Kid-Friendly Events in April | South Central PA

Spring Storytime: Tuesdays, 10:00am – 10:30am. Flinchbaugh’s Orchard. Stretch your legs, and ready your ears for a fun FREE Story Time at the farm this spring. Story Time with Miss Felicia from the Kreutz Creek Library or our own Miss Kristin at 10am. 30 minutes of story time and movement. Stay after to enjoy the Corn Barn and Straw Bale Maze at the farm too! All classes will be held under our Orchard Pavilion or in the grass yard by the Orchard Pavilion.

Funky Junk Workshop: April 6th and 20th, 10:00am – 12:00pm. Horst Arts. At Horst Arts, we’ve created a beautiful space that allows both children and adults to learn and exercise their creativity. When you attend a Funky Junk night, you purchase tickets only for your participating children. This is a time for you to work with and invest in your child. It all happens around our large 11-foot circular scrap-wood table. We’ll supply you with all kinds of materials and tools. Then with a bit of guidance from Katherine of Horst Arts, your child will launch into a time of creative activity that they will remember for a long time — because they did it with you! Grandparents love bringing their grandchildren to our Funky Junk events. And they make memorable moments for children who are here on vacation. You can be sure they’ll be talking about the time they visited the “yellow studio” for a long time.

Family Fun Day: April 7th and 14th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. South Mountain YMCA. Experience the magic of our mountain! Bring your family and we’ll provide the fun. Climb our tower, shoot an arrow, roast a marshmallow, ride in the wagon and more! Summer camp tours are available throughout the day. Family Fun Days are FREE and open to the public. Come see what camp is all about. We are open rain or shine. No RSVP needed.

Park Clean-Up Day: April 6th, 9:00am – 12:00pm. Fawn Grove Park. It’s your turn to GIVE BACK to your community! Join us for some or part of the time to help us CLEAN UP our town park! BYO rake, we’ll supply the trash bags! All participants are eligible for a community service certificate for time spent supporting our efforts.

Spring Fling: April 6th, 9:00am – 3:00pm. Paulus Farm Market. Come on out this spring for egg hunts, egg decorating, hayrides, animal visits, and the Easter Bunny! Tickets include A dozen hard boiled eggs and decorating supplies, plus your own private table space for your group for decorating, FarmPark admission to the friendly farm animals and play spaces, Hayride out to the egg hunt, Egg hunt with treats and treasures, Visits with the Easter Bunny, and a snack and drink for each person. Tickets are required for all ages 1-adult. Season pass members must purchase tickets too. Be sure to arrive within 10 minutes of your ticket time to not miss out on activities!

Camp Hill Spring Fling: April 6th, 10:00am – 3:00pm. Downtown Camp Hill. Enjoy shopping, dining, local music, outdoor games, & fun activities along Market Street! Some of the event details include Live Music, Free Cotton Candy and Popcorn, Beer Garden, and more!

Baby Wildlife Shower: April 6th, 11:00am – 4:00pm. Columbia Crossing River Trail Center. It’s a boy! It’s a girl! It’s hundreds of baby animals! Please join us for a FREE fun community event in preparation for our influx of springtime wild babies! Games and activities, trivia, cool prizes, AMBASSADOR ANIMALS, education, raffles, favors, refreshments, giveaways, crafts… for all ages! And NOT just for the ladies. Everyone is welcome! Enjoy a presentation by our Wildlife Rehabilitator, about baby wildlife and does it really need rescuing? Noel’s Cafe will be joining us! Make a yarn owl with Ms. Judy from Gardener of the Owl Valley. Face Painting for kids. Presentation at 2pm followed by a big reveal of our NEWEST ambassador animal!

Downtown Carlisle Bunny Hop: April 6th, 12:00pm – 3:00pm. Georgie Lou’s Retro Candy. This day of spring fun will center around a downtown-wide activity for children 12 and under, who will frolic to participating businesses collecting treats, playing games, and doing crafts! Families are encouraged to dress in their “Sunday Best” to make the day more festive.

Lightwire Theatre – The Ugly Duckling: April 7th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Kutztown University. Electroluminescent technology brings the traditional story of the Ugly Duckling to the modern stage in an unforgettable theatrical experience. Recycling common household items to build their signature designs, Lightwire Theater combines theater and technology to produce life-size stories that glow-in-the-dark. With magical and visually stunning characters, poignant choreography, and creative use of a wide range of music, these semi-finalists in America’s Got Talent present children’s theater that will amaze and entertain the whole family.

Eclipse Party: April 8th, 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Martin Library. Martin Library is throwing an Eclipse Party on April 8 from 1:30-2:15pm! All ages welcome. 1:30pm: Story time in the Quiet Reading Room! Learn a little bit more about the ~space~ science behind the eclipse. 1:40pm: Craft time! Choose between making an eclipse bookmark and a word search (or do both! Live large!). 1:50pm: Begin to move to Martin Library’s rooftop, where eclipse glasses will be distributed free of charge (limited supply). 2:04pm: View the eclipse with the appropriate eye wear. This year’s total eclipse is predicted to start at 2:04pm and last for 3-4 minutes. Don’t miss it!

EclipseFest: April 8th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Muhlenberg Community Library. Join MCL for a solar eclipse viewing party with free activities! Solar eclipse glasses are available for purchase now at the circulation desk for $3/pair. All ages welcome. Free event. Solar eclipse glasses available for purchase. No registration.

Total Eclipse Celebration: April 8th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Reading Public Museum. Dive into space science activities, crafts, and captivating demonstrations. Witness the solar eclipse through your very own pair of special eclipse glasses. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the wonders of the universe and celebrate the beauty of a total eclipse! Reserve your spot today for an afternoon filled with wonder and celestial science!

Solar Eclipse Viewing: April 8th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Kings Gap Environmental Education Center. On April 8, portions of North America will experience a solar eclipse and Pennsylvania is lucky enough to be able to view it! Join us to experience this astronomical wonder, as we will have a 93% eclipse. Educators will be on hand to answer questions.

Paw Patrol Live: April 9th – 10th. Santander Arena. X barks the spot in PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure”! It’s Pirate Day in Adventure Bay, and Mayor Goodway is getting ready for a big celebration! But first, Ryder and his team of pirate pups must rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern. When they do, they also discover a secret pirate treasure map! The PAW Patrol set out over land and sea to find the treasure for Mayor Goodway’s celebration before Mayor Humdinger finds it first! The pups will need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including some help from the newest pup … Tracker!

iLuminate: April 10th, 7:30pm. The Pullo Center. From the moment the lights fade to darkness, you’re transported into another world…another dimension, where the music moves you and the visuals are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Welcome to the world of iLuminate. Named “Best New Act in America” by America’s Got Talent, the brilliant cast of the country’s top dancers and choreographers, along with energetic music, creates a mind-blowing, multi-sensory live show experience. As the show progresses, each scene creates a new “room” inside “Club iLuminate” where an exhilarating blend of music, dance, illusion, technology and comedy comes to life for an experience that’s sure to be the most fun you’ll ever have in the dark.

Food Truck and Restaurant Rally: April 11th, 5:00pm – 8:00pm. Downtown New Cumberland. Indulge your taste buds with the freshest, most mouthwatering fare from the area’s top-notch food trucks. International fare bursting with flavor, sandwiches that will leave you speechless, lip-smacking barbecues, delectable sweets, and artisan snacks that will have you coming back for more! And that’s not all… Our downtown businesses will be staying open late, offering special promotions just for you. We encourage you to arrive hungry because this Rally is all about enjoying incredible food and creating lasting memories with friends and family. Plus, by attending this event, you’ll be supporting local businesses and the community as a whole. So, grab your appetites, bring your friends and loved ones, and join us for an unforgettable evening at the New Cumberland Food Truck and Restaurant Rally.

Dill’s Celtic Festival: April 12th – 13th. Dill’s Tavern. Celtic crafters, artisans, vendors of traditional Celtic foods and beverages, musicians, and more will be a part of the festival. This will be a celebratory event of the Celtic history and heritage of what is now Northern York County for the entire family! This is a family friendly event. Pets are not permitted except for service animals.

Family Fishing Day: April 12th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Berks County Heritage Center. Join Parks Staff and Rangers as we enjoy an evening of fishing fun! Learn how to tie fishing knots, try your hand at casting, and hear some fish tales! No experience or tackle necessary- no fishing license required. All rods, bait, and tackle will be provided. We will be fishing at the Church Road parking lot at Blue Marsh. Going North on 183- turn left onto Church Road. The lot is immediately to your left. FREE | Registration REQUIRED

Step Afrika: April 12th, 7:30pm. The Appell Center for the Performing Arts. The first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping returns to the Appell Center, blending percussive dance styles, traditional African dances, and contemporary dance and art forms into a powerful artistic experience. Much more than a dance show, Step Afrika also integrates songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation.

Earth Day Celebration: April 13th, 11:00am – 1:00pm. Marketview Arts. Make recyclable art in celebration of Earth Day! All ages are welcome, and art materials are provided. Led by local artist and art therapist Rosa Luz Catterall. The theme mentioned above is a suggestion. The goal is to provide a safe space to create and be inspired to welcome their own unique expression.

Earth Day Celebration: April 13th, 11:00am – 2:00pm. Boyertown Community Park. Join us for Earth Day themed fun at the park. There will be food, crafts, a petting zoo, pony rides and more. See you there!

Meet Your Army – Army Aviation: April 13th, 12:00pm – 2:00pm. US Army Heritage and Education Center. The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) introduces a new series of informational programs enabling our guests to “Meet Your Army,” with our inaugural program featuring a fly-in by a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter and CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on Saturday, March 9, 2023. Both helicopters will fly into USAHEC, landing at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2024, on the Army Heritage Trail. The helicopters will be accessible for visits, and the crew members will be available to discuss their service in U.S. Army Aviation. Both helicopters will depart USAHEC at 1:00 p.m. These helicopters are operated by the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade of the Pennsylvania National Guard out of Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.

Spring Fling: April 14th, 10:00am – 3:00pm. Faulkner Chevrolet. Say goodbye to winter and hello to spring! Shop local artisans, explore vendors, and taste food from food trucks! This event will be outdoors outside our Showroom, 2000 Bennett Ave., Lancaster, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00p.m. Rain Date: April 21st. Tickets: Vendors will be $40 plus door prize & food trucks at $75.

New Cumberland Earth & Arts Festival: April 14th, 10:00am – 4:00pm. New Cumberland Public Library. The New Cumberland Earth & Arts Festival is a place to celebrate, learn, grow and create. Our festival lineup is coming soon, but here’s a peek at what to expect: 40+ environmental advocates and earth-friendly artisans, wildlife demonstrations, backyard demo garden – learn to compost, keep chickens, build healthy habitats and more, sustainable fashion fair – featuring vintage curators and upcycled items, live local music, food trucks, and more!

Mom ‘n Me Cocomelon Cake: April 14th, 1:00pm. Jubilee Cake Studio. Join us for a super cute Cocomelon cake! This workshop will include ONE kiddo and ONE parent. All supplies are included. Recommended for ages 3 and older. Sorry no sharing seats. Workshop is for ONE parent and ONE kiddo.

StoryWalk: April 16th, 10:00am – 12:00pm. The Nature Place. The StoryWalk is a fun new way to enjoy walking along the property of Angelica Creek Park with one of our favorite children’s books. On this guided StoryWalk, tag along with our educator and stroll leisurely from page to page to enjoy the telling of this nature-themed story.

The Price Is Right Live: April 16th, 7:30pm. Hershey Theatre. Get ready to “Come on Down” and join the excitement as we bring the legendary television game show, The Price Is Right™, to life in an unforgettable live event! Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the show, this is your chance to be a part of the action and win incredible prizes. Alongside celebrity host Todd Newton, randomly-selected contestants play everyone’s favorite games like Plinko™, Cliffhangers, The Big Wheel and even the fabulous Showcase. The show features an array of fantastic prizes, from appliances and electronics to dream vacations and even a brand new car. Lucky audience members can even win prizes right from their seats.

Central PA Chainsaw Carvers Festival: April 18th – 20th. Shippensburg Fairgrounds. The original Central PA Chainsaw Carvers Festival is back! This year’s festival is jam-packed with attractions, including 30+ Carvers, the East Coast’s Original 80s Tribute Band – The Reagan Years, and a variety of food and craft vendors. FREE GENERAL ADMISSION & PARKING!

Come From Away: April 18th, 7:30pm. The Appell Center for Performing Arts. This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Don’t miss this breathtaking new musical written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and helmed by Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley. Newsweek cheers, “It takes you to a place you never want to leave!” On 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all.

Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup: April 20th, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Downtown Harrisburg. Last year, we hosted over 400 volunteers who deposited more than 14 tons of trash, including 450 tires. This year, we hope to expand our footprint! This is a great individual or group volunteer opportunity! GHLC T-shirts will once again be available until supplies last!

Fawn Grove Earth Day: April 20th, 9:00am – 2:00pm. Fawn Grove Park. Mark your calendars and gather your family for a day filled with eco-friendly fun and community bonding! We’re thrilled to invite everyone from the surrounding communities to come together and celebrate our planet in all its beauty and wonder. Best of all, admission to this event is completely FREE! So gather your loved ones, pack a picnic, and join us as we come together to honor Mother Earth and learn how we can make a positive impact on our environment.

Mechanicsburg Earth Day Festival: April 20th, 9:00am – 3:00pm. Downtown Mechanicsburg. Join us for a day filled with diverse Earth Day events, catering to everyone’s interests! Save the date for the Mechanicsburg Earth Day Festival, happening on Saturday, April 20th, from 9 am to 3 pm – a highlight on our local calendar and recognized as one of the area’s premier annual events. On April 22, the global Earth Day movement unites over one billion people, transcending nationalities and backgrounds. This day serves as a platform for individuals worldwide to express their gratitude for the Earth and advocate for its protection. Let’s stand united for a sustainable future, urging individuals, organizations, and governments to play their part. Come be a part of this impactful celebration!

Earth Day Celebration: April 20th, 10:00am – 2:00pm. Hershey Gardens. Included in general admission; free for Hershey Gardens members. Celebrate Earth Day at Hershey Gardens! Families can view a selection of heritage breed farm animals in the amphitheater and join our teen volunteers as they lead drop-in activities to inspire young guests to take care of our planet. Learn about cover crops, vermiculture, composting, wildflowers and pollinators, and recycling! For an additional cost, enjoy ice cream from Sarah’s Creamery.

Goldie Locks and the Three Bears: April 20th, 10:00am. The Harrisburg Academy, McCormick Auditorium. You might not be aware that children love opera: coming to it with no social preconceptions they can judge it on its own merits – and opera is like no other art form. Most regional opera companies have outreach programs which perform in local schools, often borrowing music from classical operas (Mozart’s are favorites) and adapting it to stories like The Three Little Pigs. Despite this, many newly composed children’s operas often have meandering saccharin music deemed by someone to be suitable for children, as if serious music like that of Bach or Beethoven is inappropriate for young ears for some reason, as if young people don’t already talk to each other about serious subjects. Kids have problems of their own just as serious to them as what troubles the grown-ups, and the sooner in life people hear serious music the sooner they’ll understand it, and they’ll become smarter just by listening to it. GOLDIE LOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS is a serious opera for children of all ages. The opera’s plot soon departs from the familiar Goldilocks fable to become a story about tolerance for those who are different, and how to deal with one’s peers in a positive way. The porridge is still there (but what’s IN Bear porridge?), as well as Goldie falling asleep in the Bears’ house (what does a Bear’s house look like?); when you see the show you’ll learn how the characters deal with their respective problems, and decide for yourself how well they did. Maybe one of the characters will remind you of yourself or someone you know!

Spring Festival: April 20th, 10:00am – 4:00pm. Meadowbrooke Gourds. Come spend the day with us at our Spring Festival on April 22nd from 10:00am – 4:00pm. Our Annual Egg Hunt Spring Arts and Craft Show, Spring Oops Sale and Paint Your Own Birdhouse Class will also be held during our Spring Festival. Food Trucks will also be here to help get rid of the hunger pains. A fun day for groups of family and friends to come together and think Spring!!!

Coming Out of Hibernation: April 20th, 11:00am – 4:00pm. Downtown Boyertown. It’s time to wake up Bearianne from her long winters nap!! Who’s going to come help us wake her from her slumber?? Stroll down Philadelphia Ave as we welcome spring with vendors, food trucks, family activities and so much more! Keep checking back as we spotlight our creative artisans, shout out our loyal event sponsors, and introduce some awesome new attractions!

Earth Day Berks: April 20th, 12:00pm – 6:00pm. City Park. Save the DATE! Mark your calendar now for this fantastic, planet-loving, community-building event!!!

Pops Totally 80s: April 20th, 7:30pm. Santander Performing Arts Center. Break out your tracksuit and leg warmers as we throw it back to the 1980’s. Relive some of your favorite songs with our fabulous guest conductor Stuart Chafetz that will have you singing and dancing from your seat!

Down the Rabbit Hole Tea Party: April 26th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Brookside Park. Everyone who is attending must be registered. Children ages 3 and older are $30/resident, $35/non-resident. Accompanying Adults (ALL adults who attend MUST be registered) are $15/resident, $20/non-resident. Children 2 and under are FREE but still must be registered.

Seussical: April 26th – 30th. Whitaker Center for Science and Arts. The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton the Elephant as he embarks on an adventure to save Jojo and the Whos. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

PA Family Travel Fair: April 27th, 9:00am – 3:00pm. John R. Bonfield Elementary School. The PA Family Travel Fair is a free family event designed to bring Pennsylvania destinations and attractions together with families so they can see all the amazing vacation and getaway opportunities there are in PA! No sales, just lots of free information and fun children’s activities. In addition to all the free information, exhibitors will have raffle drawings for passes to attractions, family getaways and more! Again, this year we’ll have entertainment for the entire family!

Independent Bookstore Day: April 27th, 9:00am – 7:00pm. Midtown Scholar. Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day at the Midtown Scholar! As a proud participant with over 500 independent bookstores across the country in this one-day national event, we’ll have a dog adoption event, make-your-own bookmark, family-friendly programs, author signings, blind-date-with-a-book, exclusive sales, and so much more.

Opening Day: April 27th, 10:00am – 4:00pm. Berks County Heritage Center. Visit the Berks County Heritage Center during the 2024 season! The park’s museums will be open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm and on Sundays 12pm to 4pm. Tours of the National Historic Landmark, the Gruber Wagon Works will be offered every hour during the Heritage Center’s operating hours with the last tours departing at 3 pm. The Canal Center will be open for walk-in visitors by suggested donation during the operating hours of the site. The Epler’s One Room Schoolhouse will be open on Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm and Sundays 12 pm to 4 pm. The Visitor Center Barn will be open and staffed during the Heritage Center’s hours of operation, which includes the Snack Bar and Country Store Thursdays through Sundays.

Wetlands Festival: April 27th, 10:00am – 4:00pm. Wildwood Park. Join us for a day of free, fun, and educational activities with special musical guests and food trucks. Enjoy wildlife exhibits, walks, and a wide variety of local and regional environmental organizations. Interact with live animals and make crafts to take home! There is something for everyone! This festival is rain or shine!

Junie B. Jones: April 27th, 11:00am. The Fulton. IT’S JUNIE B.’S FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE, AND A LOT OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED FOR HER! Junie’s friend, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day: April 27th, 11:00am – 3:00pm. Berks County Heritage Center. Berks County Parks and YMCA of Reading & Berks County presents a family fun day at the Heritage Center filled with activities. Visit https://www.ymcarbc.org/ for more info and a full list of activities and vendors.

Earth Day Celebration: April 27th, 12:00pm – 4:00pm. The Carriage House. Join us for our 4th Annual Earth Day Celebration in the wilds of historic downtown Carlisle, PA. We’re excited this year’s event also corresponds with Arbor Day, in honor of the trees, and our event will be a complete celebration of Life Wild & Free! The Earth Day Celebration will take place in the Carlisle Borough parking lots on West Chapel Ave, outside of Earth Artisan & Outfitter. Parking is available on the street, and in the Pomfret Street parking garage. This is a free, family friendly educational event to mindfully connect people to the planet with environmental experts, organizations, and educators providing information, resources, and activities to help our community learn, grow, share, and connect to life in the bigger picture! There will be games, raffles & special guests throughout the afternoon.

Bowser Cake: April 28th, 1:00pm. Jubilee Cake Studio. “Peaches, Peaches, Peaches!” Join us and learn how to make this super cool mini Bowser cake. All supplies are included! All guest attending MUST register, parents as well. Parents, if you dont register you will drop off your kiddo(s). Workshop recommended for 6 and older. No sharing seats.

Celebrate Science Day: April 28th, 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health. Get ready to experience science like never before – join us for a day of family fun and discovery at the inaugural Celebrate Science Day. Not only will there be food, music, roaming science characters, and fun, but we are bringing together community organizations that will feature hands-on activities, live science demonstrations, roaming science characters, and more!

Dinosaur World Live: April 28th, 3:00pm – 5:00pm. Luhrs Center. Looking for fun days out with the kids? Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family! Discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favorite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. Don’t miss this entertaining and mind-expanding jurassic adventure, live on stage.