Spring is finally here! This season is perhaps the one thing anticipated more than Christmas by children and parents alike. Not only are animals and flowers emerging from a long winter hibernation, but so are we. And after feeling cooped up indoors for several months, the many springtime activities in our area are sure to lift your mood. From awesome shows like Blue Man Group and “The Greatest Show on Earth” itself, to Easter activities, to fantastic outdoor events- the highlight of which is the pride of D.C., the Cherry Blossom Festival- fun is literally springing up everywhere in the District. Here are highlights of some of the great events going on in the month of April.

March 26-April 10: National Cherry Blossom Festival®

Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates spring in Washington, D.C., the gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. The Festival produces and coordinates 16 days and 3 spectacular weekends of festivities, primarily free and open to the public. www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

April 1-3, 8-10: Bloomin' Jr. Ranger Activity Tent

10:30am-5pm. Jefferson Memorial parking lot (map). FREE. Children, ages 6-12, join park rangers at the Bloomin’ Junior Ranger Tent for hands-on activities. Children present at 3pm will be offered a special one-hour educational program. www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

April 1-3: Blue Man Group

Warner Theatre. 513 13th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 800.551.7328. http://www.warnertheatre.com. Ages: 4 & up. Fri 8pm; Sat 1pm, 5pm & 9pm; Sun 1pm & 9pm.

Cost: $32-$92. Part comedy, part performance art, and part wacky science experiment, accompanied by a percussion driven soundtrack, Blue Man Group is fun for all ages.

April 1-3: Annie by the Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre

Carl Sandburg Middle School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. 703.360.0686. http://www.mvcct.org. Ages: 4 & up. Fri-Sat 7:30pm; Sun 3pm. Cost: Adults $10; Students $8.

Based upon the popular comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," this musical has won the hearts of children and adults alike. The cast and crew plan to celebrate the theme of Annie with an outreach collection for the Orphan Foundation of America. Collection boxes for items such as pre-packaged snacks, gift cards, hygiene items, and dorm or school supplies, will be available at each performance. Purchase tickets in advance or at the door.

April 2: National Cherry Blossom Festival® Fireworks Show

All ages. Free. See the spectacular Festival fireworks show on the Washington Channel. Fireworks start at 8:30pm. Best viewing at Southwest Waterfront promenade or East Potomac Park. Before the show, starting at 1:00pm, enjoy live music, family- and kid-friendly water-related activities, and food and beverages.

April 2: April Fool’s Day

National Children's Museum. 11am-4pm. 112 Waterfront Street, Oxon Hill, MD. 202.675.4120. http://www.ncm.museum. All ages. Free. Kids learn jokes and funny magic tricks, play silly games, and hear about April Fool's Day all across the world.

April 9: National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade®

Cost: $17/person for Grandstand Seating; FREE along Parade route. 10am-12pm.

Attend one of Washington’s most exciting springtime traditions. Rain or shine. This year's parade features guest stars, local bands, character balloons, taiko drummers, floats, horses, antique cars, and dance groups.

April 9: Earth Day Family Celebration at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

All Ages. 11:30am-3pm. Free. Families learn how to turn their trash into artwork they'll treasure, as artist David Edgar shows them how to make fantastic creatures out of yogurt cartons and musician Billy B. is on stage to help rock the planet.

April 9: Parents’ Night Out - Kids’ Night at the Museum

Heritage Farm Museum. 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, VA. 571.258.3800. http://www.loudounfarmmuseum.org. Ages: 3-12. 6pm-9pm. Cost: $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional sibling. Parents can drop their kids off for dinner and supervised play while they enjoy a break. Activities include a pizza dinner and dessert, crafts, stories, and playtime in the hands-on children's exhibits. Advance registration is required.

April 9-10: Lego Master in Action

National Building Museum. 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC. 202.272.2448. http://www.nbm.org. All Ages. Sat 11am-4pm; Sun 12n-4pm. Cost: $5; Children (under 4) free.

Observe LEGO-certified professional Adam Reed Tucker as he returns to the exhibition LEGO Architecture: Towering Ambition to complete his newest architectural triumph, the White House, for all to see. He is one of only 11 LEGO certified professionals in the world.

April 9-10: Marshmallow Harvest & Egg Hunt

Great Country Farms. 8780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA. 540.554.2073. http://www.greatcountryfarms.com. All Ages. 10am-5pm. Adults $10; Children $8. Children can harvest some marshmallows to roast on the bonfire, ride in the Cow Train, visit the spring chicks and other baby animals, take a hayride, and join in an Easter egg hunt. Hunt times are 1pm (age 3 and under), 1:30pm (ages 4-6), and 2pm (ages 7-10).

April 14-24: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Patriot Center. 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax, VA. 703.993.3000. http://www.ringling.com.

Ages: 3 & up. Tue-Thu 7pm; Fri 1pm & 7:30pm; Sat 11:30am, 3:30pm, & 7:30pm; Sun 1pm & 5pm. Cost: $7-$110. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is back in town with Funundrum. Ticket-holders can stop at the All Access Pre-show one hour before show time to learn circus skills, meet performers, and get an up-close look at the animal stars.

April 16: Egg Hunt

Crumland Farms. 7612 Willow Road, Frederick, MD. 240.566.5653. http://www.tots2tweens.com.

Ages: 12 & under. 11am-2pm. Free. Kids hunt for empty, plastic eggs placed in the back hunting area and take them to the "Egg Redemption" booth for a goody bag. If they find a specially painted egg, they get an extra prize. There are also moon bounces, photos with the Bunny, lots of great vendors, and to celebrate upcoming Mother's Day, the first 250 moms through the gates get a purse as a gift. Hosted by Tots2Tweens.

April 16: Chicken and the Egg

Accokeek Foundation. 3400 Bryan Point Road, Accokeek, MD. 301.283.2113. http://www.accokeek.org. All Ages. 10am-11:30am or 12:30pm-2pm. Cost: $7-$10. Children enjoy a tour of the barnyard as they learn about heritage breed chickens and enjoy hands-on interaction with chicks, plus use natural dyes to dye eggs. Advance registration is required; space is limited.

April 16: Family Day: Explore the Universe

National Air and Space Museum. 6th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC.

202.633.1000. http://www.nasm.si.edu. All Ages. 10am-3pm. Free. Families are invited to learn how astronomers around the world, both past and present, talk about what they see in the sky; look up and see the wonders of the sky during the day using special filters; and make their own telescopes to bring home for exploring the sky at night.

April 16-17: Imagination Movers Live!

Weinberg Center for the Arts. 20 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD. 301.600.2828. http://www.weinbergcenter.org. Ages: 3-8. Sat 2pm & 5pm; Sun 1pm & 4pm. Cost: $22.50-$37.50. The Imagination Movers - stars of the hit Playhouse Disney TV show - bring their In a Big Warehouse tour to town.

April 16-May 1: Bunnyland

Butler's Orchard. 22200 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, MD. 301.972.3299. http://www.butlersorchard.com. All ages. Time: 9am-3pm; Closed 4/18-20, 4/24, 4/26-4/29. Cost: Adults $6; Children $8. Enjoy a hayride down the Bunny Trail; bring a basket to hunt for colorful eggs (and get a goodie basket to take home); visit with the farm's very own Country Bunny; ride pedal tractors, hop around on inflatables, and play in the Kiddie Hayromp and Castle; and see live bunnies, lambs, and chicks. Plus food, drinks, face painting, crafts, and more.

April 23: Eggstravaganza at Tudor Place

Tudor Place Historic House and Garden. 1644 31st Street, NW, Washington, DC. 202.965.0400.

http://www.tudorplace.org. Ages: 2 & up. 10am-12n. Cost: Adults $3; Children $7-$10. Children can enjoy the largest Egg Hunt in DC and a thrilling Egg Roll Contest. After the games, spend the afternoon decorating festive eggs and building a spring basket. Visitors can also enjoy a self-guided tour of Tudor Place's five-and-a-half acres of gardens. The Egg Hunt begins at 10:30am and the Egg Roll follows at 10:45am. Bring your own basket, spoon, and one hard-boiled egg per person. Purchase tickets in advance.

April 30: Happy 2nd Birthday, Launch Zone!

National Children's Museum. 112 Waterfront Street, Oxon Hill, MD. 202.675.4120. http://www.ncm.museum. All Ages. 11am-4pm. Free. Kids are invited to a festive birthday celebration filled with hands-on art projects, special guests, giveaways, and tons of engaging family fun.

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