Bronx Events: Kids Spring Break Guide

New York City public schools are closed for spring recess this week through next Wednesday, April 27th. Here's our pick of Bronx, family-friendly events taking place until then. 

Spring Break at the Botanical Garden

Photo courtesy of NYBG

The Garden is hosting a number of kids' activities and shows this week and next. An Earth Day festival this Friday, April 22, features an outdoor scavenger hunt, guided tours of the Native Forest, a lesson on earthworms and how to start your own compost pile. On Monday, April 24, the Bronx Arts Ensemble will perform a musical version of "Peter and the Wolf" at 1 and 3 p.m. For a complete list of events, visit www.nybg.org.

Kids Week at Crotona and Van Cortlandt Parks
Join the Urban Park Rangers for  a scavenger hunt on Thursday and a "Meet the Critters" session on Friday at the Van Cortlandt Nature Center; the group will also host "Animal Games" in Crotona Park on Wednesday. See the Parks Department's Kids Week guide here or call (718) 378-2061.

Animal Tales at the Bronx Zoo
This weekend, the Bronx Zoo brings all of your favorite animal characters to life. On Saturday the 23rd, Spiderman and his Marvel super hero friends will make an appearance, while bestselling children's author Michelle Knudsen reads from her book "Library Lion." Celebrate Easter Sunday on the 24th with a Rotten Egg Hunt featuring the cast members from Broadway's "The Addams Family." For more, visit the Zoo's events calendar here. 

Family Art Project at Wave Hill
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, visiting artist Miwa Koizumi shows you how to reuse colored plastic bags and recycle them into rain hats, rain gear and Earth Day flags and flowers for a festive Earth Day parade.

Photo courtesy of Wave Hill

Class is free with admission to the grounds. More information about Wave Hill here.

Fun at the Library
Every neighborhood branch of the New York Public Library hosts a litany of free events for children, teens and families. From story time to craft workshops, you can check out what's happening at your local branch at the NYPL's program calendar here, which lets you search by borough, age group and type of event. 

Barney Live at the Paradise Theater
Everyone's favorite purple singing dinosaur is visiting the Bronx this weekend, performing his "Birthday Bash" live show at the legendary Paradise Theater on the Grand Concourse with three shows on Saturday, April 23. Visit the theater's website here for more details or www.ticketmaster.com to buy your tickets.

Easter Egg Hunt at St. Mary's Park
Bring the kids out to St. Mary's Park, on St. Ann's Avenue at East 149 Street and Jackson Avenue, this Saturday for an Easter egg hunt from 1 to 3 p.m.

You can see what else is happening in your neighborhood this week by visiting our Bronx events calendar.