The Weekend Round-Up: February 11-12

So much to love about this weekend’s happenings! Opt for a Valentine’s Day-themed activity, celebrate Black History Month, immerse in adventure at a brand new exhibit, enjoy live entertainment, join a nature program… These are just some highlights among many options for fun with your kiddos. Happy Weekend!

DIY Valentines
Where: National Postal Museum
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Love is in the details at the Postal Museum’s annual Valentine’s Day Card Workshop. We’ve attended this event several times, so I can tell you firsthand it’s love-ly. They’ll have pretty papers and neat valentine-themed stamps, all you need to bring is your creativity to decorate your card. Visit the museum’s stamp store and send the cards to your loved ones with a special Postal Museum postmark. And for more about the museum, see this KFDC post.

The Power of Chocolate
Where: National Museum of the American Indian
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10:30am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
The story of chocolate begins with a small tree that has its roots deep in the world of Mesoamerican culture. Join us for a celebration of one of the world’s most beloved foods. Explore the rich history and ongoing story of chocolate by grinding chocolate, creating a vase with Maya glyphs and learning more about the science, art and culture of chocolate.

More Activities to Love
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Love is in the air — and at places all around DC this weekend! Events and activities to celebrate Valentine’s Day range from story time and crafts to skate dates to nature programs to tea time. And all of them are sure to be especially sweet. This post has the scoop on all of them.

Earth Explorers
Where: National Geographic Museum
When: Throughout the weekend, 10am – 6pm
Admission: $12/adult, $10/ages 5-12, under 5 are free
Witness animal migrations from a hot air balloon, submerse into the deep sea to study marine life, discover new species in the rain forest, gear up for a polar expedition. These are all adventures — simulated ones, anyway — to be experienced at the Nat Geo Museum’s newest exhibition that offers a glimpse into the work and passion of explorers in the field. Full of hands-on displays and interactive installations, it’s informative and inspiring. Best for elementary school ages and up, but younger children can enjoy it, too.

NOAA Open House
Where: NOAA Silver Spring Campus
When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Explore your world and learn how NOAA—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—takes the pulse of the planet every day and protects and manages ocean and coastal resources. Join NOAA at the Silver Spring campus for a series of free activities, including engaging talks by NOAA experts, interactive exhibits, special tours, and hands-on activities for ages 5 and up. Meet and talk with scientists, weather forecasters, hurricane hunters, and others who work to understand our environment, protect life and property, and conserve and protect natural resources. Note: A government-issued photo ID is required for adults. Check the website for a list of acceptable forms of ID.

African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space
Where: National Air & Space Museum
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Each February, the museum celebrates the significant contributions African Americans have made to flight and space exploration despite the overwhelming obstacles they had to overcome. Enjoy presentations, hands-on activities, and stories. Learn about African American astronauts, pilots, and scientists of the past and present and their accomplishments.

Carnival Family Day
Where: Anacostia Community Museum
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
In celebration of the exhibition Gateways, the public is invited to enjoy live entertainment, face painting, mask making, storytelling, and other activities for the kids at this popular annual museum event. See the schedule of the day’s events here.

African-Americans at Walney Walking Tour
Where: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: $6
In this interactive walking tour, learn the names and stories of the many African-American families who lived here in slavery and in freedom. The one-hour program is recommended for ages 6 and up. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

More Black History Month Celebrations
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
February is Black History Month, and there are events and activities throughout the DC area to celebrate it. Museum programs (including an entire museum!), special tours and exhibits, story time sessions, and are be enlightening and fun for all ages. See where they’re happening this weekend.

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Ella Enchanted is on stage at Adventure Theatre
* Reserve free tickets to see Skher Brown and the Dancing Warriors Ensemble, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performer
* Hamlette puts a twist on the Shakespearean classic at The Keegan Theatre
* The Freshest Snow Whyte just opensed at Imagination Stage
* Goldilocks is the latest Main Stage show at The Puppet Co.
* And Snow Show is the featured Tiny Tots performance on Sunday
* Steve Songs is playing two shows at Jammin Java on Saturday
* Watch The Great Zucchini with Barry the Magician perform at the Avalon Theatre in Alexandria
* Little ones will enjoy Kitchen Adventures with Encore Stage & Studio
* The Folger Theatre presents As You Like It
* Make it a KidFree night as Shakespeare Theatre Company presents King Charles III at Sidney Harman Hall

DC National Girls and Women in Sports Day Expo
Where:Deanwood Recreation and Aquatic Center
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 4pm
Admission: Free
“Expanding Opportunity” is the theme of this expo and will be one of more than 1,000 events taking place across the country for National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Decades of research show that girls who play sports have better health, higher self-esteem, greater academic achievement, stronger leadership skills, and greater economic opportunity. All District young women and their parents are invited to this event that will showcase up to 40 local vendors, organizations, and programs dedicated to sports and activity opportunities for girls and young women.

Baltimore, Hon!
Where: Baltimore attractions
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Zip up I-95 for some fun in our sister city, where there are several great places to spend a day off. Play the day away at Port Discovery. Explore the exhibits and loads of hands-on activities at the Maryland Science Center. See some of the quirkiest, coolest art around at the American Visionary Art Museum. Get an eyeful of the underwater world at the National Aquarium. Or learn about Baltimore’s early business days at the Museum of Industry.

Fables Rule!
Where: Silver Spring Library
When: Saturday, 2:30pm
Admission: Free
Diane Macklin returns to the library, presenting “Fables Rule,” with interactive storytelling and a new twist to classic tales that illustrate valuable lessons. This will take place on the third floor, and the Silver Spring Library is located at 900 Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring.

Books Alive!
Where: Wheaton Library Interim Branch
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: Free, but tickets required
InterAct Story Theatre kicks off a monthly series of fun family safaris through books! Executive and Artistic Director Ali Oliver-Krueger will lead these interactive workshop for kids and parents, exploring a different age-appropriate children’s book through creative drama, then bringing them to life by acting them out in their own words. Stick around after the workshop to explore Wheaton Library’s children’s library and embark on a new reading adventure with your kids!  The program is best for ages 4 and up. Tickets are limited, and you have to register through the Wheaton Library Interim Branch to get your them — visit in-person or by calling 240.777.0678 to sign up.

Light The Way At The Pearl
Where: The Pearl in Silver Spring
When: Saturday, 4:30-8:30pm
Admission: Free
This event that celebrates the opening of The Pearl, luxury apartments in Silver Spring, also welcomes the public to check out some imaginative art! Light the Way is illuminating Silver Spring with a wholly original art installation. Designed by DC artist Kelly Towles, this inflatable light sculpture 45 feet in diameter playfully reinterprets the concept of a meditation labyrinth. Step inside, explore and contemplate, surrounded by trees and light, and then reemerge with a renewed sense of happiness, harmony and peace. There will also be music and cooking demos and food, and cocktails for purchase. The Pearl is located at 180 High Park Lane in Silver Spring.

4th Annual Waterfowl Festival
Where: Black Hill Visitors Center
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family for a day filled with activities, demonstrations and exhibits to celebrate the wondrous water birds that call Little Seneca Lake home. Enjoy an original DUCKumentary, lectures on bird conservation, gorgeous carved wood decoys made right before your eyes and make-and-create opportunities for even the littlest birders. Join guided birding excursions to catch a glimpse of marine ducks, swans and maybe even the Black Hill bald eagles! 

Mid-Winter Play Day
Where: Takoma Park Community Center
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Put some play in your Sunday afternoon with Let’s Play Takoma and the Takoma Park Recreation Department. The variety of indoor entertainment will include Bach 2 Rock bands, local band Outer Body Llama, Zumbini, cookie decorating, board games and crafts, dress-up, puzzles, and more. All ages are welcome to enjoy it all.

Opt Outside
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
It looks like this weekend’s weather — temps in 60’s! — could lend itself to some activity outside. And you’ve got your pick of places around the DC-Metro for outdoor adventures. Visit the Zoo, take a hike, explore a historic site, hit a playground, or see what else there is to do alfresco in this post with tons of ideas recreation in the fresh air. But if there’s rain or you prefer your fun under shelter, The Great Indoors list has you covered.