Tag Archives: October 2021

October 29, 2021 · 9:07 am

The Weekend Round-Up: October 29-31

A 2021 Halloween message

Happy Halloweekend!

Quick links to all kinds of ongoing activities around the DC area:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Indoor Outings
* Bike Rides
* On the Water
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids

Halloweekend!
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Celebrate Halloween all weekend long! A scary amount of events and activities that embrace the spooky spirit are to check out through Sunday. Some are detailed below, and this post has info on even more happenings where you can find all the tricks and treats.

Haunted Mini Golf
Where: Upton Hill Regional Park | Arlington, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $5/12 & under, $6/13+
Putt around and enjoy some Halloween fun all at once. Upton Hill Regional Park has added spooky delights to the mini golf course to get into this weekend’s holiday spirit. Kids 12 and under that show up in costume get $1 off admission, and on Sunday from 4-7pm, they’ll also receive a treat bag.

Victura Park Fall Fest
Where: The REACH | Kennedy Center
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate fall at the lovely, family-friendly wine garden and café on the grounds of The REACH! The spot has grown from a summer pop-up to year-round fixture for hanging outdoors in the city. On Saturday, enjoy BBQ, beers, s’mores, hot chocolate, and a face painter along with great views, picnicking, and more outdoor areas of the Kennedy Center. (And, FYI – the Grand Foyer and Hall of States are open inside, too!)

Scarea 51: Haunted Car Wash Experience
Where: Splash In ECO Car Wash | Clinton, MD
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 6-10pm
Admission: $29
“Scarea 51” is a Prince George’s County first! Haunted car washes are a trend coming out of the pandemic and are created to provide car owners and their families with a socially distanced haunted house experience — all while getting their car scary clean. Splash In’s custom-designed experience of surprising and startling moments is sure to deliver an evening of family-fun and spooky (splashy) scares. Splash In is located at 7509 Old Branch Avenue in Clinton, MD.

Lil’ Pumpkins Festival
Where: Black Rock Center for the Arts | Gaithersburg, MD
When: October 30, 11am-5pm
Admission: Free
BlackRock Center for the Arts, providing opportunities to explore, celebrate and engage in the arts, is hosting a day of spooktacular celebration! Family programming includes free pumpkins, improv workshops, exhibits, trick-or-treating, visual arts, haunted hip-hop, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and more. All guests must be masked when entering BlackRock’s facility, and all persons above the age of 12 entering the facility must show proof of vaccination status.

“Eye Spy” Halloween Trains
Where: Cabin John & Wheaton Parks | Bethesda & Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: $6
Hop on board the Halloween Trains! All ages can take a ride through “Trainslyvania” on Montgomery Parks’ Cabin John Miniature Train and the Wheaton Miniature Train. Purchase tickets in advance online to guarantee a ride, as only a limited amount are available onsite. Plan on more play at the parks — see more about Cabin John here and Wheaton here.

Brick Fest Live!
Where: FedEx Field | Landover, MD
When: Friday – Sunday
Admission: $25-50 (look for discount)
The nation’s largest LEGO Fan Festival is back and will be enthralling guests of all ages this weekend. BrickFest brings together LEGO enthusiasts from across the country to showcase their amazing brick constructions, from tiny intricate works to elaborate, towering creations. Hundreds of exhibitors will be there to display their designs, along with vendors selling all things LEGO. Other activities will include live interactive stage shows, LEGO building, life-style models, games, and photo ops.

Nightmare on Elm Street Urban Park
Where: Elm Street Urban Park | Bethesda, MD
When: October 30, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
You won’t find Freddy Kreuger there, but Montgomery Parks’ FREE Nightmare on Elm Street Halloween event at Elm Street Urban Park will have spooky, silly fun for everyone! Go on a “Trick or Treat Trails” scavenger hunt, play lawn games, enjoy clices and scoops from O’Boy Pizza & Ice Cream, get into the spooky groove with a Halloween DJ. There will be also be lots of Halloween props and decorations for snapping pic and plenty of picnic seating.

Skaters Gonna Skate
Where: Ice rinks around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
Ready to glide under the sky? A few outdoor ice skating rinks are welcoming guests to skate the day (and night) away starting this weekend! (The rest will follow by mid-November.) This guide has details on all of them (indoor venues, too), including extra activities to enjoy while you’re there.

Fall Festing
Where: Around the DC region
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Fall festivals are in full swing at locales all around the area to celebrate the season From pumpkin patches and apple picking to corn mazes and hayrides to giant slides and jumping pillows, there are activities GALORE to help folks embrace the autumn spirit.

Autumn off the Farm
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Farm festivals may be the go-to autumn outing, but there are lots of other fantastic ways to enjoy the season around the area. This KFDC post lists 10 great places to check out for fall adventures.

Leaf Peeping Hikes
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Take in the brilliant color spectrum of autumn and get a little exercise, to boot, on a family hike. From right here in the city to country locales, you’ve got your pick of places where you can enjoy the fall foliage and some time outdoors. This post about good area hikes with kids started in the early KFDC days, and with many new recommendations added since, there are lots of great suggestions for trails that will make for happy trampers. A few specific suggestions for this weekend: National Arboretum, Huntley Meadows, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, Pohick Bay Regional Park, Prince William Forest Park.

Halloween at the Harbor
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
National Harbor is celebrating Halloween with several family activities. The Prince Georges County Memorial Library System will present Spooky Storytime at 2pm on Saturday in the Potomac Play Area on American Way at National Harbor. On Sunday, from 12-2pm, kids age 10 and under in costume get a free ride on The Capital Wheel and Carousel with the purchase of adult admission. (Limit two free children per one adult admission.). Later at 4pm, catch a showing of Goosebumps on the waterfront screen (151 National Plaza) — bring a chair or a blanket and pickup food at any of the large number of restaurants.

Drive-In “Spooky” Movie Night
Where: DC Party Box | Rockville, MD
When: Saturday evening
Admission: $15/adult, $10/13 & under
Enjoy Spooktacular theater at this drive-in, featuring an LED screen, FM broadcasting, and spooky surprises. There are a few family-friendly movies in the line-up on Saturday: Coraline at 5pm, Paranorman at 7pm, and Gremlins at 9pm. A Family Movie Bundle is available that includes 2 adult tickets, 2 child tickets, popcorn, drinks, and priority parking. Reserve in advance online, one reservation per car. There are also Trick 0r Treat opportunities on Saturday & Sunday.

Vamos United!
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $23
DC United is home this weekend with a match against Columbus on Saturday. I recommend taking public transportation since parking can be difficult. Idea: Take Metro to the Navy Yard and have a pre-game bite to eat, then it’s an easy walk to the stadium. All Purpose, The Salt Line, and El Bebe are very convenient and my top recs for family-friendly spots to eat there. Look for a deal on a Family Four-Pack of tickets.

We’ve Got Spirit, Yes We Do…
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Tickets start at $25
The Washington Spirit, our local women’s pro soccer team, is also playing at Audi field this weekend, as they take on the Houston Dash. Enjoy some amazing soccer play while supporting women in sports! Purchase tickets here. And see my recs for transportation/dining above.

Laurie Anderson: The Weather
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The recently opened exhibition at the Hirshhorn is fantastic. Beautiful abstract paintings, captivating stories, interesting photography, original instruments, spoken word video sculptures, and an entire black and white gallery hand painted by Anderson with sketches, quotes, poems, and passages are among the collection of multimedia works. I’d recommend the exhibit for tween ages and up, though younger children could definitely tag along — there are visual elements that would appeal to them, too. (Plus, art can always be presented to them as something that was in someone’s imagination that they have made real… that is what I did, anyway, when my kids were younger and we encountered art that was over their heads.)

Family Dance Party
Where: Hi-Lawn @ Union Market | Northeast DC
When: Sunday, 11-1pm
Admission: $10
The Rumpus Room, DC’s only daytime dance party for families, returns for Halloween! They’ll be getting (slightly) spooky outdoors under the sun, so put on your costumes and go boogie! Get ready for dance floor filled with little ghosts, goblins, witches, dragons, and pumpkins of all ages. Adults can relive their night-life glory days and show off those rusty moves with little ones in tow. The soundtrack for the day will be a family-friendly mix of dance floor and Halloween classics, all at a kid-friendly volume.

The Ins & Outs of DC
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure 
Want even more options for fun things to do with the kids around the area? If you’re looking for activities outdoors or inside, depending on the weather or simply your preference, these posts are loaded with ideas for ongoing pursuits:
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids 
The Inside Scoop

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The latest Five Things in case you missed it earlier this week.
* Last minute ideas for Halloween costumes from Jen at Kid Up and Go.
* DCist also has some DC inspired suggestions.
* Two years ago Saturday, THIS happened! (And wasn’t it just the best?)
* Last year I posted about the perfect outdoor set up for the Covid winter, and I still recommend all of it. With cooler weather finally here, it’s time to start prepping.
* Some really good off-the-radar recommendations for movies to stream (most are not for kids).
* Halloween costumes we already have in our closet. (haha)
* What really scares adults. (spot on!)

The Weekend Round-Up: October 22-24

A Halloween scene at Washington Harbour in Georgetown

Happy Weekend!

Link up to fun with these posts full of inspo for things to do:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Indoor Outings
* Pick-Your-Own Ops
* Bike Rides
* On the Water
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids

Witchwartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1pm
Admission: $15/age 2+
The wonderful Puppet Co. has reopened and is celebrating the season! Witch Wartsmith (the sister of Witch Wartsmith from their Legacy show Rapunzel,) hosts the annual Halloween Spooktacular and you get to vote on the winner! Part contemporary competition show, part vintage telethon, and part punpalooza, this spooky variety show will tickle your funny bone. Don’t miss this year’s performances, because some of the contestants change year to year!

Books & Beer Family Story Hour
Where: City-State Brewing Co.
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy food, bevies, and stories for the whole fam at City-State Brewing Co., the DC-centric brewery and taproom. This editor of the Books & Beer family story hour will feature Northern Virginia children’s book illustrator Zara González Huong celebrating her latest book, “Mi Casa is My Home.” Flights and pints of City-State beers will be available, as well as non-alcoholic beverages and free juice and snacks for kids. Signed books will be available for pre-order and purchase on-site — guests who pre-order a book will get $5 beers during the event.City-State Brewing is located at 705 Edgewood St. NE. This event is free but reservations are required!

Community Day & One Year Celebration
Where: Planet Word | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 10am
Admission: Free
It’s Planet Word’s first birthday! Help celebrate with a day full of the joy and wonder of words and language. It’s also a great opportunity to visit the museum (one of my newer faves) that usually requires a wait to go. Enjoy crosswords and crafts under the Speaking Willow. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Franklin School building. Join visiting linguists to learn about how animal sounds vary around the world, and marvel at the extraordinary engineering of our giant LED globe. Read more about the fantastic Planet Word in this KFDC post.

Family Bike Ride
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
There’s a quick link to bike routes above, but this is a stronger recommendation to get out for a family ride — looks like weather will be great for it! And you’ve got your pick of good rides around the area. Take in the kinda-fall scenery, get some exercise, and have fun, all while easily social distancing. This post has a bunch of pedal-worthy recs, with something for riders of all levels, and this route is particularly ideal with kids.

Take a Hike
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The nice weather this weekend also makes it a great time to hit the trail on foot. Enjoy the cool temps, walk in places with scenic views, see the start of fall foliage, and savor a sunny day outdoors. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for places to walk in the woods with the kids. Some specific recs for right now: Riverbend to Great Falls, Rock Creek Park, Patapsco Valey State Park, Tukery Run Park, and Sky Meadows State Park.

Halloween in the Garden
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Solomons, MD
When: Saturday, timed-entry
Admission: $5
Dress the whole family and enjoy a day of trick-or-treating, art activities, and more! Timed-entry tickets and activities spread out across the park’s 30 acres will make this a fun and safe event. More than 50 local businesses and organizations will be here handing out treats for the kids, plus there will be fun and games, a DJ dance party, food trucks, and lots of other festivities. Masks are required for all guests over the age of 2 (more safety info here). Read more about Annmarie here and here.

More Wicked Fun
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
There are even more ways to get the Halloween party started early all around the area. See what else is happening this weekend and and coming up over the next week leading up to the day. This annual post has details on where to find the tricks and treats.

Dance Your Style Finals
Where: Howard Theatre | Shaw, DC
When: Saturday
Admission: Free – $17.55
The world’s largest street dance competition Red Bull Dance Your Style will conclude its U.S. tour with the Red Bull Dance Your Style Washington D.C. National Final on Saturday, October 23rd at the historic Howard Theater. the nation’s top 16 street dancers will battle it out to claim the National Final Championship title. The audience will play judge, ultimately deciding which dancer will advance onto the next round. With no panel of judges, no planned choreography, and no pre-chosen music, it’s all about embracing the moment, wowing the crowd, and moving to the beat.The competition and a series of free dance workshops taught by internationally renowned dancers will be open to the public — check them all out and register to join here. And get tickets to watch the dance finals here.

Kingman Island Family Day
Where: Kingman Island | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Experience all the things to do on the Anacostia River islands next to RFK Stadium. Paddling, nature walks, restoration plantings, yoga, and more will be part of the day’s activities, and all are welcome to join! Read more about Kingman and Heritage Islands here. Register for free in advance.

Fall Haul
Where: Around the DC Metro
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Celebrate the season — fall festivals are in full swing at locales all around the area! From pumpkin patches and apple picking to corn mazes and hayrides to giant slides and jumping pillows, there are activities GALORE to help folks embrace the autumn spirit. galore that let you relish in the fun autumn brings. This post has details on where all the fall funn is happening.

Fall Harvest Festival
Where: Mount Vernon Estate | Mount Vernon, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $20/adults, $12/kids 6-11, free/under 6
Enjoy fall activities with the whole family at George Washington’s old digs. Explore the farm and watch 18th-century cooking, candle making, surveying, and coopering. Learn about horseshoeing and other trades. Meet General Washington! Bread baked 18th-century style and beer tastings will also be available.

Last Call for Merriment
Where: Revel Grove | Crownsville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: $28/age 16+, $13/age 7-15, free/under 7
It’s the final weekend of the Maryland Renaissance Festival, the annual faire that recalls medieval times with an English Tudor village full of fun and entertainment for the whole family. I highly recommend going if you haven’t been yet. Tickets must be reserved in advance online, and they likely will sell out since it’s the last weekend. Huzzah!

Chevy Chase Art Walk
Where: | Chevy Chase, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
Take a walk around Chevy Chase as you browse and shop works from more than 40 artists exhibiting and selling from 23 homes and studios in the area. There will be art from a wide range of media, including abstract and representational painting, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, fabric art, mixed media and video. Brochures with the artists’ names and a map of the locations will be available at most local businesses on Connecticut Avenue and throughout the community, or you can view an interactive map here.

LuminoCity
Where: Roer’s Zoofari | Vienna, VA
When: Through January 2
Admission: $5-66
It doesn’t have to be the holiday season to experience a light display. This new one is already open and immersing visitors in a world lit up with towering luminescent sculptures. Guided by Lumi, LuminoCity mascot, see unicorns and other glowing characters and scenes throughout the experience. The event is all outdoors and timed-entry.

Opera Starts with Oh!
Where: Opera Lafayette Online
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Pay what you can!
Introduce kids to the magic of opera through Opera Lafayette’s online program. Journey to an enchanting land with this opera-ballet filled with fairies, gnomes, and muses through dance and costume design with professional costume designer Anna Kjellsdotter. Learn more about the virtual series that run will this fall and winter here.

Día de los Muertos
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the Day of the Dead at The Wharf! Head to the District Pier for a free afternoon of activities, including live music, street food, a beer garden, and more. If the season has your creative juices flowing, decorate a sugar skull or get your face painted! Read more about The Wharf.

Luchadora!
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: $20.50
See Adventure Theatre’s production about a teen tomboy who trains to become a wrestler with the help of a magic mask maker. This production will take place outdoors in the grassy field next to ATMTC and the Irish Inn (BYO blanket!).

The Madness of Poe
Where: Synetic Theatre | Crystal City, VA
When: Through October 31
Tickets: $20-60
Join Syentic back in the theater for an evening Edgar Allan Poe’s classic stories envisioned as a kaleidoscopic tapestry of terror. It’s dark and dramatic and highly entertaining with Synetic’s signature physical theatre keeping the audience rapt. Recommended for teen ages and up.

Autumn off the Farm
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Farm festivals may be the go-to autumn outing, but there are lots of other fantastic ways to enjoy the season around the area. This KFDC post lists 10 great places to for fall adventures.

The Ins & Outs of DC
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure 
Want even more options for fun things to do with the kids around the area? If you’re looking for activities outdoors or inside, depending on the weather or simply your preference, these posts are chock full of ongoing pursuits:
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids 
The Inside Scoop

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Holiday season heads-up! Enchant Christmas will be returning to Nationals Park this year, and tickets are already on sale. Read a review from when it was here in 2019.
* In case you missed this week’s Five Things, check it out here.
* The Washington Post in conversation with Jane Goodall.
* School lunch options have expanded greatly with this thermos (think pasta and soup that actually stay warm). The built-in spoon is key.
* I just mentioned The French Dispatch, here’s a good review.
* Some thoughts on apple picking.
* Because it’s a cute, timley pic and because he brings us so much joy and because he is 1 today! ❤️

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on it and make a purchase, I may get a small commission, which helps me continue to bring you KFDC. Thanks so much for the support!

Five Things for Today: October 19, 2021

Art and golden hour light at Victura Park

Thank you to Bright Horizons for sponsoring these Five Things!

1. Victura Park, the lovely family-friendly wine and beer (and food) garden on the grounds of The REACH at the Kennedy Center, is now open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10am – 9pm. I first mentioned it in summer of 2020, and it’s now gone from seasonal pop-up to year-round fixture! We just enjoyed a family hang there a couple of evenings ago, and it was so nice to wind down the weekend with snacks and bevies, then wander around the pretty grassy areas, check out the new Mo Willems art installation on the Plaza, stroll along the KC terrace, and take in the river views. We usually ride bikes to Victura Park, but since we brought Teddy along — it’s pet-friendly, too! — we drove to West Potomac Park, then walked along the river to the pedestrian bridge that takes you right to the Victura Park entrance. Admission is free.

2. ARTECHOUSE is offering a STEAM Family Days promotion every Tuesday and Wednesday all day. Book through this link to receive special pricing and an activity guide inspired by the current exhibit Life of a Neuron. Through this limited offer all tickets are $17 (adults tickets normally start at $24) and Family Packages (two adults, two children) are $60. (Note: The offer is not valid the week of Thanksgiving.)

3. Are you looking for a daycare or early childhood education option for your little one? Bright Horizons at 2 Bethesda Metro just opened its doors last month and is currently enrolling in their Infant – Pre-K programs. Learn more and schedule a visit — spaces are limited!

4. 40 fall dinner recipes that look and sound yummy.

5. Just caught a sneak preview of The French Dispatch, the new Wes Anderson movie that officially releases this Friday, October 22. If you’re a fan of his films, you’ll love this one as much as the rest. It’s rated R — I’d recommend it for mature tweens (with adult, obvi) and up.

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Filed under 2021, All ages, DC, Five Things

Tagged as DC Area Events, DC Culture, DC Kids Activities, DC Lifestyle, DC with kids, Fall 2021, Family Friendly Activities in DC, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, October 2021

October 15, 2021 · 9:40 am

The Weekend Round-Up: October 15-17

A Halloween scene in the city

Happy Weekend!

Links to loads of ongoing activities around the area:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Indoor Outings
* Pick-Your-Own Ops
* Bike Rides
* On the Water
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids

Wicked Fun
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
This time of year is always a scream with all gobs of ways to get the Halloween party started early. From mini train rides through the woods to haunted tours to festivals inspired by the holiday, details on where the tricks and treats are happening can be found in this annual post.

Drive-In “Spooky” Movie Night
Where: DC Party Box | Rockville, MD
When: Friday & Saturday evenings
Admission: $15/adult, $10/13 & under
Enjoy Spooktacular theater at this drive-in, featuring an LED screen, FM broadcasting, and spooky surprises. In the movie line-up this weekend: Young Frankenstein, Casper, and The Addams Family on Friday and Spooky Buddies, Frankenweenie, and Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed on Saturday. A Family Movie Bundle is available that includes 2 adult tickets, 2 child tickets, popcorn, drinks, and priority parking. Reserve in advance online, one reservation per car.

60th Anniversary Celebration
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole fam to celebrate 60 years of beloved Frying Pan Farm Park! Take tours of the farm, watch a tractor parade, pose for fun photo ops, enjoy farm demonstrations, and lots more. Concessions will be available for purchase from food trucks on site.

A Half-Century Celebration
Where: Potomac Overlook Regional Park | Arlington, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Potomac Overlook Regional Park is turning 50 and the public is invited to help celebrate! Drop in to explore the garden, meet live animals, learn how you can support our park and get involved, and more. This event is free for all, and no reservations are required. Please leave pets at home. Read more about Potomac Overlook Park here.

Art Safari
Where: Torpedo Factory | Old Town Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
An Alexandria tradition for more than a quarter-century, Art Safari returns for an in-person day of activities for kids and families. Join fellow lovers of art and learning for outdoor Waterfront art activities and select projects in the Grand Hall of the building. Great for kids ages 5+, younger children may need some extra help, but will still have a lot of fun! Masks are required for all visitors over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status. RSVPs strongly suggested.

Tough Mudder Kids
Where: Mechanicsville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $25 (look for discount)
Kids can compete in youth-sized version of the Tough Mudder race! The Mini Mudder is recommended for ages 5-7, with participants tackling a 1/2-mile course, working together as a team to get through 10 obstacles to earn their headband. The Mighty Mudder is recommended for ages 8-12, brings the best of the full sized course to life, featuring 15 of the world’s best obstacles, including kid-friendly versions of racer favorites, spread over a one-mile course. It’s as close to the real things as it gets for kids!

Capital Art & Craft Festival
Where: Dulles Expo Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $10/advance, $12/at door, free/12 & under
Think early holiday shopping! This showcase of artisry and craftsmanship will feature art in more than a dozen mediums — jewelry, paintings, prints, glass, leather, photography, pottery, wearable art, and wood, and more. For safety, aisles are wider and masks required. Visit the website for more details!

Loudoun County Fall Farm Tour
Where: Farms around Loudoun County, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The 28th annual Loudoun Fall Farm Tour showcases more than two dozen locations that offer everything from pumpkin patches to alpacas to flowers to vineyards to farmers markets. All of the locations provide an educational component for visitors as well. Among them, Hope Flower Farm will be inviting guests to wander through the blooming dahlia fields, picnic, and take photos on their lovely 25 acre farm. Visit the website for a map of the locations and more info on each one.

Fall for Festival Season
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Pick some pumpkins, whiz down giant slides, get lost in corn mazes, go on and hayrides, bounce around on jumping pillows, say “huzzah!” to Ren Fest, and so much more. There are activities galore to help you embrace the autumn spirit, and the KFDC guide to fall festivals has details on all of them.

Djembe Drumming at the Museum
Where: Kreeger Museum | Foxhall/Palisades, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $20
Add some percussion to a museum outing! The Kreeger Museum is hosting a djembe drumming session on Saturday morning — join teaching artist Manny Arciniega for a drum circle exploring the foundations of rhythm. Of course, make time to explore the collections, too. Both kids and adults will be delighted by the art! Read more about the Kreeger Museum in this KFDC post.

Model Trains + Thomas
Where: Historic Vienna Train Station | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free (donations accepted)
Fall is coming and it is time to go to the Historic Vienna Train Station and Museum 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 a great family fun and activity for the young and young at heart. The Station is at 231 Dominion Road NE, Vienna, VA along the W&OD trail just past the Caboose. Masks are required for all visitors age 2 and up regardless of vaccination status.

Pumpkins & Pours
Where: West Grove Urban Park | Chevy Chase, MD
When: Saturday, 4-8pm
Admission: Free
There’s something for the kids and adults at this event! Local craft beer, pumpkins, pizza, and more will be part of the festivities at this event to in the fall and Halloween spirit. Join for drinks from 7 Locks Brewing, delicious food from Flame and Cones Food Truck, and while you’re at it, grab a free pumpkin from Maynes Tree Farm and get decorating. Lawn games and picnic seating will also be available to make an afternoon and evening of it. All ages are welcome, so bring the whole fam!

Hadestown
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Through October 28
Tickets: $45-175 (look for a discount)
Welcome to Hadestown, where a song can change your fate. Intertwining two mythic tales—that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone—Hadestown is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award® for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show by celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today…and always. Recommended for age 8+.

Wizard School Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Where: Watson Adventures Online
When: Saturday, 6-7pm
Admission: $19 (tickets here)
Grab your magic wands for a wizarding adventure that takes you to museums across America in search of art that echoes characters, places, and magical objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies, all without leaving your home. You’ll track down slithering serpents, Hagrid-like giants and eerie figures as scary as any Dementor. This hunt references the books and provides a surprising bridge to many strange and wonderful works of art. Read about the IRL version of the scavenger hunt here. (And, FYI, we’ve also done Watson Adventures’ online games and have had a blast!)

Milo the Magnificent
Where: Highland Elementary | Wheaton, MD
WhenL Saturday, 11am & Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Free
Wheaton Family Theatre Series is back live and in-person this weekend with a puppetry performance by Alex and Olmsted! Milo the Magnificent is a highly engaging puppet show about an aspiring magician. This wordless comedy, inspired by turn of the century vaudeville entertainers, is as highly physical as it is charming. Using stunningly innovative puppetry, Milo presents a variety of magic tricks which don’t always go as planned. For this event, everyone over 12 years old must show proof of vaccination or proof of negative Covid test results within 72 hours to enter. Masks are required for everyone age 3 and up.

Baysox Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | Landover, MD
When: Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: $5-15
Join the Bowie Baysox at Prince George’s Stadium for a Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch. Select a pumpkin from the patch on the outfield at the ballpark and enjoy more activities. Kids can ride on the carousel, jump in the bounce house, play carnival-style, and more. Halloween costumes are encouraged for all! This event will have two time slots: #1 is 11am – 1pm, and #2 is 2-4pm.

Jake Blount – All Ages Music Show
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Sunday, 4pm
Admission: $15-20
The Kennedy Center touts this as a show for all ages with banjo, fiddle and song. DC native Jake Blount is a specialist in the folk traditions of Black and indigenous Americans — his blues and bluegrass music is called a feel-good, awe-inspiring musical experience.

Think Outside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It looks like there will be great weather at least part of the weekend, so plan to get outside. There’s no shortage of places and activities around the area for adventures in the great outdoors. This round-up has tons of ideas for al fresco fun. Some specific recs for now: Hike at Huntley Meadows, enjoy a paddling adventure on the Potomac, see animals at Oxon Hill Farm, wander around Dumbarton Oaks, hang out and play at Hains Point.

The Inside Scoop
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
If weather or other circumstances has you seeking fun indoors, there are plenty of options. This post has info on what’s open when, along with links for more about places and Covid policies. Some specific recs for this weekend: Explore the Postal Museum, burn some energy at the St. James, visit the recently reopened National Children’s Museum, check out Life of a Neuron at ARTECHOUSE, get an art fix at the National Gallery of Art.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Local author JoAnn Hill just shared Five Spooky & Mysterious Sites & Stories to Explore Around DC this Halloween Season.
* The Air & Space Museum ‘s annual Air & Scare Halloween event at the Udvar-Hazy Center will take place outdoors this year. Get details and sign up here (and do it soon, time slots are filling up).
* Tom Sietsema’s restaurant picks for this fall.
* We love the retro mini fridge we got for our new basement.
* Hat and mask in one (and so many cute colors)!
* Can’t wait to watch this documentary.
* He makes a good point.
* Go read the latest Humans of NY series. (Have tissues handy.)

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Five Things for Today: October 12, 2021

1. You don’t need a special event to get into the spirit of the spooky season. Here are some ongoing activities perfect for the Halloween lead-up: A hike at Prince William Forest Park, where you might happen upon old, small family grave sites; a stroll through Congressional Cemetery; a visit to the National Museum of Health & Medicine (best for older kids); a tour of Ford’s Theatre.

2. The Capital Art & Craft Festival is coming to Northern Virginia this weekend, October 15-17, and will feature art in more than a dozen mediums — jewelry, paintings, prints, glass, leather, photography, pottery, wearable art, and wood, and more. (Think early holiday shopping!) Even better, I’ve got five pairs of entry tickets ($24 value) to give away. If you want a chance to win one of them, simply leave a comment below by noon (12pm) on Thursday, October 14. Admission to the festival is free for kids age 12 and under.

3. Loads of ideas for DIY Halloween costumes for kids. (And all kinds of ready-to-wear options if you aren’t so crafty.)

4. This round-up of the 40 Best Movies on Netflix You Probably Haven’t Seen looks bookmark-worthy.

5. Every now and then he nails it.