Clarendon Market Commons | KidFriendly DC

On the Radar this Weekend: Kids’ Films, Peeps, Pirates… and Rain

So, last weekend I posted this screen shot from my phone on my personal Facebook page (it garnered quite a few “likes”).

And what a glorious week it was weather-wise here in DC. But it looks like Mother Nature is ready to balance things out a bit. The current forecast couldn’t be more different than last week’s brilliant outlook.

Luckily, there’s plenty to do this weekend regardless of how many little suns or rain showers and lightening bolts my phone’s weather app displays. (But, just in case, I’m still including some outdoor picks in this round-up of activities for the family.) Happy Weekend!

Kids World Cinema – Passport DC presents this showcase of international children’s films that aims to introduce international children’s films to Washingtonians, compare significant cross-cultural differences in this genre, and inspire the artistic development of DC children through the discovery of quality foreign films. The festival targets 6 to 13-year-olds and will showcase a selection of the most significant international productions for young audiences. Each screening will be followed by children’s workshops and discussions addressing the films’ cultural contexts. Age group will vary with each film and workshop. Screening will take place tonight at 6pm and on Saturday at 2pm. Full details are available on the Cultural Tourism DC website.

PEEPS Show – Artisphere has partnered with Artomatic to bring highlights from the 5th Annual Washington Post PEEPS® Diorama Contest to Artisphere through Tuesday, May 31. The 2011 The exhibition features over 20 entries from the contest. On Saturday from 12 – 4pm, kids and families will be able to join in the PEEPS® fun with free activities, including a special children’s tour of the dioramas and PEEPS® diorama-making workshops. The free events will include PEEPS® treats, compliments of Just Born, the manufacturer of PEEPS®.

Turtle Park May Fair – Friendship ‘Turtle’ Park’s annual spring carnival and largest event of the year is on Saturday from 10am – 4pm. There will be moon bounces, pony rides, games, face painting, a bake sale, silent auction, and more. A dunk tank and entertainment will also be among the festivities, and food from Masala Art, Potomac Pizza, Robeks, hot dogs, ice cream, and popcorn will keep bellies full. For the live entertainment line-up, see the Turtle Park website.

Pirate’s Fest – Ahoy, matey! Have you ever dreamed about life on the high seas in the 18th century? Why did sailors swab the deck? Did they really walk the plank? The Pirate Fest at Darnall’s Chance House Museum has answers to these questions and more on Saturday from 11am – 4pm. The event will feature swashbuckling re-enactors, hands-on children’s activities, live music, concessions stand, children’s pirate costume contest, a treasure hunt and more for wannabe pirates and landlubbers alike! Admission is $5.

Portrait Story Days: Andy Warhol – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday and Sunday from 1 – 4pm to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. The focus of this weekend’s free program will be American pop artist Andy Warhol.

Public Art for You and Me! – Join staff at the National Building Museum on Sunday from 1 – 2:30pm for a Family Workshop that explores art in the outdoors community. Participants will go on a guided walk through the Museum’s neighborhood with a special focus on public art. They’ll take in the art and architecture of the city, then return to the Museum to enjoy murals and mosaics in two of the Museum’s exhibitions. Using all that they’ve seen as inspiration, guests will then make their own murals to take home and enjoy. Cost is $10 for museum members, $15 for non-members. For registration info, see the National Building Museum website.

Live it Up on the Loop – Enjoy a fun family event with a focus on leading a healthy, active lifestyle at Market Common Clarendon on Sunday from 10am – 2pm. Kids activities will include a moon bounce, live entertainment, glitter tattoos, hula hooping, and more. All activities are free, and the event is on rain or shine!

Baby Loves Disco – Tickets are still available to the dance party for the sippy cup set taking place at the Lowes Annapolis Hotel on Sunday from 2- 5pm. Kids ages 6 months to 7 years and their parents are welcome on this dance floor. Bubble machines, games, toys, and a DJ spinning cool tunes are all part of the kiddie entertainment. Parents will appreciate healthy snacks, diaper changing stations, and the chance to see their babes have a blast.

Pendragwn Youth Film Festival – The public is invited to view the winning entries submitted to the Festival by students ages 11 – 18 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on Sunday. Along with the film screenings, attendees can participate in a variety of creative workshops (registration is required) and enjoy a performance by the critically acclaimed step group, Step Afrika. This will all happen from 12 – 6pm. A schedule of events is available on the Festival website.

That’s Entertainment – A variety of performances will be on local stages this weekend, from puppet shows and plays at Glen Echo to productions at Ford’s Theatre and Imagination Stage. This post has details on what’s playing around town.

Rainy Day Recs – There’s a very good chance this list of rainy day suggestions will come in handy. If the forecast makes good on its promise of a wet weekend, this post contains many ideas on where to have fun indoors.

Hello, Sunshine? – The list of best places to enjoy the outdoors with the kids keeps growing. Check it out for ideas on where to have fun under the sun — if we see it this weekend, that is.

Warm up to the Weekend (and maybe a cockroach, too)

Bugging out at the Natural History Museum

Baby, it’s cold outside! But that doesn’t mean you have to stay cooped up this weekend. Bundle up to enjoy holiday light displays, Santa and shopping, or a winter celebration. Of course, if you’d rather shed the coat and scarf, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy with the kids. Here are some suggestions for family fun, both al fresco and inside. Happy Weekend!

Holiday Lights & Trains – Holiday lights are twinkling and mini-choos choos are chugging all around the area. I highly recommend the drive-thru light display at Watkins Regional Park ($5/car). Our family went last weekend, and the “oohs” and “aahs” coming from the kids in the backseat were just as cool as the glowing Santas in the Watkins woods. It’s a perfect way to stay warm, be together, and enjoy some holiday fun. Symphony Woods in Columbia and Seneca Creek in Gaitherburg also get raves for light displays you can enjoy from the comfort of your car.

Holiday Shows – All of the classics are at our local theatres. See this post for details on where you and the kids can see your favorites.

‘Yes, Virginia’ Family Day at the Newseum – Enjoy loads of news- and holiday-themed activities on Saturday. Admission is free for kids who bring a new, unwrapped donation for Toys for Tots. Parents might be able to score a discount on admission, too. Check out this post to find out how.

National Geographic Exhibits – Take shelter from the cold and check out a couple of great exhibits. Geckos: Tail to Toepads and Wild Music: Sounds & Songs of Life are fascinating for all ages. Read a review of both here. Admission to Geckos is $7/adults, $4/children under 12, and the Wild Music exhibit is free. The National Geographic Museum is located at 1145 17^th Street NW.

Go Buggy & Recycle at the Natural History Museum – For another hands-on (or on hand, as in crawling on) museum experience, head to the Natural History Museum. There are many areas with interactive exhibits that kids love, and one of our favorites is the insect zoo on the second floor. At various times throughout the day, museum volunteers bring out all kinds of creepy crawlies that visitors can actually hold — think giant caterpillars, large beetles, cockroaches. Depending on when you’re there, you may be able to watch a tarantula feeding, too. For exhibits that aren’t alive, but still fun, kids can check out the “house” in the southwest corner to find out where different insects might make their home in your home or try to match up bugs with their contributions to the human world on an interactive panel nearby. They can also crawl through a termite tunnel and examine scads of live insect species in terrariums. If your kids dig bugs, they will love this area of the museum. And for something less buggy, but eco-friendly, there will be a family workshop from 1 – 3pm where guests recycle paper and other items to make holiday gifts.

Christmas Dream from the Nutcracker – This weekend’s Saturday Morning at the National features the Virginia Ballet Company and School as they perform selections from their enchanting version of The Nutcracker. Show times are 9:30am and 11am. Tickets are free and distributed half an hour prior to performances on a first-come, first-served basis. Every person must be standing in line to receive a ticket. The National Theatre is located at 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Rocknoceros at Avalon Theatre – Tickets are still available to see local kids’ music fave Rocknoceros at The Avalon Theatre on Saturday. The band takes the stage at 10am. Tickets are $5.50 for Avalon members, $8 for non-members. Reserve seats online or hope they’re still available at the box office before the show. The Avalon is located at 5612 Connecticut Avenue NW.

Winter Wonderland at Clarendon Market Common – Enjoy holiday shopping and fun all in one place! The festivities begin on Saturday when Santa arrives by firetruck at 1pm. After that, stay for visits and photos with Mr. Claus along with kids activities and entertainment until 5pm.

Winter’s Eve – The holiday fun continues after dark at Glen Echo Park on Saturday. The evening includes free craft activities for families, choral performances and a sing-along, a hot chocolate bar and fresh popcorn, and a special opportunity for teens (16 and older) and adults to make a blown glass ornament. Admission is free.

The Mini Nut – Perfect for little ones who can’t make it through the big productions, this 50-minute abbreviated performance of the holiday classic will be performed by the Maryland Youth Ballet at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center this weekend. Several showtimes are available on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15/adults, $10/children, students, and seniors. The venue is located at 7995 Georgia Avenue at East-West Highway in Silver Spring.