April in Atlanta: 15 great events for families

A month of family fun for kids of all ages, from Teddy Bear loving tots to teenage video game addicts
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Sheep to Shawl

Photograph courtesy of the Atlanta History Center

4/1-4/12
Orchid Daze: Pop!
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden
When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Tuesdays through Sundays)
Cost: Free with admission ($18.95 for adults; $12.95 for kids ages 3 to 12; free for kids 2 and under)
What: See thousands of the exotic plants flanked by colorful pop art prints inspired by the work of Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Roy Lichtenstein.

4/3
Annual Open House
Where: University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, Ga
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: Pet live animals, watch sheep shearing and horseback riding demonstrations, and get your fuzzy friend fixed up in Teddy Bear Surgery.

4/4
Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Smith Gilbert Gardens
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Nonmembers: $10 per child, $7 per adult; Members: $5 per child, adults free
What: Meet the Big Bunny himself, make Easter crafts, and—of course—fill your basket at this first annual Egg Hunt. Children will be assigned to one of three hunts based on their age.

4/4
Back to Your Roots Farm Fair
Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free with general admission ($10 for adults; $7 for students ages 13 to 18; $6 for kids ages 3 to 12; free for kids 2 and under)
What: See farm animals, enjoy live bluegrass music, learn how to make natural dyes for your Easter eggs, get your face painted, and more at this back-to-nature event.

4/7-4/12
Blue Man Group
Where: Fox Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 8 p.m. on Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday; 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday
Cost: $30 to $110
What: The cobalt crew’s wordless, all-ages theatrics include percussion music, dancing, and cereal slinging.

4/9-5/24
Paul Bunyan and the Tall Tale Medicine Show
Where: Center for Puppetry Arts
When: Tuesdays through Fridays 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; Saturdays 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.; Sundays 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Cost: $16.50 for nonmembers; $9.25 for members; free for kids under 2
What: Mosey up to the Center For Puppetry Arts for country crooning and old-fashioned yarns, including the stories of Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, and John Henry.

4/11
Sheep to Shawl
When: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Atlanta History Center
Cost: Free with general admission ($16.50 for adults; $13 for students; $11 for kids)
What: Show your kids the journey from fleece to Fair Isle in this ovine event, which showcases shearing, dyeing, spinning, and weaving.

4/17-4/19
Seussical
When: Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday 5 p.m.
Where: Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre
Cost: $8 for ages 13 and up; free for kids 12 and under
What: The Theatre Project at the Mable House Arts Center, a community theater troop for kids and adults in South Cobb, performs the Broadway musical based on the works of Dr. Seuss.

4/18
Atlanta Steeplechase
When: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Kingston Downs
Cost: $38.75 for general admission;  free for kids 12 and under
What: Sport your best hat for the 50th annual horse race—and dress up the young’uns for the kids’ hat contest, too. In addition to the main event, check out Jack Russell races, bagpipers, and a skydive demo.

4/18–19
Bear on the Square Mountain Festival
When: All day
Where: Historic Square in Dahlonega
Cost: Free
What: Kick up your heels in a mountain dance, plus hear storytelling and bluegrass from bands like the Skillet Lickers at the Appalachian culture showcase.

4/18–6/7
Georgia Renaissance Festival
When: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends only
Where: Fairburn, Ga
Cost: $22 per adult; $10 per child; free for kids 5 and under
What: Tear into a smoked turkey leg while gaping at costumed jugglers, jousters, acrobats, and more at the 30th annual Fairburn tradition.

4/24–26
Up Right Atlanta
Where: Ponce City Market
When: Friday 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday noon and 3 p.m.
Cost: Free (Must reserve tickets in advance)
What: The fantastical Soundsuits made by Chicago-based performance artist Nick Cave are striking enough as display pieces; when worn by dancers, they spring to noisy life.

4/25
Peachtree Sports Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Cobb Galleria Center
Cost: $8 in advance; $10 at the door; free for kids under 6
What: Participate in clinics for sports from basketball to dance to archery, play interactive games, and meet star athletes.

4/25
Strawberry Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Rock Ranch in The Rock, Ga
Cost: $12; free for kids 3 and under
What: Pick a pint, meet Strawberry Shortcake, and indulge in a homemade strawberry “ice dream.”

4/30
The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses-Master Quest
Where: Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $45 to $125
What: Video game fanatics get a night to remember with this four-movement symphony that retells key moments from the Legend of Zelda franchise.

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