April Holidays for Kids 2027: A Fun LA Idea for Every Day
April starts with a prank and ends with a tree. In between, Los Angeles hits its spring sweet spot: green hills, blooming gardens, warm afternoons, and evenings that finally stretch past dinner.
To make the most of it, we put together April holidays for every day of 2027. You will find silly national days, meaningful traditions like Passover and Earth Day, and real LA outings like the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium. Most ideas are cheap or free, and plenty take less time than finding a matching pair of shoes.
Pick the days that fit your family, skip the rest, and keep this page handy for those afternoons when someone announces, "I'm bored."
April Holidays 2027 at a Glance
Here are the big April holidays and LA dates to know before you start planning. We checked every 2027 date below against official or authoritative sources.
Thursday, April 1: April Fools' Day
Sunday to Saturday, April 11 to 17: National Library Week
Thursday, April 15: Jackie Robinson Day (the Dodgers host the Rockies)
Friday to Sunday, April 16 to 18: Grand Prix of Long Beach
Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18: Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC
Sunday, April 18: Earth Day Festival at the Natural History Museum
Wednesday, April 21: Passover begins at sundown (through Thursday, April 29)
Thursday, April 22: Earth Day
Thursday night, April 22: Lyrid meteor shower peaks
Friday, April 30: Arbor Day and Día del Niño
Good news for LAUSD families: spring recess already happened in late March this school year, and the district's 2026-2027 calendar lists no April school holidays, so April is a full month of school. Check our LAUSD 2026-2027 calendar guide and your own school's calendar, since other districts and private schools may take spring break in April.
Week 1: April 1 to 7
April 1 (Thursday): April Fools' Day
Start the day with a harmless prank: googly eyes on everything in the fridge, a "brownie" plate that is actually brown E's cut from paper, or cereal frozen in a bowl of milk overnight. The best April Fools' pranks end with everyone laughing, including the person who got fooled.
Need more ideas? Our list of fun pranks to play on your kids for April Fools' Day has plenty, and these funny jokes for kids are perfect for the dinner table.
Parent tip: Set one family rule before the fun starts: no pranks that scare, hurt, or embarrass anyone. Little kids especially love being in on the joke.
April 2 (Friday): International Children's Book Day + Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
International Children's Book Day is celebrated on or around April 2, the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen. Read one of his fairy tales, like "The Ugly Duckling," and ask kids how the story would change if it happened in LA.
It is also National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, so lunch is easy. Use cookie cutters to make sandwich shapes. April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day too, a nice time to read a picture book about neurodiversity and talk about how everyone's brain works a little differently.
April 3 (Saturday): Find a Rainbow Day
Spring sun and sprinklers make rainbow hunting easy. Stand with your back to the sun, mist the garden hose, and watch a rainbow appear. Then go on a color walk and try to find something in every rainbow color on your block.
For an indoor version, fill a clear glass with water and set it in a sunny window over white paper. Kids are always amazed that light hides all those colors.
April 4 (Sunday): Walk Around Things Day
This quirky holiday is an invitation to take the long way. Pick a lake, a park loop, or a fountain, and walk around it. Count laps, ducks, or dogs along the way.
Many families also plan a trip to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, which traditionally runs on spring weekends in Irwindale. In 2026 it opened on April 4, but 2027 dates had not been announced at the time we wrote this, so check the official Renaissance Pleasure Faire website before you plan.
April 5 (Monday): Go for Broke Day
Go for Broke Day honors the Japanese American soldiers of World War II, including the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, whose motto was "Go for broke." It is a meaningful way to talk with older kids about courage and fairness, especially since many of these soldiers' families were held in incarceration camps at the time.
The Go For Broke National Education Center in Little Tokyo shares their stories and is open Friday through Sunday, so plan a weekend visit and pair it with lunch in Little Tokyo. It is also National Caramel Day, which makes a fine reward after a museum stop.
April 6 (Tuesday): New Moon + International Day of Sport
The April new moon arrives around today, which means some of the darkest skies of the month. Head outside after dinner and see how many stars you can count. Older kids can download a free stargazing app and find constellations together.
For the full experience, visit Griffith Observatory, which has free admission and is closed Mondays. Read our complete guide to Griffith Observatory before you go. Earlier in the day, celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace with a family game of kickball.
April 7 (Wednesday): World Health Day + No Housework Day
World Health Day is a nice reminder to check in on the basics: sleep, water, veggies, and movement. Let kids plan a healthy snack plate, then have a family dance party for 15 minutes.
It is also No Housework Day. We are not saying you should ignore the laundry. We are just saying the holiday exists, and it would be rude not to celebrate it.
Week 2: April 8 to 14
April 8 (Thursday): Draw a Bird Day + Hanamatsuri
Grab paper and colored pencils and sketch the birds you see from your window. Hummingbirds, mourning doves, crows, and parrots all make regular appearances in LA. Keep the drawings in a bird journal and add to it all spring.
April 8 is also when many Japanese Buddhist temples celebrate Hanamatsuri, a flower festival marking the Buddha's birthday. Talk about how different cultures welcome spring, and make paper flowers together.
April 9 (Friday): National Unicorn Day
Unicorn fans, this one is yours. Make unicorn horns from rolled paper and ribbon, bake rainbow sprinkle cookies, or host a unicorn tea party with stuffed animals as guests.
For older kids, talk about why unicorns are Scotland's national animal. (Really.) Then have everyone invent and draw their own mythical creature with a name and a superpower.
April 10 (Saturday): National Siblings Day
Siblings Day celebrates the people who know exactly how to push your buttons and still share their fries. Plan a sibling-only adventure, like a picnic, a bike ride, or a trip to get ice cream.
At home, have each sibling write three things they love about the other. Frame them, or at least stick them on the fridge for the next time a fight breaks out. Only children can celebrate with a favorite cousin or best friend.
April 11 (Sunday): National Library Week Begins
The American Library Association's National Library Week runs April 11 to 17, 2027. Visit your local branch, sign up for a library card if anyone in the family does not have one yet, and let kids pick books on any topic they want.
A library card does more than lend books. See how to get free passes to LA museums with your library card, and browse the best picture books to read with your little ones. The Los Angeles Public Library and LA County Library both post free kids' events online.
April 12 (Monday): International Day of Human Space Flight
On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person to orbit Earth. Celebrate with a cardboard box rocket in the living room, astronaut ice cream, or a launch countdown before bedtime.
Want to see a real spacecraft? The California Science Center in Exposition Park is home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Check the museum's website for current hours and reservations before you go.
April 13 (Tuesday): Songkran + Scrabble Day
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated April 13 to 15 with water splashing for good luck and a fresh start. Fill spray bottles and have a gentle water fight in the backyard, then try a Thai dish for dinner.
LA's Thai Town hosts a big Thai New Year Songkran Festival each spring. In 2026 it was held on Sunday, April 26, and organizers have not announced the 2027 date yet, so watch for it in early spring. It is also Scrabble Day, so play a round with the rule that every word must be spring-related.
April 14 (Wednesday): Look Up at the Sky Day + Moment of Laughter Day
Lie on a blanket in the backyard or park and look up. Find shapes in the clouds, watch planes, and notice how the sky changes color at sunset.
It is also International Moment of Laughter Day. Have a no-laughing contest and see who cracks first. It will not take long. Our dad jokes guaranteed to make your kids laugh will help.
Week 3: April 15 to 21
April 15 (Thursday): Jackie Robinson Day + National High Five Day
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Every player wears his number 42 on this day, and the Dodgers host the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on Jackie Robinson Day this year, according to the team's 2027 schedule announcement.
At home, read a picture book about Robinson and talk about bravery and fairness. It is also National High Five Day, so challenge kids to give out 42 high fives before bedtime.
April 16 (Friday): National Librarian Day + Grand Prix Weekend
Thank a librarian today. Kids can draw a picture or write a note for their school or neighborhood librarian. Librarians are the original search engine, and they are much friendlier.
Car-crazy kids will want to know that the Grand Prix of Long Beach returns April 16 to 18, 2027, according to the official Grand Prix of Long Beach website. The race is loud, so bring ear protection for little ones, and check the website for tickets and the schedule.
April 17 (Saturday): Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
This is one of our favorite free family weekends of the year. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books fills the USC campus with authors, readings, booths, and activities for book lovers of every age.
Where: University of Southern California campus
Los Angeles, CA
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18, 2027
Cost: General admission is free; some author events are ticketed
Go early, bring a wagon for little legs and new books, and check the schedule ahead of time for kids' stages and storytimes.
April 18 (Sunday): Earth Day Festival at NHM + International Juggler's Day
Earth Day comes early in Exposition Park. The Natural History Museum's Earth Day Festival is scheduled for Sunday, April 18, 2027, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Nature Gardens, according to the Exposition Park event listing. It is free with paid museum admission.
The festival lands on the second day of the Festival of Books, which is also next door at USC, so you could pair them in one big Exposition Park day. Check NHM's visitor information for tickets and parking. Back home, celebrate International Juggler's Day by learning to juggle with rolled-up socks.
April 19 (Monday): National Garlic Day
Garlic might not be every kid's favorite, but garlic bread is. Make homemade garlic toast with butter, a little garlic, and parmesan, then serve it with spaghetti for an easy dinner.
Older kids can plant a garlic clove in a pot of soil and watch green shoots appear in a week or two. It is a simple, almost foolproof first gardening project.
April 20 (Tuesday): Full Moon + Look-Alike Day
April's full moon rises tonight. Step outside after dark and look for the "face" or the "rabbit" that different cultures see in the moon. Kids can sketch what they see.
It is also Look-Alike Day. Dig out old family photos and see who looks like whom, or dress up as twins with a sibling or parent. Matching pajamas totally count.
April 21 (Wednesday): Kindergarten Day + Passover Begins at Sundown
Kindergarten Day honors Friedrich Froebel, the German educator who started the first kindergarten. Pull out the blocks, crayons, and play dough, and let everyone, grown-ups included, play like a kindergartner for an hour.
Tonight at sundown, Passover begins, according to Hebcal's Passover 2027 calendar. Families gather for the first seder to retell the story of the Exodus. Our Passover games and activities for kids help keep little ones engaged at the table.
Week 4: April 22 to 28
April 22 (Thursday): Earth Day + Passover + Jelly Bean Day
Happy Earth Day. Plant a tree or a pot of herbs, pick up litter at your local park, or start a family compost bin. Earthday.org shares ideas and events, and our post on ideas to celebrate Earth Day with kids is packed with projects.
It is also the first full day of Passover and National Jelly Bean Day. Sort jelly beans by color, guess flavors blindfolded, or estimate how many fit in a jar. Many workplaces also mark Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on the fourth Thursday of April, so ask yours if kids can visit.
Tonight, the Lyrid meteor shower peaks. EarthSky notes that a bright moon will wash out all but the brightest meteors in 2027, so treat it as a bonus if you spot one. Find a dark spot, block the moon behind a tree or building, and look up after midnight.
April 23 (Friday): World Book Day + Shakespeare's Birthday
UNESCO's World Book Day is also the traditional birthday of William Shakespeare. Have a family read-aloud night, or let older kids act out a short scene from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with silly voices.
Younger kids can make bookmarks with stickers and drawings, then give one away to a friend with a favorite book recommendation.
April 24 (Saturday): Pigs in a Blanket Day
This is a breakfast-for-dinner holiday waiting to happen. Wrap mini hot dogs or sausages in crescent dough, bake until golden, and serve with ketchup and mustard.
Then spend the afternoon outside. Spring is peak season for berries, and our list of the best places for strawberry picking near Los Angeles has farm picks within driving distance.
April 25 (Sunday): World Penguin Day + DNA Day
Waddle into World Penguin Day with a penguin walk race across the living room, holding a ball between your knees. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is home to Magellanic penguins, and our guide to the best aquariums in Southern California covers more options.
It is also DNA Day. Extract DNA from a strawberry using dish soap, salt, and rubbing alcohol (grown-ups handle the alcohol). Kids are amazed to see the white, stringy strands appear. Find more ideas in our fun science experiments to do at home.
April 26 (Monday): National Pretzel Day
Make soft pretzels from store-bought pizza dough. Kids can roll the dough into snakes and twist them into pretzels, letters, or their initials. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with salt, and bake.
Pretzels and baseball go together, and the Dodgers host the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium April 26 to 28. Watching at home counts, especially with homemade pretzels.
April 27 (Tuesday): Tell a Story Day
Tonight, skip the books and tell a story from memory. Share a story about the day your child was born, the first time you visited LA, or a funny thing that happened when you were their age.
Then try a round-robin story: one person starts with a sentence, and everyone adds the next line. Expect dragons, tacos, and at least one unexpected twist.
April 28 (Wednesday): Great Poetry Reading Day
Read a few poems aloud at dinner. Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky are favorites for younger kids, while older kids may enjoy Langston Hughes or Mary Oliver.
Then write a family poem together, with one line from each person. April is National Poetry Month, so it is a fitting way to wind down the month.
Week 5: April 29 and 30
April 29 (Thursday): International Dance Day + Passover Ends
Clear the furniture and have a dance party. Take turns choosing songs from different decades or different countries, and let the kids teach you their moves. (Brace yourself.)
Passover ends at nightfall today. If your family celebrates, it is time to bring the bread back. If you are curious about the holiday, ask a Jewish friend or neighbor about their favorite Passover tradition.
April 30 (Friday): Arbor Day + Día del Niño
National Arbor Day falls on the last Friday in April, and the Arbor Day Foundation has tree facts and planting tips. Plant a tree or shrub, adopt a street tree to water, or make bark rubbings with crayons and paper.
April 30 is also Día del Niño, Children's Day, celebrated in Mexico and by many LA families. Let kids pick the dinner menu and the evening activity. It is also International Jazz Day, so play some jazz while they plan, and get ready for May. Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday, May 2, 2027, for families who celebrate.
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Takeaway
April holidays turn an ordinary spring month into a string of small celebrations, from April Fools' pranks and library adventures to Passover seders, Earth Day planting, and a free book festival at USC. With longer days and mild weather, it is a great month to get outside and try something new.
Save this page, pick your favorites, and let the rest go. If you try any of these ideas, we would love to hear which ones made your kids smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main April holidays in 2027?
The big April holidays in 2027 include April Fools' Day (April 1), Jackie Robinson Day (April 15), Passover (sundown April 21 through April 29), Earth Day (April 22), and Arbor Day and Día del Niño (April 30). National Library Week runs April 11 to 17, and April is National Poetry Month.
When is Passover 2027?
Passover 2027 begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 21, with the first seder that evening, and ends at nightfall on Thursday, April 29. The first full day of Passover is Thursday, April 22, which is also Earth Day.
When is the LA Times Festival of Books in 2027?
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books takes place Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18, 2027, on the USC campus. General admission is free, and some author events are ticketed.
When is Earth Day 2027?
Earth Day is Thursday, April 22, 2027. In Los Angeles, the Natural History Museum's Earth Day Festival is scheduled for Sunday, April 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., free with paid museum admission.
What fun national days in April are good for kids?
Kid-friendly picks include International Children's Book Day (April 2), Find a Rainbow Day (April 3), National Unicorn Day (April 9), National Siblings Day (April 10), National High Five Day (April 15), National Jelly Bean Day (April 22), World Penguin Day (April 25), and National Pretzel Day (April 26).
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