1. There’s snow in the forecast for tomorrow! And while it’s highly unlikely there will be enough to close school or zip down hills, it’s prompted a reminder to start planning for winter recreation like skiing, snow tubing, skating, and sledding. Read about one of our ski experiences at White Tail Resort, and find suggestions for even more places to ski and enjoy other seasonal activities. For ice skating, check out this current round-up of rinks around the DC area.
2. DC’s annual EdFEST will be virtual this year. The event this Saturday, December 11, is a great opportunity to learn about DC’s public schools with representatives from 200+ DCPS and DC public charter schools showcasing their programs. Great timing to help make informed school selections for the 2022-23 school year common lottery.
4. TV recommendation: Colin in Black and White. The series about Colin Kaepernick during his adolescence (and narrated by him) is immensely captivating and moving — and a great show to watch with kids tween ages and up. [Common Sense Media review here.]
1. It’s Giving Tuesday! If you want some ideas for where to donate, the GIVE page here on the blog has a long list of charities and causes, all of them shared by KFDC readers. And if you have one you’d like to highlight, leave a comment on that page or on these Five Things, and I’ll add it.
2. Starting tomorrow, December 1, the Hirshhorn Museum will be rolling out the Art Cart, where kids can stop by and pick up their own free self-guided art making kit. Each kit features a hands-on activity inspired by an artwork on view and includes tips for looking at the work with kids. It will be in the the galleries every Wednesday, 10am – 12pm, with new featured artworks and activities each week. Admission and the Art Cart are free. (PS: While you’re there, I very highly recommend checking out Laurie Anderson: The Weather, the fantastic exhibit I mentioned last month.)
3. A gift for younger children that lets them give back: Little Loving Hands provides parents and caregivers with a fun way to teach kids about kindness in their world, their community, and their homes through subscription craft boxes. Most of the crafts that are completed are sent back to Little Loving Hands in an included prepaid envelope to be donated to a charity. The boxes are specially designed for elementary-school kids, but fun for all ages!
4. Something neat: You can view the front page of the Washington Post from your birthday, the actual date you were born. You have to sign up and sign in, but it’s fun and interesting to check out. It would also make for a great present — you can download a PDF and print it.
5. The most amazing sweater keeps popping up in my IG feed (what does this say about me?!), and I wanted to share because somebody needs to buy it… just not me.😉🦄
Hike (and hide) amid the pretty foliage at Pohick Bay Regional Park
Advertisement
Monday – Hang out at Hains Point! Play, picnic, and enjoy the surrounding scenery where the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers converge. Head all the way down, almost to the tip of the park, to reach the playgrounds. They’re set amid a large grassy area with picnic tables and restrooms right there, too. And the spot offers great views of the rivers and airplanes taking off and landing at DCA. You could even make a longer day of it, and visit the nearby Tidal Basin to explore the Jefferson, Roosevelt, and MLK Memorials. Admission to all of it is free.
Tuesday – Relish in the beautiful fall day at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton, VA. Hike the easy trails through the woods vibrant with foliage, take in views of the water, let kiddos swing and climb on the playground, and play some disc golf if that’s your thing. Bring along a picnic — there are lots of tables in gorgeous spots for lunch al fresco. Hours are sunrise to sunset, and admission is $7 (though the gate house was closed when we recently visited, so entry was free).
And don’t forget to take part in Giving Tuesday! If you want some ideas of where to donate, the GIVE page has a long list of charities and causes, all of them shared by KFDC readers. (And if you have one you’d like to highlight, leave a comment on that page, and I’ll add it.)
Wednesday – Enjoy a little time trip back to the 18th century at Claude Moore Colonial Farm. The living history locale welcomes visitors to explore the grounds, where there is a tobacco barn, farm house, garden, orchard, and animals. Guests can also interact with a family portraying life as it was back then. Hours are 10am – 4:30pm Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5/adults, $3/children ages 3 and up, free/2 & under. Read about our first experience there in this post.
Thursday – Bring little ones to the National Museum of American History for a special Sesame Street Celebration. Festivities include a “Create Your Own Character” craft, a music making station, Sesame Street story times, and a rare opportunity to see Sesame Street characters from the Museum’s storage. Plus, families will be able to meet Julia, one of Sesame Street’s newest residents who lives with autism, during meet and greet sessions. This will all take place 10am – 12pm. Admission is free.
Friday – Zip over to DC’s big train station to check out the little trains. Union Station’s annual Holiday Train Show is back in the West Hall, featuring an elaborate Norwegian mountain landscape. Plan to grab a bite to eat at one of many options there or pop over to the National Postal Museum next door for more fun. Admission is free to both the train exhibit and the museum.
