Looking for some free fun for the family in April? Here are 80 ideas of things to do this month in the Baltimore-Annapolis-Washington, D.C., area that don’t cost a dime. Find fun for all ages from festivals to story times, bunny visits to stream cleanups and much more.
1 Saturday
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Through April 16. Opening ceremony, kite festival, parade, fireworks and more. Some events may charge a fee. Check website for full schedule and prices. Various venues, Washington, D.C. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
Blossom Kite Festival
See the creativity of kite makers and skill of fliers from across the US and other countries through a variety of competitions and demonstrations. Bring your own kite to participate. Free. 10am-4:30pm. Grounds of the Washington Monument near 17th Street NW and Constitution Avenue. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/blossom-kite-festival
Children’s Discovery Fair
Hands-on activities relating to preschool mathematical concepts including interactive games, songs, crafts and stories. The theme is “Math is Magical.” Free; bring a non-perishable donation for the Howard County Food Bank. 10am-1pm. Cradlerock Elementary School, Columbia. 410-313-1940, howardcountymd.gov
‘Beauty and the Beast’ Celebration
Celebrate the release of the new “Beauty and the Beast” movie with story time, singalong, crafts and more. Free. 11am. Barnes & Noble, Annapolis. 410-573-1115, stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2866
Light City Baltimore
March 31-April 8. Festival transforms Baltimore with large-scale light installations, performances, music and innovation. Inner Harbor BGE Light Art Walk features illuminated sculptures, projections, interactive technologies, performances, concerts, food vendors and a children’s area. Free. Check website for schedule. Various venues, Baltimore. Lightcity.org
2 Sunday
Caring Bunny
A subdued and welcoming environment for children with special needs and their families. Free; additional price for pictures. 8:30-10am. Arundel Mills Mall, Hanover. 301-974-4575, eventbrite.com/e/caring-bunny-tickets-32405058402?aff=erelexpmlt
Project Clean Stream
Help to remove trash from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Free. 9am-noon. Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills. Explorenature.org
Free Family Sunday
Create a craft with family. Materials provided. Free. 2-5pm. Baltimore Museum of Art. 443-573-1700, artbma.org
4 Tuesday
Discovery Day
Read “Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo” by John Lithgow and discuss what could happen if you played music next to the zoo. Activities. Reservations required. Free. 9-10am. Indian Creek School, Evergreen Campus, Crownsville. 410-923-3660, indiancreekschool.org
Ladybug Party
Dress as a ladybug or other insect to welcome spring with stories, songs and crafts. Free. 9:30am. Annapolis Library. 410-222-1750, aacpl.net/location/annapolis
5 Wednesday
Teen Writers Club
Explore the craft of writing. Ages 11-17. Free. 4-5pm. Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library. 410-222-1770, aacpl.net/location/eastport
6 Thursday
Preschool Yoga
Explore yoga with your preschooler through kid-friendly yoga poses, breathing exercises, stories and songs. For ages 3-5. Free. 10am-10:30am. Crofton Library. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
7 Friday
Tales & Tails
Fridays weekly. Join Irvine Nature Center for a few animal stories followed by an animal meet and greet. Free. 10-11am. Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills. 443-738-9220, explorenature.org
Arts & Story Time
Fridays. Enjoy explorations with art. Ages 2-4. Free with $4 museum admission. 10-11am. Chesapeake Children’s Museum, Annapolis. theccm.org
Annual PEEPshow
April 7-19. Wacky marshmallow masterpieces created by local artists, families, businesses and community groups. Free. 10am-7pm. Carroll Arts Center, Westminster. carrollcountyartscouncil.org/aa_peepshow.asp
8 Saturday
Anne Arundel County Fair 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. 8am-2pm. Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, Crownsville. Aacountyfair.org
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Breakfast with the bunny. Reservations required. For Kidgets Kids Club members. Free. 8:30-10am. Arundel Mills Mall, Hanover. simon.com/mall/arundel-mills/news-and-events
Potomac River Watershed Cleanup
Help remove trash from the Potomac. Trash bags and gloves provided. Registration required. Free. 10am-1pm. Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park, Accokeek. 301-283-2113, accokeekfoundation.org
James Brice House 250th Birthday Celebration
Celebrate the 250th birthday of the James Brice House with hands-on activities, games, snacks and more. Free. 10am-2pm. James Brice House, Annapolis. 410-267-7619, annapolis.org
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
Balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, celebrity entertainers and performers. Free. 10am-noon. Constitution Avenue from 7th-17th streets, NW. Nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
Family Day
Follow a quest card to explore hands on activities and exhibits. See the animals living in an oyster reef, try trotlining and more. Free. 10am-2pm. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels. 410-924-7265, cbmm.org
Annapolis Book Festival
Well-known authors, crafts, workshops, family-friendly comic-con, children’s activities and more. Free. 10am-4pm. The Key School, Annapolis. keyschool.org/community/annapolis-book-festival
Family Wellness Expo
Variety of vendors including food, magazines, children’s activities and more. Free. 10am-5pm. Westfield Mall, Annapolis. 410-647-3900, severnaparkchamber.com
Brunch with Bunny
Brunch with the Easter Bunny, face painting, entertainment, prizes and more. Free. 11am. College Park Community Center, College Park. 301-441-2647, pgparks.com/page69910.aspx
Spring Fling
Pet and family pictures with the Easter Bunny, egg hunt, bake sale and more. Free. 11am-3pm. Calvert Animal Welfare League, Prince Frederick. cawlrescue.org
Peeps Day
Peeps eating contest, activities, climbing wall, children’s maze, showing of the movie Willy Wonka and more. The Capital Wheel celebrates Peeps Day with a free child’s ticket (12 and under) with one adult paid ticket. Free. Noon-2:30pm. National Harbor. nationalharbor.com
Bowie Green Expo
Family event features puppet shows, information, green products and more. Free. Noon-4pm. Kenhill Center, Bowie. bowiegreenexpo.org
American Girl Craft Extravaganza
Make and take crafts and activities inspired by American Girls Caroline, McKenna, Melody, Lea and Isabelle. For Ages 7-12. Free. 2-4pm. Severna Park Library. 410-222-6290, aacpl.net
9 Sunday
Science Sundays
Explore the natural world of science. Hands-on exhibits, outside hikes, crafts and more. All ages. Drop-in program. Free. 10am-noon. Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills. 443-738-9200, explorenature.org/center-event/science-sundays-5
Anacostia River Festival
Premier event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Bike parade, live music, educational activities and more. This year’s program will have a special focus on biking in the District and will celebrate the new extension of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail to Bladensburg. Free. 1-5pm. Anacostia Park, Washington, D.C. bridgepark.org/anacostia-river-festival
Every Pet Loves Bunnies
Bring your pet to the Food Court for pictures with the bunny. Free. 6:30-8:30pm. Arundel Mills Mall, Hanover. simon.com/mall/arundel-mills
10 Monday
Spring Break: Make and Take Craft
April 10-17. Drop in anytime during spring break to make and take a craft. New craft every day. Free. 9am-9pm. Riviera Beach Library, Pasadena. 410-222-6285, aacpl.net/location/rivierabeach
National Library Week
Janice Hayes-Williams, renowned Annapolis historian, tells local library stories in celebration of National Library Week. Bring your own library stories to share. Free. 6:30pm. Glen Burnie Library. 410-222-6270, aacpl.net/location/glenburnie
11 Tuesday
Rock Painting
Learn to paint a rock or two. Free. 1pm. Edgewater Library. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net/location/edgewater
12 Wednesday
Birds — Our Feathered Friends
Learn all about birds by identifying them and listening to their songs. Make and take home a set of binoculars. Ages 3-5. Free. 10am. Severna Park LIbrary. 410-222-6290, aacpl.net
13 Thursday
Doc McStuffins Preschool Party
Celebrate Doc Mcstuffins with songs, movies and crafts. Free. 10am. Crofton Library. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
Spring Has Sprung
Stories, crafts, games and more to celebrate spring. Free. 10-11:30am. Jefferson Park and Museum, St. Leonard. 410-586-8501, jefpat.org
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