April vacation activities in New England
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As spring starts to kick into full gear, there’s no better time of year to enjoy some fun in the sun.
With Massachusetts’ April vacation week (April 13-21) just around the corner, let’s take a look at a few fun, family friendly activities taking place across New England. Plus, here are more April vacation activities happening in the Boston area.
–Matt Juul/Boston.com correspondent
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Pirate Days at Mystic Seaport
75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, Conn.
Ahoy, matey! Batten down the hatches and set sail for Mystic Seaport’s Pirate Days.
From April 9-10 and April 16-17, the seaport will be hosting a variety of pirate-themed events, from treasure hunts and souvenir workshops to a “High Seas Planetarium Show,’’ where you can learn exactly how these buncaneers navigated the open ocean waters. You can even test your skills at walking the plank, just make sure you don’t fall into Davey Jones’s locker!
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Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo
44 South Main St., Concord, N.H.
Ever want to pet a dinosaur? Well, now you can in this interactive and educational show that uses multifaceted performers to take audiences on a journey back in time while teaching them lessons about animal husbandry.
Don’t miss the Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo when it visits the Capitol Center for the Arts on April 14.
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Vermont Institute of Natural Science
6565 Woodstock Road, Quechee, Vt.
Warmer weather isn’t the only sign that spring has arrived. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science upcoming “Family Fun Night’’ will teach you and your little one all about the frogs, salamanders, and other amazing amphibians that are waking from their winter slumber around Vermont. Activities include arts and crafts, stories, and outdoor amphibian explorations.
The event will be held at the institute’s Nature Center on April 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
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Fairy Garden Day
1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence
Take your children on a magical journey this April 14 at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center’s Fairy Garden Day! From storytelling to scavenger hunts, the Botanical Center will be hosting a number of fairy-themed events. Don’t forget your wands and wings!
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Owls Head Transportation Museum
117 Museum St., Owls Head, Maine
The Owls Head Transportation Museum will be holding its annual Kite Week this year from April 15-19. The museum will be offering multiple kite-building workshops that can accommodate kite enthusiasts of any skill level. Spots are limited so make sure to register in advance.
While your there, don’t forget to check out the museum’s large collection of operational antique cars, motorcycles, planes, and more.
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Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival
600 Main St., Bridgeport, Conn.
Rock out with Mickey, Minnie, and the gang this April vacation as the “Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival’’ comes to the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on April 13. From hip-hop to country, the show features a ton of classic Disney tunes remixed to today’s hottest hits, making the music accesible to fans of all ages and genres.
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Normandy Farms
72 West St., Foxborough
One of New England’s premier, high-end camping resorts is offering a host of family-friendly programs this April vacation. From candy bar bingo and scavenger hunts to movie and dance nights, Normandy Farms has a myriad of activities to get your kids up and moving. Check out a list of programs being offered this break here.
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Kora Shrine Circus
190 Birch St., Lewiston, Maine
Maine’s historic Kora Shriners will be holding it’s 60th annual Kora Shrine Circus this April break as the Masonic, franternal orginaztion is set to host a number of shows around the Pine Tree State.
The circus kicks off its series of shows on April 12 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston before heading over to the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland from April 15-17. The Kora Shrine Circus will finish up this year’s tour with a pair of shows at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta on April 19 and 20.
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Underground Railway Theater Camp
450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
With so many new distractions dividing our attention in this increasingly digital world, it can get pretty hard for adults to stay focused, let alone kids.
This April vacation, members of the Underground Railroad Theater and the Central Square Theatre are teaming up for “Science on Stage,’’ a week-long session that explores the science of “paying attention’’ with aspiring, young thespians ages 6 and up. The program features guest-run workshops as well as a field trip to the MIT Museum.
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Providence Children’s Museum
100 South St., Providence
The Providence Children’s Museum has a myriad of events going on this April vacation.
Throughout the month, the museum will be running its “Splash Science’’ series, which explores the playful properties of water through activities such as floating experiments, making music with jars and water, and much more. Activities change each week.
On April 17, bring in your children for a chance to learn about and interact with an assortment of live animals during the museum’s “Animal Experiences’’ program.
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Plumfield Fun Week at Orchard House
399 Lexington Road, Concord
Young fans of “Little Women’’ author Louisa May Alcott won’t want to miss Plumfield Fun Week at the iconic author’s Orchard House. Trained staff members will help your child act, write, draw, and even make crafts like Alcott and her sisters.
The program is intended for children ages 8-12. Pre-registration is required.
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Family Day at the Peabody Museum
170 Whitney Ave., New Haven
This year, the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven will be hosting its third annual Family Day. Visit the historic museum between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on April 16 for a host of exciting and fun games, crafts, and other activities that the whole family can take part in.
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Wolfe’s Neck Farm
184 Burnett Road, Freeport, Maine
The Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine, will hold an April vacation camp from April 15-19. Activities include conducting science experiments, constructing mini-greenhouses, learning how to dye and spin wool, and more. Make sure to sign up soon as spots are limited.
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Seaside Safari Day Camp
570 Ocean Boulevard, Rye, N.H.
This interactive day camp run by the Seacoast Science Center takes kids, grades K-5, on outdoor learning experiences throughout the historically rich Odiorne Point State Park.
The program, which is offered for two weeks from April 15-19 and April 22-26, will engage your child with hands-on science activities and exhibits planned around a different daily theme.
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Party for the Planet
1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence
The Franklin Park Zoo’s week-long extravanza features art made from recycled products and interactive demostrations intended to teach you and your little one about fun outdoor activities as well as tips on how to live green in your home and community.
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