Tag Archives: DC Winter Actvities

January 25, 2013 · 9:26 am

The Weekend Round-Up: January 26-27

The view from the Portrait Gallery

Have fun and stay warm with this round-up of family-friendly happenings over the next few days. And be sure to check out The Great Indoors list for even more ideas. Happy Weekend!

NatsFest
Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: $20/Adult, $10/Child
Join select Washington Nationals players, coaches, and team personnel for a day full of fun activities for all ages, including photo ops with players and mascots, face painting, balloon art, inflatables, caricature art, Nationals merchandise and authenticated memorabilia, interactive games, live batting cages, and much more.

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
I can’t think of a better (colder?) weekend to catch a production in the warm, cozy comfort of a theatre, and you’ve got your pick of onstage entertainment. Winnie the Pooh is delighting audiences at Adventure Theatre (we know from firsthand experience). Toyland at The Puppet Co. along with a couple of Tiny Tots shows. Wake Up, Brother Bear is still charming little ones at Imagination Stage. There’s an NSO Teddybear concert at the Kennedy Center. The Great Zucchini is playing a Saturday morning show at Jammin’ Java. And older children will enjoy Zorro at the Source Theatre. Find more details and links in this post about winter entertainment.

There’s No Place Like Port Discovery
Where: Port Discovery
When: Through September 15
Admission: $13.95/ages 2 and up, under two are free.
The children’s museum in Baltimore is debuting the “Wizard of Oz” traveling exhibit on Saturday. The interactive fantasy-adventure takes children and families over the rainbow to continue the celebration of the film’s 70th anniversary milestone. Elements of the movie available only in this licensed exhibition include Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers, images of the characters everyone knows and loves from the film and classic movie moments.

Orchids of Latin America
Where: National Museum of National History
When: Through April 21
Admission: Free
See what’s blooming at the Natural History Museum. Smithsonian Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Garden will open the 18th annual orchid exhibition, “Orchids of Latin America,” on Saturday. The exhibit will highlight the importance of Latin American orchids in local culture and folklore through live flower displays and examine ways biological reserves are working to preserve orchid species and habitats today.

A Portrait of Fun
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the NPG for Portrait Story Days where kids can listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture, this weekend’s subject being boxer Muhammad Ali, and to create a special piece of art. When you’re done there, pick up a Portrait Discovery Kit filled with activities to help you explore the Gallery. Read more about both programs at the Portrait Gallery as well as what you’ll find at its sister venue, the American Art Museum, in this recent post.

See Stars
Where: David M. Brown Planetarium
When: Friday & Saturday, 7:30pm and Sunday, 1:30pm & 3pm
Admission: $3/adults, $2/children & seniors
Get a glimpse of the night sky at the Arlington planetarium. The show, Oasis In Space, transports the audience on a startling and beautiful voyage through our universe, galaxy and solar system in search of liquid water – a key ingredient for life on Earth.

Battle of the Bach 2 Rock Bands
Where: 9:30 Club
When: Sunday, 9am – 3pm
Admission: $5
The music school for all ages is holding its final exams at the DC venue, and the public is invited to watch them battle it out. The winning bands are determined by a panel of judges and not only get bragging rights, but also get a chance to work with a professional audio engineer to record their own original material in our studio.

Stories in Art
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Kids ages 4-7 can explore the work of artist Pable Picasso, as they hear a reading of the book When Pigasso Met Mootisse by Nina Laden, see the geometric shapes and bold colors of his cubist paintings, then create a related art project. 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.

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Where: Dulles Expo Center
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $10/adult, free for kids under 12
Do some shopping for arts, crafts, and more while you enjoy a family day out. The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival showcases works by more than 250 top artisans. Pottery, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, home and garden décor, furniture and home accessories, and photography will be on display — and for sale! Even more, children can enjoy costume storytelling and watch live demonstrations of copper spinning, papermaking, pottery wheel-throwing, jewelry making, and other media by the master craftspeople themselves.

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Filed under All ages, Art, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend, Winter

Tagged as Baltimore Museums, DC Children's Theatre, DC Kids Activities, DC Kids Museums, DC Weekend January 26-27, 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

January 18, 2013 · 8:14 am

The Weekend Round-Up: January 19-21

Celebrating 7 years of this special guy

DC is going to be one happening place this weekend. Whether you’re ready to revel in the excitement or intent on avoiding it, there are plenty of ways to do both, all while having a great time with the kids. As for us, we’re planning to brave the crowds and do some celebrating…of the nation’s honorees, but even more for our special little guy, who is ringing in another year. Happy Weekend! (And a very happy birthday to my sweet O.)

Inauguration Celebrations
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the long weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Whether you’re seeking official festivities or activities inspired by the big occasion, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the inauguration over the long weekend. Get sworn in at George Washington’s estate, see special exhibits relating to the presidency, observe the National Day of Service by volunteering, be among the extended audience on the National Mall, watch the procession on Pennsylvania Avenue as the Inaugural Parade makes its way to the White House. This post has details on all these pursuits and more.

Geico Free Family Night
Where: National Children’s Museum
When: Friday, 5-8pm
Admission: FREE
Start the weekend at the National Children’s Museum, as they host their inaugural Free Family Night, sponsored by GEICO, on Friday evening. The free family nights will take place monthly, offering different hands-on activities and programs each time. January’s “Learning to be a Helper” theme will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of service. Note that tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the NCM box office beginning at 5pm. The museum will close for half an hour at 4:30 p.m. to give staff time to prepare for the event.

Stories in Art
Where: National Gallery
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
The NGA’s drop-in program for kids ages 4-7 is back for its winter session! In its opening weekend, guests can explore the work of artist Pable Picasso, as they hear a reading of the book When Pigasso Met Mootisse by Nina Laden, see the geometric shapes and bold colors of his cubist paintings, then create a related art project. 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.

Out of Many Festival
Where: National Museum of the American Indian
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
In honor of the presidential inauguration, the NMAI presents Out of Many, a festival celebrating the music, dance, and storytelling of the region’s indigenous and multicultural communities. Activities for all ages will take place throughout the museum, from mask-making workshops for kids to storytelling in imagiNATIONS to traditional native dancing in the atrium. Check the schedule for times and details.

Let Them Entertainment You
Where: Local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Be among the first audiences to see Winnie the Pooh at Adventure Theatre and Toyland at The Puppet Co. — both shows open today. Wake Up, Brother Bear will delight little ones at Imagination Stage. Encore Stage and Studio presents Honk, Jr. for one more weekend (get a ticket deal here). Rocknoceros is playing an MLK Day show at Jammin’ Java. Older children will enjoy Zorro at the Source Theatre. And the National Ballet of Canada is performing Alice in Wonderland at the Kennedy Center. Find more details and links in this post about winter entertainment.

Children’s Theater Festival
Where: Artisphere
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: $15/ages 13+, $10/ages 4-12, free for 3 and under
Enjoy a full day of theater and much more. Artisphere presents six hours of theater and other activities to delight the entire family. Coloring, reading, drawing, ballet, music, and dance performances will be part of the day’s fun. All activities are Bilingual.

Smokey Robinson on the Millennium Stage
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Sunday, 6pm
Admission: Free
The R&B legend will take the Millennium Stage on Sunday evening along with the Let Freedom Ring choir in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy. Free tickets will be given away up to two per person in line in the Hall of Nations starting at 4pm on a first-come, first-served basis.

NASA Sunday Experiment
Where: NASA Goddard Space Flight Visitor Center
When: Sunday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
The activities, scientists, and engineers will inspire and wow at this monthly program that showcases Goddard’s world-renowned research and technological developments. Recommended for kids ages 5-10, the Sunday Experiment celebrates all things science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as it presents a new theme to visitors each session.

Dr. MLK, Jr. Celebration
Where: National Children’s Museum
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: $10
To honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., NCM is presenting special programming to encourage children to be thoughtful leaders and helpers in their own communities. Families will be able to contribute to the Museum’s living quilt by decorating panels depicting how they wish to live like Dr. King. Other hands-on activities will include making books and journals highlighting our visitors’ hopes for peace and service.

Think Outside
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It looks like we may have our first nice day all week, so get out and savor it! Even if temps dip, you can still bundle up and enjoy the sunshine and replenish the vitamin D. What to do? Go check out this list of the best places in DC to spend a beautiful day outdoors with the kids. You’re guaranteed to find a suitable outing among them.

Celebrate MLK at AVAM
Where: American Visionary Art Museum
When: Monday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: FREE
The museum full of whimsical, imaginative art is offering free admission to a celebration in honor of the life and dreams of one of the greatest visionaries in America’s history. Join them for guided tours, birthday cake, music, special performances, workshops, and even more exciting entertainment at this FREE fun-filled day. For more on the museum, read about our recent visit there.

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The Weekend Round-Up: January 12-13

On the trail at Turkey Run Park

Musical and theatre performances, museum programs and special events, adventures in Charm City, trail time, and Spiderman training are all among this round of recs for fun with the kiddos. And don’t forget to check the Everyday Play page for even more ideas. Happy Weekend!

NSO in your neighborhood
Where: Several DC neighborhoods
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The National Symphony Orchestra is presenting a week of free activities in the U Street, Shaw, Howard, and Logan Circle neighborhoods through January 14, offering more than 40 activities to the public, many inspired by the area’s rich cultural history, and several of them programs that kids can enjoy, too. on the schedule this weekend is a percussion workshop, a violin ensemble performance, jazz and chamber music, an electric violin show, community concerts, jam sessions, and more. See the schedule for times and details.

Artful Conversations
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1pm
Admission: Free
The National Gallery of Art is kicking off its Winter Drop-In Programs with this session for kids ages 8-11. Guests will observe a work of art, participate in a discussion about it, then sketch their own masterpiece. 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.

Show Time
Where: Local theaters
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
There’s lots of great entertainment around the area this weekend. Encore Stage & Studio’s Honk, Jr. opens tonight (look for a Goldstar deal here). Cinderella is still being fitted for her glass slipper at Olney Theatre. Wake Up, Brother Bear will delight kids ages 1-5 at Imagination Stage. Elksa, who’s been described as the “Bjork of kids music” is performing at Jammin’ Java. And the Kennedy Center presents an NSO Kinderkonzert. Find details and links for all of these productions in this post about live entertainment for kids this winter.

Happy Birthday, Nat Geo!
Where: National Geographic Museum
When: Sunday
Admission: $8/adults, $4/ages 5-12, free for 4 and under for exhibits
As if the exhibits weren’t already a huge treat, the National Geographic is celebrating 125 years by giving out cupcakes made especially for the occasion by Georgetown Cupcakes (while supplies last) along with photo props that allows users to add the iconic National Geographic yellow border to “Frame What Matters.” And don’t miss the current exhibits while you’re there — Birds of Paradise and 1001 Inventions, plus stunning photography on display are all pretty sweet, too.

Baltimore, Hon!
Where: Several Charm City attractions
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by locale
Because the kids and I recently enjoyed a couple of great outings up to Baltimore (and I did write-ups on them), a Charm City venture makes the Round-Up this week, and you’ve got a good selection of options. Explore the exhibits and loads of hands-on activities at the Maryland Science Center. See some of the quirkiest, coolest art ever at the American Visionary Art Museum. Play the day away at Port Discovery. Get an eyeful of the underwater world at the National Aquarium. Or tour the historic ships at the Inner Harbor.

Walks in the Woods
Where: Local trails
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by locale
Get some exercise and enjoy the warmer temps on a nature walk – there are plenty of great places in the area where you can hit the trail with the kids. This post from awhile back lists some of the ground we’ve covered. And another not on the list, but perfect for family tramping is Turkey Run Park, which you can access from the GW Parkway, not far from the Beltway. You can do a four-mile loop along the Potomac and through a pretty wooded area or pick a shorter route. Pack lunch and plan to picnic — tables are available near Parking Lot B, or find some big rocks by the water and have a riverside meal.

Family Paint Day
Where: Merlot’s Masterpiece
When: Sunday, 2-4pm
Admission: $25
The U Street painting studio is hosting its first Family Day event on Sunday afternoon. Guests will participate in a two-hour instructor-led painting experience, with refreshments included. Sign up for the class here.

Farm to Table Family Day
Where: Kogod Courtyard
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery for their second annual farm-to-table event. Enjoy live music, learn about the “slow food” movement from local community organizations, and participate in hands-on activities that get your hands a little dirty. You’ll be ready to eat fresh, local, and healthy with recipes you can take home. And don’t forget to find delicious artworks on the Fruit and Veggie Scavenger Hunt.

Climb On
Where: SportRock Climbing Center
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: $5-25 discount with a Certifikid deal)
This recommendation is inspired by a deal I just saw on Certifikid for open climb sessions in the SportRock Sterling location. Whether you want to get in on the deal or just scale walls or belay indoors, you’ve got plenty of opportunity this weekend (and every Saturday and Sunday, for that matter). Sterling offers Open Climb sessions for $25, and Alexandria has Open Belay for $5. Both rates include rental gear. Visit the website for the rest of the details on practicing Spiderman skills.

The Wright Stuff
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 January’s theme, “From the Wright Brothers to the Right Stuff.”

Around the World with Wilbur Wright
Where: College Park Aviation Museum
When: Sunday, 12-3pm
Admission:
See the world without even leaving the museum! Participate in a fun and educational tour of the College Park Aviation Museum, where you can make your own passport, visit places around the world, and learn a little bit about aviation history.

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. On Sunday, hear a story illustrated by artist Keith Haring (1958-1990).