Fun Things to do with Kids in the

Join the Torpedo Factory Art Center this Saturday, October 22 from 12-4pm, for the 27th Annual Art Safari! An Alexandria tradition for more than a quarter-century, Art Safari returns for a day of hands-on activities for kids and families, as dozens of resident artists lead budding art enthusiasts through exciting and creative projects on all three floors of the Art Center.

Guests can look forward to all of these art adventures:

* Learn about printmaking with Printmakers Inc. by creating Linoleum printing of animals with artist Claire Meyer and watercolor monotypes with artist Avis Flemming.

* Discover the Potter’s Wheel with a demonstration by Scope Gallery.

* Become a work-of-art by having your face painted or getting a special temporary tattoo by Post Grad Resident artist Kiel Posner. Great for kids of all ages.

* Collaborate with artists Tara Barr and Rosemary Feit Covey on coloring pages specially designed by the artists.

* Paint like a real artist, at an easel with brushes, with artist Judy Heiser.

* Create dynamic collages using bits of fabric and fiber with Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery artists.

* Play and experiment with a piece of wet clay to mold and shape into any form you can imagine led by artist Tracie Griffith Tso.

* Take part in a gallery scavenger hunt led by The Art League Gallery exploring their current exhibition. Each completed scavenger hunt can be shown at the Gallery desk to receive a special prize.

* Learn about Alexandria’s historical waterfront with the Alexandria Archaeology Museum.

* Contribute to a large canvas cloth collage project with artist Mina Oka Hanig.

* Enjoy additional STEAM-focused adventures with our partners at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the College of William & Mary.

Art Safari is perfect for kids ages 5+. Younger children may need some extra help, but will still have a lot of fun. Dress for mess — kids can get messy creating with artists at the Torpedo Factory!

Free and open to the public, the event is a fun and creative day for kids to dive into art!

Art Safari
Where: Torpedo Factory Art Center | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, October 22, 12-4pm
Admission: FREE! (Register here)

This post is sponsored by Torpedo Factory Art Center, however, I only promote events, programs, and places that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.

Scenes from the Azalea Bloom at the National Arboretum

The US National Arboretum is beautiful any time of year, but it’s especially stunning in the spring when the flowers begin to bloom. The azalea collection is particularly fantastic and draws visitors from all over to see the vibrant hues blanketing the hillside where they are located.

Owen and I took a stroll through it all last week when the peak began. And many azaleas are in bloom beyond the peak, and some varieties are expected to be at their best this week, so you can still catch a sensational display of flowers.

Here’s a glimpse, though photos really don’t do it justice. You’ve got to go see for yourself. Plan to make a longer outing of it and enjoy even more at the National Arboretum, one of our very favorite places in DC.

The US National Arboretum is located in Northeast DC off of Bladensburg Road and New York Avenue. From the Bladensburg entrance and parking lot, go right to reach the Azalea Collection. Hours are 8am – 5pm. Admission is free.