We've all had our encounters with the bunny hop. It might have been at a college fraternity party, a wedding, or in the privacy of our own living rooms. Ahem. This time, do it for the right reasons. Kierland Commons, an upscale Scottsdale shopping center, hosts its inaugural Bunny Hop on Main Street on Saturday, April 19. The free event benefits both children and their parents -- kids get to hop their little hearts out while wearing bunny ears, and parents get to shop their little hearts out in the many and varied boutiques.
The bunny hop begins at 9:30 a.m., and the first 50 children get free ice cream. Activities include Easter Bunny photos, a petting zoo, face painting and balloon sculpting. Mother Goose will read stories throughout the day and, at 1:45 p.m., a prize drawing will include $100 gift certificates.
But that's not all, folks (wink, wink). On Sunday, April 20, Easter brunch will be served at many of the Kierland restaurants -- so hop on over and make reservations before your child collapses out of sheer joy.
Kierland Commons is located on the northwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Greenway Parkway. For more information, call 480-648-7563 or visit www.kierlandcommons.com. - Maidi Terry
Candy Swipers
SAT 4/19
Kids attending Glendale's "A Family, A Fair" on Saturday, April 19, are encouraged to bring baskets to haul away the day's free candy. We'd rather think big... and roll in with a wheelbarrow. From 9 a.m. to noon, the free event also features water slides, crafts, games, and the traditional hunting and decorating of eggs. Even the Easter Bunny will be there, at Sahuaro Ranch Park, 59th Avenue and Mountain View Road. Call 623-930-2820 for details. - Jill Koch
Building Excitement
It's tool time at Veterans' Memorial Coliseum
4/184/20
Not since the Village People's prime has a touring construction worker triggered this much buzz. Bob the Builder, title character of Nick Jr.'s stop-frame-animation series, is bringing his first live show to Veterans' Memorial Coliseum, 1826 West McDowell. In Bob the Builder LIVE!, Bob and his crew -- touting teamwork and a "can-do" attitude -- turn an unsightly junkyard into a neighborhood park. The production's toolbox of tricks includes new songs, super-size sets and cutting-edge animatronic technology.Bob the Builder LIVE! opens at 7 p.m. Friday, April 18, with performances at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 20. Tickets are $10 to $25; call 480-784-4444.- Jill Koch
Into the Woods
Zoo opens new terrain for tots
Sun 4/20
As kids, we used to sneak around in the woods and pretend we were Tom Sawyer. (Okay, gender-confused, but still.) Kids today have fewer spots to roam. The Phoenix Zoo answers the kiddy call for adventure with the new Enchanted Forest, a spot just for children age 5 and under. In their own little wilderness, kids hop across winding creeks, climb pintsize sculptures, and visit a gnome hut just their size. To celebrate this week's grand opening, costumed figures greet mini-visitors, and plenty of animal encounters let kids get close to friendly creatures and their keepers. This Sunday, April 20, the first 1,000 children at the gate can hunt Easter eggs in the Forest. Find the Phoenix Zoo at 455 North Galvin Parkway, next to Papago Park. Admission for adults is $12, $5 for kids 3 to 12. Little explorers under 2 are free. What happens in enchanted places? Anything.- Kim Toms