All events were scheduled at the time of posting. Please confirm with event hosts before making plans.
Sarah's Family Friendly Event Picks
May
11
Cylburn Market Day. A free, family friendly, public festival. Enjoy nursery booths brimming with flowers, artisan booths selling handmade goods, and a kids corner full of activities for the little ones. Add food trucks, a stilt walker, and face painting to the equation and there is something for everyone. Event is rain or shine. FREE admission; parking is $10 within the park. 8AM-2PM. Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore. https://cylburn.org/programs-events/market-day/
Boards and Breakfast. Free skate lessons for kids under 12 from pro skater Joey Jett and friends. FREE. 9AM-11AM. Rash Field, 201 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/events-calendar/boards-and-breakfast-1
Shake Out Your Sillies. Shake out your sillies with song, nursery rhymes, puppet shows, instruments, and, of course, a dance party! Each class begins with a breathing exercise before transitioning into music and movement activities. Taught by Eliza Adams, a Maryland preschool teacher and musician, this class is designed for children 5 and under. Caretakers are welcome to join or watch! $15 per class; $12 Members; $55 5-Class Flex Pass; $5 Addl Sibling. 10AM-11AM. Creative Alliance Creativity Center, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/shake-out-your-sillies-spring-2024/2024-05-11/
Big Truck Day. Stop by the Public Works Museum for the 3rd Annual Public Works Celebration and Big Truck Day. Enjoy educational activities, giveaways and big trucks galore that kids of all ages can climb aboard and explore! No ticket required. FREE. 10AM-4PM. Public Works Experience, 751 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/events-calendar/big-truck-day
Monkton Music Festival. Join Puh’tok in the Pines (Camp Puh’tok) as they present the 2nd Annual Monkton Music Festival. This all-day music fest will take place amongst the pines at Camp Puh’tok and features nine amazing bands on two stages, food and beverage trucks, and artisan village. Bands/artists include Kelly Bell Band, Caleb Stine & the Brakemen and many more! Festival proceeds support school-year and summer camp scholarship programs for communities in need, and Living Classrooms’ Ascend Through Music afterschool music programs for Baltimore City Schools. $60 General Admission; $20 for Children ages 6-15; FREE for Children under 5. 12PM-8PM (gates open at 11AM). Puh'tok in the Pines, 17433 Big Falls Rd., Monkton. https://www.camppuhtok.com/monkton-music-fest
12
Mother's Day Special: The Kissing Hand at Irvine Nature Center. On this Mother’s Day, celebrate your love of nature together at Irvine. Gather for an easy nature hike to explore and collect natural materials, where you will stop along the way for a reading of the Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. Then each mom, grandma, or motherly figure and their child will work together to create clay hearts, decorated with their nature finds, to represent their love. Advance registration encouraged. $10/Child, accompanying adults are free. 1:30PM-3PM. Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills. https://www.explorenature.org/event/mothers-day-special-the-kissing-hand/
16
BARCS Night at Bengies. Bengies is holding a special night to support BARCS. Bengies is one of the few places where you can bring your pet to watch a movie. You are invited to join Bengies with your furry friend to support the fantastic work that BARCS does. Almost all of the ticket sales from this night will be donated to BARCS. Bengies has an exciting evening planned featuring the family-friendly movie “SCOOBY-DOO” (2002) PG. with fun and exciting activities leading up to the show, such as: Scooby-Doo costume contest, Scooby-Doo collar craft, Red-Carpet selfie station, Doggie Treat vendors Good Goods for Dogs/ Kara's K-9 Waffle Treats/ Droolin Dog, Art for Paws - Artwork donated by children to help raise money for BARCS. The box office opens at 7PM, and the movie "SCOOBY-DOO" will start at 8:30 PM. Please arrive early to take part in the pre-show activities. The box office closes at 9PM. $12.50 Adults; $7 Children ages 4-10; FREE for Children under 4. 7PM. Bengies Drive-In Theatre, 3417 Eastern Blvd., Middle River. https://bengies.ticketspice.com/barcs
18
Shake Out Your Sillies. Shake out your sillies with song, nursery rhymes, puppet shows, instruments, and, of course, a dance party! Each class begins with a breathing exercise before transitioning into music and movement activities. Taught by Eliza Adams, a Maryland preschool teacher and musician, this class is designed for children 5 and under. Caretakers are welcome to join or watch! $15 per class; $12 Members; $55 5-Class Flex Pass; $5 Addl Sibling. 10AM-11AM. Creative Alliance Creativity Center, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/shake-out-your-sillies-spring-2024/2024-05-18/
Wildlife Gardening –Name that Tree Walk with TreeBaltimore. Learn about the plants and trees growing in the Inner Harbor’s newest park: Rash Field! Are you looking to plant our City's future? 12” tall yard trees will be available on-site for adoption. For a list of species and to reserve your tree, please go here: https://www.treebaltimore.org/shop. FREE admission. 10AM-1PM. Rash Field Park, 201 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/events-calendar/39hdbj948opwido6oc2t58k9if3rcn
Farmtography with Spoons & Stories: Mothers & Music. A day of Food Photography, Environmental Justice, Southern Cooking & Storytelling! Your hosts: Farmer Nell of City Weeds & Dr. Rica Wilson of Brown Girl Wellness. The day starts with Farmer Nell and the art of Farmtography—head into Patterson Park for a unique blend of photography and environmental appreciation. Hear about urban gardening and its role in combating food deserts within Baltimore’s communities. Then experience a flavorful odyssey with Brown Girl Wellness. Dr. Rica Wilson hosts the enchanting Gullah ‘Ouse edition of Spoons & Stories, where your taste buds will dance to the rhythm of traditional southern fare, each bite weaving a tale as rich as its flavors. A meal is provided! Sumptuous dishes meet heartfelt stories of southern charm and authenticity. To sweeten the day’s adventure, enjoy a refreshing farm-fresh smoothie crafted by Farmer Nell! Don’t miss out on the fun—and nourish your body, mind, and soul! $40; $35 Members; $20 Children. 11AM-2:30PM. Creative Alliance Creativity Center, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/farmtography-w-spoons-stories-mothers-music/
Strawberry Festival. Enjoy live music, delicious food, tasty drink options and various artists from the local and surrounding areas during Boxwood Farms annual Strawberry Festival. During the event visit the strawberry field for U-pick! An opportunity to pick your own berries with friends and family! Berries are extremely fresh, juicy and flavorful. Please bring cash and be prepared for excitement! This is a local family farm with an outdoor play area, picnic tables and great atmosphere to spend the day. $5 entry for anyone over the age of 10; FREE for children under 10.11AM-3PM. Boxwood Farms, 704 Shucks Rd., Bel Air. https://www.facebook.com/events/1181503256359007
Whiskey on the Waterfront. Whiskey on the Waterfront is back! Head to Sagamore's waterfront distillery for live music, food trucks, and delicious whiskey cocktails. Enjoy live music by Jerry Wade and the Smokin’ Jays from 1PM-5PM. Sip craft cocktails in Nineteen O' Nine all day. Local vendors featuring B’More Greek, Urban Oyster, Mexican on the Run, Boordy Vineyards and Palo Santos Popsicles. All guests 21 and older will need to present a valid ID to receive a wristband to drink on campus. This outdoor event occurs the third Saturday of each month, May through October, weather permitting. Whiskey on the Waterfront is free and family friendly. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for the waterfront lawn. A limited number of picnic tables and Adirondack chairs are available. No outside alcohol or coolers are permitted. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. FREE admission. 12PM-6PM. Sagamore Spirit Distillery, 301 E Cromwell St., Baltimore. https://sagamorespirit.com/whiskey-on-the-waterfront/
Painted Screens: A Baltimore Folk Art Family Workshop. Painted screens are a unique Baltimore folk art. This workshop will include a short film on the history of the painted screen and early painted screen artists and a demonstration of the painted screen technique. Paint a small screen to take home with you based on provided designs or create your own! $15; $12 Members. 1PM-2:30PM. Creative Alliance Creativity Center, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/painted-screens-a-baltimore-folk-art-family-workshop/
19
Bring Back Sunday Dinner: O Boy! Join Y.M.U. Yummy U! in partnership with the Creative Alliance for an afternoon of food, fellowship and community dining. In each session, Doc. J will lead cooking demonstrations showcasing a featured ingredient or theme and collaborate with participants to create a full community meal. Learn, cook, and break bread together in this cooking experience that brings back Sunday dinners! $50; $45 Members. 3:30PM-5:30PM. Creative Alliance Creativity Center, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/bring-back-sunday-dinner-o-boy/
23-26
Greek Food, Wine and Cultural Festival. 52nd annual Greek Festival! Join in all of the fun on Memorial Weekend! Lots of delicious Greek food, cocktails, dancing, vendors and exhibits. OPA! FREE admission. 5PM-9PM Friday, 11AM-9PM Saturday, 11AM-9PM Sunday. Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 24 W Preston St., Baltimore. https://annunciationbaltimore.org/Festival