There’s something to indulge just about every interest in this latest round-up. But if you need more ideas to pique yours, check out the lists of outdoor and indoor suggestions along with the recs below. Happy Weekend!
BrickFair ’14
Where: Dulles Expo Center
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $12, free for ages 3 and under
The nation’s largest LEGO Fan Festival will be enthralling guests of all ages this weekend. BrickFair brings together LEGO enthusiasts from across the country to showcase their amazing brick constructions, from tiny intricate works to elaborate, towering creations. Over a thousand exhibitors will be there to display their designs, along with vendors selling all things LEGOS — T-shirts, hats, mini figures, models, and more.
Seize the Summer Days
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Summer is whizzing by, so seize the season while you can with activities that only occur this time of year. Enjoy an open air concert at one of many series in the area. Stay cool under the sun at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. Ride mini-trains and carousels at local parks. And much, much more. Find details on all these pursuits in the Summer 2014 guide.
Family Workshop: Animal Maquettes
Where: Corcoran Gallery
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
It’s a Free Summer Saturday at the Corcoran! In this session inspired by Albert Paley’s maquettes, families can work together to create their own animal displays.
Nats vs. Phillies
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
It’s a weekend of home games for the Nats as they host the Phillies. There are games tonight and Saturday evening at 7:05pm, and on Sunday at 1:35pm. Don’t miss the special fun — Signature Sundays welcome fans to arrive early to meet select players and get autographs and Kids Run the Bases invites young fans ages 4-12 to do just that after the game.
Postal Family Day
Where: National Postal Museum
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
It’s a special delivery from this awesome but often overlooked museum! Learn about the diverse and fascinating work of postal employees, both past and present, through exciting activities and games. This includes using interactive apps that connect visiotrs to the exhibits, a scavenger hunt to investigate and explore the museum, opportunities to sort letters, story time with museum staff, and much more.
Ice Cream at George’s Place
Where: Mount Vernon Estate
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: $17/adults, $8/ages 6-11, free for 5 and under
Get a glimpse of culinary life in the 18th century through ice cream making demos every Saturday in August at Mount Vernon. Visitors can watch as costumed staff make one of George Washington’s favorite desserts using reproduction period equipment to emulate ice cream-making process of the olden times. Certifikid has a deal on admission!
Take Your Pick
Where: Area Farms
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Peaches, blueberries, and blackberries are among the fruits that have ripened, and just about all the farms in this post about strawberry picking have something ready for harvest now and welcome guests to come pick ’em themselves. However, it’s always a good idea to check websites or call ahead to confirm availability the day you plan to go. Sunscreen and hat also recommended.
Fairfax 4-H Fair & Carnival
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $25
Head on down to the 4-H fair! From Friday through Sunday, enjoy carnival rides, amusements, treats, farm animals and rabbits, rides and displays, horse and dog shows, the tractor pull, kids crafts and face painting, plus plenty of good food, drinks and live music. Held at Frying Pan Farm Park, hours for the many activities vary by day, so be sure to check the website before you go.
Howard County Fair
Where: 2210 Fairground Rd. in West Friendship, Md
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $5/age 10 and up, $2/seniors, free for under 10, rides and games extra
It’s carnival time as the Howard County fair kicks off a slew of county celebrations around the area. Whirl on rides, indulge in junk food, visit farm animals, and much more. This post about all the county fairs coming up has all the details you need.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Be hugely entertained by The BFG at Imagination Stage
* Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs is on the Main Stage at The Puppet Co.
* Brian Curry: It’s Magic is this week’s free Saturday Morning at the National performance
* Younger audiences will love Mouse on the Move, also at Imagination Stage
* Enjoy Disney’s the Lion King at the Kennedy Center
* Catch a colorful show as Pinkalicious is on stage at Adventure Theatre
* See the Pushcart Players perform Little Red Riding Hood and Other Stories amid the trees at Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
* Walter Martin (of The Walkmen) is playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin’ Java
DCMeet Market
Where: Logan Circle
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate summer at his month’s DCMeet Market with live music by Black Hills, Olivia Mancini, and a musical set by DJ Ayeshcold, all presented by Rock-n-Romp, a family-friendly music series. And while you enjoy delicious and authentic Peruvian dishes by one of DC’s top food trucks, Peruvian Brothers, learn how to create your own DIY Paper Fans using a colorful assortment of paper & décor at the market’s crafting tent. Be sure to brwose, too — the market will showcase over 40 local vendors selling fine arts, home décor, handcrafted jewelry, fashion apparel, baby accessories, and prepared foods. And as always, the market is free, open to the public, and of course, family and pet-friendly!
Kaypi Perú Festival
Where: National Museum of the American Indian
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
Celebrate the indigenous cultures of Peru. Kaypi Perú (which means “This is Peru” in the Quechua language)at this festival devoted to sharing and acknowledging the richness and diversity of Peru through traditional dances and live music, photo exhibitions, films, Peruvian food and drinks, and hands-on activities for kids and families. The festival will also include exhibition and sale of handmade crafts by indigenous Peruvian artisans.
Humanities, Arts & Technology Festival
Where: Gateway DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1-6pm
Admission: Free
Hear, see, create, learn, taste, dance and interact at the city’s first Humanities, Arts & Technology Festival at Gateway DC – Ward 8’s new innovative urban park and pavilion on the St. Elizabeths East campus. The first HATFestDC is designed to inspire families and creative entrepreneurs through unique and up-close interaction with the work and processes behind the creative economy of the nation’s capital. With a theme of “Humanities, Arts & Technology at Work,” HATFestDC will demonstrate how to thrive in creative fields, while inspiring both adults and youth to build projects and programs with H.A.T. (humanities, arts, and technology) disciplines at the center. Along with a performance area, there will be five themed tents focused on music, visual arts and graphic design, food, technology and children’s activities. Each area will include interactive workshops, readings, artist talks and panel discussions, robotics, art creation, theatrical performances and chef demonstrations.
Elmo’s Birthday Bash
Where: National Children’s Museum
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $10
Head to the museum at National Harbor to celebrate Elmo’s birthday with cake and special activities, including dance parties on the world map at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, and 3:45pm with Elmo and friends!
Stories in Art
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
Children ages 4-7 can pack their imaginations and travel to the National Gallery of Art. This week’s session of the series that explore Italy through art will focus on the works of Giovanni Paolo Panini. There are several time slots available each day. Sign-in will take place in the West Building Rotunda, beginning at 10am on Saturday and at 11:00am on Sunday, and will continue until all spaces are filled. And they do often fill up, so plan to get there early to register.
Artful Conversations
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Artful Conversations for kids ages 8-11 is also on again this weekend. Guests will observe a work of art, then participate in a discussion about it. Sessions are on Saturday at 11am and 1pm, and Sunday at 12pm and 2pm. Sign-in takes place in the West Building Rotunda beginning at 10am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday and will continue until all spaces are filled.
Southside Music & Skateboarding Series
Where: Mount Ranier Skate Park
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Spectate or compete in this free skateboarding competition open to all ages with cash prizes. Along with the grinds, slides, ollies, and other tricks, there will be live music by Lee Blackwood & Graham and DJ sets. Registration starts at noon – skaters should get there early – and the competition begins at 1pm. Mount Ranier Skate Park is located at 3792 Otis Street in Mt. Rainier, MD.
