Tag Archives: Columbus Day Weekend 2019

November 14, 2019 · 5:46 pm

The Weekend Round-Up:
November 15-17

Happy Weekend!

Harry Potter Nerf Night
Where: Badlands | Rockville, MD
When: Friday, 5:30-8pm
Admission: $30/kid
Accio all Wizards and Witches: It’s a magical night for the Quidditch World Cup as the Houses of Gryffindor and Slytherin compete for victory! You bring your robe and wand, and they’ll bring the snitch.
Costumes and wands encouraged! Kids tickets include a pizza party. Muggles (adults) are free and even get a complimentary beer tasting.

Bye Bye, Bei Bei
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Through November 18
Admission: Free
Say goodbye to Bei Bei, the beloved giant panda, before his move to China. There are special events and activities at the zoo to help wish him a fond farewell. Write a postcard with your well-wishes, make a friendship + good luck bracelet, watch zoo staff give him special Smithsonian-themed enrichment and treats, and join a Q&A with a keeper. Of course, you can visit even more animals while you’re there.

Ice It
Where: Ice rinks around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
With sunny skies and cool temps in the forecast, conditions this weekend should be perfect for outdoor ice skating. The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Canal Park, and Washington Harbor Ice Rinks are open or opening for the season, and most other local rinks are welcoming skaters to glide the day — and night — away. This post has details on all of them (and indoor venues, too), including bonus activities while you’re there.

Savor Autumn
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The cold weather this week may have had you thinking fall is over. But there’s still some autumn left in the area, and there are a bunch of great ways to enjoy it. This post has 10 great recommendations for where to go (that aren’t farm festivals.)

Fossil Fest
Where: Natural History Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Gather your friends and family and get ready for a fun, fossil-filled day in Q?rius! Learn about the tools and research techniques experts use to unearth the facts about prehistoric ecosystems and life long ago. Explore the world of paleontology by meeting scientists and paleontology staff to get a behind-the-scenes look into their work. Experience the field yourself through virtual reality, handling 3D fossil prints, or by sifting for and identifying fossils YOU can uncover at our hands-on learning stations! Find something for everyone in your family to enjoy, from arts and crafts and mask making to film shorts, and much more. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested.

Family Art Day
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join the museum for a variety of activities, including storytelling, sketching, exploring materials, and fun for all ages! This program will take place in the East Building. FYI: from 9-10am, programming is available for children with sensory processing disorders and their families. To sign up for early entry, contact acess@nga.gov or (202) 842-6905.

Nao Santa María
Where: The Wharf – Market Pier | Southwest DC
When: Through November 17, 10am – 6pm
Admission: $10/adult, $5/child, $25/family (up to 5)
Take a trip back in time with The Wharf! Board the historic Santa María, a faithful replica of the Spanish galleons used in the time of Columbus, docking at Market Pier from through Sunday, November 17. Learn the fascinating history of these ocean crossing vessels. Built in Spain in the tradition of the nao ships of the 16th century, the vessel weighs 200 tons and is nearly 100 feet long. Tours will be conducted daily, and discounts are available for school groups and families.

Blackfeet Nation Tribal Festival
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday,
Admission: Free
Learn about the Blackfeet Nation and the many aspects unique to Blackfeet culture through this two-day festival. The Blackfeet Reservation, located in northwestern Montana along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, is home one of the 10 largest tribes in the United States, with more than 17,000 enrolled members. Blackfeet artists, performers, historians and culture bearers will share demonstrations and performances throughout the festival weekend.

The Velveteen Rabbit
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $20.50
It’s opening weekend for the classic tale being brought to life on the Adventure Theatre stage. Margery Williams’s beloved toy story gets a vibrant retelling in this brand new adaptation. When the Child gets the Rabbit for Christmas, she is at first disappointed in her gift. But as the two quest and adventure through her storybooks, both Rabbit and Child grow and care for each other. And they discover that love is the greatest force in the Universe and can make impossible things Real. (Psst: Get tickets for $5 for the 11/15 show through TodayTix!)

Rent 20th Anniversary Tour
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $54 – $117 (look for discounts)
The Broadway hit is in DC on its 20th Annoversary Tour. And if you’re wondering whether it holds up after all these years, I think that Rent is at an all time high. The performances are brilliant, delivered with passion and grit; the music is still stirring; and its themes of life and love and friendship resonate as deeply as ever. Recommended for ages 13+.

More Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Reserve free tickets the Thumbelina, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National show
* Join the Disney Junior Holiday Party at the Warner Theatre on Sunday (find discount tix)
* Groove to Baby Beats with Max and Root, two beat boxing dads at The Atlas
* Let Newsies entertain you at Arena Stage
* Circo Comedia brings thrills, comedy, stunts, magic, and eccentricity to the Hylton Performing Arts Center
* Creative Cauldron presents The Jungle Book (find discount tix)
* See Singin’ in the Rain at Olney Theatre
* Little theatre-goers will love Inside Out at Imagination Stage
* No lie, Pinocchio is at The Puppet Co.
* And Baby Bear’s Birthday is the featured Tiny Tots show there on Sunday
* Oran Etkin is playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin Java
* Source Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors is recommended for tweens and up.
* Enjoy a performance of Amadeus at The Folger

Nibble+Squeak Tykesgiving Feast
Where: The Line Hotel | Adams Morgan, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30 am – 1:30pm
Admission: $20/child, $95-125/adult
Join Nibble+Squeak DC, the community “parents with pipsqueaks” who love to eat, at A Rake’s Progress for a festive and autumnal “Tykesgiving” feast! The family-style meal of local and seasonal flavors will kick off your Thanksgiving festivities as James Beard Award–winning chef Spike Gjerde cooks what he sources from Mid-Atlantic farms and waters. Sip on an expertly paired wine while your pipsqueaks partake in a post-meal turkey day singalong by local children’s musician, Corrine Zmoos.

Holiday Happenings
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
With so many ways to celebrate the holidays around the area, you may as well get started early, so you can enjoy all those you want. Shows and special events that embrace — and emit — holiday cheer have begun. Start your holiday shopping, stroll or drive through a light display, visit Santa, and much, much more. The 2019 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season in DC has ALL you need to help make the season merry and bright.

Flight Fest
Where: Maryland Science Center | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday, 12-4
Admission: $25.95/adult, $19.95/age 3-12
Let imaginations soar at the Maryland Science Center during Flight Fest! Get up close with airplanes and birds and learn about the science of aerodynamics and wings. Participate in aeronautic challenges and test out your own flying contraptions. Enjoy all of the ongoing exhibits and offerings while you’re there — museum hours are 10am – 6pm. Read more about the Maryland Science Center in this KFDC post.

Arts & Crafts & Storytime
Where: House of Sweden | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Bring children ages 3-10 to the House of Sweden for activities just for them! From 12-3pm, they can express themselves through art in special workshops — attendees are set up with everything they need to participate. (Note: This will also take place on October 12, November 2, and November 16). Then at 3pm, experience Swedish children’s literature (in English). And while you’re there, tour the photo exhibition ‘Swedish Dads,’ portraits 45 fathers who have chosen to stay at home with their children for at least six months.

Model Trains and Thomas
Where: Historic Vienna Train Station | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free (donations accepted)
Chug on down to the Historic Vienna Train Station where you can see and hear HO scale model trolleys and trains, including Thomas and some of his friends on display and in operation. It’s a great family fun and activity for the young and young at heart. The Station is at 231 Dominion Road NE, Vienna, VA along the W&OD trail just past the Caboose.

Groovy Nate & Cider
Where: Capitol Cider House | Brookland, DC
When: Sunday, 10:30-11:30am
Admission: $5
Catch some entertainment especially for kids at a place that usually caters to adults! Capitol Cider House is a family friendly cider that presents children’s shows every Sunday, and this weekend its Groovy Nate, a children’s entertainer and Wolf Trap Teaching Artist who creates fun and educational shows using exotic musical instruments and puppet skits— a la Sesame Street meets Parliament/Funkadelic, meshed with The Electric Company, Kraftwerk, and Dub Reggae. Doors open at 10am. Tickets required for all ages. All adult ticket holders will be able to enjoy our normal weekday happy hour — $4 pours of house cider, $5 craft beer, $6 local wine & $7 cocktails – from 10am-noon.

Park It in Fairfax
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. Ride the Turkey Train at Lake Fairfax. Join a Princess tea party. Take an early evening tour of Burke Lake. Details and registration links for these and more activities this weekend and beyond are available here.

Cool Hikes
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It might be cooling down, but the weather will still be good for getting out, so take advantage with some time on the trail. Peep the autumn leaves, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and enjoy a day of active fun. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for good walks in the woods with the kids.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The 2019 KFDC Holiday Guide was just posted, so you can start planning for a merry and bright holiday season!
* There’s still a few days to enter the giveaway for a chance to win tickets to The Velveteen Rabbit at Adventure Theatre!
* If you have a daughter age 8-13 who is interested in STEM, check out this upcoming workshop from Boolean Girl.
* Looking for thinsg to read, listen to, and watch? My friend, Darcy, always has the best recommendations. (PS: She’s also an amazing photographer.)
* We’re in the market for a new mattress, and I am so curious about the Casper. Has anyone tried it?
* Kind of random, but I love this show on Netflix.

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Filed under 2019, All ages, Annual, DC, Fall, Maryland, Seasonal, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as Autumn Fun in DC, Best Ideas for Kid Fun in DC, Columbus Day Weekend 2019, DC Children's Theatre, DC Kids Activities, DC Kids Museums, DC Museum Exhibits for Kids, DC with kids, DMV Things to Do, Fall 2019, Fall Activities with Kids in DC, Family Activities DC, Fun Things to do in the Washington DC Area, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, Kids Activities in Maryland, Kids Activities in Northern Virginia, Kids Entertainment in DC, Nationals World Series, Washington DC Events, Weekend in DC, What to do in DC this Weekend November 16-17

November 7, 2019 · 6:11 pm

The Weekend Round-Up:
November 8-11

The bonsai exhibit at the National Arboretum is always a delight

Happy Weekend!

Nao Santa María Ship
Where: The Wharf – Market Pier | Southwest DC
When: Through November 17, 10am – 6pm
Admission: $10/adult, $5/child, $25/family (up to 5)
Take a trip back in time with The Wharf! Board the historic Santa María, a faithful replica of the Spanish galleons used in the time of Columbus, docking at Market Pier from through Sunday, November 17. Learn the fascinating history of these ocean crossing vessels. Built in Spain in the tradition of the nao ships of the 16th century, the vessel weighs 200 tons and is nearly 100 feet long. Tours will be conducted daily, and discounts are available for school groups and families.

2019 Southern Montgomery County Preschool Fair
Where: Wheaton Library & Rec Center | Wheaton, MD
When: Friday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Attend this preschool fair for a one-stop shop to meet a wide range of school representatives, learn about curriculum and tuition, schedule tours, and more. The preschool fair is a free event and open to the community. Kids are always welcome.

Food History Weekend
Where: National Museum of American History | National Mall, DC
When: Friday & Saturday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
With cooking demonstrations, hands-on learning, dynamic conversations, museum collections, and beer history, there’s something for everyone at the fifth annual Smithsonian Food History Weekend: Power Through Food. A special focus will be on migrant and refugee women and organizations this year, exploring how their food-related enterprises are helping create sustainable livelihoods and stronger communities. Enjoy free daytime activities for visitors of all ages, including a kids table, marketplace, book signings, curators’ corner, and more.

The Arctic Refuge Experience
Where: AutoShop | Northeast DC
When: Through Monday
Admission: $10
Experience a year in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge at this one-of-a-kind art installation powered by a mix of breathtaking film, 4D technology, and immersive sensations. Prepare to be awed by America’s last great wilderness and get up close and personal with herds of caribou, arctic foxes, migratory birds, and polar bears. With over 66 million pixels of projected video, 20 channels of sound, custom scents, atmospheric elements, and tactile sensations, you’ll be transported to the Arctic Refuge without ever leaving Washington, DC.

New To You Sale
Where: Lake Anne Nursery Kindergarten | Reston, VA
When: Saturday, 7:30am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Stock up for the kids at the biggest children’s yard sale in Reston! There will be thousands of items for babies & children available at unbeatable low prices, including high chairs, clothes from newborn up to size 10, bikes, strollers, kitchen sets, doll houses, trains, toys for all ages, children’s furniture, books, DVDs, and much more. Families in the Lake Anne Nursery Kindergarten community donate a wide variety of gently used items, you don’t want to miss out! All remaining items will be 50% off from 12-1pm. Cash, credit cards and checks all accepted.

Kids’ Market & Seasonal Sale
Where: Hollin Hall | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 8am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Hosted by Fort Hunt Preschool, at this annual market find gently-used, high-quality children’s clothing, shoes, toys, books, furniture, decor, maternity wear, and more — all donated by the families of Fort Hunt Preschool.

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, fruited trees, and more in the Bonsai Museum located within the National Arboretum — it’s a fantastic exhibition. Be sure to tour the big trees around the rest of the Arb while you’re there, too. It’s easily one of the best places in the city to do some leaf peeping. Get a glimpse in these scenes from a visits there last fall.

Christmas Bazaar & Thrift Shop
Where: St. Jane de Chantal | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Shop “local” with more than 35 vendors at this 14th Annual Christmas Bazaar. Huge thrift shop, bake sale, and raffles, plus free pictures with Santa! This is sponsored by HSA for benefit of St. Jane de Chantal School located at 9525 Old Georgetown Rd.

The Jungle Book
Where: Creative Cauldron | Falls Church, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $14 through TodayTix
Creative Cauldron presents a musical adaptation of one of the most well-loved books in the English language. Danger lurks everywhere for young Mowgli as he learns the “laws of the jungle” from his friends Akela, the wolf, Baloo, the bear, and Bagheera, the panther, who warn him that Shere Khan, the tiger, wants to eat him. But when Mowgli is forced to leave his friends and return to the village from which he came, he soon learns that man is the most dangerous creature of all. With sensitive themes about loyalty, honor, courage, and persistence, the “Jungle Book” stories have an irresistible appeal for audiences of every generation.

More Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Reserve free tickets the The Uncle Devin Show, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National show
* Dutch theater company Maas brings EGG-tion HERO to the Kennedy Center
* Let Newsies entertain you at Arena Stage
* The Kidz Bop tour is stopping at DAR Constitution Hall on Sunday
* It’s opening weekend for Singin’ in the Rain at Olney Theatre
* Little theatre-goers will love Inside Out at Imagination Stage
* Join InterAct Story Theatre for an exciting morning of rhythms, dances, and songs representing a variety of cultures across Africa.
* No lie, Pinocchio is at The Puppet Co.
* And Baby Bear’s Birthday is the featured Tiny Tots show there on Sunday
* Jason Didner & the Jungle Gym are playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin Java
* Source Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors is recommended for tweens and up.
* Enjoy a performance of Amadeus at The Folger

Kids Euro Festival
Where: Around DC
When: Through Sunday
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 Sunday. See what’s on the schedule over the next few days.

The Miraculous Magical Balloon
Where: Synetic Theater | Crystal City, VA
When: Saturday, 12pm
Admission: Free for kids, adults pay what you will
The Miraculous Magical Balloon tells a wonderful story of a traveling actor and his magical trunk of tricks and toys. This family-friendly show is open to everyone! Children get in free and parents are welcome to “pay what you will.” Celebrate joy and imagination with Synetic Theater at this community event! Be sure to get tickets in advance.

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!

The Emporiyum
Where: Union Market Dock 5 | Northeast, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at $15 (find discounts)
Meet, eat, and shop at this two-day market and celebration of everything delicious. Over 95 artisans, producers, chefs, and restaurants showcase 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.

Kidz Graffiti Party
Where: Art Jamz | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Sunday, 12:30-2pm & 2-3:30pm
Admission: $15
Get messy like a street artist at an Art Jamz Kidz Graffiti Party! Children of all ages are invited to paint their very own masterpieces on the ArtJamz walls. The lounge will be open for accompanying parents and we they’ll be playing jamming tunes to inspire all the little artist. Afterwards, your family can purchase additional studio time and canvas and let your vision come to life off the wall.

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: Monday, 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: Monday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free/military; $20/adult, $12/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.)

Free Parking
Where: National Parks around the DMV (and nation)
When: Monday
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.

Skaters Gonna Skate
Where: Local ice skating rinks
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
Want 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 (indoor venues, too), including bonus activities while you’re there.

Awesome Autumn Ideas
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The fall festival season is winding down, but there are plenty of other fantastic ways to enjoy the season around the area. This KFDC post lists 10 great places to for fall adventures.

DC, Inside & Out
 Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend 
Admission: Varies by adventure 
Want even more options for fun things to do with the kids around the area? 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 Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids 
The Great Indoors

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* One more event to consider for the weekend that might interest many adults.
* Get a glimpse of the new National Children’s Museum opening soon!
* Also opening this winter, The Lane in Ivy City is one to keep on your radar.
* Learn about Fig & Wally, an online service for creating invitations and gift wishlists, and enter a couple of giveaways to win some cool prizes!
* Join Nibble and Squeak DC at A Rake’s Progress for a festive and autumnal “Tykesgiving” feast on November 16!
* The PSAA Snowpass Program is a great ski opportunity for 4th and 5th graders!
* Primary, the children’s clothing brand that parents and kids adore, is having a 25% off sale right now!
* Ready to order holiday cards? Take advantage of this great deal!

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Filed under 2019, All ages, Annual, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Outdoor, Seasonal, Special Event, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

October 31, 2019 · 6:47 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: November 1-3

Celebrate the NATS this weekend!

Happy Weekend! Way to go, Nats!

Nationals Victory Parade & Rally
Where: Constitution Avenue | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 2-5pm
Admission: FREE
Fight Finished. And now it’s time to celebrate our NATS! A victory parade will begin at Constitution & 15th NW then proceed east along the avenue to Pennsylvania & 3rd NW, where there will be a rally. It’s guaranteed to be awesome — and a bit nuts with a huge crowd of excited fans, so be prepared! Parking will be extremely difficult so, I recommend getting there by public transportation, bike, scooter, or the shoe leather express. See you there to celebrate our WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!

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 11th 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 10. See what’s on the schedule over the next few days.

Día de los Muertos | Day of the Dead Festival
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with performances and family activities. The Day of the Dead is a festival celebrated by people in Mexico, parts of Central and South America and in many Latino communities across the U.S. as a way to honor family and friends that have passed away. This celebration originates from the indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, including the Mexica (Aztec) and Maya.

Pumpkin Chunkin’
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $10/adult, $8/child
What to do with your jack-o-lantern now that Halloween is over? Bring it 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. Along with the smashing, enjoy a whole playground of farm fun! The Roosteraunt Concession stand will open 11am – 3pm, and the Cider Donuts are not to be missed.

Shake Up Your Saturday
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10-11am & 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Shake up your Saturday with a workshop at the Folger! These programs occurring on the first Saturday of every month encourage families to experience Shakespeare’s language together. This session, imagine yourself in the two worlds of As You Like It, the court of Duke Frederick and the Forest of Arden. Register here. And read a KFDC write-up about the Folger here.

Family Celebration
Where: National Children’s Museum | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $25/family
After years of anticipation, the new National Children’s Museum is opening! All are welcome to join a Family Celebration on Saturday afternoon to help the kick off the launch. Enjoy exhibit experiences, friends from Nickelodeon, and refreshments by Bluestone Lane. Registration required.

Maryland Emancipation Day
Where: MoCo Parks | Montgomery County, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Varies by program
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, hands-on activities, and tours of historic sites. Some events require registration.

Zeus the Mighty
Where: Embassy of Greece | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
In celebration of National Geographic’s new seven-book kids series, Zeus the Mighty, the Embassy of Greece will open its doors for an intimate event that will bring the rollicking multimedia series to life via educational and fun activities, trivia, and photo opps. In addition to learning all about the new book – which is designed to educate kids about the myths, culture, and geography of ancient Greece – families will also be treated to an amazing live showing of our new kids podcast, Greeking Out, which will feature the main star of the brand new Kids Place Live show! RSVP here.

Creativity Workshop
Where: The Phillips Collection | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: $18/adult & child, $15/members ($5/additional person)
Let your creativity fly at the Phillips’ new art-making stations — it’s an art materials “petting zoo” for the whole family! The workshop includes an Artful Wellness Kit for parents and caregivers. Geared toward families with children ages 2 to 8.

Celebrate Diwali
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Sat, 10:30am – 12:30pm, 1:30-3:30pm & Sun, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, 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. This program, led by teaching artist Sushmita Mazumdar from Studio PAUSE, is designed for children ages 6–12 and adults to enjoy together. Free registration is required — email asiaworkshops@si.edu to sign up.

Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Reserve free tickets the The Really Big Dinosaur Show, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National show
* Newsies is opening at Arena Stage
* Little theatre-goers will love Inside Out at Imagination Stage
* Kid Prince and Pablo at the Kennedy Center is a reimagined version of Mark Twain’s classic The Prince and the Pauper
* No lie, Pinocchio is at The Puppet Co.
* GET’M is bringing laughs to the Kennedy Center stage
* Source Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors is recommended for tweens and up.

Día De Los Muertos
Where: General Getty Neighborhood Park | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 2-4:30pm
Admission: Free
Join Montgomery Parks to celebrate Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Originating in Mexico, the vibrant tradition is an opportunity for family and friends to gather and celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones. The festive event will include a Mariachi band, face painting, games and building a communal Altar de Ofrendas (Offerings). Altar de Ofrendas traditionally include candles, flowers, food, photographs, and mementos to honor the memory of passed relatives. Everyone is encouraged to bring items to include in the altar.

Fall Fest & Family Photo Day
Where: Tusculum Farm | Laytonsville, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate fall with the whole family at Tusculum Farm. From hayrides, to outdoor games, flower arranging and pumpkin painting, to food trucks and an art market from the local Countryside Artisans–there will be something for everyone at The Farm’s fall fest. Also, Tusculum Farm’s grounds will also be open for groups and photographers looking for fall portrait backdrops — no reservations needed for this day only!

Enjoy sideshow entertainment at The Yards

Side Yards
Where: Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 5-9pm
Admission: Free
Head to the Yards Park for this annual nighttime circus featuring new sideshow performances, carnival games, immersive entertainment, and activities for all ages! Enjoy an evening of side-show fun including gravity-defying aerialist routines, unbelievable contortion, mind-blowing mentalism, feats of magic and mesmerism, and so much more. Guests will also have the chance to test their own wits in a pop-up carnival escape room. Other activities include face painting, tarot card readings, balloon twisting, caricature sketches and other circus fun.

Post-Halloween Smithsonian Sleepover
Where: National History Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday – Sunday
Admission: $100
The Nation’s T-rex has returned to the Natural History Museum, and his towering skeleton has been drawing big crowds to the amazing Deep Time exhibition in the brand-new David H. Koch Hall of Fossils. A post-Halloween Smithsonian Sleepover offers the perfect way to avoid the rush and spend plenty of quality time with your favorite dinosaur. And as a bonus, you can wear your Halloween costume one more time. Pack your sleeping bag and a toothbrush and join a small group of fellow adventurers as one of the world’s most popular museums closes its doors and the crowds leave for the day. For kids ages 8-14.

Sunday Funday: A Halloween-Themed Event
Where: Wheaton Veterans Urban Park | Wheaton, MD
When: Sunday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Keep the fun going after the big day and head at this Sunday Funday Halloween-themed event! Activities include a Halloween costume contest, pumpkin painting, s’mores roasting, face painting, balloon sculptues, lawn games, and a DJ and music. There will also be plenty of food, hot chocolate, cider, and beer available for purchase.

Bulgaria Day
Where: KID Museum | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $12/child (includes two adults)
KID Museum is celebrating the culture of Bulgaria through creative, hands-on projects, performances, and food, presented in partnership with Botev Academy Bulgarian School. Kids will make scary Kukeri masks, build traditional Bulgarian houses, learn to do cross stitch, and more! Enjoy live dance performances, poetry readings, and an interactive presentation about Bulgaria’s National Revival Day holiday. Visitors can sample traditional delicacies, including kyufteta (Bulgarian meatballs), kebapcheta (kebabs), and sarmi (stuffed cabbage, provided by Balkanik Taste food truck. Read more about KID Museum here.

Free Community Day
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | Downtown, DC
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The first Sunday of every month is a great opportunity to explore the National Museum of Women in the Arts when admission is FREE! Works span the centuries, from the 16th to the present in a variety of mediums, highlighting women artists all over the world. Plan for a Fierce Women tour, offered 1-2pm or explore the museum on your own.

Astronomy Adventure
Where: Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium | Arlington, VA
When: Sunday, 1pm
Admission: $5/adult, $3.50/child
A 2-for-1 astronomy adventure! Author Laura Gehl will read from her new picture book biography about Dr. Nancy Grace Roman, a groundbreaking astronomer who overcame obstacles including weak eyesight and gender discrimination to help make the Hubble Space Telescope a reality. The interactive author talk will be followed by a popular Planeterium show, The Secret of The Cardboard Rocket, which will take kids on a tour of the solar system. This program is aimed at ages 5-12, but all ages are welcome!

Day of the Dead Art Workshop
Where: MangoStreet | Shaw, DC
When: Sunday, 8:30-10:30am
Admission: $27
MangoStreet is honored to celebrate the Day of the Dead with an art workshop with guest artist Irene Clouthier! Young Artists ages 5-8 can experience the importance of honoring our past heritage, and the cycle of life, through the whimsical celebration of the Day of the Dead. They’ll recreate an ofrenda/altar, make papel cortado, and construct mosaics. Then they’ll explore the process of cartonería—a traditional Mexican sculpting technique—in the making and painting of Catrinas, and delve into the work of Guadalupe Posada, originator of the Catrina.

Fall Farm Fun
Where: Around the DMV
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 area farms 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.

Leaf Peep on the Trail
Where: Around the DMV
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.

The Ins and Outs of DC
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
With a mix of weather in the forecast, these posts that are chock full of evergreen pursuits are great to have bookmarked:
The Great Indoors
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* You have through Friday to enter for a chance to win tickets to Rent at National Theatre!
* View scenes of fall at Huntley Meadows Park in this new post.
* A ghost story for Halloween.
* NATS ❤️

The Weekend Round-Up: October 25-27

Let’s go, Nats!!!

Happy World Series Weekend!

Nats World Series Watch
Where: Around the DMV
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday evenings
Admission: Varies by location
The Nats are coming home to play Games 3, 4 and 5 of the WORLD SERIES! If you can’t be at Nationals Park to experience them, but want to watch with sister and fellow fans — and with the kids — several places around the area are hosting watch parties or have specials going on to celebrate the occasion. See this post for a round-up of family-friendly places to root for our home team! GO, NATS!!!

Watch Party Weekend
Where: The Yards | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
I’m singling this one out because it’s practically within baseball throwing distance of Nationals Park, and you’ll be able to hear the roar of the crowd with every big play… On Friday evening at The Yards Park, Watch Party Weekend kicks off at 6pm with a celebratory pep rally featuring the Eastern High School March Band, live music, a fireboat show on the Anacostia, and curly W tattoos & lawn games. And at 8pm, watch Game 3 on a massive LED screen. On Saturday and Sunday starting at 2pm, Watch Party Weekend will continue at The Yards Lot (M Street SE & New Jersey Avenue SE) with live music, ballpark fare and drinks, games and activities. Airings of Games 4 and 5 will start at 8pm.

Halloweekend
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Break in the costumes and prep for Halloween coming on Thursday 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 info on even more happenings where the tricks and treats are going on.

Take the Fall
Where: Around the DC Metro
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Celebrate the season — fall festivals are in full swing at locales all around the area! From pumpkin patches and apple picking to corn mazes and hayrides to giant slides and jumping pillows, there are activities GALORE to help folks embrace the autumn spirit.

Hilloween
Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5:30-7:30pm
Admission: Free
Capitol Hill’s annual neighborhood event is legendary for little ones. The block of 7th Street SE next to Eastern Market will be closed to traffic for one of the best community Halloween celebrations in the city. And more will be in Eastern Market’s North Hall. Moon bounces, goody giveaways, face painting add to the excitement. The best part is seeing the masses of jubilant kids in all kinds of costumes indulging in the extravaganza.

BOOtanica
Where: Brookside Gardens | Wheaton, MD
When: Friday, 5:30-8:30pm
Admission: $18/child (free for parents)
Gather the family together for a fun evening! Children can dress in their favorite costume, participate in a garden costume parade, paint a pumpkin, try a pumpkin treat, and top the evening off listening to award-winning storyteller Gary Lloyd present “Pumpkin Tales for the Young” telling tales more funny than scary. Space is limited. Register children ages 3–12, parents are free.

Kids Euro Festival
Where: Venues around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Consider this your passport to two weeks of art and cultural events, as the 12th Annual Kids Euro Festival kicks off Saturday, bringing continental entertainment right to DC. This is the first weekend of the event that will present all kinds of free adventures 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 7. This weekend alone join a Belgian Tin Tin comic strip workshop, attend a Netherlands animal celebration, enjoy interactive German theatre, 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
Explore the spooky side of air and space at the Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center’s 13th 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.

The Big Draw Festival
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 5-8pm & Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Join the NGA for a two days of drawing festivities. The two-day celebration of drawing featuring activities for artists of all ages! On Saturday evening, enjoy extended evening hours at the museum creating 3-D illustrations, experimenting with materials in the Sketching lab, and enjoying special performances by Joy of Motion Dance. On Sunday, there will be even more festivities for families. You can create a “sidewalk” sketch in the Family Art Lab, draw wacky creatures while on a scavenger hunt, and read a book aloud, move, and play during Storytime.

Kids’ Day at the Washington International Horse Show
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free for kids, $15/adult
This fun, family-friendly event created to share the joy of horses with the DC community and teach kids and their families about horses and equestrian sport. Children can participate in hands-on educational and fun activities, including pony rides, Horseless Horse Show, coloring station, face painting, pony brushing lessons, 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 donkey Blossom! And note that the Horse Show will be happening all weekend!

Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In A Play!” brings some of kids’ favorite characters to life at Adventure Theatre
* Find out why Dragons Love Tacos at Olney Theatre
* Paw Patrol LIVE! is at the Hippodrome in Baltimore
* Reserve free tickets to Mark Lohr: Classic Comedy, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National show
* Kid Prince and Pablo at the Kennedy Center is a reimagined version of Mark Twain’s classic The Prince and the Pauper
* The Very Hungry Caterpillar is eating its way across Imagination Stage
* The Royale is running at Olney Theatre
* You gotta cut loose, Footloose at the Kennedy Center (find discounts)
* No lie, Pinocchio is at The Puppet Co.
* And Mother Goose Caboose is the featured Tiny Tots show there on Sunday
* Source Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors is recommended for tweens and up.
* Make it a date night for Jitney at Arena Stage or Escaped Alone at Signature Theatre

Halloween in the Garden
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Solomons, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $2
Dress the whole family and enjoy a day of trick-or-treating, art activities, lunch and more! The 20th Annual Halloween in the Garden will feature more than 70 community organizations and businesses donning costumes and handing out candy and treats to all the children. Booths will be spread out around the Parking Circle and down the Wooded Path allowing guests to roam at their own pace – free range trick-or-treating! Also enjoy g Halloween-inspired music and dancing with a guest DJ. Admission fees will benefit local charities. Don’t forget to bring your camera — there are always unique photo opportunities with the boo-tiful decorations.

Adams Morgan Apple Festival
Where: Adams Morgan Farmers’ Market, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 1pm
Admission: Free
The annual Adams Morgan Apple Festival happens every October is a celebration of apples, plus the season and the AdMo community. Festivities include apple tasting, an apple pie eating contest, live entertainment, and more fun for the family. The Adams Morgan Farmers’ Market is located at 18th and Columbia Road NW, in the SunTrust Bank plaza.

Día de los Muertos Family Day
Where: American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with SAAM! Enjoy Mexican folk dance performances throughout the day, a live Mariachi band, and face painting! Leave your handmade ofrendas (offerings) including paper marigolds, calaveras (skull masks), and paper monarch butterflies on our beautiful Day of the Dead altar.

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.

Spooktacular Kids Pizza Class and Party
Where: Matchbox locations around the DMV
When: Saturday
Admission: $32
Matchbox invites all mini chefs to a kids pizza party featuring a hands-on pizza-making class complete with chef hat and customized personal pizza, a tour of the kitchen and pizza ovens, jack-o-lantern cookie decorating, and other Halloween treats, plus a round of mimosas for parents! Tickets are available here for select Matchbox locations — Capitol Hill, 14th Street, Rockville, Merrifield, Pentagon City, Potomac Mills, One Loudon.

Spooktacular Family Day Piano Show
Where: Bobby McKey’s | National Harbor, MD
When: Saturday, 12:30-2:30pm
Admission: $20
Need an excuse to dress up? Bobby McKey’s is offering an afternoon Halloween party that’s not to be missed. Head down to the National Harbor for some serious FUN! They combine 2 hours of all request live piano music with a costume contest, a lunch buffet, fountain drinks, and of course encouragement of singing along and wiggling in your seats! Price includes seats, fountain drink, and buffet. Bar is open for non-driving parents.

Family Day: Connecting Our Community To The Outdoors
Where: Outside the NMAAHC | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Join the National Museum of African American Art and Culture for this Family Day in partnership with Outdoor Afro to celebrate the outdoors and get your family moving together! Bring-your-own picnic to the National Mall between 14th and 15th Streets and enjoy the fall weather with them from 12-1pm. Then from 1-3pm, regional leaders from Outdoor Afro will lead activity stations for families to explore together. Learn how to spot local birds, try out our obstacle course, and connect your family and community to the outdoors!

Día de los Muertos Family Day
Where: America Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with SAAM! Enjoy a day full of Mexican folk-dance performances, a live Mariachi band, and face painting! Leave your handmade ofrendas (offerings) including paper marigolds, calaveras (skull masks), and paper monarch butterflies on our beautiful Day of the Dead altar.

Pumpin Rock ‘n Roll
Where: GIGS Courtyard | Kensington, MD
When: Saturday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
Join the 2019 Pumpkin Rock N’ Roll! The GIGS Courtyard in Kensington, MD, will be transformed into a full-blown Halloween extravaganza. Participate in a costume parade and enjoy family-friendly attractions including live musical performances, food trucks, inflatable rides and slides, and a hay maze. Don’t miss the main event: The Pumpkin Roll, a derby race of Halloween pumpkins-turned-boxcars.

Taste of DC
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Start at $10
Celebrate the food, wine, and culture of our city in a new, cool location! Along with the obvious — tastings from numerous area restaurants — there will be cooking demos, live entertainment, a beer garden, and an area with activities especially for kids.

Autumn off the Farm
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Farm festivals may be the go-to autumn outing, but there are lots of other fantastic ways to enjoy the season around the area. This KFDC post lists 10 great places to for fall adventures.

Inside Out(ings)
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
With rain in the forecast for at least part of the weekend, you’ll want to have some go-to places to hang inside. The Great Indoors post has over 100 ideas for just those kinds of adventures.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The new Spy Museum is twice as big and intriguing as the old one.
* This is really cool.
* Don’t we all have Sliding Doors stories?
* There will be magic at Nationals Park this weekend, and it will Enchant this winter, too!
* One of the most bizarre movies I’ve seen in awhile.
* Love this.

The Weekend Round-Up:
October 18-20

This weekend is your last chance to experience Ren Fest magic!

Happy Weekend!

Boo at the Zoo
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Friday-Sunday, 5:30-8:30pm
Admission: $20/members, $30/non-members
Join the National Zoo for their annual not-so-spooky Halloween haunt, one of DC’s most popular events for the kiddie crowd. With more than 40 treat stations, animal demonstrations, keeper chats, a dance party and kids’ karaoke, and decorated trails, this frightfully fun evening is a treat for the whole family. By the end of the evening, Boo at the Zoo commemorative bags will be brimming with your favorite chocolates, snacks and souvenirs. Treat stations will include goodies for all ages, including adult treats like craft beer and food tastings. Costumes encouraged!

Fall Carnival & Fall Harvest Days
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: Friday – 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.

Family Happy Hour
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5-7pm
Admission: $10/child, $5/adult
Kick off the weekend with a casual happy hour for parents and tots! Local fave band, King Bullfrog, will hit the stage with high-energy original, folk and blues songs carefully tailored to get children dancing and delight grownups. Complimentary pizza and a water dispenser there, too.

Annual SHERO Family Walk
Where: 1333 N Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
When: Saturday, 8:30am
Admission: $45/walker, $150family
Join hundreds of DC families and neighbors for the Annual Family SHERO Walk, a morning of fun and impact that the whole family can participate in. This 2-mile walk includes a free t-shirt, breakfast, mask decorating, and treats for four-legged friends. Best of all, every step benefits N Street Village, the city’s largest provider of housing and services for women experiencing homelessness.

24th Annual Art Safari
Where: The Torpedo Factory | Old Town Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, October 19, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
An annual Alexandria tradition for almost a quarter-century, Art Safari returns for a day of hands-on activities for kids and families. Professional artists lead budding art enthusiasts in dynamic projects across all three floors of the Torpedo Factory. Join other children to build a life-sized papier-mâché creature. Experiment with potter’s clay and silkscreen printing. Paint with Japanese black ink, turn cereal boxes into a city, create metallic leaf rubbings, and so much more. Projects are best for ages 5–12, but younger kids will have lots of fun with some grown-up help. Dress to get a little messy!

Down in the Reeds
Where: Parks at Walter Reed Army Hospital | Brightwood, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 7pm
Admission: $10
The day-long fall celebration and music festival brings together a mosaic of entertainment and activations reflective of DC’s cultural diversity and in celebration of the healing power of music. Enjoy a variety of love music, do some family arts and crafts, play lawn games, check out live art, grab a bite from food trucks, relax in the beer garden, and much more. Visit the website for the complete schedule of events.

Museum Open House
Where: Kreeger Museum | Northwest DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate art, music, and nature with the Kreeger Museum. Join them for a day of family-friendly fun, including interactive art activities, a djembe drum circle, performances by the Shannon Gunn Quartet, and food trucks. Visit the website for the full day’s schedule.

Last Call for Merriment
Where: Revel Grove | Crownsville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: $27/age 16+, $12/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, as they likely will sell out. Huzzah!

Fall Harvest Family Days 
Where: Mount Vernon Estate | Mount Vernon, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $20/adults, $12/kids 6-11, free/under 6
Enjoy fall activities with the whole family at George Washington’s digs. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride and play colonial games on the bowling green before heading to the Pioneer Farm to observe 18th-century demonstrations and greet General Washington. Find your way through a straw bale maze and listen to the Itinerant Band play colonial tunes. And Potomac River sightseeing cruises are free this weekend only (while supplied last)!

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.

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.

Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In A Play!” brings some of kids’ favorite characters to life at Adventure Theatre
* Catch a Gustafer Yellowgold concert at Strathmore AMP on Sunday
* Kid Prince and Pablo at the Kennedy Center is a reimagined version of Mark Twain’s classic The Prince and the Pauper
* InterAct Story Theatre presents Bobtail BONG BONG: A Monkey’s Tail Tale as part of their Wheaton Family Theatre Series
* The Very Hungry Caterpillar is eating its way across Imagination Stage
* Darci Lynn & Friends are perfroming at DAR Constitutional Hall on Sunday
* The Royale is running at Olney Theatre
* You gotta cut loose, Footloose at the Kennedy Center (find discounts)
* See theatre by kids for kids at Encore Stage & Studio’s production of Disney’s Frozen Jr.
* No lie, Pinocchio is at The Puppet Co.
* And Mother Goose Caboose is the featured Tiny Tots show there on Sunday
* Source Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors is recommended for tweens and up.
* Make it a date night for Jitney at Arena Stage, The Tempest at Synetic Theatre, or Escaped Alone at Signature Theatre

29Rooms
Where: DC Armory | Southeast DC
When: Through October 27
Admission:
29Rooms is a collaboration of visionaries and brands in the fields of art, activism, style, and technology that brings 29 experiences under one roof that tap into the conversations of today and hopes for tomorrow. Each room puts visitors at the center of the event with hands-on activities and several phone-free experiences, sparking engagement and igniting self-expression, storytelling and dialogue. Through multi-sensory installations, performances, and workshops, you’re presented you with a new way to connect with creativity, culture, and community.

Preservation Family Workshop: Art & Me
Where: American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 12:30pm & 1:30–3pm
Admission: Free (but reservations required)
H2Oh my! Experience the art of making and preserving watercolors by exploring the Lunder Conservation Center, where families can experiment with professional tools and learn different watercolor techniques. This program is part of a yearlong partnership with the Freer|Sackler and is for children ages three to five years old with adult participation.

Truck Touch
Where: Suburban Nursery School | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: $5, free/under 2
Climb aboard and honk all the horns at Suburban Nursery School’s Annual Truck Touch, a hands-on event for kids of all ages. The parking lot will be full of emergency vehicles, construction trucks, school buses, and other cool things that go. Kids are not just allowed, but encouraged to explore. There will also be food trucks, a used toy and book sale, bounce houses, face painting, a bake sale, and much more! Don’t wait in line, buy your tickets ahead of time here!

World of Wheels for CASA
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Where: DeMatha High School | Hyattsville, MD
Admission: Free
Join the Purple Line World of Wheels for CASA on Saturday! The 8th annual touch-a-truck and family festival will be a great opportunity for families to see and explore a variety of vehicles, have fun and play games… all while supporting Court Appointed Special Advocate and helping to bring a voice to more children in foster care!

Archaeology Family Day
Where: Natural History Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Drop in to celebrate International Archaeology Day with special activities. Talk to archaeologists — learn about fascinating finds, career paths, challenges in the field, and the joy of discovery. Do some archaeology — practice the skills archaeologists use to piece together the past and participate in mock excavations, illustration, decoding ancient writing systems, experimentation, and artifact analysis. Explore collections — examine museum artifacts in the Q?rius Collections Zone, get resources, and find out about opportunities to get involved in archaeology in your community.

Teddy Bear Clinic
Where: PM Pediatrics | Greenbelt, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
PM Pediatrics, the nation’s largest provider of pediatric urgent care, will host a “Teddy Bear Clinic” to help dispel children’s potential fear of a visit to the doctor. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal or doll for a routine medical exam where a friendly doctor will take height and weight measurements, examine eyes, ears, heart and lung function and more. The clinics are designed to help kids understand that a visit to the doctor is not only painless, but can also be fun.

Fall Family Fest
Where: Katzen Arts Center | AU Park, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Fall Family Fun Day at the AU Museum for all ages! All activities are free and inspired by our current exhibitions. Create hands-on art projects, explore art with a scavenger hunt, take a tour with one of our guides, listen and participate in storytelling and music-making, and more. Free, please register in advance and check-in at the door. Children must be accompanied by an adult. You do not need to print your Eventbrite ticket. Register here.

Kids Contemporary Art Workshop
Where: Mango Street DC | Shaw, DC
When: Saturday, 10-11:15am
Admission: $27/child
Join MangoStreet art educator and artist Marie B. Gauthiez for Contemporary Artists Series: Richard Tuttle: Assemblages & Found Materials to learn about creating small scale ASSEMBLAGES (a work of art made by grouping found or unrelated objects) inspired by American artist Richard Tuttle’s process. The group will read a story, then look at Richard Tuttle’s fascinating works before getting started on personal projects. Parents will play the crucial role of assistants to their children (discussing a plan, choosing material and helping with the hardest tasks). This is a great opportunity to discover that art making is not confined to a flat piece of paper. MangoStreet is located at 52 O Street NW.

Creepy Cupcakes Kids Confectionery Class
Where: Creative Saints Loft | Hyattsville, MD
When: October 19, 1-3pm
Admission: $35
Calling all Ghouls and Goblins! Join Executive Pastry Chef Padua Player of SugaChef Desserts in the Hyattsville Arts District for this Halloween-themed class. This event is for kids who love being in the kitchen and parents who love to eat their creations! If you’re looking for a safe and exciting way to have some SpOOky fun bring your little ones dressed in their BEST costumes and lets create! Each ticket includes:
2 hour instructor lead class, 1/2 dozen uniquely decorated cupcakes (spiders, witches, and Frankenstein, oh my!), coffee and sweet treats for adults, spooky punch for kids, and candy giveaway.

Taste of the Harvest
Where: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus | Southeast DC
When: Saturday, 4-8pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the fall harvest from the Bridge Park Plots and THEARC Farm. Free festivities include live music, arts activities, dance performances, garlic planting, tastings from the harvest, and tours of THEARC Farm. Bring your main dinner course from home to accompany tasty recipes from the gardens. Activities will continue into the evening with performances by Dupont Brass, Tamika Love Jones, & The Washington Ballet @ THEARC. Reserve your seats here.

Glow in the Park
Where: Adventure Park at Sandy Spring | Sandy Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 6pm
Admission: $42
Do the monster mash through the trees! Enjoy Halloween festivities at the Adventure Park’s spooky Halloween-themed Glow in the Park. Wear your costume for a chance to spin a prize wheel (just make sure it’s comfortable & safe to climb in) — you could win free tickets, a t-shirt, or something else special! Start times will be available every 10 minutes between 6pm & 8:20pm, and tickets are good for two hours of climbing & ziplining + 40 minutes for the safety briefing and getting geared up. Online reservations are highly recommend, as this event tends to sell out. Ages 5 & up are welcome!

Storybook Theater
Where: Northeast & Shaw Libraries | Capitol Hill & Shaw, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 2-3:30pm
Admission: Free
All ages are invited to join this Storybook Theater program. Be a part of the stories and have some fun during dramatic interactive readings of children’s books! It takes place at Northeast Library on Saturday and Shaw Library on Sunday. Seating is limited so register in advance. Parents of small children must remain on site.

The Future of Transportation Day
Where: KID Museum | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $12/child (includes two adults)
Kids of all ages are invited to think creatively about electric cars, self-driving vehicles, high speed rail, and other exciting ways to get around in the future! Families will have an opportunity to explore these activities and more at KID Museum’s The Future of Transportation Day: Use sensors, “smart paints,” and energy harvesting devices to design “smart roads” for Ozobot robots and construct aerodynamic vehicles powered by pneumatic tubes. Design suspension and cable-style bridges using cardboard, string, and popsicle sticks. Learn about magnetic levitation rail technology and build “maglev” vehicles out of cardboard, hot glue, and magnets. Read a KFDC write-up about KID Museum.

Rumpus Room Family Dance Party: Halloween Special
Where: Black Cat | 14th Street NW, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 1:30pm
Admission: $15
The Rumpus Room, DC’s only daytime dance party for families, returns in time for Halloween! This October they’ll be getting (slightly) spooky in the club, so put on your costumes and go dance. 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 10 and under and their caregivers, but older siblings are welcome.

DCschooolHUB Preschool & Private School Fair
Where: St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School | Northwest, DC
When: Sunday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
If you are looking for a preschool or private school for your child, don’t miss the 3rd Annual DCschoolHUB Preschool & Private School Fair on Sunday. More than 50 of the top schools from the DMV area will be in attendance, so you can learn all about their programs for your child. Visit solo or bring the kids!

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: Sunday, 2pm & 4pm
Admission: $15-18
Enjoy spooky fun for the whole family at this annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when our ghoulishly attired musicians perform new and old classics to celebrate Halloween. Nicholas Hersh leads this exciting concert experience, which features music from Harry Potter and more. Arrive early for trick-or-treating and a special Haunted Hall Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo.” Recommended for ages 5+.

Opera starts with Oh!
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 3-5pm
Admission: Free
Spend an afternoon with your children or grandchildren, niece or nephew and immerse yourselves in the arts of opera! Unravel the many elements of opera, through play and immersive activities, à la Opera Lafayette. Led by internationally-trained director, choreographer, and teaching artist, Emma Jaster, and featuring a dancer, singer and cellist, Opera starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children aged 5 and up. The first atelier of the season will explore the story of Venus and Adonis through dance and music. Cupids, graces, hunters, and goddesses come alive in this opera about love, magic ,and storytelling. Enjoy a free afternoon of artistic playtime and immerse yourselves in the art of all arts – opera! Register in advance here.

Halloween on the Farm
Where: Watkins Regional Park | Upper Marlboro, MD
When: Sunday, 4-7pm
Admission: $4/ages 2+
Head Old Maryland Farm at Watkins Regional Park for a Halloween & Fall themed event for little ones. Enjoy hayrides, games, crafts, cider, creepy-crawly animals, a costume contest, and pumpkins for purchase. Kids 13 & under must be accompanied by a paying adult. Read more about Watkins and Old Maryland Farm here.

Brookland Exchange, Makers Market
Where: Arts Walk at Monroe Street | Brookland, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Between local vendors and Arts Walk tenants, Brookland Exchange will share the local, handmade wares of forty-plus local makers and artists collectors with the community. The outdoor market is a concept that aims to support local artists, creative expression and interaction between community and creative commerce. Vendors include 2D and 3D artists, candle and jewelry makers, small food businesses, wellness and beauty creatives, and many more artisans. Brookland Exchange provides a day of creative fun for the whole family with live music and entertainment and food.

Families Serving Together: “Soupkot” Edition
Where: Edlavitch DCJCC | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 9:30–11:00am
Admission: $20/family fee requested to help cover supplies
Join the EDCJCC and PJ Library to celebrate the end of the harvest holiday of Sukkot and make instant soup kits for people experiencing food insecurity in our city. The morning will include learning about the holiday of Sukkot and doing the service project. Children of all ages are welcome! Register here. Walk-ins welcome if space available.

Out & About
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
This time of year is perfect for outdoor adventures, so the keep the round-up of the Best Places in the DC Are to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids handy! (And looks like Sunday might bring some wet weather, so keep The Great Indoors list in your back pocket, too.)

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* OMG, THE NATS ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!!!
* In case you were wondering….
* If you’re a fan of Jane Goodall (and who isn’t?), check out this KFDC post about her recent visit to DC and a new exhibition about her coming to the National Geographic Museum.
* Calling all young actors! Studio Theatre is holding local auditions October 19-21 to cast children’s roles in the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home.
* Have you checked out Certifikid lately? So many awesome deals on all kinds of DC activities!
* In the mood for a creepy movie? Watch Ma.