We love this time of year and we see the shift in balance from indoor to outdoor activities so we can enjoy the spring. The last weekend in April brings us continued fun at the Philadelphia Science Festival, favorite characters from our favorite books and gardens and plants galore!  Don't worry though - there's still plenty to do inside (allergies, anyone?)  New class signups appearing everywhere, arts and crafts, and don't forget to check out our Facebook giveaway for visits to the Adventure Aquarium and their brand new KidZone!

Event Spotlight:

Astronomy Night takes over! With more than 20 venues including Franklin Square, Drexel and West Chester U, Bartram’s Gardens, Riverbend and more, this Friday night is all about the stars. Grab a blanket and discover the wonders. Linvilla Orchards hosts their Plant and Flower Festival. The day includes performances by Makin’ Music, a huge lineup of free classes and demonstrations, meet a beekeeper, costume characters and pony rides. 

Saturday, April 28th:

Party like it’s 2012 at Sesame Place. It’s an exciting new season with your favorite furry monsters with a day including the new feature at Abby’s Paradise Theatre, a character parade to kick things off at 10 am, and lots of dry/wet fun. The park is open 10 am – 8 pm.

Valley Forge National Park celebrates National Junior Ranger Day. Meet characters from the American Revolution, learn about park wildlife, get up close and personal with fossils, and earn your 2012 Junior Ranger patch. Event is weather dependent, please check the park’s website if it begins to rain.

Celebrate Earth Day with Naturepalooza at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. The spring festival offers fun for the whole family with live entertainment, wild animal shows, art projects, kids' games, science experiments, a native plant sale, nature walks and more. Event runs 10 am – 2 pm and is free.

Camden Children’s Garden celebrates Earth and Arbor Day. This festival includes planting activities, a ladybug release, crafts and educational activities to learn about, and to help celebrate, Mother Earth among 4.5 acres of themed gardens and a butterfly house. Cost is $6 with children 2 and under free. Event runs 1 – 4 pm both Saturday and Sunday.

The Walnut Street Barnes and Noble hosts a Ballet Story Time with the Philadelphia Youth Ballet in celebration of the city’s literacy initiatives. The Philadelphia Youth Ballet will read stories and conduct a festive ballet demonstration for kids in full costume. Event is free and runs 2:30 – 3:30 pm.

Sunday, April 29th:

The Philadelphia Museum of Art hosts The Secret Garden and the Fairmount Arts Crawl. The Museum and surrounding neighborhood are abuzz with family-friendly activity for the annual Fairmount Arts Crawl. Visit the Museum’s Perelman Building and explore the exhibition The Secret Garden. Create your own art inspired by the exhibition at the Make and-Take Workshop. Workshop runs 1 – 3 pm, Secret Garden Tours begin at 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm. Cost is free with paid admission to the museum.

It’s a teddy bear clinic at the Brandywine Zoo. Designed to show off the cool tools every animal has to survive, this fun-filled day also features a first-aid checkup and simple medical treatments for teddy, animal-related activities, and a delicious animal-themed treat. Cost is free with paid admission, pre-registration is strongly suggested. Event runs 1 – 3 pm.

The Independence Seaport Museum hosts Discovery Day. Learn why boats float, how steam is used to bend wood and how to track the weather. Learn about the science of water and meet marine wildlife. Then, make your own boat as part of the Philadelphia Science Festival. Cost is $5, event runs 10 am – 5 pm.

It’s a Once Upon a Time family concert in Chestnut Hill. Lyric Fest presents three semi-staged mini-versions of The Magic Flute, The Barber of Seville and Hansel and Gretel. Narrated by a puckish Imp and a lovable Fairy-God Mother. Q-and-A session immediately after the program. Event runs 60 minutes and begins at 3 pm. 

Enjoy!

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