Spring is here!
It’s the month of April! We are excited to see the daffodils popping up from the ground and more consistent sunny days. We hope this month brings continued warmth and sunshine and fun-filled family activities. There are so many solar eclipse events happening, so be sure to put those on your list! We recommend checking back often as events are added each week! We hope the guide to the Month of April provides you with family fun!
Helpful Spring Links
- Summer Camp Guide
- Guide to the Solar Eclipse
- Indoor Activities for Tween and Teens
- Spring Break Staycation Ideas
April Events
April 1-7
April 1: Blooms and Butterflies: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Patrons can visit at any time to see a diverse array of butterflies soaring overhead or basking on nearby plant life! Ongoing until the end of May.
April 3: Worthington Waddlers and Toddlers: Check out the variety of story hours happening in Worthington this month and check out the chicks on display too!
April 3: Rainbow Looms: Come to the Upper Arlington Library to work on rainbow bracelets!
April 4-20: You Will Get Sick: Various showtimes at the Riffee Center Theater| A recipient of the Kennedy Center’s Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award, YOU WILL GET SICK is a new play in second-person about learning how to live within your body as you find your way home.
April 5: Tummy Time for Infants and Caregivers: Engage with baby in a relaxing way to promote tummy time. Optimize strength, development, and feeding patterns. Led by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Physical Therapist.
April 5: Family Day at Vertical Adventures: The first Friday of the month is Family Day which includes discounted day passes ($9) with rental gear included. This is a great way to try out climbing and reach new heights!
April 5: Beyonce Skate: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Skate Zone | Best of Beyonce all night long!
April 5: Open Studio Event: 4:00 p.m at Pinot’s Palette Short North | They have a great variety of paintings suitable for adults and children alike. There is no age restriction so the whole family is welcome to paint but children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult
April 5: Welcome to Night Vale: A live show that will feature a creepy slide presentation featuring original art by Jessica Hayworth, a special musical guest as “The Weather” and live music by Disparition. The Attic explores themes of nostalgia, memory and perfection. Both fans of the show and newcomers will be able to enjoy this stand-alone performance.
April 6: Worthington Farmers Market: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Come support local farmers- back inside for one more month!
April 6: Sustainability Fair in Upper Arlington: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Tremont Road Branch Library | Join UAPL and Sustainable UA as we celebrate the sustainable initiatives happening in our community. This should be a fun and educational event for all ages.
April 6: Meet the Bugman: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Explore the big beautiful world of bugs and learn how important they are to our ecosystem with Mark Berman and his crew of crawly critters. You can even get up close and personal with some bugs!
April 6: Easter Adventure at The Farm at Walnut Creek | This is a working farm with over 500 animals.
April 7: Franklin Park Conservatory Community Day: Free admission for Franklin County residents.
April 8-15
April 8: Solar Eclipse at the Metro Parks | This list shows you which parks are the best to see the path of totality and lots of helpful information: Metro Parks
April 8: Solar Eclipse at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | The Columbus Zoo invites you to join us for a celestial experience. As the Zoo sits in the path of totality for the solar eclipse, we will experience about two minutes of darkness, similar to dawn or dusk (weather permitting). This singular event will be a truly unforgettable experience.
April 8: Blackout the Barn: The Solar Eclipse at The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek: Noon – 6 p.m. | Listen to live music, purchase something from the food truck or bar and hanging out to watch the solar eclipse. No admission fee.
April 8: Eclipse Art: All day at the Upper Arlington Library: Come celebrate the total solar eclipse at the library! Supplies will be provided for a fun craft to help kids understand how the eclipse works.
April 9-14: Clue: 7:00 p.m. at The Southern Theater | Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Based on the cult 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.
April 11: COSI After Dark: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Adults 21 and over can attend this fun event at COSI!
April 11- April 14: Shrek the Musical at Grove City High School: Shows are at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and there is a 2:00 p.m. show on Saturday and Sunday!
Whole Month of April: Mission: Kid Possible Nature Trail: Blendon Woods Metro Park: Complete mission activities on the Ripple Rock/Hickory Ridge Trail Loop to become a nature expert!
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at COSI: 200 authentic artifacts rescued from the wreckage site of Titanic including full-room recreations. Reservations are encouraged!
April 12: Bingo Night at Family Room Coffee and Bake Shop: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Come for a game of Bingo and win prizes and treats!
April 12: Hip-Hop Family Glow Skate: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Skate to Hip Hop Music at United Skates of America.
April 13: Be Well Collective Spring Resale: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Get ready to refresh your wardrobe and your home at our Spring Resale Fundraiser and support a great cause at the same time! Benefits Let the Light In!
April 13: Storytime with Author Justyna Coppus: 10:00 a.m. at Cover to Cover | Featuring the book Eleven from Heaven!
April 13: Hilltop Hop at Broad and Westmoor: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Shop local vendors, enjoy baked goods, paint pottery and enjoy food trucks too!
April 13: Open Studio at Columbus Museum of Art: 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Stop into the Studio for all ages to create. April’s theme is Small Worlds and you can make your own miniature universe!
April 13: Community Helpers Storytime: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Join for a special storytime with visitors from the Public Works department! They will show the tools they use and answer questions about their important jobs!
April 13: Train Observation Station: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Come see the historic train at the Worthington Community Center today!
April 13: Bluey Saturday Skaring at Skate Zone 71: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Tiny tot skating session!
April 13: Sheep on the Farm at Slate Run Farm: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Watch sheep shearing, meet lambs, and learns about wool!
April 13-14: Townhall Weekend Brunch for Kids: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Enjoy family-friendly brunch that includes live magic shows, games, a kids’ menu, and more.
April 14: All Ohio Reptile Show: 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. | Come out and see your favorite scaly friends! Admission is cash only.
April 14: El Dia de los Ninos at Lincoln Theater: 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Enjoy cultural arts and activities and a free performance of Havana Hop at Lincoln Theater.
April 14: Boundless Sensory Friendly Swim at Westerville Community Center: from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Designed for individuals with disabilities and their families. The indoor pool and gymnasium will be available.
April 14: El Dia Day Los Ninos: Day of the Children: 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Music, dance, crafts, food truck, theatre show and more! ¡Música, baile, artesanías, camión de comida, espectáculo de teatro y más!
April 14: Bourbon Street Gala: Join in the fun from 5-7 pm at the New Albany Country Club prior to the Branford Marsalis concert for our annual gala event featuring specialty cocktails, southern fare, live music, and a luxury silent auction! Gala attendees will also enjoy dessert, and a champagne toast immediately following the concert in the McCoy lobby.
April 15: Hope for Hospitalized Kids: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Help Seeds of Caring provide hope to hospitalized children by creating and assembling activity kits for kids at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to bring smiles and cheer!
April 16-23
April 16: Lit and Libations: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m .| Join UAPL staff for our monthly wine and book club at Littleton’s Market! April’s theme is “Poetry”.
April 17: Seeds of Caring’s Celebrating YOU and Do-Re-ME: 9:30 – 10:30 am at The Westerville Public Library Meeting Rooms A & B (126 S. State Street) | Children and their families will sing, dance, and connect with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Fritz, a certified therapy dog, will also be on-site to help get the event off to a pawfect start!
April 17: Spring Storywalk at Fancyburg Park: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Come to Fancyburg Park for a look at the new Spring StoryWalk, When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes, and take home a craft! Weather permitting.
April 17: GHOSTS- Do you believe?: Prepare for an extraordinary live show hosted by paranormal expert Dustin Pari of Ghost Hunters, where the boundaries of reality and the supernatural blur. Playing at the Southern Theater.
April 18: Blooms and Bubbly: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Enjoy beautiful melodies by local duo Honey & Blue, a whimsical bubble dancer performance, and sip on bubbly drinks while enjoying the gardens. Elevate your experience at the flower bar, courtesy of Wild Prairie Flower Farm, where you can purchase the opportunity to create your own bouquet to take home!
April 18-May 5: Ride the Cyclone…: Various times at Riffe Center | 90 minute runtime with no intermission.
April 19- April 27: Puffs: Various times at the New Albany High School | For seven years, a certain boy wizard went to a particular Wizard School and conquered evil. This play, however, is not his story. It is the story of the Puffs, another group of well-meaning, loyal wizards at that famed wizarding school, who just happened to be around for all of that evil conquering, too.
April 19: Kids Yoga: 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Come to the Upper Arlington library for Kids Yoga!
April 19: Family STEM Night: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at The Westerville Community Center | Experience an evening of hands-on science, math, and engineering games and activities to complete together! Drinks and snacks will be provided.
April 19: Franklinton Night Market: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Monthly, open street event takes place on Friday with shopping, live music, food trucks and open air market!
April 19: Bingo Night at Family Room Coffee and Bake Shop: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Family Bingo Night!
April 19: Taylor Swift Album Release Party: 6:30 p.m. at Skate Zone: $28 VIP ticket includes admission, with swiftie bag.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at COSI: 200 authentic artifacts rescued from the wreckage site of Titanic including full-room recreations. Reservations are encouraged!
April 20: Spring Blossom 5k Trail Run: 8:00 a.m. at Branstool Orchards | The 4th Annual Branstool Orchards Spring Blossom Trail Run 5K! This race will take place at Branstool Orchards in the beautiful rolling hills of Utica, Ohio.
April 20-29: Clue: Various Dates and Times at The McCoy Center: Presented by the New Albany High School Theater.
April 20: Llama and Sheep Shearing Day: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Stratford Ecological Farm | Bring the whole family to Stratford for a wooly experience! Stratford will provide visitors with an engaging experience while the resident sheep and llamas receive their annual shearing.
April 20: Fairy House Building at Miller Park: 10:00 a.m. | Use your imagination to build a house fit for a fairy in the little woods of Miller Park. Materials will be provided. You may bring natural materials from home. Registration as a family is required. There are five start times this year!
April 20: Seeds of Caring’s Kids as Planet Protectors: An Earth Day Celebration: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm or 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at The Grange Insurance Audubon Center (Located within the Scioto Audubon Metro Park): 505 West Whittier Street | Celebrate Earth Day by participating in multiple hands-on activity stations as kids learn the importance of being kind to our Earth.
April 20: Spring Open House at Hoover Gardens and Gift Center: Celebrate Spring and Earth Day with bounce houses, food trucks, live music, and free tree saplings. You can paint a mini greenhouse too!
April 20: MOPS Spring Parking Lot Resale at the Naz Church: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Shop gently used maternity, baby, and kids’ clothes, toys and gear. Free to shop!
April 20: Comedy Juggler Matt Jergens at Pickerington Main Library:10:30 AM – 11:30 AM watch a one-man variety show by Comedy Juggler Matt Jergens featuring juggling, stunts, acrobatics and more!
April 20: The Yard Milkshake Bar’s Two Year Anniversary Party:Celebrate two years of The Yard Milkshake Bar with face painting, giveaways, photo ops, swag bags and more on Saturday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM!
April 20: Westerville Art Hop: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM in Uptown Westerville. There is also a Kiddie Hop at the Civic Courtyard that will include music and art activities for kids.
April 20: Open Barn Days at Sunrise Sanctuary: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Farm | This is a self-guided tour through the Sanctuary with volunteers located throughout the Sanctuary and available for questions. This often sells out so get your tickets now!
April 20: Open Studio at Columbus Museum of Art: 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Stop into the Studio for all ages to create. April’s theme is Small Worlds and you can make your own miniature universe!
April 20-21: Earth Day Celebration Weekend at Columbus Zoo: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Celebrate Mother Earth with conservation stations, a celebration stage with a DJ, games, and prizes!
April 21: Princesses and Pirates Day at Columbus Clippers: Meet with your favorite princesses and pirates at the Columbus Clippers game vs. the Buffalo Bisons at 4:05 PM. Kids can come dressed as your favorite princess or pirate!
April 21:Babies and Bumps at Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris:11:00 AM – 4:00 PM this event includes all kinds of info for new and soon-to-be parents including seminars, demonstrations, shopping, activities, giveaways and more.
April 21: Seeds of Caring’s Addressing Hunger through Community Gardens: 2:30 – 4 pm at The Gahanna Community Congregational Church (470 Havens Corners Road, Gahanna) | Children will get hands-on experience working in a community garden and learn creative ways to help with hunger in our community. We are partnering with Gahanna Community Congregational Church in their GRIN Produce Garden, where all the produce from the community garden beds is donated to the food pantry.
April 24-30
Ongoing: TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition at COSI: See over 200 authentic artifacts rescued from the wreckage site of Titanic including full-room recreations! There is an additional cost for this exhibit which will be available at COSI daily during regular hours through September 2, 2024. Reservations are strongly encouraged!
April 25: Tom Papa: Comedian Show at The Riffe Center!
April 25-28: The Little Mermaid at Hilliard High School: Many showtimes at Hilliard Davidson high school!
April 25-28: Mamma Mia at Westerville South: Multiple showtimes this weekend!
April 26-May 5: Hunchback of Notre Dame: Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.
April 26-28: Romeo and Juliet: Various times at the Ohio Theater: Watch the star-crossed lovers tell their story!
April 26: Arbor Day Tree Planting: Up on Village Green in Worthington!
April 26: Owls with Ohio Nature Education: 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. | Owl enthusiasts, young and old, can join expert Mrs. Van from Ohio Nature Education to explore the fascinating world of owls in this fun educational program. Live birds will be on-site.
April 26: Bluey & Bingo Family Party: On Friday night at 6:00 PM, enjoy a sing-a-long, freeze dance, story time, sensory, play, crafts and more with Bluey, Bingo and the Poodle Girls. Tickets are available online.
April 26-27: UNEXTINCT at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium :On Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM explore a world of illusions and extraordinary wildlife at this special engagement event at the Columbus Zoo. There are 15 scenes to experience. Tickets are available online.
April 27: Tree Planting at Stratford Ecological Center:Celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree at Stratford Ecological Center on Saturday from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Registration is required. You can visit the farm and animals afterward!
April 27:Morning Chores at Slate Run Farm: Register in advance to help the farmer feed the animals and do other barnyard chores at Slate Run Farm on Saturday from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM. This activity is for age 5 and up and you must register in advance.
April 27: 36th Annual Duckling Day at Whetstone Branch: 10:30 a.m. | Live ducks, live music, a puppet, and many other activities!
April 27:Touch the Truck at Grove City UMC: 11:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. |Get up close to and touch trucks and vehicles and meet their drivers. There will be vendors and food trucks, too. Bring a gently used clothing and non-perishable food drive for a local mission project with Wide Open Hearts.
April 27:Ohio Roller Derby at Ohio Expo Center: Doors open at 4:00 PM on Saturday for two games of flat track roller derby featuring Ohio Roller Derby vs. Team Ontario. This is a family-friendly game to watch and kids 7 and under are free. Tickets are available online and may sell out quickly!
April 27-28: Monster Jam: various times at the Schottenstein Center | Watch the massive trucks in action as they put on an entertaining show.
April 27-28:Spring Open Farm at Harrison Farm: This event takes place from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Meet baby lambs and goats, shop the Farm Stand, tour the farm and shop from local vendors at Harrison Farm in Groveport.
April 28: Marysville Toy Show at Union County Fairgrounds: This toy show will feature up to 300 tables of toys including action figures, farm toys, model kits, trains, die-cast cars, Barbie, LEGO, Funko, Marvel and more! The show is from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Sunday and admission is $6. Children 12 and under are free. (See more things to do in Marysville!)
April 28: Columbus Museum of Art: 10:00 a.m. | Open for Free on Sundays!
April 28: Children’s Garden Day at Inniswood Metro Gardens:2:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Sunday, enjoy an afternoon of fun and learning about water, soil, fire and air and how they support life in the gardens at Inniswood. There will be informational displays, crafts, a scavenger hunt, hands-on activities and more!
April 29-30: Ohio Village Weekends: Ohio Village is open on the weekends!
April 30: Arbor Day Festival at Dawes Arboretum: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Hands-on activities for kids, tree climbing, plant experts, live music seedlings and food trucks! Admission is free on this day.
April 30:Home Opener of the German Village 9 Ball Club | 1:00 p.m. at Schiller Park | Watch an 1860’s match!
Outside Activities
Get outside and explore our awesome park system! Visit Central Ohio Metro Parks to plan your next April outing.
Kids will have fun with these Natural Play Spaces for Your Backyard.
April Holidays
Need a theme or idea for every single day in April? These wacky, fun and unique holidays for the month of April will be fun to celebrate. The list even includes some activity suggestions for certain days. We can’t wait to see your creative ideas!
We update this list all month long, so check back often. If we missed something, please comment below.
We hope April is full of sunshine for you and your family!