Tag Archives: National Air & Space Museum

June 10, 2011 · 7:24 am

Get Out this Weekend

Enjoying the outdoors on the trail

Ah, the great outdoors. Most of us have been avoiding them the last few days, but we’ll soon reconnect as temps return to double digits — and just in time. There’s an entire day dedicated to celebrating outdoor recreation this weekend, along with many more events and pursuits taking place under the sun. Of course, there’s fun to be had in the AC, too. Here’s where it’s all happening, outside and in. Happy Weekend!

National Get Outdoors Day – All around the country there will be events celebrating the occasion with a day full of activities that encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. The DC-area celebration will take place at Kingman Island from 11am – 3pm on Saturday. The public is invited to try fishing, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, golfing, and much more. There will also be face painting, live music, bird watching, costumed characters, flower planting, GPS activities, and a chance to win cool prizes. And it’s all free!

Celebrate Fairfax – Northern Virginia’s largest community festival is happening this Friday thru Sunday. Live music, carnival rides, children’s activities, art and food vendors, and much more will keep guests entertained throughout the weekend. For more details, including the musical line-up (The Bangles and Third Eye blind among them), see the Celebrate Fairfax website. Tickets are $12/adult, $5/youth, free for kids under 2.

Ride Like the Wind – The annual Air Force Cycling Classic is this Saturday and Sunday, and kids ages 4-9 can get in on the competition, too – there will be special races just for them along with the main event. The Saturday race will take place in Clarendon at 11:30am, and Sunday’s will be held in Crystal City at 11:15am. Multiple heats for different age groups will vary in distance; the older the kids, the further they ride. Participants must bring their own helmets and bikes, and trikes and big wheels are welcome, too. For details and to register online, visit the Air Force Cycling Classic website.

Pony Express Family Day – Saddle up for the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express on at the National Postal Museum on Saturday from 11am – 3pm. Hit the trail with tall tales, puppets, activities, and more. Admission to the event is free.

Summer Regulars – Free concerts, outdoor swimming, garden play, sprayground fun. Activities exclusive to the season can all be enjoyed this weekend. This post has the full scoop on these joys of summer.

Show Time – Be among the first to solve “The Great Dinosaur Mystery” at The Puppet Co. The Show just opened for its five-week run yesterday. Find out what else you can see on area stages in this post about the season’s live family entertainment.

More Outdoor Options – If you can’t make it to Kingman Island for the official gathering, you can still celebrate the outdoors on your own. This list will give you some ideas for al fresco fun with the kids.

Kingman Island Bluegrass Festival – A convenient locale of you’re going to the National Outdoors Day event on Saturday — head over to hear the music after the celebration. The free festival starts at 1pm, the bluegrass bands will be playing until 8pm. See the line-up on the Festival website.

Mr. Lincoln’s Air Force Family Day – One hundred and fifty years ago this month, Thaddeus Lowe demonstrated to President Lincoln how a gas-filled balloon might be used to spy on the enemy, thus helping the Union Army and establishing the earliest “air force.” The Air & Space Museum is marking the anniversary with a day of activities. On Saturday from 10am – 3pm, discover the secrets of espionage through tours and hands-on activities, construct balloons and binoculars, design a Civil War Balloon Corps Patch, and more.

Truck Touch at RFK – Kids love these events where they can explore some of the coolest wheels on the road. On Saturday from 9am – 2pm, experience the high-tech equipment and vehicles used to provide vital city services as they climb aboard, work the gears, honk the horn, and have a blast.

Celebrate this Weekend

There is a lot of celebrating happening this weekend. Many area farms and organizations are kicking off Easter festivities with egg hunts and more spring fun. An Emancipation Day commemoration is taking place with a big event downtown. National Parks are kicking off a special week. William Shakespeare is turning 395 years old. The earth will also be an honoree. Even coral reefs have a family festival dedicated to them.

And you’re invited to be part of it all. Here are details on all of the above-mentioned, plus a few more recommendations for family fun. Happy Weekend!

: Its a scramble for Easter eggs at a local Eggstravaganza last year

Thank You Easter Bunny – Local festivals celebrating the spring holiday have begun, and several will be on this weekend. Already underway through April 24 is Ticonderoga Farms’ annual festival. Saturday marks the start of Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard, and the National Community Church is launching their seasonal Eggstravanganzas on Saturday at Top Golf in Alexandria from 10:30am -1pm and Grace Church in Georgetown (1041 Wisconsin Avenue NW) from 9:30-11am. See the website for more details. For something with a little extra sparkle, the annual Adeler Jewelers Children’s Spring Festival and Egg Hunt is on Sunday in Great Falls. For more area Easter celebrations, Go Out & Play has a lengthy list of local egg hunts.

Park It – National Park Week begins on Saturday and runs through April 24. To celebrate, entrance to over 100 parks that usually charge admission will be free. Log some time on the trails at a local park or even one a bit further away. For suggestions on good hikes with kids, see this post about hiking with little ones.

Get Out – For more outdoor pursuits, see my new list of the area’s best places to spend a beautiful day outdoors. As this weekend round-up goes up, the weather forecast for the weekend isn’t looking fabulous, but there’s always a chance that will change. Fingers crossed.

DC I AM: An Emanicpation Day Celebration – Commemorate the signing of the DC Compensated Emancipation Act 149 years ago with National Geographic. The museum is hosting a special event on Saturday from 10am – 4pm that will include readings, performances, art and writing activities, family workshops, opportunities to tour the American I Am exhibit, and more. Admission to the event is free.

Explore the Universe – On Saturday, the National Air & Space Museum invites guests of all ages to a special Family Day that explores the skies and beyond. Observe the sky through a telescope, experience how different cultures see the sky, hear stories about astronomy, and participate in hands-on astro-activities. The free event runs from 10am – 3pm.

Coral Reef Family Festival – Celebrate the National Museum of Natural History’s exhibition of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef on Saturday from 11am – 3pm. There will be Discover Stations in the Sant Ocean Hall, a chance to learn about different corals with scientist Stephen Cairns, and other special activities throughout the day.

Nature’s Best Photography – Take the kids to see some amazing moments in nature captured in pictures. A new exhibit is opening at the National Museum of Natural History on Saturday that features the winning photos from the Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards. The images of wildlife, the plant world, sea creatures, and more will be fascinating and fun for the whole family. Admission to both the exhibit and museum are free.

On the Really Big Screen – If you’re planning on a visit to the museums (or even if not), how about catching an IMAX as well? Most are less than an hour long and can easily be combined with a trip to see the exhibits or one of the special festivals happening at the Natural History and Air & Space Museums, which just happened to be where both Smithsonian IMAX theaters are located. Read reviews of a few films currently playing: Born to Be Wild 3D, Arabia 3D, and Grand Canyon Adventure 3D. All tickets are $9.

Happy Birthday to the Bard – Celebrate William Shakespeare’s birthday at the Folger Shakespeare Library on Sunday from 12 – 4pm. Enjoy jugglers and jesters, music, song and dance, stage combat workshops, and more. It’s the one day of the year when the Folger reading rooms are open to all. Plus, there will be birthday cake for everyone! Admission is free, but there will be a charge for some food and drink.

Jammin’ Musical Experiences – Two kids’ music performers will be at Jammin’ Java this weekend entertaining with their unique shows and super fun sounds. The Diggity Dudes will take the stage in Vienna on Saturday at 10:30am, and Gustafer Yellowgold will take the audience on a musical journey on Sunday at 2pm. Tickets for both shows are $10 and available for purchase online.

Celebrate the Earth – Join Brookside Gardens on Sunday for a daylong Earth Day celebration. Festivities will kick off at 9am with an Earth Day Garden Project – volunteers are welcome to help Brookside get ready for the gardening season. Enjoy nature, wildlife, and plant walks starting at 10am. Participate in interactive family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon and visit the “green” vendor and craft fair.

Show Time – Several productions are happening in local theatres this weekend. Find out what you can see where in this post about spring shows.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, Annual, DC, Educational, Farm, Festival, Free, Holidays, Live Entertainment, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Spring, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as American I AM: The African American Imprint, Brookside GArdens Earth Day Celebration, Butler's Orchard, Coral Reef Family Festival, DC I AM: An Emanicpation Day Celebration, Diggity Dudes, Explore the Universe Family Day, Folger Shakespeare Library, Gustafer Yellowgold, Jammin' Java, National Air & Space Museum, National COmmunity CHurch, National Geographic useum, National Museum of Natural History, National Park Week, Nature's Best Photography Exhibit, Ticonderoga Farms Bunnyland, Washington DC Family Activities, Washington DC Kids Activities, Washington DC Weekend April 16-17

April 1, 2011 · 7:02 am

A Weather-Dependent Weekend

Right now I’ve got a line from the Stone Temple Pilots song “Plush” playing on repeat in my head: “And I feel so much depends on the weather.” Those lyrics could be the theme for this post. Some of this weekend’s best activities take place outdoors, but with rain in the forecast for tomorrow they may not live up to their potential. Luckily, there’s plenty going on for a great time indoors, too. (And we’ve learned by now that the forecast isn’t always reliable, anyway.) Here’s what’s happening around town, indoor and out, rain or shine. Happy Weekend!

The Tidal Basin was lovely and crowd-free on a chilly weekday evening

A Peek at the Peak – It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year when the cherry trees are in bloom, and they are at their best right now. The National Mall and Tidal Basin are sure to be teeming with blossom oglers if the weather cooperates, but braving the crowds is worth it. Our family went for a sunset stroll by the Jefferson Memorial a few evenings ago and found the scene as spectacular as ever. If you’re planning to partake in the blossom experience this weekend, check out these tips before you go.

Family Fun Day at the Yards Park – As noted above and below, there two things to get excited about as spring begins in DC: Cherry blossoms and baseball. On Saturday, you can celebrate both at the Yards Park, the centerpiece of the new Capitol Riverfront area that just opened last year. The Family Fun Day will include kids activities such as boat making and moonbouncing, lantern making for all ages, demos by the Trapeze School, Japanese performers and music, a variety of Japanese cuisine from Nooshi Sushi, and Sake tasting and a Japanese beer garden (for adults, of course) from Mie N Yu. The event is free and open to the public from 11am – 4pm.

Nano Days – Celebrate nanotechnology at the National Museum of American History’s Spark!Lab with a day full of activities that teach all ages about nano science and invention and the role it plays in our lives. Staff will help visitors conducts experiments that include constructing a giant model of a carbon nanotube entirely from balloons, measuring height in nanometers, and creating a liquid crystal display that changes color. The free event runs from 10am – 4pm Friday through Sunday.

Owen runs the bases after a Nats game last season

Nationals vs. Braves – Baseball season is officially underway, and we can root for the hometeam this weekend as the Nats host the Braves for two more afternoon games on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are still available for both, and you can get a discount on select seats if you buy through Goldstar. And don’t forget about Kids Run the Bases on Sunday after the game—children ages 4-12 can round the plates for an extra ballpark thrill. For more about baseball games at Nationals Park, see this write up from last year.

Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival – The National Cherry Blossom Festival’s annual event at the Southwest Waterfront is an all-day affair with live music and family festivities galore al kicking off at 1pm. Enjoy a variety of musical performances on three stages aong with face painting, balloon artists, strolling entertainment, mini-sailboat races,T-shirt screenings, fire boat water shows, and more. The grand finale will begin at 8:30pm when the fireworks show illuminates the evening sky and water.

Tots Rock! At Air & Space – The National Air & Space Museum is hosting one of its Tots Rock! Shows on Saturday from 10am – 3pm. Kids ages 3-8 can enjoy a mix of entertainment at one of their favorite museums. They can explore a Planetarium show starring Big Bird and Elmo, listen to a flight-themed story, craft shadow puppets or build a rocket, and…drum roll…rock out at a Ryan Buckle and Friends concert as they perform their hit show Science You Can Sing To. Visit the website for a schedule of events, and note that tickets are required and seating is limited for planetarium shows.

House of Sweden Family Fun – Join the Swedish Embassy for a family day with activities for all ages. Enjoy the Space for Children interactive play room, craft your favorite animal out of fusible beads, take an interactive quiz walk where you will learn some Swedish, get a Swedish treat from the fishing pond (little red gummies, anyone?), and create a work of art in the painting corner. The free event runs from 11am – 2pm on Saturday.

Shabbatots Passover Prep – The Sixth & I Historic Synagogue is hosting the first installment of Shabbatots, a new monthly Shabbat program for families with young children. Explore the intersection of Judaism and flexibility with Torah yoga, enjoy a light lunch, and learn fun ways to make a Passover seder family friendly. Each family will take home a “seder in a sack” and tools to create a personalized seder. Torah Yoga is free and runs from 10 – 10:30am. The lunch and activity portion runs from 10:30am – 12pm, and cost is $36 per family. The activity is appropriate for children ages 2-6, but siblings of different ages are welcome.

A Preschool Celebrates 50 Years – The Learning Center for Young Children (LCYC) is celebrating its 50th year of serving the Kensington area with an Open House & Children’s Fair on Sunday from 2 – 5pm. Families can enjoy activity stations set up around the school including arts & crafts, storytelling, hands-on science projects, music, and dance. LCYC’s ‘Young Music Makers’ will perform under the direction of John Horman. There will also be door prizes, face painting, and snacks available. Visit the website for more details, including location and directions.

The Magic Paintbrush – You have two more weekends to catch the Synetic Family Theater’s current production that takes the audience on a dramatic adventure through China. Owen and I saw the play a couple of weeks ago, and we were both enchanted. Performed completely through pantomime (or phyiscal storytelling, as the theater calls it) I was unsure how Owen would respond. But while he couldn’t quite follow the story, he was nonetheless captivated by the expressive actors performing along with beautiful Chinese music and action-packed scenes, including Cirque de Soleil-like choreography, as actors whirled mid-air on suspended curtains. I’d recommend reading the story with your kids prior to the show, so they have a better understanding of the plot, but even if you don’t have an opportunity, they’ll likely be mesmerized all the same. Tickets for The Magic Paintbrush are $12 and available for purchase through the Synetic Theater website.

Show Time – Several more productions will be on stages this weekend, including Dr. Kaboom at the Kennedy Center and Cinderella at Alden Theatre. For more current performances, see this post on spring shows in the area.

Tiny Tots –Two puppet shows for the littlest ones will be performed at The Puppet Co. this weekend: Animal Crackers on Saturday and Dragon Bandwagon on Sunday. Both start at 10am. Tickets are $5 and available online or at the box office. Tiny Tots shows are recommended for ages 0-4.

Portrait Story Days: Duke Ellington – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Sunday from 1 – 4pm to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This week, learn about jazz composer, pianist, and big band leader Duke Ellington (1899-1974).