Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around Carson City and beyond.
Multiple Days
Wild Horse Children’s Theater Presents: Junie B. Jones Jr. the Musical
Based on Barbara Park’s best-selling books, “JUNIE B. JONES JR. THE MUSICAL” is a laugh-out-loud adventure that kicks off with Junie B. starting first grade! From losing her best friend to making new ones (hello, Herb!) to the mystery of Mr. Scary’s chalkboard and the horror of needing glasses (gasp!), Junie B. navigates it all with her signature sass and charm. Add a cafeteria lady with a heart of gold, a high-stakes kickball tournament, and her Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal, and you’ve got a first-grade story that’s larger-than-life! Packed with lovable characters, hilarious moments, and songs that’ll have you humming all day long, JUNIE B. JONES JR. isn’t just a musical — it’s an adventure you’ll never forget.
You can catch the show weekends April 4-13, with the debut happening this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center in the Performance Hall. For tickets and more information, please visit www.WildHorseTheater.com.
April Library Scavenger Hunt: Bug Bonanza!
Crawl, flutter and buzz your way through the Carson City Library this April with our Insect-Themed Scavenger Hunt! Hidden around the library are fascinating facts about creepy crawlies of all kinds — can you find them all?
Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at the front desk, search high and low for hidden clues, and complete your sheet to claim your prize — a plastic bug to take home!
This self-paced activity runs all month long, so stop by anytime in April to join the fun. Perfect for curious minds of all ages!
Recurring:
Come visit the Carson City Library and hang out in a space designed with teens in mind! Monday through Friday 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. All teens welcome!
Grown Up and Guppies at the Carson City Aquatic Center
Head over to the Carson City Aquatics Center every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and again at 6 p.m., and Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. for Grown ups and Guppies. Making the water fun for your guppy is the most important step in preparing for swim lessons. This class is designed to acquaint adult and child wild play activities and to teach very basic fundamental skills. The course is parent-driven, under the supervision of an instructor. No registration required. Class is limited to 12 adult/child pairs on a first-come first served basis. For ages 6 months to 4 years.
Toddler Time at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Toddler Time Tuesday & Friday 9:30am-11:30am. Designed for children 1-3 years of age. Play with educational toys, encourage social development, and meet other caregivers.
My Toddler is Sewing! Art class at the Carson City Community Art Building
Register here. Happening Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Located at 801 N. Roop Street. This simple class consists of a foam sewing card & a colorful shoelace. Your toddler will learn the basics of sewing while learning all the reasons for sewing. Why should children learn to sew? Hand-eye coordination, develop and mature their dexterity & fine motor skills, build self confidence and patience. No supplies needed. Parents/guardians, please plan to stay with your child. For more information, email shirleyrash@gmail.com or visit sewhappysewingschool.com
Monday, April 7
Recurring:
Early childhood arts activities including imitation and exploration in music, movement, and visual art for children 1 to 5 years old with a participating adult. Free to attend – please register in advance. TWO Class times: 10am – 10:40am and 11am – 11:40am. 801 N. Roop Street, in the art building next to the pool / community center.
Outside Carson City:
Tuesday, April 8
Recurring:
After School Arts & Crafts with Maggie M
A weekly after school art and crafts class for kids 6 to 13. Join Maggie M in exploring different art experiences and learning to use different creative mediums. Cost is $25.
Wednesday, April 9
Recurring:
Creating with Polymer Clay: Mini Donuts at the BAC
Come learn how to sculpt various miniatures and figures with polymer clay in this beginner-friendly class with instructor Kaleb Wyckoff! Every class session is a different item and requests can be made in advance.
Maggie M’s Beginning Art Classes for Teens every Wednesday
Maggie M’s Beginning Art Classes will provide instruction in drawing, sketching, and painting with watercolors and acrylics 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm every Wednesday.
Board Game Night at 3 Arrows Games
Join the Minden Board Game group and others for a weekly meet up of table top fun. Bring a game to share or jump in with others to learn something new for a night of fun. Everyone is welcome!
Storytime Wednesdays at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Join in for weekly storytime with an accompanying craft each Wednesday. Recommended for children ages 1-6. All included with museum admission.
Art Studio Craft Classes at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Drop-in art studio every Wednesday and Friday from 2-4 p.m. Creative art studio projects are included with museum admission. All ages welcome. Additional crafts are available for cost.
Lego Club at the Carson City Library
For elementary school aged children. Build self-led creations through hands-on learning with Lego education materials. No registration is required. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bedtime Bears Storytime at the Carson City Library
For kids of all ages: Join us every Wednesday night for stories, songs and crafts designed to help kids wind down at the end of the day. From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In this class you’ll learn about problem-solving through art, as well as how to draw with instructor Kaleb Wyckoff. Whether you can sketch a stick figure or a portrait, this class is for you! All skill levels are welcome. Every class is different and designed to strive for accessibility.
Join the Carson City High School Dungeon & Dragons group every other Wednesday at 2:30PM in the Teen Zone. Learn how to play Dungeons & Dragons and participate in fun campaigns! No registration required.
Thursday, April 10
Recurring:
Whistle Stop Storytime every Thursday at the Nevada Railroad Museum in Carson City
Head down to the Nevada State Railroad Museum, located at 2180 S. Carson Street, in Carson City every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. for story time! The stories visitors can expect include train-based picture books as well as an arts and crafts project associated with the book to follow. The recommended age range is 0-7, but any children of any age can participate.
Big Kid Butterflies Storytime at the Carson City Library
For children ages 1 to 5; join for weekly stories, songs and crafts. No registration is required. 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Open STEM Lab Thursdays at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
The STEM Classroom is open every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. for funny educational, weekly activities. All included with museum admission. All ages welcome.
Fingerboarding Club at the Carson City Library
Enjoy doing tricks and having fun with miniature skateboards. A table will be set up with a skatepark for an hour of fingerboarding. Fingerboards will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Open to patrons 14 and up. No registration required. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Outside Carson City:
Kids Yoga at Biggest Little Baby
This class at Reno’s Biggest Little Baby uses yoga sequences, songs, stories, and games to teach kids aged 5-12 life skills via the fundamentals of yoga. We will incorporate breathing and relaxation exercises and sometimes even create mindful crafts! Located at 7693 S. Virginia St. from 4 to 5 p.m. Register at the link above. $22.50 per class for drop-ins, or $75 per month. Held every Thursday.
Mother Goose on the Loose at South Lake Tahoe Library
Join us at the South Lake Tahoe Library for our in-person Mother Goose on the Loose! Every Thursday at 10:30 AM with Miss Anel. This award winning program combines music, movement, visual literacy and language development to help children get ready to read! Mother Goose on the Loose is a lap-sit story time for little ones aged 0-2 years and their caregiver. 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at South Lake Tahoe Library, 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.
Friday, April 11
Homeschool Balloon Presentation in Gardnerville
Hello local Homeschoolers! We are excited to offer a Hot Air for Hope Homeschool Presentation for the 2nd year.
This presentation will include:
-History and science behind Hot Air Ballooning
-How balloon competition works
-Pilot Q & A
-Hot Air Balloon inflation and deflation
Presentation will be approximately 1 hour.
Presentation is weather dependent. An email will be sent out with any weather delays/cancellations so be sure to sign up. NOTE: Presentation area is in gravel/dirt, please bring chairs or blankets to sit on.
Recurring:
Toddler Time at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Toddler Time Tuesday and Friday 9:30am-11:30am. Designed for children 1-3 years of age. Play with educational toys, encourage social development, and meet other caregivers.
Art Studio Craft Classes at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Drop-in art studio every Wednesday and Friday from 2 – 4 p.m. Creative art studio projects are included with museum admission. All ages welcome. Additional crafts are available for cost.
Outside Carson City:
Family Yoga at Biggest Little Baby
This hour-ish family yoga class at Reno’s Biggest Little Baby is a supportive and nurturing space to practice yoga and mindfulness with children. We practice yoga through songs, stories, games, and breathwork in a format that is accessible for all ages and levels. Classes often incorporate seasonal or narrative themes. The intention of this class is to bring peaceful moments of connection to families through yoga and mindfulness. All classes include some form of quiet relaxation time. Adults should plan to participate in classes with their children. No yoga experience necessary! Cost is for adults; children accompanying adult are included. $25 per class. Located at 7693 S. Virginia Street. Register at the link above.
Multilingual Story Time at Biggest Little Baby
Join our multilingual reader Alison for a free weekly story time in the yoga studio at Biggest Little Baby. Children of all ages and their grown ups are invited to acquire language and preliteracy/literacy skills through movement, song, interaction, and stories in English, Spanish, French, and ASL. Alison has years of teaching and child development expertise and speaks multiple languages. Her love of reading and children is both apparent and contagious. We invite you to come learn to love language and reading as much as we do. 11:40 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. at Biggest Little Baby in Reno at 7693 S. Virginia St.
Saturday, April 12
Family Art Saturdays in Carson City at Community Art Building
Hosted by Sierra Arts Foundation. Families are invited to explore the joy of art making through hands-on visual art activities that engage and educate. Each session focuses on a particular art style/movement and a famous artist. The art activities are geared for kids 5 and older. However, all ages are welcome; children under 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cost: $10/person (kids 4 and under are free with paid adult).
Free Airplane Flights for Kids with a Pancake Breakfast at Carson City Airport
Interested in experiencing the thrill of a flight in a private aircraft? The Carson City Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Sierra Chapter 403 is hosting another Young Eagles event at the Carson City Airport. This event is FREE and is open to kids ages 8-17 years of age. On the day of the event, the kids will get a pre-flight safety briefing and then get to fly in one of a variety of aircraft that are owned by our Young Eagle Pilots. Must pre-register and slots fill quickly.
Breakfast will be served from 8 am to 10 am and is $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for children under age 18. Breakfast includes all the pancakes and eggs one can eat, a helping of sausage, orange juice, coffee and bottled water. Cash or credit accepted. No reservation for breakfast is required, and it is open to the public.
The Great Egg Race at LifeChurch Carson City
Happening from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There will be individualized time slots for ages 0 – 18 years to gather over 16,000 candy and prize-stuffed eggs on the green, grassy field of LifeChurch Carson. When not racing for eggs, enjoy inflatable bounce houses, refreshments like donuts and popcorn, face painting, crafts, pictures with the Easter bunny, door prizes, animals and more! There is also a special Miracles time slot in the egg race so those with special needs can participate safely.
Recurring:
Chess Club for all ages at the Carson City Library
Stop by and play chess, or learn to play chess, at the Carson City Library every Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. All skill levels are welcome.
Outside Carson City:
Father-Daughter Day & Dance at Piper’s Opera House
Fathers – take your daughters on a journey to historic Virginia City for an event like no other. Don your finery as your daughters dress like Victorian princesses for our 11th Father-Daughter Day & Dance.
Want to make it a full day event? We’ve got you covered! Our all-inclusive package includes a day chock-full of fun both dads and daughters will enjoy including delicious, hand-made fudge, a custom corsage, old-time photos, lunch and more. This day will create an unforgettable experience for dads and daughters and end with a charming dance at the historic Piper’s Opera House, a perfect location for lasting memories.
Our Father-Daughter Day All-Inclusive package is a full day of daddy-daughter fun. Enjoy the town with lunch at a historic Virginia City restaurant, handmade fudge and a commemorative old-time photo before dancing at the storied Piper’s Opera House with a custom corsage, souvenir photo at the dance, hot cocoa or coffee and snacks.
Three dance times ensure you and your date have plenty of time to take in all the fun of the day. Dance times are 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Make a weekend of it! Plan ahead and book a room in town before lodging options sell out.
Hands ON! Second Saturday at Nevada Museum of Art in Reno
Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation Hands ON! Second Saturdays offers monthly free admission, hands-on art activities, storytelling, a docent-guided tour, live performances, and community collaborations. “Art Investigators” provides children the opportunity to engage with Museum staff and take a closer look at current work on view. New exhibitions, community collaborations, guest performances and monthly themes rotate in this engaging series of monthly programs.
10 am – 6 pm | Free Admission for all Visitors
10 am – 4 pm | Hands-on Art Projects
10:30 am & 1 pm | Art Expeditions with Bonnie
11 am | Public Tour (adult focus)
11 am & 12:30 pm | Storytelling
2 pm & 3 pm | Storytelling
Title sponsorship for Hands ON! Second Saturdays is provided by the Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation.
Sunday, April 13
Inaugural Family STEAM Sunday at the Nevada State Railroad Museum
Join in every Sunday for science and art programming at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Family STEAM Sundays is included with Museum Admission: Adults 18 and over are $10 and children ages 17 and under are free. Members are always free!
Recurring:
Minden Board Game Group – Carson Branch
Carson City Library in the Digitorium Sundays from noon to 3:30 p.m. All ages welcome, no registration required!
Did we miss any? Send any family-friendly event information to krisha@carsonnow.org and be sure to add to our calendar here!
