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

For the scoop on the plays and performances around town – including inexpensive movies, click here.

To submit an event to our calendar send an email to email@completelykidsrichmond.com.

ALL WEEK

Robots + Us.  Science Museum of Virginia.  Explore differences between humans and robots by examining how lifelike machines imitate moving, sensing, thinking and being. Investigate robotics, computer science and biomedical engineering through enjoyable interactive exhibits and videos. Included with exhibit admission. Free for members.

Butterflies LIVE!  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Visitors have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures – watch them fly, feed and flutter all around you.  Free with Garden Admission.

Water Play at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  During warm spring, summer, and fall days, the Children’s Garden is the coolest place to be! Bring or wear your bathing suit and water shoes to enjoy the gentle water sprays. Swimming diapers are required for those not potty-trained.  Water Play is operational when the air temperature is 70 degrees or higher. Saturdays and Sundays, April 20th through Oct. 6th (weather permitting), 9 – 4:45 p.m. Weekday schedule, June 17th-Sept. 13th (weather permitting), 9-4:45 p.m. Weekday schedule, Sept. 16th- Sept. 29th (weather permitting), 1-4:45 p.m. Families after Five, June 6 through August 29th (weather permitting), 5 – 8:30 p.m.

The Science Museum of Virginia has two new IMAX films  To The Arctic  & Flight of the Butterflies.

Today – Sunday, July 7th

Richmond Shakespeare Festival “Comedy of Errors”.  Agecroft Hall, 4305 Sulgrave Road, Richmond, VA23221.  Performances are Thurs. – Sun. at 8:00.  Visit the website for ticket information.  Fee.

Monday, July 1st

Garden Art Studio. 1pm-3pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Get in the creative zone! Work alongside the staff in the colorful Garden Art Studio located beside the Hidden Tunnel. Drop-in and unfold your creative energy. Use provided materials to collaborate, explore and reflect on your own Garden experience.  Free with Garden admission.

Parent and Child Book Group Gathering.  No time provided.  Barnes and Noble – Chesterfield Towne Center.   Local authors Brian Rock and Lana Krumwiede will be leading book groups for ages 4 to 7 and 8 to 12 to motivate kids to read and help parents guide their kids to new and exciting books. Call 804.794.6640 to sign up with a bookseller and get details via email.  Join us as we read great stories and hold parent/child discussions, creative activities, local author presentations, games, crafts and fun!

Tuesday, July 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 – Get smart with Mad Science!

Garden Explorations for Families– Garden Dwellers. 10:15am. 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. Observe your 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.

Club Mom Storytime.   11am-Noon.  Barnes and Noble – Chesterfield Towne Center.  Local author Brian Rock reads his favorite stories after the monthly Club Mom event at Chesterfield Towne Center Mall. Chesterfield Towne Center’s beloved Chester the Reading Retriever will stop by for a visit! Free.

Wednesday, July 3rd

Drop in and Dig!  9am.  LewisGinterBotanical Garden.  Families with children are invited to drop-in and participate in simple, easy to learn gardening tasks under the guidance of Children’s Garden staff and volunteers. These family-oriented gardening experiences can easily be enjoyed at home. So join us to learn how much fun gardening with children can be!   Free with Garden Admission.

Mega-Monsters: Dinosaurs.  10am-11am.  Three Lakes Nature Center.  Join nature center staff as we open up the classroom doors to visitors with a variety of items/treasures from the nature collections. Staff will be on hand, presenting information and answering questions.  For all ages.  Free.

RVA Fireworks on the James.  Brown’s Island in Downtown Richmond.  Entertainment begins at approximately 7pm.  Fireworks to begin at approximately 9:15pm.  A FREE “Patriotic Family Fun” event that will feature performances by SPARC (School of Performing Arts in the Richmond Community), the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Richmond Ballet’s “Minds in Motion.” Food Vendors will be on Brown’s Island and the public is invited to bring a picnic (alcohol and pets not permitted) and a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy music simulcast on WRIR-FM, 97.3 during the evening and see the state’s largest fireworks show.  The Grucci show will be designed for 360-degree views. In addition to Brown’s Island, excellent viewing sites will be available in surrounding areas such as Oregon Hill, Manchester, and Chimborazo Park.  In case of rain, the event will take place on Friday, July 5th.

Genworth Independence Day Celebration  6:30pm.  Genworth Financial’s World Headquarters, 6620 West   Broad Street. Celebrate freedom with the Heritage of America Band. The concert will begin at 6:30pm at The concert will be immediately followed by the fireworks display. Children and adults of all ages are welcome, but please, leave your pets at home. There will be face painting, balloons, giveaways, food vendors and much more. Plenty of free parking and will be offering transportation between the parking lot and the event site for those who need assistance. This event is free and open to the public.

Thursday, July 4th

Children’s Storytime. 10:30am.  Barnes & Noble Store in Short Pump, 11640 W. Broad Street.  Every Thursday.  For information call 360-0103.

Lions in the Library.  12:30pm.   Maymont Mansion.  Fee.

Reenactment of the Second Virginia Convention.  The Patrick Henry Committee invites you to bring your friends and family to a reenactment of the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775. In the presence of Washington, Jefferson, and other notable Virginians, Patrick Henry delivered his passionate call for liberty, uttering the immortal words, “Give me liberty or give me death!” These events are free and open to the public. Doors open at 1pm for seating on a first-come, first-served basis, Music program begins at 1:30pm, and the reenactment begins at 2pm.  Please call 804-648-5015 for more information.  Free to the public, with a suggested $5 per person donation.

Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration.  1pm-5pm.  Meadow Farm Museum/Crump Park. The festivities kick off with a flag raising ceremony. Then take a step back in time and listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Living History Associates, Ltd. over traditional drum and fife music followed by a musket salute. Uncle Sam (on stilts!) will also be in attendance, as well as Jonathan Austin who will be thrilling the crowd with his mesmerizing magic and juggling. Stop by the two stages to listen to harmonic melodies and watch demonstrations by local performers. Other activities include an American flag give-away, arts and crafts, face painting, contests and games, pony rides, a watermelon feast, and more! Both the Meadow Farm Museum and Orientation Center will be open for visitation. Concessions will be available for purchase.  Enjoy the beach from afar while professional sculptors turn piles of sand into amazing works of art at the Sand Sculpture Exhibition. Visit the Star-Spangled Splash Zone, where children 12 and under can take a ride on the Double Drop Dolphin Slide and take delight in more wacky wet fun! Free.

Chesterfield County Fourth of July Celebration.  Gates Open at 5pm; fireworks at dark.  Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, Fairgrounds (across from L.C. Bird High School), 10300 Courthouse Road.  Celebrate independence with a spectacular fireworks display at dark! Includes an activity area for children and special entertainment. No alcohol, glass bottles, pets or personal fireworks, please. Blankets or lawn chairs are recommended. Limited parking; roads leading to fairgrounds will be closed at 9 p.m. or when parking lots are full. Don’t miss this fun-filled event for all ages.  Rain date July 5.  Free.

All American Celebration at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  FREE admission to the garden from 9am-5pm.  Guests are invited to wear red, white and blue and bring wagons and strollers to decorate for a “parade.” Enjoy music, WaterPlay and fun activities in the Children’s Garden.

Dogwood Dell Fourth of July Fireworks – Independence Day Celebration with live music, cannons and fireworks. Featuring jazz from Simply Kevin B, a Carillon bell concert and music from Richmond Concert Band. Program starts at 5:45 p.m. Fireworks at dark.

Goochland County Fireworks – At the Goochland Sports Complex 9pm. Park and watch the fireworks from the Goochland County Administration Building, Goochland Elementary, Middle & High School Complex. Admission is FREE! Pack a picnic and bring a blanket.

Ashland July 4th Celebration  Includes a walking parade, patriotic concert, lawn games, an apple pie contest and the ever-popular patriotic pet contest.

Beaverdam Independence Day Parade and Celebration.  The parade starts at 10 am.  there will be children’s activities, games, and more.

Colonial Downs Racing to the Stars & Stripes  Racing to the Stars ‘n Stripes presented by Pearson Signature dealerships. A holiday celebration with horse racing, fireworks, live patriotic music with York River Concert Band a family themed “After Party” with magician Jonathan Austin, Proverbial in concert, free ice cream & more! Trackside Blast Zone reserved tables for 4 available.  Fee.

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game and Independence Day Celebration.  6:35pm.  The Diamond. Pre-game entertainment in the AT&T Entertainment Zone by the Hit List.  Post-game Fireworks Celebration presented by the Heart of Virginia Chevrolet Dealers, Chili’s and Verizon Wireless – one of the biggest shows of the  year.  Limited General Admission Seating Available – Call Today.  Fee.

Friday, July 5th

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

Good Green Fun.  11am.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Families with children of all ages are invited to spend some time in the Children’s Garden listening to story books, gardening, participating in walkabouts and having good green fun.  Free with garden admission.

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game.  7:05pm.  The Diamond.   Pre-game entertainment in the AT&T Entertainment Zone by Freddy C and the C Notes.  Post-game Fireworks Celebration presented by the Heart of Virginia Chevrolet Dealers, Chili’s and Verizon Wireless – one of the biggest shows of the  year.  Post-game Kids Run the Bases for fans 14 and under courtesy of McDonald’s (first 300 get a coupon from McDonald’s).  Fee.

Saturday, July 6th

Home Depot Kids Workshop – Despicable Me 2.  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.

Free Irish Dance Class.  Noon-1pm.  Heart of Ireland School of Dance, 14257 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, VA 23113.  Try Irish dancing and see what all the FUN is about!  Open to all ages.  Must register in advance.  Register on the at www.HeartofIrelandSchool.com or call 804.464.8190.

PIE WALK & Pie Tasting at Whole Foods. 11am-1pm Short Pump. It’s just like a cake walk but with pies and so fun!

Behind the Scenes at Maymont.  1pm.  Maymont Nature Center.  Fee.

Storytime with Arthur.  1:30pm – 3:30pm.  Barnes and Noble –  Chesterfield Towne Center.  Join us for a special Storytime with Arthur! We will have stories about Arthur and all of his friends as well as snacks, crafts and a visit from our anteater friend!  Free.

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game.  6:05pm.  Pre-game entertainment in the AT&T Entertainment Zone by River City Katz.  Post-game Fireworks Celebration presented by UnitedHealthcare.  Post-game Kids Run the Bases for fans 14 and under courtesy of McDonald’s (first 300 get a coupon from McDonald’s).  Fee.

Glow Run RVA.  7pm.  Maymont  Grounds.  A non-timed three-mile run/walk for families and people of all ages who love glow sticks, laid-back fun and of course, Maymont Festivities start at 7pm; the race gets underway at 8pm with prizes, a DJ spinning your favorite tunes and more. Participants receive a Glow Run RVA t-shirt, glow gear and access to the afterparty. Proceeds benefit Maymont.

Saturday, July 6th -Sunday, July 7th

Pontoon Boat Tours of the James River.   1pm-3pm. Visitors to Henricus Historical Park are encouraged to participate in history and conservation tours on the Discovery Barge II, a covered 24- foot pontoon boat captained by Mike Ostrander of Discover the James, an established provider of educational eco-tours and fishing trips. For ages 6 and older.   Tours are scheduled on the hour..  Fee.

Sunday, July 7th

Reenactment of the Second Virginia Convention.  The Patrick Henry Committee invites you to bring your friends and family to a reenactment of the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775. In the presence of Washington, Jefferson, and other notable Virginians, Patrick Henry delivered his passionate call for liberty, uttering the immortal words, “Give me liberty or give me death!” These events are free and open to the public. Doors open at 1pm for seating on a first-come, first-served basis, Music program begins at 1:30pm, and the reenactment begins at 2pm.  Please call 804-648-5015 for more information.  Free to the public, with a suggested $5 per person donation.

Behind the Scenes at Maymont.  1pm.  Maymont Nature Center.  Fee.

Open Studio Sundays.  1pm-4pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Family Programs.  Free.

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game.  2:05pm.  The Diamond.  Don’t forget kids can use their Report Card ‘A’s’ to get a free ticket.   Mascot Innertube Giveaway.  Fee.

Applause Unlimited Puppetry.  4pm.  Ha’Penny Stage, Dogwood Dell Park, City of Richmond.  A special children’s series performance on the Ha’Penny Stage at the 57th Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell.  Free.