The Weekend Round-Up: May 6-8

A fantastic mix of events and activities will brighten things up around here…along with sunshine (fingers crossed!) just in time for the special day. Happy Weekend! And a Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!

Flower Mart
Where: National Cathedral
When: Friday 10am – 6pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The annual festival, in its 77th year at the National Cathedral, is a wonderful way to spend a nice spring day . While plant sales, floral and horticultural displays, and boutique booths will likely be of more interest to grown-ups, there will also be music and entertainment, games and rides, tasty foods, the All Hallows Guild antique carousel, and other fun activities to delight kids as well. And be sure to visit the awesome Beauvoir School playground while your’re there. Admission is free, though concessions and some activities will cost a fee. Read about our experience there last year.

Around the World Embassy Tour
Where: More than 40 Embassies
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
You might get to hear live music from Albania, sample snacks from Sri Lanka, see a Bolivian dance performance, and enjoy the rich tradition of Nepalese storytelling – all in one day! Cultural Tourism DC presents its annual Around the World Embassy Tour, an open house to embassies from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. The free event showcases art, music, traditional dress, and culinary delights from nations across the globe. It’s also your chance to check out the interiors of those mansions along Mass Ave & International Drive that you usually just admire from the street. A heads-up that there could be lines to get in some embassies, so be prepared. Admission is free, but bring identification, as some embassies might conduct security checks. For more about the event, read about one of our experiences there.

Last Call for WONDER(full)
Where: Renwick Gallery
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
It’s your last chance to experience the extraordinary WONDER exhibit in its full glory — the galleries on the second floor will close after this weekend. Even if you’ve already seen it, a repeat look is just as enchanting as previous visits. And if it’s your first time, well, you’re in for quite a treat.

Racing Art
Where: Baltimore
When: Saturday, 9am – 7pm
Admission: Free
You might see giant pink poodles and other outrageous works of art “race” down Charm City streets at the American Visionary Art Museum’s 18th annual Kinetic Sculpture Race. Kinetinauts (the pilots of the moving sculptures) will compete for the Grand East Coast National Mediocre Champion, awarded to the competitor who finishes exactly in the middle (that is the BEST). Vehicles are wacky and whimsical, straight from a lunatic genius imagination and constructed out of all kinds of materials. They may be a small one-person machine or a 50-foot feat of engineering navigated by many. This is one of those spectacles you just have to see for yourself.

Cheverly Truck Touch
Where: Cheverly Nursery School
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: $5 (under 18 months are free)
Little ones love Truck Touch events, and you’ve got your pick of two this weekend (see below). Cheverly Weekday Nursery’s annual fundraiser welcomes children to sit in the driver’s seat of a fire truck, honk the horn of a dump truck, run around inside the trailer of an 18-wheeler, check out the a police car interior, stand on the back of a garbage truck, and get behind the wheel of many more cool rides. And the fun doesn’t end there—games geared toward little ones, moon bounces, concessions, balloons, and more will also be available. The event will be held in the Cheverly United Methodist Church parking lot (2801 Cheverly Avenue in Cheverly MD). Read an early KFDC post about our take on these events here.

Silver Spring Truck Touch
Where: Silver Spring Nursery School
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admisison: $5
Kids can all kinds of cool vehicles, including Montgomery County construction trucks, a fire engine, rescue vehicles, a school bus, a Metro bus, and more. Also enjoy live music from local favorite Marsha & the Positrons, as well as yummy food and drinks, arts & crafts, games and face painting. And returning this year is the popular Silent Auction, where you can bid on lots of amazing Park at the CHI Center (10501 New Hampshire Ave. in Silver Spring), then head one block South to SSNS at 10309 New Hampshire Ave.

Fun – & Asparagus!– on the Farm
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $8/child, $10/adult
Why buy mom roses when you can you can give her a bouquet of something as unique and fresh as asparagus? The veggie is at its peak and full of flavor this time of year, and you can get it at Great Country Farms – and have a ton of fun. Let dad take the kids out to the five-acre play area, while mom enjoys shopping in the Farm Market stocked with jams & jellies, honey, local meats, baked goods and great gift ideas! Or just relax over lunch and a strawberry sundae at the Roosteraunt concession stand. They’ll have a Chocolate Dipped Strawberry for each visiting mom to thank her for her love, patience, and nurturing in raising our next generation – now, that is sweet!

Go Colonial
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $8/adult, $3/child, free for 2 and under
Take a little time trip back to 1771 at the living history museum in McLean. At Claude Moore Colonial Farm you can see and experience what life was like in the 18th century. Visitors aren’t just welcome, but encouraged, to join a farm family in their daily farm activities. It’s a fun and educational outing for all ages!

“Perspectives” Family Day
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the museum and the Ivymount School, a local school serving students with specific learning disabilities, hearing impairment and autism, for this special event. Families can learn about different perspectives in portraits, create their own portraits, and dance to the lively tunes of Sean Lane and Bay Jazz Project.

Root for the Baysox
Where: Prince George’s Stadium
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Just because the Nats aren’t in town, that doesn’t mean you can’t catch some good baseball action. The Bowie Baysox, one of the local minor league teams, are hosting the Erie SeaWolves all weekend, and there’s extra fun and special promos to enjoy, too — post-game fireworks, a Star Trek celebration, and Mother’s Day brunch among them. Read more about Baysox games in this recent KFDC post.

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Go on a comic adventure that is fun for the whole family with Air Play at Strathmore on Friday evening
* Follow the yellow brick road to the National Theatre where The Wizard of Oz is running through May 15
* The Emperor’s Nightingale is at Adventure Theatre
* Get your groove on with Groovy Nate at Kinder Haus Toys on Saturday
* Looking for Roberto Clemente is on the Imagination Stage
* See a fairy tale on strings as Sleeping Beauty is performed at The Puppet Co.
* And Kooky Kritters is the featured Tiny Tots show there

Walks in the Woods
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
If weather permits (or if you don’t mind a little rain), spend some time on the trail. See flowers in bloom, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and enjoy a day of active fun. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for good walks in the woods with the kids.

Family Archaeology Day
Where: Needwood Mansion
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: $10/person or $20 per family
See and experience what parks archaeologists do. Event features a 19th century slave quarters dig exhibit, mansion tours, a simulated archaeology dig for children, storytelling, old-time games and crafts. Bring a bag lunch and stay for the day.

Korea Day: A Family Festival
Where: Sackler Gallery
When: Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Children’s Day with a full day of free cultural activities for the whole family. Explore the richness of Korean culture through hands-on activities, musical performances, taekwondo demonstrations, and storybook readings by staff of the DC Public Library.

Green Festival
Where: Washington Convention Center
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $13.65, free for ages 16 and under
Go green at the nation’s premier sustainability event. Explore over 250 exhibitors, hear from over 50 inspirational speakers, indulge in delicious vegan or vegetarian food, and learn all you need to know to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Moms get free admission on Mother’s Day!

Community Sing
Where: THEARC
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: Free
Levine Music, known for bringing music to numerous communities throughout the DMV, is hosting its most ambitious community sing-along. People of all ages and abilities are invited to raise their voices in song. Levine artist-in-residence Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell will lead participants in gorgeous five-part harmonies. Bring the whole family! RSVP requested here.

Solve the Great STEM Mystery
Where: Lord of Life Preschool in Clifton, VA
When: Saturday,
Admission: $5
Join Lord of Life Preschool as they host a day of hands-on STEM fun for preschool and elementary aged kids. Get your Detective Handbook, earn clues, and work your way through interactive exhibits such as Mindcraft Molding, Lego Robotics, Math Crafts, Experiments, and much more. Enjoy some food and entertainment, too — grab lunch or a snack and watch Professor Fizzwiffle’s Magical Science Show!

Rally for Recess
Where: 660 K St. NE
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Join Playworks, a that believes in the power of play, at this free event to support recess in the DMVin the 2016-2017 school year. The day will be full of fun activities for families, including games, an Imagination Playground, healthy food tastings, giveaways, and more!

Savor the Day
Where: Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
When: Daily, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a perfect balance of kid and grown-up fun at the Dickerson, MD, locale. Sugarloaf welcomes children to join adults at the winery and even has a designated Play Area where all ages can kick balls, throw Frisbees, and be active. Bring along a picnic, listen to live music, and maybe do some hiking nearby. Be sure to savor the house specialty, of course — I highly recommend the rosé!

Mother’s Day on the Patuxent
Where: Solomons Island
When: Sunday (or anytime)
Admission: Varies
Still making plans for Mother’s Day? We celebrated a couple of years ago with a pontoon boat outing on the Patuxent River, a fun and relaxing time for all — read all about it here. But if you want to stay closer to home, you can turn many of these outdoor ventures into a family outing with some mom celebrating.

Mother’s Day Mezza Menu
Where: Lebanese Taverna
When: Sunday
Admission: $37/adult, $15/child
Take mom to brunch at a local favorite for family dining. Lebanese Taverna has a Mother’s Day Unlimited Mezza Special. It’s a great opportunity to sample many great dishes and, of course, celebrate the special day. Read more about the restaurant here.

The Ins and Out of DC
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
For things to do outdoors or inside, depending on the weather or simply your preference, or for some great Mother’s Day ideas, these posts are chock full of evergreen pursuits:
The Great Indoors
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids