The view from the Portrait Gallery
Have fun and stay warm with this round-up of family-friendly happenings over the next few days. And be sure to check out The Great Indoors list for even more ideas. Happy Weekend!
NatsFest
Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: $20/Adult, $10/Child
Join select Washington Nationals players, coaches, and team personnel for a day full of fun activities for all ages, including photo ops with players and mascots, face painting, balloon art, inflatables, caricature art, Nationals merchandise and authenticated memorabilia, interactive games, live batting cages, and much more.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
I can’t think of a better (colder?) weekend to catch a production in the warm, cozy comfort of a theatre, and you’ve got your pick of onstage entertainment. Winnie the Pooh is delighting audiences at Adventure Theatre (we know from firsthand experience). Toyland at The Puppet Co. along with a couple of Tiny Tots shows. Wake Up, Brother Bear is still charming little ones at Imagination Stage. There’s an NSO Teddybear concert at the Kennedy Center. The Great Zucchini is playing a Saturday morning show at Jammin’ Java. And older children will enjoy Zorro at the Source Theatre. Find more details and links in this post about winter entertainment.
There’s No Place Like Port Discovery
Where: Port Discovery
When: Through September 15
Admission: $13.95/ages 2 and up, under two are free.
The children’s museum in Baltimore is debuting the “Wizard of Oz” traveling exhibit on Saturday. The interactive fantasy-adventure takes children and families over the rainbow to continue the celebration of the film’s 70th anniversary milestone. Elements of the movie available only in this licensed exhibition include Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers, images of the characters everyone knows and loves from the film and classic movie moments.
Orchids of Latin America
Where: National Museum of National History
When: Through April 21
Admission: Free
See what’s blooming at the Natural History Museum. Smithsonian Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Garden will open the 18th annual orchid exhibition, “Orchids of Latin America,” on Saturday. The exhibit will highlight the importance of Latin American orchids in local culture and folklore through live flower displays and examine ways biological reserves are working to preserve orchid species and habitats today.
A Portrait of Fun
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the NPG for Portrait Story Days where kids can listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture, this weekend’s subject being boxer Muhammad Ali, and to create a special piece of art. When you’re done there, pick up a Portrait Discovery Kit filled with activities to help you explore the Gallery. Read more about both programs at the Portrait Gallery as well as what you’ll find at its sister venue, the American Art Museum, in this recent post.
See Stars
Where: David M. Brown Planetarium
When: Friday & Saturday, 7:30pm and Sunday, 1:30pm & 3pm
Admission: $3/adults, $2/children & seniors
Get a glimpse of the night sky at the Arlington planetarium. The show, Oasis In Space, transports the audience on a startling and beautiful voyage through our universe, galaxy and solar system in search of liquid water – a key ingredient for life on Earth.
Battle of the Bach 2 Rock Bands
Where: 9:30 Club
When: Sunday, 9am – 3pm
Admission: $5
The music school for all ages is holding its final exams at the DC venue, and the public is invited to watch them battle it out. The winning bands are determined by a panel of judges and not only get bragging rights, but also get a chance to work with a professional audio engineer to record their own original material in our studio.
Stories in Art
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Kids ages 4-7 can explore the work of artist Pable Picasso, as they hear a reading of the book When Pigasso Met Mootisse by Nina Laden, see the geometric shapes and bold colors of his cubist paintings, then create a related art project. Sessions are at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm on Saturday, and 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30 on Sunday. Sign-in takes place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 10am on Saturday (11am on Sunday) and continues until all spaces are filled. Admission is free. Read a KFDC review of the Stories in Art program here.
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Where: Dulles Expo Center
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $10/adult, free for kids under 12
Do some shopping for arts, crafts, and more while you enjoy a family day out. The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival showcases works by more than 250 top artisans. Pottery, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, home and garden décor, furniture and home accessories, and photography will be on display — and for sale! Even more, children can enjoy costume storytelling and watch live demonstrations of copper spinning, papermaking, pottery wheel-throwing, jewelry making, and other media by the master craftspeople themselves.
I would like to thank you so much for this website! Thanks to you I always have very active weekends with my grandson. Great job! Thank you!
Celia
The tiny tots show was a great recommendation. My wife was quite impressed at the outing and the boys had a blast at the puppet show and the Glen Echo playground. Thanks for the great information.