Yards Park will fill up with family fun this weekend
Happy Weekend!
Ideas for always-happening DC activities:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Kid-Friendly Dining
* Indoor Action
* Ice Skating
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Baltimore with Kids
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Rock the Rink & Caps Plaque Unveiling
Where: Washington Harbour Ice Rink | Georgetown, DC
When: Friday, 4:30-7pm
Admission: Free
The Caps will be unveiling a special permanent plaque in commemoration of their 2018 Stanley Cup championship celebration at the Washington Harbour fountain, where the ice rink is currently installed. Caps players Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie, who visited the fountain in 2018 during their Stanley Cup celebration, will make a special appearance. Ahead of the unveiling at 4:30pm, fans are invited to a Rock the Rink skate, featuring a DJ, an appearance by Slapshot, giveaways, prizes, and additional activities. Attendees wearing Caps gear will receive discounted skating during designated skate sessions through 6:30pm.
Cool Hikes
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Warmer temps and sunshine are in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday, so take advantage and hit the trail! This post has a bunch of recommendations for good places to go with kids. Some specific recs for this weekend: Riverbend to Great Falls in McLean, VA; Roosevelt Island within the Potomac River in DC; Fountain Regional Park in Fairfax Station, VA; Sugarloaf Mountain (plus a great après hike spot) in Dickerson, MD.
Wizards vs Bucks
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Ticket start at $36 (check for deal)
The Wizards are playing at home on Saturday evening, hosting the Milwaukee Bucks. Make a longer outing of it in Penn Quarter — go early and pop in to the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum or plan on a pre or post game meal. Find recommendations for family-friendly restaurants here.
The World & Me: Ocean Clean-Up Crew
Where: NMNH | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Drop in for this special program and venture into the Sant Ocean Hall with special guest author and artist, Susan Stockdale, who has written nine book with the assistance of NMNH scientists. Learn about how ocean animals “clean up,” enjoy storyline at 10:45am and 11:30am, and enjoy hands-on fun.
Flurry Fest
Where: Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
The Yards is hosting a winter celebration full of family-friendly fun. Enjoy music by a live DJ, craft stations, outdoor winter-themed activities, photo ops, glitter tattoos, and more fun for everyone run your crew. RSVP here.
Open House
Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Explore the historic Peirce Mill, Rock Creek Park’s only remaining grist mill. Stop in to see and hear what life in the mill was like during the 1800s. Talk to a ranger, learn about local history, and get tips for suggested hikes in the surrounding area — maybe even hit the trail to the Nature Center, where you can explore exhibits and catch a planetarium show. See more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post.
Hill Family Biking Community Clean-Up Ride
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a group bike ride and do a little volunteering on the Hill Family Biking Community Clean-up Ride on Saturday. Meet at Stanton Park, then ride to locations, where you’ll help beautify the Capitol Hill neighborhood by cleaning up. There will be two end points at Sherwood Rec Center and Rosedale Rec Center. BYO work gloves, trash bags, and trash pickers. Some extra supplies will be provided.
Urban Air Grand Opening
Where: Urban Air Adventure Park | Largo, MD
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Go here for pricing
Urban Air Adventure Park, a destination for family fun featuring a variety of indoor play attractions for all ages (think bouncy fun, ball puts, and more), has a location coming to Largo Town Center, and they’re hosting a Grand Opening this Saturday to celebrate. All are welcome to check out the attend, and the first 200 guests in line to purchase a Platinum or Ultimate pass will receive free basic access to the park for one entire year! Key attractions include Sky Rider, Climbing Walls, Warrior Course, and Spin & Flip Zone Bumper Cars. Your fam can also register for a chance to in a big prize!
Black History Activities
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout February (and beyond)
Admission: Varies by activity
Black History Month is winding down, and there are many great events and activities throughout the DC area to celebrate it — during this last weekend of February and beyond. Museum programs, guided and self-guided tours, visits to significant sites, and more are enlightening and entertaining for all ages. See the round-up of them here.
Scavenger Hunt: Driven to Serve
Where: National Law Enforcement Museum | Union Station area, DC
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: $18-22/adult, free/17 & under
Join the National Law Enforcement Museum for a thrilling journey through law enforcement history. Explore the vital roles vehicles have played in daring rescues, high-speed chases, and undercover operations. The scavenger hunt is included with admission.
The Other Children of the Sun
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1:30pm & 4:30pm
Admission: $20-25
This whimsical superhero adventure reminds us that every journey—no matter how small—has the power to change the course of the universe! Writer and co-director Rhiana Yazzie, a Navajo playwright and trailblazer of Native American storytelling, and co-director Steven Paul Judd, a Kiowa/Choctaw filmmaker and screenwriter, offer a funny and thought-provoking world premiere play that challenges us to look at heroism through a new lens. This tale of a Navajo creation legend unfolds not on earth, but in the house of the Sun, where the lesser-known siblings of the Hero Twins reside. These celestial children set forth on a journey to slay monsters—and find their own place in creation. Most enjoyed by ages 7+.
Omnium Circus – I’m Possible
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: $55
Omnium Circus ensures everyone is in on the action in this high-spirited limit-defying & life-affirming spectacle with award winning artistry, memorable music and a heartwarming story. They proudly provide access for audiences of all ages & abilities.
Paper Dreams
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am & 11:30am
Admission: $22.50
This charming and dreamy dance-based performance for little ones imagines two friends who live inside a wastepaper basket! Together they discover what imaginative ideas might unfold from a crumpled piece of paper–can mistakes inspire our greatest ideas? Because the show is non-verbal, it can be enjoyed by people speaking all languages and of any age.
In the Heights
Where: Signature Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: Fri , 8pm | Sat, 2pm & 8pm | Sun, 2pm & 7pm
Admission: $40-103 (find discount)
Lights up on Washington Heights, NYC, where the streets are full of music, and everybody’s got a dream. With the neighborhood on the brink of gentrification, and a life-changing winning lottery ticket somewhere in their midst, the vibrant inhabitants share hope, loss and love as they plan their futures while cherishing their home. Recommended for ages 8+.
Waitress
When: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Fri, 7:30pm | Sat & Sun, 1:30pm & 7:30pm
Admission: $40-101 (find discount)
The beloved musical by Sara Bareilles is coming to the Olney stage.Jenna is stuck in a lousy marriage and dreaming of an escape while she bakes pies and waits tables at her small town’s local diner. But it “Only Takes a Taste” of something different to spark some drastic changes – but are they for better or worse? With the help of her fellow waitresses and a cast of colorful characters, Jenna learns the winning recipe’s been hers from the start. “Rated PG-13.”
The Bedwetter – A Musical
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Fri, 8pm | Sat, 2pm & 8pm | Sun, 2pm
Tickets: $69-109 (find discount)
Just saw this show and loved it! Teens and even mature tweens will find the production based on Sarah Silverman’s bestselling memoir just as hilarious and moving as adults. The musical comedy follows 10-year-old Sarah as she navigates a new school, her parents’ divorce, and a secret (that the title gives away). From curtains up to the final bow, her story is engaging, nostalgic, and performed perfectly by a charmingly talented cast. Read my longer review of it here.
Vamos United!
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $24 (check for deal)
Soccer season begins this weekend as the DC United play their first match at home against Toronto FC. Tickets are still available to cheer on the black and red! Go early to grab a bit eon the concourse, or park in the Navy Yard neighborhood (Audi Field is a short walk from there) and grab dinner there before or after the game — here are some recs for family-friendly restaurants in. the area.
B-Ballin’
Where: Colleges around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by game
Basketball season is going strong, and with so many universities in the area, there’s always some good hoops action going on around town. Here are some games to catch this weekend:
* American men vs Boston on Saturday at 4pm
* GW men vs UMass on Saturday at 6pm
* Georgetown women vs Marquette on Saturday at 7pm
* GW women vs Davidson on Sunday at 12pm
Ice It
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
There are only a couple of weeks left to skate under the sky, so take advantage while you can! Take in art as you skate at the Sculpture Garden; circle around Washington Harbour as you enjoy river views; meander along the Figure 8 path at Canal Park one last time; skate at The Wharf’s final weekend; or do some shopping then skate at Pentagon Row, Veteran’s Plaza, Rockville Town Square, or Reston Town Center. This post has details on alfresco (and indoor) ice skating options in the area.
Caps vs Oilers
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Tickets start at $88 (check for deal)
The Capitals are playing at home on Sunday afternoon against the Edmonton Oilers. Go early for lunch in the Penn Quarter neighborhood — this post about kid-friendly eats in DC has suggestions for places to go.
***MORE STUFF (IT’S NOT ALL GOOD)***
* Just featured Top Tier Lessons, which offers coaching for kids with local college athletes — and you can enter a giveaway to win a private lesson with them!
* Events and shows cancelled at the Kennedy Center.
* Bummer news (as if we needed any more): The E Street Cinema is closing.
* The National Cherry Blossom Festival is just a month away, running March 20 – April 13. However, cherry blossom bloom dates have yet to be predicted.
* New brunch spots around DC.
* Not sure how I never saw this movie before, but recently watched and adored it!
* How cute is this rug? Perfect for a kid’s bedroom or bathroom. (This one, too.)
* Who knew there were so many Crocs styles now? Something for the whole fam — I’m checking out these and these — and great if you’re prepping for a warm weather getaway.
* Finally finished reading James and can vouch that it deserves all the praise it received. Now starting this novel.
* A must-listen.
