Stroll the beautiful gardens and tour the Cathedral at the Franciscan Monastery in Brookland
Monday – If you haven’t yet experienced The BEACH at the National Building Museum (or even if you have), head over and go for a swim! The installation taking up most of the Great Hall includes an “ocean” of nearly one million recyclable translucent plastic balls, where visitors can submerge and play. It’s the #1 must-do in DC this summer, in my opinion. Admission is $5/youth member, $10/adult member and $13/youth non-member, $16/adult non-member, and it doesn’t hurt to reserve tickets in advance. Museum hours are 10am – 5pm. And a heads-up that there could be a wait to get in, but hopefully not a long one, if so.
Tuesday – Jump the morning away at Flight Trampoline Park in Springfield, Va. This bouncy nirvana hosts Kid Flight sessions for children 46″ tall & under from 10am – 12pm Monday through Friday for $10/hour (includes accompanying adult). If you have older kids, plan to head over at noon or later, when all ages can join the fun. Rates then start at $10/hour.
Wednesday – Explore the beautiful grounds and cathedral of the Franciscan Monastery in Brookland. A DC “secret” to many, the “Oasis of Peace” welcomes visitors to stroll through the gardens and tour the church. Hours are 10am – 4:45pm. Admission is free.
Thursday – Catch a performance of Dinosaur Desperados at The Puppet Co. Recommended for ages 3-9, the production runs 50 minutes. Showtimes are 10am and 11:30am. Ticket are $10. Plan to hang out at Glen Echo after for lunch (BYO or buy at the cafe) and some fun on the playground.
Friday – Take the kids on your own archaeological adventure at Purse State Park in Charles County, Md. The locale on the Potomac is full of fossilized shark teeth and bones along the shoreline. Be sure to check the tide table before you go, as there’s not much beach at high tide. There are no concessions or facilities there, so plan accordingly. Admission is free.
