Thursday 22
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM BALTIMORE’S CHILD!
Friday 23
Black Friday Opt-Outside Hike
Try a less frenzied option for Black Friday and enjoy a hike along the Gunpowder River. Choose between a simple hike and a more challenging trail depending upon how full you still feel from Thanksgiving. Registration required. Ages 8 and up. Jerusalem Mill, 9-10:30 a.m., free, otterpointcreek.org
Thanksgiving Break Activities
Stop by for an extra day of creativity and inspiration with drop-in activities for budding artists. Try out new materials and create a masterpiece to take home. The Walters Art Museum, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free, thewalters.org
Festival of Trees
For three days, the Cow Palace at the Maryland State Fairgrounds turns into a winter wonderland for the East Coast’s largest holiday extravaganza. With more than 700 uniquely decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses, you can spend hours admiring the details and intricacies throughout. There’s lots of fun for the kids as well with entertainment, games, crafts, rides and even Breakfast with Santa (Sunday). Nov. 23 and 24 (10 a.m.-8 p.m.) and Nov. 25 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.), $14/adult, $6/child, free/4 and under (additional cost for some activities), festivaloftrees.kennedykrieger.org
Mummy Mania
Take a step back in time and explore the world of Ancient Egypt. Learn about mythology, build a pyramid, experiment with hieroglyphs and even learn how to make a mummy. Registration required. Ages 9-12. Howard County Public Library, Central Branch, 2-3 p.m., free, hclibrary.org
Saturday 24
Stories of the Harvest for Preschoolers
Hear stories of the Pilgrims and Native Americans and make a harvest related craft. Registration required. Ages 3-5. Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, 10:30-11:30 a.m., $3/child, facebook.com/BannekerMuseum
Autumn Leaf Lantern
Head out on a naturalist led hike to collect falls colors to use for a Mason jar lantern. Registration required. Ages 2-10. Willow Grove Nature Center at Cromwell Valley Park, 1-2:30 p.m., $3/member, $5/nonmembers, cromwellvalleypark.org
The Art of Making Pasta — Parent/Child Cooking Class
Once you try fresh, homemade pizza, take-out will never satisfy again. Enjoy an afternoon of family bonding as you learn the art of making both thin crust and deep dish with fresh sauce. Registration required. Schola Cooking School, noon, $49.99, scholacooks.com
Fort Building Fun
Think like an architect and an engineer as you design and build a new, temporary home in the woods of Leight Park out of natural materials. Registration required. Ages 8 and up. Anita C Leight Estuary Center, 12:30-2 p.m., $13, otterpointcreek.org
Weekend Walk-In: Crazy Crowns
Discover your inner royalty by fashioning a one-of-a-kind crown using shiny tape, faux flowers and other colorful accents. All ages welcome. American Visionary Art Museum, 1-4 p.m., $5/participant, avam.org
Parent and Me: Holiday Cookies
Bring your mom or dad and learn how to make traditional holiday treats such as Linzer Torte cookies and even the Baltimore favorite, Berger cookies. Registration required. Ages 8-17. Baltimore Chef Shop, 2 p.m., $95/parent and child, baltimorechefshop.com
Sunday 25
Dolphin Explorer
Partner with the marine mammal staff and work through interactive research stations leading to a unique session with the amazing animals themselves. National Aquarium, 8:30-10 a.m., $55, aqua.org
‘Cirque-tacular’
Prepare to be amazed as you witness world record holders, Olympians and Grand Circus champions perform stunts and routines on the ground and in the air. Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 11 and 2 p.m., $18 or $20, jcc.org/gordon-center
Crafternoon: Giving Stones
Celebrate the season of giving by painting a rock for the library’s community rock garden and another to pass along to a friend. All ages. Baltimore County Public Library, Parkville-Carney Branch, 2-3 p.m., free, bcpl.info
