Take the kids to a flower festival, where they’ll enjoy parades, carnival rides, live entertainment and, of course, beautiful flowers in full bloom. Here are eight across the U.S. to visit this spring and summer.
1. National Cherry Blossom Festival
Washington, D.C.‘s National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most popular in the U.S. It kicks off on the first day of spring and we hope that the beautiful pink cherry blossoms are in full bloom during the 24-day festival. Families will particularly love the Children’s Cherry Blossom Celebration and the annual parade.
2. Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Washington state’s Skagit Valley Tulip Festival features hundreds of thousands of tulips in full bloom every April (weather permitting, that is). Fields are scattered throughout Skagit Valley, making them easy to see during the car ride to one of the events. Stop by the Tulip Town Children’s Art Table, the Kids’ Giant Garage Sale and the U.S. Bank Parade.
Related: 8 Fabulous Fall Family Festivals
3. Nantucket Daffodil Festival
Visit Nantucket this spring for the Nantucket Daffodil Festival at the end of April, where families can see millions of daffodils in every size, shape and color. Don’t miss the family picnic at Children’s Beach, the antique car show and the parade. For even more fun, sign up for the weekend-long family scavenger hunt to see if you can find all the clues hidden throughout downtown Nantucket!
4. Summer Iris Festival
South Carolina’s oldest, continuous festival is the Iris Festival in the city of Sumter. Held annually in May over Memorial Day weekend, the three-day festival features live music, contests, arts and crafts, a flower show and special activities just for kids. Be sure to pick up and iris or two to bring home!
Related: 12 Excellent Music Festivals for Families
5. Van Wert Peony Festival
The 40th annual Van Wert Peony Festival in Ohio celebrates the peony flower and its contribution to the town’s history — Peony Sundays and the Peony Parade date back to the 1930’s. This year’s festival features a craft show, garden tours, the annual parade and a fishing derby, all of which are kid-friendly.
6. Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival
Douglas County, Georgia, plays host the annual Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival, now in its eighth year. Families with kids can visit flower and farmers’ markets, create their own garden art with chalk, plant flowers to take home, and more.
Related: 10 Family-Friendly Renaissance Fairs
7. Michigan’s Mayville Sunflower Festival
Located about 90 minutes north of Detroit, Mayville, Michigan’s Sunflower Festival offers families activities and events centered on the bright yellow plant. Enjoy a parade, pancake breakfasts, vintage baseball games, flea markets, tractor tours, inflatable playgrounds, and more. Fireworks finish off the day’s events on Friday and Saturday night.
8. Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival
The Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival in Colorado offers families outdoor fun in the middle of August each year. Check out the art show, bike rodeo, carnival rides, local and national musicians, and fireworks each night. Kids will especially love seeing the Zoppe Family Circus.
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