Tag Archives: Kids Museums

August 14, 2016 · 5:30 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: August 15-19

Zip through the trees at the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Adventure Park

Monday – Stay cool in the sprays and wading pool at Yards Park. The lovely recreational space in the Navy Yard is a perfect place to spend a summer day. Hang out in the grassy areas, stroll the boardwalk, take in the views, and have a picnic by the water or grab some lunch at one of the many new nearby eateries. Admission to the park is free.

Tuesday – Venture out to Solomons, MD, to the Calvert Marine Museum. Discover how the prehistoric past, natural environment, and maritime heritage come together to tell a unique story of the Chesapeake Bay. Fascinating exhibits, including display cases full of fossils and artifacts, live fish and other creatures, and a real lighthouse to tour are engaging for all ages. There are things to see both indoors and out, including beautiful scenic views. And you can bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy by the water. Hours are 10am – 5pm. Admission is $9/adult, $4/ages 5-12, free for 4 and under.

Wednesday – Get a close look at some fascinating creatures and hear funny animal stories and facts at a Reptiles Alive! show. Friendly and professional wildlife presenters will showcase a colorful variety of exotic species at MLK Library downtown. The show starts at 2pm, and admission is free.

Thursday – Get in on a DC “secret” in Upper Northwest. Amid a small wooded area at Palisades Park is The Glass Forest, a collection of sculptures made from natural and scrap materials that truly is a must-see! Be sure to make time to romp on the park’s playground while you’re there. Admission is free.

Friday – Hang out in the trees at the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring. Kids as young as 5-years-old can experience fun and adventure on the ropes courses and ziplines in the park’s aerial forest, the largest in North America. Children ages 5-6 are free with a paid accompanying adult and have access to two of the easier courses. Older kids can do even more. Hours are 9am – dusk, and admission is $39/ages 7-9, $48/ages 10-11, $53/ages 12 and older. And if you’re looking for fun with little ones… experience adventure on a smaller scale at the Cabin John Regional Park Playground. Kids can climb, swing, jump, slide, and run amid the lovely wooded setting, and the miniature train that guests can ride ($1.75/passenger) is a fun bonus.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, Art, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Free, Maryland, Museums, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Summer, Weekdays

Tagged as DC Area Parks, DC Attractions, DC Kids Activities, DC Kids Entertainment, DC Summer Break, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Fun with Kids in Maryland, Kids Museums, Things to do with Kids in DC this Week, Weekdays August 15-19

August 7, 2016 · 7:01 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: August 8-12

Searching for shark teeth along the Potomac shore

Monday – Play paleontologist for a day at Purse State Park, where you can hunt for fossilized shark teeth and other fragments of prehistoric sea creatures. Be sure to check the tide table before you go (select Potomac River and Piney Point), as there’s not much beach at high tide. There are no concessions or facilities there, so plan accordingly. Admission is free.

Tuesday – See a movie for a buck! The Regal Summer Movie Express is still presenting family films for just $1 every Tuesday and Wednesday at participating theaters during the summer. See what’s playing at a theater near you — there are two movie choices every week. All movies start at 10am. In the afternoon, head to MLK Library, where Storyteller Baba C will entertain with his unique blend of interactive storytelling, narrative song, chants, and games celebrating the oral traditions of the African Diaspora. Starts at 4pm, and admission is free.

Wednesday – Explore the grounds and play in the gardens, particularly the Children’s Garden, at River Farm. The American Horticulture Society’s headquarters overlooking the Potomac River in Alexandria are as sublime as they are fun. Hours are 9am – 5pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Thursday – Spend a hot day inside a cool museum! Head to Chantilly for Air & Space exploration beyond the National Mall — the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center showcases even more fascinating artifacts of flight. See all kinds of air and space crafts, pretend to pilot in a flight simulator, get hands-on in a discovery station, and much more. Hours are 10am – 5:30pm. Admission is free, but parking is $15.

Friday – Explore the high Potomac “seas” on a Boomerang Family Treasure Hunt Cruise. During the pirate adventure, you’ll help recover stolen treasure from scallywags who pilfered the ship’s booty. A couple of times are available several days a week. Cost is $20/passenger, but Goldstar and Certifikid often have ticket deals available.

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Filed under All ages, DC, Deal, Educational, Exhibit, Free, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Nature, Ongoing, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Summer, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as DC Area Parks, DC Attractions, DC Kids Activities, DC Kids Entertainment, DC Summer Break, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Fun with Kids in Maryland, Fun with Kids in Northern Virginia, Kids Museums, Things to do with Kids in DC this Week, Weekdays August 8-12

July 31, 2016 · 5:02 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: August 1-5

Tinkering in the Spark!Lab at the American History Museum

Monday – Visit the National Museum of American History to check out the collections and enjoy some interactive fun. Show the kiddos relics from the nation’s past through all kinds of interesting exhibits, including the Innovation Wing where they can get hands-on in the Spark!Lab (ages 6-12) and Wegman’s Wonderplace (ages 0-6). Extended summer hours are 10am – 7:30pm. Admission is free.

Tuesday – Stop and smell the stinky plant at the U.S. Botanic Garden. The impressive corpse flower on display in the conservatory is expected to bloom Monday night and will be open for all to…experience. Word is the odor is at its strongest in the first hours after it opens, but the bloom is said to be spectacular. The USBG now has extended hours 10am – 8pm, and will be open until 11pm during peak bloom. Admission is free. And to stay updated on the plant’s status, view the live stream.

Wednesday – Wander, play, and relax at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria. Be sure to stop in the Horticultural Center and pick up instructions for a kids’ scavenger hunt to add some extra fun to the outing. Hours are 9am – 4:30pm. Admission is free. Update: There is also a puppet show taking place at 10:30am — ($4/Fairfax county resident, $6/non-resident). Register for it here.

Thursday – Head on down to the 4-H fair! Running August 4-7, the first couple of days of the 68th 4-H Fairfax Fair & Carnival will feature rides, amusements, farm fun, and treats. Held at Frying Pan Farm Park, hours are 10am – 3pm both days and 5-10pm on Friday as well. (There are even more activities through the weekend!) Carnival ride tickets are $1 or 24 for $20 (most rides take 3-5). Unlimited carnival ride wristbands are $18 if you buy online in advance and $25 day-of.

Friday – Enjoy a day of Pokemon in the Park as Fairfax Supervisors and Fairfax Police host a day of fun activities at Burke Lake Park. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and playground, learn tips to help play the game safely from the FCPD, battle at the “PokéGym,” and take advantage of the “PokéLures” that will be activated continuously throughout the event. Every child also gets a free ice cream as well as a free minitrain or carousel ride. This all runs from 12-5pm. Admission is free.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, Annual, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Farm, Free, Indoor Play, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Summer, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as DC Area Parks, DC Attractions, DC Kids Activities, DC Kids Entertainment, DC Summer Break, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Fun with Kids in Maryland, Fun with Kids in Northern Virginia, Kids Museums, Weekdays August 1-5

July 24, 2016 · 5:07 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: July 25-29

Gonna eat me a lot of peaches: A PYO adventure from the early KFDC days

Monday – Stay cool and have fun at a pool, waterpark, or sprayground. The Summer 2016 Guide has links to many places around the DC-Metro area where it’s all about being in the water. And you can consider this for any day of what’s going to be a hot week! Hours and admission vary by locale. But if staying cool means avoiding the outdoors altogether, check out The Great Indoors list of more than 80 ideas for adventures inside.

Tuesday – Help kick off the DC leg of Good Humor’s annual Welcome to Joyhood Tour with FREE ice cream handed out by Washington Redskins Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan! This is happening at the Ronald Reagan Building from 12-3pm, and you’ll also have the chance to meet with Ryan, take pictures, win giveaways, and see the Good Humor Truck of the Future, featuring digital screens, music, and more. If you can’t make opening day, the Good Humor Joy Squad will be visiting neighborhoods throughout DC through August 21, surprising and delighting those who live work and play in the city with free frozen treats, giveaways, and more. You can follow Good Humor on Twitter for real-time updates on the Good Humor Truck’s location.

Wednesday – Pick some produce at a local farm! Peaches and blackberries are the main fruits available, but a few other crops are pick-able, too. Just about all the farms listed in this post have something ripe and ready for harvest now. However, it’s always a good idea to check websites or call ahead to confirm availability the day you plan to go. Sunscreen and hat strongly recommended.

Thursday – Catch a performance of Peter and the Wolf at The Puppet Co. Recommended for ages 4 and up, showtimes are 10am and 11:30am. Read a KFDC review of the production from a few years back — it’s a classic at the puppet theatre. After the show, stay to play at the Glen Echo Park playground and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Friday – Zoom over to the National Air & Space Museum for Mars Day! Celebrating the Red Planet with a day full of fun and educational activities and exhibits. Kids can check out a real meteorite, get news about Curiosity from a science team member, see incredible detailed images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and views of the surface of the planet in 3-D, meet planetary professionals, enjoy Mars-related hands-on activities, and much more. The free event takes place from 10am – 3pm.

Where to Play on the Weekdays: July 11-15

On the trail at Woodend… these boots were made for walkin’

Monday – Go for a walk in the woods and explore the grounds of Woodend Nature Sanctuary in Chevy Chase. The home of the Audubon Naturalist Society is perfect for hiking with little ones. The trails are mellow and mostly shaded, there are several small exhibits like bees nests and bird feeding areas, and wildlife sightings are practically guaranteed. Open dawn to dusk. Admission is free.

Tuesday – Take the money tour at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It’s a great outing with kids while they’re on break from school, since tours are only offered on weekdays. Tours run every 15 minutes 9am – 6pm. Admission is free, but tickets are required, and you can pick them up at the booth on Raoul Wallenburg Place starting at 8am. This post from one of our outings there has more details about the experience.

Wednesday – Head to Capitol Hill for outdoor play, kids activities, performances by Mister G and Adam Gardner of Guster, and more at the Play-In for Climate Action sponsored by Moms Clean Air Force. This family-friendly protest against the air pollution that causes dangerous climate change will showcase exactly what’s at stake as temperatures and sea levels rise: our kids. View more info and register here. The event takes place at Upper Senate Park (200 New Jersey Ave. SE). Admission is free.

Thursday – Reach new heights of fun at ClimbZone in Laurel, Md. Kids and adults will have a blast scaling the many colorful, whimsically-themed walls at the new indoor climbing center. Hours are 10am – 9pm (10am – 8pm other weekdays). Admission is $25/ages 6 and up, $12/5 and under for a three-hour session.

Friday – See art come to life at the National Portrait Gallery through Portraits Alive!, a theatrical tour of the museum’s collections performed by teens from DC’s Summer Youth Employment Program. The journey takes visitors to a variety of portraits as the students perform biographical portrayals of the people represented in the photographs, paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints. Tours begin at 12-1pm and 1:30-2:30pm, and they’re being offered Tuesday – Friday. Admission is free.

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Not all of the fun has to take place out of the house! If you want some new, cool activities for kids that you can do at home, then check out Banish Boredom: Activities to Do with Kids That You’ll Actually Enjoy. It’s written by my friend Rebecca of Not-So-SAHM, and it’s chock-full of awesome ideas for art projects, science experiments, and so much more. A great book to have on hand!