Family-friendly events this weekend include Easter Bunny

• Ford Thunderbird Exhibition
• Spring Festival
• Free events at %27Ding%27 Darling on Monday

Our favorite bunny comes to town this weekend, and with the Easter Bunny comes lots of egg hunts and spring festivals. About 20 of them are in our list of family-friendly events this weekend. So get into the spring of things and have a hopping good time with more than 30 things to do in all.

ALL WEEKEND

Unearthed: Dinosaurs in the Garden — Made with painstaking attention to detail, this multi-sensory exhibit includes 10 large-scale animatronic dinosaur models, such as an 85-foot Brachiosaurus and a 40-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, including Easter, March 14-July 5. $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for ages 4-14, free for members and ages 3 and younger. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. 643-7275. naplesgarden.org

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

The Future of Art: Elementary & Middle School Exhibition — Artwork created by Lee County students fill the gallery walls at the Alliance for the Arts throughout the month. Elementary and middle school students' work will be displayed March 30-April 11 with an opening reception 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. In the Member Gallery: Art(ist) Teacher's Exhibit. Exhibit Sponsor: Pediatric Dentistry of Fort Myers, Dr. Dim Verwest, DMD. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 939-2787. artinlee.org/event/the-future-of-art-elementary-middle-school-opening-reception-2/

Free Beach Walk — Meet at Sanibel's Gulfside City Park for a guided exploration of the refuge's Perry Tract. Learn about this vital beach ecosystem. Don't forget to bring your shell bag. Note: parking fees at Gulfside City Park apply. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free. J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel. 472-1100.

Beachcombing & Shelling Lecture — What do wrack lines, jellies, blue buttons, beachhoppers, ghosts, sea pork and beans have in common? Join a naturalist to find out at this lecture on beachcombing and shelling. Approximately a 1-hour lecture. 10 a.m. Mondays and Fridays. Free with park entrance fee, which is free to those with a Collier County beach permit). Barefoot Beach Preserve, 505 Barefoot Beach Blvd., North Naples. 252-4000. friendsofbarefootbeach.org

Florida in the Civil War — Discover how Florida overcame adversity to ship salt and beef to the Confederacy and how the state's citizens survived the Union blockade of its coastline. Visitors can hear music of the era, listen to letters exchanged between a soldier and his wife and make choices about difficult situations they may have faced during those tumultuous times. This special exhibit features framed documents, interactive exhibits, artillery, surgical kits, Confederate money and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through April 4. $9.50 for adults, $5 for students, some discounts available. Southwest Florida Museum of History, 2031 Jackson St., Fort Myers. 321-7430. museumofhistory.org

Kayak Trail Tour — A naturalist takes you into the mangrove forest to teach you about the mangrove estuary ecosystem and wildlife you may spot along the way. These kayak trail tours are every day, but at varying times according to tides so call for more information and reservations. 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. $30 for adults, $20 for children. Tarpon Bay Explorers, 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel. 472-8900. tarponbayexplorers.com

Free Bailey Tract Tour — Walk the trails of the Bailey Tract with a naturalist to learn about the plants and trees of this freshwater ecosystem of Southwest Florida. Fun for all ages. Meet at the Bailey Tract parking lot. Approximately 2 miles, 1.5 hours. 1-3:30 p.m. J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel. 472-1100.

Art Walk — Galleries, shops and restaurants stay open late to celebrate art. 6-10 p.m. Free. Downtown Fort Myers. 855-732-3836. fortmyersriverdistrictalliance.com

Middle School Glow Party at Club Gravity — Dancing, music and entertainment for middle school students ages 11-14 every Friday. The Middle School with the most kids attending earns a discount for the next event. Prizes, too. 7-9:45 p.m. $5. William "Bill" Austen Youth Center, 315 S.W. Second Ave., Cape Coral. 242-3950. capeparks.com

Tropical Twisters Gymnastics Open Gym — 7-11 p.m. every Friday night. $21 per person. Call for reservations. Tropical Twisters Gymnastics, 307 S.W. Seventh Place, Cape Coral. 772-3547. tropicaltwistersgymnastics.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

Hoppin Down the Island Bunny Trail — Thousands of eggs filled with prizes will be hidden in Leoma Lovegrove's tropical watersay gardens in the heart of Matlacha Island. Parents can enjoy the view of the kiddos hunting for eggs and the view of the Calusa Blueway. 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens, 4637 Pine Island Road N.W., Matlacha. 482-6252.

Spring Festival — The Children's Education Center of the Islands hosts this family-friendly event. Admission includes an Easter egg hunt for all ages (at 9 a.m. sharp), a bounce house, giant slide, pony rides, pictures with the Easter Bunny, crafts, games, and contests. There will also be food for sale, a raffle for girls' and boys' Easter baskets, and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Children's Education Center of the Islands, a nonprofit preschool on Sanibel. 9-11 a.m. $10 per child. Sanibel Community Park, 2231 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 472-4538.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny — Kids can have breakfast and meet the Easter Bunny. Fun, games and photo opportunities abound at the Restaurant Piazza. 9-10 a.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 390-5104.

Guided Nature Walk — A naturalist guided walk along the boardwalk through a maritime forest and coastal strand. About an hour walk. 9 a.m. Free with entrance fee to park or with current Collier County beach permit. Barefoot Beach Preserve, 505 Barefoot Beach Blvd., North Naples. 252-4000. friendsofbarefootbeach.org

Immokalee Community Park Eggs-travaganza — There's an egg hunt divided by age group (ages 1-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12), face painting and crafts. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; egg hunt begins at 11:30 a.m. Free. Immokalee Community Park, 321 N. First St., Immokalee. 657-4449. colliergov.net

Charlotte County Annual Easter Egg Hunt — Easter egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny, crafts, music, storytelling, bounce house, face painting and concessions. 9 a.m.-noon. Free. North Charlotte Regional Park, 1185 O'Donnell Blvd., Port Charlotte. 941-627-1074. shalonda.harris@charlottefl.com. charlottecountyfl.com

Faithlife Church Community Wide Easter Egg Hunt — Easter egg hunt, pony rides, face painting and concessions. 9 a.m. Free. Faithlife Church, 21090 Iliade Ave., Port Charlotte. 941-627-2232. carol@faithlifechurch.cc. faithlifechurch.cc

Estero EGGStravaganza — Meet the Easter Bunny, try to find the prize egg, create an art project and play with sidewalk chalk. The craft project will be held inside, while the rest of the event will be held outside, weather permitting. All participants must be accompanied by an adult. Egg hunt times: 9:30 a.m. for ages 3 and younger, 9:45 a.m. for ages 4-7, 10 a.m. for ages 8-12. $5 per child. Estero Community Park, Corkscrew Road, Estero. 498-0415. webtrac.leegov.com

Mike Greenwell's Easter Bunny Trail — Free event for ages 12 and younger. Bring your baskets and your friends to meet the Easter Bunny and some local businesses on the 19-hole mini-golf course. Bring a donation of cat food to be entered into a raffle. 10 a.m.-noon. Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball and Family Fun Park, 35 NE Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 574-4386. greenwellsfamilyfunpark.com

Easter Egg Hunt — For kids from prekindergarten to middle school. 10-11 a.m. Free. Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church, 8260 Cypress Lake Drive, south Fort Myers. 481-3233. clpc.us

Easter Special Event — Games, face painting, crafts, entertainment, bounce house, food and more. Bring a basket to collect your winnings. The Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance for photos, so bring a camera. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $3 per child. For ages 3-12.Collier County Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples. 252-4180. collierparks.com

Marco Island Spring Jubilee — Egg hunt, games and crafts, sailboat rides, train rides, petting zoo, face painting and food available. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Mackle Park, 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island. 642-0575. cityofmarcoisland.com

Florida in the Civil War — Discover how Florida overcame adversity to ship salt and beef to the Confederacy and how the state's citizens survived the Union blockade of its coastline. Visitors can hear music of the era, listen to letters exchanged between a soldier and his wife and make choices about difficult situations they may have faced during those tumultuous times. This special exhibit features framed documents, interactive exhibits, artillery, surgical kits, Confederate money and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through April 4. $9.50 for adults, $5 for students, some discounts available. Southwest Florida Museum of History, 2031 Jackson St., Fort Myers. 321-7430. museumofhistory.org

Seasonal Lecture Series — Join the Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve at the Learning Center chickee for a variety of lectures every Saturday. April 4: "Coastal Management for Birds" by Keith Laakonen; April 11: "Everglades River of Grass" by Ray Judah. 10 a.m. Free with part entrance fee or Collier County beach permit. Barefoot Beach Preserve, 505 Barefoot Beach Blvd., North Naples. 252-4000. friendsofbarefootbeach.org

Photos with the Easter Bunny — Get a professional photograph taken with the Easter Bunny. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 390-5104.

Easter Cookie Decorating — Decorate cookies for Easter in MundoFox Playland. 1-3 p.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 390-5104.

Ford Thunderbird Exhibition — Thunderbirds will be on display on the historic, riverside property of Henry Ford. Everglades BBQ for purchase and live music by Flash Back Duo. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free for members, $20 for adult nonmembers, $11 for children. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 334-7419. edisonfordwinterestates.org

Royal Scoop Easter Egg Hunt & Games — The party starts with inflatables at 10 a.m. The first egg hunt starts at 11 a.m. sharp for ages 2-5 then 11:20 a.m. for ages 6-10. The egg hunts are followed by relay races and an ice cream-eating contest. Party goes until 1 p.m. Free. Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream, 15 Eighth St., Bonita Springs. 992-2000. royalscoop.com

Kidgits Easter Treasure Hunt Eggstravaganza — Families are invited to enjoy a hip-hoppin' Easter egg treasure hunt, arts and crafts, lively entertainment, games, raffles and a dance party. Bring your Easter basket and party shoes. 10 a.m.-noon. Free for Kidgits Members. Coconut Point, near Hollywood Theater, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero. 992-9966.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5

Easter at the Wonder Gardens — The Easter Bunny doesn't live at the Wonder Gardens, but his friends do. Stop by to see the alligators, flamingos and other birds and reptiles on Easter and enjoy $2 off admission when you mention the Easter promotion. Cannot be combined with other offers. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission is $12.95 for ages 13-64, $10.95 for ages 65 and older and $7.95 for ages 3-12. Everglades Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 992-2591.

Port Sanibel Marina Easter Egg Hunt & Dolphin Cruise — On Easter Sunday, cruise along San Carlos Bay, then hunt for eggs on Picnic Island. 10-11:30 a.m. $45 per adult, $35 per child. Port Sanibel Marina, 14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers. 472-8443 (call for reservations). adventureinparadiseinc.com/cruises/easter

Great Big Easter Egg Hunt — Children from preschool through fifth grade hunt for filled eggs by age group. 10-10:30 a.m. The Easter Sunday Service follows at 10:45 a.m. Free. North Shore Alliance Church, 330 W. Mariana Ave., North Fort Myers. 656-1553. northshorealliancechurch.org

MONDAY, APRIL 6

Rubberband Loom Club — Bring your rubber band bracelet loom and rubber bands and learn to make easy bracelets and charms. Registration required. 3:30 p.m. Free. South Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples. 252-7542. collierlibrary.org

Free at "Ding" Darling — J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge offers several free programs today: Biking the Refuge Tour for all ages (4 miles, 1.5 hours), 10-11:30 a.m. Birds & Wildlife Tour by car, 9:30-11 a.m. Florida's Venomous Wildlife Information for all ages, 1-1:30 p.m. Nature Photography Informational (great for family outings in nature), 11-11:30 a.m. J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel. 472-1100.