1.Congressional Cemetery on Capitol Hill is a beautiful and interesting place to visit — yes, even with kids! However, it’s only partially open right now to family members of loved one buried there and K-9 Corps members. But we recently learned that you can get a day-pass for $10 to walk dogs there. We took Teddy the pup this past weekend and loved being back to stroll around and explore the grounds (and he had a blast running around off-leash). Open Tuesday – Sunday 8am – 8pm, though closed 11am – 3pm on Saturdays. And if you don’t have a dog, keep a visit to the Cemetery in mind for when it opens to everyone again. It’s full of history, graves of notable people, lovely grounds, and even geocaching opportunities. Read more about it here and in the round-up of peaceful places in DC.
2. If you’re looking for ways kiddos can get creative on these winter days, Hirshhorn Kids at Home has some fun, imaginative projects inspired by the museum’s artworks. They can channel their inner Picasso, construct a Wish Tree, make art from scraps, and much more. Sign up for their newsletter to stay updated on new ideas.
3. This map shows where fencing around the Capitol currently extends.
2. Tomorrow, February 3, celebrate the final day of skating at Color Burst Ice Rink in Columbia, MD, with a family-friendly event honoring the birthday of poet and Busboys and Poets namesake, Langston Hughes. Poetry on Ice will feature live music, spoken word performances, a pop-up bookstore, prizes and more. It starts at 4pm, and skating admission is $7.
1. The National Building Museum’s annual CANstruction program, a design competition to raise awareness about hunger, is today — and this year it’s taking place online. Check out an array of virtual designs all constructed from canned goods around the theme of Children’s Books. Vote for your favorite, too!
2. If you’re looking for activities inside on a foul weather day, there are some places around the area that are welcoming visitors — all of them with extra safety measure in place for Covid. This post has a list of what’s open right now. (FYI: ARTECHOUSE is the only DC spot open, but there are several in Maryland and Virginia.)
1. The National Children’s Museum is currently accepting applications from kids aged 7-12 to help host upcoming episodes of their podcast, STEAM Daydream with National Children’s Museum. Find instructions for applying here. (PS: The museum is currently closed due to Covid, and was open only briefly before the pandemic began, but for more background on it — and what to expect when we can go back — see this KFDC post.)
2.Goldstar, the company that offered discount tickets for live entertainment and other events pre-Covid, has been presenting online performing arts and more virtual opportunities during this time instead. They have programs especially for children, including an online Comedy 4 Kids class, a free Lion King Education Experience, and a subscription to digital Performances for Young Audience from the Kennedy Center.
Soul Strolls
Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: $25/adult, $12/child
Trespass into the past and discover the secrets of some of Congressional Cemetery’s “residents.” Soul Strolls, the Cemetery’s annual twilight tours, explore the stories of individuals buried there through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Experience the history of this hallowed ground exactly the way it should be experienced in October — in twilight and darkness, happening upon vignettes and individuals under the guidance of one of the “Dozen Decent Docents.” Hour-long tours depart every 15 minutes. Beer, wine, and cider tickets will be for sale on-site to enjoy a drink before your tour, plus there will be a bar located along the tour route to redeem your drink tickets for a refresher.
Spooktacular Drive-In Flicks
Where: Akridge Lot at Buzzard Point | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday
Admission: $20/vehicle
Grab your popcorn and join the Capitol Riverfront BID for a drive-in movie at the Akridge Lot (First and V St. SW) in Buzzard Point next to Audi Field. The movie is a fun, contact-free experience for all ages with space for 75 vehicles set at an appropriate social distance. Frankenstein & Dracula is the spooktacular flick being screened this weekend. Proceeds will be donated to DC Central Kitchen.
Drive-In “Spooky” Movie Nights
Where: DC Party Box | Rockville, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $15/adult, $10/13 & under
Enjoy Sppoktacular theater at this drive-in, featuring an LED screen, FM broadcasting, and spooky surprises. There are two showings each night, a family-friendly film at 7pm and a classic or scary movie 10pm. This weekend it’s Scoob and Sixth Sense on Friday, Hocus Pocus and The Shining on Saturday, and The Addams Family and Nightmare on Elm Street on Sunday. Reserve in advance online, one reservation per car.
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 that also allow for social distancing. See what’s coming up around the area and access virtual activities from some of your favorite places. This annual post has details on where to find the tricks and treats.
Art Safari
Where: Online
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
An Alexandria tradition for 25 years, Art Safari is moving online in 2020. On Saturday, professional artists will lead a series of creative hands-on projects via Facebook Live with sessions running 11am – 4pm. Other recorded sessions will be posted throughout the day via Facebook videos and will be archived on the Torpedo Factory website for later viewing.
Crystalline
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Through
Admission: $12-17/child, $19-24/adult
To wrap up this unprecedented year, ARTECHOUSE has transformed their gallery into a blue-hued haven intended to evoke calm and peace during a turbulent time. Submerge in the sights, sounds, and sensations and discover creative curiosities as you interact with the digital art.
The Great Pumpkin Experience
Where: Ballston Quarter | Ballston, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
Pumpkin spice things up with festive, fall fun! Watch local artist, Natalie Rogers, create custom painted pumpkins and have an opportunity to support R.E.A.D. and the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation. Capture memorable photo ops with larger than life, hand-painted pumpkins and take home a DIY pumpkin painting kit with a qualifying purchase of $75, while supplies last.
Fall, Y’all!
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Celebrate the season at an area festival. From pumpkin patches and apple picking to corn mazes and hayrides, there are still traditional activities to enjoy in safe ways. This post has details on where all the fall fun is happening.
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 a bunch of great places for fall adventures.
Kids Euro Festival
Where: Online
When: Though November 29
Admission: Free
International travel may not be possible right now, but you can still enjoy European adventures. The annual Kids Euro Festival is going digital this year, offering families all over the world access to an extended virtual festival with a full 6 weeks of online programming — all of it free. From October 17 – November 29, tune in for performances, concerts, workshops, movies, storytelling, puppetry, dance, and more. Create your own Finland with Minecraft, do some pumpkin carving with Cypress, bake baguettes with France, and see what other Euro activities are available.
Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks around Fairfax County, 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. Volunteer with kids age 12 and up for a watershed clean-up at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Pick, learn about, and decorate pumpkins at Sully Historic Site. Check out a woodcarving demonstration at Colvin Run Mill. Details and registration for these and more nature activities this weekend and beyond are available here.
Monuments: Creative Forces
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: Through October 25
Admission: $5-30
This unique outdoor art installation throughout Strathmore’s 16 acres sounds like an ideal exhibition for COVID times, being in fresh air with a lot of space. Monuments: Creative Forces by Australian artist Craig Walsh features moving, dimensional video portraits of artists whose work and artistic endeavors are changing the shape of our community in profound ways. The expansive portraits of these creative heroes were chosen by a diverse panel of community and arts leaders are projected on to towering trees, transforming them into animated sculptural monuments.
Go with the Flow
Where: Waterways around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It doesn’t have to be summer to enjoy some recreation on the water. In fact, paddling our local rivers and lakes is a great way to do some leaf peeping and have some active fun. Boating in DC is still offering rentals as are a couple of other area places. Find details for them all here.
The Great Indoors
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
There are some great ways to enjoy getting out with out being outside. A lot of indoor places have reopened with extra precautions to ensure safety during COVID. This post has details on where you can hang out inside, and this one has suggestions especially for little kids.
N Street Village SHERO Walk
Where: Online
When: Saturday
Admission: Donation
Join this annual walk, taking place virtually this year, to benefit N Street Village, the city’s largest provider of housing and services for women experiencing homelessness. Also, checkout their toolkit for families and kids to help discuss issues like poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness.
Even More Activities
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
If you want even more ideas for things to do over the weekend, this post has plenty of inspo, listing both ongoing activities around the area as well as information on reopenings.
ever made…AGAIN.
