216-6189
AACC College Fair
Students can meet face-to-face with more than 150 representatives of colleges and universities from around the country. Free. 6-8pm. Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold. aacc.edu/collegefair
Family Movies
Watch “Minions,” rated PG. Popcorn and drinks. Free. 6:30pm. Howard County Library Miller Branch, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950, hclibrary.org/locations/miller-branch
11 Friday
Music Together Demo Class
Program teaches music and movement to preschoolers and their caregivers. Registration required. Free. 10am. Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church, Crofton. 301-262-9538, movengroove.net
All Together Now
Stories, songs and activities for children and adults to enjoy together. Free. 11:30am. Howard County Library Miller Branch, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950, hclibrary.org/locations/miller-branch
Minecraft Free Play
Play Minecraft on the library’s computers while the library is closed to other customers. Registration required. Free. 5:30-7pm. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch, Chesapeake Beach. 410-257-2411, calvertlibrary.info
12 Saturday
Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live!
Register to receive free tickets to participating museums. Various venues. smithsonianmag.com
Davidsonville Green Expo
Children’s activities, giveaways, information and more. Free. 10am-2pm. Davidsonville Elementary School, Davidsonville. davidsonvillemaryland.org
Preschoolers and Paints Story Time
Celebrate Youth Art Month with this special story time for preschoolers. Books, songs, fingerplay and a painting craft. Smocks or old t-shirts recommended. Free. 10am. Edgewater Community Library. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net/location/edgewater
Community Observing Night
Family event. Bring your own telescope and binoculars or use one of the eight AACC telescopes to view planets, stars and moon. Free. 8:30-10pm. Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold. 410-777-2260, aacc.edu/science/observatory.
13 Sunday
Shamrock Shindig
Event includes live music and performances, food trucks, bar service and family fun. Free. 10:30am-2pm. Pierce’s Park, Inner Harbor, Baltimore. waterfrontpartnership.org
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Washington D.C.
Mile-long, two-hour celebration of Irish culture. Free. Noon. Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. dcstpatsparade.com.
Full STEAM Ahead
Hands-on program for preschoolers and their caregivers. Fun with Fractions. Free. 1-4pm. Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Solomons. 410-326-4640, annmariegarden.org
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Baltimore
Celebration of Irish culture, music, song and dance. Free. 2pm. From Washington Monument down Charles Street to Pratt Street, Baltimore. irishparade.net.
14 Monday
Celebrate Pi Day: Math Games
Celebrate Pi Day and build math skills through fun activities and games in the library. Ages 4-7. Free. 9am-9pm. Glen Burnie Regional Library. 410-222-6270, aacpl.net/location/Glenburnie
Spring Blossoms
Stories and a craft about trees and spring blossoms. Ages 3-6 with adult. Free. 10:15am. Howard County Library Central Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7800, hclibrary.org/locations/central-branch
15 Tuesday
Squishy Science
Listen to stories and dance to music, then make a colorful craft. Ages 2-3 with adult. Free. 2pm. Howard County Library East Columbia Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7700, hclibrary.org/locations/east-columbia-branch
16 Wednesday
Feelin’ Lucky? Story Time
Celebrate the “Luck of the Irish” with special stories and a craft. Free. 9:30 and 10:30am. Linthicum Community Library. 410-222-6265, aacpl.net/location/Linthicum
GreenFest
All ages event features children’s nature space, demonstrations and more. Free. 10am-4pm. Howard Community College, Columbia. hcgreenfest.org
Click next below for more free fun for the family in March
