Category Archives: Spring

 

Happy Weekend!

Go-to posts full of ideas for local activities:
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places

Celebrate Capital Pride
Where: Throughout DC
When: Saturday, 3-7:30pm & Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Capital Pride at several events around the city this weekend! The annual parade that always draws thousands of spectators acknowledges the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in DC. Starting near 17th & T NW at 3pm and ending at 21st & P, it’s sure to be a spectacular extravaganza of ornate floats, street performers, music and dancing, glitter and beads, and plenty of reveling. And you can head to the Pride Block Party after (or during). Sunday’s family-friendly festival, on Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd to 7th Streets NW, will feature multiple stages of live entertainment and host loads of exhibitors, including local and community groups, national sponsors, local businesses, food vendors, restaurants, and businesses looking to promote their services. It’s all a fun and fabulous opportunity to show support for the LGBTQ+ community and join the celebration!

Ballet on The Plaza
Where: CityCenter | Downtown DC
When: Friday & Saturday, 6-7pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy some delightful entertainment amid the downtown bustle. CityCenter is teaming up with The Washington Ballet to bring joy to DC with free live ballet performances in The Plaza on Friday and Saturday evenings. Head to the area next to Penn Quarter to eat, drink, shop, and relish in the joy of dance.

Saturday Morning Live — VIORE: The Adaptation Story
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 9:30am & 11am
Admission: Free
Catch a free performance at the National Theatre’s entertainment series especially for kids! This Saturday morning, audiences can see VIORE: The Adaptation Story, a sweet show about how to change – or “ADAPT” – and do things differently to become active and joyful in a whole new way. Reserve tickets in advance!

Joys of Summer
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Free concerts in the open air, outdoor swimming, movies under the stars, sprayground fun, crab feasts, and SO much more! Activities exclusive to the season can be enjoyed this weekend, and the 2023 KFDC Guide to Summer Around the DC Area has the whole scoop on all of them.

Pride on the Pier
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 2pm – 9pm
Admission: Free
Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of the LGBTQ community to the Wharf with an array of free activities and entertainment. District Pier will buzz with DJs, dancing, a Family Zone with activities for kids, and more. A Pride Fireworks display at 9pm will cap it all off. While you’re there, take advantage of even more that The Wharf has to offer, like a splash pad, paddling rentals, swings, and scenic views — read about it all in this KFDC post.

Children’s Art Workshop: The Art of Georgia O’Keefe
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 1:30-3pm
Admission: $40
This class will focus on the art of Georgia O’Keeffe, using the book A Bone for Bo: Painting with Georgia O’Keeffe by Joan Waites, author and artist. The class will be introduced to the artist and her work, and students will learn to paint their own O’Keeffe inspired floral using acrylic paint on canvas. This class is for children ages 5-7 who love to try new art forms! All supplies and art smocks will be provided.

Bugapalooza!
Where: National Museum of Health & Medicine | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
It’s 2023 Bug Week at the museum and the public is invited to join museum staff to discover which bugs are bizarre, beneficial, or downright deadly. Learn how to battle the bugs or use them to your advantage. Bug costumes are encouraged! Plan to tour the rest of the museum whole you’re there — but be sure to read more about it first if you’re with young children.

Army Birthday Festival
Where: National Museum of the US Army | Fort Belvoir, VA
When: Saturday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: Free tickets required
The U.S. Army is celebrating its 248th Birthday with a free festival of fun activities for all ages. Experience live music, fun games, gaming, animals, parachutes, tanks, virtual reality ride simulators. You also will have access to the museums. Extra special happenings include a Twilight Tattoo show at the end, Selfies with Soldiers, Army birthday cupcakes and Souvenirs (limited supply). Tickets are FREE on website and required for entry and activities.

Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!
Where: National Children’s Museum | Downtown DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15.95
Let curiosity run wild at the National Children’s Museum with the opening of Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! Introducing young children into the world of Curious George, the exhibit leads visitors ages 3-7 on a fun, interactive math, science, and engineering-based adventure while emphasizing the central role that parents and caregivers play in learning. Celebrate the exhibit’s opening on Saturday with a day of special offerings, including story time, a scavenger hunt, and tinkering activity. There’s even more to enjoy at the museum — read more about it here.

Brick City
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $10/adult, $7/age 3-17
Check out iconic architecture from cities around the world, all constructed from LEGO® bricks!  Brick City, on view at the Building Museum, includes streetscapes from Cartagena, Columbia; Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans; intricate temples from India to Mexico; and imaginative castles from medieval Japan to modern Las Vegas. There is also an interactive area where builders young and old build their own LEGO masterpieces and create pixelated art using the toy bricks on an expansive “graffiti wall” canvas.

Art Cart: Found Sounds
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Make some noise with your own handcrafted instrument! Join us at this week’s Art Cart to investigate and play with sound. Then, make your own instrument inspired by artist Jennie C. Jones. The Art Cart is located on the Third Level, where you can pick up noise-making materials.

Summer Social
Where: The Farm at Halley Rise | Reston, VA 20191
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Guests are invited to the Farm at Halley Rise for a family-focused event full of hands-on activities. Visitors can enjoy bouquet making, kite decorating, live music, a butterfly treasure hunt, face painters and temporary tattoos! Guests will be able to buy lunch from Rocklands BBQ food truck, and finish the perfect summer day with ice cream!

Bark in Boro Park
Where: The Boro | Tysons, VA
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family, including Fido, to celebrate Pride at Bark in Boro Park.  All are welcome, especially those without a pet at home! There willl be dog training workshops (pre-register to participate here), puppies to snuggle and consider for adoption, treats for dogs and humans, and a kids’ craft and activation areas throughout the festivities.

Soccer Spirit!
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Cheer on our local women’s pro soccer team, Washington Spirit, as they play Angel City FC on Saturday. It’s Youth Soccer Night, and the first 1,000 kids through the gates will receive a voucher for free food with options like chicken tenders and fries, hot dogs and chips, popcorn, and a pretzel.  The highlight, of course, will be the amazing soccer play — and a fun, action-packed chance to support women in sports. Purchase tickets here.

Mud Day
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Solomons, MD
When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $10/non-members, $5/members, free/2 & under
Celebrate International Mud Day with a day of family-friendly muddy mayhem. Explore squishy art projects, play in the mud kitchen, create a terrarium, paint with mud, and cavort in a giant mud pit! Food vendors will be on site. Pack like you’re going to the pool or the beach — chairs, towels, sunscreen, and bug spray encouraged. Rinse-off stations will be available, but bring extra clothes and prepare for a muddy car ride home!

Splash & Swim
Where: Around the DC area
When: Starting Saturday
Admission: Free
‘Tis the season for water!  And you can enjoy it at a bunch of places, in a bunch of  ways around the area.  Spray parks, outdoor pools, and waterparks are open and welcoming guests to splash around and cool off.  The 2023 KFDC Summer Guide has details on where to go for water play — see info for sprays here, outdoor pools here, waterparks here, and beaches/lakes/swimming holes here.

Family Bike Ride
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
There’s a quick link to bike routes above, but this is a stronger recommendation to get out for a family ride — it should be great weather for it! And you’ve got your pick of good rides around the area. Take in the summer scenery, get some exercise, and enjoy some QT together. This post has a bunch of pedal-worthy recs, with something for riders of all levels, and this route is particularly ideal with kids.

Bike+
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Add some extra adventure to a bike ride and go mountain biking. There are several MTB trails to ride around the area, a few miles even right here in the District at Fort Dupont Park in Anacostia — a good place for newer mountain bikers. Cosco Regional Park in PG County and Schaffer Farms in Gaithersburg are also great for those just starting. And for even more recs, the post about biking around the DC area includes a list of places to hit the mountain biking trails (scroll down).  [Note: This activity is better for older kids with more experience riding.]

Out in DC
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Capital Pride isn’t the only thing bringing peops out this weekend. The area is full of great places to enjoy being outside. You can read about them in The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids. (But if weather has you seeking shelter, check out The Great Indoors post instead.)

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Photos of the east coast this week.
* The new Capital Jewish Museum opens its doors to the public this weekend.
* The most notable commencement speeches of 2023.
* Parents, you can’t make your kid cool.
* Just watched and recommend this beautiful movie.
* Excited about the start of this new season (and so is my teen daughter)!
* This set is super cute and ideal for the pool or beach.
* Baby gifts I’m looking at for my brand new neighbor… this, this, and these.
* Carrie Bradshaw reflects on the smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

 

Happy Weekend!

Quick links to go-to posts with details for ongoing fun:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places

Storytime
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, 10am
Admission: Free
Bring little ones to the museum to play and hear Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton in English and Spanish. All ages are welcome, especially the youngest visitors. The program will take place in the East Building Atrium — no registration required.

Cinematery:  Alice in Wonderland
Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 7:30-10:30pm
Admission: $10
The first installment of Congressional Cemetery’s monthly summer movie series of Tim Burton films features Alice in Wonderland. Bring the whole fam (and your own low-lying chairs, blankets, food, and drinks — alcohol okay, too, also for sale) to watch among the tombstones. Gates open an hour before sunset and the movie begins at sunset, around 8:30pm. The Cemetery is a great place to enjoy during the day, too — one of my favorite neighborhood places! Read more about it here. And check out Teddy as a pup enjoying it here.

Catch the Ultimate Breeze
Where: Catholic University | Northeast DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: $15-20, free/age 12 & under
Start the weekend with a sporting event that probably isn’t on your radar… Bring the fam out for fun, fresh air, and Pro Ultimate Frisbee! See some exciting Frisbee action as local team DC Breeze plays the Carolina Flyers. Concessions will be for sale, no outside food or drink is permitted.

Family Day: Thread of Color
Where: Textile Museum | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join the Textile Museum for family-friendly activities inspired by Anne Lindberg’s installation what color is divine light? (It’s a breathtaking exhibit that inspires reflection — read more about it here.) Learn about color through art activities for all ages and participate in mindfulness activities that explore color, including yoga, meditation, and a sound bath. This is a great opportunity to bring kiddos to a wonderful museum that usually might be a bit sophisticated for them.

DC Truck Touch
Where: RFK Lot 8 | Southeast DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free
The Truck Touch event that easily is the Mac Daddy of them all is happening on Saturday. The DC Department of Public Works welcomes guests to climb aboard and explore all kinds of cool vehicles. There will also be demos of electric cars, more kids activities, and maybe even opportunities for test rides.  RFK Lot 8 is located at 2400 East Capitol Street SE – enter off of Independence Avenue SE.  Reserve a spot in advance here.  And get a glimpse of a past DC Truck Touch here.

Washington Folk Festival
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
Get folksy at Glen Echo Park this weekend, as the 40th annual Washington Folk Festival showcases the diversity of traditional music in Washington.  All of the artists hail from the DC area, but cultures from around the nation, as well as the world, will be represented through music, dance, crafts, and stories. Children and adults can hear tall tales at the Storytelling Stage, take a ride on the Dentzel Carousel, romp on t he playground, and enjoy jams in the picnic area. BYO food or enjoy Praline at Glen Echo Park’s delicious variety of food and treats.

Open Swim
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
This round-up of places to swim around the area will come in handy as temps rise. Find beaches on the Bay (and even Atlantic), lakes and rivers, and swimming holes and creeks — all that welcome the public to take a dip!

Sound Scene
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Sound Scene celebrates the creative work of artists around the world through audio art installations: sculptural works, headphone-based and multi-channel exhibits, live performances, and small group workshops. All ages are invited to explore acoustics, beat-making, sound production, sonic meditation, group improvisation, and more.  Especially for littles is a Sound Playground (10am – 1pm) with stations to build their own instrument, play in a tot “sound space,” and create a collaborative sound sculpture.

Drop-In Art Making
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Get your creative juices flowing as you make some art at the National Gallery of Art’s monthly program. The East Building Atrium is transformed into a drop-in art making space on the first Saturday of every month! This session, make sculptures inspired by Alexander Calder’s mobiles!  And get faces painted in the Cascade Cafe from 11am – 3pm.

Nats vs. Phillies
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at (look for discount)
With Philly an easy drive from here, games against the city’s baseball team always draw a lot of their fans and make for exciting match-ups. Catch a game on Friday at 7:05pm, Saturday at 4:05pm, or Sunday at 1:35pm. There will be an arm hug doll giveaway for kids on Sunday as well as a chance to run the bases after the game. Be sure to  check out these KFDC tips on how to do a Nats game without breaking the bank.

Walk the Museum Walk
Where: Dupont-Kalorama Neighborhoods, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Get off the Mall and explore the many museums in the Dupont-Kalorama neighborhood during the annual Museum Walk Weekend.  See the exhibits and enjoy special programs for free at several diverse museums, including The Phillips Collection, Dumbarton House, the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, Anderson House, Dupont Underground, and the President Woodrow Wilson House.

In-Person Pride Family Day
Where: American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Pride at this SAAM Family Day in the Kogod Courtyard and march to the beat of DC’s Different Drummers. Then dance to the sounds of Afro-Brazilian group Batala and enjoy the a capella music of Snowday. Embrace your creativity with hands-on crafts, strike a pose in a photobooth station, and show your inner spirit with face painting (for ages 12 and younger). Explore the galleries to learn more about LGBT+ artists in the museum’s collection with an art scavenger hunt. And if you’re hungry, enjoy a special menu offered by the Courtyard Café.

Seize the Season
Where: Around the DC Area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Enjoy summer fun with a host of activities that only occur this time of year. See Jurassic Park under the stars at the Rosslyn Cinema series.  Attend the  U.S. Air Force Band’s first summer concert at National Harbor. Stay cool at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or waterpark. Take kiddos to the new Curious George exhibit at the National Building Museum. Go berry picking. Ride mini-trains at Cabin John and Wheaton Regional Parks. And much, much more! See the 2023 Summer  Guide for details on all of these great pursuits.

Chinatown Community Festival
Where: 5th & Mass NW | Chinatown, DC
When: Saturday, 11am -2pm
Admission: Free
Experience the tastes, sights, and sounds of Asian & Pacific Islander cultures! Lively cultural performances, fitness demonstrations, face painting, henna design, K Make-up, Asian arts & crafts, free bike repair, and much more. Register for free here.

Culture Queen Kids Hour: Create a Culture
Where: Anacostia Community Museum | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday, 12-1pm
Admission: Free
Grammy-nominated teaching artist Culture Queen cordially invites your royal children to create cultural holidays celebrating the people, milestones, and things that matter most to them through fun, interactive, and engaging music, movement, storytelling, and craft activities. Register in advance!

DinoRock presents Dinosaur Babies
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Friday, 10:30am | Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1pm
Tickets: $15
DinoRock returns to the Puppet Co. with their life-sized, colorful prehistoric puppet friends. The show is sure to delight little ones who love dinos and musical fun! Run time approximately 45 minutes. Recommended for ages 5+.

Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair
Where: Waterfront Park | Old Twow Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
This free fair features over 90 local and regional artists and crafters showcasing works in various mediums — pottery, stationery, fabrics, paintings, jewelry, photography, and more. Along with the arts to browse and shop, there will be children’s entertainment and activities, food and sweets, beer and cider, music, and more fun!

Glover Park Day
Where: Guy Mason Rec Center | Glover Park, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
All are welcome to the annual outdoor festival celebrates the Glover Park neighborhood. Started over 30 years ago, the event has grown over the years to offer the neighborhood a chance to enjoy the outdoors together, spend time with family and friends, listen to good music, and enjoy local businesses and restaurants. Lots of kids’ activities and treats, too.

All Aboard…Sun’s Out, Fun’s Out!
Where: National Capital Trolley Museum | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 12-3
Admission:
Streetcars, trolleys, and trams brought people to more places than just work, school, and home. How about the beach? Get ready for the season with a summer craft and learn about our very own BTS 606 and its years of service at the shore in Blackpool, England (and one summer in Glasgow, Scotland).

Town Square Soirée
Chevy Chase Lake | Chevy Chase, MD
When: Saturday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
Chevy Chase Lake is celebrating the opening of the neighborhood’s town square with a fun-filled summer soirée! Guests can enjoy a variety of engaging activities, including lawn games and children’s crafts, curated wine tastings from UnCorked with sommeliers to guide the experience, a special preview and tasting of the upcoming Elena James restaurant, custom wine glasses engraved on-site, the unveiling of a new public art instillation, and live music from local DC band, Too Much Talent.

RiverFest & Craft Show
Where: Historic Downtown Occoquan, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
This festival celebrate Occoquan’s rich history and heritage on the river. The town will close its streets ad fill up with more than 200 artisans, makers, and creators, and festival-goers can shop for everything from accessories to wood crafts, fine art to children’s items. The Whatever Floats Your Boat Parade on Sunday will showcase decorated river vessels paddling the 1/2-mile along the coastline, and kayaks and paddle boards will also be available to rent for some fun on the river. No admission fee at the gate. There is a shuttle fee is $8 round trip, or 2 for $15. Shuttle passes can be pre-purchased here.

Dinos Alive
Where: Rhode Island Center | NoMa, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Starts at $22 (look for discount)
Celebrate National Dinosaur Day (June 1) through the weekend at this family-friendly immersive experience transports you back millions of years, allowing visitors of all ages to journey through the jungle, interacting with the largest creatures to have ever walked the earth.  Dinos Alive will have special interactive activities for the occasion, like a fossil dig and scavenger hunt along with opportunities to ride a dinosaur, swim alongside prehistoric sea creatures in a digital aquarium, and more!

3D Collage Workshop For Kids
Where: Transformer DC | Logan Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 2-5
Admission: Free, but reserve a spot!
In this free 3D Collage for Kids workshop, young learners (and those of all ages!) are invited to explore methods of collaging through sculptural materials. Encouraging imaginative approaches to create using clay, wire, and pipe cleaner, we will take inspiration from figures and natural elements. All participants will be able to take home vivid and dynamic forms! This event is part of a larger ongoing exhibition titled Sticky Entanglements at the nonprofit visual arts organization.

Spirit Pride Night
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 8pm
Admission: Tickets start at $15
Support our women’s soccer team, and the LGBTQ community at the Washington Spirit match against Racing Louisville FC on Saturday. Along with the action on the field, enjoy pre-game, Pride-themed photo ops, face painting, and the FIFA lounge, plus a drag show at halftime. It’s sure to be a celebratory night, hopefully with a win, to boot! Purchase tickets here.

Planet Bethesda
Where: Elm Street Urban Park | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 11:45am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Join this family-fun event that brings together the best of Bethesda’s restaurants and eateries serving up small dishes of cutting-edge and creative plant-based cuisine! With a multicultural array of food choices, there will be something for everyone. Along with the tasty fun, there will be a Kids’ Korner, complete with a Mad Science show, Henna character art, face painting, and environmental DIY crafts; there will be a pie-eating contest, Canine Courtyard, Bier Garten, giveaways, music, and more.

The Rumpus Room
Where: Hi-Lawn | Union Market, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 1pm
Admission: $10
DC’s only daytime family dance partyreturns to the rooftop of Union Market, just in time for summer! They’ve got Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” cued up, so get ready to hit the dance floor. Relive your night-life glory days — with your little ones in tow. The soundtrack for the day will be a family-friendly mix of dance floor classics, current hits, and guilty pleasures, all at a child-friendly volume. And Hi-Lawn will be open for food and beverages. Rumpus Room is designed for kids Infants/crawling children enter free.

World Heritage Festival
Where: Veterans Plaza | Silver Spring, MD
When: Sunday, 1-7pm
Admission: Free
Explore cultures across the globe at the World Heritage Festival. Taste delicious ethnic food, while getting refreshed with a scoop of ice cream, shaved ice, or even a fresh smoothie. Enjoy a beautiful cultural performance and shop from more than 60 vendors displaying everything from fine art to jewelry, ceramics to crafts, and every creative item in between. Other vendors include area nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurs, and local businesses. A kids zone will have activities and games throughout the day.

Open Swim
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
This round-up of places to swim around the area will also come in handy this weekend to enjoy the warm sunny days. Find beaches on the Bay (and even Atlantic), lakes and rivers, and swimming holes and creeks — all that welcome the public to take a dip!

Reap the Fruits (& Veggies)
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Strawberries, cherries, even spinach are ripe and ready for harvest, and many area farms welcome guests to come PYO. It’s always a good idea to check websites or call ahead to confirm availability the day you plan to go. Sunscreen and hat also recommended.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* As you’re planning summer activities, the round-up of volunteer opportunities where kids can help out may be of interest.
* Spots are still open in some DC DPR Summer Camps.
* Have you seen a movie at The Alamo yet?  It’s a great place to catch a flick — just saw this one there, and both the film and theater setting were excellent.
* A family lawn game that looks like a fun one to bring on summer excursions.
* The New York Times says this beach tent is the best. (This one looks exactly the same but costs much less.)
* For all the Succession fans, a few good podcast discussions about the amazing, perfect finale: Here, here, and here.
* Thank you to my teen daughter for introducing me to this.
* These are the Things that Must Happen to You (this would be an excellent graduation address!)