When it rains, it pours. Such is the case with the latest offerings from our local deal sites. Discounts on everything from IMAX movies to holiday entertainment to mani/pedis for kids landed in my inbox this morning. And in case they didn’t make it to yours, here’s the scoop on all of them.
LivingSocial: Admission to the National Zoo’s annual light show may be free, but this ZooLights Package for 4 deal gets you all the extras. For $28 get parking, plus four ice skating tickets with skate rental, four hot chocolates, and four train rides. (Scroll down to their “families” section for the offer.)
Plum District: It’s just about time to start thinking about putting the kids’ smiling face on holiday greeting cards. And for $20 you can get $40 worth of holiday cards, invitations, and more from Pear Tree Greetings to save some money on them.
Juice in the City: What a fun treat this is for kids! For $24 get a kid’s mani/pedi spa package at Cafe Kids Spa. If my daughter were a little older, I’d snatch it up in a second.
Certifikid: This site currently has a bunch of awesome deals available right now — $20 for holiday ornaments and studio time at Clay Cafe of Chantilly, 60% off Gymboree classes, $7 to Port Discovery in Balitmore, and more! Go check ’em all out here.
3. Head to the National Building Museum for some play time in the Building Zone or other activities in the Great Hall. (Note: linked post contains info about past events, as well as a description of what’s currently there).
5. Catch an IMAX like Born to Be Wild 3D or one of several other great films currently playing at the Smithsonian IMAX Theaters. See the Smithsonian website for details.
6. Visit a Smithsonian museum on the National Mall (or elsewhere in the city). They are free, fantastic places to stay dry.
10. Shake your thang with the Boogie Babes. They bring children’s musicians to Eastern Market every Thursday morning and to the Atlas Performing Arts Center on Fridays.
11. Let imaginations run wild with pretend play at the Playseum. Locations are in Capitol Hill and Bethesda.
18. Get in touch with nature at the U.S. Botanic Garden, where many of the plant collections make you feel like you’re not just outdoors, but in a whole other region altogether.
20. Go below the surface, literally and figuratively, at the National Aquarium in DC, located in the lower level of the Department of Commerce Building.
24. Deliver on fun at the National Postal Museum, where lots of interactive exhibits and an easy-to-explore space make it a perfect outing for little ones.
26. Explore imagiNATIONS, the family activity center at that National Museum of the American Indian.
27. Enjoy Theatre for the Very Young, the new program for little audiences at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.
28. Get your game on at Labyrinth, the Capitol Hill shop specializing in games and puzzles for all ages. Demo a few at tables set up in back for just that purpose.
29. Experience the outdoors inside at a nature center. Find one near you with the help of The Natural Capital blog.
30. Frolic in the new 1,200-square-foot play area at Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Va. (And while you’re there, do a little outlet shopping, too!)