March promises to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. Experience all of the animals in between with your family's outings this month.
Big, Big Bugs
Through May 31
General Admission: $8/$3/Free (Adults/Children/Under 3 years)
Exhibit Admission: $2
Planetarium Admission: $3
Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl Street
grmuseum.org, (616) 456-3977
It sounds like a personal nightmare to me but your swarm may go buggy for the gigantic insects featured at Grand Rapids Public Museum's newest exhibit, Big, Big Bugs. Common Michigan crawlers such as the 20 feet long, 10 feet tall praying mantis, 30 times life-sized caterpillar, or a locust with a 21-foot wing span are displayed at uncommon proportions. Shrunk smaller than the animated creepers, people become the pests, skittering through the giant leaves and blades of grass to peek at giant bugs up close and personal.
Check out the bug family portraits when you enter the dirt-walled Bug House. Crawl through an Alice in Wonderland wormhole to witness fighting atlas beetles magnified 40 times their size to 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, but watch out for the giant aerosol can of human repellant. Schedule a session in the Bug Lab to examine the scientific side of a bug's life including topics like life cycles, adaptations, anatomy and insect jobs. The planetarium show "Crickets & Constellations" completes your insect itinerary.
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Animals Onstage Our four-legged (and eight-legged) friends invade children's theatre in March. Classic stories with non-human main characters are the trend this spring. The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck This musical Beatrix Potter interpretation is irresistibly adorable for children preschool to middle school. Charlotte's Web A play that eradicates arachnophobia has got to be good for all ages. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Your tween will thank you for saving his procrastinating butt on the book report due this month. |
Through June 6
$6.50, under 2 years free
Grand Rapids Children's Museum, 11 Sheldon Street
grcm.org, (616) 235-4726
Future veterinarians in your family get a chance to play their dream role at the Happy Animal Clinic. Performing exams and emergency medical attention to stuffed animal patients, studying animal X-rays, and providing animal grooming transforms your animal lover into an animal doctor. Hands-on fun includes animal scavenger hunts, feeding time at the kennel, creating pet puzzles and a special animal Make-it and Take-it activity. Competitive family? Pick a four-legged racer and cheer them on in the pet cross-country derby race. Plan your visit for March 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. to meet real sea creatures in Blue Fish Aquarium's touch tank.
Kalamazoo Reptile and Exotic Animal Show
March 13; 10a.m.-3p.m.
$4/$2/Free (Adults/Children/Under 6 years)
Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds
2900 Lake Street
kalamazooreptileshow.com, (269)779-9851
Does your family prefer slithery to four-legged and furry? Does your pet inspire company to cringe rather than cuddle? The Kalamazoo Reptile and Exotic Animal Show sounds like your kind of afternoon outing. Join fellow lizard lovers in this meeting of reptile, amphibian and exotic animal connoisseurs. Bring your own reptilian buddies to show off and trade, or come to meet massive constrictors, mellow tortoises or shifty-eyed iguanas for sale. Regardless of your motivation, the day is sure to fulfill your family's amphibian amore. The bad news: your kids will surely beg to take one of hundreds of scaly specimens home. The good news: a veterinarian exam from Milwood Animal Clinic comes free with any purchase.
John Ball Zoo Grand Re-Opening Celebration
March 6, 10a.m.-2p.m.
$3.50/$3/Free (Adults/Children/Under 3 years)
John Ball Zoo Administration Building, 1300 West Fulton, Grand Rapids
johnballzoosociety.org, (616) 336-4301
Just in time for your family's animal-themed adventures, John Ball Zoo's grand re-opening celebration is this month. Zoo staff is on-hand throughout the afternoon to reintroduce you to the zoo including new exhibits you can expect for the summer. Warm up your tootsies and your creativity at the kids' craft station in the aquarium.
