April offers holidays for the young and young at heart

In the grand scheme of things, there are an awful lot of holidays for adults. Aside from observances like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, there are celebrations like New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day that tend to feature beverages meant only for an older crowd.

In those cases, kids are sometimes pushed to the wayside and unable to join in the excitement. With April on the horizon, their time has finally arrived.

The coming month features a bunch of holidays that the youngsters can get into, and even some that will have adults returning to their childhood. Take the well-known April Fools’ Day, for example. Creative minds of any age can come up with excellent ways to tease, trick and toy with their friends.

Lesser-known observances are on deck to keep kids happy long past the first day of the month. In fact, the very next day is dedicated to honoring a staple that can be found in almost every child’s lunchbox throughout the school year: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is recognized April 2.

Not even a full week later, children will experience a win-win as they drop their dusters, brooms and dish rags as part of No Housework Day and exchange them for feather pillows to make the most of International Pillow Fight Day, both set for April 7.

The month is also loaded with special treats that will have both kids and adults satisfying their sweet tooth. In addition to the chocolate eggs and hollow bunnies that fill Easter baskets to the brim in the second week of the month, Licorice Day is celebrated April 12, National Chocolate-covered Cashews Day is the 21st and National Jelly Bean Day follows on April 22.

It sounds like it couldn’t get any better, but it does.

For any kids who have never been allowed to get a little kitten, puppy, hamster or fish, April 11 is the day to make a valid argument for why your household needs one.

During National Pet Day, widen those adorable eyes, push that bottom lip out a bit and remind your parents that they’re depriving you of the ability to celebrate such a holiday because of your lack of a pet. By showing a little extra charm and good behavior, mom and dad may be more likely to welcome Fluffy or Fido into your home.

Not only is April a good month to honor pets, it happens to be a good month to recognize animals in general — both alive and animated.

Consider observing Bat Appreciation Day on the 17th, Bulldogs are Beautiful Day on the 21st, World Penguin Day on the 25th and Save the Frogs Day on the 28th. Cartoon animals are also getting in on the excitement as Winnie the Pooh character Eeyore celebrates his birthday April 28 and a prestigious rabbit grabs attention April 30 for Bugs Bunny Day.

As if that wasn’t enough for the younger crowd to rejoice about, there’s one last day that’s all about children and their four-legged friends. April 26 is quite literally known as National Kids and Pets Day.

Adults, you shouldn’t feel left out. You’ll have plenty of chances to get back to your child-like state of mind if you take advantage of National Fun at Work Day on April 5 or National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day on April 18.

Want to avoid thinking about work and let loose downtown instead? The middle of the month is the perfect time to do so. National Karaoke Week is April 15-21 and National Dance Week extends from April 20-29.

If you’d prefer to unwind by relaxing, simply cuddle up in a quiet place with a book April 8-14 for National Library Week. Frequent April showers are likely to keep you indoors for a while anyway.

Then, by the time flowers start blooming, you’ll be ready to experience what May has to offer.

Tags: lifestyle, news