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December 9, 2012 · 10:53 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: December 10-14

Flat Stanley joined us at the Lichtenstein exhibit as the kids helped their cousin with a school project.

As you get ready to embark on weekday adventures, just a quick reminder that The Buzz blog at the Washington Post is taking nominations for readers’ favorites in social media through December 14. If you think my blog should be among the finalists, just go here and nominate @KidFriendlyDC. Thanks, and have a great week!

Monday – See some modern art at the museums on Mall. Ai Weiwei: According to What? at the Hirshhorn and Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective at the National Gallery of Art are two current exhibits with bold, eccentric, and/or colorful works that might capture kids’ interests just as much as yours.

Tuesday – Explore and play at Potomac Overlook Park in Arlington. Hike the short trails and let the kids romp on the playground, then visit the nature center where you can see turtles, snakes, and other creatures in terrariums and discover more about the natural world in the Kids Cave. Hours are 10am – 5pm. Admission is free.

Wednesday – Enjoy a Wonderful Wednesday at Port Discovery in Baltimore. Dedicated to children from age birth to 6, the day includes special art, music, and literacy programs for little ones (see the website for the full schedule of activities). Admission is $13.95/ages 2 and up, free for under 2. Hours are 9:30am – 4:30pm.

Thursday – Experience Season’s Greenings, the U.S. Botanic Garden’s seasonal exhibit. (I know this is a repeat recommendation, but it is deserving.) See the Garden Railway, easily one of the best train displays around, and stroll the festively adorned conservatory and admire replicas of DC landmarks built entirely from plant materials. And, for some extra holiday magic and free entertainment, go in the evening for music in the garden during extended hours that take place on most Tuesdays and Thursdays in December.

Friday – Visit Santa in his workshop on the Ellipse at President’s Park. On Fridays (Saturday & Sundays, too), the adorable cottage welcomes visitors in the afternoon from 12:30-4:30pm as well as in the evening. (Read about what to expect here.) The National Christmas Tree, National Menorah, and other festive displays are right there to enjoy, too!

Outdoor & Indoor Play at Potomac Overlook Regional Park

All geared up with walking sticks for the 300-meter “trek” to the park’s Nature Center

It’s a small blogging world around here. And I experienced it firsthand on a visit to Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington a couple of weeks ago. I got the idea to go there from No Monsters in My Bed when a friend and I were looking for a new place to take our little ones to play outside on a nice day. Then, upon our arrival at the playground right next to the small parking area, I saw some familiar faces, adorable little ones that I recognized from Not-So-SAHM. It turned out their mom, Rebecca, and I both ended up at the park on the recommendation of Darcy (who writes No Monsters). What can I say… great minds think alike. 😉

Not only was it neat to run into one of my blogging compadres, it was also helpful — she had been there a while and gave me the lowdown on what to see and do at the park (read her review here), which included trail hikes and the Nature Center. Since the kids were already immersed in playground action, we hung out there before venturing further.

The playground is pretty simple — a small area containing a log tree house with a small climbing wall, a steep and fast slide, and a double slide; picnic tables; and a couple of random exercise apparatus — but it kept the kids entertained for quite awhile.

Wheee!

We finally convinced the kids to move on by asking them if they wanted to see some animals; we knew from talking to Rebecca that there were live (and alive-looking) creatures on exhibit at the Nature Center, just a 300-meter walk down the road from the playground.

Once inside, the kids immediately stopped to ogle an exhibit (not live) near the entrance. From there, we headed downstairs to see the turtles and snakes in terrariums before entering the Kids Cave, a small room full of hands-on nature-related activities.

Checking out an exhibit at the Potomac Overlook Park Nature Center

Hello, Mr. Snake

Kids in the Cave

When we left the Nature Center, we saw a sign for the live bird exhibit, so we walked up a short path to see a couple of owls and a hawk. A park ranger explained they had been rescued, but their injuries prevented them from being released back into the wild, so they’re now permanent residents of the park.

porp_owl

Wishing for pizza lunch!

By that time, we were all hungry and decided to head to nearby Italian Store (one of our all-time family faves!) and save a hike for another visit.

There definitely will be one, as Potomac Overlook is one to put on the go-to list for an easy and free outing, both outdoors and in.

Potomac Overlook Regional Park is located at 2845 N. Marcey Road in Arlington (directions here). Hours are 10am – 5pm Tuesday – Saturday, and 1–5pm Sunday, closed on Monday.