Flowers, Frogs and Fiddleheads, and More

Parents mutter about not having enough time to do the things we want/need to do. It’s particularly frustrating when we carve out free time but can’t find anything interesting to do with our kids. Patch will help you out each week by providing a Grab and Go list of upcoming events and activities that are parent/child friendly.  

• Thru April 17, White Marsh Mall Carnival. Hours vary. Check webiste. $2 admission, pay per ride or buy unlimited wrist band ($25/all rides included). Former Boscov's Parking Lot, adjacent to IKEA. 866-666-FAIR.
• Thru April 30, Toothy Toys that Made Us Smile. Exhibit of 50+ nostalgic games at the National Museum of Dentistry. Toys include Tooth Invaders, character toothbrushes (Bugs Bunny to Chuck Norris). 31 S. Greene St., 410-706-0600.
•  April 15, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Beethoven’s Last Night 2011. Classical music mixed with rock. Times vary. Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena. Event info: 410-347-2010. Online info/tickets thru Arena. 
•  April 16, Flowers, Frogs and Fiddleheads at Willow Grove Nature Education Ctr., 2175 Cromwell Bridge Rd. Discover the new spring arrivals on this naturalist-led hike. Dress for the weather and muddy trails. 1:30-3 p.m. Ages 5+. Resv. Req. $2 members/$4 non-members. Susan Dorsey: 410-887-2503; e-mail: info@cromwellvalleypark.org.
• April 16, Children’s Garden Club Begins at Willow Grove Nature Education Ctr., 2175 Cromwell Bridge Rd.  Play in the dirt, sip mint tea in the sunflower house, grow & pop your own popcorn, search for tadpoles and toads in the pond, take bouquets home for Mom and make zucchini muffins. Grow vegetables, flowers and herbs while exploring the natural world of our garden. Join us to play, learn, craft and eat tasty foods you grow yourself. 9:30 a.m.- noon. Ages 5 to 13. Resv. Req. $25 members/$35 non-members. Susan Dorsey: 410-887-2503; e-mail: info@cromwellvalleypark.org.
• April 17, Free Family Sundays at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. April is Back to Basics: Paint. Sculpt. Draw. Today, paint Impressionist landscapes outdoors.  2-5 p.m. 443-573-1700. FREE for families.
• April 20, Board Games for Teens. A time for your teens to meet up with other friends to play board games or cards. 3:30 p.m. Baltimore County Library, North Point, 1716 Merritt Blvd. 410-887-7255. Recurring first and third Wednesday of the month.
• April 20, Hop into Spring Story Time. Fun stories and songs about spring for ages 2-5 years w/adult. 10:30 a.m. Baltimore County Library, North Point, 1716 Merritt Blvd. 410-887-7255.
• April 20, Preschool Story Time. Spend time enjoying stories, songs and activities. 10:30 a.m. Baltimore County Library, North Point, 1716 Merritt Blvd., 410-887-7255. Recurring every Wednesday.

• June 11, Maryland Zoo’s 2011 Breakfast with the Animal Series—Chimps. (July 9, Giraffes.) Get up close and personal with the animals/keepers. Ticket includes zoo admission. The Maryland Zoo, http://www.marylandzoo.org/ Druid Hill Park, 443-552-5276. Plan now, as earlier dates have sold out.

• Bowling, AMF Dundalk Lanes, Xtreme Bowling, late nights or weekends. Lights, music, bowling challenges, food/drinks.  1101 Merritt Blvd., 410-282-2000. Pinland Bowling Lanes, 10 N. Dundalk Ave., 410-285-0135.
• Laser Tag, Ultrazone, Eastpoint Mall, $7.50 single or $25 all-day pass. 410-288-0881.