Patch Parents: Best Things To Do With Kids In April In California

CALIFORNIA — Spring is in full swing! There are plenty of family-friendly things to do this season in the Golden State.

From the largest cherry blossom festival on the West Coast to a festival for California's state flower, a variety of events celebrating spring are scheduled throughout the state. Of course, there are plenty of other activities, events and more for all ages, including Disney On Ice shows and experiences at the zoo.

Here are some of the best things to do with kids in April in California.

Northern California

Celebrate the planet at the zoo. The Oakland Zoo's Earth Day celebration is scheduled April 19. The event will have booths featuring the zoo's conservation partners and local environmental organizations, musical performances, activities, crafts and more.

Celebrate spring in the garden. Bring your wild things to the California Academy of Science in San Francisco through April 28 for Riveropolis, Bugtopia, and a bouquet of other programs that aim to connect families to the beauty, wonder and whimsy of the natural world.

Experience the largest cherry blossom festival on the West Coast. The 58th annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival will take place April 12-13 and April 19-20 at Japantown Peace Plaza in San Francisco. The event celebrates the blooming of the cherry blossoms and Japanese and Japanese American culture.

Find your new favorite meal. San Francisco Restaurant Week is set for April 4-13 at participating restaurants. Celebrate the flavors of San Francisco's unique and diverse neighborhoods through special prix-fixe menus.

Visit a national park. National parks will waive entrance fees for everyone on April 19 in celebration of the first day of National Park Week. It's one of several fee-free days this year.

Central California

Eat deep-fried asparagus. The San Joaquin Asparagus Festival is slated April 11-13 at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton. The festival will feature asparagus treats like deep-fried asparagus and asparagus ice cream, as well as cooking demos, rides and games, a petting zoo, live music, train rides and more.

Have a party at the zoo. Celebrate California's amazing biodiversity and learn about wildlife conservation during Party for the Planet April 26 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. The event will feature educational activities, community resources, food trucks and entertainment.

The rodeo is coming to town. Clovis Rodeo takes place April 23-27. The rodeo event and community festival features concert and kid activities, including mutton bustin' and a special kids rodeo.

Visit a national park. National parks will waive entrance fees for everyone on April 19 in celebration of the first day of National Park Week. It's one of several fee-free days this year.

Southern California

Celebrate California's state flower. The California Poppy Festival will take place April 25-27 at the AV Fair & Event Center in Lancaster. The event will honor the beauty of the poppy with amusement park rides, festival food, live animal exhibits, live entertainment and more.

Experience the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown under the Big Top. Circus Vargas is in Southern California. The circus will stop through April 7 in San Diego's Mission Valley, April 11-28 at Promenade Temecula in Temecula, May 2-12 in San Clemente, and May 16 through June 9 in Buena Park.

Get outside and play. The 26th annual Annabelle Godwin Family Play Day is April 12 at Woodley Park in Van Nuys. The free community event features games, face painting, interactive activities, a reptile exhibit, obstacle courses and more.

Indulge in all things boysenberry. The Knott's Boysenberry Festival runs through April 27 at Knott's Berry Farm. The Buena Park theme park's annual food and wine festival celebrates the park's historic roots by highlighting the little berry that started it all, the boysenberry.

Walk through a rainbow of color. The hillside of Carlsbad is alive with colorful blooms at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. The ranch features 55 acres of giant tecolote ranunculus, a flower known for its large, double-petaled blooms. The season runs through Mother's Day on May 11.

See the largest tented flower show in the U.S. The 103rd annual Coronado Flower Show is set to take place April 12-13. According to event organizers, the event is the largest tented flower show in the country and Coronado's longest running tradition, which includes an array of events leading up to and throughout the two-day festival.

See your favorite Disney friends. Disney on Ice Presents Into the Magic is coming to San Diego, Ontario and Long Beach. Take a magical journey withDisney's Moana, Frozen, Coco and other beloved Disney characters April 10-13 at Pechanga Arena San Diego, April 17-20 at Long Beach Arena, and April 24-27 at Toyota Arena.

Visit a national park. National parks will waive entrance fees for everyone on April 19 in celebration of the first day of National Park Week. It's one of several fee-free days this year.

Visit the Easter Bunny on Sesame Street: Sesame Place San Diego is celebrating Easter through April 20 during Elmo's Eggstravaganza. The event features an Easter egg scavenger hunt, Easter-themed dance party, storytime, golden egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny and pictures with Sesame Street friends dressed in their Easter best.

Patch Parents is written by Patch Editor Kristina Houck, a mom of three boys. Have a story idea? Email kristina.houck@patch.com.