Going for a whirl on the carousel at the Zoo
The Snowquester may have been a bust, but these weekend picks won’t be. See Nat Geo’s newest exhibit, join one of many museum programs, enjoy the entertainment at the Intersections Festival, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day family-style, relish in the springish weather… and these are just a few of many family fun options. Whatever you do, have a blast. Happy Weekend!
Get Out
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It looks like we’re getting a spring teaser this weekend — sunshine and warmer temps — so get out and savor it! Head to the National Arboretum, stroll the grounds of Brookside Gardens, hit the trail at Great Falls or Riverbend Park, visit the animals at Old Maryland Farm or the Zoo. Find more info about all these suggestions and scads more in this post about the best places in the DC area to enjoy a day outdoors.
Real Pirates
Where: National Geographic Museum
When: All weekend
Admission: $11/adults, $7/ages 5-12, free for 4 and under
Arrrr, matey! It’s the opening weekend of the much anticipated exhibit, Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship. You can follow the ship’s history as you tour the displays, see and even touch artifacts recovered from its sunken wreckage, feel like you’re there as you view replicas of the ship, try your hand at knot-tying, and hoist the Jolly Roger. While you’re there, check out the Birds of Paradise exhibit, too. And if you get can’t to Pirates this weekend, you’ve got plenty of time to go — the exhibit runs March 8 – September 2.
Danish National Girls’ Choir on Millennium Stage
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Friday, 6pm
Admission: Free
Since its founding in 1938, the Danish National Girls’ Choir has been synonymous with Danish song and the pure Nordic sound. On Friday evening, they will perform on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center as part of the many musical offerings of Nordic Cool 2013. Be sure to get there early to get seats.
Super Science Saturday
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
It’s Super Science Saturday, the monthly program at the Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Dulles. There will be demonstrations and hands-on activities that immerse children in science and technology topics related to aviation and space exploration. On Saturday, it’ll center around “The Space Shuttle” theme.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the Weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Here’s the live entertainment on local stages this weekend:
– It’s the final weekend to catch Anime Momotaro at Imagination Stage.
– Little King Mattias is at the Kennedy Center as part of Nordic Cool 2013.
– The Bog Band and Shannon Dunne Dance Company is this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance.
– Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs is at The Puppet Co. along with a couple of Tiny Tots shows.
– The Creative Cauldron in Falls Church presents Peter Pan and Wendy
– Encore Stage & Studio presents Tale of A Tiger at Theatre on the Run
– The Diggity Dudes are playing the 10:30am show at Jammin’ Java on Saturday.
– The Young Spectaculars & the Front Yard Adventure is the latest Arts on the Horizon production.
Get details on all of these production in this post about entertainment this season.
Intersections Festival
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by Performance
It’s the final weekend of the Atlas Performing Arts Center’s 2nd annual festival, and there will be several performances and activities for the entire family to enjoy: Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales, a free Boogie Babes show, storytime with a celebrity guest reader (the wonderful principal of my son’s school!), a children’s multi-sensory class with Arts on the Horizon, the Zip Zap circus, dance performances, and even more. Visit the Intersections website for show times, descriptions, and ticket info.
Are You Ready for Some Futbol?
Where: RFK Stadium
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $26
The DC United kicks off the season at home with a match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday evening. They ended last season with an unblemished home record, so let’s see if they can keep the streak going! Look for special ticket offers here.
Civil War Family Day
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the troops who have set up camp in the Kogod Courtyard for an afternoon of crafts, games, and music, including silhouette art, period photography, and a scavenger hunt, all inspired by popular activities during the Civil War.
Nordic Cool 2013
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free exhibits, tickets vary by performance
The month-long festival celebrating the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, and nearby islands is presenting over 750 performances, exhibits, food demos, talks, workshops and more through mid-March. Drop in anytime for LEGO and game play, art, and to explore Nordic countries and culture or see a theatre, dance, or music performance — several will be taking place over the weekend. See the schedule for details.
Lowe’s Build and Grow
Where: Local Lowe’s Stores
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
This session of the bimonthly workshops for kids is offering guests another opportunity to do a Monster Jam build, this time featuring Monster Mutt! Head to Lowe’s this weekend to to make the free wooden project (with parent help). Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Go here to register.
Shamrock Shindig
Where: Pierce’s Park, Baltimore Inner Harbor
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free, but activities cost extra
Looking for a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day properly (you know what I mean) that is also family-friendly? You can get your green on a little early in Baltimore at the Shamrock Shindig. The event catering to both kids and adults will feature live entertainment, plus there will be food trucks, adult bevvies, a Shamrock Alley with kids activities (cookie decorating, games, etc.), stilt walkers, a strolling leprechaun, and much more. While admission is free you need passes to enjoy many activities: The Shamrock Pass for children in $6, a wristband for adults is $15. See this post for more details, plus a discount code for your passes.
Travel & Adventure Show
Where: Convention Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm
Admission: $10/adults 1 day, $16/2 days, free for 16 and under
An expo might sound like a grown-up affair, but some cool pursuits will keep the kids entertained. Besides the hundreds of travel providers and destinations featured, there will be cultural performances, a SCUBA pool, a rock climbing wall, a few live animals, and kids games.
Artful Conversations
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1pm
Admission: Free
“See-Wonder-Connect” is the theme this month of the NGA’s Winter Drop-In Program for kids ages 8-11. Guests will observe a work of art, participate in a discussion about it, then do a related project. Sign-in takes place in the East Building Atrium beginning at 11am on both Saturday and Sunday and will continue until all spaces are filled.
Second Saturday at Natural History
Where: National Museum of Natural History
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Get an “inside” look at fish in this session of the museum’s monthly Second Saturday program. Guests can uncover the x-rays of fish, eels, and sharks, then use an iPad to enhance the x-ray to create their own digital artwork.
Portrait Story Days
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This weekend, learn about sculptor Marisol Escobar. Read more about the program and the museum here.
Music at the Museum
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Sunday, 6:30pm
Admission: Free
The NGA presents a free family concert based on the children’s book, “Anna and the Hermitage Cats,” on Sunday evening. The musical detective story is part of the museum’s concert series. Admittance is on a first-come, first-seated basis, beginning 30 minutes before the show. The entrance at 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW remains open on Sunday until 6:30pm.
