Tag Archives: DC Winter 2014

February 17, 2014 · 7:09 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: February 18-21

Wandering the grounds at Dumbarton Oaks Gardens — admission is free in the winter

Tuesday – The weather is going to take a turn for the warmer, so get out and enjoy it! My recommendation is for Old Maryland Farm at Watkins Regional Park, where you can visit llamas, ponies, cows, chickens, ducks, peacocks, and rabbits. But if that outing doesn’t suit, the post about the best outdoor places in the area has many more suggestions.

Wednesday – Roam the exquisite gardens at Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown. The grounds don’t open to the public until 2pm, but you can play at nearby Montrose Park or grab a bite to eat on M Street beforehand. I promise, it’s worth waiting for the afternoon visit. And admission is free to both — there’s never an entry fee at Montrose, and Dumbarton waives theirs during late fall and winter.

Thursday – Catch a colorful magic show with The Great Zucchini at Jammin’ Java. Doors open at 10am and the fun begins at 10:30am. General admission tickets are $5.

Friday – Show the kiddos relics from the nation’s past and even some from your childhood at the National Museum of American History, where collections include some of the best toys and games of the old days. Other fun exhibits include the First Ladies’ ball gowns and America on the Move, a history of transportation in the U.S. featuring some of the earliest automobiles, a train car, and an old street car that guests can actually climb aboard. The museum is open from 10am – 5:30pm. Admission is free.

Where to Play on the Weekdays: February 10-14

You’re in the jungle, baby! Go tropical during winter at the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Monday – Go to the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum in Old Town Alexandria for their Tavern Toddler program from 10:30-11:30am. Explore the historic ballroom and enjoy playtime featuring a story, dancing, and craft as well as time for free play. Recommended for walkers through 36 months. Admission is $7 for a group of three, must include one adult.

Tuesday – Let the kids bounce, climb, swing, tumble, and slide at the PG Sports & Learning Complex Gymnastics Center. The hour-long open play session begins at 11:30am, and admission is $6/child. (This also takes place on Wednesday at the same time.)

Wednesday – No matter what the weather outside, it’s always pleasant in the U.S. Botanic Garden. Walk amid tropical rainforest, desert, and woodland flora without a drop of precipitation falling on you, unless you count the misters in the jungle. Be sure to stop in the “Plants in Culture” exhibit, where you can smell the scents of various plants and learn about their everyday uses. Hours at the USBG are 10am – 5pm. Admission is free.

Thursday – Sign up for a class especially for preschoolers (ages 2-5) at Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens. Explore a new mansion room each week through make believe, art projects, and imaginative play. The three-session series is $30 per child with one accompanying adult, or you can pay $12 per class ($10/members). Classes are 10:30-11:15am on 2/13, 2/20, & 2/27.

Friday – Celebrate Valentine’s Day on ice! Temps are expected to rise by the end of the week, making for perfect outdoor skating weather. Take newbies to Washington Harbour or Pentagon Row, where they can get a little help from “push” penguins or buckets. Experienced skaters will enjoy any of the area rinks listed in this post about recreation on ice. No matter where you end up, treat the kids (and yourself) to hot chocolate, lunch, a snack, or all of the above — just about every location boasts great eateries onsite or nearby.

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Filed under All ages, Art, Class, DC, Educational, Free, Gradeschoolers, Holidays, Indoor Play, Live Entertainment, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Preschoolers, Seasonal, Sports, Toddlers, Virginia, Weekdays, Winter

Tagged as DC Events, DC Kids Activities, DC Kids Entertainment, DC Museums, DC Valentine's Day with Kids, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, DC Weekdays February 10-14, DC Winter 2014, DC with kids, Things to do with Kids in DC, Things to do with Kids in Maryland, Things to do with kids in Northern Virginia

February 2, 2014 · 9:43 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: February 3-7

Text everywhere in the Belief+Doubt exhibit at the Hirshhorn

Monday – See some modern art at the Hirshhorn Museum. It might not be the first gallery that comes to mind for an outing with kids, but there are plenty of interesting, colorful, and quirky works that all ages can appreciate on some level. Hours are 10am – 5:30pm. Admission is free.

Tuesday – Go for a swim! It doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside when there are plenty of indoor pools in the area that are open to the public. Wilson Aquatic Center in NW is popular, and Deanwood in NE even has a slide. In Maryland, Rollingcrest in PG County has a special preschool area, and there are several indoor aquatic facilities in Montgomery County. In Northern Virginia, Arlington County has a few indoor public pools, and there’s one in Alexandria, too. Be sure to check schedules for open swim times at all of them.

Wednesday – See the sing-along version of Frozen. In these special screenings of the hit movie, the audience can belt out the tunes along with Anna, Elsa, and friends. Movie time and ticket prices vary by theater.

Thursday – Be one of the first audiences to see Rumplestiltskin at Imagination Stage. The play will run at the Bethesda theatre February 5 – March 16. Tickets start at $10.

Friday – Get a nature fix at Great Falls Park. If weather and temps permit, go for hike and enjoy spectacular views of the Potomac cascades. If outside conditions aren’t so welcoming, check out the many interesting exhibits in the Visitors Center. Take your pick between the Maryland and Virginia sides — both live up to the park’s name and truly are Great, indoors and out.