April 1st – April 7th

children playingWe also provide lots of monthly event updates, giveaways, and other information on our newsletters. Click here for a sample of archived newsletters, and sign-up to be added to our newsletter email list!

We also have a large list of Spring Break Camps and activities so click here for camps and click here for more activities.

Today through Friday, April 5th

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.  The Children’s Theatre of Virginia.  Visit the website for show times and ticket prices.

Today through Sunday, April 7th

Spring Petting Farm. 11am-5pm. Short Pump Mall Main Plaza. Baby chicks, bunnies, goats, lambs and more. Free.

Family Fun Fair.  Chesterfield Towne Center Garden Ridge side parking lot.  Bring the family out for cotton candy, funnel cakes, thrilling rides and games and more. This event requires various admission fees.  Monday-Thursday will have an unlimited wristband for $20.00 each day

Today through Sunday, April 14th

Michelangelo Exhibit.  William & Mary’s Muscarelle Museum of Art. “Michelangelo: Sacred and Profane” will be on view at the Muscarelle through April 14, 2013.  26 original drawings by Michelangelo in all media.  Fee.

Today through Saturday, April 20th

Henley Street Theatre: Julius Caesar. Gottwald Playhouse. Shakespeare’s captivating political thriller, Julius Caesar, portrays the life-and-death struggle for power in Rome. Caesar’s growing ambition threatens the Republic, setting in motion one of the most famous murder conspiracies in political history. Henley Street Theatre brings you Shakespeare’s best known tragedy in a contemporary fashion, presenting an exciting interpretation that grapples with the universal themes of betrayal, patriotism and honor, asking the question: Who decides what is best for their country? Visit the website for show times and fees.

Today through Tuesday, April 30th

April E-Cycling.  9:30am to 5:00pm.  Science Museum of Virginia.  April is E-Cycle month at the Museum, benefitting VirginiaFIRST. Drop off your unwanted electronic devices including computers, mp3s, smart phones, cell phones, televisions and other electronics for recycling. They accept broken and working equipment, batteries, cables and chargers, etc. Anything with data will be wiped to DOD standards. Free.

Today through May 24th

Rocky Mountain Express. Science Museum of Virginia IMAX Theater.  Join in the epic adventure of building Canada’s first transcontinental railway as you are propelled on a steam train journey through the Canadian Rockies.

Born to Be Wild.  Science Museum of Virginia IMAX Theater.  Born to be Wild is an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals.

Monday, April 1st

Seymour Day at CMoR Central.  10am – 4pm.  Guests will enjoy a day filled with Seymour the Dinosaur appearances, story times, parades, and dance parties. A fun flower making activity on the Museum floor in addition to fun activities in the Art Studio throughout the day. Free with museum admission.

Family Scavenger Hunt. 10am.  Maymont Grounds.  Fee.

Garden Art Studio.  1pm-3pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  Visit the Garden Art Studio located beside the Hidden Tunnel and unfold your creative energy. Use provided materials to collaborate, explore and reflect on your own Garden experience.  Free with Garden admission.

Genealogy and Roots for Teens.  3pm.   Richmond Public Library Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St., Richmond. Discussion of the influence of Africa on American culture.

Monday, April 1st – Tuesday, April 2nd

Civil War 150 HistoryMobile.   10am-4pm.  Near Maymont’s Hampton Street Entrance.  A Tractor-trailer ‘museum on wheels’ is filled with interactive exhibits and activities.  History is on the move in Virginia on April 1st and April 2nd. The exhibit is an initiative of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission.  Admission to the HistoryMobile is free so there’s no reason not to go!

Tuesday, April 2nd

Club Mom, powered by National Geographic Kids.  9am-11am.  Chesterfield Towne Center.  A great opportunity for your child to learn in a fun, interactive setting. Great entertainment, fun giveaways for the adults, and free breakfast for children 12 years or younger. (Breakfast tickets are given out until 10:30 a.m. and are valid until 10:45 a.m. on Club Mom event days.).  One time dollar donation that goes to Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) is required.  This month – Kidsinger Jim (www.childrensmusic.com/music/kidsinger-jim/).

Parrots of Paradise at CMoR Central.  9:30am – 12pm.  Interact with some exotic parrots at the Children’s Museum of Richmond Central location. Free with museum admission.

Family Scavenger Hunt. 10am.  Maymont Grounds.  Fee.

Garden Explorations for Families- Habitats. 3:30pm. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Children (all ages) with accompanying adult. Enjoy story time and a fun-filled adventure while exploring different areas of the Garden. We observe our surroundings using a variety of hands-on activities and take-home treasures. Themes change each month and new stories, activities and garden areas are introduced each week. Garden Explorations for Families is an excellent opportunity for homeschoolers! Fee.

Wednesday, April 3rd

Parrots of Paradise at CMoR Short Pump.  9:30am – 12pm.  Interact with some exotic parrots at the Children’s Museum of Richmond Short Pump location. Free with museum admission.

Family Scavenger Hunt. 10am.  Maymont Grounds.  Fee.

Ezibu Muntu African Dance Performance at CMoR Central.  11am and 12pm.  Two special dance performances by the Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company. Free with museum admission.

Caricature Artists at CMoR Central.  11am – 2pm.  Get your caricature done by one of three talented caricature artists who will be visiting for Spring Break! Free with museum admission.

No Batteries Required: 19th-Century Games.  12:30-3:30pm.   Meadow Farm Museum.   For ages 5+. Join the fun as we trundle hoops, walk on stilts, and indulge in other 19th-century leisure activities.  Free.

Wednesday, April 3rd – Sunday, April 7th

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL – QUIDAM.  John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville.  Visit the website for show times and fees

Thursday, April 4th

Robert Jospe and the World Beat Workshop at CMoR Central and Chesterfield.  10am at CMoR Central and 2pm at CMoR Chesterfield.  Free with museum admission.

Family Scavenger Hunt. 10am.  Maymont Grounds.  Fee.

Fairy Chase.  10:30am.  Maymont Grounds.  Fee.

Storytime. 10:30am.  Barnes and Noble Short Pump, 11640 W.   Broad Street, Richmond.

March Ratness.  11:00am.  Science Museum of Virginia.  Cheer on your favorite basketball playing rats as they represent four top college teams and compete Science Museum of Virginia style! Included with Museum admission.

Charming Characters Character Appearances at CMoR Short Pump.  1pm – 3pm.  Visit with special characters and enjoy story times and meet and greet appearances! Free with museum admission.

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game.  6:35pm.  The Diamond.  Fee.

Thursday, April 4th & Saturday, April 6th

Sheep Shearing.  Visit the website for times.  Meadow Farm Museum.  For all ages. It is shearing time, and Meadow Farm is using historic hand shears on their herd of Gulf Coast Native sheep. Come watch the process and learn more about this rare breed and how their wool was used.  Free.

Friday, April 5th

Walkerton Explorers.  10-11am.  Walkerton Tavern.  For all ages. What was Walkerton used for in the last 186 years? With lots of hands-on activities, you’ll discover games and gadgets that make the tavern’s history come alive! Post the mail, vote in an election, and play 19th-century games!  Free.

SPCA Tail Wagon at CMoR Short Pump.  10am – 1pm.  Visit with special canine guests and their handlers for Spring Break! Free with museum admission.

Family Scavenger Hunt. 10am.  Maymont Grounds.  Fee.

Virginia Native Tree Exhibit Grand Opening at CMoR Central.  11am – 3pm. Celebrate the grand opening of a new exhibit! CMoR will be giving away sapling trees, encouraging people to go home and plant it, take a picture of the planted sapling, and bring the picture with them on Arbor Day to get into the Museum for free. Virginia Living Museum will be bringing some furry friends for fun demos. Also, guests will be able to mix and mingle with local artist, Matt Lively, who will be here to discuss his mural in the new exhibit space. Free with museum admission.

Meet the Critters.  12:30-3:30pm.  Meadow Farm Museum.  For all ages. Join costumed guides as they offer a personal introduction to the turkeys, chickens, sheep, horses, cows and pigs all found at Meadow Farm. Free.

Charming Characters Character Appearances at CMoR Chesterfield.  2pm – 3pm.  Escape into a world of fairy tales and come visit with a mermaid, pirate, Alice in Wonderland and Friends, and Tangled’s Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder for special appearances and story times! Free with museum admission.

Candy Bingo.  5:30pm.  Sweet Spot. All ages are welcome. Win candy prizes at this fun, free event! Call 360-7768  to reserve a spot on the spinning stools.

Kids Night Out…Parents Night Off.  6pm-9pm.  Simply FIT.  Ages 18 months to 12 years.  It’s a night of fun and games for the kids and a night on the town for you! Join Simply FIT as they host their Spring Break edition of this action-packed event which includes pizza, games, movies, and tons of fun-filled fitness activities! Space is limited! (804) 262-7777 or http://www.livesimplyfit.com/.  Fee.

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game.  7:05pm.  The Diamond.  Fee.

Friday, April 5th – Saturday, April 6th

Sound of Music (G). Visit the website for show times.  Enjoy a movie at Henrico Theatre in Highland Springs. Tickets are only $1 per person and can be purchased at the door.

Friends of the Richmond Public Library Book Sale. 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA. It’s worth heading out, as you can’t beat the prices:hardbacks are $2, paperbacks are $0.50, DVDs & CDs are $1 each, children’s books are $0.50, & more. April 5: 12noon-5pm; and 7pm-9pm. April 6: 10am-4pm.

Friday, April 5th – Sunday, April 7th

Spring Market at The Bizarre Bazaar. Richmond Raceway Complex. Unique gifts, gourmet foods, boutiques, fine artists and crafters and decorative accessories for the home and garden.  Fee.

Saturday, April 6th

Build a Bird Feeder!   9am-Noon.  Home Depot Stores.  FREE hands-on workshops designed for children ages 5 – 12 offered at all The Home Depot stores.  Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement.  Register Online.

Intercultural Festival: A World Premier. noon-6pm. VCU’s Monroe Park, 620 W. Main Street, Richmond. VA. Foods, crafts, arts, carnival rides, and games, a petting zoo, live music and performances representing a diverse mix of cultures.

Civil War & Emancipation Day.  9:30am-10pm.  This year’s Civil War & Emancipation Day provides free admission to all of the more than 25 participating sites and activity centers and offers an array of informative walking tours and presentations.  Free shuttle service will operate between all sites, so park once and visit as many sites as possible during the day. Hear discussions with leading Civil War scholars, watch cannon making demonstrations (and firings!), enjoy song and dance performances, and take a free Canal Boat ride.  Admission to most sites and performances is free. Reservations are required and fees do apply for the Civil War Sampler Bus Tour and special exhibits at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Big Truck Day.  10am-2pm.  Join Regency Square for this fun, hands-on and educational event in the parking lot, near Entrance 5 (Food Court). Big Truck Day will feature a: Henrico County Fire Truck, Henrico Country Ambulance, Henrico Country Police Command Vehicle, Fort Lee Army Vehicle, Tractors and more from Sears.  Plus, kids will enjoy playing with the Chick-fil-A Cow, Bonnie the Bon Secours mascot and more!  Free.

Junior Solar Sprint Workshop.  10am to Noon.  Science Museum of Virginia.  Discover the science behind a Junior Solar Sprint car as you learn how to build one. Up to 4 persons per team. Participants must have materials for the car. Kits are available for purchase through the Museum while supplies last. To register please call 804.864.1400.  $10 registration, free for Museum members.

Nano Days.  11am to 4pm.  Science Museum of Virginia.  Explore the world of the very small where things are one billionth of a meter or smaller. Included with exhibit admission.

Happy Birthday Amelia Bedelia Storytime.  1pm-2pm.  Barnes and Noble, Chesterfield Towne Center.  A special Storytime to celebrate Amelia Bedelia’s 50th birthday! There will be old and new Amelia Bedelia stories as well as snacks, crafts and fun giveaways!

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game.  6:05pm.  The Diamond.  Fee.

Richmond Kickers Soccer Game.  7pm.  City Stadium.  Fee.

Free Sheep Shearing Event. 9am-11am. Meadow Farm Museum. 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, VA. Learn about the process as Meadow Farm’s staff uses historic hand shears on its herd of Gulf Coast Native sheep.

Sunday, April 7th

Open Studio Sundays.  1pm-4pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kid Programs.  Fee.

Kite Day.  1pm-4pm.  Clover Hill Athletic Complex, 17701 Genito Road (Fields 7 and 8).  Bring out the entire family for a great day of kite flying!  There will be children’s entertainment and concessions. To get a kite, you must pre-register. No registrations will take place on site! This event is co-sponsored by Athletes In Motion (AIM). Call to reserve your kite today, before they all fly away! (Raindate: Sunday, April 14)

History & Nature Pontoon Boat Tours of the James River.  1pm, 2pm and 3pm.   Henricus Historical Park.  Ages 6 – Adult.  Excursions will feature local wildlife and 17th-century through modern day history at Henricus and Dutch Gap. Participants will step back in time and explore the habitats of native bald eagles and listen to stories of 12-foot sturgeon fish among other fascinating aspects of the James River. Pre-registration is strongly suggested by calling 804-318-8728.  Fee.

Theatre IV: Huck and Tom and the Mighty Mississippi.  2:30 & 5:30pm.  Henrico Theatre. For all ages. The greatest young adventurers in American literature spring to life in this foot-stompin’ musical based on the novels of Mark Twain. Join Huck, Tom, and all the residents and rapscallions of Hannibal, Missouri as they explore the majestic river that defines their lives, tests their souls, and carries their spirits into the heart of America.   Reservations can be made beginning up to one month in advance.  Free.

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game.  2:05pm.  The Diamond.  Fee.