Official Kids Mag

April 1 April Fools Day This is a day to play harmless practical jokes and tricks on others. Of course, the secret to a good April Fools' prank is planning ahead. Once you play the first trick, everyone will be on the lookout and the element of surprise will be gone. Some believe the day is celebrated in honor of the tricks Mother Nature plays on us this time of year with her unpredictable weather. Or, the tradition may have originated in France way back in Medieval times, where New Years Day was celebrated on the 1st of April. King Gregory XIII changed New Years Day to the 1st of January in 1582, but many people in rural areas did not make the change for several years. The city people thought that they were foolish for this reason and they practiced playing tricks on the rural people on this date. Remember to be safe playing your pranks and be sure to be a good sport and have fun. april 3 Find a Rainbow Day You probably already know that rainbows are caused by both reflection and refraction of light in water droplets in the Earth's atmosphere. The result? A multicolored arc that appears in the sky. You may have learned in science class the reminder ROYGBIV to help you to remember the order of colors in a rainbow: red (on the outside/top of the rainbow), orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet (on the inside.) Many forms of airborne water can cause rainbows including, rain, mist, spray, and dew. We'll give you one guess how to celebrate this day! Look for a rainbow or use the garden hose or a prism to make one yourself. By Karen Rice Official Kids Mag April is the fourth month of the year. Its name comes from the Latin word aperit, which means to open. That's because April is when trees and flowers begin to "open." Yet there is an old saying "April showers bring May flowers." There still may be chilly winds and damp weather in April. There are many April holiday celebrations and observances. Easter usually falls in April, as it does this year. It's also Financial Literacy Month, a great time to learn about saving money. Read more on page 42. Plus, if you see a lot of pinwheels around town that's because April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. Learn more about that on page 39. April is also a big month for people who like baseball because it is the opening month of professional baseball season. Here are some more things that happen in April: April April 4 Easter Easter most often falls during April, since it's observed on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox. It's the most important holy day of Christianity, and it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Depending on which calendar a church follows, some will celebrate the holiday earlier than others. Some churches hold sunrise services on Easter. Many families dye eggs. Dying eggs is a tradition that dates back thousands of years across many cultures. Eggs symbolize rebirth, fertility, and life springing forth. Easter egg hunts take place in many communities. Some children receive a basket from the Easter Bunny. The tradition of an Easter Bunny comes from medieval Germany, where the Osterhase or Easter Hare would lay its colorful eggs in nests prepared by children. When they immigrated to the United States in in the 18th-century, they brought this tradition with them. April 10 Nation Farm Animals Day If you like your animals a little more down- to-earth, you'll want to celebrate Farm Animals Day. Read our Kid Hero story on page 44 about two sisters who celebrate farm animals every day! 6 • April 2021 • www.OfficialKidsMag.com

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