So much fun to choose from this week when it comes to finding something to do around Birmingham! Lots of storytime options at your local libraries throughout the week and this coming weekend is jam packed full of family events! If you like Gumbo or Crawfish you’re set.. Kids love trucks? Check out Touch a Truck at Vestavia Hills United Methodist church. And make sure to check out the Birmingham Zoo on Saturday for “Party for the Planet” to help celebrate Earth Day! Have a great week!
It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!
Sunday April 17th:
Day out with Thomas – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Take a ride with everybody’s favorite #1 engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, and enjoy Thomas-themed activities at the Imagination Station, including temporary tattoos and hands-on arts and crafts. Have your photo taken with Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy Storytelling, Inflatable Bounce House, Carpet Golf, Bubble Station, Sandbox, Railroad Signal Yard, and Live Music!
Find exclusive (not available in any store!) Thomas merchandise in the Gift Tent! Delicious food vendors will be on site.
A fun-filled family experience not to be missed so be sure and bring your camera!
Times:
10:30 am, 11:15 am, noon, 12:45 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:15 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:45 pm
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Monday April 18th:
Tot Time with Ms Eve, Earth Day – Avondale Library
How many things can Mrs. Eve make with her scissors, glue, and the trash from her daughter’s room? Come see! Tot Time is geared for 2- to 4-year-olds with an individual caregiver; no groups please. 24-hour advance registration required.
9:30 and 11am
Preschool Playtime– Homewood Public Library
We’ll provide the stations, and you provide the imagination for a fun morning of play with your child. For ages three and under. Daycare groups must call 205-332-6619 in advance to schedule time.
10:30am
Monday Movie – Homewood Public Library
The Good Dinosaur – Join us for snacks, drinks, and a family film from Walt Disney Pictures!
3:30pm
Toddler Tales – North Shelby Library
Stories, songs, fingerplays and crafts make up a lively 30 minute program designed especially for short attention spans. Registration will begin one week prior to each storytime. Ages 19-36 months. Registration Required.
9:30am
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Tuesday April 19th:
Mad Hatter Scavenger Hunt – Hoover Public Library
Join the Mad Hatter, Alice and crew to uncover the clues to Wonderland. Register 4/4-4/18. Grades 1-3
4pm
Baby Tales – North Shelby Library
A story time designed especially for babies and their caregivers. Stories and music provide interaction for the babies and time for caregivers to talk and share with each other. Ages: Birth to 18 months. Registration Required. Registration will begin one week prior to program date.
10am
Toddler Days – Steel City Jump Park
Story, snack and jumping! Parents jump for free, Children, $8.00. Parents free.
10am – Noon
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Wednesday April 20th:
Ready Set Grow – Springville Road Library
Spring is finally here! Join us for some fun and fresh air in the library’s garden.
4pm
Don’t Touch this Book Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
Larry the lovable monster from Don’t Push the Button! is back with another hilarious, interactive adventure! I know what you’re thinking: this is a pretty cool-looking book. But … DON’T TOUCH THIS BOOK! (Don’t even try it.) Join us for Storytime featuring Don’t Touch This Book! Coloring and activities to follow.
11am
Family Storytime with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
10:45am
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Thursday April 21st:
Little Library on the Prairie – Homewood Public Library
We’ll try our hand at the pioneer lifestyle by channeling Laura Ingalls Wilder and Ma and Pa for a night of family fun on the prairie!
6:30pm
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Friday April 22nd:
Gardendale Magnolia Festival – Gardendale Civic Center
15th Annual Gardendale Magnolia Festival. The Total Family Experience! 3 stages live entertainment, 150+ vendor booths, carnival, pooch parade, car show, McWane Science shows, ponies, free kid zone, 5K, fishing tournament (May 14), and much more. An original theatre production, Jugtown Turnaround: an original play about how Gardendale got it’s name in 1906. Free parking and free admission to 3 stages entertainment.
5pm – 10pm
Leaps and Bounds – Homewood Public Library
Join us for a fun and energetic movement class designed specifically for children 2 1/2 to 4 years. Online registration is required and begins the Monday prior to the class that week at www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.
10:30am
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Saturday April 23rd:
Party for the Planet – Birmingham Zoo
Join the Birmingham Zoo in celebrating the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ signature event and largest combined Earth Day celebration in North America! Enjoy special activities, animal demonstrations, Schaeffer Eye Center Wildlife Shows and local Birmingham business booths including Alabama Mineral & Lapidary Society, Alabama Partners for Clean Air, Cahaba Riverkeeper, CommuteSmart Birmingham, Coosa Riverkeeper, Four Season Gallery, Red Mountain Park, University of Alabama – Tide for Tusks, World Discovery Safaris and more, all focused on promoting the care and conservation of our planet. Enjoy special keeper talks and enrichments during the day, as well as crafts and activities! This event is FREE with admission to the Zoo.
10am – 2pm
Touch a Truck – Vestavia Hills United Methodist
Climb, Explore and Discover your favorite things on wheels. Activities include trucks to explore, a play area, crafts and more! Food trucks will be available for food purchases. LIVE MUSIC performed by acclaimed entertainer Roger Day, from 11:00 a.m. to Noon. Event is free to the public.
10am – 1pm
Gumbo Gala – Regions Field
Join Birmingham’s best Professional and Backyard Gumbo chef’s as they compete for the bragging rights to the title of Birmingham’s Best Gumbo. Enjoy great music, a kids zone, incredible gumbo and a great time all for a great cause.
Episcopal Place provides seniors and disabled adults with restricted income a safe and affordable housing option and access to related services in a home-like environment.
$12 Admission
11am – 3pm
Gardendale Magnolia Festival – Gardendale Civic Center
15th Annual Gardendale Magnolia Festival. The Total Family Experience! 3 stages live entertainment, 150+ vendor booths, carnival, pooch parade, car show, McWane Science shows, ponies, free kid zone, 5K, fishing tournament (May 14), and much more. An original theatre production, Jugtown Turnaround: an original play about how Gardendale got it’s name in 1906. Free parking and free admission to 3 stages entertainment.
Earth Day at the Gardens – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
This year, the annual celebration will celebrate The Gardens’ Moon Tree, which grows just above Blount Plaza.. Planted in 1976 after traveling to space as a seed aboard Apollo 14 to test the effects of weightlessness on germination, the Moon Tree now stands 80-feet tall. The Gardens will have a hands-on display about the dispersal method of the sycamore seed, which floats on the wind like tiny parachutes. Beneath the Moon Tree, children will be able to make their own hand-held parachutes from coffee filters. On display will be seedlings from The Gardens’ Centennial Tree Program, grown from local seed sources of native trees for replanting Birmingham’s parks, waterways and tornado-damaged areas.
Earth Day at The Gardens takes place from 11-4 p.m., and it will include exhibitor booths, local vendors, free activities and live music from Tommy Ellison.
Jubilee Joe’s Crawfish Boil – Warehouse 31 Pelham
Jubilee Joe’s Cajun and Seafood Restaurant is bringing the taste and sounds of New Orleans to Venue 31 located in Pelham. Be sure to bring your Cajun appetite for a fun family event. Thousands of pounds of fresh Louisiana Crawfish is brought live and boiled on the spot. Other famous Louisiana dishes will also be available to fill your craving. Al.com chose this event as one of the “Top food festivals in Alabama.”
Get ready to dance the Zydeco to talented Cajun and Brass bands. The headliner is the American alternative rock band-Everclear. There is entertainment for the entire family including a large kids corner with activities including a Crawfish Race. Patrons will also have a chance to win $500 when they enter the Crawfish Eating Contest. A portion of the festival proceeds will benefit Hand in Paw that provides animal assisted therapy.
General Admission tickets are $22. VIP Tickets are $45 includes general admission and all you can eat crawfish. 12 and under are free. For more information on the event please visit
1pm – 10pm
5th Annual Dixie Vintage Car Show – Oak Mountain State Park
5th Annual Dixie Vintage Antique and Classic Car Show
Gates open at 7:00 am-Registrations starts at 8:00 am
Cash prizes, food, music by DJLarry, Parts and vendors, Car Corral and Top 5 Trophies
Shuttle service for visitors to car show area will be provided
Bart’s Books – Birmingham Museum of Art
Bart’s Books is a storytelling program for children ages 4-7. Bart selects a new book and related work of art each month that he thinks kids will enjoy.
This month, Bart has selected Mary Lynn Ray’s Mud.
Where’s the Party Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
Larry the lovable monster from Don’t Push the Button! is back with another hilarious, interactive adventure! I know what you’re thinking: this is a pretty cool-looking book. But … DON’T TOUCH THIS BOOK! (Don’t even try it.) Join us for Storytime featuring Don’t Touch This Book! Coloring and activities to follow.
11am
Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.
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Sunday April 24th:
American Girl, Just Like Me – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
As the Japanese cherry blossoms begin to bloom, Isabelle and friends gather to hear her story and make our own colorful tutus. We’ll then dance our way through Japanese Gardens, one of the most beautiful at The Gardens during spring.
Ages 5 and up
Instructors: Robin & Emmeline Geurs
Sunday, April 24 | 2-4 p.m.
Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
$20 Members | $25 Non-Members
Instrument Petting Zoo at Springtime Symphony – Avondale Park
Before the Schaeffer Eye Center 2nd Springtime Symphony in Avondale Park, bring your children to come “meet” the instruments! Professional musicians will be on hand to allow children to touch, play and ask questions. A rare opportunity!
2pm – 3pm
2nd Springtime Symphony in the Park – Avondale Park
Schaeffer Eye Center and the Forest Park South Avondale Business Association presents the Alabama Symphony Orchestra performing a free, open to the public concert in the amphitheater.
The program will be family friendly, and will feature light classical music as well as music from well-known musicals and films. Examples might be Seventy Six Trombones from the Music Man or Waltz of the Flowers from the Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky.
Before the concert, please bring your children to experience the Symphony Education Department’s “petting zoo” of instruments.
Seating in the amphitheater opens at 1:30. Concert begins at 3:00pm.
A ticketed reception before the performance will benefit Red mountain School and Avondale Elementary School. Local restaurants are providing light refreshments in the reception area. Tickets for the reception are $5 at the door.
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Local Attractions Open Daily!
McWane Science Center:
IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Star Wars the Force Awakens, Ocean Oasis, Journey to Space
Birmingham Zoo:
The Birmingham Zoo offers a variety of daily activities from Giraffe and Pelican Feedings to Bird Tours and Lion Training. For a daily schedule of whats happening at the Zoo, visit their site.
Vulcan Park and Museum:
Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!
Railroad Park:
Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.
Southern Museum of Flight:
Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm
Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!
** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call, especially when weather can impact the event.
