Completely Kids Richmond :: Events Calendar and Things to Do with Kids

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Today – May 17th

Wicked Plants. Science Museum of Virginia. Wicked Plants unearths 75 poisonous, carnivorous and diabolical plants inside of a dilapidated, Victorian home. Guests traverse through each room to uncover the biochemical, physical and neurological processes between botanicals and the human body. Free with museum admission.

Today – June 1st

A Million Blooms. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. As part of A Million Blooms, a dozen picture frames will be set up throughout the Central Garden and inside the Conservatory to feature what’s in bloom. Peer through the empty frames to view “living bouquets,” ensuring you see the Garden’s highlights. A Million Blooms highlights are the newly completed Cherry Tree Walk with cherry blossoms and other blooms around Sydnor Lake, and Butterflies LIVE! opening April 17. Events throughout the season include Easter Weekend with Peter Rabbit, Mother’s Day, the Spring Plant Sale and plant shows, and activities in the Children’s Garden. Fee (Garden Admission).

Today – April 10th

A Week of Action-Packed Adventures during Spring Break! Maymont Park.

Today – Sunday, April 19th

Treasure Island at The Children’s Theatre of Virginia. The Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn. Hoist the sales you landlubbers and swab the deck! It’s time to venture out into the tropical seas. Length: 1 hour. Suggested for ages 6 and up. Fee.

Thursdays thru May 7th

Fresh Start For Single Mothers “Necessary Ingredients”. Thursday Nights 6pm-7:30pm. Weekly meetings will be held at Velocity Church, 3300 Church Road, Richmond Virginia 23233. A fun wonderfully uplifting program for single mothers. This program is designed to help single mothers through support, new friendships, encouragement, enlightenment & motivation. It is used to encourage single mothers in a positive direction while taking a closer look at their present lives and future with round table reflective discussion, guest speakers and interaction with other single moms. Dinner and Childcare is FREE. Special program for children & teens. Weekly Prizes, Giveaways & FUN! Registration Required – they need to know who is to attend and children’s ages, names, grade and gender of the children you would be bringing 804-364-0460.

Today – September 8th

A Passion for Nature. Tuesdays-Sundays at Maymont Park. 12noon – 5pm. Both indoors and out, James and Sallie Dooley’s estate reflects their love of natural beauty. They filled their residence, the Maymont Mansion, with a treasure trove of nature-inspired decorative and fine arts and landscaped the surrounding 100 acres with beautiful parkland, magnificent trees, and glorious gardens. This spring, the special exhibition “A Passion for Nature” will encourage guests to take a closer look at the bountiful representations of flora and fauna, from lilies and dragonflies adorning Art Nouveau objects to realistic sculpture of lions and owls, found in the decorations of the Gilded Age mansion. $5 suggested donation.

Children’s Summer Art Adventures. Camp registration and information available. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Monday, April 6th

Magic with the Amazing Mr. B. 3:30 pm. Varina Library. How did he do that? Be dazzled by the amazing magic tricks of the Amazing Mr. B! Free.

All About Science. 10am-4pm. Children’s Museum of Richmond Central Location. Educator-run projects, Science of Art demos, Movin’ Mania, and more. For our satellite locations, we’ll be celebrating Spring Break with character visits, story time, giveaways and more! Please check our events calendar as these dates draw nearer. Free with Museum admission.

Play, Learn, and Grow. 10:30am. Sandston Library. Playing helps your young child learn about language and other early literacy skills. Join our playgroup, make new friends and enjoy the fun! Ages 6- 36 months. Free.

Adventures in Vegetable Growing. 10am-2pm. Maymont Park. What can be grown in one square foot? Stop by Jack’s Vegetable Garden at the Children’s Farm to talk with Chesterfield Master Gardeners and learn how to grow your own food in a pot, a small garden or even in one square foot of soil! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free admission.

Family Scavenger Hunt. 10am-12noon. Maymont Grounds. Explore Maymont’s 100 acres in a whole new way! Crack secret codes for clues, and use maps and riddles to find your way around the estate in this family-friendly scavenger hunt. Different difficulty levels are available. Ages 4 and older; adult must accompany child. Register online; for information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 324. Limited space for walk-ups. $15 per family or group (up to four people)/$12 members.

Monday, April 6th to Friday, April 10th

The Science of Spring (Break). 9:30am-5pm. The Science Museum of Virginia. Dig up the dirt on Wicked Plants with some special activities! Conduct experiments with dehydrated plants, make leaf rubbings and handcraft seed balls in our Challenge Lab. Learn the science behind climate change with our Science on a Sphere® and rock out with a “beetbox” and apple piano! Don’t miss your chance to dissect plants and get the scoop about vermiculture this spring break!

Pinwheels & Pastimes. 1pm-3pm. Maymont Mansion Lawn. Join an old-fashioned play party with the games and toys that amused boys and girls 100 years ago. People from the past encourage you to try your hand at hoops or hopscotch, make a toy or compete in races and other fun games from yesteryear. For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 329. Free.

Teen Job Hunter Boot Camp. 2pm. Registration required. Tuckahoe Area Library. This five-day, hands-on workshop will help you prepare to find and apply for jobs. We’ll guide you in creating your resume and give you tips on interviewing. Register one time to attend all five days, April 6-10. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tuckahoe Area Library.

Archaeology at Henricus: Spring Break Camp (ages 8 – 12). 9am-4pm. Participate in a week-long archaeological program at Henricus Historical Park. Learn about the tools and strategies used to help locate and excavate sites and the archaeological methods used to create a living history museum. Help sort, catalogue and clean artifacts found in the area and help us locate the 1611 Henricus fort! Take a field trip to an active archeological site. Registration required by April 1 by calling 804-318-8797. Space limited. Cost: $200/ Henricus Patrons $180.

A Rabbit on the Cabinet. 2pm-2:30pm. Maymont Mansion. Discover the enchanting home of Major and Mrs. Dooley as their nieces and nephews must have seen it more than 100 years ago. Find a lion in the fireplace, a swan in the bedroom, a rabbit on the cabinet and more as a Victorian nanny reveals the wonders within the mansion to children of all ages.For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 329. $5 per person.

The Secret Life of a Victorian House. 3pm-3:45pm. Maymont Mansion. The Dooleys’ housemaid brings the mansion to life during a family-friendly tour of the upstairs and downstairs of their grand home. Climb the backstairs to discover hidden doors and bells as you experience life and work at the estate 100 years ago. For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 329. $6 per person/$4 members.

Skunk Training Observation. 4pm-4:20pm. Eagle Amphitheater – Maymont. Meet Maymont’s skunk, Gulliver, and watch as an educator demonstrates how this laid back guy has been trained for special programs. No need to worry about getting sprayed, he’s been de-scented! Sign in at Raptor Valley by the eagle’s nest prior to the program. For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 333. Donations welcome.

All About Science. Children’s Museum of Richmond Central Location, 2626 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA. We’ll be kicking off our Spring Break celebration with multiple activities with one central theme: Science! For our satellite locations, we’ll be celebrating Spring Break with character visits, story time, giveaways and more! Please check our events calendar as these dates draw nearer. Free with Museum admission.

Tuesday, April 7th

Creative Clothing Construction for Kids. 10:30am. Twin Hickory Library. Registration required. The focus of this workshop is to give students, grades 6 – 12, the opportunity to create a wearable piece of art that explores cultural trends, nontraditional materials, and fine art processes. Similar to the Project Runway design style, students make wearable art by reconstructing clothing, found objects, and recycled materials. Inspiration comes from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts collection, artists, and fashion designers. Workshop attendance also gives students a snapshot of the annual Teen Stylin’ runway show held each year in December and open to all teens living in Virginia. This program is presented through the VMFA’s Art and Education Division.

Flying Squirrels. 6pm. The Diamond. Join the 2015 Flying Squirrels on the field at The Diamond during the team’s first batting practice of the season. The event is open to the public as fans are invited to stand on the field during batting practice. New food carts and concessions will be available. Free.

Animal Day. 10am-4pm. Children’s Museum of Richmond Central Location, 2626 W. Broad Street. Parrots of Paradise – Parrots will be landing at CMoR. These amazing rescue birds are a must see! 12pm-4pm. Our friends from The Teeny Tiny Farm will be back to warm our hearts and make us smile with their sweet farm friends. They will be bringing at least one of the following: miniature horse, sheep, goats, rabbits, cows and pigs! 2pm-4pm. The Virginia Living Museum will be here doing what they do best: fostering care and protection of the balance of our natural world and all the animals in it. For our satellite locations, we’ll be celebrating Spring Break with character visits, story time, giveaways and more! Please check our events calendar as these dates draw nearer. Free with Museum admission.

The Country Chicken. 10am-11:30am. Meadow Farm Museum. Ages 8-11. Explore the lives of chickens through hands-on activities including exploring nests, making an egg-based tempera paint, creating a whirly-bird, and cooking an egg open-hearth style. Registration required in advance. Information: eik@henrico.us. $7.50.

Celebrate Spring Break. 2pm. Fairfield Library. Lego/Block Build. Free.

Swamp Things. 10:30am-11:30am. Nature Center at Maymont. The swamp doesn’t seem like the most inviting habitat, but plenty of animals call it home. Meet several creatures of the swamp, including our new alligators, and discover how they survive in this wet and muddy world. Create a swamp thing of your own to take home! Ages 5 and older; adult must accompany child. Register online; for information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 333. Limited space for walk-ups. $10 per child/$8 members (includes Nature Center admission).

Stump the Scientist! 1pm-3pm. Science Museum of Virginia. Try your hand at leaving John Townsend, botanist and member of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, speechless! Have you been wondering about the strange plant growing in your yard? Bring in a clipping and get your questions answered!

Short Pump Pals Pretzel Time – Special Clubhouse Meeting. 11am. Short Pump Mall Food Court. Ever wonder how those pretzels twist? Well now you can find out! Come join us for our annual interactive pretzel rolling class with hosts from Auntie Anne’s. Free.

My First Pollinator Garden. 9:30am-10:30am. Children’s Farm Classroom, Maymont Park. What are pollinators and what do they need to live in the garden? Learn how to start a garden for butterflies and other pollinators, and learn what is needed to keep these important insects comfortable in their new home. Ages 5 and older; adult must accompany child. Register online or on site the day of program. Space is limited. For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 310. $5 per person.

Behind the Scenes. 1pm-1:30pm. Nature Center at Maymont. Walk through the Employees Only door for a special peek at the inner workings of the Maymont Nature Center. Thirteen aquariums and more than 200 animals require more care than meets the eye. Ages 5 and older; adult must accompany child. Register at the Visitor Center desk on the day of the program. (Groups of 5 or more must register in advance.) For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 333 or 338. $6 per person/$3 members (includes Nature Center admission).

Wednesday, April 8th

Mommy & Me (and Daddy Too). 10am-11:30am. Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond, VA. Live music and entertainment for children and parents. Activities designed to enhance parents’ interaction with children. Free.

Celebrate Spring Break. 2pm. Fairfield Library. Movie. Free.

RVA Sports Day. 10am-4pm. Children’s Museum of Richmond Central Location, 2626 W. Broad Street. Sports activities all day. Richmond Raiders & Richmond Kickers will be here to hang out, play and talk sports. For our satellite locations, we’ll be celebrating Spring Break with character visits, story time, giveaways and more! Please check our events calendar as these dates draw nearer. Stay tuned for actual times. Free with Museum Admission.

Thursday, April 9th

Children’s Storytime at Barnes & Noble. 10:30am. Barnes & Noble, Short Pump, 11640 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA. Join us each Thursday for Children’s Storytime. On the fourth Thursday of each month, we’ll have a special visit from Seymour and the folks from the Children’s Museum.

Day of Music! 10am-4pm. Children’s Museum of Richmond Central Location, 2626 W. Broad Street. What better way to learn and have fun than with music? On Thursday, our friends from Guitar Center will be coming out at 12pm to entertain us with music and will also be bringing instruments to share with the kids! We’ll also have guest visitors the Virginia Repertory Theatre and Richmond Symphony Petting Zoo. For our satellite locations, we’ll be celebrating Spring Break with character visits, story time, giveaways and more! Please check our events calendar as these dates draw nearer. Free with Museum admission.

Celebrate Spring Break. 2pm. Fairfield Library. Games. Free.

Fairy Chase. 10:30am-12noon. Maymont Grounds. Do you believe in fairies? Enjoy a magical morning filled with whimsy and make-believe. Play games, make wishes, hear stories and receive your very own wings and wand as you learn what fairies like to do and where they like to hide. Imaginative clues guide you around the lawns of Maymont as you search for the winged creatures, finding treasures along the way. This enchanting program concludes with a sweet treat of fairy cakes and lemonade. Meet at Maymont’s Carriage House. Ages 4-8. Register online by April 8; for information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 329. $22 per child/$18 members. Parents are welcome to observe the program.

Friday, April 10th

Minecraft Palooza. 2pm-4pm. Dumbarton Library. Come play Minecraft with us on library computers! We will set up a dedicated LAN server so that you can join in with others in the same Minecraft world! Gaming time is limited to 30 minutes a person (your gaming time will be sometime between 2 and 4 pm). Online registration is required. However, no registration is required if you bring your own laptop with a licensed copy of Minecraft. Free.

Pirate & Princess Day. 10am-4pm. Children’s Museum of Richmond Central Location, 2626 W. Broad Street. On Friday, come out to see our lovely Princesses and Captain Greybeard for story time and adventures! We guarantee that you’ll have even more fun if you wear your favorite costume! For our satellite locations, we’ll be celebrating Spring Break with character visits, story time, giveaways and more! Please check our events calendar as these dates draw nearer. Free with Museum admission.

Old Fashioned Playstations. 10am-11:30am. Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park. Ages 5+. Join in the fun as we play 19th-century games at Meadow Farm. Trundle a hoop, bowl 9-pins, balance on stilts, and join in a friendly game of tug-of-war. Drop in to learn about these and more as we discuss what people did for fun in the past. Free.

Arena Racing. 7:30pm. Richmond Coliseum. Fee.

Saturday, April 11th

Tracing Your Family Tree. 2:30pm. Glen Allen Library. Sylvia Elchinger from the Family History Center (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) will introduce you to resources and get you started on researching your family’s roots. Free.

See It Grow. 10am. Lowes. Spring is here and it’s time to start gardening! Your child will love learning about plants and watching them grow with this great kit! 10am. Local Lowes stores. Monster Jam is back at Lowe’s this weekend! Be sure to register your child to build this Monster Jam project featuring El Toro Loco®! Registration required. Free.

Seymour’s Birthday Bash! 10am-4pm. Children’s Museum of Richmond Central Location, 2626 W. Broad Street.On our final day of Spring Break festivities, we’ll be winding down with a carnival-themed party for our pal Seymour. Since a party’s not a party unless there’s balloons, Balloons by Extreme will be on hand to really give us something to celebrate. In addition, there will be Caricature Artists, face-painting, snow cones & cotton candy and children will be able to help make Seymour a birthday card and then participate in a special birthday parade! For our satellite locations, we’ll be celebrating Spring Break with character visits, story time, giveaways and more! Please check our events calendar as these dates draw nearer. Free with Museum admission.

Tredegar Battalion. 11am-11:30am. The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. Volunteers wanted! We are looking to recruit youngsters every Saturday at 11:30am to join the Tredegar Battalion. Discover how a Civil War soldier trained and fought with the rifle musket by drilling with a costumed interpreter. Program includes a blank, black powder firing.

Camp Life of the Common Soldier. 12noon. The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. Only a small amount of Civil War soldiers’ time was spent on the battlefield. What were they doing when they weren’t fighting? Visit with costumed interpreters portraying Union and Confederate soldiers to find out! Program includes a black powder firing.

American Lives, Richmond Voices: Cannon, Cartridges, & Canals. 1pm. The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. Join living historians as they portray three fascinating Richmonders in 1863! Tredegar Iron Works owner-operator, Joseph Reid Anderson; Tredegar’s canal fleet manager, William Brackens; and Confederate States Laboratory worker, Mary Ryan, will bring wartime Richmond to life in this exciting interactive program.

From Foundry to Fire! 2pm. The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. Learn about the importance of the cannon manufacturing capabilities of Tredegar Ironworks, as well as, the role field artillery played in the Civil War. A costumed artillery crew will explain the process of making and testing the cannon and then demonstrate its use on the battlefield.

Sheep to Shawl. 12noon-4pm. Meadow Farm Museum. Learn about wool and the methods used to process this unique fiber. Participate in hands-on activities such as carding, spinning and weaving. Make a wooly craft with the Friends of Meadow Farm. Watch members of Clotho’s Spinning Guild as they demonstrate the expert skills needed to produce a shawl and other products. Learn how sheep can be good listeners during a sheep dog demonstration. Enjoy historic music as while strolling the grounds of this beautiful 19th-century farm site. Free.

Richmond Raiders v. Columbus Lions. 7:00pm. Richmond Coliseum. Fee.

Boot Camp for New Dads. 9am-Noon. Locations vary. Delivered by First Things First of Greater Richmond. A unique father-to-father community-based workshop prepares and equips expectant dads to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates, and navigate their transformation into dads. Fee.

Second Saturdays with The Story Lady. 1pm Barnes & Noble-Chesterfield Towne Center. Children’s storyteller and author, Ali Pfautz, aka The Story Lady, will entertain little ones with interactive tales and songs. Come join the fun! Free.

Sunday, April 12th

Kite Day. 1pm-4pm. Clover Hill Athletic Complex, Fields 7&8, 17701 Genito Road, Midlothian, VA. The entire family will enjoy a great day of kite flying. Children will enjoy a moonwalk, clown and other fun activities. Call to reserve a kite before they all fly away! Free.

Guided Tour: Brown’s Island. 1pm. Brown’s Island. Museum Educator Sean Kane will lead a walk over to Brown’s Island, a little island near Tredegar that played a significant role during the Civil War as the location of the Confederate States Laboratory. Tour topics include: the island’s workforce of young women, life as a prisoner of war on Belle Isle and Richmond’s evacuation fire.

April 6th -12th