Happy Weekend!
Quick links to an array of ideas for local activities:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* The Great Indoors
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
‘Tis the Cherry Blossom Season
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
The cherry blossoms just hit their peak at the Tidal Basin, so you can see them in all their glory. You can also seek out other places to view them — these cherry blossom viewing tips includes suggestions for where to go. Even more, events and activities to celebrate the iconic bloom are getting into full swing. Some are listed below, and you can find even more happening this weekend in this post as well as plan for the rest of the season.
Blossom Kite Festival
Where: Washington Monument Grounds | National Mall, DC
When: SUNDAY, 10am – 4:30pm (new date due to rain)
Admission: Free
The sight of thousands of kites in all colors, shapes, and sizes soaring around the Washington Monument truly is a sight to behold. The sails you see flying at the Kite Festival each spring range from simple to pretty darn creative. Dragons, sharks, butterflies, giant soccer balls, even some that look like big, beautiful origami works way outnumber your basic diamond. And anyone can go fly their kites — you can BYO, purchase on there, and pick up a kit to make your own.
Free Family FunFest
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
This free festival from the Bowie Baysox annual is loaded with fun for the whole family. Enjoy carnival-style rides and games, lots of activities from Baysox sponsors and partners, opportunities to hang out with mascots Louie and Rocko, raffles, and more. Fans can also tour the field and walk the warning track. Even more, the Bowie Police Department will be there with police cars, horses from the Maryland National Capital Park Police Mounted Unit, and fire apparatus from PG Fire & EMS.
Cherry Blossom Family Celebration
Where: American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join SAAM for their annual celebration of spring and the blooming trees of DC. Enjoy taiko drumming and traditional Japanese dance performances, and break out your best Japanese pop dance moves with Les the DJ. Craft your own cherry blossom trees to take home, make a kinobori kite to fly at the kite festival, or try your hand at an origami Sakura. And a scavenger hunt will add some extra fun to explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt and enjoy festive. Register in advance. See more about the museum in this KFDC post.
RiverRun Festival
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Through April 22
Admission: Varies by event (some free)
This international festival celebrating the world’s rivers fittingly started on World Water Day and runs through Earth Day. The festival is presenting all kinds of performances and events by talent from across the globe. Performing and visual artists, authors, chefs, filmmakers, climate experts, and more fascinating people will bring world-class performances, exhibitions, films, talks, workshops, and more events to the Kennedy Center. This weekend, you can view art installations and exhibits inside the Kennedy Center and on the grounds of The REACH and do some of your own art projects inspired by the world’s rivers in the Moonshot Studio.
Meet the Author & Hear a Reading
Where: SAY DC Studio | Rhode Island Ave NW, DC
When: Saturday, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Join Say, the stuttering association for the young, for this special event with acclaimed author C.C. Harrington. Hear her read a passage from her book, Wildoak. Attendees will also have a chance to ask questions, learn about the process of writing stories, get copies of the book signed, and do a nature-inspired craft project. Register in advance here!
Beauty and the Beast
Where: Synetic Theater | Rosslyn, VA
When: Through April 3
Admission: $35-65
This fresh adaptation is a sparkling and inspiring Gothic romance full of wonder, mystery and redemption expressed through Synetic’s unique stage effects, expressionistic design, puppetry and movement. No sing-alongs or talking teacups from Disney’s animated film in this piece of theater art. Though just as magnificent, this show’s got bite. Note that this production of Beauty and the Beast contains fantasy violence and may be scary to younger children.
The Hula Hoopin’ Queen
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Through April 8
Admission: $12-39
Kameeka is confident that today she will finally beat her rival, Jamara, and become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street in Harlem. But she has to prepare for Miz Adeline’s birthday party, and almost ruins the day. Until Miz Adeline confesses that she’s also got the itch–the hula-hoopin’ itch! Her fingers start snappin’. Her hips start swingin’. Soon everyone’s hips are swinging as the party spills out onto the street.
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon
Where: George Mason Center for the Arts | Fairfax, VA
When: Saturday, 1pm & 4pm
Admission: $15
Catch a show based on the beloved book… The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon follows the zany adventures of an inventive young boy. Resourceful and brave, Harold creates the world he wants to explore, using nothing more than a big purple crayon and his sky’s-the-limit imagination. Enchantment Theatre Company’s production takes you on a wild ride as Harold jets to Mars, joins a circus (he tames a lion!), and rescues a princess in an enchanted castle. Combining life-size puppets, pantomime, dance, magic, and original music, The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon will delight and amaze its audiences, from children to grandparents—anyone, in fact, whose heart is young and adventurous. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Fitting In
Where: Theatre on the Run | Alexandria, VA
When: Through Sunday
Admission: $10
Arts on the Horizon presents this show for littles… Three siblings find themselves in a room full of possibilities and one not so simple task- to put things in their proper place. However, they soon discover that throwing this and that into a box is not the same as finding where it fits in. Through clowning, movement, and original music, three performers will transform everyday objects into something extraordinary. Is a blanket a blanket? Or is it the sail of a boat setting off on an epic voyage? Together, we can find the magic buried in the bottom of every box, and hidden inside the world around us! Recommended for ages 2-5.
Wake Up, Brother Bear
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Through April 8
Admission: $12-39
Sister Bear and Brother Bear are back from hibernation to take little ones on an interactive journey through the seasons. Meet a curious butterfly, play in a rushing waterfall, and catch lightning bugs as the bears frolic through the forest in an unforgettable theatre experience. Recommended for ages 1-5.
Fun on the Farm + Egg Hunts
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $12/adult, $10/child
Great Country Farms has opened for the season! 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. you can also get the Easter celebration started early — egg hunts are starting this weekend, too. Reserve timed tickets in advance.
Wizards vs Spurs
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets prices vary (check for discount)
The Wizards are playing at home on Saturday evening — watch them work some on-court magic against the San Antonio Spurs. Get there early to get in on the Caron Butler bobblehead giveaway for the first 10,000 fans. And plan on a pre-game dinner in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood. Some recs: Jaleo, Carmine’s, Daikaya, Shake Shack, and Hill Country BBQ.
DC United vs. New England Revolution
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $25 (look for discount tix)
Check out some soccer action on Saturday evening. DC United is hosting New England Revolution at home on Saturday. As always, I recommend taking public transportation or parking in the Navy Yard neighborhood and walking to Audi Field from there. Plan for a pre-match bite — El Bebe, All Purpose Pizza, The Salt Line, and Dacha are conveniently located and my top recs for family-friendly spots to eat there.
Family Funday with King Bullfrog
Where: Hook Hall | Petworth, DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: $5
Bring the kiddos for some dancing and singing with King Bullfrog at Hoook Hall on Sunday. Coffee and frozen drinks will be available for purchase for parents, and crafts for the kids to enjoy! Proceeds from the show benefit DC Action!
Get in the Spirit of Women’s Soccer
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 4pm
Admission: Tickets start at $20
The Washington Spirit, our local women’s pro soccer team, kicks off their season at Audi field this weekend, as they take on Seattle’s OL Reign. Enjoy some amazing soccer play while supporting our home team and women in sports, plus see a few stars of women’s soccer (including the amazing Megan Rapinoe!) in action. Get BOGO tickets for $20 here or purchase other seats here.
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. And some are just beautiful to roam around. Find things to do by activity, or check out individual parks and see what they have going on. A couple of specific recs: Fountainhead, Pohick Bay, Potomac Overlook, and Meadowlark.
Petal Porches
Where: Around the DC area
When: Through April 16
Admission: Free
Check out local porches decorated for cherry blossom season! This newish tradition encouraged residents and businesses around the area to get creative and show their blossom spirit by decorating their porches, yards, and windows to spread joy and connect communities. Find a map here showing locations of all registered Petal Porches, so you can plan a walk or drive to see and share in the celebration of spring.
Celebrate Women’s History
Where: Around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
March is Women’s History Month, and there are so many great ways to celebrate it around DC, with something for all ages. See some exhibits, tour local landmarks, enjoy live entertainment… all of it showcasing women and their accomplishments. This post has details on where you can do that this month — and beyond!
Blooms at the Fort
Where: Fort McHenry | Baltimore, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15 (some of the grounds are free)
DC isn’t the only city with cherry blossoms in bloom. You can see them in Baltimore, too, and Fort McHenry should be very near peak this weekend. It also makes for any interesting, informative, and enjoyable outing for all ages. Engaging exhibits range from historical objects and structures to multimedia displays and interactives. And the grounds located right on the Chesapeake are lovely to stroll on a nice day. Make a longer day of it in Baltimore (or even a weekend) — the KFDC Guide to Exploring Baltimore with Kids has ideas and info for all kinds of things to do.
Cool Hikes
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
If you want to get out of the crowded city and get a dose of nature, hit the trail! See flowers beginning to bloom, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and savor the time outdoors. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for places to walk in the woods with the kids.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* I was asked a lot about our family’s summer vacation in Greece, and I finally wrote about it!😊
* The Capital Weather Gang’s five best spots to see DC’s cherry blossoms besides the Tidal Basin.
* Van Leeuwen Ice Cream just opened its first DC scoop shop in the Union Market neighborhood (418 Morse St. NE).
* Soccer fans likely know already that Arsenal FC will be playing MLS All Stars at Audi Field this summer.
* You should be able to get one of these in time for the festival tomorrow on Sunday if you order today. (If not, you can still use it later!)
* Parent night out? Give a Hoot Comedy Club is presenting a lineup of DMV comedy all stars on Sunday evening.
