Tag Archives: March for Our Lives Washington DC

April 19, 2018 · 6:32 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: April 20-22

We hear all the cool gnomes will be at Annmarie Sculpture Garden on Sunday



Earth Day celebrations, a fairy and gnome fest, free admission to national parks, Shakespeare’s birthday, live entertainment, lots of spring fun… and a nice dose of sunshine (we hope), to boot. Happy Weekend!

Earth Optimism Day
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate conservation success stories at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in honor of Earth Day. This year’s event features family-friendly activities, hands-on learning opportunities, and interactive demonstrations — all in the name of conservation. Hear first-hand from Zoo experts about some of the innovative solutions being used in the fight to save species, and learn how you can take action to help protect the planet.

Free Parking
Where: National Parks
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
National Park Week starts on Saturday, and it’s kicking off with a fee free day, so there’s no entrance fee to national parks that usually charge admission. Take advantage and hit the trail at Shenandoah, Prince William Forest, Great Falls, Harpers Ferry, or head up to Baltimore to explore Fort McHenry. Find even more parks to visit here.

Frühlingsfest
Where: Heurich House Museum | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Welcome spring at Frühlingsfest! Translated as ‘Spring Festival,’ the occasion is know as ‘Oktoberfest’s little sister’ in Germany and celebrates the end of a cold winter and beginning of the new season. Heurich House Museum is partnering with local artisans and businesses to present the garden festival. Enjoy German sausages, art, gardening, crafts, museum tours, and an afternoon beer.

Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks in Fairfax, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts all kinds of events on weekends for guests of all ages. On Friday evening, join an animal pajama party at Hidden Oaks or hear a Symphony of Frogs at Huntley Meadows. On Saturday, Build Your Own Beehouse and see bluebells at Riverbend Park. On Sunday, celebrate Earth Day at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Get more details on these activities and see what else is going on here.

Sensory-Friendly Movie Screening
Where: Regal Rockville Center Stadium 13 | Rockville, MD
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $6.50
Join Regal for the latest My Way Matinee movie, Ready Player One. Adventurous movie fans can enjoy the fun, action-packed universe of the film. My Way Matinee gives everyone the opportunity to experience a movie once a month with the sound turned down and the lights turned up. Watch the Ready Player One trailer here.

Wild Kratts LIVE!
Where: DAR Constitution Hall | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 1pm & 4:30pm
Tickets: $32-52+
Animated Kratt Brothers Martin and Chris “come to real life” in a classically Wild Kratts story. The Emmy nominated duo will activate some fan favorite Creature Power Suits to confront a comic villain. Through hilarious pratfalls and amazing animal “wow facts,” the Wild Kratts team rescues their favorite invention from Zach’s clutches so the animals of the creature world are safe once again.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* It’s opening weekend for Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt at Adventure Theatre
* Scrap Arts Music: Children of Metropolis at Strathmore will make for great Friday night entertainment
* Enjoy Symphony for kids at the NSO concert The String Thing
* Reserve free tickets for BOP GOES THE WEASEL – Jazz For Kids! this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* It’s your last chance to LOL at a Potted Potter performance at Sidney Harman Hall. (Read a past review here.)
* Robin Hood is on the Imagination Stage
* Ease on down the road to Ford’s Theatre for The Wiz
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs
* And there will be a Tiny Tots Sing-a-Long for littles there on Sunday
* Snow Child is the newest production at Arena Stage
* Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, perfect for ages 3-8, will be on stage at Hylton Performing Arts Center

Weekend Tots: Welcome Spring
Where: Tudor Place | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 10-11am
Admission: $5/child, free for adults
It’s a special weekend session of the (usually) Tuesday program for little ones to celebrate spring. Read, sing, and play as Tudor Place celebrates spring in the picturesque gardens. Tots will take home a craft they’ve made themselves. Register in advance.

Eloise Greenfield Day
Where: Sankofa Video & Books | Petworth, DC
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: Free
Join the celebration that honors author Eloise Greenfield Day’s lifelong efforts to portray positive, realistic images of African American communities in literature. The program begins with a selection of poems read by local elementary school students; a live jazz rendition of Honey, I Love , inspired by the 1982 recording by Mrs. Greenfield and Byron Morris; a tribute from renowned illustrator and longtime collaborator, Jan Spivey Gilchrist; a conversation between Mrs. Greenfield and her daughter, Monica; a presentation by Mrs. Greenfield entitled, “Words and Music,” and a signing of Ms. Greenfield’s forthcoming book, “PAR-TAY!: Dance of the Veggies And Their Friends.”

Earth Day Plogging and Fun Run
Where: Starts at New Hampshire & Kennedy St. NW | Northwest DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
DC Parks & Recreation and Uptown Main Street are celebrating Earth Day with a Plogging event! Plogging is a combination of jogging with picking up litter. It started as an organized activity in Sweden around 2016 and spread to other countries in 2018, following increased concern about plastic pollution. A warm up and stretch will be facilitated by Twist and Turns Fitness. After plogging, help with trash and plantings at the small park on 14th & Kennedy St NW enjoying food, games, and fellowship! 

Happy Birthday to the Bard!
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 12pm
Admission: Free
‘Tis Shakespeare’s 454th birthday, and the Folger Shakespeare Library is celebrating with its annual Open House on Sunday afternoon. In true Renaissance fashion, there will be song and dance, Elizabethan crafts, and theatrical performances, sword fighting demos, special tours, a giant birthday cake, and appearances by Emily Jordan Folger and Queen Elizabeth I. The free event takes place rain or shine. Food trucks will be stationed in Puck’s Circle. The Folger Shakespeare Library is located at 201 East Capitol Street SE. Read more about the Folger in this KFDC post.

Fairy & Gnome Home Festival
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $7, free for member and under 2
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This annual festival at one of the most enchanting places will delight the whole family — and we know from experience. Festivities are scattered throughout the beautiful grounds, creating a charming journey of discovery for young (and old) guests. Search for hidden fairy and gnome homes and use them as inspiration to create your own special pieces. Climb, explore, build, and dream in the lovely Fairy Lolly. Get faces painting, and enjoy music, dancing, games, crafts, food, drink, and more. Oh, and don’t let little ones miss the unicorn (yes, unicorn!) rides and a petting zoo. Read more about Annmarie Sculpture Garden in this KFDC post and this one.

Earth Day Celebration
Where: Brookside Gardens | Wheaton, MD
When: Sunday, 12pm
Admission: Free
Our planet is priceless! Head to Brookside Gardens and learn ways to keep it healthy. This event offers something for everyone: a green craft fair, native plant sale, community art project, family activities and games, environmental educational alley, live music, and more. Discover how small changes in your everyday habits can make a big impact on improving our environment. While you’re there, check out the Wings of Fancy butterfly exhibit, which just opened the season – read about it here!

Garden Party
Where: Frager’s Hardware | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Join Frager’s at their new garden center at 1123 Pennsylvania Ave SE for their biggest gardening event & sale of the year! Get 20% off all things gardening (Saturday, too) including pottery, plants, soil & mulch, gardening supplies, and patio furniture grilling accessories. There will be a potting station, a seed starting workshop, cheese and meat samples, a DIT terrarium workshop, opps to chat with gardening pros, giveaways, and more.

Kite Fly Day & Air Play
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 1pm
Admission: Free
All are invited to spend the day on Strathmore’s rolling campus flying kites, picnicking, playing yard games, and watching flight demos from members of Wings Over Washington and the Maryland Kite Society. At 4pm, enjoy Air Play (see below).

Air Play
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 4pm
Admission: $22-46
A whimsical, modern spectacle perfect for families, nothing is as it seems in Air Play’s fantastical stage show—the creation of husband and wife team Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone that merges circus and street theater performance art. Flying umbrellas, larger-than-life balloons, giant kites, and an enormous snow globe captivate in this circus-style adventure that tells the story of two siblings journeying through a surreal land of air, transforming the ordinary into objects of uncommon beauty. Fabrics dance in the wind, balloons have a mind of their own, confetti become the night sky, and an enormous canopy of hovering silk forever alters the future of this sibling pair.

Spring in the Valley
Where: Spring Valley Pediatrics | Spring Valley, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Join Stork Childbirth Education, the Spring Valley Neighborhood Association, Children’s National Medical Center, and Safe Kids DC for a family fun day. There will be food trucks, face painting, local businesses, giveaways, and festivities for the whole family.

Museum Morning
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
There’s all kinds of fun for little ones at the Hirshhorn this weekend. On Saturday, join a STORYTIME session (10am) then celebrate spring with a Maker Morning (10am & 11am). After that, enjoy the Library + Art Pop-Up and find a cart in the galleries and check out a fun kit full of our favorite finds for kids. On Sunday, STORYTIME will feature The Lorax by Dr. Seuss at the Wish Tree in the Sculpture Garden.

Hop on the Eye Spy Trains
Where: Montgomery County Parks | Cabin John & Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $4/ride
Montgomery Parks recently started offering Spring Eye Spy Train rides at Cabin John and Wheaton Regional Parks ! (The mini trains run during summer, too, but the Eye Spy fun is usually reserved for Halloween.) Hope on board and look for hidden figures in the woods as you ride around the park. Of course, stay to play at the park, too. Read KFDC write-ups about the Cabin John playground and the Wheaton playground.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* Gymboree Play & Music of Washington, DC, just shared some news — and a business opportunity.
* No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man at the Renwick Gallery is an exhibit the whole family will dig.
* If you’re into true crime, check out this book.
* The new Amy Schumer movie, I Feel Pretty, opens this weekend, and it’s a perfect flick for a mom’s night out (cocktails after, of course).

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Filed under 2018, All ages, Animals, Art, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Nature, Outdoor, Seasonal, Spring, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

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April 12, 2018 · 10:49 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: April 13-15

See DC VIPs at the Cherry blossom parade


It finally looks and feels like spring, and you’ve got your pick of ways to savor it over the next few days. Happy Weekend!

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
Where: Constitution Ave, 7th – 17th St. NW | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
The annual parade just may be the pinnacle of cherry blossom season. Thousands of people line Constitution Avenue every year to watch the spectacle of lavish floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and a variety of performers travel down the street. Tickets for grandstand seats are available for $20, but you can stake out a spot along the curb for free. Plan to arrive early to get a good view — the crowds come out for this one, especially on a pretty spring day.

Sakura Matsuri
Where: Pennsylvania Ave, 3rd-7th St NW | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 6pm
Admission: $10/ages 13+, free/12 & under
Following the Cherry Blossom parade, head over to Sakura Matsuri, the Japanese Street Festival that is America’s largest one-day exhibition of Japanese culture. There will be live music and dance performances, all kinds of Asian and Western foods, martial arts demos, Japanese art, and more. Be prepared for a crowd.

Bluebells at the Bend
Where: Riverbend Park | Great Falls, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: $7/advance, $9/at event
The cherry blossoms aren’t the only pretty flowers to enjoy around the area. Celebrate the Virginia Bluebells as they blanket the banks of the Potomac River at Riverbend Park. Bring the whole family for fun including games, music, wildflower walks, puppet shows, wagon rides, live animals, and more. Read more about Riverbend in this KFDC post. And to see what else is going on at other Fairfax County Parks, go here.

10th Anniversary Celebration
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill,MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free (some activities require fees)
National Harbor has been around 10 years, and they’re celebrating with a weekend of fun festivities! It kicks off on Saturday morning with a Potomac River Cleanup (8am – 12pm).  On Saturday, there will be free carousel rides, a Beer Garden, a ticketed kid’s silent disco, an adult silent disco, and fireworks. Sunday features free Capital Wheel rides, a kids’ corner, a community parade, and live music.  See the schedule and more details here.

Cherokee Days
Where: National Museum of the America Indian | National Mall
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Cherokee culture at the fifth annual Cherokee Days. The festival showcases the shared history and cultural lifeways of three Cherokee tribes with an exhibition, storytelling, traditional flute music, weaponry, woodcarving, beadwork, traditional games, basket weaving, pottery demonstrations, and dance performances.

Living Through the Ages
Where: Patuxent River Park | Upper Marlboro, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm
Admission: Free
See, touch, feel and participate in two millennia of history, as hundreds of reenactors portray 2,000 years of the past in one weekend! Roman Legionaries, Charlemagne’s Army, ancient Irish warriors; 15th century English knights; 16th century German mercenaries; 17th century English Civil War soldiers; 18th century Highland Jacobites, American Rev War, Napoleonic forces; 19th century marines and militia from the War of 1812, American Civil War and British soldiers from the far flung Victorian Empire; 20th century combatants from WWI, WWII, Palestine, and Vietnam.  Discover the soldiers’ lives and that of the civilians who followed their warriors.  This year there are 35 camps of living historians to portray and demonstrate the real history!  

Celebrate Central Asia
Where: The Textile Museum | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join the George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum to celebrate the art and cultures of Central Asia. Enjoy performances by the Silk Road Dance Company featuring traditional dances from Uzbekistan, beautiful costumes, and an appearance by the ikat dragon. Try your hand at watercolor painting, and create your own Ikat designs with paper. Take the opportunity to visit our galleries to see colorful Ikat fabrics in the exhibition Binding the Clouds: The Art of Central Asian Ikat. It’s a great opportunity for all ages to enjoy a museum that’s usually a bit sophisticated for young children.

Dog Days Bloom Fest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $8-10
This adventure for dogs and their people has something for every member of the family, but canines especially will have a blast at the festivities. Bring your 4-legged friend for a day of fun on the farm with a Frisbee competition, obstacle course, tips, and training. Plus, enjoy Bluemont Wine and Dirt Farm Brews at the event this season. And the rest of the farm, which is essentially a sprawling playground, is open for all to enjoy. Explore the many acres, and opt for a wagon ride to see the orchards and farm in bloom!

DC Emancipation Day Celebration
Where: Pennsylvania Ave., 10th-14th St. | Downtown, DC
When: Saturday, 2-8:30pm
Admission: Free
On April 16, 1862, the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 ended slavery in Washington, DC, freed 3,100 individuals, reimbursed those who had legally owned them, and offered the newly freed women and men money to emigrate. Join Mayor Bowser to commemorate the day at the 2018 DC Emancipation Day celebration with a parade, concert, and fireworks.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Reserve free tickets for InterAct Story Theatre’s The Town That Cried Avalanche, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* LOL at a Potted Potter performance at Sidney Harman Hall. (Read a past review here.)
* It’s opening weekend for Robin Hood at Imagination Stage
* Ease on down the road to Ford’s Theatre for The Wiz
* Little ones will love Balloonacy at the Atlas Performing Arts Center
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs
* And Jellybean Circus is the Tiny Tots performance for littles there on Saturday
* Disney on Ice presents Follow Your Heart at Eagle Bank Arena
* Snow Child is the newest production at Arena Stage
* Kids musician Matt Heaton is playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin Java

Spring Open House
Where: My Gym Potomac & Bethesda | Potomac & Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Check out My Gym’s facilities and learn about their programs as you enjoy fun and games — at both the Bethesda and Potomac locations! Expect lots of play time, plus get great discounts on spring classes, summer camps, and parties!From 12-1pm, tackle the Ninja Warrior obstacle courses (best for ages 3-10) and have free pizza. From 1-3pm, there will be free face painting and fun for all ages. Grown-ups wear socks, please!

Nats vs. Rockies
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Root for the home team as the Nats host the Rockies this weekend. Be sure to check out special promos — Friday is the Sean Doolittle Bobhead giveaway (first 25,000 fans), and Sunday is Jackie Robinson and Black Heritage Day, not to mention little fans can run the bases after the game. Don’t forget to sign up ages 4-12 for the Jr. Nationals Kids Club, and check these tips on how to save at the ballpark.

Anniversary Celebration
Where: Dumbarton Oaks Park | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Join the 77th anniversary celebration of Dumbarton Oaks Park. There are volunteer clean-up opportunities in the morning, and the afternoon will feature even more, including children’s activities, interactive exhibits, strolling tours, art in the park, and music. Enter at the top of Lover’s Lane near 3060 R Street NW. (Note: This is not the Dumbarton Gardens; the park is located just behind them.)

Light City
Where: Inner Harbor | Baltimore, MD
When: Through April 21
Admission: Free
See Baltimore transformed with large-scale light installations, performances, music, and innovation. Central to Light City is the BGE Light Art Walk along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, featuring more than 50 attractions including illuminated sculptures, projections, interactive technologies, performances, concerts, food vendors and a children’s area. Light City’s innovation programming generates an ecosystem of ideas and learning during the day – while lights, performances, and live music re-imagine Baltimore at night.

Herring Heroes
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Every April, the mighty herring make their way upstream to lay their eggs—and swim up a “fish ladder” beside Peirce Mill. Come learn about the herring run, and test your stamina in a special obstacle course for young children. Read more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post.

Model Trains and Thomas
Where: Historic Depot of the W&OD Railroad | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free (donations welcome)
Take a trip down to Vienna to visit the Historic Vienna Train Station, where you can see and hear HO scale model trolleys and trains, including Thomas and some of his friends on display and in operation. It’s great family activity for the young and young at heart! The Station is at 231 Dominion Road NE in Vienna.

DC Youth Orchestra Open House
Where: Eastern High School | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
The DC Youth Orchestra Program will open its doors to the public with a day of free musical events for the entire family. Prospective young musicians (ages 4-18) can try out orchestral instruments in musical instrument petting zoos. At 12:30pm, the Youth Orchestra will give a pop-up concert, and at 3:30pm, the String Queens, a classically trained trio including DCYOP alumna and conductor Elise Cuffy, will perform pop, gospel, jazz, and R&B arrangements. Between the concerts will be a performance of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, as well as a string instrument care workshop, chamber music performances, yoga classes with One Breath at a Time, and face painting. Food trucks and other vendors will also be at the event.

The Great British Fly-In
Where: Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
The British are coming to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center! Join the Air & Space Museum to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the oldest air force in the world — Great Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) — with a fly-in, presentations, and hands-on activities.

To Hill Tobacco
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm | McLean, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: $5/adult, $3/child
Help the colonial farm family and neighbors prepare the fields for this season’s crop. Tobacco was used as currency or commodity money in 18th century Virginia and vital to sustain the Claude Moore Colonial Farm family. Weather permitting — call ahead.

Discovery Day
Where: Green Acres School | North Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Discover progressive education at its best at our experiential open house for parents and students. Tour Green Acre’s 15-acre campus, meet teachers, parents, students and staff, and find out how they learn through teacher-led activities and lessons. Registration is required to attend. To reserve your space, please email admission@greenacres.org. 

Anacostia River Festival
Where: Anacostia Park | Anacostia, DC
When: Sunday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Anacostia Park and the Year of the Anacostia! Festival-goers will enjoy canoeing, fishing lessons, boating, lawn games and more. The festival will feature a community bike parade, special live performance of The Wiz, family friendly arts and crafts, storytelling, and live music and performances. Line up by the bike valet at 2:30pm to join a 3pm bike parade. River activities will be first-come, first-serve, sign up at tent #1.

Ikebana
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: April 15, 1-2pm
Admission: $10
Children can learn the centuries-old tradition of Japanese flower arranging at an ikebana workshop at the National Arboretum. The hour-long workshop is for children ages 10-13. You can also visit an ikebana demonstration and see the Ikebana International exhibit at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum Exhibits Gallery. Registration required.

A Wild Symphony
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Sunday, 1pm & 3pm
Admission: Free, but passes required
Enjoy a free family concert by members of the National Symphony Orchestra at the Zoo on Sunday. This animal-themed show features engaging and fun musical performances for all ages. Following both concerts, there will be an “instrument petting zoo” where visitors can learn about and interact with a variety of musical instruments. Same-day passes are free, but required for entry and will be distributed beginning at 11am for both concerts. Passes are not needed for the instrument petting zoo.

A Family Celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut
Where: Edlavitch DCJCC | Downtown, DC
When: Sunday, 10:30am – 12pm
Admission: $15
Join the DCJCC as they celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday by recognizing the range and diversity of its people and landscape. Through reading and activities, we’ll bring to life the charming and colorful world created by author Leslie Kimmelman in her book Everybody Says Shalom. This program is best for ages 3-7, but the whole family is welcome!  Cost is $15/family. Register here.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* You have a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of tickets to see Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt at Adventure Theatre.
* There is also an opportunity to win a Day Out with Thomas at the B&O Railroad Museum.
* Pearachute is a great way to check out kids classes and events with committing to a full session, plus you can save on costs!
* This coming week Bright Horizons is hosting Open Houses at all of their Early Childhood Education Centers around the area!
* Watson Adventures’ next Wizard School Scavenger Hunt for Harry Potter Fans is on May 13 (Mother’s Day!), and these always sell out, so book soon — and read more about it here.
* This article is a must-read if you want to know more about what Facebook has on you. (Warning: It’s kind of creepy.)

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Filed under 2018, All ages, Animals, Annual, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Farm, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Nature, Outdoor, Seasonal, Special Event, Sports, Spring, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

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April 5, 2018 · 8:48 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: April 6-8

Peep the peak





So, winter is starting to feel like those last party guests who are too trashed to realize that everyone else left like two hours ago (totally guilty of that, btw). But in an attempt to stay positive despite the crummy forecast: 1) I bet the cherry blossoms look beautiful in the snow. 2) We’ll appreciate the nice weather that much more when we finally get it. 3) There are a bunch of great indoor events going on this weekend that we might otherwise overlook on a pretty spring day. 🙂 Happy Weekend!

(PS: Be sure to check that events are still on, especially if they’re outdoors, on Saturday!)

Peak Time
Where: Tidal Basin & Washington Monument, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
I’ve been by the Tidal Basin, and the predictions are correct: The cherry blossoms are peaking this weekend. The Saturday forecast (snow?!) might not make for the best viewing conditions, but Friday and Sunday will be better. Expect crowds and be prepared — this post has tips for families viewing the blossoms.

Garden Party
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Who cares what the weather is like outside when thee’s a Garden Party indoors? Join the Postal Museum for one and enjoy all kinds of hands-on activities. Learn about the U.S. Postal Service’s stamp design process, gardens, and the Greater DC area’s native flowers and plants. All of it is designed to create awareness and appreciation of the beauty around you.

USA Science & Engineering Festival
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mount Vernon Square, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
If your child has any inkling of interest in science and engineering, likes to do hands-on experiments, see fascinating live demos, or talk first-hand with the experts, then chances are very good that they will dig this event. (And so will you, parents.) Over 3,000 interactive exhibits and 30 stage shows will highlight all kinds of science-related topics in fun, engaging, exciting ways.

Nats Are Back!
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 1:05pm & Sunday, 8:08pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Baseball season has begun, and the Nats are playing their first weekend at home, hosting the Mets. Sunday is Pups in the Park, so yu can bring along Fido with the purchase of a special ticket. And before you go to any games, be sure to check out these KFDC tips for doing a Nats game without breaking the bank.

Jazz Family Day
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Jam at SAAM during Jazz Appreciation Month! The museum is celebrating jazz’s influence on artists with activities and performances for all ages. Improvise with your own jazz-themed crafts, complete a swinging scavenger hunt, and bop to jazz performances throughout the day. Read more about the museum and get a glimpse in this KFDC post.

Japanese Culture Day
Where: Library of Congress | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Get an introduction to Japanese culture at day full of hands-on activities in th eyoung Readers Center! Create origami artwork, try on kimonos, make tiaras with Cherry Blossom princesses, and more. At 11am and 1:30pm, Tad Hills, a New York-based children’s book author and illustrator, will read his books, do a book signing, and give a demonstration of his illustration technique.  At 12:15pm, the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC, will present “Japan-In-A-Suitcase,” a program about Japanese life and culture.  While you’re there, check out the Spring Fling, pop-up exhibition at the Library of Congress explores the sights, sounds, and smells of the spring season through treasures from the Library’s vast collection items. Read a KFDC write-up about the LOC.

Shake Up Your Saturday
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free, but registration required
Join the Folger’s family program that takes place the first Saturday of every month. Kids can try their hand at stage fighting in this “Will You Walk?” session. Ages 5-7 go at 10-11am, and ages 8-14 at 11am – 12pm. Go here to sign up. And be sure to read more about the Folger Shakespeare library in this KFDC post.

Open Studio: Cherry Blossom Festival
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with the Freer|Sackler! Take a family-friendly tour and learn about nature in Japanese art (10:30 am). Then, continue to explore the Freer for pop-up art-making activities and artist demonstrations inspired by the spring season. All ages welcome with adult companions.

Free Soccer League!
Where: Walter Pierce Park | Adams Morgan, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Join the Volo City Kids Foundation on Saturday as they begin their free soccer program for kids ages 6-12. No previous experience necessary, and all materials, including a t-shirt for practices, will be included along with healthy snacks and drinks. The league will run for 6 weeks at Walter Pierce Park, located at 2630 Adams Mill Rd NW #208 in Adams Morgan and. Register your child here.

Potted Potter
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: April 3-15
Tickets: $59-95 (look for a discount)
Potted Potter takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into seventy hilarious minutes. This fantastically funny show features all your favorite characters, a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic! Even if you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, Potted Potter will make you roar with laughter. This brilliant family entertainment is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed).

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Reserve free tickets for Theatreworks USA’s Dragons Love Tacos and Other Stories, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* Ease on down the road to Ford’s Theatre for The Wiz
* Little ones will love Balloonacy at Imagination Stage
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs
* And Jellybean Circus is the Tiny Tots performance for littles there on Saturday

Cherry Blossom Kids
Where: Room and Board | 14th Street NW
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Join Room and Board for a morning of creative activities celebrating the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Japanese culture. Kids of all ages can make candy sushi, listen to story time, and have an anime caricature drawn of them. Parents are invited to enjoy beverages from a special tea station.

Children’s Art Workshop & Storytime
Where: House of Sweden | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Swedish artist Karin Lithell will lead children ages 3-10 in expressing themselves through art! Attendees are set up with everything they need to participate free of charge and are able to paint on their own easels for the day. Also, plan on hanging out in Room for Children, a library and arts studio for families, and staying for storytime at 2pm.

TechQuest: Race to the Moon
Where: Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Join this 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’s 1969 and national pride and prestige are on the line. The U.S. 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.

Fairies in the Garden
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden
When: Friday/Saturday/Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $5/adult, $4/senior, $3/child
Annmarie’s magicalicious exhibit of fairy and gnome houses opens this weekend. As if the sculpture garden near Solomons, MD, wasn’t already wonderful, this annual display adds extra delight to a visit there with more than 50 handmade fairy and gnome homes scattered through the grounds. Visit the Arts Building to borrow a costume (or purchase one in the Gift Shop) to get into the fanciful spirit, grab a guide, and start your journey to locate them all. Read more about Annmarie Sculpture Garden and get a glimpse in this KFDC post.

Weekend Walk-In: Cosmic Egg
Where: American Visionary Art Museum | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $5
Join the museum for a hands-on, drop-in, art-making workshop in the AVAM classroom! Their Education staff will help you make your own mini version of artist Andrew Logan’s Cosmic Galaxy Egg sculpture with a special clay-like material and sparkly bits! Supplies & boundless inspiration provided.

Root (root, root) for the Baysox
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | Landover, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats aren’t the only baseball team in town. The Bowie Baysox, one of the local minor league teams, are hosting the Harrisburg Senators all weekend, and there’s extra fun and special promos to enjoy, too — giveaways, a visit from the Easter Bunny, a pony and petting zoo, and more. Plus, there are always fun and games especially for kids. Read more about Baysox games in this KFDC post.

Street Fest
Where: Union Market District | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The Union Market District is kicking off spring with a street fest! Join and hang with the diverse collection of businesses, both old and new, that call the area home.The day will include, food and fun, creativity and community, and lots of live entertainment. This includes activates for kids! Go here for more details about the day.

Petalpalooza
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 2-9:30pm
Admission: Free
Formerly known as the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival, Petalpalooza will include interactive art installations, larger-than-life games and activities, live music on three outdoor stages, a roller rink, a beer garden, a spectacular fireworks show by Pyrotecnico, and much more along the piers of the Southwest Waterfront, the “home of the cherry blossoms.”

Lattes with Lambs
Where: Piskatoway Park | Accokeek , MD
When: Saturday, 10am-2pm
Admission: $10/adults, $5/kids & members
The baby lambs at Accokeek are excited to meet you! Spend your Saturday with the newest additions to our barnyard while enjoying coffee and donuts. Bring the whole family to enjoy other activities on our farm including sheep shearing, wool crafting, face painting, and kids games. Plus – everyone’s favorite lamb, Nigel, will have a special announcement! Most activities are included in the price of ticket. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Opening Day for Trails
Where: Trails around the DMV
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
It’s Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s sixth annual Opening Day for Trails, when people across the nation will kick off the spring trail season by hitting their favorite trails for a walk, run, ride or special event. In the DC area, you can join the official Opening Day 5K, a free, family-friendly event in Arlington. In addition to walking or running the 3.1 miles on theW&OD Trail and Four Mile Run Trail in Bluemont Park, you can also enjoy giveaways, food, and entertainment — including live music from the Capitol Hillbillies!

Poe Show
Where: Walls of Books | Petworth, DC
When: Sunday, 11am
Admission: Free, but donations welcome
Walls of Books is freeing their space up for an hour or so and turning it into a neighborhood theatre. Pocket Change Theatre Company will present “Once Upon a Midnight Cheery,” a family-friendly performance in which Edgar Allan Poe is trying to write a spooky story and keeps receiving happy suggestions from his cheerful pet raven.

STORYTIME: A Trip to the Hirshhorn
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 11am
Admission: Free
STORYTIME explores contemporary art through stories and movement. Museum staff will read aloud a book, introduce children to an artist in the collection, and lead a hands-on activity. Nursing moms welcome, and stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn lobby. Note that snacks are not allowed inside the Museum, but you can eat outside on our Plaza before or after the program.

Bubble Guppies Live!
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 2pm & 6pm
Tickets: $29-59
What time is it? It’s time for Bubble Guppies! Jump into a bubbly world of learning and laughter with Nickelodeon’s Bubble Guppies Live! – “Ready to Rock.” Put on your water-wings and dive in to a swimsational musical underwater adventure! The Bubble Guppies are getting ready to rock n’ roll with everyone’s favorite tunes, but when a special band member goes missing, the show can’t go on! With help from Mr. Grouper and giggly little fish, Molly, Gil, and the whole gang embark on a musical expedition as they search every corner of their bubbly world for their friend!

Cathay’s Connected World
Where: Washington Cathay Future Center | Rockville,MD
When: Sunday, 3-6pm
Admission: Free
The DMV community is invited join this free arts and cultural activities fair and community service event. It will feature, interactive educational stations, demonstration lessons from center instructors, live performances from celebrated cultural artists, community centered art projects, and more.

Lantern Lighting & Cherry Blossom Princesses
Where: Tidal Basin | Southwest, DC
When: Sunday, 3pm
Admission: Free
Cherry Blossom Princesses dressed in their pink kimonos will light 8.5-foot-tall Japanese stone lantern at the Tidal Basin as part of a truly spectacular celebration of the festival and the enduring friendship between Japan and the United States.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* DC Public Library is now offering library card holders access to Kanopy, a film streaming service with more than 30,000 titles — for free!
* Warm weather is right around the corner, so this post about the best outdoor spots in the area will be a good one to keep on hand.
* A few weeks ago I mentioned wanting to read this book…I finally did, and it’s riveting. Highly recommend!
* Who can (or should that be can’t) relate to this? (Thanks to Darcy of No Monsters for sharing it!)

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March 29, 2018 · 6:42 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: March 30 – April 1

Pop culture overload (in the best way possible) at Awesome Con!



It’s going to be an awesome weekend, and not just because a certain annual convention is in town (though that is reason enough). Easter celebrations, cherry blossom-inspired fun, live entertainment, art adventures, and outdoor pursuits are some of the other awesome ways to enjoy the next few days. Happy Weekend!

Awesome Con
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mount Vernon Square, DC
Whne: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Starts at $40/day, $10/10 & under (*discount below)
The mid-Atlantic’s premier pop culture convention brings a three-day celebration of television, movies, comic books, science, technology and more to DC. With hundreds of hours of programming, an impressive lineup of special guests, and exciting activities for fans of all ages, this is one fun event. We went last year and had a blast checking out games, toys, comics, art, tv and movie memorabilia, and more. And the cosplay is fantastic. Costumes encouraged. *Groupon has kids tickets for $3.75, and Certifikid is offering family admission for $55!

Go Fly a Kite!
Where: Washington Monument Grounds | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
The Blossom Kite Festival is a favorite of the blossom season. The sight of thousands of kites in all colors, shapes, and sizes soaring around the Washington Monument is truly a sight to behold. The sails you see flying at the Festival each spring range from simple to pretty darn creative. Dragons, sharks, butterflies, giant soccer balls, even some that look like big, beautiful origami works way outnumber your basic diamond. And anyone can go fly their kites, so BYO or make one there at an activity station. There’s a competition aspect to the event, too; expert kite enthusiasts will wow crowds with cool stunts, and prizes will be awarded to winners of various categories such as most beautiful, funniest, and aerodynamics.

Think Outside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It’s supposed to feel like spring for at least one day this weekend. Get out and enjoy the first flowers on a hike, in a garden, exploring a park or historical site, or playing a sport. This post has tons of recommendations for great places to hang outside.

Dinosaur Egg Hunt
Where: Hidden Oaks Nature Center | Annandale, VA
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
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.

Egg Hunt Weekend
Where: Clark’s Elioak Farm | Clarkesville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
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.

Easter Treasure Hunt
Where: Mansion on O Street | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $28
Don your favorite Easter bonnet and celebrate spring with a fun filled treasure hunt at The Mansion on O! Search for special Easter & spring themed items found only at The Mansion. Prizes for best Easter bonnet and decorated egg contest — bring your decorated egg with you to enter. Hurry! This hunt hops away after Easter Sunday. Read more about this wonderfully unique place and get a glimpse in this KFDC post.

More Egg-Cellent Celebrations
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by event
Egg hunts, bunny visits, and more spring fun to celebrate Easter and the season are happening all around the area. Even if you’re not big on the holiday, there are attractions beyond bunnies and candy-filled eggs for your whole gang. Enjoy loads of festivities at Ticonderoga Farm or Butler’s Orchard. Find a great nature-themed activity at NoVa Parks. Take a special Bunny Train Ride. Fill a basket at an Eggstravagnza. Or find another egg-cellent event where you can celebrate here.

Burning Man Comes to DC
Where: Renwick Gallery | Downtown DC
When: Opens Friday
Admission: Free
If, like us, you’ve tried to go to the Renwick recently only to find it closed for renovations, this is why. The museum was preparing for No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man, an exhibit that is taking over the entire Renwick Gallery building, “bringing alive the maker culture of Burning Man through artworks, immersive installations, jewelry, costumes, and more.” And it doesn’t end there — an outdoor extension of the exhibition, No Spectators: Beyond the Renwick, will showcase sculptures from Burning Man throughout the surrounding neighborhood, too. (Anyone else thinking the next Wonder?!)

Growing Community
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
All ages can drop in to explore how nature can be intentionally integrated into and around built spaces to help promote community and encourage civic engagement. Work with friends and family to design and build a large scale model of your own green space inspired by a park in your neighborhood or one you would like to see added to your community. Find out more about the importance of green space in urban areas during Ten (minute) Talks and a spring-inspired story time.

Dueling Pianos, Family-Style
Where: Bobby McKeys | National Harbor, MD
When: Saturday, 12:30-2pm
Admission: $20
The whole family can enjoy an afternoon of fun at one of Bobby McKey’s dueling piano shows. It’s two hours of all-request live music paired with a lunch buffet, that’s sure to make everyone happy. And this is a performance where kids are encouraged to wiggle in their seats and dance in the aisles! Plan on more fun at National Harbor while you’re there.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is still on stage at Adventure Theatre
* The Big Apple Circus is in town for one final weekend
* The Kennedy Center presents Waves, all that Glows Sees
* Ease on down the road to Ford’s Theatre for The Wiz
* Little ones will love Balloonacy at Imagination Stage
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs
* And Bunny Business is the Tiny Tots performance for littles there on Saturday

DC by Foot
Where: Various locations around DC & VA
When: Ongoing
Admission: Name your own price!
The tour company is celebrating the season (and the warm weather on Saturday) by adding some extra offerings this weekend. DC by Foot has a variety of walking tour options throughout the area, the National Mall tour said to be most appealing for kids. Along with learning about the history of the sites, guests can also enjoy scavenger hunts and trivia. And tours are name-your-own-price, so you pay at the end what you think the tour was worth.

Cherry Blossom Day at the Lab
Where: Children’s Science Center Lab | Fairfax, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: $13
Fuse science and cherry blossoms and fun at the Lab! Visitors will create their own unique representation of a cherry blossom. Learn and grow crystals, explore the world of chemical reactions, solubility, and become chemists. Design your own cherry blossom petal, flower, or tree to take home and celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival. Read more about the Children’s Science Center Lab in this KFDC post.

Paints, Pigments, Brushes: All about Japanese Painting
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Enter the world of traditional Japanese painting, or nihonga, in this drop-in Open Studio workshop celebrating the National Cherry Blossom Festival. View a display of colorful pigments and brushes, and try making your own painting alongside visiting Japanese artists Ideguchi Yuki and Iwaizumi Kei. All ages welcome with adult companions.

Complimentary Community Day
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | Downtown, DC
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The first Sunday of every month is a great opportunity explore the National Museum of Women in the Arts when admission is free! Works span the centuries, from the 16th to the present in a variety of mediums, highlighting women artists all over the world. Currently on view is Women House, which recasts conventional ideas about the home through provocative photographs, videos, sculptures, and room-like installations.

Isle of Dogs
Where: Movie theaters around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by theater
If you’re looking for a family flick to see this weekend, this apparently is the one. I haven’t seen it yet, but my kids have and both looooved it, Sasha claiming it to be her favorite movie ever. The film tells the story of a 12-year-old boy and an army of banished dogs who help him find his pet on a garbage dump island. Just the fact that it’s from Wes Anderson makes it a must-see (imo, anyway).

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* Dr. Derek Blank from DC Pediatric Smiles contributed a very informative post about children’s dental care (there’s also a GIVEAWAY for a $100 Whole Foods gift card!).
* Starting this Wednesday, April 4, the National Museum of African American History & Culture will have the first of four no-pass-required days (Wednesdays during April).
* It’s almost time paddling time! Get details on the many places where you can go with the flow around DC.
* A friend of mine recapped the March for Our Lives in this brilliant essay that perfectly describes what the movement ignited by the Parkland kids is all about.

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March 22, 2018 · 8:51 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: March 23-25

Marching for these two and ALL kids this weekend



Get ready for a big weekend in DC! And, as always, Happy Weekend!

March For Our Lives
Where: Pennsylvania Ave, 3rd-12th St NW | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 12pm
Admission: Free
On Saturday, kids, families, and supporters of the movement to end gun violence will take to the streets in communities across the country to demand that their lives and safety become a priority. The March For Our Lives here in DC is the main event — student speakers, musical performers, guest speakers, and video tributes are part of the day’s schedule. This is an important event — it’s about our kids, and their future — and I encourage all to attend! This post has information to help plan for it, and there have been updates since I first posted it, so be sure to see what’s new.

Trapeze School Staff Showcase
Where: Trapeze School of New York (DC) | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 8pm
Admission: $7
Start off the weekend with some high flying thrills! Trapeze School of New York (DC) is having their student and staff showcase on Friday evening. All ages will love seeing the flying trapeze, aerial silks, Spanish web, and more! Tickets are available here — select March 23 from the dropdown menu and ‘IFW Show’ from the options. Doors open at 7:30pm, and the show is approximately 1.5 hours long.

Bloomia Field of Tulips
Where: The Park at CityCenterDC | Downtown DC
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: Free
Spring into the season with DC’s very own Tulip Festival! For two days only, The Park at CityCenter will be filled with more than 40,000 tulips per day. Entry into the garden is free, and you can take a piece of spring home with you for $1/stem. Every purchase made supports DC Central Kitchen.

Cherry Blossom Festival
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Get Cherry Blossom season started at this celebration of Japanese culture. A taiko drumming performance will kick off the day, followed by Japanese music and a US premiere of Okinawa’s NS Ryukyu Ballet Company — their adventurous style interweaves classical dance with modern ballet and martial arts, highlighting cultural traditions of the region. Also enjoy face painting, make cherry blossom crafts, and go on a spring-themed scavenger hunt. Meet the 2018 Official Festival Artist Maggie O’Neill, local DC artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur, and join her for a hands-on workshop in our Luce Foundation Center.

Egg-Cellent Celebrations
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by event
Egg hunts, bunny visits, and more spring fun to celebrate Easter and the season are happening all around the area. Even if you’re not big on the holiday, there are attractions beyond bunnies and candy-filled eggs for your whole gang. Enjoy loads of festivities at Ticonderoga Farm or Butler’s Orchard. Find a great nature-themed activity at NoVa Parks. Take a special Bunny Train Ride. Fill a basket at an Eggstravagnza. Or find another egg-cellent event where you can celebrate here.

DC Baby Show
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mount Vernon, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $20/person, $30/family (see discount below)
Explore all of your favorite baby and children’s brands all in one place; connect with beloved influencers from the world of parenting and pregnancy; see, touch and feel the very products you’ve read about on blogs, liked on Instagram, or pinned on Pinterest. Planned with you in mind, the DC Baby Show is a family-friendly, mega-event featuring everything to do with maternity, baby, and toddler from over 200 top brands, to trusted parenting and pregnancy influencers, to exceptional fun, bonding and support. Register using promo code KIDFRIENDLY50 and save 50% on tickets!

Spirit Riding Free Launch Party
Where: Woodland Horse Center | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 12-2pm
Admission: Free
Giddy Up! Join a party to celebrate the Season 4 launch of Spirit Riding Free which started March 16. Enjoy an afternoon full of complimentary horseback riding lessons, barn tours, face painting, treats, giveaways, and more.
Guests must be at least ages 5 and up for the horseback riding lessons. Rain or shine!

Refuge System Birthday Bash
Where: National Wildlife Visitors Center | Laurel, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the work of 566 wildlife refuges across the US and its territories at the annual Refuge System Birthday Bash. This year’s theme is Awareness & Action, and the Refuge will be sharing ways to help wildlife through crafts, games, educational activities, and Environmental Film Festival. The National Wildlife Visitor Center is located at 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop in Laurel, MD.

Friendship Between Nations Family Day
Where: National Archives | National Mall, DC
When: March 24, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join the National Archives for a fun, activity filled day exploring the many ways countries show their friendship, such as the gift of the cherry blossoms from Japan to the US. Investigate treaties, learn about some of the crazy gifts countries have given, and participate in interactive activities designed for the entire family to enjoy.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is still on stage at Adventure Theatre
* Reserve free tickets for Bright Star Theatre’s The Velveteen Rabbit, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* The Kennedy Center presents Waves, all that Glows Sees
* Ease on down the road to Ford’s Theatre for The Wiz
* Little ones will love Balloonacy at Imagination Stage
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Beauty and the Beast
* And Mother Goose Caboose is the Tiny Tots performance for littles there on Saturday

Peter and the Wolf
Where: THEARC | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Tickets: $30+
The children’s orchestral classic comes to life in an engaging artistic collaboration with The Washington Ballet Studio Company and the DC Youth Orchestra Program. Best known as a children’s introduction to music and instruments, the addition of dance enriches the story as the tale of Peter comes to life in a tantalizing visual and musical tale that will inspire and enchant those of all ages. The program will also include a performance by The Washington Ballet @THEARC Performance Ensemble.

Big Apple Circus
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Through April 1
Tickets: $25-59 (look for a discount)
The Big Apple Circus is in town and celebrating its 40th Anniversary Season, featuring stunts never before seen under the big top. Known for its one-ring, artistic, European-style, no seat is more than 50 feet from the performers. That’s perfect for viewing some first-ever feats for the Circus along with fan favorites. Hire wire acts, contortionists, bicycle acrobatics, hilarious clowns, and doggie dances are some of thrills and fun you can expect. Read a review of one of our past experiences at a Big Apple Circus show.

Celebrate La Francophonie
Where: Bonjour Mama | Kensington, MD
When: Saturday, 10:30-11:30am
Admission: $9
March is the month of the Francophonie! Join Bonjour Mama for a celebration as teacher and musician Achille Ango plays and sings songs and stories in French from his native Cameroon. Music will be followed by a light snack and theme-related craft/activity. Ideal for children ages 1-6.  Advance purchase of tickets is required.

Muppet Babies Play Date
Where: Arundel Mills | Hanover, MD
When: Saturday, 12pm
Admission: Free
Arundel Mills invites the community to a “Muppet Babies”-themed Disney Junior Play Date event to celebrate the premiere of Disney Junior’s reimagined “Muppet Babies” on March 23. Families can enjoy a variety of activities including a Color Bingo Game, craft projects and face painting. The fun starts at noon in the Center Court at Neighborhood 4. This event does not include live character appearances.

Blacks in Wax
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 6pm
Admission: Free
Iconic figures will be brought to life through performances by the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC) tennis youth scholars for the 12th Annual Blacks in Wax. This creative production of vignettes educates and entertains all ages through dance, music, and drama. Each year young performers breathe new life into American heroes from the worlds of sports, entertainment, activism, politics and literature. This year’s theme, “The Power of One,” shines a spotlight on individuals who spoke truth to power and ignited a movement; a celebration of those who with their words and actions took a stand for others.

Make Room for Matzah
Where: Edlavitch DCJCC | Downtown DC
When: 10:30 am – 12pm
Admission: $10/family by 3/23, $15/family at door
Join DCJCC for hands-on Passover activities including crafts, cooking, stories, and doing a mitzvah (good deed) project. It’s a perfect morning for Jewish and interfaith families with children ages 3 and older. Sign up by March 23, and it’s just $10 for your family. All registrations after March 23 will be $15/family and can be paid at the door.

John Wilmerding Community Celebration of American Art
Where: National Galery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 11am to 6pm
Admission: Free
What’s your American story? Join the National Gallery of Art on Sunday for a celebration of American art and storytelling. Highlights include an original “Story Chorus” performance designed and lead by DC artist Holly Bass, a collaborative “sidewalk” project that asks participants to draw and write together, and engaging pop-up experiences with local educators and artists.

DIY Zone Workshop
Where: Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center | Hyattsville, MD
When: Sunday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Anyone can make a zine: all you need is some paper, a writing utensil, copy machine, and a desire to create. Meet the artists from not too high, not too low and learn how to get started designing your very own self-published, no rules art piece. Join DC’s long tradition of DIY, counterculture art at this free, walk-in workshop open to all ages.

Happy Nappy Storytelling & Kids Yoga
Where: Sankofa Video & Books | Shaw, DC
Whne: Sunday, 2-4
Admission: Free
Sankofa Video & Books invites children to strengthen their minds, bodies, and imaginations at Happy Nappy Storytelling! Kids can unwind with an age-appropriate yoga class sponsored by Twist and Turns Body Fitness, followed by an engaging story hour that features characters from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Yoga mats are provided. Yoga begins at 2 p.m. and storytelling starts at 3.  Recommended for ages 4-6.

Cool Hikes
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
If you want to get out of the crowded city and get a dose of nature, hit the trail! See spring buds getting ready to bloom, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and savor the time outdoors. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for places to walk in the woods with the kids.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* Sakura Yume // Cherry Blossom Dream, the newest installation at ARETCHOUSE is sold out this weekend, a good indication that you should reserve tickets for future dates!
* A Kickstarter just launched for This & That Lunch Kit by Lunch Squares, a product that will invite and excite kids to actively participate in preparing their school lunch and making it healthy and fun. And it was started by a local mom!
* Looking for a tween read for your middle schooler? Owen (6th grade) recently read this book for school and really enjoyed it.
* The RBG documentary coming out in May looks like a must-see.
* So does the one about Mr. Rogers opening in June. (Warning: Even the trailer requires tissues.)

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