Staying cool with friends at the Hirshhorn's "Suprasensorial" exhibit
Holy heatwave! Perhaps this is Mother Nature’s way of balancing things out after the incredibly pleasant winter and spring we had. Whatever the case, it’s #&^!@% hot! Luckily, you can easily take refuge from the soaring temps this weekend with all kinds of activities at locales around the area. Museum programs, exhibits, and celebrations; lots of live entertainment; and recommendations for fun in Charm City are just some of the ways you and the fam can stay cool. Happy Weekend!
The Great Indoors
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by activity/locale
This go-to blog post had to top the list this weekend. With over 50 ideas for indoor activities, you’re certain to find something that will entertain the kids (and grown-ups) when the elements don’t play nice.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Where: National Mall
When: All Weekend
Admission: Free
The annual Festival celebrating living cultural heritage and community traditions is underway. Visitors of all ages will have ample opportunity to discover and explore it all through special exhibits, workshops, performances, exhibits, demos, and more, including plenty of activities especially children. For specifics, see the festival schedule. And it all takes place right on the National Mall where you can easily pop into museums when you need a break from the heat.
Summer Fun Deal Celebration
Where: Newseum
When: Sunday
Admission: Free for all kids, $21.95/adults
Celebrate the start of the “Summer Fun Deal,” which waives admission for all kids 18 and under through September 3. Along with free youth admission and access to all of the exhibits, guests can enjoy the work of caricature artists and face painters, meet the News Hound, hear storytellers in the Knight TV Studio, touch original artifacts at “Collection Connection”, and participate in a scavenger hunt and win prizes. Museum hours are 9am – 5pm. Adults still pay an entrance fee.
Show Time
Where: Local Theaters
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
If there’s any best weekend to be in the comfort of a theater enjoying a show (and AC), this weekend just might be it. And you’ve got your pick of performances to do it. If You Give a Moose a Muffin is at Adventure Theatre. See The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe at Imagination Stage. Goldilocks! And Tiny Tots are The Puppet Co. 1st Stage Theater presents The Prince and the Troubador. Billy Jonas is playing Jammin’ Java. Penguin Bob Reading and Drawing is this week’s Saturday Morning at the National show. The Strathmore will come alive with the Serenade! Festival Celebration. And Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theater-in-the-Woods show probably starts early enough (10:30am) to beat the heat, plus it’s under a nice canopy of shade trees. Find details about all of these productions and more upcoming shows in this post about summer on the stage.
Baltimore, Hon
Where: Inner Harbor Area
When: All Weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
You won’t escape the heat by heading north just 45 minutes, but you’ll find a few wonderful places to take shelter from it where the kids can have a blast. The Maryland Science Center boasts tons of cool exhibits, many of them interactive, for all ages. Port Discovery is always a kid’s dream with multiple floors of all kind of themed rooms that welcome children to touch, play, and discover. And the National Aquarium’s amazing displays of live sea life is guaranteed to fascinate.
On Exhibit
Where: Local Museums
When: Thoughout the Weekend
Admission: Varies by Venue
Stay cool at one of several exhibits kids will enjoy that are on display through the summer. Experience super cool interactive art via Suprasensorial at the Hirshhorn. See the story of the Titanic through a fascinating exhibition at the National Geographic Museum. Let little ones be a scientist for a day at Living Classroom’s Science +You, on exhibit at the Foundry Lofts right across from the Yards Park (combine the visit with a romp in the park’s fountains). And the U.S. Botanic Garden’s Savage Gardens offers an inside look (literally, in some ways) at carnivorous plants.
Summer Fun
Where: Throughout the area
When: All Weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
While typical summer activities usually involve the outdoors, some of them involve water play and others take place in the evenings when the heat will let up a bit. And, hey, some folks like it hot. So, if you’re looking for activities that speak to your summer self, refer to this post about DC’s quintessential activities of the season.
Make a Trade/Imagination Playground
Where: National Children’s Museum Launch Zone
When: Saturday, 11am – 6pm & Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
On Saturday, join the NCM at the Launch Zone as they debut their new Trader Center! Children can bring rocks and minerals to the Trader Center this summer to share, trade and earn points. The more you know about the item to be traded, the more points you’ll earn. For more info about trading, go here. On Sunday, drop in for a play date at the Imagination Playground, where kids can let their imaginations guide them as they build castles, pirate ships and more out of foam blocks and loose parts.
Portrait Story Days
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Kids ages 5 and up can drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This weekend, as we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, learn about Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s most prominent statesmen and inventors.
Architecture Scavenger Hunt
Where: Gadsby’s Tavern
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission $5/adults ($4 with AAA), $3/ages 5-12, free for 4 and under
All families are invited to tour the historic tavern as Junior Docents, volunteers from grades 4 through 8, share their enthusiasm for history. At the end of your tour, pick up an architectural scavenger hunt and explore nearby buildings. Bring it back by 4pm to be entered in a drawing for prizes. No reservations necessary.
