Tag Archives: DC Family Actvities

June 17, 2016 · 8:53 am

The Weekend Round-Up: June 17-19

A daddy-daughter bike ride 🙂

No more pencils, no more books! Between the end of the school year for most area kids, Father’s Day, and the almost official start of the summer, there’s a lot to celebrate this weekend. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to do just that, and this round-up has the scoop on the best of ’em. Happy Weekend! And a very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!

Father’s Day Fun
Where: Around the area
When: Sunday
Admission: Varies by activity
If you’re still looking for ways to celebrate dad’s big day, don’t stress. You’ve got plenty of options to plan something great. From medieval entertainment to outdoor pursuits, special events to everyday fun, freebies to splurges, this post has a variety of ideas to make Father’s Day an awesome one.

Joys of Summer
Where: Throughout the DC-Metro
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by locale
As school ends for many, and summer is just about to officially begin, celebrate with one — or several — of the many activities exclusive to the season. Swim under the sky, catch a concert beneath the stars, see a special exhibit, play at a water park, and more. For the whole gamut of seasonal fun, check out the 2016 Summer Guide.

Friday Night Fishing
Where: Diamond Teague Park
When: Friday, 5-8pm
Admission: Free
Join Anacostia Riverkeeper at the dock at Diamond Teague Park for catch and release fishing. This evening kicks off the series that will take place every Friday through September 4. Rods, reels, bait, and instruction are all free. No registration required — just show up! Diamond Teague Park is located at 100 Potomac Avenue SE, between Nationals Park and Yards Park.

National Maker Faire
Where: University of DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Join curious, inventive peops from across the country at the Second Annual National Maker Faire. Kicking off the “Week of Making,” the event give innovators a place to share what they love to make. And attendees at theis family-friendly affair have the opportunity to interact with technologies like Raspberry Pi, Arduino, electronics, and 3D printers as well as STEM projects, textiles, crafting activities, homemade robots, and more. And be sure to stop by the DK Publishing booth for book giveaways and prizes, plus the chance to get in on the action with our dinosaur dance party computer coding photo opp!

Juneteenth Celebration
Where: Walker Miller Regional Park
When: Saturday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family to celebrate this historic date and enjoy free concerts, exhibits, and activities honoring African American culture. Performances include Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clarke, The Doo Wop Cops, Malcom X Drummers, master story teller Baba Jamal Koram, a Tribute to Prince, and a Tribute to the Music of Motown by the BRENCORE Allstars Band.

Taste of Reston
Where: Reston Town Center
When: Friday, 3-11pm & Saturday, 12-11pm
Admission: Free (purchase tickets for tastings)
The largest outdoor food festival in NoVA has also been voted “Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival” by Virginia Living magazine since 2012. Reston Town Center will be bustling for two days with restaurants and community vendors, live entertainment on three stages, a Wine ‘n Dine area, and the Family Fun Zone featuring activities, interactive games, demonstrations, and arts & crafts for all ages.

Summer in the City Family Day
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Stay cool and celebrate the hottest season in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s indoor Kogod Courtyard. With water scrims to play in, steel drums to dance to, and crafts and games for the whole family, what’s not to love about summer in the city.

Saturday Family Jazz Session
Where: Strathmore
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: $10
Jumpstart a love for jazz with classes that nurture talent and spark musicality! Junior jazz aficionados can spend Saturday mornings singing, playing, and preparing for a lifetime of jazz appreciation at this fun, creative, kid-friendly class with renowned jazz singer Rochelle Rice. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. All attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

Show Time
Where: Local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* It’s opening weekend for Jumanji at Adventure Theatre! (look for discount tickets)
* Reserve free seats for Saturday Morning at the National, featuring Groovy Nate this wee
* Catch a performance of Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs at The Puppet Co.
* And World on a String is their featured Tiny Tots show
* Two of a Kind are playing the Saturday morning kids show at Jammin’ Java
* See Creative Cauldron’s production of The Wind in the Willows
* Be entranced by The Magic of Bill Blagg Live at Alden Theatre on Saturday evening

Columbia Heights Day Festival
Where: Harriet Tubman Elementary School field
When: Saturday, 11am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Whether or not you live in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of DC, you’re invited to rbing the fam out for a fun, free day of excitement and activities to help celebrate the community. In its 11th year, Columbia Heights Day brings together residents and businesses for festivities that will stretch along 11th Street between Park Road and Kenyon Street and take over the Harriet Tubman Elementary School Field. Enjoy local food vendors, live music and entertainment on the Main and Bloombars Stages, a beer garden, six group tents full of fun and unique vendors, as well as many unique stand-alone vendor tents. And this year, there’s a carnival, to boot!

Petworth Park Summer Jam
Where: Petworth Recreation Center
When: Saturday, 5-9:30pm
Admission: Free
Petworth is putting a spin on the summer music series — literally. While most present live entertainment by local artists, the Summer Jam features a swath of the most talented DJ’s the city has to offer. And all ages are welcome to come dance the third Saturday of the month in June, July, and August.

Market Days
Where: North Bethesda Market
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
North Bethesda Market’s first Home and Garden Market is an outdoor event for the entire family on Saturdays through June. Shop for plants and fresh cut flowers, find decor to refresh your home and garden, and enjoy live music and a fresh grilled lunch al fresco. Whole Foods will offer gardening items just for kids, and you can get tips on flower arranging and creating a succulent garden during free weekly seminars.

Innovations in Flight Family Day
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Head to the Chantilly arm of the Air & Space Museum for a special Family Day and Outdoor Aviation Display. See military, recreational, and home-built aircraft as well as classic automobiles. Enjoy presentations, demonstrations, special tours, and hands-on activities for all ages.

Colonial Wheat Harvest
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $3/adult, $2/child
Help the Claude Moore Colonial Farm Family harvest their wheat and rye crops. After, participate in baking breas on the hearth using those very grains. This fun and educational activity is great for families! Learn more about the Farm here, and read about a KFDC experience here.

Chesapeake Exploration
Where: Calvert Marine Museum
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $9/adult, $4/ages 5-12, free for 4 and under
Discover how the prehistoric past, natural environment, and maritime heritage come together to tell a unique story of the Chesapeake Bay. Fascinating exhibits, including display cases full of fossils and artifacts, live fish and other creatures, and a real lighthouse to tour are engaging for all ages. Even better, there are things to see both indoors and out, so you can enjoy the weather and scenic views, too. Read more about it and get a glimpse of what’s there in this new KFDC post.

*A heads-up on fountain fun this weekend: The water features at Yards Park will be unavailable this Saturday & Sunday. If you still want to splash around in the Navy Yard, head to the southern block of Canal Park (200 M Street SE). For water play elsewhere, check out another spray park in the area.

Recreation Galore at Anacostia Park

The pirate ship playground is easily a highlight for kids at Anacostia Park

Anacostia Park, which stretches along the river it’s named for in southeast DC, has been on our recreational radar for a long time. Back in the day (a phrase I find myself using way too frequently lately), Levi and I played many an Ultimate Frisbee game there, and I always thought the pretty waterfront locale was a great place to spend a couple of hours chasing discs. For awhile, though, when the kids were younger, we rarely visited the park, which is odd since it’s close to where we live and a boon for fun and recreation.

A Riverwalk Trail ramp leading to the main part of the park

We’ve kind of rediscovered it over the last couple of years as a few different activities have taken us there. Owen’s soccer league plays on the fields, plus he attended a skating camp based in the Skating Pavilion. I also started biking on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail that runs through the park, both for fun and triathlon training.

BYO wheels or rent roller skates for free at the Skating Pavilion

Those pursuits are just a few of many to enjoy at Anacostia Park. The trail is great for running, cycling, walking, even skating (Owen’s camp group would roll along the path as part of their daily route). There are three playgrounds where children can romp, including a pirate ship playground, where one of Sasha’s friends just had his birthday party.

There is a public pool (open during the summer) and an Education Center. There are tennis courts and basketball courts. The Anacostia Community Boathouse is located on the west shore of the river, and includes a marina with a public boat launch and canoe rentals during the summer (free Paddle Nights are also offered through the Anacostia Watershed Society). There’s an 18-hole golf course and putting range. There are lots of tables and lovely spots to picnic. (And I should note that Anacostia Park also encompasses Bladensburg Waterfront Park and the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, but what I’m talking about here is the part the stretches from Benning Road to South Capitol Street.)

Free summer paddle nights start at the boathouse

The boathouse across the river

Enjoy views of the Navy Yard and wildlife sightings

The Ultimate games go on…

The area is going to get even better when Anacostia Crossing, the 11th Street Bridge Park coming to southeast DC, is developed over the next several years. Not that there isn’t more than plenty to do and enjoy there now…

Anacostia Park is located along the Anacostia River in southeast DC. It’s open from dawn to dusk, and the Skating Pavilion is open 9am – 5pm daily from mid-June – Labor Day (but still accessible other times of the year), and the Education Center is open weekdays 10am – 2pm. Admission to the park, center, and pavilion, plus skate rentals are free. (As noted above, the Education Center is not open during Covid-19).

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Filed under All ages, DC, Free, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Sports, Weekdays, Weekend

Tagged as Anacostia Park, Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, Biking Trails, DC Family Actvities, DC Parks, Pirate Ship Playground, Things to do with Kids in Washington DC

June 13, 2013 · 10:42 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: June 15-16

There are plenty of great ways to celebrate the weekend’s honorees — summer activities, fun on the farm, trucks, cars, and much more. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, then check out the list of outdoor ideas — you can plan a great day for Dad and enjoy the superb weather on the way. Happy Weekend! And a very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!

Truck Touch
Where: RFK Lot 7
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free
The Truck Touch event that easily takes the title as Mac Daddy of them all is happening this Saturday. The DC Department of Public Works welcomes guests to climb aboard and explore all kinds of cool vehicles. There will also be opportunities to test ride Segways, test drive hybrids and electric cars, and sit on mounted police horses. Even more, over in adjacent Lot 6, Mayor Gray’s official Summer Kick Off will offer fun activities for the whole family. Read more about it and see images from last year in this post from earlier this week.

Be a Pilot Family Day
Where: National Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Join the Air & Space Museum for the ninth annual Become a Pilot Day! You’ll see nearly 50 visiting vintage, recreational, and home-built aircraft — plus special attraction Solar Impulse — at an outdoor display for one day only, and enjoy indoor presentations and activities for all ages.

Astronomy Festival
Where: National Mall
When: Friday, 5-11pm
Admission: Free
Go stargazing on the Mall as Hofstra University presents an astronomical extravaganza featuring optical and radio telescope observations, exhibits, hands-on activities, a multimedia presentation, and a chance to mingle with real astronomers. Starting at 5pm., visitors will be able to view sunspots with the help of specially filtered telescopes and the Moon. After dusk and until 11pm, telescopes will provide close-up views of the first-quarter Moon, Saturn with its beautiful rings, Venus, Mercury, colorful double stars, and star clusters that sparkle like diamonds on black velvet. This will all take place by the Washington Monument at 15th Street and Constitution Ave.

Summer Time
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Seize the season with a host of activities that only occur this time of year. Enjoy an open air concert at one of several series in the area. Go berry picking. Stay cool under the sun at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. Ride mini-trains and carousels at local parks. And much, much more. Find details on all these summer pursuits here.

Father’s Day at Mount Vernon
Where: Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
When: Saturday & Sunday, 8am – 5pm
Admission: $15/adult, $7/ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under
Spend the day with the Father of our Country! This weekend, guests can enjoy a meet-and-greet and photo ops with “General Washington” as well as a special “Father to the First Family” program. After, head to George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill, located three miles from the estate on Route 235 South – entrance is included in admission to Mount Vernon.

Best in Shows
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Here’s where the shows are this weekend: Be among the first audiences to see Bathtub Pirates at The Puppet Co. Or head there early for Tiny Tots, puppets show performances especially for little ones. Encore Stage & Studio presents Sleeping Beauty for the second and final weekend. Talented actors from the Maryland Historical Society will tell the brave story of Sgt. Maj. Christian Fleetwood, the first African American awarded the Medal of Honor at this week’s Saturday Morning at the National. Elska is playing the 10:30am show on Saturday at Jammin’ Java.

Juneteenth
Where: Watkins Regional Park
When: Saturday,11:30am – 5pm
Admission: Free, but some activities require a small fee
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The celebration at Watkins offers a great lineup of culturally inspired dance and musical performances , plus family activities. Face painting, the interactive playground, the animals at the Old Maryland Farm, miniature train and Carousel rides, and mini-golf will all be available, those requiring a fee at discounted prices. There will also be several vendors selling a variety of food.

Father’s Day Fish-n-Putt
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $8/child, $10/adult
The farms’ annual Father’s Day Putt Putt and Fish-a-Rama Competition provides just the right amount of fun and challenge for Dad’s big day. Competitors for Saturday’s Putt Putt Golf Championship are welcome to arrive early to warm up for the 11am Tee Time. Sunday features the catch and release fishing contests. The pond is stocked with catfish, bass, and blue gill and no licenses are required. Prizes are on the line for the largest fish hooked and the most fish caught during the power hour. Bring your own pole and gear to fish (no drag hooks). GCF has worms for purchase in the country store. The amusement continues on the five-acre farm-style playground featuring the Giant Jumping Pillow, Triple Threat slide, corn bin, animal barnyard and more.

Crystal Car
Where: Crystal City
When: Sunday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
Tune up your ride and bring the family to the starting line in Crystal City for the first annual Fathers Day Auto Festival. The Crystal City BID in partnership with Vornado/Charles E. Smith, the 23rd Street Business Association, and the Washington Wine Academy, is launching Crystal Car on Sunday. The festival plans to showcase a variety of automobile categories, including innovative electric vehicles, area sports car auto clubs, classic muscle cars, and more. One of the many attractions of Crystal Car will be the electrical vehicle collection, which also features Vornado/Charles E. Smith’s new charging stations and Vornado’s Chevrolet Volt fleet. The Washington Wine Academy will host a cash beer garden to further enhance the experience and celebrate Father’s Day in style. The festival will be located within the Courtyard at 2121 Crystal Drive in Arlington; the parking lot at 220 20th Street S., and the parking lot behind Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant at 555 23rd Street S.

Food for Thought Celebration
Where: U.S. Botanic Garden
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Where does our food come from? Why are we drawn to certain flavors and seasonings? Contemplate these and other food questions during the USBG’s festival Food for Thought: A Celebration! Offered in conjunction with their annual terrace show, this year’s festival will feature food-related activities for all ages: Explore the flavors of Africa with Chef Tania Mercer, learn about food pollinators and the BIG BUGS created by artist David Rogers, discover the secrets of salad gardening with Master Gardener Jon Traunfeld, assist USBG Plant Health Care Specialist Jim Willmott in protecting the plants from pesky pests with an insect release, and much more.

Community Forklift Half-birthday
Where: Community Forklift Warehouse
When: Saturday, 9:30am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Community Forklift, the DC area’s thrift store for home improvement supplies, is turning 7½ years old, and they’re celebrating with a half-birthday party halfway through June. Help them blow out the candles on their cake, and celebrate Father’s Day a day early. Festivities will include reuse crafts and activities for kids, live music from local bands, half-price discounts on modern and vintage building materials throughout the store, and yummy food and free lemonade. Guests can also participate in free do-it-yourself workshops to inspire you to complete the half-finished projects around your house. The Community Forklift warehouse is located at 4671 Tanglewood Drive in Edmonston, Md.

Wheat Harvest
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $3/adult, $2/child
Experience life in colonial times at Claude Moore’s annual event: Help the Farm family harvest their wheat and rye crops, important staples of colonial living. Watch as they carefully cut the grains and join in to help bind and stack the crops. Then help make bread on an open hearth, made from those very same grains. Before you go, get a little more background about the farm in this post about our first experience there.

International Delivery: Postcard Making Workshop
Where: Transformer
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: Free
Transformer invites DC children ages 5-10 to participate in International Delivery – Capital Sister Cities Children’s Postcard Exchange, a fun & creative workshop for children in Washington, DC to work with DC artists in making handmade postcards for children in Beijing. All materials will be provided, and the workshops are free-of-charge.