An early bloomer on Capitol Hill — the rest are predicted to pop SOON!
Happy Weekend!
Blossom Kite Festival
Where: Washington Monument Grounds | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
The annual Blossom Kite Festival is a favorite for many during the blossom season. 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 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, so BYO or make one there at an activity station. There’s a competition aspect to the event, too; expert kite enthusiasts will wow crowds with cool stunts, and prizes will be awarded to winners of various categories such as most beautiful, funniest, and aerodynamics. And be sure to check out the round-up of the best cherry blossom events for families to see what else is coming up!
Annual NOAA Open House
Where: NOAA | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
NOAA will open the doors of its Silver Spring, Maryland, campus to the public for a series of free activities, including engaging guest presentations, interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Meet and talk with scientists, weather forecasters, hurricane hunter pilots, and others, who work to understand our environment, protect life and property, and conserve and protect natural resources. A full list of activities can be found here. Note: A government-issued photo ID is required for adults.
A Wild(life) Spring Celebration
Where: National Wildlife Visitors Center | Laurel, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the National Wildlife Visitor Center as they celebrate the start of spring. The theme of this year’s festival is Our Forest Friends, and they’ll be sharing ways to help wildlife through crafts, games, educational activities, and much more. All programs are free!
Kidsinger Jim & the Big Barn Puppets
Where: Miracle Theatre | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Tickets: $10/by March 29, $12/at door
Are you ready for some wholesome family fun? Farmer Stu and his animal friends love life on the farm, and after the chores are done — a hoedown! Kidsinger Jim (whom many know from Boogie Babes) & the Big Barn Puppets are performing a special show at the beautiful Miracle Theatre. Show length is one hour.
Nats are Back!
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Baseball season has begun! The Nats hosted the Mets for their Opening Day game, and the series continues Friday and Saturday. They may be minus he-who-shall-not-be-named, but there are so many other great players who will keep the game exciting (and they’ll be just fine).
Sound Health: Second Saturday
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Saturday, 9:30am & 11am
Admission: Free
Children ages 3-5 can join CityDance POP! for a Creative Movement class at The Kennedy Center’s Second Saturday event, the monthly series for families that explores the power of the arts to promote wellness of the mind and body. During this session, get ready to explore balance, coordination, and imagination through dance. CityDance POP! offers dance classes where you can move, groove and just have fun! POP!, located in Tenleytown, is the destination for high quality, fast-paced dancing fun.
Winnie the Pooh
Where: Adventure Theatre
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $20
A beloved bear and his gang of friends are coming the stage starting this weekend. Winnie the Pooh would spend every day of life humming tunes and stopping frequently to eat “a little something.” But today, Pooh and Piglet have to find the Heffalump, watch Rabbit scheme to rid the forest of Kanga’s dreaded bathtub, and help Eeyore search for his tail. Pooh’s intentions are always the best, but his passion for honey and condensed milk keeps getting him into trouble.
Marvel Universe LIVE!
Where: EagleBank Arena | Fairfax, VA
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Tickets: $15-90+
Spider Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, Hulk, Black Widow, and the Guardian of the Galaxy…Marvel’s mightiest heroes face off against some of the most threatening villains in the Marvel Universe. In this live stage production, see them unite in a race against time to defeat Loki in an epic quest to defend the universe from evil.
More Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by performance
* Reserve free tickets to catch music by Little Miss Ann, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance.
* Enjoy Voyagers: A Dance Among The Planets at the Kennedy Center
* Take t(w)eens to see a A Bronx Tale at National Theatre.
* Olney Theatre presents Madeleine and the Bad Hat this weekend.
* It’s opening weekend for Aquarium at Imagination Stage
* And it’s the last chance to see Dicken’s Davy Copperfield at the Bethesda theatre.
* Teddy Bear’s Picnic is the featured Tiny Tots performance at The Puppet Co. on Saturday.
* Join Mr. Jon and Friends for a concert at Jammin Java on Saturday morning.
* Venture Into the Woods at Ford’s Theatre.
Art Investigators
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Drop in for the museum’s wonderful program for children ages 4-7. Art Investigators introduces kids to art and encourages them to make observations and use their imaginations as they discover different works. During this weekend’s sessions, they’ll explore works of Romare Bearden. Read a KFDC review of the program from the early KFDC years (it’s old, but still relevant, as the program is very much the same, although the name has changed). Sessions are at 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30 on Saturday, and at 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 on Sunday. Sign-in takes place in the East Building Atrium, starting at 10am on Saturday and Monday and 11am on Sunday.
Family Jam Session
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 10:15am
Tickets: $10/advance, $12/at door
Junior music aficionados can spend Saturday mornings singing, playing, and preparing for a lifetime of music appreciation. During this session with Seth Kibel, kids will learn about swing and try their hand at it on percussion instruments and through scat singing (wordless, improvised vocals). Recommended for ages 3–8.
Wharf Phase 2 Kickoff Celebration
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Join Mayor Muriel Bowser, Deputy Mayor Brian Kenner, Councilmember Charles Allen, and everyone from Hoffman-Madison Waterfront as we usher in the next phase of The Wharf. All are invited to take part in this exciting community celebration with fun festivities. Among them a “Truck Touch” featuring DC Government and construction vehicles, live music by Pebble to Pearl, and more family-friendly activities.
Baysox Family FunFest
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | Landover, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
Join the Bowie Baysox for the 20th annual Free Family FunFest event, featuring free rides and games in Louie’s Kids Park, live music, and dozens of interactive events and activities. Hang out with mascots Louie and Rocko, along with the Oriole Bird. There will also be several carnival-style games, tours of the clubhouse, face painting, and raffles, plus police and emergency vehicles and horses for kids to see and explore.
Movie Time: Mirai
Where: Old Greenbelt Cinema | Greenbelt, MD
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: $7/adult, $5/child
The theater will be be screening the foreign animation film Mirai, a contender for an Academy Award for Best Animated Film: When four-year-old Kun meets his new baby sister, his world is turned upside down. Named Mirai (meaning “future”), the baby quickly wins the hearts of Kun’s entire family. As his mother returns to work, and his father struggles to run the household, Kun becomes increasingly jealous of baby Mirai… until one day he storms off into the garden, where he encounters strange guests from the past and future — including his sister Mirai, as a teenager. Together, Kun and teenage Mirai go on a journey through time and space, uncovering their family’s incredible story. The epic capstone of director Mamoru Hosoda’s career, Mirai is a sumptuous, magical, and emotionally soaring adventure about the ties that bring families together and make us who we are.
Mirror Mirror
Where: Waterfront Park | Old Town Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 2-9pm
Admission: Free
The public is invited to celebrate the arrival of this new public art installaton with festivities throughout Waterfront Park. Inspired by the historic Fresnel lens of Jones Point Lighthouse, Mirror Mirror responds to sound with illuminated color. Visitors can talk, sing, and play within the installation and be bathed in rainbow-hued light. The artwork does not make noise. It responds to sound with light, allowing visitors to interact with the artwork and affect its appearance using their voices and bodies.
DCRoller Girls
Where: Rockville Sportsplex | Rockville, MD
When: Saturday, 6-9pm
Admission: $12/age 12+, $6/skater tots 6-11, free/5 & under
The DC Rollergirls, our local roller derby team, are kicking off Lucky Season 13! See the DC All-Stars face off against Mother State Roller Derby of Richmond, VA. When these two teams last met the final score had a nail-biting 5-point difference, so this is a match-up that is not to be missed! Buy your tickets online and skip the line on game day.
In Peak Bloom
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Through May 27
Admission: $16-20/adult, $8-10/child
ARTECHOUSE is celebrating many things with its newest digital art exhibit: Cherry blossoms, spring, renewal, and women artists! In Peak Bloom features interactive and immersive digital art installations inspired by the fragile beauty and ephemeral nature of the cherry blossom. The works are beautiful and delightful, unique and profound. They’ll have kids and adults alike smiling and appreciating the gifts of art and nature.
Paper Cherry Blossom Branch Workshop
Where: Makeshift | H Street NE, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: $30
Learn how to make a DIY cherry blossom branch display in honor of the 2019 Cherry Blossom Festival! We’ll combine real branches and an assortment of tissue paper cherry blossoms. You’ll learn how to make basic paper flowers, affix them to a branch, and of course take home your design! Adult participation is required — everyone (adults and kids!) will create their own cherry blossom paper flowers and branch. Price is per family up to 4 people. Register in advance to guarantee a spot!
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The National Park Service revised the start of the cherry blossom pea, and it’s now April 1! If you’re planning to see them, be sure to check out these KFDC tips to help you prep.
* Capitol Riverside Youth Sports Park (CRYSP) is a local group working to bring youth sports fields to the RFK Stadium area, and they need community support.
* Brightest Young Things has a great DC Brunch Guide, with some family-friendly places listed. (Though there’s always the option of a daytime sitter 😉)
* Groupon alert: On Friday, 3/29, get up to an extra 25% off dining, activities, massages, and more with the promo code SAVE.
* I want to do this!
* Super random, but this has made me very happy. (It’s the little things.)
* Way to go, girls! 💪
