There's lots of fun on tap this weekend, including early Easter celebrations and a birthday party for Samson, the Maryland Zoo's baby elephant. Find more events at our FindLocal events database:
Thursday, March 18:
Fun Food Fest: Teens ages 11-17 make and share food at 2:30 p.m. at the Landsdowne Library. Registration required.
Urban Pirates: Songs, games, stories and treasure for buccaneers ages 2-5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hereford Library.
Maryland Technology Honor Society Elementary Spring Fair: Children ages 5 - 11 can increase their technological awareness through fun, interactive projects organized by the MTHS members at River Hill High School from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Previous projects have included learning how a guitar works and making homemade ice cream. Refreshments will be provided.
Friday, March 19:
Fridays After Five: Fridays through March 26, museum admission to the Maryland Science Center is $8, which includes exhibit halls, planetarium, and IMAX Theater. Touring exhibits are excluded.
Saturday, March 20:
Karma Dogs: The special reading dogs will be at the Woodlawn Library at 11 a.m. and at the North Point Library at 1 p.m. Shy readers share stories with a nonjudgmental and attentive four-footed listener from the H.E.A.R.T.S. program. For school-age children.
Captain Louie: Children's Playhouse of Maryland presents the family musical, which is an adaptation of the kids book "The Trip" by Ezra Jack Keats, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Community College of Baltimore County, Essex Campus.
Drop-in Art Activities: In Shining Armor: Explore protective medieval gear at the Walters Art Museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Milkshake performs: The Grammy-nominated kids' band performs at 2 p.m. at the Hereford Branch Library.
Samson's 2nd Birthday Bash: Come and celebrate Samson the elephant's 2nd birthday at the Maryland Zoo. At 11:30 am, Samson and Felix will receive their own elephant-friendly birthday cakes. Sing "Happy Birthday" to Samson as he devours his treat. Tuffy, Anna, and Dolly will also receive their own birthday cakes, too.
"The Frog Prince": Pumpkin Theatre debuts its children's show about a prince who's turned into a frog ... but makes the best of the situation. Shows at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny: Enjoy pancakes, eggs, sausage and drinks, plus Easter crafts and photo with the Easter bunny (bring your own camera) at the United Methodist Church of Savage from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Sunday, March 21:
Family glassblowing day: Watch a free glassblowing demonstration and visit the gallery at McFadden Art Glass from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Kids 5 and older can make their own glass art flower, ornament, pendant or paperweight. Reservations needed.
Homewood Family Day: A Ride to the Past: Johns Hopkins University's Homewood Museum's traditional wine cellar will take on the ambience of a 19th century tavern. A half-day of educational fun is presented in conjunction with the museum's focus show, "On the Road: Travel and Transportation in Early Maryland," exploring how people and goods traveled at the turn of the 19th century. Hear lively tunes played by David K. Hildebrand of the Colonial Music Institute. Dominoes, checkers, and whist will be taught, and visitors can peruse local newspapers and maps of the period. Light snacks and drinks fashionable in early Maryland will be available to sample. Horse-drawn carriage rides will operate every 20 minutes from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., departing from the museum and journeying around the university's Keyser Quadrangle. Tavern activities free with museum admission. Carriage rides: $10 adults, $5 children (includes museum admission).
ArtFest: Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts holds free demonstrations and performances by the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra and more. Family-friendly festival also includes a community mural, scavenger hunts and Maryland trivia.
(Photo courtesy of the Maryland Zoo)