Weekend Fun for Boston Kids: Patriots' Day & Spring Break, April 18-20

4/15/15 - By Kip Wilson Rechea

The most exciting holiday of the year for many local history buffs has arrived! Patriots' Day weekend offers multiple chances to catch battle demonstrations, historic ride reenactments and parades. Other fantastic outdoor activities for families include Junior Ranger Day on Georges Island (pictured) and the Swan Boats Opening Day in Boston's Public Garden. Together with the Cambridge Science Festival and the start of April School Vacation Week, our Event Calendar is chock-full of great activities for families.

Shrek the Musical at Wheelock Family Theatre opens this weekend; look for a review from Michelle next week. For older kids, Anne Frank opens in Boston, and the Ethan Rossiter & the Jamberries concert is a great option for the younger set.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Cambridge Science Festival - Cambridge
The Cambridge Science Festival celebrates the leading edge in science, technology, engineering and math.

African Adventure Tales - Brookline
This puppet show includes two funny folktales from Africa.

Big Apple Circus: Metamorphosis - Boston
Families can get their Big Top seats for the Big Apple Circus.

Anne Frank - Boston
The Diary of Anne Frank tells the honest story of a young Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis.

Shrek the Musical - Boston
The Shrek musical is based on the book and film and fulfills fairy tale expectations.

Shrek the Musical Jr. - Norwell
Shrek the Musical Jr. is a youth version of the Tony Award® winning new musical.

Fairy Garden Days - Providence, RI
Fairy Gardens are set up in the Botanical Center during April vacation week.

Ship Shape: April School Vacation Week - Charlestown
Kids discover what it took to build and maintain a ship like “Old Ironsides.”

April Play-cation - Lowell
Starting on Saturday, Lowell’s PLAYcation brings free fun to families during Massachusetts school vacation week.

SATURDAY APRIL 18

Junior Ranger Day on Georges Island - Boston
Celebrate National Park Week with Boston Harbor Islands National Park's Junior Ranger Day.

Swan Boats Opening Day - Boston
The Swan Boats grace the waters of the Boston Public Garden today.

Science Carnival and Robot Zoo - Cambridge
Families can see, touch, smell, hear, and taste science in new and exciting ways.

Robo-Palooza - Dover, NH
The Children's Museum of NH hosts a meet-up and exhibition of robots and robotics teams.

Parker's Revenge Battle Demonstration - Lexington
The Lexington Minutemen are called to arms by Captain Parker in this reenactment.

Spring Vernal Pool Hike - Lincoln
Activities include a visit to the vernal pools on and off trail.

O, Ship! Aboard the Ship! - Boston
This show guides families through an interactive journey around the globe using stories, music, dance, and poetry.

Playtime Theater: Cinderella - West Concord
Families are welcome to join in on a delightful interactive theater experience for younger audiences.

Mad Science Family Scavenger Hunt - Boston
Families can see the surreal side of science on a whirlwind tour of the best of the Museum of Science.

Ethan Rossiter & the Jamberries - Brookline
The Jamberries provide live entertainment with a collection of original and traditional toe-tapping tunes.

Introduction to Making Miniature Food with Polymer Clay - Somerville
This workshop introduces participants to techniques used to make amazing mini creations.

SUNDAY APRIL 19

Family Festival: Earth Day - Harvard
Celebrate Earth Day with free admission to a campus-wide event at the Fruitlands Museum.

Annual Lantern Ceremony - Boston
Witness a reenactment of the fateful event that ignited the American Revolution.

Dawn Salute - Concord
The Concord Minute Men and the Concord Independent Battery observe the opening battle of the American Revolution.

Arrival of the Sudbury Militia - Concord
The Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute Men arrive at the North Bridge.

Midnight Ride Reenactment - Concord
Spectators can witness Paul Revere's arrival with William Dawes at midnight.

Idea Hub: Hands-On Engineering and Design - Cambridge
Families can explore topics in design and engineering at the MIT museum.

A Little Light Music - Boston
The North Cambridge Family Opera Festival Chorus performs a program of science songs.

The Shout - Charlestown to Concord
Families can join this rolling rally to help "raise the alarm through every Middlesex village and farm" about climate change.

MONDAY APRIL 20

Boston Marathon - Hopkinton to Boston
The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and is one of the world's most prestigious road races.

Muppet Madness - Cambridge
Families can catch three Muppet movies for the price of one.

Science of Spring - Charlestown
This family drop-in program during April vacation week is the perfect thing for science-loving kids.

Battle Reenactment - Lexington
The Town of Lexington celebrates the start of the American Revolution with a dawn battle reenactment.

Sunrise Youth Parade - Lexington
This special parade includes a variety of youth organizations.

Patriots' Day Celebrations - Roxbury
Roxbury notables past and present are celebrated at the annual re-enactment of the William Dawes Ride.

Patriots' Day Fun - Concord
Stop by the Museum to enjoy patriotic crafts for families, try on colonial clothing, and hear gallery talks by Museum staff.

Paul Revere and William Dawes Ride Reenactments - Boston
Paul Revere arrives at Hanover Street and William Dawes arrives at Eliot Square at 9:30am.

Concord Patriots' Day Parade - Concord
The Concord Patriots' Day Parade begins in Concord Center and arrives at the North Bridge around 9:30am.

Patriots' Day Open House - Concord
Everyone is invited to visit The Old Manse first floor free of charge.

Lexington's Patriots' Day Afternoon Parade - Lexington
The afternoon parade starts at Massachusetts Avenue and Maple Street.

Old State House April Vacation Week Activities - Boston
Drop in to the Old State House Museum and take part in one of the family-friendly, hands-on historical activities.


Photo Courtesy of Boston Harbor Islands