As the cherry blossoms start to bloom and the school halls empty for spring break, Mayor Muriel Bowser is putting the spotlight on the suite of activities lined up for kids and teens in Washington, D.C. This Spring Break, from April 15 to April 19, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and DC Public Libraries (DCPL) are rolling out a buffet of events to keep the younger crowd busy and out of trouble.

Now, for parents scrambling to schedule five full days of kid-friendly entertainment, the city has got your back. Announced in a release by DC.gov, the programming is a mix of sports, arts, and environmental clean-up, to cater to a variety of interests. But remember, on April 16 The District Government will take a break too for DC Emancipation Day, which means all those indoor rec facilities will be locked tight as a drum. While some nine indoor pools will splash life into the holiday, you are fresh out of luck if indoor activities in rec centers were your plan.

Entering the scene are offerings such as Teen Open Gym, where centers from Bald Eagle to Woody Ward welcome basketball players to shoot hoops. Not just limited to sports, the agenda also features artsy options, with movies such as "Creed III" and "Across the Spider-Verse" scheduled at the newly reopened Kennedy Recreation Center. There are eco-friendly activities, too – like the River Cleanup at Diamond Teague Park, welcoming participants of all ages. Interested families can whirl through the full list of DPR’s Teen Break Time activities on their dedicated web page and scan through DCPL’s line-up on their website for more intel.

Some special shout-outs in the event roster include the community’s favorite Go-Go Skate Party, a blend of retro roller disco and DC’s signature beats. For those looking to keep their heart rates up, DPR is tossing in activities like aqua kickboxing and hydroboarding. Just picture splashing around while getting fit – a win-win for those teens with a penchant for poolside action. DPR has also planted the Earth Week Garden Party, because really, what's better than knowing you're making Mother Earth smile while taking a breath of fresh air?

The DPR is delivering a slam dunk with their Roving Leaders Spring Break Hoops Classic, hoping to get teens off their screens and onto the court. And while nobody can say no to a good old-fashioned Nerf War, the Kennedy Recreation Center is stepping it up a notch with their Pump It Up Palace event, Vulcan-style. A list to match every interest, DCPL is also backing up the cause with events like "Alma W. Thomas: Imagine That!" and "Know Your Power Residency with Imagination Stage," mentioned by the Washington, DC

Mayor Bowser and her team are hedging their bets on DC's youth to keep busy over the break. With DC's crime statistics often getting more screen time than residents would like, initiatives like these might just be the community engagement needed to turn down the volume on trouble and turn up the volume on fun.