Happy Weekend!
Wizards vs. Mavericks
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $20 (find deal)
The Wizards are playing at home on Friday night — watch them work some on-court magic against the Dallas Mavericks. Plan on a pre-game dinner in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood. Some recs: Jaleo, Carmine’s, Daikaya, Shake Shack, and Pi Pizzeria.
DIY Valentines
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Homemade love is in the air at the National 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 supplies, all you need to bring is your creativity and eagerness for fun! For more about the museum, see this KFDC post.
Family Concert: Symphonic Dancing
Where: Anacostia Playhouse | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday 10:30-11:30am
Admission: $15/adult, free for kids
This fun, interactive concert will have every family member on their feet! The program explores the expressive, dance-like melodies of William Grant Still’s Danzas de Panama, and Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag. Come enjoy this energetic concert for all ages! And stick around after the performance for the Instrument Petting Zoo to meet the musicians and see the instruments up close! The show lasts approximately 40 minutes and is especially recommended for ages 3-7.
African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space
Where: Steve F. Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
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. Head to the Chantilly arm of Air & Space to enjoy presentations, hands-on activities, and stories. Learn about African American astronauts, pilots, and scientists of the past and present and their accomplishments.
Family Day Celebration
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole gang to the National Gallery of Art for a Family Day Celebration full of creative adventures. It’s a great winter outing with activities for all ages — sketching, storytelling, art-making, and more. Enjoy them at special stations in front of works of art throughout the museum’s East Building.
Love Note Holder Workshop
Where: Lowe’s locations around the DMV
When: February 8, 9am – 12pm
Admission: Free
This monthly DIY workshop for kids has a focus on love… love notes, anyway. The project is perfect for holding all your child’s Valentine’s cards and treats. Workshops take 15-30 minutes, and children must be accompanied by parent/guardian. Check-in by 11am. Space is limited, so sign up in advance!
Open Studio: Love in Every Language
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12–4 pm
Admission: Free
Head to the ImaginAsia Studio in the Sackler Gallery for an afternoon all about love and art. Enjoy a digital slideshow of images of love in Asian art, create Valentine’s Day cards using woodblock prints that say “love” in more than a dozen Asian languages, and fold heart-shaped origami. For all ages and adult companions.
Cards & Cookies
Where: Guy Mason Playground | Glover Park, DC
When: Saturday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Join Stork Childbirth Education at Guy Mason Playground for a Valentine-making, cookie-decorating extravaganza! Unleash your creativity and bring home Valentines and cookies for your friends and family.
More Events to Love
Where: Around the DMV
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 arts activities to nature programs to story time. And they’re sure to be especially sweet. This post has the scoop on all of them.
Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth opens at Imagination Stage on Saturday
* Watch Rapunzel let down her hair at The Puppet Co. (find discount)
* And really little ones will enjoy Snow Show this Saturday’s Tiny Tots performance there
* See The Big Meow at Theatre on the Run on Saturday
* Make it a date night for Synetic Theatre’s production of Phantom of the Opera
Black History Month: Family Day
Where: Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park | 16501 Norwood Road | Sandy Spring | MD 20860
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: $5 Children, $7 Adults
Bring the entire family out to celebrate African American Culture. The event will feature presentations and hands-on activities for children. The event is a family-friendly and takes place inside Woodlawn Manor. Limited tickets sold day of program at the Visitor Center, so online registration is recommended.
More Black History Celebrations
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout February (and beyond)
Admission: Varies by activity
February is Black History Month, and there are many great events and activities throughout the DC area to celebrate it. Museum programs (including an entire museum), special events, tours and exhibits, live entertainment, story time sessions, and more will be enlightening and fun for all ages. This post has details on where many are happening this weekend and over the next few weeks.
Gnomes and Fairies Tea Parties
Where: Brookside Gardens | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 2-4pm
Admission: $22
Parent and child can enjoy a sit-down tea, a brief history of tea, delectable treats, and afterwards a fun hands-on craft planting a mini Gnome or Fairy garden in your teacup! Recommended for ages 6+. Please register each participant (adult and child).
Astronomy Festival
Where: Turner Farm Park | Great Falls, VA
When: Saturday, 5:30-7:30pm
Admission: $10
Go on your own journey through the stars at the “Astronomy Festival” at Turner Farm Park. There will be guided stargazing and opportunities to get a close-up look at the stars through a telescope at the roll-top observatory. Join in games and warm yourself by the campfire as you listen to ancient stories about the constellations. Hot chocolate and snacks will be available for purchase.This event is designed for stargazers age three to adult. Weather permitting.
Japan Day
Where: KID Museum | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $12/child + 2 adults (free for members)
In partnership with the Japan Information & Culture Center, the Embassy of Japan, and Table for Two, KID Museum presents Japan Day. Bring your family and enjoy hands-on, maker activities all day long. Build a a communal Zen garden, create a Kendama toy, take part in interactive performances, make your own Japanese rice balls, and much more. Arrive hungry and taste an array selection of Japanese food sold by the popular Fuji Japan food truck!
STORYTIME: We March
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Bring your littlest art lover for an introduction to an artist on view, interactive read aloud, and a hands-on activity. This STORYTIME session explores rights. Look at artworks in Manifesto: Art x Agency and hear the story We March by Shane W. Evans. Then stay, play, and make your own art!
Tu B’Shvat Painting and Planting
Where: Home Depot | Northeast DC
When: Sunday, 1-2pm
Admission: Free
Join Chabad Washington DC at the Home Depot to celebrate Tu B’Shvat, the birthday of the trees, with fun for the whole family. Paint clay planters and fill them with seeds and soil. If you have a favorite vegetable or flower you’d like to plant, Let them know. There will also be Tu B’Shvat activities and foods! Be sure to register in advance to reserve your spot!
Recreation on Ice
Where: Ice rinks around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Get outside, be active, and have fun ice skating! Enjoy art as you skate at the Sculpture Garden; skim over the meandering paths at Canal Park; circle the rink at Washington Harbour; glide over the Potomac at The Wharf, or do some shopping then skate at Pentagon Row, Tyson’s Corner, Veteran’s Plaza, Rockville Town Square, or Reston Town Center. This post has details on alfresco (and indoor) ice skating options in the area.
Take a Hike
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It looks like mild weather for this weekend — a great time to hit the trail for a hike! Enjoy the beauty of nature in winter, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and savor a sunny day outdoors. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for places to walk in the woods with the kids (and it’s recently been enhanced with photos from some of our walks in the woods).
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Books from Birth, the wonderful program started by DC Councilmember Charles Allen and part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, that sends District children up to age 5 a free book per month, just celebrated its 4th anniversary.
* Capitol Cider house is hosting 2020 Family Gras, a family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration, in a couple of weeks.
* A really good read about one guy’s experience with therapy.
* And speaking of, this book written by a therapist about her time in therapy was one of the best I read last year.
* The Morning Show on Apple TV got mixed reviews… I fall on the loved it side.
* 43 and 50. Wow.
