
Play ball!

Don’t let a little spring snow thwart your family fun. There’s plenty happening over the next few days to ensure a good time no matter what the weather. Happy Weekend!
Cherry Blossom Celebration
Where: American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Smithsonian’s American Art Museum welcomes you to a celebration of Japanese culture and the arrival of the cherry blossoms. A taiko drumming performance kicks off the afternoon, followed by other traditional Japanese music and dance, face painting, and cherry-blossom themed crafts. Colleagues from the Freer|Sackler can help you make your own Japanese fan. Create a koinobori windsock at one of our crafting tables or check out the spring book corner with our friends from MLK Jr. Memorial Library.
Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival
Where: Southwest Waterfront, 600 Water Street SW
When: Saturday, 1-9pm
Admission: Free
The annual fireworks show at the Southwest Waterfront is one of the highlights of cherry blossom season. It’s an all-day and part-evening affair with free live music and family-friendly festivities, including water-related activities, cultural experiences, and delicious foods. The grand finale will begin at 8:30pm when the starbursts of fireworks light up the night sky.
The Nats are Back!
Where: Nationals Park
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Baseball season is in full swing again, and the Nats are home for their first weekend of regular season games. Catch them against the Marlins on Saturday at 4:05 or Sunday at 1:35 — stay after the latter for Kids Run the Bases. For tips on doing Nats game without breaking the bank, see this post. And don’t forget to sign up little fan for the Jr. Nationals Kids Club to get all kinds goodies and discounts.
Buds
Where: Rock Creek Nature Center
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
Join friends from Casey Trees for tree-focused story time interspersed with songs and a craft project. Each family will leave with a list of “scavenger hunt items” while exploring the trails on their own after the program. Recommended for ages 18 months – 4 years.
Run of the Mill
Where: Peirce Mill, Rock Creek Park
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
See the 2,000-lb millstones convert corn to corneal using good old-fashioned renewable energy of water. Miller Jeanne and the Friends of Peirce Mill invite you to discover DC’s only surviving gristmill in action. Be sure to explore the exhibits at Peirce Barn next door and hit the nearby trails, too! Read more about the historic site in this KFDC post about our visit there last fall.
Play in the Zone
Where: ZavaZone
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Starts at $19.50
The brand new Indoor Adventure Park dedicated to ages 5-105 calls itself a “gamechanger.” With ninja courses, ropes courses, trampolines, climbing challenges, zip lines, and more under one soaring roof, guests have their pick of active fun. Disclosure: We have yet to check it out ourselves, but it looks and sounds pretty awesome.
Swedish Explorations
Where: Sweden House
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The Swedish Embassy in Georgetown has focused more on kids this year, and their new exhibition Next Level Craft shows it. Presenting works by more than 40 crafters, artists, and designers from all over Sweden, plus its own soundtrack and music video, it’s a showcase of handiworks and imagination, from traditional to modern. The exhibit will be open every weekend, with guided tours available. Be sure to stop in the library with kids books and toys, and join a story time session on Saturdays at 2pm.
Children’s Walking Tour of Penn Quarter
Where: Starts at District Architecture Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: $5/child
Discover buildings! This walking tour for children will take a hands-on approach to learning about architecture in the vibrant Penn Quarter neighborhood during a walking tour led by architect Mary Kay Lanzillotta, FAIA. As we walk along the streets, participants will learn new terms like keystone, cornice, pilaster, pediment, portico, and many more architectural features that make up buildings.
Explore the Universe
Where: Air and Space Museum
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
This annual event focuses on how different cultures see the sky. Learn about telescopes and do some daytime observations (weather), see a planetarium show, watch The Chromatics out on an AstroCapella performance, enjoy story time, and more!
Enchanted Forest Cherrybration
Where: Clarks Elioak Farm
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: $5 (some activities are extra)
Let little princesses dress up for this visit to the storybook-themed farm (you can read more about it in the list about outdoor outings). Clark’s Elioak will be celebrating Howard County’s “Cherrybration” Days with treats fit for young royalty and plenty of pink pizzazz. Children in a family will get a free hayride if at least one person in the family is dressed as a pink princess. Kids can also dress up in gowns on hand at the farm for a photo opportunity with “Princess Cherrybella.” A Truly Pink Treasure Hunt in the Enchanted Forest Maze will round out the weekend activities.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* See Adventure Theatre’s delightful production of James and the Giant Peach
* Reserve free tickets to see Frog Prince, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* Marsha and the Positrons are playing the Saturday show at Jammin’ Java
* Catch a performance of Beauty and the Beast at The Puppet Co.
* And Bedtime Bunnies is the featured Tiny Tots show there
* Little ones will love Boxes, Boxes, Boxes at Imagination Stage
* NextStop Theatre’s production of Snow White begins this weekend
* Love That Dog will be on stage at BlackRock Center for the Arts
* Los Dos Burritos, a bilungual show for all ages will be at Wall of Books on Saturday and Colony Club on Sunday at 11am both days.
Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Several Fairfax parks
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 to enjoy. Have lunch with live animals at Huntley Meadows, take a wagon ride at Riverbend, join a princess tea party at Hidden Oaks, star gaze at Burke Lake, and more! Go here to see all of your options, this weekend and beyond, and register for activities.
Kids in the Kitchen
Where: Children’s National Medical Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
The Junior League of Washington is hosting its annual healthy eating and fitness activity fair for children. Designed for ages 3 to 13, the event showcases ways for kids to eat smart and make healthy lifestyle choices. The lineup of activities will include exercise classes like Zumba, CrossFit and yoga, cooking fun with professional chefs, demos from nutrition experts, and more. There will also be crafts, games, goodie bags, and exciting raffle prizes, all to celebrate and promote nutritional literacy. Note that while this is a free event, advance sign-up is required.
DC United vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
Where: RFK Stadium
When: Saturday, 5:30pm
Admission: Tickets prices vary
Kick it at a soccer game as the DC United host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday evening. Be sure to stop by the Fan Zone in section 222 for a variety of kids activities. For some extra goodies just for young fans, join the Kids Club!
Full STEAM Ahead: Awesome Astronomy
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Families are invited to visit the Annmarie artLAB for hands-on investigations and challenges. This month’s astronomy-themed session features fun, engaging activities that will help kids explore, observe, ask questions, and make predictions about the world around them as they create and play! Perfect for all ages, and walk-ins welcome. Be sure to extend your visit to explore the rest of Annmarie, including the art-filled grounds and magical Fairy Lolly — more about it here (cost $5/adult, $3/child).
Family Workshop: Paper Trails
Where: Sackler Gallery
When Sunday, 1–4pm
Admission: Free
In celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, explore the importance of paper across Asian artmaking traditions. With educators from the Freer|Sackler and the National Museum of Women in the Arts, use traditional Japanese papers and bookmaking tools and techniques to create your own artist’s book. Recommended for ages 6–12 and accompanying adults.
The Inside Scoop
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
With un-springlike weather on the way, this post with over 70 ideas for indoor adventures around DC will help keep your crew sheltered and entertained all weekend long.