Tag Archives: Space for Children

A Weather-Dependent Weekend

Right now I’ve got a line from the Stone Temple Pilots song “Plush” playing on repeat in my head:  “And I feel so much depends on the weather.”  Those lyrics could be the theme for this post. Some of this weekend’s best activities take place outdoors, but with rain in the forecast for tomorrow they may not live up to their potential.  Luckily, there’s plenty going on for a great time indoors, too.  (And we’ve learned by now that the forecast isn’t always reliable, anyway.)  Here’s what’s happening around town, indoor and out, rain or shine.  Happy Weekend!

The Tidal Basin was lovely and crowd-free on a chilly weekday evening

A Peek at the Peak – It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year when the cherry trees are in bloom, and they are at their best right now.  The National Mall and Tidal Basin are sure to be teeming with blossom oglers if the weather cooperates, but braving the crowds is worth it.  Our family went for a sunset stroll by the Jefferson Memorial a few evenings ago and found the scene as spectacular as ever.  If you’re planning to partake in the blossom experience this weekend, check out these tips before you go.

Family Fun Day at the Yards ParkAs noted above and below, there two things to get excited about as spring begins in DC: Cherry blossoms and baseball.  On Saturday, you can celebrate both at the Yards Park, the centerpiece of the new Capitol Riverfront area that just opened last year. The Family Fun Day will include kids activities such as boat making and moonbouncing, lantern making for all ages, demos by the Trapeze School, Japanese performers and music, a variety of Japanese cuisine from Nooshi Sushi, and Sake tasting and a Japanese beer garden (for adults, of course) from Mie N Yu.  The event is free and open to the public from 11am – 4pm.

Nano Days – Celebrate nanotechnology at the National Museum of American History’s Spark!Lab with a day full of activities that teach all ages about nano science and invention and the role it plays in our lives. Staff will help visitors conducts experiments that include constructing a giant model of a carbon nanotube entirely from balloons, measuring height in nanometers, and creating a liquid crystal display that changes color.  The free event runs from 10am – 4pm Friday through Sunday.

Owen runs the bases after a Nats game last season

Nationals vs. BravesBaseball season is officially underway, and we can root for the hometeam this weekend as the Nats host the Braves for two more afternoon games on Saturday and Sunday.  Tickets are still available for both, and you can get a discount on select seats if you buy through Goldstar.  And don’t forget about Kids Run the Bases on Sunday after the game—children ages 4-12 can round the plates for an extra ballpark thrill.  For more about baseball games at Nationals Park, see this write up from last year.

Southwest Waterfront Fireworks FestivalThe National Cherry Blossom Festival’s annual event at the Southwest Waterfront is an all-day affair with live music and family festivities galore al kicking off at 1pm. Enjoy a variety of musical performances on three stages aong with face painting, balloon artists, strolling entertainment, mini-sailboat races,T-shirt screenings, fire boat water shows, and more. The grand finale will begin at 8:30pm when the fireworks show illuminates the evening sky and water.

Tots Rock! At Air & SpaceThe National Air & Space Museum is hosting one of its Tots Rock! Shows on Saturday from 10am – 3pm. Kids ages 3-8 can enjoy a mix of entertainment at one of their favorite museums. They can explore a Planetarium show starring Big Bird and Elmo, listen to a flight-themed story, craft shadow puppets or  build a rocket, and…drum roll…rock out at a Ryan Buckle and Friends concert as they perform their hit show Science You Can Sing To. Visit the website for a schedule of events, and note that tickets are required and seating is limited for planetarium shows.

House of Sweden Family Fun – Join the Swedish Embassy for a family day with activities for all ages. Enjoy the Space for Children interactive play room, craft your favorite animal out of fusible beads, take an interactive quiz walk where you will learn some Swedish, get a Swedish treat from the fishing pond (little red gummies, anyone?), and create a work of art in the painting corner.  The free event runs from 11am – 2pm on Saturday.

Shabbatots Passover Prep – The Sixth & I Historic Synagogue is hosting the first installment of Shabbatots, a new monthly Shabbat program for families with young children. Explore the intersection of Judaism and flexibility with Torah yoga, enjoy a light lunch, and learn fun ways to make a Passover seder family friendly. Each family will take home a “seder in a sack” and tools to create a personalized seder. Torah Yoga is free and runs from 10 – 10:30am. The lunch and activity portion runs from 10:30am – 12pm, and cost is $36 per family. The activity is appropriate for children ages 2-6, but siblings of different ages are welcome.

A Preschool Celebrates 50 YearsThe Learning Center for Young Children (LCYC) is celebrating its 50th year of serving the Kensington area with an Open House & Children’s Fair on Sunday from 2 – 5pm. Families can enjoy activity stations set up around the school including arts & crafts, storytelling, hands-on science projects, music, and dance.  LCYC’s ‘Young Music Makers’ will perform under the direction of John Horman.  There will also be door prizes, face painting, and snacks available.  Visit the website for more details, including location and directions.

The Magic Paintbrush – You have two more weekends to catch the Synetic Family Theater’s current production that takes the audience on a dramatic adventure through China. Owen and I saw the play a couple of weeks ago, and we were both enchanted.  Performed completely through pantomime (or phyiscal storytelling, as the theater calls it) I was unsure how Owen would respond.  But while he couldn’t quite follow the story, he was nonetheless captivated by the expressive actors performing along with beautiful Chinese music and action-packed scenes, including Cirque de Soleil-like choreography, as actors whirled mid-air on suspended curtains. I’d recommend reading the story with your kids prior to the show, so they have a better understanding of the plot, but even if you don’t have an opportunity, they’ll likely be mesmerized all the same.  Tickets for The Magic Paintbrush are $12 and available for purchase through the Synetic Theater website.

Show TimeSeveral more productions will be on stages this weekend, including Dr. Kaboom at the Kennedy Center and Cinderella at Alden Theatre. For more current performances, see this post on spring shows in the area.

Tiny Tots –Two puppet shows for the littlest ones will be performed at The Puppet Co. this weekend: Animal Crackers on Saturday and Dragon Bandwagon on Sunday.  Both start at 10am.  Tickets are $5 and available online or at the box office.   Tiny Tots shows are recommended for ages 0-4.

Portrait Story Days: Duke EllingtonDrop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Sunday from 1 – 4pm to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This week, learn about jazz composer, pianist, and big band leader Duke Ellington (1899-1974).

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Weekend Outlook: Snow, with a Cherry Blossom on Top

Surely, I’m not the only one who has been staring at the weather forecast in disbelief.  That can’t be a picture of a little white cloud surrounded by tiny snowflakes on Sunday.  Not only does this not bode so well for the kite festival that I’ve been looking forward to for weeks, I just packed up all of our winter coats for storage in the basement for what I thought would be the next few seasons.  Plus, OldMan Winter just announced his hiatus for the better part of the remaining year.

But I’ll keep the glass half full (like mine literally will be by 5pm today) as I get to my picks for family fun.  Snow may not be the ideal weather scenario, but plenty of great indoor activities will be happening to override any meteorological disappointment.  However, if that forecast turns around, I highly recommend the kite festival.  Happy Weekend!

Celebrate the Bloom – The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off on Saturday with a Family Day and Opening Ceremonies at the National Building Museum.  On both Saturday and Sunday, there will music and activities on the National Mall, including the Blossom Kite Festival on Sunday, if it doesn’t get snowed out.  Find out more about the best family events and get tips for viewing the spring blossoms.

Under the Big TopThe Greatest Show on Earth is at the Verizon Center now through March 27. Barnum 200 – Barnum’s Funundrum features 130 performers from six continents, almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates, and mermaids — a super-sized spectacle so massive you just can’t miss it.   Tickets are still available, and I found a promo code on Go Out & Play – save $8 by entering the code 8MOM when buying your tickets at Ticketmaster.com.  If you purchase your tickets the day of the show, you can save $4 with the code 4MOM.

Boogie Down at Eastern MarketCelebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with the Boogie Babes! The Festival’s Music of Spring program includes a Children’s Stage at the Market’s North Hall where many Boogie Babes regular performers will entertain kids throughout the day. On the schedule:  Saturday – 10:30am Mr. Skip, 1:30pm The Banjo Man, 4pm The Singing Lizard.  Sunday -10:30am The Banjo Man, 1:30pm Mr. Skip, 4pm John Henry, The Guitar Playing Man.  Suggested $10/family for the performer.

It’s Showtime – Along with the circus, a few more family shows will bring uniqe entertainment to the area this weekend.  Strathmore will host “Imago Theatre: Zoo Zoo”; an NSO Family Concert, “The Trumpet of the Swan” will play at the Kennedy Center, and the Gardens Figure Skating Club presents “Alice in Wonderland on Ice.”  Tickets are still available for all of them.  For details on these performances and more, see this post on spring shows.

Bowie Baysox Free Family FunFest – Get ready for baseball season with minor league team, the Bowie Baysox.  Their 12th annual Free Family FunFest will take place on Saturday from 10am – 2pm rain or shine.  Festivities include free rides, games, inflatables, music, and face painting.  Plus, there will be special appearances by Louie, the Oriole Bird, Dora, and the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS department with vehicles on display.  More details are available on the Out by Ten blog.

South African Family FunOn Saturday from 12 – 2:30pm at the African Art Museum, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of South Africa as Lesole Dance Project performs a variety of South African dances, including gumboots, which originated in the gold mines; the fast-paced and colorful pantsula; and the indlamu, known as “the warrior dance.” Discover the beauty of South African wall painting among the homesteads and houses of the Ndebele peoples and create your own Ndebele-inspired design. Join storyteller Lucretia Anderson as she weaves old and new tales from South Africa.  This is a free event.

Have a Ball this Saturday at The NationalThe audience gets into the act at this with Globe Trotter Alumnus and basketball star, Spencer “Spinny” Johnson, celebrated for high scoring, integrity, and trick-shot artistry. Spinny gives a dynamic display of digital dexterity and invites anyone to step up and join in. Behind dazzling fast-action tricks are inspiring lessons in respect, goal-setting, and self-confidence. Performances are at 9:30am and 11am.  Tickets are free, but required. Distributed day of on first-come, first-served basis.

Maury at the MarketIf you have a sitter for Saturday evening, consider attending Maury at the Market, a silent auction and reception to support PTA programs at Maury Elementary, a DC public school on Capitol Hill.  From 7-10pm, Eastern Market’s North Hall will be transformed into a swanky party venue where guests can mix and mingle, enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and bid on a variety of fantastic auction items.  Tickets are $30 at the door.  See this post for more details.

Space for Children at House of Sweden – The Swedish Embassy welcomes families to experience what sounds like a unique exhibit on weekends through April 24.  Two rooms of “interactivity creativity” celebrate the parent-child bond and encourage creative play. The free exhibit is open Saturdays from 11am – 4pm and Sundays from 12 – 5pm.  Read more about it on the Embassy’s website.

Tiny Tots –Two puppet shows for the littlest ones will be performed at The Puppet Co. this weekend: Baby Bear’s Birthday on Saturday and Second-Hand Stars on Sunday.  Both start at 10am.  Tickets are $5 and available online or at the box office.   Tiny Tots shows are recommended for ages 0-4.

Portrait Story Day: PocahontasDrop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Sunday from 1 – 4pm to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This week, learn about Pocahontas, the Native American chief’s daughter who married English settler John Rolfe.



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What To Do This Weekend

There’s so much going on this weekend, it almost seems more appropriate to ask, “What isn’t there to do?” Museum family days, Mardi Gras celebrations, even some outdoor fun (if the weather cooperates) are all part of the mix.  Here are details on all of them and more.  Happy Weekend!

Tots Rock!Rocknoceros at the Air & Space Museum.  I almost feel like nothing more needs to be said.  But in case you’re wondering, a planetarium show starring Big Bird and Elmo, plus “Flights of Fancy” story time will also be part of Saturday’s entertainment at the museum on the National Mall. Visit the website for a schedule of events, and note that tickets are required and seating is limited for planetarium shows.

Space for Children at House of Sweden The Swedish Embassy welcomes families to experience what sounds like a unqiue exhibit on weekends through April 24.  Two rooms of “interactivity creativity” celebrate the parent-child bond and encourage creative play. The free exhibit is open Saturdays from 11am – 4pm and Sundays from 12 – 5pm.  Read more about it on the Embassy’s website.

Mardi Gras FestivalThis party at the Rockville Town Square will have all the makings for a New Orelans-style celebration – the family-friendly version, anyway. Put on crazy balloon hats and whoop it up with a parade, live music, masks and beads, arts & crafts, a moonbounce, and plenty more Mardi Gras fun.  The free event will take place Saturday from  10am – 2pm.

D.C. Color Splash!If you follow KidFriendly DC on Facebook, you may have seen the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s 2011 Family Festival mentioned a few days ago.  It sounds like a great opportunity to check out the museum and have a fun, art-filled day with the kids. Guests can try their hands at various art mediums, join in interactive performances, groove along with local musicians, and explore the hues and  illuminations of the exhibit “Washington Color and Light.”

U.S. National ArboretumThere may be some rain in the forecast for this weekend, but we all know how quickly that can change around here.  So, I’ll go ahead and recommend the Arboretum for some outdoor recreation. The plants aren’t yet blooming (I know from being there last weekend), but tramping through the woods, playing among the old Capitol columns, and visiting the Koi pond are always a thrill for kids.  Don’t forget to check out the new Lunar New Year exhibit at the Bonai Museum  on display until March 27.

Watkins Regional Park – If weather does work in our favor, another great outdoor pursuit is a visit to Watkins Regional Park.  The train and carousel aren’t open this time of year, but you can see the animals at Old Maryland Farm and maybe even catch a pony ride.  The Watkins Nature Center will have even more critters that guests can check out along with a squirrel gym that showcases squirrels performing tricks and eating corn.  Pack a picnic for lunch al fresco, then play on the sprawling colorful playground.

Circus of High-Flying Events It’s another Family Saturday at Intersections: A New America Arts Festival taking place at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.  Starting at 11am and continuing into the evening , there will be all kinds of arts and activities for guests to enjoy, from a performance of Adventure Theatre’s “Mirandy and Brother Wind” to acrobatic acts by circus performers to a tap dancing production to a flamenco show.  There will also be opportunities to take part in some movement and art workshops.  Some of the activities are free – check the schedule to see which require tickets and what time they are happening.

Tie & Dye a TextileYour kids can connect with their inner hippies at the Textile Museum’s monthly Arts for Families program.  This Saturday, guests are invite to create their own colorful textiles as they explore tie-dyeing. Learn various fold and tie techniques to create unique designs on cloth to take home. This free activity runs from 2-4pm.  Recommended for ages 4 -12.

Dance Your Socks Off – River Park Nursery School in Capitol Hill is hosting its annual Sock Hop and Silent Auction on Saturday from 4 – 7pm. Folks all over the area are invited to join the party.  For details, check out this post from last week.

Merry Mardi GrasLaissez les bons temps rouler!  The Launch Zone at the National Children’s Museum will transform into New Orleans for a just-for-kids Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday from 11am – 4pm. Kids can make their own jester hats, traditional masks, and all of the other essentials for a traditional Mardi Gras parade.  This is all free, just head on over to the National Harbor and join the fun.

Flying in the Great Hall ­– The National Building Museum’s Great Hall is one of the most magnificent spaces in the city.  I bet it’ll be even more so with model airplanes soaring through it.   Witness the spectacle this Sunday from 11am – 4pm when DC Maxecutors’ model planes take flight.  It should be quite a sight.  All ages are welcome to this free event.

Theatre on Strings – A few productions will be performed at The Puppet Co. this weekend.  Tiny tots can enjoy “Old MacDonald’s Farm” on Saturday and “Penguin’s Playground” on Sunday.  Both start at 10am.  Tickets are $5 and available online.   Tiny Tots shows are recommended for ages 0-4.  Older children will enjoy “Jack and the Beanstalk,” showing both Saturday and Sunday at 11:30am and 1pm. Tickets are $10 and also available for purchase online.

Show Time – Several live family-friendly productions are in local theaters, and tickets are still available for some of this weekend’s performances.  Check out this post to see what’s playing and how to reserve your seats.

Stories in Art –Sculptor David Smith is 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,” n 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.

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