The museums are heavy on special family activities this weekend, but with the glorious weather forecast for the next few days, I’ve got several suggestions to get you outdoors, too. Happy Weekend!
Family Day: Kites of Asia – Go fly a kite! And make one, too. This free event at the National Air & Space Museum on Saturday welcomes guests to discover the artistry of kites from across Asia. Indoor kite flying, story telling, and hands-on art activities, kite-making included, are on the day’s agenda. The event runs from 10am – 3pm.
Take a Hike – It’s going to be excellent weather for tramping in the woods, though be choosy about where you go — I heard the line of cars waiting to get into the Maryland side of Great Falls last weekend was all the way out to MacArthur Boulevard. For more suggestions on where to walk in the woods, including several that don’t attract large crowds, check out this post about good area hikes with kids.
Goya: Awakened in a Dream – The National Gallery of Art’s Film Program for Children and Teens presents a movie about the artist Goya this week. Recommended for ages 7 and up, the screening will take place in the East Building Concourse auditorium at 10:30am on Saturday and 11:30am on Sunday. The program is free, and seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Everyone’s Playground – Enjoy the sunshine and one of the best playgrounds in the area. If you have young children, and you haven’t been to Clemyjontri Park, I highly recommend taking them there. The play possibilities will seem endless to little ones. The carousel doesn’t open for another couple of weeks, but kids will be so enchanted with other parts of the park, they won’t miss riding the wooden horses.
Mail Females – Discover the history of women who have played important roles in the nation’s mail service. The National Postal Museum is hosting Women’s History Month Family Day from 11am – 3pm on Saturday. Guests can hear stories about postal women and try their hand at some of the jobs they performed.
DC United Opening Day – Kick off the start of the soccer season at RFK on Saturday evening. Tickets are still available for the 7:30pm game, including a couple of packages that come with freebies when you buy at least four tickets. For more information, see this post from a couple of days ago.
Reptile & Amphibian Day – Learn about reptiles and their important role in the ecosystem at this annual event at the National Aquarium. On Sunday from 10am – 4pm, guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including storytime and fun crafts. Aquarium staff will be on hand to answer questions and give talks throughout the day. Special highlights: The alligator exhibit and a shark feeding at 2pm. The event is free with admission – $9.95/ages 11 and up, 4.95/ages 3-11, children under 3 are free.
Picnic, Play, & Planes – Have you been to Gravelly Point, the small park along the GW Parkway next to Ronald Reagan Airport? The beautiful spot along the river is nice place to spread out a picnic, people watch, and kick around a soccer ball — if you really like airplanes. I have to warn about this one: it’s hit or miss with kids (and adults, for that matter). The park is located just beyond the airport runway, so planes take off or land (depending on which way they are going that day) literally right overhead. That’s the hit or miss part. It’s loud and potentially scary for those who don’t like the looks of a plane coming right at them, but quite exciting for those that love a thrill.
Portrait Story Days – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery anytime from 1-4pm on Sunday to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Rachel Carson, founder of the modern environmental movement, will be the subject this weekend.
CHAW Artday Concert – Catch a free Singing Lizard concert on Saturday morning at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. The Singing Lizard’s live shows are fast-paced, fun, and full of exciting songs that both kids and adults enjoy. The concert is from 10-11am in CHAW’s Black Box Theater.
On the Big Screen – Rain or shine, an IMAX film is great entertainment. Both the Johnson IMAX Theater at the Natural History Museum and Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater at the Air & Space Museum have several movies playing all weekend. For a couple of reviews, see my post about Arabia 3D and another one about Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk 3D.
Live Entertainment – A few new theater and musical shows recently opened on local stages. This post about spring entertainment from last week has info on what and who’s playing and where. Also be sure to check this post from a couple of months ago listing winter productions, several of which are still running.
Stories in Art –Sculptor David Smith is again the subject for this week’s children’s program at the National Gallery of Art. The workshop will start with a reading of “Half of the Elephant,” about an elephant on a humorous journey to find his missing half.. From there, the group will explore the work of David Smith, then build a sculpture with wood and metal. Hour-long sessions begin at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm on Sunday. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am that day and will continue until all spaces are filled. No admission fee required.
