Happy First Spring Weekend!
It’s Cherry Blossom Season!
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
They might not be blooming just yet, but events and activities to celebrate DC’s iconic flowers begin this weekend as the National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off. Seek out blossom-inspired art, join a virtual program, enjoy food, drink, and shopping specials just for the season, and much more.
Fun on the Farm
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $12/adult, $10/child
It’s opening weekend for the Play Area at Great Country Farms! The five-acre area contains all kinds of fun that little ones love — rope swings, tractor tires, giant tube slides and more! See animals in the barnyard, get lost in a maze, and test agility skills on the farm ninja course. Reserve timed tickets in advance.
Maryland Day
Where: Various locations in Maryland
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
This year’s Maryland Day celebration includes a weekend full of new experiences, both in-person and virtual. Join online museum and library programs, get into regional parks for free, see the Pride of Baltimore tall ship in Annapolis, visit the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, go to the Annapolis Maritime Museum or Chesapeake Children’s Museum, and much more. Find details for all of it here.
Drive-In Flick
Where: Alexandria Drive-In Movie Theater | Alexandria, VA
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: $40/car
Drive-In movies are back for 2021 at the theater in Alexandria. Catching a flick from the comfort of your car is an ideal way to enjoy some entertainment out of the house and social distance. On the ticket this weekend: Hidden Figures on Friday (Princess Bride on Saturday, but looks like it’s sold out). Food trucks will be there both nights offering savory and sweet concessions with online ordering through Goodfynd! Purchase movie tickets in advance!
Cherry Blossom Celebration
Where: American Art Museum | Online
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
Celebrate the start of spring and the National Cherry Blossom Festival with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Join a virtual program full of springtime fun for the whole family. Enjoy a lively performance of traditional Japanese Taiko drumming by the group Nen Daiko. Then learn more as the group demonstrates how they plan their performances and design their own instruments. Explore art, nature, and color with museum docents in the new virtual edition of their popular Art Cart series. For more activities, check out the Family Zone for seasonal crafts, coloring pages, videos, and more!
Family Bike Ride
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Plan for a family two-wheel outing — you’ve got your pick of them around the area. Take in the start of spring scenery, get some exercise, and have fun, all while easily social distancing. This post has a bunch of pedal-worthy recs, with something for riders of all levels, and this route is particularly ideal with kids.
Bloomaroo
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Celebrate spring and the blossoms at the The Wharf. Bloomaroo will bring nearly a month of cherry blossom-themed art installations, and specialty cocktails. Check out a special mural created by ARTECHOUSE, too. Restaurants at the waterfront destination will have cherry blossom-inspired menus, and keep an eye out for special samplings, beer dinners, and more. Ride the Wharf Jitney or hop on the Water Taxi for an up-close look at DC’s favorite landmarks — the cherry trees. For more about The Wharf, see this KFDC post.
Art in Bloom
Where: Around the DC area
When: March 20-31
Admission: Free
This visual arts exhibition spanning all eight wards of DC, plus a few areas in Maryland and Virginia, radiates the spirit of spring! Go on a Blossom Hunt to find 26 oversized cherry blossom statues painted by local artists and share on Instagram or Twitter with the #artinbloom tag. The NCB will randomly select winners of Festival prize packages.
Eastern Shore Nature Break
Where: Wye Island NRMA | Queenstown, MD
When: Ongoing
Admission: Free
There’s a new post about a lovely, peaceful place to enjoy a day outdoors on the Eastern Shore. Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area, just over the Bay Bridge, has 12 miles of trails to hike on its 2,400 acres with scenic views over the Wye River, old growth trees, and possible wildlife sightings. For even more hiking options around the area, see the round-up of walks in the woods.
Hike, Bike, and/or Paddle
Where: Fountainhead Regional Park | Fairfax Station, VA
When: Ongoing
Admission: Free
For a mix of outdoor recreation, Fountain Regional Park offers a few options. It’s known to be one of the better places for mountain biking in the area (riders should have some experience), and it has nice hiking, too, with the Bull Run Occoquan Trail winding through the park. even, more kayak and canoe rentals are now available. Read more about it all in this new post.
Pop-Up Consignment Shop
Where: Stoddert Elementary | Glover Park, DC
When: Saturday, 9:30am – 1pm
Admission: Free
PicklesDC is hosting an outdoor spring pop-up on Saturday. Shop quality brands in excellent condition — children’s clothing, shoes, and toys (size newborn – 12 years). This will take place in front of Stoddert Elementary School at 40001 Calvert Street NW.
StoryWalk: Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea
Where: Downtown Kensington, MD
When: Though April 11
Admission: Free
Families are invited to read the book Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris on posted signs as they stroll through a garden setting in Kensington. This Noyes Library Foundation StoryWalk will be available for self-guided exploration at Clum-Kennedy Park (10298 Frederick Avenue). Written by Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece, Meena Harris, toe book is based on a true story about Kamala Harris and her older sister, Maya. Pick up a free craft kit on Saturdays and Sundays (9am to 4pm) outside the Noyes Library for Young Children (10237 Carroll Place) to complement the walk.
Ice Yards
Where: Yards Park | Navy Yard, DC
When: Saturday, 12-6pm
Admission: $60
Plan for a date or grown-up meet-up. Ice Yards is returning to your favorite neighborhood restaurants down at The Yards. Grab your closest friends and fam and join the fun — your ticket includes a reservation for 2-4 people for 90 minutes, free welcome cocktail, free Ice Yards giveaways, table side playlists, and cool prizes from Ice Yards rolling carts including shot glasses, shotskis, gift cards to your favorite restaurants and more! Participants will also be treated to complimentary s’mores making at each table. Follow the link for details and sign-up.
Environmental Film Fest
Where: Online
When: Through March 28
Admission: Free
Films from across the globe are being screened/streamed for the 29th annual DC Environmental Film Festival, presented virtually this year. There are a few flicks among them that kids will likely enjoy (and even more to consider for adults). View the website for more details and to view trailers.
Virtual Sassy Succulent Workshop
Where: American Visionary Art Museum | Online
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: $0-10
Saturday, Mar. 20, 11am ET
Tune in as the AVAM uses fun rocks, soil, and bling to make your plant sassy, just in time for spring! All ages are welcome, and plant kits are available for local pick up ($10). Or, assemble your own supplies. This workshop complements the museum’s current mega-exhibition “The Secret Life of Earth.” RSVP here. (Note: You can also visit the museum in person — it’s open!)
Pop-Up Street Theater
Where: Crystal City Water Park | Crystal City, VA
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Synetic Theatre, which presents some of the most innovative shows around, will be clowning around with pop-up performances during the Festival. To work with these social distancing times, they are bringing back street theater as a pair of improv actors make appearances at the Crystal City Water Park
NoVa Parking
Where: Various parks in Northern Virginia
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Not only are many of the locales within the NoVa Parks system great places to go for outdoor recreation, other activities within some of them are now available. Batting cages, mini golf, kayak and canoe rentals, and disc golf are some of them. Find things to do by activity, or check out individual parks and see what they have going on.
Parks and Rec
Where: Parks around 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. Enjoy the first day of spring as nature awakens at Green Spring Gardens. Take a family woodcock walk at Huntley Meadows. Discovert life under a log at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Details and registration for these and many more nature activities this weekend and beyond are available here.
I-Spy Adventure
Where: Dumbarton House | Online
When: Sunday, 11-11:30am
Admission: $10-12
Join Dumbarton House for a virtual I-spy adventure recommended for ages 4 to 8! During this virtual program, children will explore collections items from the museum by looking for animals, objects, and colors. Fun and learning are sure to ensue! Admission price covers one household.
Make Room for Matzah
Where: Online
When: Sunday, 10-11am
Admission: $5/family
Join a virtual Passover workshop with PJ Library author and illustrator Alan Silberberg! He will premiere his hilarious new book, Meet the Matzah, and teach a doodling class to explore the foods and symbolism of Passover. Order a kit to have more fun Passover projects at home. Most appreciated by ages 4-7, though all are welcome. Signed copies of the books can be purchased through Politics & Prose.
Free Community Day
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | WDC
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free, but must reserve
The National Museum of Women in the Arts just reopened, and the first and third Sundays of every month are a great opportunity to explore it 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. If tickets aren’t available, plan to go another day — the admission fee is worth it!
Pre-Passover Experience and Story Trail
Where: Lincoln Park | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 3-3:45pm
Admission: Free
Bring the kids for an outdoor story trail through Lincoln Park. Follow along the story of Passover and have great discussion with your family! Sit down and enjoy a kid-friendly pre-Passover model Seder there will be pre-packaged foods and activities for each child. Receive a Passover goody bag and craft for all those that register in advance (while supplies last). Register here.
Virtual Cakepop Class
Where: Online
When: Sunday, 4:30pm
Admission: $39.95
Wind down the weekend with something sweet. In this Cakepop class with Baked by Yael, kids will learn to roll, dip, and decorate their own cakepops!⠀Registration fee includes materials for one participant, a Home Cakepop Kit with baked cake, frosting, candy melts, cakepop sticks, and cakepop drying stand. (For just $25 more, they’ll include enough cake, frosting, candy melts, and cakepop sticks for an additional participant.) And Baked by Yael will donate 20% of each registration fee to Woodley Park Main Street.
The Great Indoors
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
Even more places around the area are starting to open their doors for in person visits again. This post lists reopened venues, all of them with extra safety protocols in place for Covid.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* How to support the Asian American community.
* Silver Knights has been teaching chess to local kids for 15 years, and they’re celebrating one year of their online chess club with a discount for KFDC readers!
* Looking for a fun & unique camp for kids this summer? Camp Half-Blood is offering its first DC-based sessions at Rock Creek Park.
* Trying to get through Best Picture nominated films… just watched The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Minari is up this weekend.
* The latest, wonderful Humans of New York series starts here.
