Excite the kiddos with editor-approved, family-friendly events across the region. From Easter egg hunts, opportunities to learn about the Everglades, a day with first responders and a night at the museum, these outings are sure to get your children engaged.
Apr. 1
ReptiDay Ft. Myers at Crowne Plaza Bell Tower Shops, Fort Myers
Experienced keepers present reptiles during live interactive shows at this expo. Kids make new scaly friends and can even take home a new pet, with exotic animals and reptile vendors are onsite.
Apr. 1
Touch a Truck, Cape Coral
Youngsters who’ve dreamed of sitting high in a fire truck en route to a call or whizzing by to fight crime can get their chance during the free safety demonstrations with first responders on Cape Coral fire rescue trucks, Lee County ambulance and Cape Coral police cars. Sensory-sensitive kiddos can attend from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. during Horn-Free hour.
Apr. 1
Magic Carpet Family Concert at Artis–Naples
Directed by Naples Philharmonic violinist Gregg Anderson, the Naples Philharmonic Youth Symphonia—a string ensemble for elementary through high school students—delights the audience of 3- to 9-year-olds with a 45-minute performance, Q&A and instrument demonstrations.
Apr. 1-2 and 8-9
Easter Bunny Egg Hunt at Springtime Farms, Fort Myers
Kids can search all day for more than 30,000 Easter eggs and exchange their finds for a goodie bag. Take them to visit the petting zoo with more than 300 animals and explore the adventure park on the 4-acre property, which has hayrides, a maze, a 70-foot jumping pillow and a 24-foot slide.
Apr. 3
Family Sunset Stroll at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples
Up to 10 participants explore the sanctuary after-hours, with a naturalist-guided, 1-mile stroll through the boardwalk at sunset. After the sun slips below the horizon, keep an eye out for nocturnal creatures and learn about their late-night lifestyle. Red-light flashlights provided.
Apr. 9
Muddy Kids Run, Punta Gorda
Little athletes roll up their sleeves at this competitive 1.5-to-2.2-mile mud run. Challenge your family’s teamwork skills as you navigate the 15 muddy obstacles, where you’ll crawl under cargo nets and wade through mud pits. Don’t worry, there’s a rinse-off station at the end.
Apr. 13
Kids’ Workshop Pour Painting at Lake Kennedy Center, Cape Coral
Aspiring Picassos of all levels mix and drizzle paint to create marbleized masterpieces that recall the colorful ocean or abstract ripples of outer space. Supplies included.
Apr. 15
Exploring the Everglades Family Day at Collier Museum at Government Center, Naples
Little environmentalists can become ‘Everglades Experts’ at Collier Museum, where they’ll learn about the history, people, animals and ecology of our treasured national park.
Apr. 19
Fashion Night at the Museum
Chelsea Provenzano—founder of the fashion-play event company The Designer’s Accomplice—hosts a The Great Gatsby-inspired workshop for kids ages 5 to 10. Dress your littles in Roaring ’20s-inspired outfits for the event, where they create handbags and show their designs off on the runway.
Apr. 22
Family Earth Day Activity at North Fort Myers Library
Get your hands dirty as you flex your green thumb and learn about planting and the ecosystem with your children. Expect to plant hummingbird and butterfly-attracting seedlings in compostable pots, which the kids decorate and take home.
Apr. 22
Earth Day Festival at The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Naples
Celebrate Earth Day at one of the greenest places around. Kids make animal masks, chat with naturalists, take boat rides, hold a squawking parrot and discover other ecological delights around the Conservancy, which is filled with live music and food for the occasion.
RECURRING EVENTS
Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
Sensory Sunday Show at Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Fort Myers
Little astrologers can learn about the constellations and the night sky at this sensory-friendly live talk, where they pretend to travel to space.
Apr. 6, 13, 20 & 27, and May 4
Story Explorers: Museum After Dark at the Golisano Children’s Museum, Naples
Inspired by the movie Night at the Museum, this weekly offering at C’MON welcomes explorers after hours to solve a mystery—this time, to find the museum’s missing Parade Wand.
Apr. 11
Exploration Insect: Insect Habitats and Roles in the Environment at Gore Nature Center, Naples
Students age 6 to 1 craft an insect hotel and observe the small critters in their natural habitat. Part of the five-part Exploration Insect Series, this class teaches kids about insects’ behavior, anatomy and role in the environment.
Apr. 15
Family Art Lab at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers
This free event welcomes parents and kids to create art while playing games, on the third Saturday of each month. This month, The Future of Art: Student Exhibit is on display, featuring works from elementary to high school students.
