Spring Arts Preview: Bring the kids to these family-friendly events

Head to the Fun Zone at the annual Philadelphia International Children’s Festival.
Credit: Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Spring is almost here, which means warm weather — hopefully! — and a long lineup of events for the whole family. Here are a few to take the kids to, rain or shine.

Tours for Tots

March 9-June 15
Philadelphia Museum of Art
www.philamuseum.org
Each tour has hands-on activities for the littlest artists (ages 3-5), covering four different topics: Clay Creations, Seeing Shapes, Travel through Asia and Animals in Art. The tours are free after museum admission.

Pinocchio and Cartoon Classics

March 22
Kimmel Center
www.philorch.org
The Fabulous Philadelphians are bringing beloved children’s cartoons to the Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, with music conducted by the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Cristian Macelaru and Charlotte Blake Alston narrating. “Pinocchio’s Adventures in Funland” will incorporate images of artwork sent in by the audience; submit your child’s piece through the website. Tickets are $19-$47.

Nature Photography Workshop

April 17-June 12
Morris Arboretum
www.upenn.edu/arboretum
The four-week workshop for the 8-12 year olds is taught by photographer Kim Soles. Your budding artist will learn how to take shots of landscapes, with a focus on capturing color and texture. This one is BYOC — bring your own camera. It’s $85-$190, depending on the number of sessions attended.

Philadelphia Science Festival

April 25-May 3
www.philasciencefestival.org
We know you’re looking forward to the Beer Chemistry event, but there’s plenty for the under-age crowd at the Science Festival too. Don’t miss the Science Carnival on the Parkway May 3, with hands-on experiments, zoo animals, a helicopter and a “crime scene” in need of some top notch forensic scientists.