Tag Archives: REsources for Families

Springtime at the National Arboretum

Happy Weekend!

Fast links for all kinds of DC fun:
* Spring Things to Get Excited About
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Best Outdoor Spots
* Peaceful Places
* Indoor Outings
* On the Water
* Bike Rides

Spring Drive-In Movie Series
Where: The Stack at Buzzard Point | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 8pm
Admission: $20/car
Pile into the family car to catch a flick in the city! This six-week drive-in series from the Capitol Riverfront BID features movies inspired by post-pandemic goals — traveling, concerts, house parties, Met Galas, and more.  Each film session will be a fun, contact-free experience for all ages at an appropriate social distance. Even more, all funds will be donated to local charities. This weekend’s showing is Moana, and proceeds will benefit Van Ness Elementary School.

Drive-In, in NoVa
Where: Alexandria Drive-In Movie Theater | Alexandria, VA
When: Friday & Saturday, 8pm
Admission: $40/car
You can also catch a flick from the comfort of your car in Virginia, an ideal way to enjoy some entertainment out of the house and social distance. Mamma Mia will be on the big outdoor screen on Friday night, and Jurassic Park on Saturday. Food trucks will be there both nights offering savory and sweet concessions with online ordering through Goodfynd! Purchase movie tickets in advance!

Blooming Azaleas
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: Throughout the weekend, 8am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The azalea bloom at the National Arboretum is very well known among flower enthusiasts, attracting visitors from all over every year. And for good reason: It’s absolutely gorgeous! Even more, the Arb is a great place to spend a day with the family; even when there are lots of visitors, there is plenty of space to spread out with something to enjoy in every area.  Go here for scenes from the bloom and info for checking it out. [Update: The Arb is limiting visitors for crowd control — this bloom is a popular one! — so be aware there may be a wait to get in.]

Take a Hike
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Ongoing
Admission: Varies by locale
There’s a link above for a round-up of local hikes, but sometimes specific recs are helpful. A few places to hit the trail that will be nice this weekend: Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton, VA (paddling ops, too!); Turkey Run Park in McLean, VA; Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Northeast DC; Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, MD (with a stop at The Comus Inn or Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard after), and Patapsco Valley State Park near Baltimore, MD.

Glow With It
Where: Georgetown, DC
When: Through June 27
Admission: Free
See Georgetown sparkle with modern light art installations. This free outdoor public art experience showcases eight innovative works around the neighborhood. They are visible during the day, but obviously shine more in the evenings. Take the fam to dinner, then go for a stroll to check them all out! Get a glimpse of a past light show here.

Lincoln’s Bike Ride
Where: President Lincoln’s Cottage | Petworth, DC
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: $50
Join President Lincoln’s Cottage and the DC Cycling Concierge as they recreate Lincoln’s three-mile commute by bike from his Cottage in Petworth to the White House. The day will start with an introduction at President Lincoln’s Cottage (140 Rock Creek Church Road), followed by a guided cycling tour, retracing Lincoln’s commute. The tour will stop at places of note for bits of history and end at the White House. [Note: This sounds like a lot of riding through the city — parents are the best judges of whether their kids are up for it. Also, this will be happening again on May 1.]

Play Ball Drive-Thru
Where: Fletcher’s Field | Riverdale, MD
When: Saturday, 12-2pm
Admission: Free
Catch some Nats swag at this event from the Washington Nationals and Price George’s County Parks & Rec. To help encourage and promote youth baseball and softball participation, the Nats and Screech are giving away free plastic bats, balls, and other Nationals swag to young fans. Open to all children between the ages of 4-18, this socially-distant event will allow participants to remain in their cars and have the items passed through their car windows. Face coverings will be required. Fans should register here.  Fletcher’s Field is located at 5200 Kenilworth Ave. in Riverdale, MD.

Farm Fun
Where: Farms around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
You don’t need a holiday or big festival to enjoy fun on some area farms.  Great Country has a whole play area, farm market, and baby goats to visit. Clark’s Elioak delights with its old storybook park installations and mini rides for kids.  And check out a recent post for ways to Bring the Fun Home… from DC Area Farms!

AdMo Art Walk
Where: Adams Morgan, DC
When: Through May 14
Admission: Free
Where many of us spent our 20s partying it up, is now like an art gallery for a few weeks. Walk the streets of Adams Morgan and admire an impressive selection of artworks displayed in various storefronts on a self-guided walking tour. Go here to see the participating businesses that will be showcasing the art and plan your stroll to see it all.

Saturday Morning Live! At The National
Where: The National Theatre Facebook Page
When: Saturday, 9:30am
Admission: Free
The National Theatre is excited to present Gonzo’s Multiverse episode four: Pepe, Pedro, and The Sun. Gonzo’s Multiverse explores the very small, the very large, and everything in between! Viewers will investigate the natural world through music, poetry, art, and some surprising new friends. This programming is best suited for children ages four through ten, but siblings and friends of other ages are always welcome to join the fun!

Hang Out
Where: Hains Point | Southwest DC
When: Ongoing
Admission: Free
Sometimes it’s nice to go someplace where you can just hang out for a few hours (not to mention, this gives me a chance to highlight an old post and cool place). At Hains Point,  you can play, picnic, and enjoy the surrounding scenery where the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers converge.  At East Potomac Park, head all the way down, almost to the tip of the park, to reach the playgrounds. They’re set amid a large grassy area with picnic tables and restrooms right there, too. The spot offers great views of the rivers and airplanes taking off and landing at DCA. You can make a longer day of it in the area and visit the nearby Tidal Basin to explore the Jefferson, Roosevelt, and MLK Memorials.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* What to Do After the Derek Chauvin Verdict
* Help clean up the Anacostia with Green Boats!
* Washingtonian mapped every place to eat and drink by the water in the DC area.
* Real Simple’s recs for the best new books to read in 2021 (so far).
* Not a new book, but I’ve been reading and enjoying Outline by Rachel Cusk.
* All 56 movies nominated for an Oscar this year, ranked.
* Wow.

Boating season has begun in the DC area

Happy Weekend!

Back-pocket posts full of ideas for local recreation:
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Best Outdoor Spots
* Peaceful Places
* Indoor Outings
* Bike Rides

Long Awaited Reopening
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $10/adult, $7/child, free for members
The National Building Museum reopens on Friday after being closed since even before Covid shut everything down. Visitors will be welcome on weekends, Friday – Sunday, to view the exhibits, browse the gift shop, and marvel at the stunning Great Hall.  Two new exhibitions,  Gun Violence Memorial Project and Justice is Beauty: The Work of MASS Design Group, sound interesting and timely, and a few more ongoing exhibits will be back. A heads-up that the children’s areas — PLAY WORK BUILD and Building Zone — are not yet open.  Also of note:  It’s still free to hang out in the Great Hall; just certain exhibits require tickets.

Victura Park is Popping Back Up
Where: The REACH | Kennedy Center, DC
When: Friday 4-9pm, Saturday & Sunday, 12-9pm
Admission: Free
The weekend wine garden is back at The REACH, the Kennedy Center’s immersive extension. Part of the lovely outdoor area transforms into Victura Park, a family-friendly pop-up wine and beer garden & café, offering snacks and sips that you can enjoy at socially distanced tables or in other areas. Be sure to stroll around the grounds, the large plaza (we’ve seen skates and scooters there), and the sweeping Kennedy Center terrace, where you can also enjoy great Potomac River views.

It’s Glow Time
Where: Around Georgetown, DC
When: Through June 27
Admission: Free
Georgetown Glow, the annual exhibition that usually takes place during the holiday season, was rescheduled for spring. See the neighborhood sparkle with modern light art installations throughout the bustling community. Take the fam to dinner, then go for a stroll to check them all out. Get a glimpse of a past light show here.

Mini Trains & Carousel Opening
Where: Cabin John in Bethesda & Wheaton Regional Park, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $2.50
All aboard! Montgomery Park’s Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel are opening for the season. Take kiddos for a spin around the parks on replicas of an 1863 steam locomotive. Or go for whirl on the Carousel (Wheaton only). Plan for time on the playgrounds, too — both offer lots of fun for little ones.  Read more about Cabin John here and Wheaton here.

Fairies in the Garden
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $5 suggested donation
Guaranteed to delight, the annual exhibit of fairy and gnome houses at Annmarie Sculpture Garden begins this weekend.This year more than 100 homes for sprightly creatures will be scattered throughout the grounds. Viewing them as you walk along a trail through the woods is fun for all. Plan for play time in the adorable Fairy Lolly, and stop in the Arts Center for more creative works. Get a glimpse of it all here and here.   PS: The Fairy & Gnome Home Festival is next Sunday, April 18, in case you want to save a visit for then.

Go with the Flow
Where: Waterways around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
Row, row, row your boat or kayak or canoe! Paddle season has started as several places have started offering boat rentals and more open this weekend. Boating in DC has several locations in the District and a few NoVa Parks offer it, too. This post about places to go with the flow has more details.

Bloomaroo
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Through Sunday
Admission: Varies
It’s the last weekend that the Wharf is celebrating the cherry blossoms with Bloomaroo. Enjoy food and drinks specials at many of the restaurants.  Catch Anime Movies, including the newest Sonic the Hedgehog movie. Check out a special mural created by ARTECHOUSE, too. Ride the Wharf Jitney or hop on the Water Taxi to get an up-close look at what’s left of the bloom and more scenic sights of DC. For more about The Wharf, see this KFDC post.

Farm Fun
Where: Farms around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
Easter may be over, but some of the farms that hosted egg hunts are still running and offering lots of fun for families. Great Country has a whole play area, farm market, and baby goats. Clark’s Elioak delights with its old storybook park installations and mini rides for kids. And Butler’s Orchard is even hosting Bunnyland for one more weekend. And check out the recent post for ways to Bring the Fun Home… from DC Area Farms!

Around the World Virtual Family Scavenger Hunt
Where: Watson Adventures | Online
When: Saturday, 4-5:30pm
Admission: $19
Just because you can’t travel widely doesn’t mean your family still can’t go around the world! This global virtual adventure will send you off to explore the world’s best museums and historic locations via links to eye-popping websites. Your challenge: follow our clues, find amazing objects, and answer tricky questions about them. Stops along the way include a 360-degree view of the ancient streets of Pompeii, Italy, prehistoric cave paintings in France, a swim around the Great Barrier Reef and a live panda cam in China, just to name a few.

Shakespeare Family Fest
Where: Shakespeare Theatre Company | Online
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Hear ye! Hear ye! Join the fun in a weekend of free virtual events for the whole family. Explore the magic of theatre with virtual performances of A Mini-Summer Night’s Dream and The Tiny Tempest, a stage blood demonstration, interactive workshops, crafting activities, and more. Meet Shakespeare Theatre Company staff and teaching artists and learn more about Classes for Youth and Teens and Camp Shakespeare. Drop in for a session or spend the whole weekend with them. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Pop-Up Street Theater
Where: Locales around Arlington, VA
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Catch Synetic Theatre’s final pop-up performances of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. They’ll be clowning around and bringing street theater to Arlington parks, as a pair of improv actors make appearances at the Art Wall in Virginia Highlands Park, the Crystal City Water Park, and the Long Bridge Park Esplanade.  Follow @synetictheater on Instagram to see where they are and how long they’ll be there!

Go Fly A Kite
Where: Alethia Tanner Park | NoMa, DC
When: Sunday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Wind down the National Cherry Blossom with this sweet giveaway rom the NoMa BID. Stop by Alethia Tanner Park and pick up a free kite kit — and put it together to fly from the large lawn. Plan for some time on the playground and bring along pups to play in the dog park. You can even bring along a picnic and make a day of it! The park is located at 227 Harry Thomas Way NE.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* A group of local middle middle-schoolers have taken their creative fun to the next level and started Glasswing Tie Dye, selling T-shirts with all kinds of cool tie dye designs.
* Washingtonian highlights five fun food events around DC this weekend.
* Just posted this week: Spring Things to Get Excited About Around the DC Area (some of them in this round-up).
* The Yards and Pacers Running are hosting Brunch On the Go, a guided stretch and run along the riverfront, followed by a curated to-go brunch from Yards restaurants Osteria Morini, Shilling Canning Co., and Chloe. It will be offered April 17, April 24, and May 1.
* Is your child practicing the recorder? 😂