Spring break activities around Reno for children and families include fun at the library, snow play, skiing, camps, basketball, baseball, movies, and more. According to the "Washoe County School District Calendar," spring break 2013 is April 8 through 12. Of course, there are also two weekends wrapped around spring break week.
"Creatures" at the Wilbur D. May Center
"Creatures" is a family exhibit at the Wilbur D. May Center in Reno's Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. Bring your children for a visit with dinosaurs, ice age mammals, and widely rumored legends like Bigfoot and Yeti. There are full-size animatronics critters, including a wooly mammoth, saber-toothed tiger, dinosaurs, and sea monsters. The exhibit runs through June 2, 2013. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for children under 18 and seniors 62 and over. For additional information, call Washoe County Parks at (775) 823-6500.
Activities for Kids and Families at the Washoe County Library
Find fun activities at your local library branch during spring break, April 8 - 12. The Washoe County Library System offers many free events, activities, and presentations. Children of all ages, families, and adults will find something of interest at every library branch in Washoe County.
April at the Nevada Museum of Art
The Nevada Museum of Art in Reno hosts a wide variety of events and activities each month. There are things to do and see for families and children, as well as cultural and art events designed for adults. April 13 is hands/ON! on 2nd Saturdays, the special day each month featuring free family activities and free admission for everyone.
Spring Break Camp at Galena Creek Visitor Center
Spring Break Camp at Galena Creek Visitor Center is from April 8 through 12. Activities are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and the cost is $195 per camper (sibling discounts available). This nature-oriented camp is designed for kids ages 8 to 12. Make a reservation online or call (775) 849-4948.
VSA Nevada Spring Break Art Camps
Kids can register for either morning or afternoon sessions at the VSA Spring Break Art Camps. Mornings are from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and afternoons are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. VSA Nevada is located in the Lake Mansion, 250 Court Street in Reno. You can register online for either session. For more information, call (775) 826-6100.
Reno Aces Baseball Home Opener
Nothing says spring like baseball. The Reno Aces season opening game is will be at Aces Ballpark on Friday, April 12, 2013, against the Sacramento River Cats. There will be three home games through the weekend and into spring break week. Each game will have a special promotion for fans to enjoy, including fireworks after the game on Friday. This is a great family activity, doesn't require much driving, and is inexpensive entertainment everyone will enjoy. General admission tickets start at just $7.
Spring Holiday Adventures with the City of Reno
The City of Reno Parks and Recreation Department is presenting Spring Holiday Adventures for kids ages 6 to 14. These camps will be April 8 through April 12, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Activities will include sports, field trips, and arts and crafts. The fee is $100 for the week. There are two Reno locations - Neil Road Recreation Center, 325 Neil Road, and Plumas Park and Gym, 475 Monroe Street. For more information, call (775) 334-2262. Scholarships available.
Spring Break at The Discovery
The Discovery Museum in Reno is hosting a set of spring break camps. These camps are popular and the number of kids is limited, so sign up as soon as you can to ensure your child a spot. Online registration is available at the Camp Discovery web page. The information phone number is (775) 398-5946. Each camp goes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. all five days of spring break. The cost is $200 for members, $225 for non-members. There are camps for different age groups, from 1st through 7th grade. Before and after care for the week is available for an additional $50.
Spring Vacation Fun with Sparks Parks and Rec
Spring Vacation Fun is a Kids Out-Of-School program offered by Sparks Parks and Rec. The program is from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. the week of spring break (April 8 - 12). It includes organized games, arts and crafts, and field trips. Register at the Sparks Recreation Office, 98 Richards Way. The cost for the week is $144 regular, $120 for Sparks residents. On a daily drop-in basis, it's $43 and $36 respectively. For more information, call (775) 353-2376.
National Boys & Girls Club Week
The Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows is celebrating from April 8 through 12, 2013. The week features fun-filled, themed events each day, highlighted by "Boys & Girls Nite Out" on Wednesday, April 10. Kids will enjoy a carnival atmosphere at the Donald W. Reynolds facility at 2680 E. Ninth Street in Reno, where hundreds of children are paired with adult volunteers from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To volunteer for the Boys & Girls Nite Out, contact Volunteer Coordinator Anne Studebaker (astudebaker@bgctm.org) or call (775)331-5437 x209.
Visit the Boys & Girls Club website for more information about spring break activities at various locations around the Reno area.
Spectacular Spring Break at Ginny's Child Garden
This camp is for kids preK through 1st grade. The week will include field trips and special activities, daily from 6:45 a.m. until 6 p.m. Cooking and chocolate are the themes of this Spectacular Spring Break. The cost is $155 for the week and includes morning and afternoon snack. Hot lunches are available for purchase. Sibling discount is available. Ginny's Child Garden is located at 565 Reactor Way in Reno. For information and to register, call (775) 856-0033.
Reno Bighorns Basketball
The last two games of the season for the Reno Bighorns will be at the Reno Events Center on April 5 and 6, both starting at 7 p.m. Bighorns games are always fun and inexpensive family entertainment, making this a good way to begin your spring break activities.
Fun at the Fleischmann Planetarium
The Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center offers very cool movies and star shows projected on its dome theater screen. Everyone in the family will enjoy these, and the price is right - $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors 60 and over, and free for members. Outside the theater, admission to all the exhibits and art displays is free. The Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center is at the north end of the UNR campus at 1650 N. Virginia St. in Reno. There is free parking for Planetarium visitors.
Go to the Movies
The Reno metro area offers four multi-screen theaters, a low-cost cinema at the Grand Sierra Resort, feature films and star shows at the Fleischmann Planetarium, and in Sparks, one of the few real-live drive-in theaters still showing movies in America.
Snow Play Areas
If there is enough snow (and there frequently is), local snow play areas are in great shape for spring break tubing and sledding. The weather is forecast to be cooperative, making this spring break week a fine time to take the family on a snow play outing. If you venture over into California, be sure to have a SNO-PARK permit at areas requiring one.
Spring Skiing at Lake Tahoe Resorts
Skiing around Lake Tahoe should be decent during spring break. We have a much better snow pack than last year, helping give Lake Tahoe ski resorts a decent season. At this time of year, you'll find great deals on season passes for next winter. At less that 30 minutes drive, the closest resort to Reno is Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe.
