Tag Archives: DC Winter Actvities

March 8, 2013 · 7:55 am

The Weekend Round-Up: March 9-10

Going for a whirl on the carousel at the Zoo

The Snowquester may have been a bust, but these weekend picks won’t be. See Nat Geo’s newest exhibit, join one of many museum programs, enjoy the entertainment at the Intersections Festival, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day family-style, relish in the springish weather… and these are just a few of many family fun options. Whatever you do, have a blast. Happy Weekend!

Get Out
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It looks like we’re getting a spring teaser this weekend — sunshine and warmer temps — so get out and savor it! Head to the National Arboretum, stroll the grounds of Brookside Gardens, hit the trail at Great Falls or Riverbend Park, visit the animals at Old Maryland Farm or the Zoo. Find more info about all these suggestions and scads more in this post about the best places in the DC area to enjoy a day outdoors.

Real Pirates
Where: National Geographic Museum
When: All weekend
Admission: $11/adults, $7/ages 5-12, free for 4 and under
Arrrr, matey! It’s the opening weekend of the much anticipated exhibit, Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship. You can follow the ship’s history as you tour the displays, see and even touch artifacts recovered from its sunken wreckage, feel like you’re there as you view replicas of the ship, try your hand at knot-tying, and hoist the Jolly Roger. While you’re there, check out the Birds of Paradise exhibit, too. And if you get can’t to Pirates this weekend, you’ve got plenty of time to go — the exhibit runs March 8 – September 2.

Danish National Girls’ Choir on Millennium Stage
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Friday, 6pm
Admission: Free
Since its founding in 1938, the Danish National Girls’ Choir has been synonymous with Danish song and the pure Nordic sound. On Friday evening, they will perform on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center as part of the many musical offerings of Nordic Cool 2013. Be sure to get there early to get seats.

Super Science Saturday
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
It’s Super Science Saturday, the monthly program at the Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Dulles. There will be demonstrations and hands-on activities that immerse children in science and technology topics related to aviation and space exploration. On Saturday, it’ll center around “The Space Shuttle” theme.

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the Weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Here’s the live entertainment on local stages this weekend:
– It’s the final weekend to catch Anime Momotaro at Imagination Stage.
– Little King Mattias is at the Kennedy Center as part of Nordic Cool 2013.
– The Bog Band and Shannon Dunne Dance Company is this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance.
– Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs is at The Puppet Co. along with a couple of Tiny Tots shows.
– The Creative Cauldron in Falls Church presents Peter Pan and Wendy
– Encore Stage & Studio presents Tale of A Tiger at Theatre on the Run
– The Diggity Dudes are playing the 10:30am show at Jammin’ Java on Saturday.
– The Young Spectaculars & the Front Yard Adventure is the latest Arts on the Horizon production.
Get details on all of these production in this post about entertainment this season.

Intersections Festival
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by Performance
It’s the final weekend of the Atlas Performing Arts Center’s 2nd annual festival, and there will be several performances and activities for the entire family to enjoy: Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales, a free Boogie Babes show, storytime with a celebrity guest reader (the wonderful principal of my son’s school!), a children’s multi-sensory class with Arts on the Horizon, the Zip Zap circus, dance performances, and even more. Visit the Intersections website for show times, descriptions, and ticket info.

Are You Ready for Some Futbol?
Where: RFK Stadium
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $26
The DC United kicks off the season at home with a match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday evening. They ended last season with an unblemished home record, so let’s see if they can keep the streak going! Look for special ticket offers here.

Civil War Family Day
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the troops who have set up camp in the Kogod Courtyard for an afternoon of crafts, games, and music, including silhouette art, period photography, and a scavenger hunt, all inspired by popular activities during the Civil War.

Nordic Cool 2013
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free exhibits, tickets vary by performance
The month-long festival celebrating the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, and nearby islands is presenting over 750 performances, exhibits, food demos, talks, workshops and more through mid-March. Drop in anytime for LEGO and game play, art, and to explore Nordic countries and culture or see a theatre, dance, or music performance — several will be taking place over the weekend. See the schedule for details.

Lowe’s Build and Grow
Where: Local Lowe’s Stores
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
This session of the bimonthly workshops for kids is offering guests another opportunity to do a Monster Jam build, this time featuring Monster Mutt! Head to Lowe’s this weekend to to make the free wooden project (with parent help). Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Go here to register.

Shamrock Shindig
Where: Pierce’s Park, Baltimore Inner Harbor
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free, but activities cost extra
Looking for a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day properly (you know what I mean) that is also family-friendly? You can get your green on a little early in Baltimore at the Shamrock Shindig. The event catering to both kids and adults will feature live entertainment, plus there will be food trucks, adult bevvies, a Shamrock Alley with kids activities (cookie decorating, games, etc.), stilt walkers, a strolling leprechaun, and much more. While admission is free you need passes to enjoy many activities: The Shamrock Pass for children in $6, a wristband for adults is $15. See this post for more details, plus a discount code for your passes.

Travel & Adventure Show
Where: Convention Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm
Admission: $10/adults 1 day, $16/2 days, free for 16 and under
An expo might sound like a grown-up affair, but some cool pursuits will keep the kids entertained. Besides the hundreds of travel providers and destinations featured, there will be cultural performances, a SCUBA pool, a rock climbing wall, a few live animals, and kids games.

Artful Conversations
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1pm
Admission: Free
“See-Wonder-Connect” is the theme this month of the NGA’s Winter Drop-In Program for kids ages 8-11. Guests will observe a work of art, participate in a discussion about it, then do a related project. Sign-in takes place in the East Building Atrium beginning at 11am on both Saturday and Sunday and will continue until all spaces are filled.

Second Saturday at Natural History
Where: National Museum of Natural History
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Get an “inside” look at fish in this session of the museum’s monthly Second Saturday program. Guests can uncover the x-rays of fish, eels, and sharks, then use an iPad to enhance the x-ray to create their own digital artwork.

Portrait Story Days
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
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, learn about sculptor Marisol Escobar. Read more about the program and the museum here.

Music at the Museum
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Sunday, 6:30pm
Admission: Free
The NGA presents a free family concert based on the children’s book, “Anna and the Hermitage Cats,” on Sunday evening. The musical detective story is part of the museum’s concert series. Admittance is on a first-come, first-seated basis, beginning 30 minutes before the show. The entrance at 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW remains open on Sunday until 6:30pm.

The Weekend Round-Up: March 2-3

Hanging in the trees at Dumbarton Oaks Gardens

Wow, I blinked, and it’s March already. And for the second year in a row, I missed a big occasion: my blog birthday. It was three years ago — February 24, 2010, to be exact — that KidFriendly DC was born. And it’s been an absolute blast seeing it grow with steadfast care and feeding…and an abundance of wholehearted love. I hope it’s brought as much joy to all of you as it has to me.

And with that, here’s where you can find some family fun over the next couple of days. Happy Weekend!

Familes Rock!
Where: Corcoran Gallery
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
This weekend will be a great time to take the kids to a museum that may not be among your usual repertoire. The program will include all kinds of creative, hands-on activities for all ages — arts & crafts face painting, breakdancing, graffiti T-shirts and more — throughout the museum. And it’s all free!

Intersections Festival
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by Performance
The Atlas continues creating connections through innovative art with another weekend of performances and festivities for the whole family at Intersections. Entertainment includes Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales, a free Boogie Babes show, a dance workshop for ages 3-8, a children’s multi-sensory class with Arts on the Horizon, singing and dancing with Rachel Ann Cross, an Arts Fun Day with Imagination Stage, and even more. Visit the Intersections website for show times, descriptions, and ticket info.

Kids in the Kitchen
Where: YMCA National Capital
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Want to cook up a good time with the kids? The Junior League of Washington is hosting its annual Kids in the Kitchen event. The free, kid-oriented healthy eating and fitness activity fair showcases ways for kids to eat smart and make healthy lifestyle choices. Enjoy a day of games, crafts, hands-on learning, goodie bags, and exciting raffle prizes, all to celebrate and promote nutritional literacy. Fitness experts will lead kids in high-energy exercise sessions, celebrity chefs will host healthy cooking demonstrations, and certified nutritionists will be on hand to answer questions.

Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Where: Old Town Alexandria
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
Celebrate the Irish holiday a couple of weeks early in Old Town Alexandria. Their annual parade kicks off at 12:30pm at Alfred and King Streets and will wind through Old Town, showcasing elected officials, Irish Ambassadors, military commanders, scout troops, high school bands, and local celebrities. See the parade route, so you can plan to stake out your viewing spot.

Harlem Globetrotters
Where: Verizon Center & Patriot Center
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at $15
The Ambassadors of Goodwill are bringing their A-game — an exciting combo of basketball, entertainment, and comedy — to the DC area with three shows, two at the Verizon Center on Saturday and one at the Patriot Center on Sunday. Tickets are still available for all of them.

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the Weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Here’s the live entertainment on local stages this weekend:
– Anime Momotaro is thrilling audiences at the Imagination Stage.
– Encore Stage & Studio presents Big Bad in for its second weekend. (Get a deal on tickets.
– Little Red Rising Hood and the 3 Little pigs is at The Puppet Co. along with a couple of Tiny Tots shows.
– Mary Ann Jung: Pee Wee Pirates is this week’s Saturday Morning at the National.
– Billy Jonas is playing the 10:30am show at Jammin’ Java on Saturday.
– Sleeping Beauty-The Broken Spell is at the Workhouse Arts Center for its final performance.
– The Young Spectaculars & the Front Yard Adventure is the latest Arts on the Horizon production.
– The Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre will delight at the Warner Theatre.

Play it Cool
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free exhibits, tickets vary by performance
The month-long festival celebrating the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, and nearby islands is presenting over 750 performances, exhibits, food demos, talks, workshops and more through mid-March. Drop in anytime for LEGO and game play, art, and to explore Nordic countries and culture or see a theatre, dance, or music performance — several will be taking place over the weekend. See the schedule for details.

Dance Your Socks Off
Where: River Park Nursery School
When: Saturday, 4-7pm
Admission: $35/family
Calling all families with pre-school aged children! This weekend, River Park Nursery School will celebrate its 50th anniversary and honor legendary teacher Ms. Bernadette Blum. The annual Sock Hop Party & Silent Auction will be held at the at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation located at 212 East Capitol Street NE on Capitol Hill. You can expect crafts for the kids, live music from Mr. Skip, food and sweets from local establishments, an open bar, and amazing deals at the silent auction. Tickets can be purchased through the school website or at the door.

Final Glide at the Capitol Riverfront
Where: Canal Park Ice Rink
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $8/adults, $7/kids, $3/rentals
It’s your last glide along the icy meandering paths of the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. Canal Park Ice Rink’s first season will come to an end on Sunday. Luckily, it looks like the weather will be perfect for a final skate. And for more places to glide the day away in the DC area, see this post about fun on ice.

Think Outside
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by locale
Don’t let a little chill in the air keep you from enjoying the sunshine. Bundle up and get outdoors — take a hike, explore a garden, romp on a playground, visit animals at a farm or the zoo. This post has a loooong list of ideas for al fresco fun.

Vote! Women’s History Month Family Festival
Where: National Museum of American History
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Smithsonian! The Women’s History Month Family Festival is inspired by the related exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1913 woman suffrage parade in Washington, DC. Explore suffrage history through conversations with the curator, see objects out of storage, meet suffrage activist Lucy Burns (portrayed by interpreter Leigh Jameson), take a self-guide, create hands-on crafts, and share your thoughts on the talk-back board and in oral history interviews. A capella group Capital Blend sings songs of suffrage and women’s empowerment at 12:30, 2, and 3:30 PM.

Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Celebration
Where: Port Discovery
When: Saturday
Admission: $13.95 for ages 2 and up
Celebrate one of the most beloved children’s authors at Port Discovery. Special programs inspired by the Cat in the Hat creator will take place throughout the day. Join circle time, make a Truffala Tree, do some Dr. Seuss puzzles, and much more. View the schedule online for details on activities and times.

Stargazing at Air & Space
Where: National Air & Space Museum
When: Saturday, 6:30pm
Admission: Free
Get a close-up of the nighttime sky with staff from the museum that specialize in space. The Public Observatory is open for special evening stargazing, so guests can see an array of celestial objects through a powerful professional telescope. The Observatory is located outside on the Southeast Terrace.

Portrait Story Days
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
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, learn about lawyer and activist Belva Lockwood. Read about our experience at the program and other Portrait Gallery activities here.

Model Rocket Launch
Where: Goddard Space Flight Center
When: Sunday, 1-2pm
Admission: Free
Join the monthly model rocket launch at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Anyone is welcome, and if you’ve got a model rocket to fly, bring it along (though there are some restrictions – see them here). The program takes place the first Sunday of every month at 1pm.

Rock Creek Recreation
Where: Rock Creek Park
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Get a nature fix, outdoors or in, at one of the nation’s largest urban parks. Take a hike, check out exhibits in the nature center, see a planetarium show. All of this is possible at Rock Creek Park. The Nature Center is open 9am – 5pm, and the Planetarium will be offering special programs throughout the weekend.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, Annual, Art, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Festival, Free, Holidays, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Nature, Ongoing, Outdoor, Parade, Park, Seasonal, Sports, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend, Winter

Tagged as DC Children's Theatre, DC Kids Activities, DC Kids Museums, DC Weekend March 2-3, DC Winter Actvities, DC with kids, Kids Activities in Maryland, Kids Activities in Northern Virginia, Kids Entertainment in DC, Things to do with Kids in DC, Things to do with kids in Northern Virginia, Thinsg to do with Kids in Maryland, Washington DC, Washington DC Events, Weekend in DC

February 22, 2013 · 12:22 am

The Weekend Round-Up: February 22-23

Enjoying the works outside the National Gallery of Art

This weekend is packed with fun activities for the family — special museum programs, an arts festival at the Atlas, cool exhibits, a birthday celebration at the B&O, all kinds of live entertainment, and more. If that’s not enough, the lists of indoor options and outdoor recommendations have tons of ideas, too. Happy Weekend!

African American Pioneers in Aviation
Where:Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am -3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Celebrate and discover the many accomplishments of African Americans in the fields of aviation and space exploration at an upcoming Heritage Family Day. Meet famed African American pilots from World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen, who fought discrimination both at home and abroad. Learn about the accomplishments of other black pioneers of aviation and space, talk to Museum experts, participate in hands-on activities, and hear compelling stories.

Intersections: A New America Arts Festival
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by Performance
As part of its celebration of art as a form of connection and communication, the Atlas Performing Art Center presents several family-friendly performances this weekend, including Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales; a multi-sensoryclass with Arts on the Horizon; Zip Zap Circus, and a special weekend Boogie Babes show. Visit the Intersections website for show times, descriptions, and ticket info.

Nordic Cool 2013
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Throughout the werkend
Admission: Free exhibits, tickets vary by performance
The month-long festival celebrating the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, and nearby islands is presenting over 750 performances, exhibits, food demos, talks, workshops and more through mid-March. Drop in anytime for LEGO and game play, art, and to explore Nordic countries and culture or see a theatre, dance, or music performance — several will be taking place over the weekend. See the schedule for details.

LUMA
Where: Strathmore
When: Sunday, 8pm
Admission: $20-$40
Flickers. Glowing. Flashes. Sparks. Bursts. Pulsing. The fun happens after the lights go out as Strathmore’s Concert Hall fades to black for the performers of LUMA to create a surreal world of light using darkness as the canvas and light as a brush. The whimsical spectacle creates artistic depictions of natural, artificial and metaphysical light as black-clad performers roam the stage, manipulating glowing balls, and light-reactive elastic cords, streamers, banners and hi-tech luminous objects to music

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the Weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Here’s the live entertainment on local stages this weekend:
– Anime Momotaro is thrilling audiences at the Imagination Stage.
– Encore Stage & Studio presents Big Bad in its opening weekend.
– The Washington Ballet presents Stars & Stripes/KIDS, a special performance of its current production, especially for children.
– Winnie the Pooh is at Adventure Theatre.
– Little Red Rising Hood and the 3 Little pigs is at The Puppet Co. along with a couple of Tiny Tots shows.
– Theatre IV singers and actors of Sweet Charity combine a capella spirituals with oral histories suring this week’s Saturday Morning at the National.
– Bill Harley and Keith Munslow are playing the Saturday 10:30am show and Vanessa Trien the Sunday 10:30am show at Jammin’ Java.
– Teens will enjoy Zorro at the Source Theatre.
– Sleeping Beauty-The Broken Spell is at the Workhouse Arts Center.
Find more details in this post about winter entertainment.

HBD, B&O!
Where: B&O Railroad Museum
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $8/adults, $5/children (it’s half-price this weekend!)
Celebrate both the B&O’s 186th birthday as well as the 129th birthday of the historic 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse! The B&O is offering special train rides this weekend (weather permitting) and highlight educational programs on both the birth of the oldest railroad in America and the 1884 Roundhouse. Half-price admission for all visitors! With paid admission train rides are $3/adults, $2/ages2-12, free for B&O member

Stories in Art
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Kids ages 4-7 can explore the work of artist Romare Bearden, as they hear a reading of the book My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey by Jeanne Walker Harvey, and discover how Romare Bearden pieced together his creative works of art using everyday materials with strong patterns and textures. Then, they will do an art project inspired by his work. Sessions are at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm on Saturday, and 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30 on Sunday. Sign-in takes place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 10am on Saturday (11am on Sunday) and continues until all spaces are filled. Admission is free. Read a KFDC review of the Stories in Art program here.

Lowe’s Build and Grow
Where: Local Lowe’s Stores
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
The home improvement store hosts free bimonthly workshops for kids, and this session kids can build a Monster Jam® kit featuring Grave Digger®! Bring them to Lowe’s this weekend to to make a free wooden project (with parent help) and get closer than ever to one of their favorite Monster Jam superstars. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Go here to register.

Reptile & Amphibian Day
Where: National Aquarium in DC
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $9.95/adult, $4.95/ages 3-11, free for 2 and under
Visit the National Aquarium in the Department of Commerce building for a family-friendly day full of activities pertaining to reptiles and amphibians. Get up close and personal with our reptile and amphibian species, including the rambunctious juvenile alligators and adorable new baby sea turtle. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about reptiles and amphibians from leading experts. Special activities include curator talks, animal encounters, bug buffets, and arts and crafts.

Dream to Eliminate Carnival
Where: Centreville High School
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but activities are a fee
Key clubs in Northern Virginia’s division 20B present a winter carnival for the whole family! All proceeds will be donated to The Eliminate Project, a non profit organization, that protects mothers and their future babies from the harmful effects of maternal and neonatal tetanus.You can help, just by attending the carnival! There will be many games, music, face painting, food, and even a silent auction for adults! Admission is free, but activities, food, and games require tickets, which are $1 each.

Purim at 16th and Shushan
Where: DC JCC
When: Sunday, 10am -12pm
Admission: $20/family
There’s no place better than the DCJCC to celebrate the joyous holiday of Purim. The fun includes a moon bounce, crafts, games and a Purim shpiel, plus cotton candy and hamentaschen. Recommended for ages 9 and under. The DC JCC is located at 1529 Sixteenth Street NW.