The month of April is filled with park openings and anniversaries; a multitude of educational programs celebrating Passover, Easter, and Earth Day; and activities specific to New York City. Our comprehensive list of entertainment for the month is featured below, and is specifically designed to entertain children and parents alike.
Outdoor Fairs, Park Anniversaries, and More:
Le Carrousel Kids Carnaval: On Saturday, April 1st, celebrate a special Caribbean/Mardi Gras style Carnaval in Bryant Park that is aimed toward delighting children of all ages. Kids can have their faces painted, pursue arts and crafts projects, and enjoy story-time with Calico cat.
Pier 62: The first weekend of April is also the opening weekend of the carousel located at Pier 62. Children have the option of riding 33 different characters ranging from a deer, fox, or unicorn. Additional activities such as the skate park, gardens, and others are located nearby at Pier 63.
Springtime at the Queens Botanical Garden: The Queens Botanical Garden has a slew of outdoor events to keep children busy this month. Featured activities include story-time and crafts, spring garden tours, and their internationally beloved program, Music Together with Music and Me.
Prospect Park 150th Anniversary Weekend: Attendees can enjoy a full weekend of notable happenings commemorating Prospect Park’s 150th anniversary. On Saturday, April 1st, events include the Opening Day Parade and Fair, Bird Watching Walk, and Coffee Bark with free presents for dogs and their owners. Greenmarket farmers are also providing locally sourced meats and vegetables on that day with additional food and drink being offered on Sunday. Ice-skating fun, carousel rides, and access to the Prospect Park Zoo is available all weekend.
Central Park Zoo Education: The educational programs at the Central Park Zoo offer parents and children the opportunity to explore wildlife together. Sessions this month include wildlife theater and specially designed, interactive classes for toddlers. The New York Aquarium and Prospect Park Zoo offer a multitude of similar informative activities for children to pursue as well.
An Annual Tradition:
Macy’s Flower Show: A traditional staple in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, the Macy’s Flower Show runs from March 26th through April 9th. This year’s theme is carnival-centric. Prior to visiting the displays, go on the Macy’s website to print illustrations of the gardens for children to color.
Passover Festivities:
Glatt Kosher Passover Seder: For over fourteen years, Talia’s Steakhouse and Bar on the Upper West Side has been serving a traditional, Glatt Kosher Passover Seder, complete with a kosher-for-Passover bar. Additional Seders taking place inside and outside of Manhattan include Ohel Ayalah, Chabad Loft in Union Square, Balaboosta in Greenwich Village, and The Hall at MP in Williamsburg.
The 92ND Street Y is hosting two Passover events on April 11th: Creative Family Passover Seder, a fun and hands-on experience for newborns to 12-year-old children, and Community Passover Seder, a chance for the community to come together to enjoy delicious food as well as partake in storytelling, singing, and discussing the meaning of Passover.
Easter-themed Activities and Events:
Queens County Farm Museum: The Queens County Farm Museum is hosting a children’s carnival during the first weekend in April. There will be hayrides, pony rides, and a seasonal petting zoo. On April 15th, return to the farm for a barnyard egg hunt, where children will be joined by Whiskers the Bunny hopping about, ready for photos.
Easter Eggstravaganza: Register today for Easter Eggstravaganza at City Owlets in Long Island City. Easter Egg Hunts are also taking place all around the city, including at Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side, Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store and Ukrainian Easter Egg Decorating at Private Picassos in Park Slope, and at the New York City Fire Museum, on Spring Street in Manhattan. For those that are bold and dare to search for eggs in frigid temperatures, Minus5 Ice Experience is hosting its annual Frozen Easter Egg Hunt.
Spring Goddess Party: ABC Carpet and Home in the Flatiron District is holding its Spring Equinox/Easter Celebration on Sunday, April 9th. The event will have face painting, craft activities, and offer children the chance to dress-up in beautiful silk couture dresses.
Stella 34 Trattoria is throwing a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny during Easter weekend. Families can enjoy a delicious Italian breakfast, have children take a picture with the Easter Bunny himself, and engage in Easter-related crafts and games. While there, families can take advantage of the gorgeous views of the Empire State Building to take some photos of their own.
Circus 1903: Circus 1903 takes aspects of the traditional circus but puts a fresh and innovative spin on them. For instance, the elephants featured in Circus 1903 are puppets and not real elephants. It is in town from April 5th through April 16th at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Additional circus-themed events, such as the UniverSoul Circus take place from March 29th through April 16th at Floyd Bennet Aviation Field, with the program moving to Queens for the latter part of April.
Earth Day Celebrations:
Museum of the City of New York: In honor of the 47th annual Earth Day on April 22nd, visit the Museum of the City of New York to participate in a scavenger hunt to learn about the various ways that New Yorkers work to protect our planet. At the event, children will also design a gardening pot to take home.
Hayden Earth Day: Celebrate Earth Day in the planetarium dome at the American Museum of Natural History. The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is also hosting an all-weekend event celebrating our Earth.
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College: Brooklyn Center is presenting its 10th annual National Grid Earth Day Celebration on April 29th. Past programs have included fire prevention demonstrations, children’s yoga, and puppets. This year, children and adults will watch live music from various street performers milling around, engage in interactive family programs, and more at this free community festival.
Additional April Events and Activities:
Family Experiences: On April 30th, visit the Elder Street Synagogue for the opportunity to learn more about the obstacles immigrants faced in their quest of the American dream. The tour includes a walk around the Lower East Side as well as stops to sample food at the Pickle Guys, Kossars, and the Sweet Life.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats: Today’s premier Chinese acrobatic touring company, the Golden Dragons, will be performing at the Brooklyn Center for Performing Arts at Brooklyn College on April 30th. The performance is approximately two hours long, and showcases award-winning acrobatics, spectacular costumes, and unforgettable theatrical techniques.
Events for Youth and Families: The Central Library at 10 Grand Army Plaza is presenting a brand-new musical featuring a puppy named Biscuit from the children’s classic that has sold over 17 million copies.
Tot Shabbat Together: On April 28th, the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is entertaining a get-together for children ages 4-years-old and under. The service will be followed by refreshments and popular games, such as parachute play, time with musical instruments, and shaker eggs.
Some of our favorite spring activities can be found here. At the Nanny Authority, our nannies are knowledgeable in age-appropriate seasonal activities and programs, so parents can feel at ease knowing that their children maintain a cultural, educational lifestyle when they’re not around. To learn more about how we can assist you in your search for a professional nanny, contact us via e-mail or call us at 973-466-2669 today. Our placement counselors have a wealth of experience, and can help you determine the best fit for your family.