Tag Archives: Kid Friendly Activities

March 23, 2021 · 4:17 pm

Egg Hunts & More Easter-Inspired Fun Around DC & Online

Don’t put your eggs all in one basket when it comes to spring celebrations around the DC area! Even though this round-up is smaller than it’s been in previous years, there still are plenty of options for Easter-themed fun around the area. Here’s where you can find them, listed in order of start date.

Easter Treasure Hunt
Where: Mansion on O Street | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Now through April 5
Admission: $40
Don your favorite Easter bonnet and celebrate spring with a fun filled treasure hunt! Search for special Easter & spring-themed items found only at The Mansion. Explore the outrathemed rooms and search for secret doors, too. Hurry – this hunt hops away after Easter Sunday! PS: BYO shopping bags, because everything is for sale. Read more about the Mansion on O Street, one of DC’s coolest places, in this KFDC post.

Egg Hunt & Marshmallow Picking
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: March 26 – April 3
Admission: $10/child, $12/adult, $5/egg hunt
After a long cold winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm. Your family won’t want to miss the first “crop” of the spring– Marshmallow Picking! Do marshmallow peeps really grow on trees? Your children will be amazed to harvest a few marshmallows to roast on the bonfire. The Easter Bunny also hid some eggs filled with treats to enchant the children, and we need you to help us find them! There will be multiple egg hunts with timed ticket entrance ($5 extra). Plan to see our spring chicks and baby animals, take a wagon ride, and enjoy the sprawling play area, too!

Easter Inspired Activities
Where: Parks in Fairfax County, VA
When: Various dates
Admission: Varies by activity
Fairfax Parks Authority is hosting all kins of Easter inspired fun at some of the parks within its system. From sessions about Egg-Cellent Farm Birds and Eggster Bunnies to a Dinosaur Egg Hunt to Rabbit Hole-in-Ones, there are several ways little ones can celebrate the holiday and enjoy nature all at once. See the schedule on the website.

Bunnyland
Where: Butler’s Orchard
When: March 27-31 & April 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11
Admission: $10
One of the more popular spring festivals in the area, Butler’s has all the trappings for seasonal fun: bunnies, eggs, and other Easter-related treats for young guests. Attractions include hayrides down the Bunny Trail, egg hunts, the Rubber Ducky Derby, giant slides, jumping pads, and a small petting zoo. Concessions are available, and there are also plenty of picnic tables if you prefer to pack a lunch. See the website for safety measures in place for Covid.

Pictures with the Easter Bunny
Where: Dulles Town Center | Dulles, VA
When: Now through April 3
Admission:
Kids and their families will be able to enjoy a more normal Easter activity this year by taking in-person professional photos with the Easter Bunny from March 19th through April 3rd. Of course, COVID safety precautions will be observed, and for those who prefer a virtual experience, Dulles Town Center has several of those lined up too.

Great Eggspectations: The Online Easter Egg Hunt Game
Where: Watson Adventures | Online
When: March 27 & April 3-4
Admission: $19
Of course Watson Adventures has come up with a cool and unique hunt for the season! This online Easter egg hunt game takes you into some of the world’s greatest museums. There are eggs hidden everywhere, and your team’s task will be to follow a trail of clues to find those eggs and answer tricky questions about them. Hop to it — read more about it here and sign up soon! It’s available to the general public on Easter weekend, and groups can book a private game anytime.

Bunny Train Ride
Where: Walkersville Southern Railroad | Walkersville, MD
When: March 27-28 7 April 3-11
Admission: $18/adult, $17/senior, $14/age 1-12
All aboard for a trip back in time with the Easter Bunny! Travel over track that the Pennsylvania Railroad originally built in 1872. See Walkersville Southern’s turn-of-the- century railroad station and tool house, then visit with the Bunny on the train (who will also give each child an Easter gift!). Ride in vintage 1920s passenger cars or on an open flatcar as your rail excursion runs past a 100-year-old lime kiln, and then out into picturesque Maryland farm country. Enjoy juice and Uncle Ralph’s cookies in the museum after your ride. Reservations required!

Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Potomac Overlook Regional Park | Arlington, VA
When: March 27 – April 4
Admission: $8/child
Spring is here, and the Easter Bunny has been hard at work making a new egg hunt for 2021! Join Potomac Overlook Regional Park any day from March 27 to April 4, and anytime 11am – 4pm to take part in this ongoing event. Pick up your egg hunt sheet at the nature center, explore the park for 8 different “wooden eggs,” then return to the nature center with your completed sheet for a prize! No reservations required — just hop on over and experience a brand new kind of egg hunt for you and your family! Read more about the park in this KFDC post.

Spring Fling Easter Eggstravaganza
Where: Roer’s Zoofari | Vienna, VA
When: March 27-28 & April 3-4
Admission: $25/adult, $20/child
Celebrate the arrival of spring at an Easter event that promises to be entertaining for all ages! Safari tours, face painting, a bounce house, environmentally friendly crafts, and hourly Easter egg hunts will be part of the fun. New this year is an Easter Parade withZookeepers walking through the Zoo with some of the animals once a day.

Hoppy Easter at The Station
Where: The Station at Riverdale Park, MD
When: Through April 3
Admission: Free
Hop over to The Station at Riverdale Park to send a postcard to the Easter Bunny! Guests can pre-register online to download and decorate their very own seasonal postcard at home for the Easter Bunny himself. The first 50 registered guests will receive a special gift bag from the Easter Bunny (full of springtime crafts & treats!) when they drop off their postcard at The Station between 10am-12pm on Saturday, April 3. Gift bags are best for ages 3-10.

Egg Hunt Weekend
Where: Clark’s Elioak Farm | Clarksburg, MD
When: April 2-11
Admission: $7
Little ones (ages 1 to 3 and 4 to 6) will have a chance to hunt for eggs throughout the day at this Maryland Farm that looks like something out of a story book! After hunting, they get to turn the eggs in for a goodie bag. The petting farm, rides, and play areas will be open for all to enjoy, too, along with gem mining and geode cracking. Be sure to take a look at the website for a heads-up on how the egg hunts will run, so you can make the most of your day there. Read more about Clarks Elioak in the KFDC post about the best outdoor places in the area.

Cosmic Egg Portrait & Art Kit
Where: American Visionary Art Museum | Baltimore, MD
When: April 3
Admission: Free photo, $18/frame kit
Register for an egg-citing, free spring photo with our Cosmic Galaxy Egg sculpture. They’ll take a socially-distanced INSTANT photo of you that you can take home right away. Optional: Add a limited edition Cosmic Egg picture frame kit! And while you’re there, plan to explore the museum with some of the most wonderful, whimsical art around — read about it here. Museum admission is $15,95/adult, $9.95/child, free for ages 6 and under. Can’t attend, but want a frame shipped to you? Visit avam.org/shop.

Easter Egg Hunts & Animals
Where: Leesburg Animal Park | Leesburg, VA
When: April 3-4
Admission: $15.95/adult, $18.95/child
Along with seeing animals that reside at the park, kids can take part in egg hunts to celebrate the season. Be sure to read details on the website about timing for age groups. Due to Covid restrictions, admission is broken up into AM and PM sessions.

Easter Eggstravaganza Drive-Thrus
Where: Capitol Hill, DC & Alexandria, VA
When: April 3
Admission: Free
The Eggstravaganzas are not happening this year because of Covid, but the National Community Church still wants to help parents make Easter weekend special. Drive through one of their two locations (DC & NoVa) on Saturday, April 3rd, for a curbside pickup of a FREE Easter egg hunt kit. As you arrive, be on the lookout for the Easter bunny from your car and wave to volunteers as they give you everything you need for your egg hunt! Register here.

Egg Hunts, Bunny Visits, and More Easter Fun Around DC

Moments before the scramble at a local Eggstravaganza

Don’t put your eggs all in one basket when it comes to Easter celebrations around the DC area! Numerous places host egg hunts, Easter bunny visits, and much more spring fun this time of year. Even if you’re not big on the holiday, there are attractions and activities beyond bunnies and candy-filled eggs that will have the whole family hopping with joy. Here’s where you can find them, listed in order of start date. And if I’ve left out any good ones, feel free to let me know in the comments. Happy Spring!

Spring Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Ticonderoga Farm | Chantilly, VA
When: Weekends through April 28
Admission: $14.95/child, 12.95/adult
With giant slides, awesome jumping pillows, playgrounds, animals, mazes, and more, the farm in Chantilly is a blast, and they take the fun up a notch on come spring. Along with the permanent amusement, there are egg hunts and visits from the Easter Bunny. Be sure to check the website for timing of specific activities. For an idea of what’s there, see this post about their Winter Festival, which is much of the same, but with Easter instead of Christmas festivities. And this post about a class field trip has info and pics, too.

Easter Treasure Hunt
Where: Mansion on O Street | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Through April 21
Admission: $35
Don your favorite Easter bonnet and celebrate spring with a fun filled treasure hunt! Search for special Easter & spring-themed items found only at The Mansion. Explore our themed rooms and search for secret door, too. Hurry – this hunt hops away after Easter Sunday! BYO shopping bags, because everything is for sale. Read more about the Mansion on O Street in this KFDC post.

Egg Hunt & Marshmallow Harvest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: April 6-7, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $10/child, $12/adult at the gate
After a long cold winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm. Head to Great Country for the first “crop” of the spring– Marshmallow Picking! Do marshmallow peeps grow on trees? Be sure to check it out and harvest a few to roast on the bonfire with Farmer Bob. You can even purchase a s’mores kit to melt away that chocolate craving. Guests can also help find Easter Bunny eggs during egg hunts (by age – see the schedule) with over 20,000 treat-filled eggs. Plan to visit spring chicks and baby animals, check out the spring plantings in the greenhouse, take a hayride and rejoice in the new season. Don’t forget to bring your camera for photo ops with the Easter Bunny. Buy advance tickets online for only $10/adult — visit the website to purchase, and look for the schedule of events there, too.

Fabergé Egg Family Festival
Where: Hillwood Estate and Gardens | Northwest DC
When: April 6
Admission: $18/adult, $5/ages 6-18, free/5 & under
Celebrate spring’s arrival in traditional Russian style! Hillwood’s annual festival has programs, music, art, and activities for all ages. Happenstance Theatre will present stories of Russian Easter traditions in a fun family play. A favorite for all ages is the “Fabergé’s Workshop” to create a Fabergé-inspired egg. Samovar Russian Folk Music Ensemble takes visitors back to Old Russia as they play traditional instruments, and the Kalinka Dance Ensemble performs Russian folk dances. And centuries-old Russian springtime games like egg-rolling and egg and spoon racing will entertain children of all ages.

Easter Eggstravaganza & Wagon Rides
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: April 7
Admission: $8
Hunt for eggs and visit animals outdoors at the Visitor Center. Sign up for a hunt throughout the day — they start promptly at your registered times. Add a wagon ride for only $2, and take a jaunt around the crop fields and back to the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by a paid adult. Pre-registration required.

Bunnyland
Where: Butler’s Orchard
When: April 13-14, 18-19, 20, 22, Kite Days April 27-28!
Admission: $9.50/child, $7.50/adult
One of the more popular spring festivals in the area, Butler’s has all the trappings for seasonal fun: bunnies, eggs, and other Easter-related treats to get young guests in the holiday spirit. Attractions include hayrides down the Bunny Trail, egg hunts, the Rubber Ducky Derby, giant slides, a new jumping pad, and a small petting zoo. Face painting and pony rides are also usually offered for an extra fee. Concessions are available, and there are also plenty of picnic tables if you prefer to pack a lunch. Bring a kite to fly the weekend of April 27-28!

Pizza & Easter Egg Hunts
Where: Matchbox locations around the DMV
When: April 13
Admission: Free with meal
All locations of the family-friendly neighborhood pizza bistro in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia invite kids to enjoy an Easter egg hunt around the restaurants during brunch from 10-11:30am. Prizes include fun items for the whole family, including a complimentary kids pizza party for up to six, brunch for two, a free kids pizza, free passes to a kids pizza class on June 22, plus candy, and more. Kids will receive an Easter coloring sheet to enjoy while they dine as well.

Bunny Train Ride
Where: Walkersville Southern Railroad | Walkersville, MD
When: April 13, 14, & 20
Admission: $16/adult, $15/senior, $13/age 1-12
All aboard for a trip back in time with the Easter Bunny! Travel over track that the Pennsylvania Railroad originally built in 1872. See Walkersville Southern’s turn-of-the- century railroad station and tool house, then visit with the Bunny on the train (who will also give each child an Easter gift!). Ride in vintage 1920s passenger cars or on an open flatcar as your rail excursion runs past a 100-year-old lime kiln, and then out into picturesque Maryland farm country. Enjoy juice and Uncle Ralph’s cookies in the museum after your ride. Reservations required!

Easter Bash
Where: Ballston Quater | Ballston, VA
When: April 13, 12-2pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Easter with Ballston Quarter and enjoy a family-friendly afternoon of games and activities. Join the fun by searching through Ballston Quarter for Easter eggs filled with prizes and exclusive giveaways. Kids can enjoy creating bunny-ear arts and crafts and take pictures in our photo booth. The Easter Bunny himself will make an appearance for pictures and a bunny-hop disco dance party will have guests young and old boogeying to all of their favorite hits!

Easter Egg Decorating
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange | Hyattsville, MD
When: April 13, 2pm
Admission: Free
Fun! Glitter! Eggs! The Brentwood Arts Exchange promise all three at this free family-friendly workshop. Create beautiful decorated eggs that will impress friends and even the Easter Bunny. Children will receive their first two eggs for free. Additional eggs will be available to purchase 2 for $1.

11th Annual Eggstravaganza
Where: Tudor Place | Georgetown, DC
When: April 13, 18, 19, & 20, 10am – 12pm
Admission: $10/child, $8/child member, $5/adult
Rolling green lawns, bright spring blooms, and the elegant mansion on a hill serve as backdrop for this festive annual attraction. Join the Easter Bunny as children of all ages enjoy an Egg Hunt and thrilling Egg Roll Contest down the grand South Lawn. Crafts include paper chick “pets” and colorful butterflies, plus there will be games for all ages. Plan to take a self-guided tour of Tudor Place’s 5½ acres of glorious gardens, and be sure to bring a camera! There are very few non-member tickets left, so register soon! Most days are still open to members.

Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Potomac Overlook Regional Park | Arlington, VA
When: April 13
Admission: $10/child
The Easter Bunny is coming to Potomac Overlook! Bring your basket and begin your intrepid search for eggs at the park. Additional activities include games, crafts and, of course, photos with the Easter Bunny. Open to children 2-11 years old. Accompanying adults are free! The cost per child is $10. Advance reservation required. Egg hunt begins promptly at noon!

Spring Fling Easter Eggstravaganza
Where: Roer’s Zoofari | Vienna, VA
When: April 13-14 and 20-21
Admission: $20 ages 2 and up
Celebrate the arrival of spring at an Easter event that promises to be entertaining for all ages! Safari tours, face painting, a bounce house, environmentally friendly crafts, and hourly Easter egg hunts will be part of the fun. This year the event is Plastic Free with reusable eggs that younger children will hunt and then turn in for prizes. Visitors are also invited to explore the zoo’s animal exhibits. Take an open air bus ride for an extra $3; enjoy feeding llamas, zebu, giraffe, camel, and barnyard favorites; and experience a parakeet adventure!

Easter Eggstravaganzas
Where: Various locations around the DMV
When: April 13 & 20
Admission: Free
These festivals held in several neighborhoods around the area offer all kinds of Easter fun – egg hunts, Easter bunny visits, face painting, yummy treats, games, prizes, and more. They’ll take place at South Run Rec Center in Springfield, Glenkirk Elementary in Gainesville, and Four Mile Run Park in Alexandria on April 13, and at Langdon Park in Northeast DC and Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill on April 20.

Easter Cupcakes: Kids Confectionery Decorating Class
Where: Creative Saints Loft | Hyattsville, MD
When: April 14, 1-3pm
Admission: $32
Spring is finally here! Join Chef Candace McCray of Sweet Kiss Cupcakes for a Kids Easter Cupcakes Decorating Class! This event is for kids who love being in the kitchen and parents who love to eat their creations. Your little one will learn spring time pastry chef inspired cupcake decorating techniques, and how to make their own chocolate dipped cake pops. They’ll be taught how to pipe, frost, decorate, and mold shapes. Kids will also decorate their own easter basket to bring their goodies home. Each ticket includes: 4 uniquely decorated cupcakes & 2 cake pops, all materials, 2 hours of instruction by Chef Candace McCray, Vigilante Coffee and sweet treats for adults, Bunny Hop lemonade for children, and an appearance by the Easter Bunny — be sure to bring your camera to snap a few pics!

NoVa Parks Egg Hunts
Where: Parks throughout Northern Virginia
When: April 14-20
Admission: $10
Several parks in Northern Virginia are hosting all kinds of Easter fun to celebrate the holiday and the season. Easter bunny visits and photo ops, egg hunts, crafts, and more activities will be part of the festivities. Registration is required. Go here to see where and when you can jump in on the fun!

Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Frederick Douglass National Historic Site | Anacostia, DC
When: April 20, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the lasting legacy of Frederick Douglass’s at the National Park Service’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. The event will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 10 am to 1 pm at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in historic Anacostia. At this free community event, children ages 0-12 will hunt for Easter eggs, take pictures with the Easter bunny, play games on the lawn of Cedar Hill, and experience the power of place with ranger led tours of Douglass’s historic home. Join in the fun with arts and crafts lead by local community organizations Konsider Dis and EYL 365 Project. Enjoy story time with Dr. Kelsi Bracmort, author of Simone Visits the Museum and DC native, and get your book signed!

Easter Block Party
Where: Riverdale, MD
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Join an amazing, family-friendly, community event that is completely FREE! There will be food, kids’ activities, music, and games. Kids ages 1-8 can join an Easter egg hunt at 2pm Ages 1-8. Feel free to BYO basket, bucket, or bag, though they will provide a bag for any children who don’t have one. There will also be a 5×5 Soccer Tourney at 2:30pm — sign ups are first come, first served, max 8 teams (7 minute matches, single elimination). This is all brought to you by Peace City Church, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Solid Rock Church.

Egg Hunt Weekend
Where: Clark’s Elioak Farm | Clarkesburg, MD
When: April 20-21
Admission: $6
Little ones (ages 1 to 3 and 4 to 6) will have a chance to hunt for eggs throughout the day at this Maryland Farm that looks like something out of a story book! After hunting, they get to turn the eggs in for a goodie bag. The petting farm, rides, and play areas will be open for all to enjoy, too, along with gem mining and geode cracking. Be sure to take a look at the website for a heads-up on how the egg hunts will run, so you can make the most of your day there. Read more about Clarks Elioak in the KFDC post about the best outdoor places in the area.

Falls Church Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Cherry Hill Park | Falls Church, VA
When: April 20, 10-11am
Admission: Free
Join this annual family celebration hosted by the city’s Recreation and Parks Department. Children dressed in their spring finest can hunt for candy and special eggs in Cherry Hill Park and have their photo taken with a special guest, the Easter Bunny! BYO basket — they’ll supply the candy, fun, and happy springtime memories. In addition to scrambling for eggs and photo ops, children ages 11 and younger can participate in a make-your-own-candy-bag craft project.

14th Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Stead Park | Northwest DC
When: April 20, 10:45am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Hop to it and join Friends of Stead Park for their annual Community Easter Egg Hunt! Enjoy selfies with the Easter Bunny, crafts and snacks after your little ones have filled their baskets with eggs. The egg hunts will be split by age: Baby to 3: 10:45-11:00am, ages 4-6: 11:15-11:30am, ages 7 & up: 11:45am – 12:00pm. BYO basket and register here.

Easter Monday & Earth Optimism Celebration
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: April 22, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
This year it’s double the fun, as the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Easter Monday event coincides with Earth Day and the Zoo’s Earth Optimism celebration. Families are invited to enjoy egg hunts, live music, food trucks, and games while discovering how they can help save species. This free event includes hands-on learning opportunities featuring Smithsonian conservation success stories, special animal demonstrations, keeper talks, and meet and greets with scientists and conservation partners working to protect wildlife around the world.

White House Easter Egg Roll
Where: White House Lawn | Downtown DC
When: April 22
Admission: Free, tickets required
The annual White House Easter Egg Roll requires tickets won through lottery for admission. If you entered, you should have found out by now if you were “successful” in scoring them or not. Unofficial tip: I’ve heard in the past that people have been at the entrance giving away extra tickets they may have. While I can’t confirm that’s always the case, if you’re going to be in that area and really want to go, it wouldn’t hurt to stop by and see if someone might have tickets for you. Note that entries are timed, so while it goes all day, guests only stay for their designated amount of time.

Egg Hunts, Bunny Visits, and More Easter Fun Around the DMV

A scramble for Easter eggs at a past Eggstravaganza

Don’t put your eggs all in one basket when it comes to Easter celebrations around the DC area! Numerous places host egg hunts, Easter bunny visits, and much more spring fun this time of year. Even if you’re not big on the holiday, there are attractions and activities beyond bunnies and candy-filled eggs that will have the whole family hopping with joy. Here’s where you can find them, listed in order of start date. (And if I’ve left out any good ones, feel free to let me know in the comments.) Happy Spring!

Spring Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Ticonderoga Farm | Chantilly, VA
When: Weekends through April 8
Admission: $14.95/chid, 12.95/adult
With giant slides, awesome jumping pillows, playgrounds, animals, mazes, and more, the farm in Chantilly is a blast, and they take the fun up a notch on come spring. Along with the permanent amusement, there are egg hunts and visits from the Easter Bunny. Be sure to check the website for timing of specific activities. For an idea of what’s there, see this post about their Winter Festival, which is much of the same, but with Easter instead of Christmas festivities. And this post about a class field trip has info and pics, too.

Egg Hunt & Marshmallow Harvest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: March 24-25, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $10/child, $12/adult at the gate
After a long cold winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm. Head to Great Country for the first “crop” of the spring– Marshmallow Picking! Do marshmallow peeps grow on trees? Be sure to check it out and harvest a few to roast on the bonfire with Farmer Bob. You can even purchase a s’mores kit to melt away that chocolate craving. Guests can also help find Easter Bunny eggs during egg hunts (by age – see the schedule) with over 20,000 treat-filled eggs. Plan to visit spring chicks and baby animals, check out the spring plantings in the greenhouse, take a hayride and rejoice in the new season. Don’t forget to bring your camera for photo ops with the Easter Bunny. Buy advance tickets online for only $10/adult — visit the website to purchase, and look for the schedule of events there, too.

Bunnyland
Where: Butler’s Orchard
When: March 24-25, 29-31 & April 2, 7-8
Admission: $9/child, $7/adult
One of the more popular spring festivals in the area, Butler’s has all the trappings for seasonal fun: bunnies, eggs, and other Easter-related treats to get young guests in the holiday spirit. Attractions include hayrides down the Bunny Trail, egg hunts, the Rubber Ducky Derby, giant slides, a new jumping pad, and a small petting zoo. Face painting and pony rides are also usually offered for an extra fee. Concessions are available, and there are also plenty of picnic tables if you prefer to pack a lunch.

NoVa Parks Egg Hunts
Where: Parks throughout Northern Virginia
When: Various dates
Admission: $10
Several parks in Northern Virginia are hosting all kinds of Easter fun to celebrate the holiday and the season. Easter bunny visits and photo ops, egg hunts, crafts, and more activities will be part of the festivities. Registration is required. Go here to see where and when you can jump in on the fun!

Bunny Train Ride
Where: Walkersville Southern Railroad | Walkersville, MD
When: March 24, 25, 31
Admission: $16/adult, $13/senior, $13/age 1-12
All aboard for a trip back in time with the Easter Bunny! Travel over track that the Pennsylvania Railroad originally built in 1872. See Walkersville Southern’s turn-of-the- century railroad station and tool house, then visit with the Bunny on the train (who will also give each child an Easter gift!). Ride in vintage 1920s passenger cars or on an open flatcar as your rail excursion runs past a 100-year-old lime kiln, and then out into picturesque Maryland farm country. Enjoy juice and Uncle Ralph’s cookies in the museum after your ride. Reservations Required!

Easter Egg Decorating
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange | Hyattsville, MD
When: March 24, 2pm
Admission: Free
Fun! Glitter! Eggs! The Brentwood Arts Exchange promise all three at this free family-friendly workshop. Create beautiful decorated eggs that will impress friends and even the Easter Bunny. Children will receive their first two eggs for free. Additional eggs will be available to purchase 2 for $1.

10th Annual Eggstravaganza
Where: Tudor Place | Georgetown, DC
When: March 24 & 30, 10am – 12pm
Admission: $10/child, $8/child member, $5/adult
This is already sold out to non-members, but if you’re a member, read on… Rolling green lawns, bright spring blooms, and the elegant mansion on a hill serve as backdrop for this festive annual attraction. Join the Easter Bunny as children of all ages enjoy an Egg Hunt and thrilling Egg Roll Contest down the grand South Lawn. Crafts include paper chick “pets” and colorful butterflies, plus there will be games for all ages. Plan to take a self-guided tour of Tudor Place’s 5½ acres of glorious gardens, and be sure to bring a camera!

Easter Eggstravaganza & Wagon Rides
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: March 24
Admission: $8
Hunt for eggs and visit animals outdoors at the Visitor Center. Sign up for a hunt throughout the day — they start promptly at your registered times. Add a wagon ride for only $2, and take a jaunt around the crop fields and back to the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by a paid adult. Pre-registration required.

Breakfast with the Bunny
Where: Thomas Farm Community Center | Rockville, MD
When: March 24
Admission: $14-16
The bunny is making a special trip to Thomas Farm Community Center. Activities include a magic show, spring crafts, games, an opportunity to meet, greet and pose with the Bunny and an egg hunt. A light continental breakfast will be served. Bring your camera. Fee applies to each person attending.

Easter Eggstravaganzas
Where: Various locations around the DMV
When: March 24 & 31
Admission: Free
These festivals held in several neighborhoods around the area offer all kinds of Easter fun – egg hunts, Easter bunny visits, face painting, yummy treats, games, prizes, and more. They’ll take place in Northeast DC, Capitol Hill, Springfield, Gainesville, and Alexandria.

Dinosaur Egg Hunt
Where: Hidden Oaks Nature Center | Annandale, VA
When: March 25, 30-31
Admission: $7-9/child
Stomp over to Hidden Oaks, where children ages 2-8 can enjoy a dinosaur-themed program and outdoor egg hunt while visiting dinoland in Nature Playce and make a dino craft. Pre-registration is required. Programs run several times throughout the day for 45-minute sessions. Canceled if there is rain.

Fabergé Egg Family Festival
Where: Hillwood Estate and Gardens | Northwest DC
When: March 25
Admission: $18/adult, $5/ages 6-18, free/5 & under
Celebrate spring’s arrival in traditional Russian style! Hillwood’s annual festival has programs, music, art, and activities for all ages. Happenstance Theatre will present stories of Russian Easter traditions in a fun family play. A favorite for all ages is the “Fabergé’s Workshop” to create a Fabergé-inspired egg. Samovar Russian Folk Music Ensemble takes visitors back to Old Russia as they play traditional instruments, and the Kalinka Dance Ensemble performs Russian folk dances. And centuries-old Russian springtime games like egg-rolling and egg and spoon racing will entertain children of all ages.

Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Upton Hill Park | Arlington, VA
When: March 28, 11am
Admission: $10/advance, $15/walk-up
Enjoy a fun filled afternoon with the Easter Bunny on a weekday! Activities will include coloring, games, a moon bounce, and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Check-in and activities begin at 11am, and the Egg Hunt begins at 11:30am. Add on a mini-golf and food voucher for $7 more and get a great deal on lunch (pizza, chips, and choice of drink) and two hours of mini-golf from 12-2pm.

Egg Hunt Weekend
Where: Clark’s Elioak Farm | Clarkesburg, MD
When: March 30 – April 1
Admission: $6
Little ones (ages 1 to 3 and 4 to 6) will have a chance to hunt for eggs throughout the day at this Maryland Farm that looks like something out of a story book! After hunting, they get to turn the eggs in for a goodie bag. The petting farm, rides, and play areas will be open for all to enjoy, too, along with gem mining and geode cracking. Be sure to take a look at the website for a heads-up on how the egg hunts will run, so you can make the most of your day there. Read more about Clarks Elioak in the KFDC post about the best outdoor places in the area.

Egg Hunt
Where: Meadowside Mature Center | Rockville, Maryland
When: March 30
Admission: $8
Search for real eggs in our meadow, then dye and decorate the eggs you find using natural dyes. Enjoy other spring-themed activities throughout the event as well. Fun for the entire family! Don’t forget to bring a basket to collect your eggs. Reservations are required (we want to be sure we have enough eggs for all!). If sessions are full, they do not accept walk-ins.

Falls Church Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Cherry Hill Park | Falls Church, VA
When: March 31, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Join this annual family celebration hosted by the city’s Recreation and Parks Department. Children dressed in their spring finest can hunt for candy and special eggs in Cherry Hill Park and have their photo taken with a special guest, the Easter Bunny! BYO basket — they’ll supply the candy, fun, and happy springtime memories. In addition to scrambling for eggs and photo ops, children ages 11 and younger can participate in a make-your-own-candy-bag craft project.

13th Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Stead Park | Northwest DC
When: March 31, 10:30am – 12:30p
Admission: Free
Hop to it and join Friends of Stead Park for their annual Community Easter Egg Hunt! Enjoy selfies with the Easter Bunny, crafts and snacks after your little ones have filled their baskets with eggs. BYO basket and register here.

Easter Buzz
Where: Buzz Bakeshop | Georgetown, DC
When: March 31, 11am – 1pm
Admission: $20
Go see the Easter Bunny at Buzz Bakeshop and get a photo and a surprise! Join them fun and take home a basket with a homemade chocolate Easter animal, decorated shortbread cookie, toys, candies, and eggs!

Easter Brunch
Where: Joselito | Capitol Hill, DC
When: April 1
Admission: The cost of your meal
Easter is a very special occasion in homes throughout Spain. To celebrate Easter at Joselito, they are offering their bottomless brunch menu and regular menu, as well as featuring quintessential Spanish Easter dishes as specials. They include: Potaje de vigilia – chickpeas and spinach stew with saffron, hard boiled egg garnish, Buñuelos de bacalao – codfish brandade “Spanish hush puppies,” Carré de cordero asado con patatas panaderas -roasted rack of lamb with baked potatoes and bell peppers, and Torrijas – Andalusian style bread pudding.

Easter Sunday Brunch
Where: The Ritz Carlton | Georgetown, DC
When: April 1
Admission: $105-125/adult, $40/child
The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC, is hosting an up-scale Easter Sunday brunch perfect for families of all ages! In addition to the gourmet brunch, they’re offering family-friendly activities, including an Easter egg hunt, Easter egg decorating, Easter movie screenings, and a visit from the Easter bunny for a fun photo opp. The hotel’s restaurant, Westend Bistro, will have an impressive menu featuring more than 10 stations, including a smoked seafood and raw bar, a full gourmet cheese and bread station and regionally-inspired dishes such as herb-roasted leg of lamb and oxtail osso bucco.

Easter Monday: A Washington Family Tradition
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: April 2, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Easter on Monday at the Zoo! Join them for special family-focused activities and live entertainment. A traditional Easter Egg Hunt and animal demonstrations as well as visits from the Easter Panda will be part of the festivities! This event will be held rain or shine.

White House Easter Egg Roll
Where: White House Lawn | Downtown DC
When: April 2
Admission: Free, tickets required
The annual White House Easter Egg Roll requires tickets won through lottery for admission. If you entered, you should have found out by now if you were “successful” in scoring them or not; but if you don’t, you can check your status on recreation.gov. Unofficial tip: I’ve heard in the past that people have been at the entrance giving away extra tickets they may have. While I can’t confirm that’s always the case, if you’re going to be in that area and really want to go, it wouldn’t hurt to stop by and see if someone might have tickets for you. Note that entries are timed, so while it goes all day, guests only stay for their designated amount of time.

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Filed under 2018, All ages, Animals, Annual, DC, Farm, Festival, Free, Holidays, Maryland, Outdoor, Special Event, Spring, Virginia, Weekdays, Weekend

Tagged as Children's Egg Hunts, DC Family Activities, Do DC with Kids, Easter Bunny Visits DC, Easter Egg Hunts in DC, Easter Events Around DC, Fun Things to do with Kids in Maryland, Fun Things to do with Kids in Northern Virginia, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Kid Friendly Activities, March April 2018, Spring 2017, Washington DC Family Activities, Washington DC Kids Activities

December 14, 2017 · 5:45 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: December 15-17

Holidays aglow-glow

This round-up is heavy on holiday-inspired events, but you’ll find other activities sprinkled in, too. For even more, the Everyday Play page is loaded with all kinds of ideas for getting out and about around DC. Happy Weekend!

Wreaths Across America
Where: Arlington National Cemetery | Arlington, VA
When: Saturday, opens 7am, wreath placing 9:15am
Admission: Free
This is a chance for the whole family to volunteer. Help place Veterans’ Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of American heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery. There is no sign-up or age requirement — families are encouraged to volunteer together. Be sure to visit the website for details, including schedule and meeting location. Read about more family-friendly volunteer opportunities around the DC area.

Nationals Winterfest
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mount Vernon Square, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am – 4pm
Admission: $39/adult, $29/child
The annual festival is full of interactive holiday and baseball activities for fans of all ages. Join clinics with Nationals players and coaches, watch a Homerun Derby featuring the Nationals mascots, make a snow fort, take batting practice, hear a winter or baseball themed story read by a Nationals player, ride down The Slider – a giant slide reminiscent of a sledding hill, and more. Guests can also meet and greet their favorite Nationals players and mascots, take a photo with Santa, strike a pose at the life-size snow globe photo station, and donate a toy to a child in need.

Rocknocerous Holiday Singalong
Where: Jammin Java | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 11am & 2pm
Admission: $10
Local kids fave Rocknocerous will be playing two shows on Saturday, and kids (and parents) can jam and sing along with them as they rock the holiday tunes. The full lunch and drink menu will be available, so plan on eating there, too. Doors open at 10:30am, and seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Holiday Ornament-Making Workshop
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange | Brentwood, MD
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Take advantage of a fun, free opportunity to create paper ornaments for the holiday season at this family-friendly workshop. All materials are provided, but if you have special paper you’d like to use, feel free to bring it the day of the event.

Santa Arrives on 8th Street
Where: Barracks Row | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Santa Claus’ sleigh will be touching down on 8th St SEon Saturday! He’ll be holding court at Taoti Creative at 530 8th St SE . He’s available for photo ops and will answer any questions children have about the North Pole. To keep this event FREE, instead of Barracks Row taking photos and giving them to you, parents and caregivers can use their own cameras to capture the holiday cheer. If you are able, bring an unwrapped toy to donate to TOYS FOR TOTS. Snacks and cocoa will be served throughout the day by Ted’s Bulletin. There will also be free face painting and songs performed by the Capitol Hill Chorale.

Hot Chocolate Happy Hour
Where: Hamilton Hotel | Downtown DC
When: Daily through December 22, 4-6pm
Admission: Free!
Hamilton Hotel hosts happy hour for all ages this holiday season! Savor two special kinds of hot chocolate for free in the evening during the 12 Days of Christmas celebration. Sip on the classically decadent Creamy Hot Chocolate or indulge in a cup of Caribbean Hot Chocolate, inspired by Alexander Hamilton’s hometown of Charlestown.

More Holiday Happenings
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Get into the holiday spirit the area in all kinds of ways at every price point. Enjoy Chiristmas at Mount Vernon with fireworks and more. Ride the Magical Holiday Express at the B&O Railroad Museum. Enjoy an atrium full of activities for little ones at Christmas on the Potomac. View holiday planes and trains at the Aviation Museum. Take a street car ride with Santa at the Holly Trolley Fest. Find details on all of these events and more are in the 2017 Holiday Guide.

From Our Happy Home Holiday Craft
Where: American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the American Art Museum and step into the 19th century world of Louisa May Alcott in this craft program for the entire family. Construct paper house lanterns and handmade books as you explore some of the ways people have created feelings of comfort and warmth in the cold winter months. Join Little Women story time to hear how Alcott’s heroines the March sisters celebrated the holidays, bringing literature and music together to light their home. Read more about the museum in this KFDC post.

A Circus Carol
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Tickets: $25/adult, $15/child
It’s holiday pageant time at W.T. Dickens High School! Chaos reigns supreme throughout the school halls as teachers, administrators and students try to get it together in time for their annual holiday production. Watch as the circus atmosphere comes to life in A Circus Carol, as incredible aerial performances dazzle and bring our characters together to rise above (sometimes, literally!) the holiday madness. Appropriate for all ages.

Jazz Hip Hop Nutcracker
Where: Woodrow Wilson High School | Woodley Park, DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm, Saturday, 3pm and 7:30pm, & Sunday, 3pm
Admission: $20-30/adult, $14-18/under 10
Capitol Hill’s Momentum Dance Theatre presents its 19th annual Jazz Hip Hop Nutcracker. The show is a unique, high-energy twist to the typical Nutcracker, set to music from Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite plus contemporary and classic pop, funk, and salsa. Momentum’s professional performers are joined by students as young as age 5. (Owen & Sasha’s besties will be part of the crew showing off their sweet dance moves!)

More Holiday Entertainment
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Much of the live entertainment on local stages right now is holiday-inspired.
Enjoy The Little Prince, A Holiday Family Opera at the Kennedy Center. Have fun at Adventure Theatre with Frosty the Snowman. See the ultimate holiday classic The Nutcracker performed by the Washington Ballet at the Warner Theatre or catch a tot-friendly version at The Puppet Co. Get details on these shows and others in the 2017 Holiday Guide.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
For live entertainment without all the seasonal trimmings, Hansel & Gretel is a lovely wordless show for all ages at Synetic Theatre. Charlotte’s Web is on the Imagination Stage. Kids’ fave Annie is at Olney Theatre. Nina Simone: Four Women at Arena Stage is a moving and powerful show that teens and up will appreciate. And you can make it a grown-up night for Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Twelfth Night.

Race to the Moon
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Smithsonian TechQuest: Race to the Moon is a FREE alternate reality game at the Chantilly arm of Air & Space. Set in the thrilling era of early spaceflight, the game explores the exciting race to space by the first American astronauts. Your mission in this installment: Develop a rocket to launch into space, travel over 200,000 miles to the Moon, and land safely. It is 1969 and national pride and prestige are on the line. The United States is in a tight race with the Soviet Union to see who can be the first to land humans on the Moon and return them safely to Earth. NASA needs engineers and scientists with real problem-solving skills.

GLOW with It
Where: Around Georgetown, DC
When: Nightly through January 1, 6-10pm
Admission: Free
See Georgetown in a whole new light — literally. Georgetown GLOW has the neighborhood sparkling with modern light art installations, some of them interactive, on display throughout the bustling community, which is extra lively and festive this time of year. The works are illuminated all around the neighborhood, and finding them is part of the adventure. Take the family to dinner or skating at Washington Harbour, then go for a stroll to check them all out. Read more about Georgetown GLOW and see pics from last year in this KFDC post.

Shakespeare Theatre, Family-Style
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Through Sunday
Admission: Varies by activity
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual Family Week offers free and low-cost programs for all ages celebrating the themes, story, and artists of their current production, Twelfth Night. Workshops, events, and a Mini-summer Night’s Dream run through this weekend. And families can also get a special discount on tickets during this time — see the website for details.

Model Train Open House
Where: Historic Vienna Depot | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Chug on down to Vienna to watch model train and trolley activities that realistically depict an actual railroad that existed in North Carolina in the 1950′s, the Western North Carolina (WNC). As described in Model Railroader magazine, every hill, town, building, locomotive, rail car, and industry in this layout is modeled after those places and things as they looked in that era. Well, almost everything. To satisfy popular demand, expect an occasional sighting of Thomas the Tank Engine (and a few of his friends) chugging around among the bigger steam and diesel locomotives. The Vienna Depot is located at 231 Dominion Road NE in Vienna, VA.

Holiday Photos with Your Pet
Where: Wet Dog Tavern | Near U Street Corridor, DC
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: $20 donation
The Wet dog Tavern’s annual Holiday Photos with your Pet is back! Be sure to stop by to visit with Santa and have your holiday photo taken with the whole family, fur babies and all! Photos are by Pooch Portrait Studios, and your $20 donation includes a printed photo in magnet frame and digital copy.

Earth Harp
Where: The Plaza at CityCenter | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 4-6pm
Admission: Free
See the world’s largest harp played right here in DC! William Close, renowned for affixing 1,000-foot strings to skyscrapers, mountain peaks, and canyon walls, will fill CityCenterDC with the magical musical stylings of his Earth Harp. Join for this surreal holiday musical performance in The Plaza at CityCenter.

A Gift For Andrés / Un Regalo Para Andrés
Where: Kreeger Auditorium, Bender JCC | Rockville, MD
When: Sunday, 11am & 2pm
Tickets: $20-40
Join 123 Andrés, Christina, and the full band for a magical holiday story! Sing and dance at their last concert of 2017 and support a wonderful, important cause — the Greater DC Diaper Bank. The organization provides over 100,000 free diapers a month to over 3,600 low-income families in the DC metro area. In the past 8 years they have donated nearly 5 million diapers, and the number keeps growing. The goal: Donate $5,000 for diapers (that’s over 40,000 diapers)!

Open Studio & Ceramics Sale
Where: Hollow Works Studio
When: Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Shop for one-of-a-kind ceramics in the artist’s studio! Kate Hardy of Hollow Works Ceramics creates and sells beautiful, unique work — bowls, mugs, vases, and more — that would make perfect holiday presents. In addition to a bunch of new work, she’ll be clearing her studio of a year’s worth of seconds. Seconds are pieces with minor flaws, like glaze imperfections or warping. Seconds are also leftovers from commissions or experiments that just don’t fit in with the rest of her work that she sells for heavily discounted prices. There will be some serious deals to be had! The studio is located in the alley right off of 7th and H Streets NE.

Family Afternoon: From Our Happy Home
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the Building Museum to construct paper house lanterns and handmade books as you explore some of the ways people in the past and today create feelings of home in the cold winter months. Investigate objects from the Museum’s House & Home exhibition for examples of interior lighting. Step into the 19th century world of author Louisa May Alcott and discover how music and literature were brought together to light her homes during the winter season. Designed in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, this is a variation of the program taking place there on Saturday.

The Nutcracker on the Big Screen
Where: Select Movie Theaters in the DMV
When: Sunday, various time
Admission: Varies by theater
The unparalleled Bolshoi Ballet brings the holiday spirit to audiences with a magical performance of the timeless seasonal tale, “The Nutcracker,” in cinemas nationwide. Captured live from Moscow’s legendary Bolshoi Theatre, it’s a festive treat for the entire family. The fairytale enchants as Marie and her Nutcracker Prince embark on a dreamy adventure full of wonder.

Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas
Where: Hooray for Books | Alexandria, VA
When: Sunday, 3:30-5pm
Admission: $25/up to 3 people, $5/additional person
Register online: shalomdc.org/chanukahdosas/
Head to Hooray for Book to meet Pamela Ehrenberg, author of the new PJ Library® book, Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas. A book reading and signing will be followed by crafts and vegetarian Indian snacks from Namaste King Street. Admission includes a signed, hardcover copy of the book, too! Best for ages 3 and up. Register in advance here.

Holiday Bazaar and Ghana Send-Off Party
Where: Hands Off Drums
When: Sunday, 11am – 8pm
Admission: Free, but plan to shop!
Celebrate with Hands On Drums and sed off their Ghana trip crew with style! Enjoy a day of activigties for all ages including entertainment, drumming, and items for sale. They leave January 1 and will venture to Senya Beraku to see the Drumming Up From Poverty program in action, including performances by the DUFP youth drummers and dancers. They will also be seeing, for the first time, the nearly completed Artists Home they’ve been working on for the past 3 years, to serve as a home for our craftworkers whose workshops and homes are being displaced by development in Accra.

Holiday Shop
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Mostly free
If you’re still working through your gift list, there are several special holiday markets around the area, where you can find unique presents by local vendors and then some. Head to Penn Quarter, National Harbor, or Alexandria for great seasonal markets or to Capitol Hill for a weekend institution. More info about all of them is available in the 2017 Holiday Guide. And if you need some gift ideas, be sure check out the KFDC Holiday Gift Guide!

DC, Inside & Out
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
If you’re looking for activities outdoors or inside, depending on the weather or simply your preference, these posts are chock full of evergreen pursuits:
The Great Indoors
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* Want a fun, educational gift idea for kids? Check out Surprise Ride. The DC-based company delivers hands-on, educational activity kits to kids to help them unplug and create in the real world.
* Workafrolic, a coworking space with flexible child care on-site, will be opening in early 2018 in DC’s Eckington neighborhood.
* Imaginary World of the Nutcracker at ARTECHOUSE is sold out for the weekend, but you can get tickets for weekday admission. Snag yours efore those sell out, too!
* There are a few KFDC contests going on right now. Go to the Giveaways Page for chances to win a sewing class with Three Little Birds Sewing Co., a toy from Red Jellies, and a 4-Pack of Tickets to see Michael Carbonaro…Live! on New Year’s Eve.
* Plan for a grown-up night out this week to see The Santaland Diaries! The show, which I hear is hilarious, runs through December 23 at Drafthouse Comedy Theater in DC.
* The New York Times just started publishing “The Week in Good News,” a Friday feature that focuses on positive, uplifting things happening around the world. 🙂

The Weekend Round-Up: December 8-10

Georgetown all aGLOW last year

It’s really going to start looking a lot like Christmas if the predicted snow actually does fall. Luckily, the next few days are loaded with holiday activities that fit right in with that scenario. Happy Weekend!

GLOW with It
Where: Around the neighborhood | Georgetown, DC
When: Nightly through January 7, 5-10pm
Admission: Free
See Georgetown in a whole new light – literally. Every evening through January 7, the neighborhood will sparkle with modern light art installations on exhibit throughout the bustling community. Works of local, regional, and international artists will be on display in both public and privately-owned spaces, including M Street, along the C&O Canal, and more nearby places. Take the family dinner, then go for a stroll to check them all out. Read a KFDC write-up about last year’s GLOW.

Winter Wonderland Party
Where: Surprise Ride Office | Downtown DC
When: Friday, 4-8pm
Admission: Free
Join a local start-up that makes activity kits for kids (they were featured on Shark Tank) for a celebration at their offices. Kids and their families will enter the space decked out in fake snow and holiday lights to be transported into a magical Winter Wonderland! You can craft, snack, drink, and meet their Shark Tank sisters, Donna & Rosy. The offices are located a 1146 19th Street Northwest, Suite 800. RSVP here – required for front desk security.

Imaginary World of the Nutcracker
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Through January 7
Admission: $15/adult, $8/child
Since ARTECHOUSE opened this past June, the gallery has been bringing us art experiences that are beautiful, innovative, immersive through the fusion of art and technology. The newest holiday season exhibition, “Imaginary World of the Nutcracker,” follows suit with an installation that engages and enchants. You can view Nutcracker scenery projects on walls, manipulate light and color with your own movements, and look for magical surprises throughout. Bring the kids during daytime hours 10am – 5pm, but I also recommend this for an adult outing 5:30-10:30pm or 11:30pm when special cocktails (and some extra magic) are served, too!

Christmas is Afoot
Where: Christ Crossman United Methodist Church | Falls Church, VA
When: Friday & Saturday, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
This Christmas season take a walk through historic Bethlehem! Christ Crossman United Methodist Church will open its doors to the community for a journey that begins with a live nativity and petting zoo, Christmas music from members of the George Mason High School band, warm cider, and snacks. Once inside, enjoy making crafts resembling historical Bethlehem market goods and participate in a service project assembling health kits for the Falls Church Homeless Shelter. This event is free and open to all ages.

Sound Health: Second Saturdays
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 9:30m & 11:30am
Admission: Free
This new series of free workshops designed for families with children under the age of 8* explores the power of the arts to promote wellness of the mind and body. Every second Saturday of the month, local arts organizations offer two 45-minute workshops in the Kennedy Center Grand Foyer.

DIY Holiday Cards
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Create one-of-a-kind handmade cards at the museum all about mail. They provide beautiful holiday stamps from all over the world, along with a variety of crafts supplies to both inspire your creativity and decorate your cards. We’ve been to this event a bunch of times over the years, and it’s always really well-organized and tons of fun. Plan to stay after to tour the exhibits, many of them interactive and interesting for all ages. Read a KFDC write-up about the museum.

Holiday Happenings
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
There’s holiday inspired fun to be had all over the area in all kinds of ways at every price point. See model trains buzz around the Roadside Attractions-themed display at the US Botanic Garden’s Season’s Greetings exhibit. Or take the Magical Holiday Express at the B&O Railroad Museum. Enjoy an atrium full of activities for little ones at Christmas on the Potomac. View holiday planes and trains at the Aviation Museum. Take a street car ride with Santa at the Holly Trolley Fest. Go on a holiday scavenger hunt (and shop for gifts) at the Mansion on O Street. Find details on all of these events and more are in the 2017 Holiday Guide.

Celebration of Buddhist Journeys
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join the museum dedicated to Asian art and culture for a rich day of activities for all ages, exploring aspects of Buddhist art and practice as we celebrate the new exhibitions “Encountering the Buddha” and “Secrets of the Lacquer Buddha.” Be transported on a journey across the Buddhist world, from India to China, Japan, Sri Lanka, and beyond. Experience timeless artworks, hear inspiring musical performances by members of the Silkroad Ensemble, listen to stories from the life of the Buddha, and trace the paths of Buddhist journeys past and present.

“Shop” & Gift Hope
Where: Discovery Elementary School | Arlington, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Put a new spin on gift-giving and philanthropy. At this Gifts That Give Hope Fair, you can support the community and give a meaningful gift by making a donation to one of 17 locally-based nonprofits featured at the fair. Personalize the card to a loved one, then give that act of kindness in their name. Shoppers of all ages are making GTGH an annual tradition, and there are some special touches this year just for them, including a wintery performance from the Yorktown Dance Team, holiday crafts, face painting, sensory activities at the new Skill Builders pop-up shop, and Coder Kids’ Mac workstations to code a Minecraft Mod.

EdFEST
Where: DC Armory| Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Explore the city’s many public school PK3-12 options for your child. Representatives from DC public schools (DCPS) and DC public charter schools will showcase their programs, just in time to help you make informed school selections for the 2017-18 school year common lottery. The event will also feature many free services and fun activities for the whole family, including games and entertainment; sports activities; story time; and flu shots, immunizations, and dental services.

Magical Mirrors Children’ Book Fair
Where: Sankofa Video & Books | Shaw, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Sankofa Video & Books will be celebrating black literature for all ages and grade levels with its 6th annual Magical Mirrors Book Fair. Children and families are welcome inside the largest collection of African American children’s literature in the District for a weekend of storytelling, crafts, kids yoga, African dance class, a creative writing workshop and more.

Duke Ellington’s Neighborhood
Where: GALA Theatre | Columbia Heights, DC
When: Saturday, 12:30pm & 2:30pm & Sunday, 1:30pm
Admission: $25/adult, $15/child
Groove along with the Duke’s jazz piano! Take the kids on an interactive journey through Duke Ellington’s DC and discover how a local hero championed African-American musicians, influenced the Harlem Renaissance and became an international star in this production from The In Series Opera & More.

Holiday Entertainment
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
If you’re looking for holiday-inspired entertainment, there’s plenty of that now. Enjoy the ultimate holiday classic The Nutcracker performed by the Washington Ballet at Warner Theatre. Join the Christmas Revel for a French-Canadian Celebration of the Winter Solstice. Take little ones to Art’s on the Horizon’s Snow Day. Get details on these shows and see what else is coming up in the 2017 KFDC Holiday Guide.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
For live entertainment without all the seasonal trimmings, Hansel & Gretel is a lovely wordless show for all ages at Synetic Theatre. Me… Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall is at the Kennedy Center. Charlotte’s Web is on the Imagination Stage. Kids’ fave Annie is at Olney Theatre. Nina Simone: Four Women at Arena Stage is a moving and powerful show that teens and up will appreciate. And you can make it a grown-up night for Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Twelfth Night.

Winter Woods Weekend
Where: Brookside Gardens
When: Saturday, 9am – 5pm & Sunday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
The Wheaton Woods are calling, “Wake up to winter!” Walk the trails with a naturalist, make a special family craft & warm up at the marshmallow campfire. There will be a woodsy mix of indoor and outdoor games and activities for kids, adults and families all weekend long to celebrate the coming of winter. Check out the Sunday schedule. A few activities and treats cost a small fee. See the Sunday schedule here.

Russian Winter Festival
Where: Hillwood Estate | Northwest DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $18/adults, $12/members, $5/ages 6-18, free/under 6
Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden are on hand at Sviatki, a Russian-style celebration of the holidays. Winsome characters will surprise and delight visitors across the estate, create and wear your own headpiece, listen to festive music, and enjoy a variety of live cultural entertainment.

Maker Morning: Trace
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
In celebration of Ai Weiwei: Trace at Hirshhorn, builders and makers of all ages are welcome to join the Hirshhorn on Saturday mornings in December for hands-on activities related to the exhibit. Check out a kit and create portraits in the Ai Weiwei: Trace at Hirshhorn galleries. Bring your youngest artists for a special Saturday edition of STORYTIME (then stay and play). Complete a 2D portrait of selected subjects featured in Trace using LEGOS® as a medium. Join in a collaborative 3D portrait challenge. And so you don’t go home empty-handed, jump in a photobooth, and create your own portrait to take home!

Winter’s Eve
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 4-7pm
Admission: Free
Get into the holiday spirit at Glen Echo Park’s annual Winter’s Eve celebration. It’s free, open to the public, and visitors of all ages can enjoy performances, arts & crafts open studios, hot chocolate, and a holiday sing-along. Browse and buy fine artworks at the Holiday Art Show and artist studios. Kids and adults can create gifts to share in the holiday-themed craft rooms.

Santa Claus is Coming… to Park View
Where: Walls of Books | Petworth, DC
When: Saturday, 2-4
Admission: Free (photos with Santa are $20)
See Santa at Walls of Books on Saturday. He’ll be there laughing, listening, and refining his list. Enjoy coffee & hot chocolate from Heat Da Spot Cafe. Professional photo shoot with Santa are available for $20. Spots are filling up fast, so register soon!

Silent Disco (POSTPONED to December 14 due to weather!)
Where: Washington Harbour | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 7-10pm
Admission: Free
Dance your heart out among a crowd of glowing headsets! As part of Georgetown GLOW 2017, Silent Dance Society is hosting a Silent Disco on Saturday evening. Free and open to all ages, just put on head sets pumping music from three different genres and get down!

Shakespeare, Family-Style
Where: Sidney Harmon Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Want to introduce your kids to Shakespeare? The Shakespeare Theatre Company is kicking off their annual Family Week, which includes a Mini-Summer Night’s Dream, discount tickets to their current production Twelfth Night, and all kinds of programming especially for young theatre-goers through December 17. Read a KFDC write-up about our first experience with STC’s Family Week!

Chanukah Celebration
Where: Edlavitch JCC | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: $23/family by 12/8, $25/family after 12/8
Grab your socks and your yarmulke, it’s time to bounce for Chanukah!  This year’s rockin’ Chanukah party will feature a moon bounce, games, crafts, treats, and plenty of fun for the whole family.

Christmas on the Big Screen
Where: Arlington Cinema Draft House | Arlington, VA
When: Sunday, 12:30-9pm
Admission: $10
Catch a merry flick — or eight — and get into the holiday spirit. This Christmas-themed movie marathon welcomes you to join for as many films as you’d like. You can even pop in for one early, leave, then return for evening entertainment. All for one very reasonable admission price!

Colonial Wassail
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm | McLean, VA
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission:
Gather in the 18th Century Farm’s orchard to wassail (wish good health to) the apple trees with singing, dancing, and chants to ensure a “howling crop.” Hot spiced cider, ginger biscuits, a bonfire, and 18th century games will be among the festivities to round out the fun.

Let There Be Lights
Where: Around the DMV
When: Evenings all weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Take a drive or a stroll through one of the many light displays in the area. The twinkling exhibits feature all kinds of delightful scenes — holiday faves, animals, gardens, and the landscape illuminated in brilliant colors. You can find details for all of them in the 2017 Holiday Guide and view photos of Brookside’s Garden of Lights, which we recently visited, here.

Insider Info
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
According to the latest weather forecast, we’ll likely be getting the first snow of the season. So, if you’re looking for extra ideas for things to do indoors, this ever-growing list of 90 suggestions of activities that take place inside will have you literally covered.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* If you’re doing some holiday shopping this weekend, be sure to check out the 2017 KFDC Holiday Gift Guide, full of ideas and inspiration for presents for peops of all ages at all price points (even free!), from kids’ products to theatre tickets to unique experiences to gifts that give back!
* Don’t forget to enter the giveaway running right now for a chance to win a sewing class with Three Little Birds Sewing Co.!
* The National Menorah Lighting is this coming Tuesday, December 12, at 5:30. Free tickets to attend are still available, just go to the website and register for the event.
* I love getting feedback from you guys both about your adventures around DC and my blog in general, and I think other KFDC readers would benefit from it, too — what you especially liked (or didn’t) about a particular place, whether or not you agree with my reviews, tips you might have for others. So I wanted to take a second to encourage comments on the blog. Leave them on posts about the places you visit, or in the Weekday and Weekend Round-Ups or wherever you see fit. We’re always interested to hear you thoughts! 🙂