Tag Archives: Kinderfest

A Milestone this Weekend

The birthday boy with some of his biggest (and littlest) fans

 

There are a couple of things I feel compelled to note as I post this: 1) Despite the photo accompanying this round-up of weekend events, there is no Nats game (nor will there be another one until the 2012 season) and 2) Despite there being a bunch of cool activities for families happening over the next few days, I won’t be partaking in any of them.

See, this weekend I’m celebrating a milestone, and it’s not one of my kids who’s hitting it. That cute guy in middle of the photo (no, not the one with the beard, the one with the red hat), my awesome husband, is turning 40, so this weekend is all about him. The kids will be on a sleepover while we whoop it up with friends, until they join us for a family celebration on Sunday.

Now you’re probably wondering, why broadcast all this on a blog about things to do with kids? (Because it’s my blog, and I can do what I want!) Because “40″ deserves a shout-out, even on a blog about things to do with kids.   And because parenting — and life, for that matter — wouldn’t be nearly as fun if I wasn’t sharing the adventure with him.

And with that, here’s where the family fun is happening over the next few days. Happy Weekend! (And a very, very happy birthday to you, Levi.)

Taste of BethesdaI’ve heard many a time that Bethesda has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the U.S.  True or not, the city definitely has a food scene worth celebrating, and that’s just what will be happening this Saturday from 11am – 4pm. Bethesda’s famous food and music festival, in its 22nd year, will bring 60 restaurants and five stages of entertainment to Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. Aong with delicious food samples and live entertainment, there will be a kid’s corner for face painting, arts & crafts, and more fun for young ones. Admission is free, and taste tickets are sold on-site in bundles of four tickets for $5. Food servings cost one to four tickets. Ticket sales end at 3:30pm.

Columbia Heights Fall FestivalIf you were disappointed when the Columbia Heights Day Festival was cancelled by the hurricane, you can  make up for it on Saturday from 11am – 3pm. The Columbia Heights Youth Club, Development Corporation of Columbia Heights, The District Church, DC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Columbia Heights Day Initiative welcome the public for a fun day of free food, face painting, moon bouncing, candied apples, snow cones, popcorn, live music, games, and more.

Fall for Fairfax KidsFestThis annual event by Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. includes exciting, interactive, and educational programs, entertainment and activities. Especially designed for families with elementary and pre-K aged children, activities include scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, public safety and recycling-themed exhibits, pony rides, a petting zoo, hay rides, model trains, and the Wells Fargo KidZone with more than a dozen rides, bounces, and attractions. And that’s just for the kids. Adults can enjoy more than 75 exhibits, activities, and great festival food. While admission is free, some rides and concessions will require a fee. This all takes place on Saturday from 9am -6pm.

Saturday Morning at the NationalThe awesome free weekend program at the DC theatre begins this Saturday with a Reptile World show. Exotic creatures star in this amazing presentation. Michael Shwedick and his beguiling animal friends teach kids some thrilling and invaluable lessons about the ecology and themselves. Adults will be awed by Michael’s ability to present alligators, snakes, and other sometimes-scary reptiles without frightening even the youngest children. Performances take place at 9:30am and 11am, and tickets are required for admission. Free tickets are distributed half an hour prior to the start of shows on a first-come first-served basis. Only one ticket per person, and all attendees must be standing in line to receive a ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult who remains present for the entire performance. Seating is limited, so get there early!

Show Time –  Yo Gabba Gabba Live, Beatrix Potter tales in puppet form, the Big Apple Circus, Lilly’s Plastic Purse, Alladin’s Luck, and Snow White are all on local stages this weekend.  This post about live entertainment this season has details on all of them.

Art on the AvenueCelebrate the diversity of Alexandria’s Del Ray community at this multicultural arts festival on Saturday from 10am -6pm.  Over 300 artists – jewelers, woodworkers, pottery makers, soap crafters, glass makers, painters, sculptors, fabric artists, and musicians – will have their work on display and for sale. And kids activities have always been a vital part of the festival – scarecrow stuffing, pumpkin painting, lotus flower design, screen art weaving are just some of the crafts to enjoy.  Food vendors will also be there offering hot dogs, BBQ, Indian fare, crab cakes, chocolate bananas dipped on a stick, and home made cider donuts.

Kinderfest Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD, is hosting the 31st Annual Kinderfest, a day focused on children that takes place every year on the first Sunday in October.  This Sunday from 12 – 5pm, there will be loads of events and activities to entertain the whole family: clowns and costumed characters, singers and dancers, pony and hay rides, carnival games, scarecrow workshops, sweet and savory refreshments, and spins on the famous Watkins carousel and miniature train.  Admission to the event is free, but some activities require a fee.  Visit the website for more info and directions and check out this post from last year for more on Watkins Regional Park.

Brazil Day at Yards ParkJoin the Amazonia Harvest Foundation and the Brazilian Consulate of Washington DC as they celebrate the Brazilian community and culture in Washington, DC.  The festival boasts an empowering mission to bring forth the best the Brazilian community of Greater-Washington has to offer and shine a spotlight on talented Brazilian performers, vendors, exhibitors and organizations that call the DC region home. Enjoy the extravaganza at the Yards Park on Sunday from 10am – 6pm.  Admission is free.

Frederick’s OktoberfestThis event rich in tradition and history offers fun for the entire family with dancing live music, children’s events, bratwurst, Oktoberfest bier, German wines, and much more. Especially for kids: face painting, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow making, musical entertainment, and they claim they have a few more tricks up their sleeves just to keep everyone surprised. (See a schedule of kids activities here.) This all benefits Frederick County charities. It’s happening on Saturday 10am -6pm and Sunday 11am – 5pm.

Thank you, NPG, thank you very muchDrop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday from 1-4pm and Sunday from 2-5pm, to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This weekend, learn about Elvis Presley

Ren Fest – The merriment continues in Crownesville, MD. On weekends through October 23, you can time trip at the charming medieval village that hosts the annual faire. For details on admission and what you will find there, check out this post about the event.

And for tried and true kids’ activities, rain and shine, these two posts have tons of ideas:

The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids 

Rainy Day Recreation (ie, Indoor Fun)

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Filed under All ages, Annual, Art, DC, Fall, Farm, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Outdoor, Seasonal, Theatre, Weekend

Oktoberfest Weekend, Kid-Style

Celebrations this time of year have probably changed for many of us since having kids.  Long wooden tables topped with giant mugs of beer have been replaced by high chair trays strewn with half-chewed bits of food and sippy cups.  But ringing in the new month is still loads of fun — just in a different way.  And this year is no exception.

As if a free concert by They Might Be Giants, a Washington Wizards FanFest, an Autumn Conservation Festival, and a pumpkin celebration in the country aren’t enough, here are even more ways to share a good time with the kids this first October weekend. (And, FYI… Biergarten Haus on H Street NE is pretty family-friendly during the day.)

Peanuts Family Day
Share the magic of cartoons from your childhood with your kids at the National Portrait Gallery’s Peanuts Family Day.  Inspired by cartoonist Charles M. Shulz and the characters he created, the event will include jazz performances, cartoon workshops, and photo ops with Snoopy.  A screening of the classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” will also take place at 12:30 PM.  The free event runs from 11am – 3pm on Saturday, October 2, in the museum’s Kogod Courtyard.

Kinderfest
Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD, will host the 30th Annual Kinderfest, a day focused on children that takes place every year on the first Sunday in October.  This Sunday, October 3, from 12pm – 5pm, there will be loads of events and activities to entertain the whole family – clowns and costumed characters, singers and dancers, pony and hay rides, carnival games, scarecrow workshops, sweet and savory refreshments, and spins on the famous Watkins carousel and miniature train.  Admission to the event is free, but some activities require a fee.  Visit the website for more info and directions and check out this post for more on Watkins Regional Park.

KIDS: Room to Play – Build Your Own Infrastructure
I’m going to avoid a bad Ikea joke and just give you the description straight from the website about this exhibit taking place at House of Sweden from October 2 – December 5:  ‘Build a skyscraper, construct a highway, launch a ship and play in Pippi Longstocking’s house. We provide the building blocks, vehicles, toys, etc – you provide the imagination. Kids of all ages are invited to House of Sweden to build their own world of tomorrow!’ The exhibit will be open Saturdays 11am – 4pm and Sundays: 12pm to 5pm.

Art on the Avenue
The annual festival in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood area celebrates the community’s diveristy through art.  Over 300 vendors, live entertainment, children’s activities, and plenty of food will be part of the festivities.  Kids can enjoy arts & crafts, face painting, puppet shows, dance performances, and more.  Art on the Avenue takes place on Saturday, October 2, from 10am – 6pm.

Totally Tiny Tots at the Puppet Co.
Head to Glen Echo Park for Totally Tiny Tots, the series of puppet shows by puppeteer master Bob Brown, taking place on the Puppet Co.’s main stage that cater to the youngest audiences.  This weekend you can catch a production of “Old McDonald’s Farm” on Saturday at 10am and 11:30am and “Magic Toyshop” on Sunday at 10am and 11:30am. Tickets are $5 and available for purchase online or at the box office.

Shakespeare for Children
This weekend’s Saturday Morning at the National show is a children’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Performed by kids for kids by Stageplay, the play will take the audience on a magical romp through an enchanted forest. Performances start at 9:30am and 11am.  Admission is free, but tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and all guests must be in line to receive a ticket.

Fall for Fairfax
On Saturday, October 2, the 18th Annual Fall for Fairfax Kids Fest will offer a day of autumn fun for children.  Attractions will include hay rides, pony rides, carnival rides, slides, moonbounces, model trains, scarecrow making, a climbing wall, festival food, and more.  Admission to the fair is free, but many of the activities require a fee.  The KidZone, featuring many of the slides and bounces, is $12 for an all-day wristband or $2 per ride.  The Festival runs from 9am – 6pm and is located at the Fairfax County Government Center.  Visit the website for directions.

Fall Festivals
Autumn celebrations are taking place all over the area. For suggestions on where to pick pumpkins, hop on hayrides, see barnyard animals, and zip along slides and swings, check out this post about seasonal festivals in the region.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, Annual, Art, DC, Eats, Fall, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Virginia, Weekend