Free events for kids during spring break

Spring break is the week of March 28 for many schools, including Fayette County, and if you’re wondering whether you should stay here or head out of town, we have some answers.

We’ve gathered a selection of some of the free spring break activities that will make staying at home a treat for you and your children.

The Arboretum at 500 Alumni Drive kicks off a monthlong Party for the Planet, 2 to 5 p.m. March 29. The free event will feature exhibits and information geared toward children and families, highlighting the history of Kentucky.

Admission to the grounds at The Arboretum is free every day. It features acre after acre of landscapes showcasing Kentucky. Admission to the Kentucky Children’s Garden is $3, or $10 a day for a family of as many as five people. Call 859-257-6955 or go to Arboretum.ca.uky.edu.

The Fayette County Public Library offers loads of free events throughout the year, and spring break includes special offerings. The Tates Creek Branch at 3628 Walden Drive will host a kid-friendly spring break movie matinee starting at 2 p.m. March 29. The featured film will be the hit animated Disney movie Up.

Other free events include “What a Disaster!,” 4 p.m. March 30 at the Beaumont Branch, 3080 Fieldstone Way. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade will learn about the Titanic through activities, games and puzzles. Registration is required.

For information or to register for library events, call 859-231-5500 or go to Lexpublib.org.

Lexington’s public parks are a great way to head outside this spring. Many of them offer free events for spring break and throughout the year.

Raven Run nature sanctuary features more than 700 acres along the Kentucky palisades in Fayette County at 3885 Raven Run Way. Admission to the grounds is free, with a variety of trails for all ages.

For spring break, Raven Run will offer special free events for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

“Wonderful Wildlife,” 10 a.m. to noon March 28, will focus on Kentucky wildlife.

“Birds, Birds, Birds,” 10 a.m. to noon March 30, will discuss the variety of birds found in the fields and trails of the sanctuary.

“Creek Creatures,” 10 a.m. to noon April 1, will explore critters found in creeks. To register or for more information, call 859-272-6105 or go to Ravenrun.org.

McConnell Springs at 416 Rebmann Lane is another Fayette County park that offers events throughout the year, including these special spring break activities.

“Weather,” from 10 a.m. to noon March 29, will teach kids about the elements, the effects of weather and how to become a weather tracker at home. Call the park to register.

Kids can get their hands dirty at “Grossology,” while they learn about the gross things creatures do that are important for their survival. It’s 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 31. Call the park to register.

To register for these events, call 859-225-4073. For more information, go to McConnellsprings.org.

Did you know that admission to the University of Kentucky Art Museum at 405 Rose Street is free? Current exhibits include Open House: Selections from the Sue and John Wieland Collection and Bill Adams: Blue Madness. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Mondays and university holidays. Call 859.257.5716 or go to Finearts.uky.edu/art-museum.

For more free spring break listings, go to Calendar.kentucky.com

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 10:46 AM with the headline "Free events for kids during spring break."