April 26th – May 3rd

summer kids 3All Month

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. Through Sunday, May 17th.

A Million Blooms, Butterflies LIVE! and WaterPlay. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Fee wihtGarden Admission.

Today – Saturday, May 2nd

Threads Consignment Events Spring/Summer 2015 Children’s Consignment Sale. Canterbury Shopping Center, 10616 Patterson Ave., Richmond, VA 23238 (Corner of Pump & Patterson).

Weekday Shopping
Monday – Friday, April 27th – May 1st • 9am-1pm AND 3pm-7pm • Public Shopping
50% Off Sale
Saturday, May 2nd
8:30am-9:00am • Volunteer Presale
9:00am-4:00pm • Public Shopping

Today – May 10th

SPARC Presents The Music Man Junior.  Show times vary.  2106-A North Hamilton Street.  Richmond’s finest young performers bring THE MUSIC MAN JR. to life in this 60-minute production of the classic musical comedy.

Monday, April 27th

All About Herbs and Veggies. 10:30am-11:30am. Lavender Fields Farm, 1300 Winfrey Road, Glen Allen, VA. Go deeper! This class builds upon your growing experience to take it to the next level. Grow from simply getting by and move towards thriving with tips and hints to enhance your gardens productivity and its overall health. Learn proper planting times, spacing, companion planting, growing techniques, fertilization, harvesting and plant rotation. Fee: $15 per person.

Tuesday, April 28th

Toddler Time. 10:30am-11am. Ginter Park Library, 1200 Westbrook Ave., Richmond, VA, 23227FREE Interactive early literacy storytime with music and movement for ages 18-36 months with an adult. Indoor playtime and crafts at the conclusion. For questions and information Call Miss Tori at 804.646.1236.

Wednesday, April 29th

Paw Patrol. 9am-10am. Dorey Park, 2999 Darbytown Road, Henrico, VA 23231. Ages 5+. Let’s create new friends, both furry and human, as we take a one-hour power walk around the lake or through the park trails. Improve overall fitness levels for both dogs and owners as we walk at a pace that’s not quite a run, but fast enough to leave you both invigorated! Complimentary water will be provided for both dogs and their people. Trail maps and fitness tips will be shared. Dogs must be leashed and up-to-date on vaccinations. Free.

The Elves and the Shoemaker. 10:15am-11am. Swift Creek Mill Theater. 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway, South Chesterfield, VA. The Grimm Brothers’ classic tale of the poor cobbler who gets some unexpected help from some tiny friends….friends who come to his shop in the middle of the night to do their job. Lots of music, lots of laughs, and the lots of heart as the audience learns the value of work and compassion. The perfect Springtime treat!

Thursday, April 30th

Stylin’ Still Life. 4:15pm-6pm. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Ages 5 – 8 Explore still life compositions and painting styles by famous French artists like Van Gogh and Manet. Discuss shapes, contrast, and complementary colors to use in vibrant still life paintings. $20 (VMFA members $18).

Stories with Miss Tori. 10:30am-11:15am. Ginter Park Library, 1200 Westbrook Ave., Richmond, VA, 23227. Interactive early literacy family storytime with songs, stories, and rhymes for the whole family to enjoy. Indoor playtime and crafts at the conclusion. For questions and information Call Miss Tori at 804.646.1236. Free.

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

Friday, May 1st

Storytime.  10am.  Cartwheels and Coffee, 2820 W Cary Street.   Every Friday at 10:00 am Sponsored by bbgb tales for kids and lead by our very own Miss Hannah, our story time will take you to far away lands, introduce you to new friends with all sorts of interesting creatures, and allow you to discover a world of imagination inside your favorite books!  Free with admission.

First Friday Samplers.  5:30pm-9pm.  Visual Arts Center of Richmond.  A fun, creative way to spend your Friday night.  Try your hand at different art samplers.  Budget and kid-friendly, but some  minimum age requirements.  Registration begins at 5:00 pm. Classes run from 6:00-9:00 pm. Class prices range from $5-$20.

Special Night for Special Needs.  5:30pm-7:30pm.  Children’s Museum – Chesterfieldg.  Special Night for Special Needs is an evening especially for the families of children with special needs age 10 and under.  Visitors enjoy all the museum has to offer and benefit from the availability of adapted materials, special activities, a cool-down space and reduced number of visitors.  Free.

Kid’s Fun Night.  6pm-8pm.  All Fired Up, Short Pump & Midlothian.  On the first Friday of each month, All Fired Up is hosting Kids’ Fun Night! Drop the kids (ages 6 to 12) off with us between 6 to 8pm for a fun-night of pottery painting. Enjoy your time while letting your kids have a fun night out on their own at All Fired Up!   The cost is $25 per child and is for ages 6 and up. Reservations are required and space is limited.  Fee.

Parent’s Night Out.  6:30pm-10:30pm.  Pump It Up, 9555 Kings Charter Drive, Suite I , Ashland , VA.  The kids will be happy with an evening of jumping, games, dinner and a movie! 4-12 years old.  Fee.

Friday, May 1st – Friday, May 8th

Clothesline Children’s West End Spring Consignment Sale. Gayton Crossing Shopping Center, 1354 Gaskins Road (between Kroger & Hallmark), Richmond 23238. You’ll find children’s clothing (newborn through juniors/teens, boutique clothing, maternity wear, shoes, accessories, baby equipment & gear, strollers, nursery decor & furniture, diaper & feeding supplies, books, electronics, and toys!
Friday May 1 … 9a to 8p
Saturday May 2 … 9a to 3p
Sunday May 3 … 12 to 5p
Monday May 4 … CLOSED
Tuesday May 5 … 9a to 8p (25% off marked items)
Wednesday May 6 … 10a to 4p (25% off marked items)
Thursday May 7 … 9a to 8p (50% off marked items)
Friday May 8 …. 10a to 4p (50% off marked items)

Saturday, May 2nd

Free Comic Book Day 2015. Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops! Comics are generally for Middle and High School students.  Visit participating Henrico County Libraries, DAVE’S COMICS, MOVIE STOP STORE, STORIES COMICS, VELOCITY COMICS, RICHMOND COMIX and more!

John B. Cary Elementary School Carnival Extraordinaire. HURRY, HURRY…COME ONE, COME ALL! Step right up and have a ball! Games, activities, food and more. Snow cones, cotton candy and treats galore! Please JBC and the Dogtown Theater Circus for a fun filled day with a moon bounce and tons of other surprises supporting the PTA!

Elmo & Abby Character Breakfast.  8:45am-9:30am.  CMoR Central.   Patron Member Month – Special Character Event.  For details on how to become a Patron member click here.  Fee.

Learn How to Build a Picket Fence Photo Frame – Kids Workshop. 9am-Noon. Local Home Depot Stores. FREE hands-on workshops designed for children ages 5 – 12 offered at all 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.

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.

May Faire ’15.  10am-3pm.  Richmond Waldorf School, 1000 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond.  Open to the public, this event brings members of the larger Richmond community to RWS to celebrate the season. Children of all ages are will be entertained with activities, crafts, puppet shows, pony rides, petting zoo, a cake walk, and Bogy the Clown.  Fee.

Historic Point of Rocks Living History Day. 10am-Noon. Historic Point of Rocks, 1011 Point of Rocks Road. Visit Historic Point of Rocks never before open to the public and learn about the Union hospital established here where Clara Barton served and walk the ground where President Lincoln visited in 1864. View federal fortifications and learn why this location played a major role in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign.  Discover the unique history surrounding this newly acquired historic site. Experience Native American history and learn about one of the earliest naval battles in 1862. Parking will be at Dodd Park with shuttles transporting to event site.  Food and drinks will be available. Free admission.

Chesterfield Historical Society – “Planters Day”.  1oam-4pm.  Magnolia Grange.  “Planters Day” will interpret life in Chesterfield County in 1864 with costumed re-enactors, traditional music, crafts and trades such as a potter, a midwife, blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, chair caning, candle making, soap making and more.  Magnolia Grange will be open for tours at a specially reduced price of $1 and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Stories at the Museum. 11am-Noon. Virginia Historical Society. Special educator-led readings of children’s history books and a make-it-and-take-it craft activity related to the text.  Open to all ages. No pre-registration required.  Today – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattigan.  Free.

Celebration of Fathers & Families.  11pm-3pm.  Bellemeade Community Center, 1800 Lynhaven Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23224.  A day of food, fellowship and fun to celebrate fathers and families.  Visit for just a bit or the entire time.

Animation in a Day.  1pm-4pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Art Education Center.  Fee.

KidFest Carnival!   1pm-4pm.  Deep Run Park, Henrico County.  Step right up to the fun at the KidFest Carnival! Join us for juggling shows and clowns; and get your picture taken with our larger-than-life ringmaster on stilts. Meet animals, fly through the air like an acrobat, play games, enjoy cotton candy and popcorn giveaways, and have more fun than you can even imagine as Deep Run Park transforms into a carnival just for an afternoon! Concessions will be available to purchase. Free.

“Fringe Fest” Carnival. 1pm-4pm. JR Tucker High School. Bring the whole family to enjoy games, a bounce house, face painting, food trucks and more while supporting the Tucker High School drama department’s effort to send students to perform in Scotland.

Sunday, May 3rd

Open Studio Sundays.  1pm-4pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Art Education Center.  Go by the studios anytime between Noon and 4 pm to enjoy “make-it, take-it” art activities inspired by objects from the VMFA collection. A new art project offered every month, with assistance from VMFA volunteers! (For groups of eight or more children, please email megan.liles@vmfa.museum.)  Free, no registration required.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 1pm and 3pm. University of Richmond, Alice Jepson Theatre. The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites includes the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly; the fanciful account of Little Cloud’s travels through the sky; and The Mixed-Up Chameleon’s discovery of his own unique nature. Directed and designed by Jim Morrow, who ranks among Canada’s most esteemed puppetry creators, the triple-bill show incorporates evocative original music by Nova Scotian composer Steven Naylor, and innovative “black light” staging techniques which highlight Morrow’s stunning puppets and props. These works follow the books from which they are adapted closely, providing a new generation with a seamless entry into the world of theatre and music. Recommended for Ages 2 and up. Join the Modlin Center for Modlin Arts After Words, a post-show question-and-answer session with members of the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia.

Healthy Kids Running Series.  5pm.  Godwin High School and Pole Green Park. A five week running program in the spring and fall for kids from Pre-K to 8th grade. Each Race Series takes place once a week and offers age appropriate running events including the 50 yard dash, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the one mile run.  Fee.