Our howling neighbors in Nicaragua
I don’t monkey around when it comes to KFDC. Even on spring break vacay, I’ll still make sure you have the scoop on the best happenings at home. So, if you want to know where to hang with your crew over the few days, just keep on reading. (And if you want to see some monkeys locally, head to the Zoo, where there’s also a special celebration on Saturday.) Happy Weekend!
Celebrate Kids’ Farm
Where: National Zoo
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
State Farm is hosting a day of special activities at the Zoo to celebrate the Kids’ Farm! Visitors to the exhibit can enjoy arts & crafts, giveaways, and other fun festivities. “Tend your Garden” to learn how to recycle used shipping pallets to easily create beautiful urban gardens, meet members of the Zoo’s horticulture team and help “plant” seedlings in the pallets, see performances featuring children’s entertainment, and more.
Bethesda Literary Festival
Where: Throughout Downtown Bethesda
When: Friday – Sunday
Admission: Free
The 16th annual festival celebrating reading and writing begins Friday night and runs through the weekend. Both local and national authors, journalists, and poets will be there to present their works, lead discussions, and sign books. Especially for the younger set will be family storytimes, writing contests, and a chance for American Girl fans to meet Valerie Tripp, author of 31 of American Girl Doll books – bring your American Girl doll along to hear her discuss her most recent book Full Speed Ahead: My Journey with Kit. View the schedule for event times and locations.
National vs. Phillies
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats are hosting the Phillies this weekend, and there are promos to enjoy along with the action on the baseball diamond. Saturday is Pups in the Park (see website for more info) and Sunday is Kids Opening Day as well as Screech’s Birthday and Kids Run the Bases, when 4-12-year-olds can loop the infield after the game.
National Math Festival
Where: Haupt Garden
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
National Museum of Mathematics (aka MoMath) is bringing the marvelous world of math to DC on Saturday. Math Midway, their exhibition of interactive, carnival-like mathematical attractions, will make its DC debut at the National Math Festival, the country’s first national festival dedicated to discovering the delight and power of mathematics. Visitors can ride the Square-Wheeled Tricycle, enjoy laser-based geometry exploration with the Ring of Fire, and play with algebraic gold doubloons along with Pirate X and Lady Y. They will also be able to participate in Spacellation, a giant geometric coat-hanger construction making its national debut, or tie themselves up in String Upon a Star. Visit the website to learn more.
Happy Birthday to the Bard!
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
‘Tis Shakespeare’s 450th birthday, and the Folger Shakespeare Library is celebrating with an Open House on Sunday afternoon. In true Renaissance fashion, there will be song and dance, jesters and jugglers, and opportunities to recite your favorite Shakespeare lines on stage. Especially for children will be fortune telling, shield making, quill writing, arts & crafts, a Shakespeare portrait contest, and a giant birthday cake with the cutting lead by Queen Elizabeth I. The event is free and will take place rain or shine. Some concessions will be available for purchase. The Folger Shakespeare Library is located at 201 East Capitol Street SE.
Privateer Festival
Where: Fells Point
When: Saturday, 10am – 7pm & Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Yo ho ho, mateys! Head to Baltimore to honor the maritime history of Fell’s Point and the patriotic privateer fleet and celebrate the ‘pirate’ fantasy of sailing lore. The weekend will be full of family-friendly activities from Thames Street Park and Ann Street Pier to Broadway Square, Broadway Pier. Festivities include live entertainment for buccaneers of all ages, plus loads of kids’ activities – bounce house, arts & crafts, magic shows, storytimes, and treasure hunts. You can also opt for a sail on the high seas with Urban Pirates Adventure Cruises (fee for these). Craft and food vendors, plus a grog garden will keep the grown-ups happy, too.
Free Parking
Where: National Parks
When: All weekend long
Admission: Free
There’s no entrance fee to national parks that usually charge admission this weekend, so it’s a good time to hit the trail at Shenandoah or Great Falls, take a ride on Skyline Drive to see the mountains in their spring greenery, or visit Harpers Ferry.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Catch a performance of Sinbad: The Untold Tale at Imagination Stage
* The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is on stage at Adventure Theatre
* See a show on strings at The Puppet Co. where Jack and the Beanstalk is the current main stage production
* And Panda-Monium is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre
* The Northern Virginia Players present Seussical, Jr. starting this weekend
* The Russian National Ballet Theatre will be performing Cinderella on Saturday and Seeping Beauty on Sunday at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day
Where: Washington Monument Grounds
When: Saturday, 11am – 7:30pm (gates open at 10am)
Admission: Free
If you don’t mind a crowd, celebrate Earth Day on the National Mall. While the focus of the rally is global poverty and environmental issues, the main event will be a live concert featuring big acts including No Doubt, Usher, Fall Out Boy, and more, plus many speakers and celeb appearances.
Building Bridges Family Day
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a bridge-themed family day collaborative partnership between the National Portrait Gallery and Ivymount School in Rockville. This special program will include an exhibition of work by Ivymount Middle School students, musical performances by Sean Lane and Bay Jazz, and hands-on art activities for all ages.
BSO Music Box: On Safari
Where: Strathmore
When: Saturday, 10-11:30am
Admission: $10
Adventure awaits as your family is whisked away to enjoy a musical safari full of elephants, giraffes, lions and zebras. This concert is part of the BSO Music Box series, a unique music program for children ages six months to three years and their families. Featuring the musical talents of a small ensemble of BSO musicians, each 30-minute program promotes musical, motor and language development through bouncing, clapping, listening, singing and other hands-on activities.
Explore Games of the Past
Where: DAR Museum
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
George Washington, Dolley Madison, Harriet Tubman, and Abraham Lincoln were all kids once — what games might they have played? Find out at this DAR family program. Try out some active games, some games of skill, and some that involve strategy. Learn about “quoits,” and see how good you are at hoop rolling. Discover a new favorite game, and make a toy to take home! Recommended for ages 4 to 104. Pre-registration is encouraged, as materials and space are limited.
Dairy Day
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Saturday,
Admission: $3/adult, $2/child, free for 2 and under
Have you ever wondered what curds are and whey look like? Do you know how to wash butter? Join in as the farm wife at Claude Moore makes soft cheese and churns butter, and gain a new appreciation for these foods so precious to the Farm family.
Design a Kolam
When: Saturday, 2–4 pm
Where: Freer | Sackler Gallery
Admission: Free
As part of National Math Festival activities, guests can discover the curved loops and geometric symmetry of kolam, a South Indian style of painting that uses rice flour. Watch a professional artist create a kolam and try making your own. All ages are welcome, but it’s recommended for ages 8–14 with adult companions.
All Aboard for a Model Train Open House
Where: Historic Vienna Depot of the W&OD Railroad
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Chug on down to Vienna to watch model train and trolley activities that realistically depict an actual railroad that existed in North Carolina in the 1950′s, the Western North Carolina (WNC). Every hill, town, building, locomotive, rail car, and industry in this layout is modeled after those places and things as they looked in that era. Well, almost everything. To satisfy popular demand, expect an occasional sighting of Thomas the Tank Engine (and a few of his friends) chugging around among the bigger steam and diesel locomotives. The Vienna Depot is located at 231 Dominion Road NE in Vienna, Virginia just down the street from the red caboose. Check out a virtual tour.
Cavalcade of Cars
Where: National Capital Trolley Museum
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: $7/adults, $5/children 2-17
Hop on board for a day of fun! Along with the museum’s array of exhibits and regular trolley rides, there will be several European trams and North American street cars offering visitors a spin through Northwest Branch Park during visits.
Children’s Festival
Where: Kent Gardens Elementary School
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon featuring games, sports, arts and crafts, and performances by children from around the world! This festival is part of the annual Children’s Day, a day dedicated to children by Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey. Plan to eat there — delicious Turkish food and drinks will be for sale. Register at contact@turkishembassy.org.
Catch the Ultimate Breeze
Where: Gallaudet University
When: Saturday, 6:30pm
Admission: $10/advance, $12.50/day of
Bring the kids out for fun, fresh air, and Pro Ultimate Frisbee! Not only will you get to see exciting Frisbee action as local team DC Breeze takes on the Ottawa Outlaws, kids can join a free youth clinic (for ages 6-17) before the game at 5pm (FYI: they offer this at every home game!). And while your kids are learning ultimate out on the field, you can enjoy food and drink specials and listen to a live band to get ready for the game.
DC United vs. Houston Dynamo
Where: RFK Stadium
When: Saturday, 7pm (parking lot opens at 4pm)
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Kick it at a soccer game as the DC United host the Houston Dynamo on Saturday evening. Get there early for activities at the Lot 8 Tailgate, and be sure to stop by section 222 for a variety of kids activities. For some extra goodies just for young fans, join the Kids Club!
