and opens on the Monday of spring break for special art entertainment, designed for kids ages 5–12, through that Thursday. Show up before the 11am or 2pm session led each day by artist Christopher Blay and focused on selected works in the Modern’s collection and the recently opened exhibition New Works by Ron Mueck. FREE 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth; 817/738-9215 themodern.org
SPRING FLING TRAIN RIDES
G R A P E V I N E V I N TA G E R A I L R OA D March 12–16 During the spring break week off school, Grapevine Vintage Railroad offers additional round-trip rides to the Fort Worth Stockyards with games and activities while aboard. Each trip includes two hours allowed for exploring the stockyards before the return ride. Claim your seats on Vinny, a 1953 diesel locomotive, for $26 for first class or $18 for touring class. $18 for kids’ engineer costume kit. 705 S. Main St., Grapevine; 817/410-3185 gvrr.com
EMPLOYEE CRAFTSMANSHIP DEMOS
B U R E AU O F E N G R AV I N G A N D P R I N T I N G FA C I L I T Y March 13–16 Meet the people responsible for printing America’s paper money when the staff at Fort Worth’s Western Currency Facility welcomes spenders and savers of all ages for crafts and live demonstrations. Take a tour on the elevated walkway above the production floor, see damaged notes reconstructed piece by piece and design your own currency to bring home. FREE 9000 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth; 817/231-4000 moneyfactory.gov/wcfspecialevents.html
THE GREAT INFLATABLE RACE
L O N E S TA R PA R K March 17 Love bounce houses? Level 36
AGENDA
up your game by climbing over, sliding down and plowing through 10 or so custom-designed inflatables spread throughout the running course. Admission is steep: $75, but proceeds benefit the nonprofit Trinity River Mission and kids 3 and younger run for free. $90 VIP ticket includes access to the Inflatable Village, a separate area with unlimited bouncing on additional inflatables. $15 for Inflatable Village only. 1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie; 781/786-8447 thegreatinflatablerace.com/ fortworth
3101 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth; 817/332-2272 casamanana.org
TWILIGHT COMMUNITY EGG HUNT
O A K G R O V E PA R K March 23 Come armed with your Easter basket and flashlights for this after-dark family party at the soccer field. Keep your eyes peeled for the brightly colored eggs during five egg hunts, divided by age group, and stay for the face painting, bounce houses and food vendors. FREE 1299 Oak Grove Loop North, Grapevine; 817/410-3450 gograpevine.com/easter
TENTS AND TALES CAMPOUT
FINDING NEVERLAND
BASS PERFORMANCE HA L L March 20–25 You and your littles have read Peter Pan. (Maybe not? No judgment.) Now discover the story behind the story in this Broadway touring musical about playwright J.M. Barrie who finds his inspiration in four imaginative boys and their widowed mother. The show runs long, 2.5 hours with one intermission, and is recommended for kids 7 and older. Tickets from $44. 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth; 817/212-4280 basshall.com
MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE
C AS A M A ÑA NA Opens March 23 If your family couldn’t get enough of the Madagascar films and its Penguins spinoffs, this new musical is for you. During a three-weekend run, see Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo bust out of the Central Park Zoo and into a pickle. Tickets from $17.
march 2018 / fortworthchild
RIVER LEGACY PA R K S March 23 Swap your cozy beds for sleeping bags and “rough it” for one night during this family campout from 4pm Friday to 8am Saturday. Pitch your tent and unplug for a sleeping bag story time, a singalong around the campfire, dinner and a screening of Despicable Me 3 under the stars. $10 per person. Register online. 701 NW Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington; 817/459-5474 naturallyfun.org
SOUTHLAKE’S EASTER IN THE PARK
N O R T H PA R K March 24 Prepare for grass stains and some friendly competition at this good old-fashioned egg hunt. The free-for-all begins at 9am, with hunts separated by age group to prevent too much competition. The petting zoo and inflatables remain open through noon, and photos with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny come with one free 4-by-6 print per family. FREE 200 E. Dove Road, Southlake; 817/748-8019 experiencesouthlaketexas.com
SHAMROCKIN’ PARTY
Revel in a bit o’ St. Paddy’s Day fun at these kid-friendly parades of Texas shenanigans and an art program that nods to one of Ireland’s most cherished symbols. COWTOWN GOES GREEN
S T O C K YA R D S S TAT I O N March 17 In our own Texas way, take part in “The Wearing of the Green” at Cowtown’s largest and most family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebration from noon–5pm. Cheer on entries in this Irish and Western-themed parade stepping off after the 4pm cattle drive. The energized day includes a Cow Camp for children, gunfight reenactments and live music. FREE // 130 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth; 817/625-9715 // stockyardsstation.com
ST. PADDY’S PICKLE PARADE AND PALOOZA
D O W N T O W N M A N S F I E L D March 16–17 Celebrate both St. Patrick’s Day and Mansfield’s own wellpreserved traditions when the Pickle Capital of Texas goes all out for its seventh annual festival. Watch the inaugural beer keg races on Friday night and multiple parades on Saturday, including the first-ever baby parade at 10am. Free festival admission. Pickle Run: $10 for fun run; $20 for 5K; and $25 for 10K. // Main and Broad streets, Mansfield; 817/988-0104 // pickleparade.org
WALKUP WORKSHOPS
S I N A C A S T U D I O S March 23 If the holiday festivities feel as fleeting as a rainbow, here’s one way to make them last. Show up for this glassblowing studio’s kid-friendly workshop to make a shamrock keepsake (or other shapes planned for that Friday night). Simply pick a color and then help manipulate the glass before an instructor finishes the piece. Space is first-come, first-served. $40 per person per item. // 1013 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth; 817/899-0024 // sinacastudios.org/youth-programing
THE LITTLE MERMAID
ARTISAN CENTER T H E AT E R Opens March 30 The Artisan tackles this Disney juggernaut on its Main Stage for the first time. Bring Ariel lovers old and young to see how the Broadway musical expands on the story from the movie and includes more songs from King Triton and Prince Eric. Tickets from $22 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger. 444 E. Pipeline Road, Hurst; 817/284-1200 artisanct.com
TEXAS-SIZED EASTER EGG HUNT
STO C K YA R D S S TAT ION March 31 Collect a basket full of Easter eggs like only Texans can: in the company of Texas longhorns at the Fort Worth Stockyards. See more of the longhorns during the Cow Camp and the day’s two cattle drives at 11:30am and 4pm. The egg hunt on the lawn begins at high noon, with Easter Bunny photos and pony rides continuing through 4pm. FREE 130 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth; 817/625-9715 stockyardsstation.com
F O R M O R E F A M I LY- F R I E N D LY F U N T H I S M O N T H , C H E C K O U R O N L I N E C A L E N DA R AT D F W C H I L D.CO M/C A L E N DA R.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAROL ROSEGG; ©ISTOCK.COM/GLOBALP/PPCAVALRY/TFORGO
kid culture / T H E