5 Things for Families: A bear in Wellies, homeschooling, rats, Tom Hanks, and a historically relevant story time

Sorry, guys. This weekend is going to suck.

March 30, 2016; 9:13 AM • by Valerie Catrow

Photo by: mwscheung

(That is the only April Fools’ joke I am going to make. I hope you enjoyed it.)

1. Paddington Bear Party

Do kids these days even know about Paddington Bear? Does my kid even know about Paddington Bear? BRB, I have to go re-evaluate all of my parenting choices over the last seven years. And outfit my son in Wellington boots, a duffle coat, and a red hat so he’s ready for this afternoon of Paddington-related crafts, games, and stories.

  • Thursday, March 31st • 3:30 – 4:30 PM
  • Glen Allen Library, 10501 Staples Mill Road
  • Free

2. Virginia Homeschoolers Conference and Resource Fair

According to the Virginia Department of Education, in the state of Virginia over 32,000 kids were homeschooled during the 2014-2015 academic year–that’s up from just over 29,000 the year before. Or think about it like this: If Virginia’s homeschooled kids were their own district, it would have more students than Richmond City (23,957 in 2014-2015). Homeschooling is a thing! If you think it might be your thing, this conference/resource fair is the place for you to be this weekend. Hear from experienced homeschooling speakers, connect with other homeschoolers, and attend session and workshops dealing with everything from beginning homeschooling to engaging different types of learnings to homeschooling through “tweendom.”

  • Friday, April 1st • 1:00 – 9:00 PM and Saturday, April 2nd • 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • The Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road
  • $20-$103 (see website for registration options)

3. March Ratness: The Final Fur

Two puns in one event name? Sold! Our very own Susan Howson (and our semi-own Prabir Mehta will provide courtside commentary as the Science Museum’s rat-thletes1 battle it out, tiny roundball style2. Fill out a bracket to win free tickets to the Science Museum; if the rats predict the actual real basketball winner, you’ll be entered to win a family membership.

  • Friday, April 1st • 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM3
  • Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad Street
  • Included with admission ($11; $10 for seniors and kids ages 4 to 12; free for members)

4. A League of Their Own

Now your kids will understand why you keep shouting “There’s no crying! There’s no crying in XYZ!” That and the magic that is Tom Hanks yelling.

  • Friday, April 1st • 7:00 PM and Saturday, April 2nd • 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
  • Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road
  • $1 per ticket

5. Stories at the Museum: Civil War and Emancipation Month

On select Saturdays each month the Virginia Historical Society hosts educator-led readings of history-themed children’s books, complete with a “make-it-take-it” craft for the kids. This is one of them!

  • Saturday, April 2nd • 11:00 AM
  • Virginia Historical Society, 428 N. Boulevard
  • Free!
  1. I can pun, too! ↩
  2. In case you didn’t know, yes, the rats at the Science Museum of Virginia play basketball. Why Richmond Region Tourism doesn’t promote the hell out of this marvel, I do not know. ↩
  3. Pro tip: get there early. I mean, non-championship rat basketball demonstrations fill up quick, so don’t mess around. ↩
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Valerie Catrow

Valerie Catrow is editor of RVAFamily, mother to a mop-topped first grader, and always really excited to go to bed.

March 30, 2016 9:13 AM · in , , and more 0

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