Have a ball at the Wizards Kids Day and a game on Sunday!
Happy Weekend!
Family Happy Hour
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5-7pm
Admission: $10/child, $5/adult
Kick off the weekend with a casual happy hour for parents and tots! Local fave band, King Bullfrog, will bring the entertainment with high-energy original folk and blues songs carefully tailored to get children dancing and delight grownups. Meet new friends and gather with old. Complimentary pizza and a water dispenser there, too (but consider donating to the pizza fund!).
Sound Health: Second Saturday
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 9:30am & 11:30am
Admission: Free
CityDance POP! will be teaching a Creative Movement class for ages 3-5 at this Second Saturday event. Get ready to explore balance, coordination, and imagination through dance. Parents are welcome to join in on the fun! This is part of Sound Health: Second Saturdays, a series of free workshops designed for families with children under the age of 8 that explore the power of the arts to promote wellness of the mind and body. It occurs every second Saturday of the month. Sign up in advance!
Nationals Winterfest
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $20+/child, $30+/adult (find discount)
The World Series Champion Washington Nationals will return to Nationals Park this weekend for the annual Winterfest! Nats players, coaches, and front office staff will make appearances throughout the weekend, participating in Q&A sessions and signing autographs for fans. Other activities include photo ops with the World Series Trophy and WGL Energy Bullpen Cart, a snow angel photo station, and the return of the curling station! Single-day and two-day passes are available.
Camp Arena Stage Open House
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Get a preview of Camp Arena Stage at an Open House this weekend! Children ages 8-15 are welcome to participate in sample workshops and classes focusing on theater, musical theater, visual art, singing, and dance — all taught by Camp staff. It’s also a great opportunity to have all of your camp questions answered. (PS: We can tell you from firsthand experience that this camp is great!)
Sensory Friendly Screening: Frozen II
Where: Regal Rockville Center Stadium | Rockville, MD
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $6.50
Catch a Sensory-Friendly Screening of Frozen II on Saturday morning. The newest My Way Matinee from Regal gives everyone the opportunity to experience a movie once a month with the sound turned down and the lights turned up. Watch the trailer for the movie here.
Think Outside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
When temps reach the high 60’s in January, it kind of feels obligatory to take advantage, even if there is rain. (Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. 😉 ) Take a hike, hit a playground, explore a garden, visit animals, or see what else there is to do in the fresh air in this round-up with all kinds of ideas for outdoor fun. (But if you are seeking fun inside, check out The Great Indoors list with over 100 recommendations.)
Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks throughout Fairfax County, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts all kinds of events on weekends for guests of all ages. Join for a campfire, s’mores, and animals at Hidden Oaks Nature Center on Friday evening. Learn how animals stay safe and snug at Riverbend Park. Build your own time capsule at Eleanor C. Lawrence Park. Details and registration for these and more activities this weekend and beyond are available here.
Park it in MoCo
Where: MoCo Parks | Montgomery County, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Montgomery Parks also presents loads of special activities for visitors of all ages. Explore Art in the Park at Black Hill Nature Center, join at gnome and fairy tea party at Brookside, enjoy s’mores and more at Clarksburg Neighborhood Park. See the online calendar for details and even more events coming up.
Literacy Fiesta
Where: Wheaton Library | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
In this Literacy Fiesta program, kids and adults are part of the story as you celebrate books and stories through drama, music, movement and dance! Join the fun and leave the winter blues behind! Register online, by calling the library at 240.777.0678, or by visiting in person! Spots will be available up to the program’s start time while spaces remain.
Narnia
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $15/adult, $12/child (find discount)
Encore Stage & Studio presents its signature theatre By Kids For Kids… When the four Pevensie children stumble upon an old wardrobe, little do they know they will discover the magical world of Narnia. Full of mystical creatures, talking animals, and great escapes, this action-packed story by C.S. Lewis depicts the triumph of Aslan, the great lion and ruler of Narnia, over the White Witch. Join the adventure as four brave kids, one great lion, and an entire kingdom fight for what is right. Recommended for ages 4+.
Mouse on the Move
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $12
Recommended for ages 1-5, this show is about Nellie and Amelia, two adventurous mice ready to explore the world beyond their little mouse-hole. They decide to go to the moon, since it is cat-free and made entirely of delicious, mouth-watering cheese (so they have heard). In this interactive play, the audience becomes part of the story through multi-sensory activities. Join us as we all try to reach beyond the stars.
Pete the Cat
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admissions: $20
See a show recommended for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade: For Pete the Cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out.
Peter Pan and Wendy
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $35-120/adult, $35/14 & under (find discounts)
It’s the final weekend for Shakespeare Theatre Company’s version of a classic. It’s a fantastic production with one of the most magical sets ever — audiences of all ages will be enchanted! Bold, budding scientist Wendy Darling dreams of earning a Nobel Prize. When Peter Pan arrives at her bedroom window, she takes a leap and leaves finishing school behind, chasing adventure among the stars. Facing down fairies, mermaids, and the dastardly Captain Hook, Wendy, Peter, and their friends discover the power of standing up together for what’s right. J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan is reimagined for a new generation of theatregoers. Recommended for ages 5+.
Portrait Stories & Discoveries
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery to listen to a story about Albert Einstein and complete a hands-on activity. When you’re done there, pick up a Portrait Discovery Kit to explore the museum. For more about the program and the museum, see this post and this one.
Drop in at THE REACH
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The Moonshot Studio at The REACH, the Kennedy Center’s expansion offering more ways to experience the arts, welcomes weekend drop-ins. Offering activities especially for families, you can learn to draw like Mo Willems; use hand made technology called a zoetrope to make characters squawk, jump, and dance; have fun at the Mixmaster Station to creating mixes using sounds, rhythms, and beats. The Studio is open every Saturday and Sunday, and you can see what other offerings are coming up on the schedule here.
Story Time
Where: Book shops around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Several local bookstores around the area host free story times for children on weekends that often include more than just a reading. At Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle, they’ll watch your kiddos while you grab a coffee on Sundays at 11am. Head to Hooray for Books in Old Town Alexandria on Friday or Saturday for story time from 10:30-11am. Solid State Books hosts readings on Saturday and Sunday at 10:30am. You can also join sessions at DC Public Libraries — see where and when they take place this weekend.
Harbor Point Ice Festival
Where: Harbor Point | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Central Plaza in Harbor Point will come alive for the Harbor Point Ice Festival with fun for all ages! The plaza will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland with twinkling lights, live ice sculptures lining the walkways, live music, food trucks, drinks, kids’ crafts and more! Watch the excitement as award-winning ice sculptors use chainsaws and chisels to create spectacular mega ice sculptures. (Heads up! The Baltimore Ravens playoff game is Saturday evening, so traffic could be messy in downtown. Something to consider if you’re planning to go there. Thanks to KFDC reader Ali for cluing me in on that!)
More Charm City Fun, Hon!
Where: Various venues in Baltimore, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Whether you pair something with the Ice Festival or pick just one activity, a visit to our sister city just up I-95 makes for a great family outing. 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. Tour the historic ships moored at the Inner Harbor. Or learn about Baltimore’s early business days at the Museum of Industry. (PS: See above listing for note about the Saturday evening Ravens game.)
Teen Night at the USBG
Where: US Botanic Garden | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 6:30-8:30pm
Admission: Free
Kids between the ages of 13 & 17, are invited to the US Botanic Garden for an evening of art and science. Spend the time wandering through the Conservatory, exploring the USBG plant collection, and encountering hands-on art and science stations. Pre-registration is required!
Cap It
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Washington Capitals will be taking over Capital One Arena on Saturday night. Watch the action on the ice as the host the New Jersey Devils. If you want to plan on a pre-match dinner in Penn Quarteo, there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood. Some recs: Jaleo, Carmine’s, Daikaya, Shake Shack, and Pi Pizzeria.
Washington Wizards Kids Day
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Sunday, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Bring the kids to a day full of Wizards fun! This year it’s LEGO-themed, and the first 200 kids in the arena receive a pretty awesome gift. As a bonus, special paid Kids Club Members will be chosen to hit the court to join the Wizard players during the National Anthem or for a postgame autograph session. They’re also very excited for the Cradle Club baby race during halftime when the tiniest fans crawl-race to the finish line — they’re looking for a few contestants for that, too. Stick around for the game against the Utah Jazz at 3:30pm!
Step Afrika! Step Xplosion
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 5pm
Admission: $35-75
Enjoy a showcase of the region’s finest step squads featuring lightning-fast footwork, percussive chants, and incredible synchronicity. In addition to Step Xplosion, Step Afrika! showcases a portion of their new work, Drumfolk, commissioned by Strathmore. Drumfolk honors the heritage of step and places the evolution of this vibrant art form in its historical context. Tracing step’s roots to the African American percussive traditions of patting juba, hambone, ring shout, and tap, Drumfolk reflects on the harsh realities of the American South and celebrates the fortitude of enslaved Africans who practiced these transcendent musical forms.
Ice It
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
If the high temps don’t cause melty conditions, ice skating outdoors will be a great way spend some time. Take in art as you skate at the Sculpture Garden; glide over the Potomac on The Wharf’s cool rink; circle around Washington Harbour as you enjoy river views; meander along the Figure 8 path at Canal Park; or do some shopping then skate at Pentagon Row, Veteran’s Plaza, Rockville Town Square, or Reston Town Center. This post has details on alfresco (and indoor) ice skating options in the area.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* How you can help Australia.
* 10 awesome things families can look forward to in 2020.
* Kids can sign up for an origami & bonsai workshop at the National Arborteum on January 18 — use code CHILDREN10 for 10% off.
* Acorns is a neat, easy way to invest and save money — we’ve been signed up for a couple of years now. (Full disclosure: Sharing via my referral link, but it really is a great app!)
* Humans of NY changes lives… maybe it’ll help this one, too.
* If, like me, you’re trying to make eco-conscious changes, I recommended these.
* A heartwarming story that will also make you LOL.
* Amy Schumer wins Instagram this week 😂
