The Weekend Round-Up: January 11-12

We might be emerging from the cold spell, but rainy weather will likely keep us indoors for at least half the weekend. Luckily, options abound for entertaining the kids on a wet day. And if/when it dries up and the sun rears its glorious head, get out and take advantage — The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids post has loads of ideas on how. Happy Weekend!

NSO in Your Neighborhood
Where: Various venues on Capitol Hill
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The National Symphony Orchestra is bringing back its NSO in Your Neighborhood initiative, this year to Capitol Hill. From January 7-13, the NSO will present a variety of activities, with an emphasis on chamber performances, education, and community engagement programs for audiences of all ages. While all of the performances can be appreciated by any age, the following are geared especially toward young audiences: Viva Violins: From Baby Talk to Mozart, Friday 10–11am at Eebenezers Coffeehouse, 201 F Street NE; Musical Instrument Petting Zoo, Saturday 1:30–2:30pm at Union Station; NSO at Union Station, 3 & 7pm; Musical Instrument Petting Zoo Sunday 10:30am–12:30pm, DC Southeast Library, 403 7th Street SE. View the full schedule for details and more performances .

Are you Q?rius
Where: Natural History Museum
When: Friday 2-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The new interactive and experiential learning space at the Natural History Museum is, in a word, AWESOME. Visitors can view up close – and in many cases handle – real artifacts and specimens from the museum’s collections. Microscopes let young guests feel like real scientists, and drawers full of everything from animals species to cultural relics are accessible for examination. And even though it’s been promoted as a space for teens and tweens, younger children definitely can appreciate it, too (I’d say about 4 and up with an adult). Look for a KFDC review of Q?rius soon!

The Little Mermaid, Jr.
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theater
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $12/adult, $10/child
Encore Stage & Studio’s latest “theatre by kids for kids” production invites audiences to splash into this classic story of Ariel, the mermaid princess, who wishes to live in the world above rather than the ocean floor. To explore life on land, Ariel disobeys her father, King Triton, and makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula. Ransoming her singing voice, she must convince Prince Eric that she is indeed the girl who rescued him or risk losing her voice forever. Sing along to your favorite songs and watch as Ariel, with the help of her friends, tries to break Ursula’s curse and win the heart of the Prince. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Go here for showtimes and tickets.

From the Wright Brothers to the Right Stuff
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 theme “From the Wright Brothers to the Right Stuff.”

NSO Kinderclassics: Presto! The Case of the Vanishing Viola
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Saturday 11am, 1:30pm, & 5pm
Admission: $20
Oh no, a musician’s viola has been stolen! Could the culprit be the magician next door? With the guidance of Presto! – a talented string trio composed of violinist Karen Lowry-Tucker and violist Elizabeth Pulju-Owen along with cellist/magician Drew Owen – you get to follow the clues to help our detective crack the case. Along the way, discover the secrets of string instruments and the music they play. Expect engaging stories, a wide range of classical styles, plenty of audience participation, and phenomenal feats of magic. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Stories, Songs, and Play
Where: DCJCC
When: Sunday, 10am
Admission: Free
Join the DCJCC for a FREE Story Time program, an hour of free play, songs, and stories. Enjoy free play in the preschool space from 10-10:30am, then gather on the carpet from 10:30-11am for stories and songs led by a preschool teacher. This program is intended for children ages 0-4 and their caregivers, and will meet in Preschool Classroom 5 (the Etzim Room, on the 2nd floor) at the DCJCC at 16th and Q Streets. Admission is FREE and no registration is required. All children must be accompanied by a caregiver.

Take a Hike
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
There’s a relative heatwave on the way, so how about hitting the trail to enjoy it?  This old KFDC post has a bunch of recommendations for good places to hike with kids. And not listed among them but also great tramping spots are Turkey Run Park, Roosevelt Island, Winkler Botanical Preserve, and Huntley Meadows.

NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo
Where: Washington Convention Center
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: Free
NBC’s annual exposition celebrates healthy living this weekend at the Washington Convention Center. There will be free health screenings, exercise and dance demos, opportunities to test out new sports, giveaways, plus activities especially for kids. The Convention Center is located at 901 Mount Vernon Place, NW. Metered street parking and garages are nearby, and you can take the Metro’s yellow line to the Mount Vernon stop.

Saturday Morning with Mr. Gabe
Where: Jammin Java
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $8 or $25/Family 4-pack
Mr. Gabe performs nursery rhymes, folk songs, and modern favorites (such as “Yellow Submarine” and “La Bamba”) for children, ages zero to six.  He appears regularly at schools, libraries, and cafés in and around Washington, DC.  Join him for the Saturday morning show and enjoy full lunch and drink menu. First come, first seated.

Hometown Hoops
Where: Smith Center & Patriot Center
When: Saturday, 2:30pm
Admission: Varies
Cheer on a local college team and see some exciting basketball action. The George Washington University Colonials are having a good season, and their game against VCU on Saturday should provide some good sports entertainment – look for tickets here. And the George Mason Patriots are playing St. Joseph’s on Saturday evening – tickets can be purchased here.

Summer Camp Sampler
Where: Imagination Stage
When: Saturday, 9am – 3:30pm
Admission: Free
Get an up-close and personal taste of what summer camp is like at Imagination Stage – they promise you’ll have a blast! Sample camps are about 20 minutes in length, with the exception of longer drop-off Musical Production samplers (which also include a free pizza lunch). Parents are encouraged to join the samplers for children in grades 2 or younger. Parents of campers in grades 3 or older are welcome to observe the sampler, but not required. Register for a sample class here. And note that all ages and grades listed are indicative of your child’s age/grade on September 1, 2014. 

Education Festival
Where: Washington Convention Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Discover the varied and outstanding education options for children in pre-school through high school and adult education/GED at the 2014 DC Education Festival. The event will feature DC’s charter schools, DCPS middle schools and high schools, and private schools. Also, throughout the day, there will be student arts and cultural performances, and science demonstrations. Attendees can sample cutting-edge technology, browse the community market, participate in workshops, plus enjoy fun activities for the kids.

Kids in the Kitchen
Where: Children’s National Medical Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
This event from the Junior League of Washington is a recipe for a fun-filled day all about healthy foods, healthy lives and exercise. Kids can get cooking and enjoy a variety of activities at this free at the Children’s National Medical Center in their new Washington National’s Diabetes Care Complex. Due to the variety of activities and the space, you must sign up for a visit time at the hospital.

Yarn Workshop
Where: Potomac Crescent Waldorf School
When: Saturday, 9-11am
Admission: Free
Discover the unique approach to handwork that Waldorf education offers through this yarn workshop. During the workshop we will teach finger crocheting and finger knitting for children, as well as knitting and crocheting for adults. While there, you can also shop parent-made handwork, learn about handwork activities at the school and its benefits, and view yarn and needle work projects children work on in class. RSVP for the event by phone (703.486-.1309) or email: jenna@potomaccrescentschool.org 

Portrait Story Days
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Drop in to the Portrait Gallery to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This Sunday, learn about American dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Read more about the program in this post about our experience there.

Gratis Nat Geo
Where: National Geographic Museum
When: Sunday
Admission: FREE
Put away the wallet to tour Nat Geo’s current exhibits. Admission this Sunday will be on PNC, the national presenting tour sponsor of Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers on Assignment, currently open at the museum. Also on view are A New Age of Exploration, and Lions & Tigers & Bears: Through the Lens with National Geographic, and One Cubic Foot: Portraits of Biodiversity.