By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
From Kentwood’s Spring Break Club to the butterflies at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, there are plenty of things for area residents to do during next week’s spring break.
Below, I pulled together just some of the possibilities that could keep you and your family busier than if you had headed out.
In Kentwood
The City of Kentwood will be offering its Spring Break Club April 1 – 5. The club will featured a week full of fun with gym games, arts and crafts, nature walks, gardening and much more. Students can participate the whole week or just for certain days. Registration is required, so make sure to visit the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, or call 616-656-5270.
“We are going to have kids six- to 12-years-olds here,” said Spencer McKellar, recreation program coordinator for the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department. We will do a number of different programs, active games in the gym. Maybe some nature walks if the weather cooperates, working in our kitchen and a number of other things.”
In Wyoming
Depending on weather, many of the area parks will be open. Wyoming’s Pinery Park is the only park in the city where the restrooms are open year around. The park features a paved walking trail, a playground and recently updated fitness equipment.
The Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club will be hosting its annual show April 4-6 at Rogers Plaza, 972 28th St. SW. The show is free and features a number of demonstrations, exhibits, rock and mineral identification and vendors. The event is from 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m .Thursday and Friday and 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday.
Head to Camp
Get close to the animals at the John Ball Zoo which will be hosting its spring break day camps April 1-4. Slumber near the chimpanzees at the zoo’s spring break overnight on April 5. Registration is required for both events, so call 616-336-4300.
Blandford Nature Center‘s spring break camps are currently sold out but there is the Kitchen Dyeing Class April 6. This workshop will cover safety/clean up procedures and how to prepare materials for dyeing. Each participant will leave with enough dyed fiber samples to fill in a small dye journal. The program is for 13 and older with cost being $40/members and $45/non-members. Registration is required, so visit blandfordnaturecenter.org.
Dinosaurs, oh my!!
The Grand Rapids Public Museum will have extended hours to 7 p.m. April 1 – 7. Activities will be dinosaur- and toy-inspired, celebrating the museum’s current exhibits “TOYS!” and “Expedition: Dinosaur.” Participates will be able to make their own dinosaur, sock monkey, headbands, dinosaur fossils and more. Join the GRPM on Saturday, March 30 and Saturday, April 6 for a special dinosaur science in the Saturday Curiosity Labs. Play over-sized games including Chess and Connect Four.
Spring break activities are included with general admission/ For more, visit grpm.org.
It’s Free
Or head over to the Grand Rapids Art Museum, which, for spring break, is free for all youth ages 17 and under. Admission includes free entry to the museum’s current exhibitions which include “A Decade at the Center: Recent Gifts and Acquisitions” and “A Legacy of Love: Selections from the Mable Perkins Collection.” The museum also has extended its drop-in studio hours for the week. The drop-in studio will be from 1 to 4 p.m. March 30, April 2 and 6. For more information, visit artmuseumgr.org.
Butterfly Effect
When the butterflies take over the Fredrick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, you know its spring. The Fred & Dorothy Pitcher Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition will be open with Gardens hosting extended hours during spring break. Outdoor children’s activities will be taking place at the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden such as a giant butterfly puzzle, butterfly-themed puppet show, the butterfly maze and story time. Activities vary daily, so check the Information center for what is happening or visit meijergardens.org.
Movie Night
The popular Flick’s Family Film Fest runs through April 11. Films are free to children 12 and under and $5 for anyone 13 and older. For the week of spring break, the Fest will feature Warner’s “Smallfoot” and the 2019 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Check with local theaters for showtimes.
A Monster and Peas
The Grand Rapids Ballet will present another kid-friendly ballet for the entire family by bringing to life the beloved children’s book “The Monster Who Ate My Peas.” The performances features the apprentices and trainees of the Grand Rapids Ballet and choreographed by the Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company Director Attila Mosolygo. Showtimes are 11 a.m. April 1-5. Tickets are $7 and available through grballet.com.
Booking It
The Kent District Library is always a source for spring break fun and KDL has the week “booked” with activities for all ages. Author and puppeteer Kevin Kammeraad along with Wimee and friends will be presenting a show on wordplay, puppet, music and movement. Kammeraad and company stop at the KDL Wyoming branch April 5. Other KDL programs include an Escape Room, Coding Camp for Kids, Family Movie, and a Disney Movie Marathon. For a complete list of spring break activities, visit kdl.org.
Play Ball!
Have a third through sixth grader looking to improve their throwing arm? Grand Valley State University will be hosting its Little Throws clinic April 1 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Registration is required. Contact Coach Denard at denards@gvsu.edu for more information.
Speaking of baseball, the Detroit Tigers opener is April 4 against the Kansas City Royals and our own beloved Whitecaps’ opening day is April 6. The Whitecaps will face off against the South Bend Cubs. For the full schedule, visit the Whitecaps website.
