Tag Archives: Fall/Winter 2018

December 16, 2018 · 5:39 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: December 17-21

Taking in the views at Great Falls

Monday – Take advantage of warmer temps and enjoy some time outdoors at Great Falls. Whether you opt for the Maryland or Virginia side, you can’t go wrong. Take in spectacular views of the falls and rapids from several overlooks, hike easy trails along the river or through the woods, and stop in the Visitor Center — there’s one on each side — to learn more about the area’s history and wildlife. Open sunrise to sunset, admission is $10/car.

Tuesday – Go bowling! Take advantage of Kids Bowling at Pinstripes in Georgetown. From 11am – 1pm Monday – Thursday, kids can bowl for $6/hour and parents are free (limit 4 kids per adult). Eat while you bowl or stay after for lunch — they have a good kids menu and a pretty extensive main menu, too. Afterwards, head down Wisconsin Avenue to Georgetown Waterfront Park to play in the spray fountain and enjoy some outdoor time along the Potomac.

Wednesday – Roam the enchanting 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 it from November to March.

Thursday – Catch a performance of Seasons of Light, a production about the traditions of winter holidays around the world, at Discovery Theater located in the Smithsonian Ripley Center. Showtimes are 10:15am and 11:05am, and tickets are $3-8.

Friday – Get hyped for the holidays! Pick one of many activities that happen this time of year: Check out a train display, catch a holiday show, ride trolleys, meet Santa, see an evening light display, and enjoy loads of other seasonal delights. The KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season in DC has all the details on where to go and what to do.

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Filed under 2018, All ages, Christmas, DC, Holidays, Maryland, Virginia, Weekdays, Winter

Tagged as Best Ideas for Activities with Kids in Washington DC, DC Adventures, DC Kids Activities, DC outdoors, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, DC with kids, DMV Children, Fall/Winter 2018, Family Fun, Free Things to do in Washington DC, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, Fun with Kids in Maryland, Fun with Kids in Northern Virginia, Kid Friendly Adventures in DC, Weekdays December 17-21

December 9, 2018 · 4:54 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: December 10-14

Get a nature fix indoors at Buddie Ford Nature Center

Monday – Play, learn, and explore at the National Museum of American History! Wegmans Wonderplace, the activity center designed especially for children 0-6 years old, is full of fun and interesting features that cater to curious young visitors. If you’re with older kids, check out the Spark!Lab right next door. Hours at Wegmans Wonderplace are 10am – 4pm, and free admission is on a first come, first served basis, so there may be a short wait to get in. If that’s the case, there’s a whole museum to explore in the meantime!

Tuesday – Let the kids burn some energy in a Gymnastics Workshop at Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex. It might sound dtructured, but it’s really more of open play with soft mats, balance beams, trampolines, a rope swing and foam pit, and soft climbing apparatus for little one to explore in a fun and safe environment. The hour-long session begins at 11:30am (on Wednesdays, too). Admission is $7. Read a KFDC write-up about it here.

Wednesday – Enjoy some art off the beaten museum path at The Phillips Collection. View the current Nordic Expressions exhibit as well as the many great permanent works. And be sure to stop in the Family Gallery, where specially-selected artworks are displayed at children’s eye-level with kid-tested conversation prompts right on the walls. Hours are 10am – 5pm, and admission is $12/adult, free for children. Read more about the Dupont Circle gallery in this KFDC post and this one.

Thursday – Explore the local environment at Buddie Ford Nature Center. The facility in Alexandria houses fascinating exhibits (including live creatures!), hands-on activities, and a staff of friendly and knowledgeable naturalists that all ages will appreciate. If weather permits, take the fun outdoors afterwards with a short hike at the adjacent Dora Kelley Nature Park. Buddie Ford hours are 10am – 5pm (Wednesday – Saturday, 1-5pm Sunday). Admission is free.

Friday – See a performance of My Father’s Dragon at Synetic Theatre — their productions, often mostly wordless, are always beautiful and enchanting. Showtime is 11am, and tickets are $20.

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Filed under 2018, All ages, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Weekdays

December 2, 2018 · 5:08 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: December 3-7

Igloo building teamwork at the National Museum of the American Indian

Monday – Take advantage of the nice weather and enjoy tons of fun at Watkins Regional Park. Kiddos will love frolicking on the adorable Wizard of Oz themed playground. You can walk from there to Watkins Nature Center to view lots of cool creatures and birds, then hike the nearby trails. (Old Maryland Farm, which also has animals to visit, is closed on Mondays). Park hours are dawn to dusk and 10am – 5:30pm at the Nature Center. Admission is free.

Tuesday – Discover American Indian culture with all kinds of hands-on pursuits at imagiNATIONS, the family activity center at the National Museum of the American Indian. Kids can weave a big basket, play in a teepee and models of native dwellings, do some arts & crafts, build an igloo, hear bird calls of the wild, read kids books in the library, and much more. Plan on lunch or a snack at the Mitsitam Cafe, where they serve indigenous cuisines of the Americas that are interesting and tasty! Museum hours are 10am – 5:30pm (cafe 11am – 3pm). Admission is free.

Wednesday – Go to Story Time at Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle. The weekly program features a different children’s book and various fun activities for little ones. They’ll watch your kids while you grab a coffee (or, if its that kind of morning, a mimosa) from the great Afterwords Café. The session starts at 10:30am, and admission is free. All ages welcome.

In the evening, attend the Capitol Christmas Tree lighting! The ceremony will take place on the West Lawn at 5pm. It’s fairly short, so arrive on time if you hope to catch it.

Thursday – Indulge in an unseasonal activity: Swimming! There are a bunch of public indoor pools around the area where you can take a dip on a cold day. Wilson Aquatic Center in NW is popular, Rumsey on Capitol Hill and Turkey Thicket in Brookland have kiddie pools, 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 hours and make sure there are no random closings, which happen occasionally.

Friday – See a performance of The Nutcracker — on strings! The Puppet Co. presents its delightful version of the holiday classic through December 30. Showtime is 11am, and tickets are $12. Plan for some time on the Glen Echo Park playground afterwards and grab lunch at Praline, the café on premises.