The Weekend Round-Up: July 26-28

Happy Weekend!

Summer Fun
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Embrace summer in DC this weekend with a host of activities that are best (and, in some cases, only) enjoyed this time of year. Outdoor swimming, sprayground play, concerts under the stars, special museum programs, and movies al fresco are just some of the seasonal fun. Go here for the full scoop on these joys of summer and more.

Kaypi Perú Festival
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 10am–5:30pm
Admission: Free
Join the free three-day Kaypi Perú Festival at the National Museum of the American Indian. This event highlights the South American nation’s rich and diverse cultural heritage and traditional arts. Kaypi Perú,which means “This is Peru” in the indigenous language of Quechua, includes an art market, music and dance performances, hands-on activities for kids, a film screening, traditional plants, and Peruvian cuisine.

Newsflash: Summer Fun Deal
Where: Newseum | Pennsylvania Ave., DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $24.95/adult, FREE for kids
Take advantage of free admission for kids to the Newseum while you can! The annual Summer Fun Deal, which runs through Labor Day, waives the entrance fee for youth with one paid adult admission. The deal benefits kids ages 7 and up most, since children 6 and under always get in free, and much of the Newseum’s collection will be better appreciated by older children. It’s a fantastic museum, one of my very favorites in DC! Worth the admission fee, which is actually good for two days.

Free Kids Mini Golf + More
Where: Rosslyn Putt-Putt + Candy BAR | Rosslyn, VA
When: Saturday, 9:30am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Bring the kids to Rosslyn Putt-Putt + Candy BAR for a special Family Day! They are opening early with activities for the whole family, and this Saturday only, any child under the age of 10 will get one FREE round of mini golf. They’ll also have other programming for kids, including a temporary tattoo parlor, a balloon-artist station and a face-painting station. These activities will be open from 9:30am – 12pm. In addition to a nine-hole mini golf course, the indoor Candy BAR at Rosslyn Putt-Putt has arcade games. Parents and kids can also enjoy sweet treats and beverages. Stay all day!

Secondhand Game Sale
Where: Labyrinth Game Shop | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Labyrinth is hosting its legendary annual Used Game Sale. The proceeds raised are used to buy games for local teachers’ classrooms, support the shop’s game class aftercare program, and add new games to the demo library. The sale includes live, silent, and blind auctions on the first day, and a rummage sale on the second day with prices dropping as the day progresses.

Nats vs. Dodgers
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices Vary
There are a couple of home games for the Nats as they host the Dodgers. Catch them on Friday (7:05pm), Saturday (4:05pm), and Sunday (1:35pm). There’s a new Kids Eat Free summer promo, and kids can run the bases after the Sunday game. Before you go, get some KFDC tips on doing Nats game without breaking the bank.

Toe Tapping Celebration
Where: National Postal Museum | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate National Dance Day and the new USPS Forever stamp celebrating Gregory Hines. Watch a Tap Dance performance by Knock on Wood Tap Dance Studio and Capital Tap and District Tap companies featuring Baakari Wilder — and learn a few moves yourself! The performance will be followed by a workshop and audience participation. Tap shoes provided, but please wear socks. It’s a perfect activity for the whole family, all ages, toe tapping fun! Plan to stay after to the rest of the museum, too.

Family Art Programs
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
The NGA’s wonderful Art Investigators is on again this weekend. The drop-in program for kids ages 4-7 will explore works by Jasper Francis Cropsey with a a book reading, a look at his work, then an art project that directly relates to it. Sign-in takes place in the East Building Atrium, starting at 10am on Friday and Saturday, and 11am on Sunday. Be aware that you may not get an early time slot and will have time to fill before your session, so plan accordingly. Read a KFDC review of the series back when it was called Stories in Art (it’s an older post, but still relevant, as the program is very much the same). There will also be Drop-In Art Making on Friday and Saturday 10am – 2pm, and on Sunday 11am – 3pm.

Serve Up Some Tennis Fun
Where: William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center | Rock Creek, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, gates open at 9am
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Enjoy the on-court excitement along with some special events as the Citi Open Tennis Tournament swings into action this weekend. Friday is the first day of qualifying rounds as well as Camry Family Day with lots of fun activities especially for kids. And qualifying rounds continue on Sunday.

Montgomery County Farm Tour
Where: Montgomery County Farms | Montgomery County, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Learn about agricultural heritage, promote local farms, and indulge in seasonally fresh food as Montgomery County celebrates the 30th Annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale. Activities will vary from farm to farm, but several will have hayrides, pony rides, music, animals to visit, and other activities planned. All 19 participating farms will be open Saturday, and 13 will reopen on Sunday, so be sure to check the website for the schedule before you go.

Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Disney’s Aladdin brings magic for the whole family to the Kennedy Center (look for a ticket discount).
* Enjoy fun and antics with The Cat in the Hat at Adventure Theatre
* Go on a Treasure Island adventure at Synetic Theatre (look for a ticket discount)
* Reserve free tickets to see The Milkshake Duo, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National show
* Experience the moon landing in Earthrise at the Kennedy Center (look for a ticket discount)
* Newsies is Encore Stage & Studio’s latest by kids, for kids production (look for a ticket discount)
* The Ballad of Mulan is now on the Imagination Stage
* And little ones will love Balloonacy at the Bethesda theater
* Catch a performance of Circus! at The Puppet Co.
* Magic Toyshop is the featured Tiny Tots show there on Sunday
* Take ages 10 and up to The Band’s Visit at the Kennedy Center

Cirque de Soleil: Volta
Where: Under the Bog Top| Tysons II, VA
When: Through September 6
Tickets: $49+ (look for discount tickets)
Energetic, urban and contemporary, VOLTA is a captivating voyage of discovery that showcases never-before-seen under the Big Top acrobatics in a visually striking world. Driven by a stirring melodic score and inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports, VOLTA is about finding yourself and unveiling your personal powers. VOLTA is a story of transformation. It is about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential, and recognizing one’s own power to make it possible. Ultimate freedom comes with self-acceptance, and with the liberation of the judgement of others.

Art Museum Morning
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
There’s all kinds of fun for little ones at the Hirshhorn this weekend. On Saturday from 10am – 2pm, enjoy the Library + Art Pop-Up and find a cart in the galleries and check out a fun kit full of our favorite finds for kids. On Sunday at 11am, join a STORYTIME session, this one in Spanish! And be sure to stop in the Sculpture Garden outside and add a wish to Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree for Washington!

Tanabata: The Japanese Star Festival
Where: Hillwood Estate & Gardens | Northwest, DC
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: $18/adult, $5/child
Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival, celebrates the legend of Orihime, the weaver princess, and Hikoboshi, the herder, lovers separated by the Milky Way who are allowed to meet just once a year on one day during the summer months. Celebrate the holiday at Hillwood through storytelling, live music, crafts, and more.
 Reserve tickets in advance.

All Ages Dueling Pianos
Where: Bobby McKey’s | National Harbor, MD
When: Saturday, 12:30-2:30 (doors open at 2pm)
Admission: $7-15
The whole crew can enjoy an afternoon of music and fun at this dueling piano shows. The two hours of all-request live music paired with a lunch buffet is a great way to stay cool on a hot summer day. And this is a performance where kids are encouraged to wiggle in their seats, dance in the aisles, and sing along!

Open Studio: Sacred Sounds
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery
When: Saturday, 12–4pm
Admission: Free
Take a moment to pause and listen to sounds in Encountering the Buddha on educator-led tours (12:30pm and 2:30pm). Learn about sacred verses called mantras and how they are a part of Buddhist practice. In the studio, drop-in anytime to engage your thoughtful mind by writing and illustrating your own poems inspired by artworks on view. All ages welcome with adult companion.

Block Party and Craft Festival
Where: Arcadia Run | Manassas, VA
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
It’s fun for the whole family as Arcadia Run celebrates summer with its 7th Annual Block Party and Craft Festival. Enjoy free ice cream and funnel cakes*, a rock wall, game truck, moon bounces, face painting, live performances by Southern Blues Rock duo, Drive In Riot, and more! There will be more than 35 vendors to browse. And kids will love meeting members of the local Nokesville Fire Department and seeing their trucks and equipment up close. Verizon will also be on hand with their Life on Fios team with virtual reality headsets. Special raffle prizes will be given away throughout the afternoon, too.

Shark Bites and Brews
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
Kick off Shark Week with all things shark on District Pier. Ride the great white mechanical shark, cool off with a trip down the monster shark water slide, or get your picture taken at the Winks Photo Booth. For adults, they’ll be pouring shark themed beers at the bar – grab a cold Landshark Lager, Cisco Shark Tracker or Ballast Point Fathom. For the kids, there will be the pin the fin on the shark game, a coloring station, and shark piggy bank decorating. Relays with prizes, plus fun shark facts and conservation efforts on the Jumbotron screen will be part of festivities, too.

Coco the Movie in Concert
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 8:30pm
Tickets: $40-65
This family-friendly live-to-picture concert event featuresthe beloved film Coco shown on HD screen as the National Symphony Orchestra performs Michael Giacchino’s beautiful musical score of the movie. Audience members will follow the story of a 12-year-old boy named Miguel who travels to the Land of the Dead, where he seeks the help of his deceased musician great-great-grandfather to return him to his family.

Insectival
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Solomons, Maryland
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $5
Buzz on down to Solomons, MD, as Annmarie Sculpture Garden celebrates and investigates insects through games, art activities, bug hunts, and show & tell fun. Be sure to explore the rest of the gardens and art center while you’re there — artistic delights and play abound! Read more about Annmarie here and view scenes from a visit here.

Kidz Graffiti Party
Where: ArtJamz | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Sunday, 12:30-2:30pm
Admission: $15
Get messy like a street artist at a Kidz Graffiti Party. Children of all ages are invited to paint their very own master pieces on the ArtJamz walls.The lounge will be open for accompanying parents, and they’ll be playing jamming tunes to inspire all the little artists. Afterwards, your family can purchase additional studio time and canvas and let your vision come to life off the wall.

Outdoor Movie Night: The Wiz
Where: Anne Beers Elementary School Field |
When: Sunday, 6pm
Admission: Free
PorchFest presents this Sunday Dinner & Outdoor Movie series summer starting with a screening of The Wiz. Join for potluck dinner and flick. Bring your favorite dish to share or purchase food onsite from a vendor. RSVP here. Potluck starts at 6pm, the movie at 8pm.

Mirror Mirror
Where: Old Town | Alexandria, VA
When: Through
Admission: Free
I wouldn’t necessarily make a trip to Old Town just for this sculpture, but if you happen to be there for lunch at one of the many cute restaurants, some shopping at the great stores, or just hanging at the waterfront — you can easily make a day of it here — definitely stop to check it out. The installation “draws inspiration from the prismatic lens used at Alexandria’s historic Jones Point Lighthouse,” creating a rainbow of color and fun reflections as you peer into them.

The Great Indoors
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
This list over 100 ideas for adventures around the area that take place indoors is always a good one to keep handy in the summer (or any time of year, really). Many are well known attractions, but sometimes we need reminders about even the most obvious spots. You’ll likely find lots of nice surprises listed, too!

#OptOutside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
There are tons of options around the DC-Metro for a great al fresco adventure. Take a hike, hit a playground, explore a garden, visit animals, or see what else there is to do under the blue (or gray) skies in this round-up with tons of ideas for outdoor fun.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Looking for the lowdown on dining out locally with kids? Highchair Society reviews restaurants for kid-friendliness.
* For any parents who happen to be KidFree on Saturday, Tiki Yards sounds like a really fun way to spend the day.
* This round-up of the most beautiful place in every European country will spark wanderlust.
* Have I mentioned O-ku yet? Delicious food, and we’ve brought the kids.
* This is the cutest thing I’ve seen on the Internet recently.
* We’re making like Griswolds and enjoying a European vacation — follow along!