An underwater view of a sea lion at the National Zoo’s American Trail
Monday – Have a wild time at the National Zoo. Visit your favorite animals, including the seals, sea lions, and other aquatic mammals in the relatively new American Trail Habitat. Crowds are always smaller during the winter, and when you need to warm up, just pop into one of the animal houses. Be sure to check the schedule before you go to see what daily programs are going on. Zoo grounds are open 6am – 6pm, exhibit buildings 10am – 4:30pm. Admission is free, though parking is $16 for the first three hours for non-members. Look for street parking nearby to curb the cost or take Metro — both the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park stations are a short walk away.
Tuesday – See an amazing collection of model ships, peer into a real periscope, sit in the gun seats of old fighter planes, view naval artifacts hundreds of years old, and much more at the U.S. Navy Museum. Located on the Navy base in southeast DC, it’s a treasure trove of fascinating exhibits. Hours are 9am – 5pm. Admission is free.
Wednesday – Seize what’s forecast to be a nice day at the National Arboretum. Go for nature walks through the woods, visit the Washington Youth Garden, romp in open green spaces and at the old Capitol columns, picnic in the Grove of State Trees… so many ways to enjoy one of the loveliest places in the city. Hours are 8am – 5pm, and admission is free.
Friday – Join a sonic celebration with Billy Jonas at the Ripley Center. The concert, part of Discovery Theater’s Jammin’ at the Smithsonian series, is recommended for ages 2-6. Showtimes are 10:15am and 11:30am. Tickets are $3-8 and can be purchased online — and they usually sell fast, so get yours soon. (Note: This takes place on Thursday, too!)
Mount Vernon is hosting it’s annual weekend celebration for George’s big day
Spending the long weekend in town? Here’s where you and the kids can enjoy it. Happy Weekend!
Discover Engineering Family Day
Where: National Building Museum
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but a $5 donation is recommended
The National Building Museum and the National Engineers Week Foundation invite you to drop in and debunk the myths of engineering and discover how professional engineers turn an idea into reality. Celebrate National Engineers Week by participating in this free, hands-on, and fun-filled festival. We’ve gone the last couple of years and had a great time. It gets crowded, but there are so many activities available, kids can always be involved in the fun. Recommended for children ages 4-12 with adult supervision.
Party at George’s Place
Where: Mount Vernon
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: $15/adults, $7/kids ages 6-11, children under 5 are free
Every Presidents Day weekend, George Washington’s former estate hosts special festivities in celebration of our first POTUS’ big day. This year will start with “Breakfast with George Washington”, food demos, music, and samples while they last. Later on, guests can join characters from the 18th century as they tell stories about the first president, and the General himself will relay some tales of his own. There’s even more on Monday, February 18 — go here to see the full schedule. And as a special present to visitors, the Estate will open one hour earlier at 8am and admission on Monday is FREE. Just a heads-up that it’s one of the busiest days of the year. We were there last year, and encountered a line of cars waiting to park. Once inside, though, it was a lot of fun — the sprawling grounds offer plenty of space for the crowd to spread out.
Scooby-Doo Live!
Where: Patriot Center
When: Saturday, 3pm & 6pm
Admission: Tickets start at $25 (look for a deal here)
Take the kids to see a production based on a cartoon that you probably enjoyed as a kid! Scooby-Doo, one of television’s longest running animated series, spans the generations. And the live version is coming to town this Saturday for two performances. In this exciting new show, Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang have been called upon to help solve an epic mystery. Their adventure will feature big musical numbers, original groovy tunes, wacky new characters, and uproarious antics. Be sure to look for a deal before purchasing tickets through the website.
Butterfly Celebration
Where: National Museum of Natural History
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Feel the flutter! Celebrate the fifth anniversary of the exhibit Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution and the Live Butterfly Pavilion with special arts and crafts activities for children of all ages. Meet museum educators and learn about metamorphosis and native butterfly species of our region.
Show Time Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the Weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Here’s the live entertainment on local stages this weekend:
– Sleeping Beauty Dreams, a marionette version of the classic fairytale, is at the Kennedy Center this weekend only
– Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove is at the Verizon Center
– Anime Momotaro is thrilling audiences at the Imagination Stage.
– Winnie the Pooh is at Adventure Theatre.
– Little Red Rising Hood and the 3 Little pigs just opened at The Puppet Co. along with a couple of Tiny Tots shows.
– Little ones will love Brother Bear at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.
– Teens will enjoy Zorro at the Source Theatre.
– The Not-Its are playing a Presidents Day show on Monday at Jammin’ Java.
– Sleeping Beauty-The Broken Spell is at the Workhouse Arts Center.
Find more details in this post about winter entertainment.
Chinese New Year Celebration for Kids
Where: Port Discovery
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $13.95/ages 2 and up, free for under 2
Head to up to Baltimore to celebrate the Year of the Snake at Port Discovry’s annual Chinese New Year Celebration! Festivities will include Chinese Lion Dancers of the Tai Yim Kung Fu School, Chinese themed arts and crafts activities, story times and Chinese performances, activities with the Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee, and Chinese food sampling with P.F. Changs. Of course, the permanent exhibits will be open for exploration, too!
Presidents’ Family Day
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum.
When: Saturday, 11:30-3pm
Admission: Free
Start off your Presidents’ Day weekend at a patriotic family day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Enjoy a variety of crafts and performances dedicated to our nation’s past leaders. Stick around to make a top hat and meet some special guests from Lincoln’s Cottage, and pose for your own Presidential portrait. This will take place in the Kogod Courtyard.
Mardis Gras Family Day: Riverfest
Where: Anacostia Community Museum
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Can’t make it to New Orleans? No worries. Enjoy a river-themed Mardi Gras at the Anacostia Community Museum in a day of exciting river-inspired activities, including storytelling about the Mississippi River, river art, Mississippi River culture-themed music by the Dixie Power Trio band, WPFW’s Zydeco DJ Cowboy Fred dance party, face painting, and balloon animal making. Plus, you can sign up for the Adornment Workshop with Januwa Moja-Nelson and receive a keepsake photo of yourself in colorful attire to take home. While you’re here, also visit the related exhibition, Reclaiming the Edge. Whatever your age, there is sure to be something to capture your interest.
LEO: The Anti Gravity Show
Where: Artisphere
When: Saturday, 8pm
Admission: $30/adults, $25/students & children
What would happen if the law of gravity were to suddenly change? The newest creation from innovative Berlin-based production company Circle of Eleven, LEO leaves audiences wondering which way is up and which way is down. Winner of the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Fringe Festival Award, LEO is a mind-bending, funny, surreal and surprisingly touching work that challenges the senses and tests perceptions of reality through the clever interplay of live performance and video projection. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
Stories in Art
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Kids ages 4-7 can explore the work of artist Romare Bearden, as they hear a reading of the book My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey by Jeanne Walker Harvey, and discover how Romare Bearden pieced together his creative works of art using everyday materials with strong patterns and textures. Then, they will do an art project inspired by his work. Sessions are at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm on Saturday, and 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30 on Sunday. Sign-in takes place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 10am on Saturday (11am on Sunday) and continues until all spaces are filled. Admission is free. Read a KFDC review of the Stories in Art program here.
Coiling Dragons
Where: Freer-Sackler Galleries
When: Saturday & Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the Smithsonian museums featuring Asian Art to celebrate the Chinese New Year with some art. Use a miniature activity guide to explore the Silk Road Luxuries from China installation. Discover Tang China luxury objects, such as mirrors, wine cups, and cosmetic boxes, and learn about their foreign inspirations. Then return to the classroom to make your own repoussé Tang mirror.
Discover Strathmore
Where: Strathmore Center for the Arts
When: Monday
Admission: Free
The arts center’s free community open house will be a day packed with family-friendly music and activities, including performances by Justin Roberts, Aaron Nigel Smith, and the locally-inspired GO GO for the Kids, designed by D.C. band Mambo Sauce. There will also be hands and face painting, interactive performances, hands-on activities, and much more. Visit the website for the schedule and full scope of activities.
George Washington Birthday Parade
Where: Old Town Alexandria
When: Monday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
On Monday, Old Town Alexandria hosts the largest parade in the country celebrating George Washington’s birthday with marching bands, historic re-enactment troops and more. The procession will travel through Old Town from 1 – 3pm. See the website for more info and route details.
Free Skate
Where: Fort Dupont Ice Arena
When: Monday,10am – 12pm
Admission: FREE
Glide Monday morning away at Fort Dupont! The Ice Arena is hosting a Presidents Day Open House, which includes free skating, rentals, and lessons. They also encourage guests to celebrate National Hockey Month by wearing your favorite teams’ jersey or colors.
I’m always excited to find out about new, unique entertainment for families, even more so when I hear that local kids are part of the production. I’ve noticed — with my kids, anyway — that watching other children display their talent, hard work, and confidence performing in front of an audience resonates with them in a special way. I can almost hear them thinking, “Hey, maybe I can do that, too!” and know they’re dreaming of new possibilities.
One of these very productions is coming up at the end of the month. The Gardens Figure Skating Club in Laurel, Md, is presenting its eighth annual spring show, Beauty and the Beast on Ice. The cast includes local skaters from as young as age 3 to adult, with skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced. Many of the skaters compete in the U.S. Figure Skating system, including national-level artistic, theater on ice, and synchronized skating competitions.
A figure skating portrayal of the classic French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast on Icefeatures over 60 skaters performing to music from the 1991 Disney hit movie and the long running Broadway musical adaptation depicting a prince transformed into a beast who risks staying a beast forever unless he receives reciprocated love from a young woman named Belle. The range of ages and skill levels of the cast creates a visually exciting theatrical experience.
There will be four performances of Beauty and the Beast on Ice: March 24 at 1pm and 3:30pm and March 25 at 1pm and 3:30pm at the Gardens Ice House Patrick Arena (13800 Old Gunpowder Road in Laurel). General admission tickets can be purchased online for $11 or at the Gardens Ice House for $10. A limited number of special reserved seats are available for $15. Groups of 10 or more may purchase general admission tickets for $8 per person by inquiring through gfsctickets@gmail.com. Under age 3 admitted free.
GIVEAWAY: Want a chance to win a family four-pack of tickets to see Beauty and the Beast on Ice? Simply leave a comment on this post telling me what activity you’re most looking forward to this spring. To be eligible, you must like KidFriendly DC on Facebook. Get an extra entry for following on Twitter (let me know that you did). A winner will be drawn at random next week. Good luck!
