The beginning of the bloom at Congressional Cemetery
Happy Weekend!
Go-to KFDC posts full ideas for local activities:
* Indoor Outings
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Covid Winter Ideas
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Little Kid Play
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Smithsonian Reopenings
Where: Three DC locations
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
A couple of Smithsonian museums that were temporarily closed due to Omicron reopened this week! You can once again visit the National Postal Museum (Friday – Tuesday, 10am – 5:30pm) and the National Air and Space Museum on the Mall (Thursday – Sunday, 10am – 5:30pm). And get to Air & Space soon because it will be closing again for renovations March 28 until the fall.
Cemetery in Bloom
Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The cherry blossoms at Congressional Cemetery used to be a neighborhood secret, but Instagram changed that in recent years. Some of the cherry trees there bloom a little earlier than other places, and are on their way to peak now. But. the cemetery deserves so much more than a quick visit to the trees for an IG photo op. It’s full of history with many notable people buried there; beautiful, peaceful grounds (it’s a cemetery, after all); cute doggy sightings (it’s a great spot to bring pups as they can run off leash); and even some treasure hunting adventures (my post about it has details!). Take a guided tour or stroll around on your own. Read more about it in this KFDC post.
Family Day: Floating Airfields
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Help the Air & Space Museum celebrate 100 years of the aircraft carrier! This special in-person family program will be held at the Chantilly, VA, “wing” of the museum. Meet aircraft carrier crew members and learn about their lives at sea, explore different jobs through hands-on activities, find out how to identify aircraft that land on carriers, and catch a free IMAX showing of Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of the Seas. Plan for time to explore the rest of the museum, too!
#IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit
Where: Several locations | National Mall, DC
When: Through March 28
Admission: Free
This is a great way to celebrate Women’s History Month! The largest collection of statues of women ever assembled together are on view at the Enid A. Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle, the Arts & Industries Building, National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, and along the National Mall. The bright orange sculptures are all based on real women who work in STEM and really cool and interesting to view! Get a glimpse of it here.
Mother Goose
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $12
It’s opening weekend for this brand new, music-filled show at Imagination Stage! Mother Goose leads the audience through some of her most beloved nursery rhymes, using puppets and props to bring to life Humpty Dumpty, Old King Cole, the Eensy Weensy Spider, and more. The magical Mother Goose invites your little ones to join in with each rhyme’s story — teaching them that the very best way to do what needs to be done is to do it together. Recommended for ages 1-5.
Silly Smarts: Folktales from Japan
Where: Highland Elementary School | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 11am & Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Free
Wheaton Family Theatre Series is back live and in-person with Silly Smarts: Folktales from Japan, a funny and heartwarming storytelling program. InterAct Story Theatre’s Artistic Director Ali Oliver-Krueger shares traditional Japanese mukashibanashi (Long Ago Stories) from her childhood in Japan. Audience members get into the act from where they sit, singing and becoming characters in the stories. Best for ages 3 and up, and fun for the whole family!
Make Way for Ducklings
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $25
Catch a show at children’s theatre in Glen Echo Park. Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are exhausted from their search for a starter home when they land in the Boston Public Garden as a potential home. Surprised by a few conditions in the Garden, the Mallards move on to continue their search until their baby ducklings are born. When the ducklings begin to explore the world around them. The challenges of parenthood in the busy Boston environment create a fun bit of family drama. A classic story for all ages, this world premiere musical celebrates family, Boston, children, and the beings who make an unfamiliar place a home. Recommended for all ages.
PIXELBLOOM
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Through June 5
Admission: $20-30/adult, $17/age 5-17, free/4 & under
ARTECHOUSE debuts its annual spring inspired exhibit this weekend! This year it “pushes the boundaries of immersive digital art, inviting visitors to traverse through a virtual world of cherry blossoms brought to life…” Like all of their exhibitions, it’s immersive and interactive and sure to be a feast for the eyes. Recommended for all ages.
Family Nature Walk
Where: Woodend Nature Sanctuary | Chevy Chase, MD
When: Saturday, 9am
Admission: $12/family (members); $20/family (nonmembers)
Join naturalist and educator, Frank Sanford, on a leisurely walk through the habitats at Woodend. Explore the wonders of trees, meadows, streams, insects, birds, and everything the nature sanctuary has to offer. This is offered on the first Saturday of the month and limited to six families, so sign up soon! Read more about Woodend in this KFDC post. And for more places for great family hikes, see this KFDC post. [Note: Be sure to confirm this event isn’t canceled due to weather.]
Carpe Librum
Where: Canal Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Shop a mobile bookstore on Saturday. Browse through thousands of books all under $6 in a nice, outdoor setting. There’s something for everyone — children’s books, teen reads, brand-new bestsellers in amazing condition, classic vintage hardbacks, and more. Look for it in the southern block of the park. While you’re in the area, grab a bite to eat at one of the many nearby eateries and enjoy some time by the river right across M Street at The Yards.
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 our museum of train memorabilia. Saturday, March 12, 2022 from 1-5 p.m. FREE ADMISSION (donations accepted). Hosted by the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders. The Station is at 231 Dominion Road NE, Vienna, VA along the W&OD trail just past the Caboose. Phone 703-938-5157 [leave a message] or check our website www.nvmr.org for more information and a full open house schedule.
Vamos United!
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $30 (look for deal)
DC United host the Chocago Fire this weekend. Tickets are still available to cheer on the black and red! I recommend taking public transportation since parking can be difficult. Or park in the Navy Yard neighborhood (Audi Field is a short walk from there) and get a bite to eat before the match — El Bebe, The Salt Line, and All Purpose are very convenient and my top recs for family-friendly spots to eat there.
The Batman
Where: Local movie theaters
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by theater
Weather this weekend makes it look like a good weekend to catch a movie. Owen and friends just saw the new Batman movie and said it was awesome, that the three hours flew by! If that’s too long or you’re just looking for something else, see what’s playing this weekend at a theater near you here.
Catch Me If You Can
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Through April 17
Admission: $66-105 | Find Discount
Humor, music and dance drive this rousing musical based on true events and a critically acclaimed film. See how a charming, young con man posed as an airline pilot, a lawyer and then escaped police custody all before he turned 22. Where else, but Washington, D.C., could a musical about con men and being conned be the perfect story we need right now? Recommended for tweens and up.
“Sweet” Cherie Mitchell-Agurs Concert
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Friday, 7pm | Saturday 11am & 4pm
Admission: $20+
“Sweet” Cherie Mitchell-Agurs presents a performance for young people and families combining high-energy concert style presentation and dynamic musicianship. Mitchell-Agurs is Music Director of DC’s own exciting all-female Go-go group, the Be’la Dona Band, and a six-time “Instrumentalist of the Year” for the Washington Area Music Association. Recommended for ages 8+.
DC Way Community Clean Up
Where: Tyler Elementary School Area | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 9am – 12pm
Admission: Free
DC Way does more than teach soccer — they also do good in the community! The organization is part of an environmental project, where they clean four blocks in the Capitol Hill area surrounding Tyler Elementary School. Volunteers are needed to help us with the clean-up, and all are welcome to join!
Goodnight Moon Room
Where: Torpedo Factory | Old Town Alexandria, VA
When: Through Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
It’s the final weekend to see the great green room (in a gallery at the Torpedo Factory)… where 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.
Off-the-Mall Museums
Where: Around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by museum
Take kids to one of the many great museums for kids off the well trodden path of the National Mall. If you don’t veer from it now and then, you could miss out on some amazing exhibits and experiences that aren’t as well known. Check out this round-up of some places in DC that may not be on your museum radar — but should be.
DC, Inside & Out
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
There’s rain, snow(!), and sunshine in this weekend’s forecast, plus more options for fun things to do with the kids are never a bad thing. If you’re looking for activities outdoors or inside, depending on the weather or simply your preference, these posts are chock full of evergreen pursuits:
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids
The Great Indoors
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* It’s almost time for the cherry blossoms! This annual post, just updated for the 2022 bloom, has must-read tips for viewing them with the fam.
* Master Silhouette Artist will once again be hosting virtual hand cut silhouette portrait sessions just for KFDC readers on March 28 & 30, perfect timing for them to be ready and shipped for Mother’s Day.
* Registration is open for Imagination Stage’s Spring Break and Summer Camps!
* Celebrate Women’s History Month by shopping these local women-owned businesses.
* Take a tour of my friend Margaret’s beautiful mid-mod house (and new website while you’re at it)! She’s an architect/designer with a keen eye for style and a fun, warm nature — and has provided great design insight for me as well.
* We all have one (or several)
* Easy, tasty ways to help the people of Ukraine.
