Showing off a sweet ride at last year’s Washington Auto Show
Find a new family roadster, celebrate the start of Black History Month or Groundhog Day, enjoy movies and other kids’ programs at museums, see one of many shows on local stages, do some family yoga… all among the options for fun with the kiddos over the next few days. Happy Weekend!
Washington Auto Show
Where: Washington Convention Center
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $12/adults, $5/ages 6-12, free for 5 and under
The 2013 Washington Auto Show begins today and runs through next weekend. If there’s any “grown-up” event that is equally fun for all ages, this is it. The Auto Show is like a Truck Touch, but with automobiles — more than 700 of them! — on display for guests to check out. And especially for kids will be appearances by some of their favorite characters along with the auto-fun. See this post from last year from more about what to expect.
Yo Gabba Gabba Live!
Where: Patriot Center
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $28
The live version of the popular kids television show is coming to the Patriot Center for one performance tonight: The sillies are crazy little creatures that live inside of us and need to be shaken out! DJ Lance Rock and everyone’s favorite cast of colorful characters are calling all fans to get ready to jump, shake and shimmy them out.
Black History Month Family Day
Where: National Museum of American History
When: Saturday 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The Smithsonian is kicking off its celebration of Black History Month with a day of activities for the whole family. Inspired by the exhibit Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863, and the March on Washington, 1963, festivities will include period musical and dramatic performances; gallery tours; video interviews by the Hirshhorn’s ARTLAB+ teen videographers; and hands-on activities like making protest slogan buttons and a Sibley tent.
Mid-Winter Family Festival
Where: Textile Museum
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Kids of all ages are invited to the Textile Museum’s fourth-annual mid-winter family festival. Guests can enjoy performances by Crescent Moon Karagoz Shadow Puppet Theater, learn the traditional Turkish art of paper marbling, explore fibers and textures under a microscope with the George Washington University Chemistry Department, and view the beautiful exhibition The Sultan’s Garden: The Blossoming of Ottoman Art.
Groundhog Day
Where: Dupont Circle Fountain
When: Saturday, 7:30am
Admission: Free
Potomac Phil, the National Groundhog, will make an appearance and offer weather and political predictions. Phil will let us know whether to expect six more weeks of winter or an early spring. Live accordion music, polka dancers, local celebrities, VIP’s and school children will participate. Dupont Circle, at the fountain. The event will begin promptly at 7:30am, and Potomac Phil will emerge at 8am. The event is part of the Dupont Festival, which organizes and implements a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities in the greater Dupont Circle area throughout the year.
Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: Saturday, 6pm
Admission: Free
Target Family Night presents Justin Roberts and The Not Ready for Naptime Players on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. The Grammy nominee and star of the indie family music scene performs with his group, offering their unexpectedly intelligent and whimsically rocking music, which has been nationally recognized and relished by both children and parents.
Shadow Family Night
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 5-8pm
Admission: Free
Every February 2, Punxsutawney Phil tells us whether we get more winter or if spring is just around the corner. So on the eve of Groundhog’s Day, play with shadows at the American Art Museum! Make a puppet for the shadow theater, grab a flashlight for an “I spy…” game, and go on a scavenger hunt in the galleries to see how artists use light and shadow in their artwork.
Wintry Mix of Movies at the NGA
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday, 10:30am & Sunday, 11:30am
Admission: Free
This month’s installment of the National Gallery’s film program for children presents a collection of shorts with winter themes. The Gruffalo’s Child, the sequel to the award-winning 2009 film The Gruffalo, turns the tables as a young Gruffalo heads into the wintry woods in search of a big, bad mouse. The Snowy Day, based on the 1963 Caldecott Medal–winning book by Ezra Jack Keats, will also be shown, along with Carrot on the Beach, Spot and Splodge in a Snowstorm, and The Girl and the Fox. Recommended for ages 5 and up, the program will last approximately 60 minutes.
Show Time
Where: Local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Anime Momotaro is in its opening weekend on the Imagination Stage. Winnie the Pooh is delighting audiences at Adventure Theatre. Toyland is at The Puppet Co. along with a couple of Tiny Tots shows. Tim Marrone will be Clowning Around with Shakespeare at the first Saturday Morning at the National performance of the season. The Banjo Man is playing a weekend show at Jammin’ Java. Teens will enjoy Zorro at the Source Theatre. The Little Mermaid, Jr. is at the JCC of Greater Washington. And Sleeping Beauty-The Broken Spell is opening at the Workhouse Arts Center. Find more details and links in this post about winter entertainment.
Last Chance for 1001 Inventions
Where: National Geographic Museum
When: All weekend
Admission: $8/adults, $6/seniors, $4/ages 5-12, free for 4 and under
Check out 1001 Inventions: Discover the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization in its final days at the museum. Like many of the museum’s exhibitions, it’s a full-on experience that utilize multimedia and a variety of interactive installations to educate, enrich, amuse, and wow guests. Read more about it in this post.
Fireflies Musical Yoga
Where: lil omm
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $20/family
Say omm with the kids as special guest and music sensation Kira Willey teaches a unique yoga class for families. Visit the website to register for the class.
80’s Skate
Where: Rockville Town Square Ice Rink
When: Saturday, 6-10pm
Admission: $8/ages 13 and up, $7/12 and under, $3/rentals
Parents may get a little more about this one than kids: It’s an 80s themed ice skating party at Rockville Town Square Ice Rink on Saturday evening. Guests are encouraged to dress in their best 80s gear and request their favorite hits from the decade. At 7,200 square feet, it’s the largest outdoor ice skating rink between Baltimore and Washington DC, so there will be plenty of space to recreate the Flashdance routine on ice.
Model Rocket Launch
Where: Goddard Space Flight Center
When: Sunday, 1-2pm
Admission: Free
Join the monthly model rocket launch at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Anyone is welcome, and if you’ve got a model rocket to fly, bring it along (though there are some restrictions – see them here). The program takes place the first Sunday of every month at 1pm.
Portrait Story Days: Rosa Parks
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Saturday, 1-4pm & Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
As Black History Month begins, drop in to the Gallery listen to a story about civil rights activist Rosa Parks and to create a special piece of art. For more about the program, see this recent post about our experience.
