April is such a beautiful month in Connecticut, with the spring flowers in bloom, and Easter to celebrate. And the fun of trying to find something to keep the children busy during another vacation week. Fortunately, there are places in Connecticut that realize the children need to burn off a lot of energy and parents need to find a place for them to spend their Easter Vacation besides sitting in the living room watching cartoons. Some of these are specifically for Easter Vacation week and some are just fun things to do to get rid of the winter doldrums and get ready for the more active seasons of spring and finally the big one, summer.
Hartford Marathon Red Nose Run for Kids
http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/Races/Events/RedNoseRun.cfm
Saturday – April 21, 2007 Riverfront Plaza Hartford Connecticut Start Time: 1:00 p.m. for children ages 2 to 11
This a great way to let the kids burn off all the extra built up energy they have from being cooped up all winter and it also teaches they the value and fun that they can find in exercise. They get to run along with the clowns from Ringling Brothers Circus. They all get a tee shirt, and a free ticket to the circus. You must register on line and the cost if 48 which goes to help support the Boys and Girls Clubs.
Beardsley Zoo
http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/whats-new-events/events-calendar.asp
1875 Noble Avenue
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610-1646
There is so much going on at the Beardsley Zoo this April, there is sure to be something for every child.
Pet Awareness Day
Date: 4/14/2007 ( 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. )
You just might walk home with a new pet from this one. There will be several animal adoption and animal rescue organizations as we look to the wonderful animals we live with every day, our pets. We’ll have presentations on pet care and safety, crafts for the kids and other surprises.
Here are two activities especially for Easter Break,
Backyard Beasts: A Spring School Vacation Program
Date: 4/16/2007 – 4/20/2007 ( 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. )
This program for kindergarten and elementary age children and their families will feature a different animal each day. These interactive programs may include a live animal, animal stories and animal facts as we answer questions in Professor Beardsley’s Research Station. Free with paid Zoo admission.
April Adventures
Date: 4/16/2007 – 4/20/2007 ( 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. )
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will hold its April Adventures school break program from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 16 to 20. Children ages 6 to 11 may sign up for one to five days of this program that features Zookeeper talks, behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, crafts, games and other activities. April 16 will focus on Heritage Breeds and the Zoo’s New England Farmyard. April 17 will focus on Reptiles and Insects. April 18 will focus on the Rainforest and Plants. April 19 will focus on Mammals, especially Predators. April 20 will focus on Birds and Wetlands. Cost is $35 per day ($30 for Zoo members) or $150 for the week ($125 for Zoo members). Pre-registration is required by calling 203-394-6563.
These are great learning experience for the animal lovers and who knows, it may inspire some of them to look at careers in zoology.
Earthplace
http://www.earthplace.org/calendar/index.html
10 Woodside Lane
P.O. Box 165
Westport, Connecticut 06881
203-227-7253
203-227-8909 Fax
The kids will love this one, so will the adults as a matter of fact.
UP, UP, AND AWAY! Kite-making Saturday, April 14, 2:30 PM
The warm Spring wind is ruffling your hair. It’s time to fly a kite. We will be making very simple and enormously successful kites that are sure to fly. Even a three-year old can take this kite up. Each kite is assembled by the child and accompanying adult. The kids can decorate their kite, put a colorful tail on it and fly it in our field. One of our Animal Ambassadors will put in an appearance.
Earth Festival and Green Earth Fair
Friday April 27- Sunday April 29
Saturday April 28, 11 AM – 4 PM
2:00 Andrew Simmons, endangered predators expert
Live animals may include alligator, monitor lizard, eagle, & python!
1:30 & 3:30 Talons! A Birds of Prey Experience
Free-fly demonstrations of falcons, hawks, & owls
12:00 – 2:00 Safari Rides with Bob and Cherri
Exciting rides on large, battery-operated plush toy animals.
Green Earth Fair
View demonstrations and information tables highlighting
businesses and organizations bringing us a greener world.
All day
Live Music
All Day Sean and Deirdre Murtha
Lively, toe-tapping music from famous local musicians
Crafts, Activities & Displays, Make-and-take crafts for kids
Displays of green technology and plenty of food Fun for all ages!
