Holidays in DC 2013 | KidFriendly DC

Tag Archives: Holidays in DC 2013

December 8, 2013 · 7:37 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: December 9-13

The Natural History Museum’s Butterfly Pavilion – admission is FREE on Tuesdays!

Monday – Take a tour of the Capitol! If you can’t get on a tour day-of, there still are exhibits and statues to see in the Visitor’s Center, which is open 8:30am – 4:30pm. Both admission to the Center and tours are free. And something fun to do after (or before): Walk the tunnels between the Capitol and Library of Congress — you can take shelter from the elements, while you show the kids a “secret” way to get from building to building.

Tuesday – Head to one of DC’s most tried and true for kids: The National Museum of Natural History. With exhibits to indulge all kinds of interests, you really can’t go wrong. Gawk at the dinos and mammals, hold live creatures in the Insect Zoo, learn about early humans, see Nature’s Best photography, watch an IMAX movie, and much more. Be sure to take advantage of FREE entry on Tuesdays to the Butterfly Pavilion! Admission to the museum is free, but films are $9. The museum is open 10am – 5:30pm.

Wednesday – Catch a midweek matinee at Publick Playhouse in Riverdale, Md. Season’s Greetings features a levitating elf, a dancing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, toy soldiers, and real white doves. Recommended for all ages, showtimes are 10:15am and 12pm. Admission is $5.

Thursday – Do some shopping, enjoy a little live entertainment, and treat yourselves to some tasty eats at the Downtown Holiday Market. It’s like a little village in the heart of the city, where you can find all kinds of unique gifts, plus there will be live music from 12-2pm and 5-7pm. Make the most of your outing and pop into the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum, which is practically a backdrop for the market. For more holiday markets around the DC-Metro, see this post from this past weekend.

Friday – Visit Santa on the Ellipse. His charming little workshop, where guests can take a photo with him, is open 12:30-4:30pm and 7-9:30pm on Fridays (4-6:30pm and 7-9:30pm Mon-Thurs, 11am – 3pm Sundays). You can read about one of our experiences there in this old KFDC post.

Where to Play on the Weekdays: December 2-6

You never know what – or who – you’ll encounter out and about in DC

Monday – Go play at Clemyjontri, the brilliantly colored, sprawling playground in McLean that accommodates kids of all abilities. Hours are 7am to dusk, and admission is free.

Tuesday – Enjoy storytime at the National Building Museum’s Book of the Month program. Readings of Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett will begin at 10:30am & 11:30am. Get there early for play time in the Building Zone — entry is on the hour ($3/person). After, stay to romp in the Great Hall or check out the PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit upstairs ($8/adult, $5/child). Later on, head to the Capitol for the Christmas tree lighting. You don’t need tickets to go; good views of the festivities can be had from right across the street by the Reflecting Pool.

Wednesday – Visit ponies, cows, peacocks, chickens, bunnies, and llamas at Old Maryland Farm in Watkins Regional Park. When you’re done, head over to the nearby playground to let the kids climb and swing. Admission is free to both. The farm is open 9am – 4pm Tuesday – Friday (9am – 4:30pm on Saturdays, 11:30am – 4:30pm on Sundays and holidays).

Thursday – Experience the Holiday Festival of Toys & Trains at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. The annual event features festive model train displays along with Mile One Express trains rides on weekdays at 11:30am, carousel rides, ornament decorating, and other fun for kids. Admission is $16/adults, $10/ages 2-12 (extra for train and carousel rides). Hours are 10am – 4pm Monday – Saturday (11am -4pm Sunday).

Friday – See a holiday stage favorite on strings as The Puppet Co. presents The Nutcracker. Showtimes are 10am and 11:30am. Tickets are $10.