Clowning Around | KidFriendly DC

Tag Archives: Clowning Around

June 17, 2011 · 7:19 am

Father’s Day Weekend

This weekend's honoree

When I asked my husband what he wanted for Father’s Day, he told me without a tinge of sarcasm, “A nap.” Fair enough. (To be honest, I kind of wish I had thought of that for Mother’s Day.) But we’ll be doing some celebrating along with his special snooze fest and enjoying quality time with our little people who make him the doting dad he is. And with so many great things going on this weekend, we’ll have our pick of fun. From kids art events to a hometown baseball match-up to loads of seasonal activities all around the area, here’s where it’s all happening. Happy Weekend! And Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads!

World Children’s Festival – All weekend long, art and creativity will be just as prevalent on the National Mall as it is in the museums surrounding it. Occurring every four years, the World Children’s Festival is considered the “Olympics” of the International Child Art Foundation. Live performances, art exhibits and workshops, book readings and storytelling, and many more activities representing art and culture from around the globe can be enjoyed Friday through Sunday from 4^th to 7^th Streets on the Mall. And it’s all free to the public. Festivities will run from 10am – 5pm each day, and a schedule of events is available on the website.

Sculpt It! – This workshop at the Corcoran invites families to check out the variety of materials that artists use to create three-dimensional art and get in the studio to design their own creations. The artistic fun takes place on Saturday from 10:30am – 12pm. Registration is $8/child for members, $10/child for non-members.

Become a Pilot Family Day & Aviation Display – The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (the Dulles arm of the Air & Space) is hosting the 7^th annual event on Saturday from 10am – 3pm. At least 50 aircraft, from vintage and recreational to military and homebuilt, will be on on display outside the Center. Visitors can get an insider’s view on flying by talking to pilots and other aviation experts, then test their own piloting skills in flight simulators. Story time and hands-on activities will also be held for kids. Admission is free, though parking is $15.

Baseball Battle of the Beltway – It’s the Nationals vs. Orioles this weekend with games this evening at 7:05pm, Saturday at 1:05pm, and Sunday at 1:35pm. On Saturday, the first 10,000 fans age 12 and under will receive a free kids jersey. On Sunday there’s even — the first 30,000 fans to arrive will get a Nats baseball cap in honor Father’s Day, select baseball players will be available for autographs at 12:15pm, and kids can run the bases after the game. Purchase tickets through the Nationals website.

Father’s Day at Mount Vernon – Spend the day with the father of our country! This weekend, the entrance fee for dads will include a meet-and-greet with “General Washington” as well as complimentary admission to George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill, located three miles from the estate on Route 235 South. Open both Saturday and Sunday from 8am – 5pm. Tickets are $15/adult, $7/ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under.

ImaginAsia: Echoes of the Past – Kids can explore the art of Asia at the Freer and Sackler Galleries on both Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. A tour through the museum will include a look at Echoes of the Past, which showcases the art of Xiangtangshan caves. From there, guests will head to a classroom for a project that’s part archaeology, part art. This is a free workshop.

Portrait Story Days – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday or 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. In keeping with the Father’s Day theme, guests can learn about founding father Benjamin Franklin.

Tiny Tots – Two puppet shows for the littlest ones will be performed at The Puppet Co. this weekend: Clowning Around on Saturday and Second-Hand Stars on Sunday. Both start at 10am. Tickets are $5 and available online. Tiny Tots shows are recommended for ages 0-4.

Moma Doni Band – Tickets are still available to see a free Father’s Day family concert on Sunday at 11am. The Mama Doni Band is performing at the DC JCC as part of the Washington Jewish Music Festival, and they’re giving away family tickets. They’re going fast, so get yours soon.

Useful posts any day of the week:

The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids – The title says it all.

Rainy Day Recreation (ie, Indoor Fun) – Ideas for family fun when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Joys of Summer – Ongoing activities and events that only happen during the season.

Live Entertainment for Families – See what’s on stages this weekend.

1 Comment

Filed under All ages, Annual, Art, Class, DC, Educational, Festival, Free, Indoor Play, Live Entertainment, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Seasonal, Summer, Theatre, Weekend

Tagged as Become a Pilot Family Day & Avaition Display, Clowning Around, Corcoran Gallery of Art, DC JCC, Faher's Day at Mount Vernon, Family Activities, Freer and Sackler Galleries, ImaginAsia: Echoes of the Past, International Child Art Foundation, Kids Activities, Moma Doni Band, National Portrait Gallery, Portrait Story Days, Sculpt It!, Second-Hand Stars, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, The Puppet Co., Tiny Tots, Washington DC, Washington Nationals vs. Baltimore Orioles, Weekend June 18-19, World Children's Festival

February 25, 2011 · 10:06 am

And the Winner is… The Weekend Round-Up

I loved reading the feedback from yesterday’s giveaway and learning which features readers enjoyed most on KFDC. If it had been, say, an awards ceremony, the weekend round-up easily would have won the golden trophy. I hope this one keeps fans happy.

Here are my nominations for fun family activities happening around town over the next couple of days. Happy Weekend!

Intersections: A New America Arts Festival – Celebrating art as an inspiration for connection and conversation, The Atlas Performing Arts Center kicks off nine days of performances and events today. Kids will get the most out of it on Family Saturday during the “Capture the Wind” event. Along with several family-friendly performances, including Adventure Theater’s “Mirandy & Brother Wind,” there will be hands-on arts activities, a cakewalk contest, and more fun for all ages. Saturday’s festivities run from 1 – 6pm, with a detailed scheduled available here. For show times throughout the festival and to purchase tickets online, visit the Intersections website.

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! – As an early celebration of Dr. Seuss’ Birthday on March 2, Target stores are hosting Read Across America Day. From 9 – 11am you can enjoy a free Dr. Seuss story time at any Target store in the area, and hear readings of books by the beloved children’s author.

Orchid Exhibit Family Day – Museum goers of all ages are invited to explore the world of orchids at the National Museum of Natural History on Saturday. Enjoy stamp art and calligraphy, take a photo with a human-sized orchid, and learn how to pot an orchid to take home. Orchid experts from the Smithsonian and U.S. Botanic Garden will be available all day to answer questions and to discuss unique plants from their collections that will be on display for one day only. The free event runs from 11am – 3pm.

The Magic of Disney – Mickey and friends will be livening up the Patriot Center stage on Sunday, February 27, with two performances of Disney Live!: Mickey’s Magic Road Show. Join the gang as they watch world-class magicians perform magic from legendary Disney films. Tickets are still available for both the 12:30pm and 3:30pm shows and can be purchased through the Disney Live! website. Prices range from $22 – $50.

Saturday Morning at the National – The National Theater’s weekend series for children is back on this Saturday as adroit ventriloquist, Tom Crowl, shares the stage with his rambunctious pals. “Dangerous” Dudley Duck lives life on the edge, blurting out everything that pops into his head. Clair Voy Ant, the French Psychic Insect, sees all, knows all, and tells all, like it or not! Raoul the Monkey and Percival the Pirate complete the crazy cast. Showtimes are 9:30am and 11:30am. Tickets are free, but required, and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis 30 minutes before each show.

Celebrate Black History Month – It’s the last weekend to take part in the special events and exhibits around the area that pay tribute to Black History Month. See this post for details on where and when they are happening.

Tiny Tots – Two puppet shows for the littlest ones will be performed at The Puppet Co. this weekend: Clowning Around on Saturday and Panda-Monium on Sunday. Both start at 10am. Tickets are $5 and available online. Tiny Tots shows are recommended for ages 0-4.

Stories in Art – Pop Artist Jim Dine is still the subject for this week’s children’s program at the National Gallery. The workshop will start with a reading of “The Tin Forest,” a story about an old man who followed his dreams, transforming a junkyard into a magical place. From there, the group will examine the unique materials used by Jim Dine then create their own imaginary forests. Hour-long sessions begin at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am that day and will continue until all spaces are filled. No admission fee required. For a review of the Stories in Art program, see this post from a few months back.

Theater Time – Several live family-friendly productions are in local theaters, and tickets are still available for some of this weekend’s performances. Check out this post to see what’s playing and how to reserve your seats.