Goodnight Room!
Happy Weekend!
Quick links to posts full of ideas for ongoing & seasonal activities:
* Covid Winter Activities
* Indoor Outings
* Little Kid Play
* Ice Skating
* Baltimore with Kids
* Stunning Spaces
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Peaceful Places
Feel the Love
Where: Around the DC 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 card making to nature programs to a cooking class to walking tours. And they’re sure to be especially sweet. A few are listed below and this post has details on all of them.
Goodnight Moon Room
Where: Torpedo Factory | Old Town Alexandria, VA
When: Throughout the weekend, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
In the great green room (in a gallery at the Torpedo Factory), there was a telephone, and a red balloon, and a picture of — the cow jumping over the moon! The Goodnight Moon Room is an immersive storybook installation on view at the art center in Old Town Alexandria, a gallery recreating the room in the beloved children’s book. Any kid or adult who’s heard or read the book 5,372 times (because we all have, right??) will be delighted to see it brought to life in the little space. And be sure to explore the rest of the Torpedo Factory while you’re there — the many galleries welcome visitors to view and shop the art. There are all kinds of works in a variety of mediums with something that all ages will dig. Get a glimpse of it all here.
Acoustics and Ales
Where: Germantown Town Center Urban Park | Germantown, VA
When: Friday, 5-7:30pm
Admission: Free, but pay for food & drinks
Adults and children are welcome to warm up and have fun at Montgomery Parks’ Acoustic and Ales winter happy hour series! Enjoy an evening of live music, lawn games, locally crafted beer, and food. Food, beer, and non alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. This will be held at four different park over the next few weeks, so plan for another time if you can’t make it this weekend.
Opt Outside
Where: Around the DMZ
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
On 60-degree days in February, getting outside is practically required. And there are loads of ways to enjoy the outdoors around the area. See The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids for ideas on where to have al fresco adventures.
Celebrate Black History
Where: Around the DC Area
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, guided and self-guided tours, visits to significant sites, story time sessions, special exhibits, and more will be enlightening, enriching, and entertaining for all.
Valentine Maker’s Market
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Find thoughtful and handmade gifts for all the sweeties in your life at this Valentine Maker’s Market. Shop a variety of options, including small batch chocolates, jewelry, leather goods, pottery, clothing, and much more! You will find vendors offering a wide selection of homemade, handmade or homegrown products, and every vendor is from the DEL-MAR-VA region. Be sue to tour the grounds, check out the Arts Center inside, and take kids to play in the Fairy Lolly while you’re there — it’s all fantastic. Read more about Annmarie Sculpture garden here and here.
Moonshot Studio
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The Moonshot Studio within The REACH is once again welcoming visitors to enjoy hands-on activities. From beat making to abstract portraiture and more, all ages can explore and create. Each weekend features one activity; this one you can try your hand at one making shadow puppets! Reserve a table for a group of 2-4 people!
Sir Rulean’s Valentine’s Day Card Soiree
Where: The Station at Riverdale | Riverdale, MD
When: Saturday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Join The Station for this family friendly Valentine’s Day Card Soiree in Bear Square. Decorate and design your own cards with glitter pens, gems, and The Station branded Sir Rulean stickers for someone you love. After participating in the event, redeem a coupon for complimentary hot cocoa made with love by Starbucks at The Station.
Model Train Open House
Where: Historic Vienna Train Station | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free (donations accepted)
Is it time to get out and see something fun past “Zoom” sessions? Stop by the Vienna Train Station for great family fun and activity for the young and young at heart. Visit the museum full of train memorabilia at this open house hosted by the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders. The Station is located at 231 Dominion Road NE, along the W&OD trail just past the Caboose.
Unshrink My Heart – Shrinky Dinks Workshop
Where: Gateway Arts Center | Brentwood, MD
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: Free
The DIY arts and crafts icon from the 80’s is back! And nothing says “love” like a hand-made pre-shrunk Valentine. Families are invited to create beautiful jewelry, key chains, and other Valentine’s Day gifts for their loved ones. Children will receive their first 2 sheets of blank Shrinky Dinks free, additional sheets will be available to purchase for 50 cents each.
StoryWalk: Mae Among the Stars
Where: Downtown Kensington, MD
When: Starting Saturday through March 13
Admission: Free
The Noyes Library for Young Children invites families to read the picture book Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmedon posted signs as they stroll through Warner Circle Park (adjacent to the library at 10237 Carroll Place) in Kensington. The story is about Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space, and the book was selected for its STEM focus and in recognition of Black History Month. Relatedcrafts can also be found on the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation website.
Wharf Winter Games
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Missed your Olympic qualifier? Need a good laugh? Join the fun at the second annual Wharf Winter Games! Compete in multiple disciplines, from pin the tail on the Husky to ice corn hole and curling, and sign up for the one-of-a-kind Wharfarod sled races. (Don’t worry, no actual dogs take part in this event, just you and your friends racing to collect the most gold and trying to win great prizes from the restaurants at The Wharf.) If you’d rather cheer on the Wharfletes from the sidelines, enjoy s’mores at the fire pit with the kiddos. All ages are welcome.
Alif Ba & Thomas & Friends
Where: National Children’s Museum | Downtown DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15.95/age 1+
Enjoy the exhibits and a special activity at the National Children’s Museum this weekend. Get in the groove with an Arab music demonstration in the Alif Ba Exhibition, then hear a special Arabic story time in Little Dreamers. Check out the new Thomas & Friends exhibit, too. And, of course, explore all of the other STEAM inspired fun while you’re there!
Family Bike Ride
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
With at least one warmer weather day in the forecast, plan for a family two-wheel outing — you’ve got your pick of them around the area. Enjoy the scenery, get some exercise, and have fun cruising around the area. This post has a bunch of pedal-worthy recs, with something for riders of all levels, and this route is particularly ideal with kids.
Happy Trails
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Warmer temps also make it a perfect time to hit the trail with the fam! Savor the time in nature, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and enjoy a day of active fun. This post has a bunch of recommendations for great places to go with kids. A few specific suggestions for this weekend: Riverbend to Great Falls is always a fave, Patapsco Valley State Park has a lot of great hiking options, hit the trail right in the city at Rock Creek Park, or enjoy the glorious nature of Prince William Forest Park.
Balloonacy
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $12
Written by the same person who adapted Corduroy for the stage, Balloonacy returns to the Imagination Stage for a limited 3-weekend run and is filled with physical humor. The beautiful, movement-based show revisits the classic film The Red Balloon. Nothing can go right for the character of the old man, whose days are gray and dreary–until he is visited by a friendly red balloon. In the playful physical style of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, the old man–an adult version of the boy in the film–regains his youthful spirit, with the help of the red balloon! Best for ages 1-11
Rapunzel on Strings
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15
Rapunzel will be letting down her hair as a puppet version of the fairy tale classic opens takes The Puppet Co. stage. This charming retelling is performed by just one person! Princesses can be named after vegetables, witches can have good intentions, and sometimes you need a little song to help you get you through your day. Recommended for ages 4+. Run time is approximately 40 minutes.
Exhibit A… and B, C, & D
Where: Museums around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
There are several great exhibits to experience right now at our local museum. The whole family will be fascinated by FUTURES at the Arts & Industries Building. Laurie Anderson: The Weather at the Hirshhorn is a great one for tween ages and up. Play Work Build at the National Building Museum includes a display of the museums’s Architectural Toy Collection and a whole soft block play area. The Fossil Hall at the National Museum of Natural History is always an interesting one to explore. And, of course, the rest of our Smithsonians have permanent collections that we never get tired of seeing — see links to them and loads of other museums and indoor places here.
Valentine Window Shops
Where: Storefronts around Adams Morgan, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Take a walk around Adams Morgan to see all storefront decorated especially for Valentine’s Day! The Adams Morgan Partnership BID is sponsoring a window decorating contest for all businesses facing the street. Enjoy a family outing to the neighborhood to walk around and see them all, then grab at bite at one of the many eateries there. You can also vote on your favorites through an online poll on our website from Friday, February 11, through Sunday, February 13!
Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks around Fairfax County, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
There are new events from the Fairfax County Park Authority all the time, and this weekend has a fresh batch of nature-inspired activities for guests of all ages. Learn about winter flowers at Green Spring Gardens. Sip (hot cocoa) & sketch animals at Huntley Meadows Park. Details and registration for these and many more nature activities this weekend and beyond are available here.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Some of the best events of cherry blossom season are returning this year! The Blossom Kite Festival and Cherry Blossom Parade will be back for the first time since 2019.
* Another beloved spring event coming back: Eggstravaganza, the annual Easter tradition at Tudor House — and tickets always sell out quickly.
* A couple of cool sounding experiences will be in the DC area soon: The Friends Experience starts March 17, and The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience begins March 30.
* Eater has a round-up of places with Super Bowl specials.
* Or make your own game day food — lots of yummy ideas here.
* With Wordle all the rage right now, here are some related old school games to introduce to kids: Boggle, Scrabble, Mastermond. And a newer one to try.
* These candy hearts for teens would be perfect!
* Big Olympics moments — so far.
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