2015 Spring Events in Huntsville & North Alabama
Ready to frolic? There are so many spring events in Huntsville and North Alabama that we guarantee your family is going to be busy. Don’t see what you’re looking for on this list, be sure to check out our full 2015 Spring Activities Guide sponsored by the Heart of the Valley YMCA.
You’ll find a listing for Spring Break Camps, Bunny Sightings, Egg Hunts, Festivals and more! Go on, get started planning your spring of fun now.
All Spring
[themify_hr color=”orange” width=”50%” border_width=”2px” ]Dinosaurs Alive!
When: February 3 – August 8, 2015
Where: Hardin Center, Gasden (map)
Cost: $8/person – Children under 2 are FREE
More Info: Website
This spring and summer the Hardin Center goes prehistoric with 13 life-like animatronic dinosaurs! These giants of the past will fill visitors of all ages with awe and amazement as their realistic movements and appearance will transport visitors back to the Jurassic period. Imagination Place Children’s Museum is included with admission. Photography is welcome in the exhibit.
Spring Burst Guided Hike Series with The Land Trust
When: March 7 – June 5, 2015
Where: Land Trust properties in Limestone and Madison County
Cost: Hikes are free to the public, but donations to help preserve greenspace are gratefully accepted.
More Info: landtrustnal.org
The Land Trust invites you to “Take a Hike” and join them on their ”Spring Burst” guided hike series. Enjoy some mild exercise on preserved Land Trust properties in Limestone and Madison County. Suggested hiking equipment: long pants, comfortable closed toe shoes with good tread, and bottled water. You might also consider bringing a hiking stick, trail snacks, and a camera. Well-behaved dogs are welcome but should remain on leads. In case of rain, hikes will be cancelled.
Time Travel Adventure
When: Saturday, March 21 – September 21, 2015
Where: Burritt On the Mountain (map)
Cost: Regular Museum Admission
More Info: www.burrittonthemountain.com
Journey back to the 1800s on an exciting scavenger hunt as you become an apprentice time traveler. Successfully complete the hunt as you visit each decade of the century. On your journey play with toys and games of the time, find your way through the Underground Railroad maze, race handcrafted boats and rafts down the kid sized Alabama River, build miniature cabins and villages, explore the steam engine playground, and much, much more. Along the way, learn facts about the United States, Alabama, Huntsville and the surrounding area. Find out what life was like for the families that actually lived in our Historic Park houses.
Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks
When: April 24 – July 26, 2015
Where: Huntsville Botanical Garden (map)
Cost: Regular Garden admission
More Info: www.hsvbg.org
This spring and summer EVERYTHING IS AWESOME at the Huntsville Botanical Garden! From late April through the end of July, you will find 27 larger than life LEGO sculptures when you venture on your garden visit. Inspired by the beauty of nature and wildlife, certified LEGO artist Sean Kenney has created these sculptures for families throughout the Tennessee Valley to enjoy. You won’t want to miss this event.
The Robot Zoo
When: March 28 – September 3, 2015
Where: U.S. Space and Rocket Center (map)
Cost: Regular museum admission
More Info: Website
Visitors explore the biomechanics of complex animal robots to discover how real animals work, thanks to a touring exhibit, “The Robot Zoo.” The 5,000-square-foot exhibit reveals the magic of nature as a master engineer. Eight robot animals and more than a dozen hands-on activities illustrate fascinating real-life characteristics, such as how a chameleon changes colors, a giant squid propels itself and a fly walks on the ceiling.
Cutaways expose the animals’ insides as a host of easily recognizable machine parts and gadgets, such as shock absorbers and pumps, that demonstrate what makes animals work. By comparing anatomy, environments and size of the actual creatures to the mechanic counterparts, The Robot Zoo provides fantastic new insights and hands-on fun for discovering just how animals work.
March
[themify_hr color=”orange” width=”50%” border_width=”2px” ]Great Cross Country Race & Family Fun Day
When: Saturday, March 14 from 7:30AM-Noon
Where: Huntsville Cross Country Running Park (map)
Cost: $20 (includes race T-shirt)
More Info: Website | Facebook Page
Proceeds of this event will go to support the programming of Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater, a 501 c (3) organization dedicated to bringing the magic of theater and arts education to the families of the Tennessee Valley. This year’s race is a “Hare and Tortoise” themed event that includes an all ages 5k through the Huntsville Cross-country Running Park, along with a one-half mile, one mile and two mile age-appropriate fun runs for kids in grades K-8. In addition, there will be a costume contest for racers and families, along with bounce-houses, kids’ activities, photo opportunities, door prizes and more as part of the Family Fun Day 7:30-Noon on the adjacent grounds. For more information and/or to download a registration form click here.
Einstein’s Birthday and Pi Day
When: Saturday, March 14 from 9AM-5PM
Where: U.S. Space and Rocket Center (map)
Cost: Regular museum admission
More Info: Website
Meet Professor Einstein himself, compete in hula hoop competitions, a pie toss, and a birthday cake and sing-along with the father of the Theory of Relativity.
Youth Art Month
When: March 15 – April 19
Where: Huntsville Museum of Art (map)
Cost: Regular Museum Admission
More Info: Website
Youth Art Month is an annual gathering of exuberant artwork from North Alabama K-12 students, organized in observance of March’s Youth Art Month. YAM emphasizes the value of art education for all children and encourages public support for quality school art programs. Accompanied by the annual Visual Arts Achievement Exhibition, which presents the blue ribbon finalist artworks of middle and high school students in Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, and the Teacher’s Biennial Art Exhibition.
Family Farm & Fleece Day
When: Saturday, March 28 from 9AM-3PM
Where: Agribition Center 4925 Moores Mill Road Huntsville Al
Cost: FREE
More Info: Family Farm Day website | [email protected]
The Tennessee Valley Women in Agriculture’s 3rd Farm and Fleece Day will have a variety of exhibits from local agricultural organizations, education demonstrations, vendors and of course ANIMALS. Activities include: Sheep Shearing, Heirloom Seed Swap, FREE Children’s Activities (make and take), Local Vendors and Exhibitors – Fiber arts. Get your picture made with some of our funny farm animals, Pink Pig, Half Pint a pink spotted Mini Horse, Pot Belly pig, and many more.
April
[themify_hr color=”orange” width=”50%” border_width=”2px” ]Spring Science
When: Saturday, April 4 from 9AM-5PM
Where: Sci-Quest (map)
Cost: Regular Museum Admission
More Info: Website
Come join us as we hop into some sweet science activities celebrating spring! Visitors will learn how to perform magic tricks with eggs, stage a battle with Peeps in the microwave, and we will even have live chicks and chickens visiting to celebrate spring!
NCAC Superheroes 5K/1M Fun Run & Block Party
When: Saturday, April 11 from 8-11AM
Where: 210 Pratt Avenue (map)
Cost: $25/$15 for race, Block Party is FREE
More Info: Website | Event Page
Calling all superheroes! This event is hosted by and benefitting the National Children’s Advocacy Center. The Superheroes event features a 5K road race, 1-Mile fun run and one of only two certified 1-Mile races in North Alabama! A free Family Block Party will be held throughout the day and is open to the community with live music, food, games and inflatables. Whether you are as fast as The Flash or as slow and steady as a Ninja Turtle, this race is for you! Costumes are encouraged!
Spring Fling Special Train Ride
When: Saturday, April 18 at 10AM and 1PM
Where: North Alabama Railroad Museum (map)
Cost: $15/$10
More Info: Website | Facebook Page
Little and big train enthusiasts alike will enjoy this leisurely ride through the spring countryside. Be sure to check out our RCM Review if you’ve never enjoyed this local gem and then book your tickets for the next NARM express!
Baby Animals on the Farm
When: Saturdays, April 11, 18, 25 from 11AM-4PM
Where: 7066 County Road 703, Cullman (map)
Cost: $8/person
More Info: Website | Facebook
4D Family Farm invites you to come on down and enjoy some Spring Days on the Farm. There will be lots of farm activities available plus visits with all the baby (and momma) animals.
Spring Farm Days at Burritt
When: Sat. April 11th from 10AM-4PM and Sun. April 12 from 12-4PM
Where: Burritt On the Mountain (map)
Cost: Regular Museum Admission
More Info: www.burrittonthemountain.com
Spring Farm Days is an exciting time to visit the barnyard animals, experience the historic skills and chores of our ancestors, and learn about life on the farm. Get some hands-on experience doing some of the old-fashioned chores. Wash and card wool, churn butter, stuff mattresses and view the progression of farm equipment and inventions as presented by the Southland Flywheelers. Enjoy our county fair as you see the results of our quilting and canning contests and compete in old fashioned games of skill and chance.
May
[themify_hr color=”orange” width=”50%” border_width=”2px” ]Family Campout & LEGO Movie
When: May 1-2, 5PM-8AM
Where: Huntsville Botanical Garden (map)
Cost: $60 parent/child, $100 family of four, $25 extra child/parent
More Info: www.hsvbg.org | [email protected] or 256-837-4344
Campout activities include a hot dog dinner and a night hike to the Boeing-Toyota Amphitheatre for an outdoor viewing of The LEGO® Movie followed by a night sleeping under the stars in the Dogwood Grove! Emmett will be on site to visit with everyone!
Hands on Trucks
When: Sat. May 2, 10AM-2PM
Where: Sci-Quest (map)
Cost: General Admission (free for members)
More Info: Website
It’s time for our annual Hands-on Trucks event! Let your kids get behind the wheel and explore a variety of their favorite vehicles and meet the men and women who drive the trucks! From ice cream trucks to fire engines, Sci-Quest assembles a variety of vehicles for this day of fun. Sci-Quest partners with local organizations to bring different vehicles for children to get a unique, close up look and hands-on experience!
Mother’s Day Special Train Ride
When: Saturday, May 9 at 10AM and 1PM
Where: North Alabama Railroad Museum (map)
Cost: $15/$10
More Info: Website | Facebook Page
Little and big train enthusiasts alike (including mom) will enjoy this leisurely ride through the spring countryside. Be sure to check out our RCM Review if you’ve never enjoyed this local gem and then book your tickets for the next NARM express!
Rocket City Mom is a website about raising children in and around Huntsville, Alabama. Started in late 2010 by a local mom and newcomer to Huntsville, Rocket City Mom has grown into a thriving community of local parents and now boasts a staff of four, thirteen regular contributors, and tens of thousands of Tennessee Valley readers making it the #1 Parenting Resource in North Alabama.