Tag Archives: Best Kids Activities in DC

November 9, 2017 · 7:12 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: November 10-12

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial


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Whether you want to pay tribute to those who have served on Veterans Day weekend or are looking for fun, enriching activities with the kids, these recommendations will have you covered. And if you want even more ideas, particularly for the day off school Friday, the Everyday Play page is full of them. Happy Weekend!

Tour the Memorials
Where: National Mall, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Observe Veterans Day by visiting the sites that honor those who have served. Make the rounds on the Mall at your leisure or attend a special ceremony — one will take place at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 1pm, and the World War II Memorial and the Korean War Memorial are easy walks from there.

National Veterans Day Ceremony
Where: Arlington National Cemetery | Arlington, VA
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
The National Veterans Day Ceremony begins at 11am with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries. A prelude by the United States Air Force Band starts in the amphitheater at 10:30am. Free and open to the public, attendees are encouraged to get there by 9:30am. Read more about Arlington National Cemetery in this post about a KFDC experience there.

Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans
Where: Mount Vernon Estate | Mount Vernon, VA
When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free/military; $18/adult, $9/child, free/under 5
Special activities at George Washington’s former estate include a wreath laying ceremony, a concert by the Harmony Heritage Singers or the United States Air Force Strings before greeting General and Lady Washington. Throughout the day, write a thank you letter to an active duty service member in the Vaughan Lobby. Honored guests are also invited to place a flower at Washington’s Tomb. (Above admission fees are for online; prices are slightly higher on site.)

Museum Tour
Where: U.S. Navy Museum | Navy Yard, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
There may not be a special event happening, but it’s an apropos day to visit the museum dedicated to the history of the Navy. The fascinating displays range from replicas to the real thing — model ships, genuine periscopes, images from major exhibitions, and much more. Be sure to read this post about our experience there for more insight and an inside look.

Free Parking
Where: National Parks around the DMV (and nation)
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: FREE
It’s the last fee free day of the year for national parks, which means there’s no entrance fee where they usually charge to get in. Take advantage of complimentary admission and hit the trail at Shenandoah or Great Falls, take a ride on Skyline Drive to see the mountains covered in autumn colors, visit Harpers Ferry, or see the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry.

Celebrate Diwali
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
Celebrate the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, in this family workshop. Explore artworks from the Indian subcontinent on an educator-led tour. Then, return to the studio to create your own colorful book featuring a traditional rangoli design with teaching artist Sushmita Mazumdar from Studio PAUSE. This program is designed for children ages 6-12 and adults to enjoy together.

New to You Yard Sale
Where: Lake Anne Nursery Kindergarten | Reston, VA
When: Saturday, 7:30am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Score some great items and support a local preschool! Thousands of babies and children’s gear is sold at unbeatable prices, including clothing up to size 10, strollers, bikes, kitchen sets, doll houses, trains, toys of all kinds, high chairs, exercisers, books, DVDs, children’s furniture, bottles, etc. More than 100 families from the LANK community donate the gently used items.  Doors open at 7:30am and everything will be 50% off from 12-1pm. LANK Preschool is located at 12021 North Shore Drive in Reston.

Race to the Moon
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Race to the Moon at the Dulles arm of the Air & Space Museum! The free alternate reality game, offered every Saturday and the second Friday of each month, explores the exciting race to space by the first American astronauts during the thrilling era of early spaceflight.

Kingdom of Colors
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15/adult, $8/12 & under
ARTECHOUSE presents yet another immersive visual experience that plays with color, light, and sound. Lie back on bean bags and watch trippy, beautiful scenes projected on the walls around. See floors flow like lava lamps as you walk over them. And don’t miss the interactives that let you manipulate light and sound as the push of a button, swipe of a touch screen, or wave of the hands — the kids will especially love them!

A Visit with Miss Manners
Where: Room & Board | 14th Street NW, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
You’re invited to a kid-friendly morning of table manners and etiquette at Room & Board. Children (and parents) will enjoy a 45-minute session with our own Miss Manners. A long time DC protocol expert will review children’s etiquette just in time for the holidays, from being a good helper to table manners at the grown ups’ table. Great for ages 5-7. RSVP for the 10:15am session here.

WWI Reenactment
Where: Library of Congress | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
Take a time trip in honor of Veteran’s Day at the Library of Congress. Actor Douglas Taurel will draw directly from Irving Greenwald’s WWI Diary, held in the collections of the Veterans History Project and currently on display in the exhibition Echoes of the Great War, for a live reenactment performance of life during the First World War at 11 a.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium. Free tickets are available via Eventbrite, but are not required.

Christmas Bazaar
Where: St. Jane de Chantal | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 9am -4pm
Admission: Free
Get started on holiday shopping at St. Jane de Chantal’s 12th Annual Christmas Bazaar, a fundraiser to benfit the school Kick off the Christmas season and shop local! Unique items from more than 30 vendors with jewelry, home decor, accessories, personalized gifts ,and much more!  Plus there will be a thrift shop, children’s book fair, food trucks, bake sale, and raffles! Get free pictures with Santa just in time for holiday cards and enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus. Located at 9525 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Be enchanted by The Adventures of Peter Pan at Synetic Theatre – it’s wonderful! (Read the KFDC review here.)
* Get the holiday spirit started as Encore Stage & Studio presents Madeline’s Christmas
* Pinnochio is running at The Puppet Co. (no lie!)
* And Clowning Around is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theater
* It’s opening weekend for kids’ fave Annie at Olney THeatre
* The musical version of Mean Girls is at the National Theatre
* Take yourselves out for a grown-up night to see The Book of Mormon at the Kennedy Center
* Enjoy a mix of classical, hip hop, rock, and pop as Strathmore presents Black Violin: Classical Boom Tour
* Go KidFree to Arena Stage for The Price or The Pajama Game
* Jason Didner and The Jungle Gym Jam are playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin Java

Color’s Garden
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall
When: Saturday, 10:30am & 12:30pm; Sunday, 11:30am & 2pm
Tickets: Free
Inspired by the art of Henri Matisse, Color’s Garden is a play that celebrates the joys and discoveries of making a new kind of art. Featuring projections, playful animations, and a lively jazz score, this theatrical fantasy brings the elements of art to life and offers new understandings about their expressive power. Following each performance, families will be invited to make collages in our hands-on artmaking space and will be provided with self-guiding resources to explore the elements of art in the Gallery’s collection. All performances are free and will take place in the East Building Auditorium, which seats 450 people. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Recommended for ages 4+.

Pet Resort Open House
Where: Old Towne Pet Resort | Rockville, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Olde Towne Pet Resort, the region’s premier pet care, day camp, and boarding facility, is celebrating fall in their Rockville location with a fun-filled day for families and pets. Enjoy face painting, pet sketches by artist Cris Clapp Logan, Georgetown Cupcakes, and meet 94.7 FM’s Tommy McFly. Get your pet ready for the holidays with day camp evaluations, swimming demonstrations, and dog treats while you tour day camp rooms, the cattery, dog suites, lap pool, and playgrounds. RSVP for you and your furry friend.  Proof of vaccinations required for all pet guests!

Tree Lighting & Street Party
Where: Downtown Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 6-9pm
Admission: Free
The annual tree lighting in Silver Spring always unveiling of a unique holiday tree, and this year’s “Good Energy Tree” is no exception! Focusing on the power and possibilities of the bicycle, visitors can light the tree by peddling bicycles provided by Capital Bikeshare at the tree’s base. The bikes are connected to a 300-watt generator which can provide power to a USB port and also allow visitors to charge their cellphones. There will be a street party, to boot, with food tastings, live entertainment, ice sculptures, games, and more!

Santa HQ
Where: Tyson’s Corner | McLean, VA
When: November 11 – December 24
Admission: Free, but portrait packages start at $30
Get Santa portraits done early and enjoy even more holiday-inspired fun. This immersive and innovative experience includes visual elements that transport you straight to the North Pole. Enter the HQ to be scanned by the digital Naughty or Nice O’Meter, snap an “Elfie Selfie” in Santa’s workshop and star in your own holiday video. Then onto the North Pole Observatory to experience Elf-Ray Vision in a 3D environment…all before meeting Santa himself!

Skaters Gonna Skate
Where: Local ice skating rinks
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
Are you ready to glide under the sky? Many outdoor ice skating rinks are welcoming guests to skate the day away. This post has details on all of them (and indoor venues, too), including bonus activities while you’re there.

The Emporiyum
Where: Union Market Dock 5 | Northeast, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at $15
Meet, eat, and shop at this two-day market and celebration of everything delicious. Last year over 95 artisans, producers, chefs, and restaurants showcased their wares, works, and culinary creations. It’s a chance to meet the people behind the brands, taste and learn about their products, and shop for unique edible gifts.

Holiday Season Kick Off
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
Get the holiday season started at National Harbor with a full day of fun, topped off by their annual tree lighting. Spend the afternoon with Santa’s Frosty Follies, participate in Card Making for Our Deployed Troops, watch a holiday movie, take dog pictures with Santa, and enjoy chances to meet Santa at the Carousel. The Radio King Orchestra plays at 5:30pm, and the tree lighting ceremony starts at 6:30pm — followed by fireworks!

Gesher Green Day
Where: Gesher Jewish Day School | Fairfax, VA
When: Sunday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Join Gesher Jewish Day School and PJ Library for an exciting afternoon enjoying the fall, the outdoors, as well as hands on activities for children Ages 0 – 12. Storytelling by Barbara From of Storytime Express, gardening, crafts, cobb oven demonstration, sports, and play. All are welcome to this free, fun event! RSVP here.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* ‘Tis the season to start planning for the holidays! The 2017 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season in DC, posted earlier this week, has info and inspiration galore to help you prep for it all.
* Be sure to enter the latest KFDC giveaway for a chance to win a free hand cut portrait session with renowned silhouette artist Karl Johnson!
* Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Family Week, December 10-16, is a wonderful opportunity to introduce kids to the Bard and celebrate the themes, story and artists in Twelfth Night (running November 14 – December 16). Sign up for backstage tours, a sing-along, pre-show workshops, even a Mini-Summer Night’s Dream.
* Great place for date night/grown-up dinner: Sally’s Middle Name on H Street NE.

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Filed under 2017, All ages, Annual, Art, Christmas, DC, Eats, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Festival, Free, Holidays, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Nature, Outdoor, Park, School Event, Seasonal, Shop, Special Event, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

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November 2, 2017 · 7:08 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: November 3-5

Halloween might be over, but you can still have some hair raising fall fun!



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It looks like it both will and won’t feel like fall this weekend. Luckily, though, there are things to do that are both weather- and season-proof. And don’t forget you can find even more ideas for family fun on the Everyday Play page. Happy Weekend!

Kids Euro Festival
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
This weekend is the last to enjoy free artistic adventures of the European variety, thanks to the annual Kids Euro Festival. Musicians, storytellers, dancers, and puppeteers are just a few of the many, many exciting acts that are performing at a variety of venues through November 5. See what’s on the schedule over the next few days.

Rockville Town Square Celebrates 10 Years
Where: Rockville Town Square| Rockville Md.
When: November 3, 6-9pm
Admission: Free
Start the weekend with an anniversary celebration, and join Rockville Town Square as they celebrate 10 years! Enjoy live music, strolling entertainment, merchant specials, swag bags for the first 300 guests, register to win gift cards from the original Rockville Town Square merchants, cake and an anniversary toast with Rockville Mayor Newton.

House of Sweden Family Day
Where: House of Sweden | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
The Embassy of Sweden invites the whole family to participate in a day of creativity, imagination, and fun. Enjoy theatre, workshops, crafts, and film screenings. Swap toys with new friends and partake in a Swedish fika. Whether you join for a few hours or for the whole day, plan to play, perform, or take in a performance designed to engage kids and parents alike.

Pumpkin Chunkin’
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $10/adult, $8/child
Bring your leftover jack-o-lantern to Great Country’s smashin’ session and let it fly! The Silo Drop and the Zip Wire Sploosh let you do the smashin’ yourself, or bring your pumpkin to the Pumpkin Drop Zone and add it to the upside down “fireworks display” as the pumpkins are dropped from a 40-foot lift. What happens to all the smashings? The pigs and cows love to eat them, and the rest are composted! The Roosteraunt Concession stand will open 11am – 3pm, and the Cider Donuts are not to be missed!

Maryland Emancipation Day
Where: MoCo Parks | Montgomery County, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Celebrate Maryland Emancipation Day, which commemorates the adoption of the 1864 Maryland Constitution that abolished slavery in the state of Maryland. Join Montgomery Parks for free activities that take place all weekend long, such as hikes on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail, living history demonstrations, food to savor, and tours of historic sites. Some events require registration.

Write Now!
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station area, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
In anticipation of Veterans Day, join the Postal Museum in honoring past and present military personnel by celebrating the history and art of correspondence. Explore the exhibit My Fellow Soldiers: Letters from World War I, which brings back to life the powerful and heartfelt letters between family, friends, and service members during the war. Kids can also enjoy hands-on activities, and Girl Scout troops can earn their “Celebrating Community” badge, too. Read more about the museum in this KFDC post.

hiSTORYtime
Where: National Museum of American History | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Early learners ages 0-6 and their caregivers will have the chance to hear a story and participate in hands-on activities and crafts inspired by objects from the museum’s collection at this bi-weekly program on the first and third Saturdays of the month. With Thanksgiving coming up, November is all about food! Enjoy delicious stories, participate in food games and crafts, and explore cookware from the museum’s collection.

Color’s Garden
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall
When: Saturday, 10:30am & 12:30pm & Sunday, 11:30am
Tickets: Free
Inspired by the art of Henri Matisse, Color’s Garden is a play that celebrates the joys and discoveries of making a new kind of art. Featuring projections, playful animations, and a lively jazz score, this theatrical fantasy brings the elements of art to life and offers new understandings about their expressive power. Following each performance, families will be invited to make collages in our hands-on artmaking space and will be provided with self-guiding resources to explore the elements of art in the Gallery’s collection. All performances are free and will take place in the East Building Auditorium, which seats 450 people. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Recommended for ages 4+.

Czech Christmas Market
Where: Embassy of the Czech Republic | Embassy Row, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Get your holiday shopping started early at the Czech Embassy! Visitors will relish in the magic of the season with stands filled with beautiful handcrafted ornaments, renowned Czech crystal and glass products, exquisite jewelry, and toys, while enjoying the taste and smell of mulled wine and eggnog as well as an assortment of Christmas cookies, baked goods and savory cuisine. Children will adore the array of live animals from the Nativity scene, handled by shepherds. As a special addition, young children of Sokol Washington will perform Czech Christmas carols at 11:30am.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Reserve free tickets for Rainbow Puppets: The Really Big Dinosaur Show, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* Be enchanted by The Adventures of Peter Pan at Synetic Theatre– and it’s wonderful! (Read the KFDC review here.)
* Watch The Amazing Max perform incredible magic at BlackRock Center for Performing Arts
* The musical version of Mean Girls is at the National Theatre
* Take yourselves out for a grown-up night to see The Book of Mormon at the Kennedy Center
* The Smartest Girl on the World is on the Imagination Stage
* Pinnochio is running at The Puppet Co. (no lie!)
* The KIDZ BOP “Best Time Ever” Tour is stopping at the Warner Theatre in Sunday
* Our Town is still on stage at the Olney Theatre
* Go KidFree to Arena Stage for The Price

Trash to Treasure Green Craft Fair
Where: Watkins Nature Center | Upper Marlboro, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Do some eco-friendly shopping while the kids have fun at this special event featuring vendors selling items made from recycled, organic, or sustainable materials. Along with local artists selling their handmade wares, there will crafts for kids and food for sale. Of course, plan to stay and play at Watkins — read about all there is to do there!

Autumn Bonsai
Where: U.S. National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: Through Monday
Admission: Free
Take your little people to see the little trees in their brilliant autumnal colors before the leaves fall away to reveal bare winter silhouettes. See red maples, yellow ginkgos, and fruited trees in the Museum’s permanent collection pavilions. Enjoy other festivities like drumming and dance performances. And be sure to tour the big trees around the rest of the National Arb while you’re there, too – it’s easily one of the best places in the city to do some leaf peeping. Read more about the urban oasis here.

Chili Challenge
Where: Open Lot at North Capitol & Florida Ave | Northwest DC
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $15-20
North Capitol Main Street is hosting its second annual chili challenge featuring chili entries from eight of local restaurants! All ages are welcome to enjoy the festivities, including warm apple cider, DC Brau, games for the kids, and friendly competition for the adults. Moon Bounce + Games + Hot Pepper Eating Contest + DJ + Hotdogs + Chili + Cornbread + Beer + Wine!

Rock Out
Where: St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 10:30-11:30am
Admission: $4/person or $5/family
Join Ms. Kim and the Rockstarts Band as they rock out at St. Stephen Lutheran Church to support Silver Oaks Cooperative Elementary that will be opening in Fall 2018. Kids of all ages love this group and everyone is bound to have a blast (but especially great for ages 2-8)! Allergy friendly snacks will be for sale, too. Tickets sold at the door. St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church is located at 11612 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring.

Folk Songs from Around the World
Where: Lutheran Church of the Reformation
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: $17/adult, $12/age 12-18, free/under 12
The American Youth Chorus invites to the start of their 10th season as they present folk songs from every corner of the globe.  From Spanish and Czech folk dances to Chinese and French children’s songs, and from Welsh and Irish ballads to American game songs, spirituals and lullabies, the evening will put a smile on your face and a song in your heart.

Words, Beats, and Life Festival
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the art forms of breakdancing and graffiti with free events presented by D.C. Hip Hop nonprofit Words Beats & Life. Watch as leading b-boys and b-girls from around the country defy the laws of gravity and compete for cash prizes and see 30 DC-based artists create live works of art at the Kennedy Center, complete with music from DJ Vico Vibez.

DC Art Book Fair
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
This curated event that brings together artists, small presses, and collectives from DC and beyond to sell their independently published (largely paper-based) works. These artists deal in works from zines to books, comics to prints, and plenty in between (including some non-paper goods and accessories.) The fair will feature 50 artists/collectives/small presses — you can see the list of them here. Even better, this year’s fair coincides with museum’s Free Community Day for November, so admission is free, and it’s kid-friendly!

Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks in 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. Take a cocoa wagon ride at Frying Pan Park (ages 2+). Join an animal feeding session at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (ages 2+). Learn about turkeys at Hidden Oaks Nature Center (ages 3-5). Details and registration for these and more activities this weekend and beyond are available here.

The Inside Scoop
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
We may have some wet weather this weekend, so this post with over 90 ideas for outings that take place inside will come in handy. Burn some energy at an indoor playground, visit a museum, explore a historic place, bring the outdoors in at a nature center…this post has 90 suggestions for activities and places inside, most them mainstays around DC, and just about all of them tried and tested by the Team KFDC.

Baltimore, Hon!
Where: Baltimore, MD
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by locale
Head up I-95 for a change of city scenery. Explore the exhibits and loads of hands-on activities at the Maryland Science Center. See some of the quirkiest, coolest art ever at the American Visionary Art Museum. Play the day away at Port Discovery. Get an eyeful of the underwater world at the National Aquarium. Tour the historic ships at the Inner Harbor. Visit the birthplace of the National Anthem at Fort McHenry. Or view history in the works at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

Fall Farm Fun
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Just because you’re not picking out a potential Jack o’ lantern, that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun on the farm. Many locales have way more to enjoy than just pumpkin patches. Whiz down slides, bounce on giant jumping pillows, visit farm animals, and loads more. This list of fall fests has details to get started — Ticonderoga, Cox, Clark’s Elioak, and Great Country Farms are all good bets for a great time.

Ice It
Where: Ice rinks around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
Glide the day away as several area outdoor ice rinks start welcoming skaters for the season. Circle the rink in the open air at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. Do some shopping and snacking along with your skating at Pentagon Row in Arlington. Practice your axles and lutzes at Reston Town Center. And see where else you can hit the ice this season, both outdoors and in.

A Spotlight on Abe Lincoln
Where: Ford’s Theatre | Penn Quarter
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free – $3
Learn about the final hours of Abraham Lincoln’s life, the circumstances surrounding his assassination, and the aftermath of the tragedy at Ford’s Theatre. The National Historic Site features a museum, theatre walk-throughs and a presentation, plus admission to Peterson House where Lincoln died, and guests are welcome to explore it all. We did recently, and it makes for a very interesting and entertaining outing (best for about ages 8 and up). Read about our experience there in this new KFDC post.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is hosting its annual Oratorical Contest December 8-9, and all students in grades 1-12 are welcome to participate. Details are available here, and applications are due by November 9!
* There is still a bit of time to enter the giveaway for a chance to win tickets to an advanced screening of The Star on November 11!
* The World Press Photo Foundation is showcasing its 2017 collection of award-winning images at Dupont Underground now through November 26.
* Did you know KidFriendly DC is on Instagram? Follow along for extra updates and a little behind-the-scenes of KFDC life!

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Filed under 2017, All ages, Animals, Annual, Art, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Farm, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

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October 26, 2017 · 6:56 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: October 27-29

Side Yards is full of oddball fun, a perfect precursor to Halloween!



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You’ll be screaming with joy about all the fantastic happenings this weekend, Halloween-inspired and then some. Happy Weekend!

Halloweekend
Where: Around the DMV
When: Troughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Break in the costumes and prep for Halloween on Tuesday all weekend long! There’s a scary amount of events and activities that celebrate the spooky spirit. Some are detailed below, and this post has details on even more happenings where the tricks and treats are going on.

Fall, Y’all!
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Celebrate the season at one of many area festivals. From pumpkin patches and apple picking to corn mazes and hayrides to giant slides and jumping pillows, there are activities galore that let you relish in the fun autumn brings. This post has details on where all the fall is happening.

Rosslyn Harvest Fest
Where: Central Place Plaza | Rosslyn, VA
When: Friday, 4-10pm & Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family for fun at Rosslyn’s first-ever Harvest Fest! Kids can don costumes and trick-or-treat across Rosslyn collecting candy and golden tickets for big prizes. Find unique gifts at the Arts & Crafts Market. Wander through an inflatable corn maze at Gateway Park and stick around for festivities like pumpkin games, face painting, and a magic show!

Food History Festival
Where: National Museum of American History
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Savor a full day of free activities for visitors of all ages that will spark conversations about the past, present, and future of food. Watch live cooking demonstrations, enjoy film screenings, take curator-led exhibition tours, partake in hands-on learning activities, see rarely-exhibited objects on display, and go on garden tours. (PS: On Friday evening, many local restaurants will feature a special dish inspired by American food history and the legacy of Julia Child, with proceeds supporting the Smithsonian Food History Project.

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial 50th Anniversary
Where: Roosevelt Island | Across the Potomac, DC
When: Sunday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
It’s been 50 years since the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial (aka Roosevelt Island) was established to honor Teddy, and the National Park Service is celebrating with a day full of activities for all ages. Take an early morning bird walk, join ranger programs, meet a Theodore Roosevelt reenactor and Civil War reenactors, hear a children’s Teddy Bear story time, take tours of the Island, go on Island safari walks, play games, view exhibits, do some crafts, and more. Food vendors will be there, too. View the schedule of activities here.

Kids’ Day at the Washington International Horse Show
Where: Verizon Center | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
This fun, family-friendly event created to share the joy of horses with the local D.C. community and teach kids and their families about horses and equestrian sport. Children can participate in more than a dozen hands-on educational and fun activities, including pony rides, the Discovery Communications Horseless Horse Show, the Horse Stars Hall of Fame interactive exhibit, coloring station, face painting, pony brushing lessons from Clay Hill Stables, plus giveaways from Georgetown Cupcake. Klinger, the famous horse from the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon, often attends as a special guest to greet the children. There’s even a pony kissing booth with Mini Cooper, the mini pony! 

The Rumpus Room
Where: U Street Music Hall | U Street Corridor, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: $10
DC’s only daytime dance party for families, returns in time for Halloween! This October we’ll be getting (slightly) spooky in the club, so put on your costumes and come dance with us! Get ready for a dance floor filled with little ghosts, goblins, witches, dragons, and pumpkins of all ages. The soundtrack for the day will be a family-friendly mix of dance hits and Halloween classics, all at a kid-friendly volume. Rumpus Room is designed for kids 8 and under and their caregivers, but older siblings are welcome.

OAKtoberfest
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: Saturday,
Admission: $20/child, $35/adult (to join the 5k)
Friends of the National Arboretum and the Washington Youth Garden present the first annual fall festival for the 2017 OAKtoberfest and 5k Fun Run on October 28, 2017 at the U.S. National Arboretum. The 5k course will showcase DC’s amazing fall foliage while winding through forests and fields- all on paved, uninterrupted paths. Stay the rest of the afternoon for a children’s tree climb, a kids’ bike rodeo, walking and bicycle tours, food trucks, and live music!

Fall Frolic
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free, but small cost for some activities
It’s a safe and fun Halloween event with something for everyone! Daytime activities for families will include pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts, face painting, trick-or-treating, and a costume parade around the Park.

KinderCare Learning Campus Grand Opening
Where: Franklin Farm KinderCare Campus | Herndon, VA
When: Saturday, October 28, 10am – 1pm
Tickets: Free
Help KinderCare celebrate the grand re-opening of their Franklin Farm campus! They’re proud to introduce the community to their new campus, which features lower class sizes and an individualized approach to learning that helps children reach milestones and become lifelong learners! Take a tour of the infant cottage and Kindergarten prep school, meet the talented teachers, and learn all about the curriculum. Enjoy a day of fun for the whole family – they’ve got lots to explore. Get into the fall spirit with a pumpkin patch and petting zoo, be amazed by magician Wacky Willy Woo Woo, take a spin on our hayride, and more! Food and drinks will be served, too. The Franklin Farm KinderCare Campus is located at 13228 Franklin Farm Road in Herndon, VA. RSVP here.

Kids Euro Festival
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
It’s another weekend of the series that’s essentially a passport to artistic adventures, as the 10th Annual Kids Euro Festival brings continental entertainment right to DC. More than 70 free performances all around the metro area — musicians, storytellers, dancers, and puppeteers, and more — are performing at a variety of venues around the city through November 5. See what’s on the schedule over the next few days.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Creep into the Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center for the NSO’s annual Halloween Spooktacular
* Reserve free tickets for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* Arrrgh! It’s the final weekend to see How I Became a Pirate at Adventure Theatre
* The Adventures of Peter Pan just opened at Synetic Theatre– and it’s wonderful! (Read the KFDC review here.)
* Take yourselves out for a grown-up night to see The Book of Mormon at the Kennedy Center
* Or bring kids ages 9+ to the Kennedy Center for Grey Skies Blue
* Enjoy Primary Blues: Blues 10 for Families1 at Strathmore
* The Smartest Girl on the World is on the Imagination Stage
* Pinnochio is running at The Puppet Co. (no lie!)
* And little ones will love World on a String, the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theater
* Our Town is still on stage at the Olney Theatre
* Art on the Horizon’s adorable Drumming with Dishes is now in DC at the Atlas Performing Arts Center
* Go KidFree to Arena Stage for The Price
* Or have a date night at the Lansburgh Theatre for The Lover & The Collection

Virginia Tech Maker Festival
Where: Northern Virginia Center | Falls Church, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Get ready for hands-on experiences, live performances, and interactive demonstrations that will inspire a wonder in science. The National Capital Region’s 3rd Annual Maker Festival day is full of fascinating, interactive activities for all ages. Be part of the festival fun!

Family Fun Day
Where: Theatre on the Run | Arlington, VA
When: Saturday, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Admission: $15
Join Jane Franklin Dance for a Family Fun Day! The public is invited to enjoy two performances, including a premier of their newest work, Complete Dogness. Prior to the first show there will be movement classes for both parents and kids, and the shows will conclude with a free snack and a chance to meet the cast of the show! PS: KFDC readers can get a 15% discount on an upcoming show using the code BITS.

Side Yards
Where: Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 5-9pm
Admission: Free
The fourth annual sideshow extravaganza, Side Yards, is back at Yards Park! The evening of all-ages quirky amusement will feature an aerialist, escape artists, poi spinning, contortionists, fire artists, and more attention grabbing acts. Enjoy the thrills and entertainment on the boardwalk along the river. Food and drinks will be available for purchase or plan to dine at one of many nearby eateries.

Furr-tastic Felines
Where: Freer|Sackler Galleries | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
On National Cat Day, join the Freer|Sackler for free family activities inspired by the exhibition Divine Felines. Take a tour into the past and learn about cats in ancient Egypt (12:30pm & 2:30pm). Then, head to the studio to make cat mummies and amulets to protect your Halloween treats. From 12–3pm, a Smithsonian conservator will demo how to care for mummified objects and share X-ray scans of objects on display. Halloween costumes encouraged! Candy generously provided by Mars, Inc. All ages welcome with adult companions.

Mini Golf Fore Good
Where: Adventure Theatre MTC Academy | Rockville, MD
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $10
Join Adventure Theatre for their Mini Golf Fore Good fundraiser, an event that will benefit DC area kids through their theatre programs, classes, and camps! The ATMTC Academy studios at Wintergreen Plaza in Rockville will be transformed into an 18-hole mini golf course for families to swing their way through. There will also be a Halloween costume contest, a Tricky Tray for a chance to win amazing prizes, fun giveaways, snacks, and more!

Creepy Critters
Where: Locust Grove Nature Center | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 2-3pm
Admission: Free

Spiders, bats, and toads… do these critters give you the jitters? We’ll celebrate nature’s creepiest with crafts, games, and live animal encounters. What cool secrets will they reveal? This free program requires registration for each participating child. Recommended for ages 4 – 10.


Leaf Peep on the Trail
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Take in the brilliant color spectrum of autumn and get a little exercise to boot on a family hike. From right here in the city to country locales, you’ve got your pick of places where you can enjoy the fall foliage and some time outdoors. This post about good area hikes with kids started in the early KFDC days, and with many new recommendations added since, there are lots of great trails to make for happy trampers.

Recreation on Ice
Where: Local ice rinks | Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
The outdoor ice skating season around DC has begun! A few local rinks are welcoming skaters to glide away under the sky, and indoor rinks also host public skate sessions. See this post with details on where you can enjoy some cool recreation.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* DC Pediatric Smiles will be hosting a Halloween Candy Buyback On Thursday, November 2 from 3-6pm, to help keep kids’ teeth clean and healthy!  Keep a few special treats and bring the rest to them — they’ll buy Halloween candy for $1 per pound!
* Registration is open for the Polar Bear Plunge, where participants will raise money for Special Olympics DC by jumping into pools of ice-cold water at Nationals Park, taking place February 10, 2018.
* The Washington Posts’s On Parenting blog has a new write-up about this wonderful storytelling podcast for kids.
* Murder is Her Hobby, a new exhibit at the Renwick Gallery featuring dollhouse-sized recreations of real crime scenes, makes for a great KidFree outing.
* Maketto on H Street is one of my new dinner faves. (I’ve loved their lunch for awhile now, too.)
* My friend, Beth, wrote this beautiful open letter to her girls on her blog (and it made me cry).

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Filed under 2017, All ages, Annual, Art, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Farm, Festival, Free, Halloween, Indoor Play, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Special Event, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

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October 19, 2017 · 7:11 pm

The Weekend Round-Up:
October 20-22

Just hangin’ with a friend at Congressional Cemetery, where they’re hosting Soul Strolls this weekend



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Between early Halloween celebrations and quintessential fall fun — and even more beyond that — there are so many fantastic ways to enjoy DC over the next few days. Happy Weekend!

Boo at the Zoo
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 5:30-8:30pm
Admission: $20/members, $30/non-members
The National Zoo’s annual not-so-spooky haunt is one of DC’s most popular Halloween events for the kiddie crowd. With more than 40 treat stations (for adults, too!), animal demonstrations, keeper chats, live entertainment (including kids scary-oke), pumpkin carving demos, and decorated trails, this frightfully fun evening is a treat for the whole family. Costumes encouraged!

$2 Family Fun Night
Where: Port Discovery | Baltimore, MD
When: 
Friday, 4 – 8pm 

Admission: $2
It’s a special Target $2 Family Fun Night at the children’s museum in Baltimore! Enjoy three floors of interactive exhibits along with fun and engaging programs for just a couple of bucks per person. Join in Circle Time, take part in Create and Read! activities, and learn about animals with the Maryland SPCA. Plus, enjoy a visit from The Maryland Book Bank, who will be providing books to children and families in attendance.

Juggle Jam
Where: Capitol Hill Arts Workshop | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 6pm
Admission: $5 suggested donation
Throw caution to the weekend! Conquer the thrilling challenge of juggling with veteran juggler Christian Kloc. This workshop begins with a short demo, moves into some goofy warm-ups, then puts juggling props in your hands and offers pro tips to jumpstart your newfound circus habit. After practicing controlled chaos, put on a show with your fellow jugglers and get the thundering applause you deserve! All ages are welcome. Equipment is provided. Wear comfortable clothes that allow relaxed movements.

Soul Strolls
Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 7-10pm & Saturday, 6-10pm
Admission: $20/adult, $10/child
Congressman, carpenters, suffragists, and bootleggers are among the graveyard residents on Capitol Hill, and they all have a unique tale to tell. Congressional Cemetery’s annual Soul Strolls explore these stories through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Typically only open from dawn to dusk, this special event allows nighttime access to the public. Hour-long walks depart every 15 minutes 7-10pm on Friday and 6-9pm on Saturday, with beer, wine, and cider will be for sale (to put you at ease among the spirits).

(Un)Common Threads
Where: GWU Museum & Textile Museum | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 10am-4pm
Admission: Free
Bring your friends and family for a day of art, music, and thinking outside the box at this special Family Day at the fantastic yet under-the-radar museum. Meet Box Project artist Ai Kijima and watch her turn second-hand scraps of fabric into spunky, vibrant collages. Delve deeper into the captivating exhibition with a scavenger hunt (11am – 2pm). And if you’re feeling inspired, put your own creative spin on The Box Project challenge by designing your own box to take home.

Fall Harvest Family Days

Where: Mount Vernon Estate | Mount Vernon, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $18/adults, $9/kids 6-11, free/under 6 (online)
Celebrate the autumn season at George Washington’s old digs! Watch as a replica of one of Washington’s boats launches into the Potomac River with a costumed crew. Enjoy autumn activities, including wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16-sided barn, 18th-century dancing demonstrations, a straw bale maze, farrier (blacksmithing), corn husk dolls demonstrations and early-American games and music. And Potomac River sightseeing cruises are half-price this weekend only! 

Kids Euro Festival
Where: Around the DC-Metro
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Consider this your passport to two weeks of artistic adventures, as the 10th Annual Kids Euro Festival kicks off Saturday, bringing continental entertainment right to DC. This is the first weekend of the event that will present loads of free performances all around the metro area. Musicians, storytellers, dancers, and puppeteers are just a few of the exciting acts that will perform at a variety of venues through November 5. This weekend alone, enjoy a German story time, see films from Croatia and France, mix it up at a Polish chemistry workshop, and more. Explore the full schedule here.

Air and Scare
Where: Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 12-5:30pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15 until 6pm
See the spooky side of air and space at the Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center’s 11th Annual Air & Scare! Arrive in costume for safe indoor trick-or-treating. Participate in creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities. Arrive in costume to get into the Halloween spirit and enjoy safe indoor trick-or-treating.

More Wicked Fun
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
This time of year is always a scream with loads of ways to get the Halloween party started early. From mini train rides through the woods to haunted tours to festivals inspired by the holiday, details on where the tricks and treats are happening can be found in this annual post.

18th Century Autumn Market Fair
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm | McLean, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm
Admission: $8/adults, $3/ages 3-12, free for 2 and under
Enjoy the splendor of autumn at the Claude Moore Colonial Farm’s Autumn Market Fair. Watch colonial Virginia tradesman such as the blacksmith and try crafts such as spinning and dyeing. Learn to dip candles or turn a piece of wood on the carpenter’s lathe. See heritage breed animals including turkeys, pigs and chickens. Enjoy music, games, and dancing as well as interacting with colonial family members in costume and character. Savor spit roasted chicken, sausages, breads and cheeses, roasted olives, pies and other desserts. Colonial Tavern offers cask ale, beers, wine and mulled wine as well as authentic ginger ale. Period food, beverages, and wares available for purchase. It’s a fun and educational experience for the whole family!

Art Safari
Where: The Torpedo Factory | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Alexandria’s art-filled tradition for families returns for its 22nd year! Art Safari is a day of hands-on activities for kids and accompanying adults. Artists will lead young visitors in creative projects across a variety of media, including clay, fiber, painting, even bottle caps. There All activities are free, most of them appropriate for children ages 5 – 11 and some requiring parental assistance. Children should wear clothing that can get a little dirty.

DC||CX: DC Cyclocross Races
Where: Armed Forces Retirement Home | Petworth, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Kids’ races and to spectate are FREE
Bicycles, cowbells, food trucks, and beer are all part of one of the largest, internationally-sanctioned cycling events in the Mid-Atlantic region, where top-level elite and amateur cyclocross athletes will compete in 36 categorized races over the two days. Kids can get in on the fun, too, both as spectators and in Lil’ Belgian races just for them (even better, registration is free for children ages nine and under). And the public is welcome to watch the action. Registration for junior and adult racers ranges from $15 to $50. BYO bicycles and helmets.

Wildlife Festival
Where: Patuxent Wildlife Refuge
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Discover groundbreaking research conducted at Patuxent! Activities include live animal displays, children’s crafts, tram tours, research exhibits, and behind-the-scenes tours of the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center to see endangered whooping cranes and much more!

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Say arrrgh! to How I Became a Pirate at Adventure Theatre
* Adventures of Peter Pan just opened at Synetic Theatre
* InterAct Story Theatre kicks off a new season of its Wheateon Family Theatre Series with The Town That Cried Avalanche
* Enjoy Robert Post’s Comedy Theatre for Kids at the Kennedy Center
* The Smartest Girl on the World is on the Imagination Stage
* Pinnochio is running at The Puppet Co. (no lie!)
* And little ones will love World on a String, the Tiny Tots show at the puppet theater
* Our Town is now on stage at the Olney Theatre
* Art on the Horizon’s adorable Drumming with Dishes closes after Saturday in Alexandria
* Make it a KidFree outing to Arena Stage for The Price or Native Gardens
* Or have a date night at the Lansburgh Theatre for The Lover & The Collection
* Death of a Salesman, on stage at Ford’s Theatre, is best for ages 13+
* the grandsons, jr. are playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin’ Java

Kids in the Kitchen
Where: YMCA Anthony Bowen | Shaw, DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Want your kids to eat smart and learn to make healthy lifestyle choices? Join The Junior League of Washington at Kids in the Kitchen on Saturday for a fun-filled day of games, crafts, hands-on learning, and exciting prizes – all to celebrate and promote nutritional literacy. This free kids health and nutrition event is targeted at children ages 3-13. The Anthony Bowen Y is located at 1325 W Street NW.

Last Call for Merriment
Where: Revel Grove in Crownsville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: $25/age 16+, $10/age 7-15, free/under 7
It’s the final weekend of the Maryland Renaissance Festival, the annual faire that recalls medieval times with an English Tudor village full of fun and entertainment for the whole family. I highly, highly recommend going if you haven’t been yet. And I recommend getting tickets online in advance — they could sell out. Huzzah!

Pumpkin Pony Rides
Where: Rock Creek Horse Center | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Sunday
Admission: $30
Make a reservation and dress the kiddos in costumes for this special fall treat at the Rock Creek Horse Center that combine pony rides, face painting, and games. Rides through the woods this time of year will be as pretty as they are fun and ideal for little riders. Costumes should be safe for riding. Plan to make time to hang out longer at Rock Creek to enjoy some nature fun!

Pumpkin Palooza
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate all things fall at The Wharf! Get in the Halloween spirit with pumpkin bowling, a pumpkin pie-eating contest, and a Halloween costume contest for pets, plus live music by Trailer Grass Orchestra and fall brews in our Waterfront Beer & Wine Garden on Transit Pier. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the headless horseman, who will make appearances along the pier.

Cider Days

Where: Locust Grove Nature Center | Bethesda, MD
When Saturday & Sunday, 2-3:30p
Admission: $7
Fall is the perfect time to sip on fresh apple cider! At Locust Grove Cider Days learn about pollination and the history of apples. You will get to press your own apples in our hand cranked press and then sample the cider and discover some lesser-known apple varieties. Space is limited, so registration required

DC Play Day
Where: Oxon Run Park | Southeast DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join 8 Arts & Culture for a day full of play for all! There will be all kinds of activities to engage families with fun and fitness aimed to inspire health and wellness. Last year’s Play Day impacted over 400 people, from toddlers to seniors. Have fun and help make this year’s event a success, too! Register here.

STEM Middle School Showcase
Where: Union Station, DC
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Meet 30 young scientists and engineers who are changing the world with their STEM projects at the 2017 Broadcom MASTERS Science and Engineering Project Showcase. Selected out of nearly 2,500 applicants, these middle school innovators will demonstrate their exciting research projects as they compete for more than $100,000 in prizes.

Fall Jazz Night
Where: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 4pm
Admission: Free
Jazz up your Saturday evening! The National Park Service, Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, and DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative for a free family fun evening of sweet melodies while you picnic in the park and enjoy the sounds of performing artist JaneliaSoul. Read more about the hidden gem of a park in this KFDC post.

Space4: Arts Community Kickoff
Where: Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
Join CulturalDC and Ward 6 community members to celebrate the launch of SPACE4: Visual Arts, DC’s first-ever mobile arts gallery! They turned a 40-foot shipping container into a fully-renovated, solar-powered exhibition space for local DC artists and can’t wait to share vibrant artistic experiences with communities across DC. This kickoff event will feature food, music, family-friendly performances, and an interactive installation by Salvatore Pirrone.

Fall Back to Bethesda Festival
Where: Rock Creek Mansion on Cedar Lane | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $10/child, free for adults
Celebrate fall with the whole family and support the Bethesda Fire Department, NIH Charities, and the metroBethesda Rotary Foundation at the second annual Fall Back to Bethesda Festival organized by metroBethesda Rotary in conjunction with Rock Creek Mansion and Activity Rocket. Join other families from Bethesda, and enjoy games, music, great food and a beautiful setting at Rock Creek Mansion on Cedar Lane. This festival will feature activities for the whole family to enjoy!

Taste of the Harvest
Where: THEARC | Anacostia, DC
When: Sunday, 4-8pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the fall harvest from 11th Street Bridge Park Plots and THEARC Farm! Free activities include live music, dance performances, garlic planting, food stories at the mobile porch, and tours of the farm. Bring snacks or a meal from home and join around a community table to enjoy samples from the gardens from 5-6pm Performances and activities will continue in the evening. RSVP here.

Oatlands Harvest Festival
Where: Oatlands Plantation | Leesburg, VA
When: Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $20/family, $10/individual
All ages can enjoy hayrides, a mansion walk-through tour, access to the garden and grounds, children’s activities, including a family fun scavenger hunt handout in the Carriage House, Corn Hole Contest and other games, and much more. It’s all included in the admission fee.

The Ins and Outs of DC
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
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 Great Indoors
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids

**PLAN AHEAD!**
Grand Opening Celebration
Where: British Swim School
When: Monday, October 23, 11am
Admission: Free
British Swim School, the pioneer of non-traditional infant/toddler water safety programs, is getting ready to open a new Gaithersburg location — and you’re invited to join the grand opening celebration on Monday! Stop by for interactive sessions with swim instructors, meet-and-greets with Mayor Jud Ashman and Gaithersburg Economic Development Director Tom Lonergan, FREE giveaways and enrollment offers, plus the chance to win great raffle prizes from Washingtonian Rio businesses!

KinderCare Learning Campus Grand Opening!
Where: Franklin Farm KinderCare Campus | Herndon, VA
When: Saturday, October 28, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tickets: Free
Help KinderCare celebrate the grand re-opening of their Franklin Farm campus! They’re proud to introduce the community to their new campus, which features lower class sizes and an individualized approach to learning that helps children reach milestones and become lifelong learners! Take a tour of the infant cottage and Kindergarten prep school, meet the talented teachers, and learn all about the curriculum. Enjoy a day of fun for the whole family – they’ve got lots to explore. Get into the fall spirit with a pumpkin patch and petting zoo, be amazed by magician Wacky Willy Woo Woo, take a spin on our hayride, and more! Food and drinks will be served, too. The Franklin Farm KinderCare Campus is located at 13228 Franklin Farm Road in Herndon, VA. RSVP here.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* Start making some Thanksgiving plans: So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.) is holding the 16th annual Trot for Hunger on November 23, which includes a one-mile “Little Turkey” Kids Fun Run followed by a 5k run/walk and more festivities.
* DC Way Soccer is hosting a One Day Camp next Friday, October 27, when DCPS students are off from school. (FYI: My kids love their programs!)
* If you enjoy photographer Pete Souza’s work as much as I do, you may be excited to know his new book is being released November 7, and you can pre-order it now. (Also, his Instagram feed is fantastic!)
* Make some date night dinner plans! Tom Sietsema’s Fall Dining Guide, including a great Top 10 list of restaurants, is out.

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Filed under 2017, All ages, Animals, Annual, Art, Date Night, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Farm, Festival, Free, Halloween, Indoor Play, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Music, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

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October 12, 2017 · 6:36 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: October 13-15

Take to the water and take in the first tinges of fall colors





This weekend is jam-packed with awesome things to do! The opening of a new waterfront area and re-opening of a museum, opportunities to build and check out cool vehicles, seasonal celebrations, early Halloween fun, loads of live entertainment, outdoor recreation, and so much more. Happy Weekend!

The Wharf Kick Off Celebration
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Through the weekend
Admission: Free
Celebrate the grand opening of The Wharf in Southwest DC! The official kickoff already happened, and festivities will continue into the weekend through Sunday. Daytime and evening fireworks; lots of live performances, including Reptiles Alive and Tee Great Zucchini for kids; buskers and bubble artists; food tastes and treats; games along the waterfront; paddling and dragon boat experiences; and tons more. Expect a crowd, and plan on fun!

IlluminAsia
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 5pm – 12am & Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the grand reopening of the Freer|Sackler at a festival featuring Asian art, food, and cultures. IlluminAsia will transform the museums’ grounds with an Asian food market, interactive cooking and art demonstrations, live music by members of the Silkroad Ensemble, and creations by local and international artists. Inside, visitors can experience the re-imagined galleries and innovative exhibitions, as well as performances, conversations, and other immersive activities for all ages.

Fall on the Farm
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: Thursday – Sunday
Admission: Free, but carnival ride passes are $16-25
Fall is a busy — and fun — time on the farm, and you can be part of it at Frying Pan’s annual festival! Carnival fun and games start Thursday with rides, games, fair food, and more. On Saturday & Sunday, you can also watch the cider press in action, milk a goat, shell corn, peel apples, meet farm animals, and see traditional farm demonstrations.

More Autumn Fun & Fests
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Say “huzzah!” to the Maryland Renaissance Festival, pick some pumpkins, get lost in corn mazes, go on and hayrides, whiz down giant slides, bounce around on jumping pillows, and so much more. There are activities galore to you embrace the autumn spirit, and the KFDC guide to fall festivals has details on all of them.

The Big Build
Where: National Building Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday,
Admission: Free
Any kid (or adult, for that matter) with an interest in building and construction will dig the National Building Museum’s huge annual event celebrating all things, well, building. The Great Hall will be full of different stations where guests aren’t just welcome, but encouraged, to try their hand at all kinds of construction and design techniques alongside experts demonstrating their craft. Meet plumbers, electricians, ironworkers, landscape architects, woodworkers, and experts in many other fields to learn about their professions and hobbies — and try working alongside them. All ages welcome, but best for kids 5-12.

DCschoolHub Preschool & Private School Fair
Where: Norbeck Country Club | Rockville, MD
When: Saturday, 9-11am
Admission: Free
The DCschoolHUB Preschool & Private School Fair will be experiential, fun, and a creative way to learn about area programs all in one day. More than 50 preschools and private schools from DC, Maryland, and Virginia will be represented. Education professionals ranging from Robbye Fox, the College Lady, to tutoring services, and even an expert on how to afford and maintain students in private school on a budget will also attend. In addition to table reps with handouts, select schools will be providing informational demonstrations on site.They will also have door prizes, giveaways, and more! Bring the whole family!

Kids in the Castle
Where: Heurich House Museum | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Heurich House Museum will once again open its doors for free, kid-friendly, self-guided tours. Kids in the Castle gives families the chance to explore the ornate details of the Heurich. Children and parents are invited to wander through the house at their own pace and complete a photo scavenger hunt to win prizes. Once visitors have finished their tour, they can relax and play games in the museum’s Castle Garden, enjoying the fall day in the convenient Dupont Circle oasis.

Wicked Fun
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Halloween may not be for a few more weeks, but you can get the party started with activities and events that celebrate the spooky spirit. This post has details on where the tricks and treats are happening.

World of Wheels
Where: Dematha High School | Hyattsville, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Have your kids ever asked you to stop at construction site so they could get a better look at the bulldozer?  Is your child crazy for police cars?  Then you won’t want to miss Pepco’s World of Wheels for CASA! Court Appointed Special Advocate of Prince George’s County is hosting its annual World of Wheels for CASA, a touch-a-truck event and family festival. They’ll have a fleet of police, construction, utility and other vehicles for you to see, touch, and sit in., including custom “T-Bone” bikes and a police boat as well as fan favorites like the Pepco utility truck, Bates trucking trash truck and the Safeway tractor trailer. Adding to the excitement will be food, music, and an assortment of activities for kids of all ages. Dematha High School is located at 4313 Madison St. in Hyattsville, MD.

Truck Touch
Where: Suburban Nursery School | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: $5 (under 2 are free)
 Make way for the Suburban Nursery School 10th Annual Truck Touch, one of the best fall events for families in the DC Metro. Join the fun to celebrate the coolest trucks around. In addition to trucks there will be cars, buses, food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, crafts, and more.  New this year we will  have a donation drive, so bring your (bagged) gently used clothing, toys and household items at the entrance. Items collected will help fund SNS. Tax receipts available.

Harry Potter Wizard School Scavenger Hunt
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am & 2pm
Admission: $17.50/ages 10-17, $19.50/adult
Join Watson Adventures on a unique Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt that kids and adults will love! Follow in the footsteps of young wizards on a field trip to the National Gallery in search of art that echoes characters, places and enchanted objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies. The hunt is not an addition to or variation on Harry’s adventures, but instead references to the books will provide a surprising bridge to many strange and wonderful works of art. This hunt is designed for kids and adults to do together (but all-adult teams are allowed to compete separately) Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Read about this super fun adventure in this KFDC post.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Say arrrgh! to How I Became a Pirate at Adventure Theatre
* Reserve FREE tickets for Traveling Lantern’s Robin Hood this week’s Saturday Morning at the National show
* Peppa Pig Live! comes to Warner Theatre on Sunday
* Imagination Stage’s newest production The Smartest Girl on the World, begins this weekend
* Pinnochio just began its run at The Puppet Co. (no lie!)
* And little ones will love Baby Bear’s Birthday, the Tiny Tots show at the puppet theater
* Our Town is now on stage at the Olney Theatre
* Take the sippy cup set to Art on the Horizon’s adorable Drumming with Dishes in Alexandria
* Make it a KidFree outing to Arena Stage for The Price or Native Gardens
* Or have a date night at the Lansburgh Theatre for The Lover & The Collection
* Death of a Salesman, on stage at Ford’s Theatre, is best for ages 13+

Heritage Day
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Peirce Mill’s annual celebration of traditional crafts will have lots of fun, interesting things for kids to do and see. Master Weaver Chapuchi Bobbo Ahiagble from Ghana will demonstrate West African Kente strip cloth weaving, and the Needlechasers of Chevy Chase will have a quilting project for kids to make and take home.  More hands-on activities for children will be offered in a craft tent, and a blacksmith, a carpenter, bluegrass music, a cider press, and a corn sheller will be there, too. A food vendor will provide lunch options for hungry millers.

Heroes of Play 10k
Where: Anacostia Park | Southeast DC
When: Saturday, 7am registration, 8am race
Admission: $35
Walk or run to benefit children experiencing homelessness in DC. This 5k race, hosted by the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project welcomes participants of all ages and abilities to come out in support of play. Every penny raised will help fund programming – including field trips, healthy snacks and supplies – that directly benefits children and youth living in temporary housing. Participants who raise at least $100 will get the $35 registration fee refunded. Award-winning journalist Lesli Foster of WUSA9 as our Grand Marshal. She will kick off the event, and present prizes during the closing ceremony.

Opera Outside
Where: Meridian Hill Park | Columbia Heights, DC
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
Washington Concert Opera and Washington Parks and People invites the public to a casual outdoor concert on the upper field of the park. Enjoy performances of operatic gems and other favorites by an ensemble of exciting rising stars. All ages and pets are welcome. Bring a blanket and/or chairs so you can enjoy the music in comfort!

You & Me Song Circle
Where: Avalon Theatre | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: $8 ($6.50 members)
You and your child are invited to join in the wild rumpus in this fun, interactive musical experience with Imagination Stage! In this workshop, an Early Childhood Teaching Artist accompanied by a live percussionist guides you through a musical exploration of the classic children’s story Where the Wild Things Are.

Fall for the Book Festival
Where: George Mason University | Fairfax, VA
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: Free
This literary festival based at George Mason University and locations around Northern Virginia features headliners that include Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author Colson Whitehead, New York Times bestselling author Mohsin Hamid, and New York Times bestselling author Lev Grossman, among others. It’s also a family-friendly outing with a robust list of poets, historians, novelists, memoirists, political journalists, graphic novelists, children’s authors, YA writers, cookbook authors, and more. And for the first time, Fall for the Book is partnering with the City of Fairfax’s Fall Festival on Saturday to bring a day of literary and artistic events to audiences from throughout the region.

Cider Days

Where: Locust Grove Nature Center | Bethesda, MD
When Saturday & Sunday, 2-3:30p
Admission: $7
Fall is the perfect time to sip on fresh apple cider! At Locust Grove Cider Days learn about pollination and the history of apples. You will get to press your own apples in our hand cranked press and then sample the cider and discover some lesser-known apple varieties. Registration required, as space is limited.

All Aboard for a Model Train Open House 
Where: Historic Depot of the W&OD Railroad | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Chug on down to Vienna to watch model train and trolley activities that realistically depict an actual railroad that existed in North Carolina in the 1950′s, the Western North Carolina (WNC).  As described in Model Railroader magazine, every hill, town, building, locomotive, rail car, and industry in this layout is modeled after those places and things as they looked in that era. Well, almost everything. To satisfy popular demand, expect an occasional sighting of Thomas the Tank Engine (and a few of his friends) chugging around among the bigger steam and diesel locomotives. The Vienna Depot is located at 231 Dominion Road NE in Vienna, VA.

Go with the Flow
Where: Waterways around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by boathouse
Enjoy the weekend on the water, where you can paddle and explore. A bunch of places around the area rent kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, rowboats, and pontoons. Fletcher’s Boathouse is a popular place to go, and you can also paddle from nearby Thompson Boathouse and Ballpark Boathouse next to Yards Park. Bladensburg Waterfront Park also has vessels for rent along with free pontoon boat tours on weekends from 5-5:45. If you’re up for a bigger excursion, you can rent your own pontoon at Solomons Island. And you can see where else you can explore by water in this round-up of great places to row.

World of Montgomery Festival
Where: Montgomery College | Rockville, MD
When: Sunday, 12- 4pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the rich diversity of the DC area at the 9th annual World of Montgomery Festival with multicultural music, food, dance, exhibits, and hands-on activities. In the spotlight this year are the cultures of China, El Salvador, Ethiopia, and India, which are the four largest immigrant populations in MoCo. Join an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, dance with a Chinese dragon, see henna art painting, enjoy live perfromances on two stages, explore the Global Spice Market, watch international chefs in the Global Kitchen, try your own hand at making tortillas, rice balls, and roti — and much more!

Cardboard Day of Play
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Solomons, MD
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $5/adult, $3/child
Enjoy an afternoon of imaginative play as Annmarie Scupture Garden participates in the Global Cardboard Challenge. The Main Gallery of the Arts Building will be transformed into a cardboard wonderland as families build, create, and play their way through awesome amusements, art activities, cardboard construction, creative play, and tons of tinkering. Stop by one of several art stations to create your own cardboard masterpiece. Visit Cardboard City, the Cardboard Farm, or let little engineers build and tinker in the cardboard construction zone! Go ahead of the event for even more artistic delights at Annmarie.

Family Fun Day with Frederick
Where: Frederick Douglass House | Anacostia, DC
When: Sunday, 3-8:30pm
Admission: Free
Join the National Park Service to celebrate the life of abolitionist, author, activist, and statesman Frederick Douglass. Enjoy a fun afternoon of house tours, games, living history programs, music, and dramatic performances on two stages and porch stage performances. Douglass was the minister to Haiti, so there will be Haitian Dance lessons, followed by a Haitian band performance. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the park grounds or plan to buy concessions from food trucks available just outside the park gate. 

Think Outside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It may not be ideal autumn weather, but it’s beginning to look like the season at least. Get out and enjoy the first tinges of color on a hike, in a garden, exploring a park or historical site, or playing a sport. This post has tons of recommendation for great places to hang outside.

Inside Scoop
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
If you want to plan an indoor outing, this post has over 90 ideas for places to go, all of them taking place inside.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* Dr. Christina Johns of PM Pediatrics just contributed an informative guest post about respiratory medicines.
* Tickets for Spirit of Autumn, the new seasonal exhibit at ARTECHOUSE, are going fast, so be sure to get yours if you want to go before it closes November 5!
* A new 30 Days of Dinner was recently posted on Not-So-SAHM, and there are some really tasty-sounding recipes among the meals.
* If you like to shop online, this is a service you need to know about.
* NPR All Songs Considered is running a little poll on songs should be “retired” — and giving you a chance to nominate tunes that should be over, too.

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