Tag Archives: Spring 2022

June 22, 2022 · 8:39 am

Five Things: June 22, 2022

1, The Smithsonian Folklife Festival begins today! Back in person after two years, the event will once again celebrate living cultural heritage and community traditions, this year highlighting United Arab Emirates and Earth Optimism. From June 22-27 and June 30 – July 4, all kinds exhibits, demonstrations, live performances, talks, food, markets, and much more will be on the National Mall between 7th & 12th Streets NW from 11am – 6pm each day. Admission is free. Definitely make time to go — it’s always a fantastic event with so much for all ages to enjoy! View scenes from a past Folklife Festival here. (PS: I recommend taking Metro if possible as parking is tough around the National Mall, especially during this time of year.)

2, This evening, join the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center for E.T. : The Extra Terrestrial in Concert, a 40th anniversary celebration of the classic film. The NSO will performs the complete Academy Award–winning score as the movie is projected in HD on the big screen. Tickets are $29-49, and you can use the code 472964 to get 50% off orchestra seats for the performance.

3, Tomorrow, June 23, the National Museum of Natural History is celebrating Pollinator Week with a free family concert followed by a book signing with Latin Grammy winner, Mister G. There will also be hands-on activities and learning stations, plus fun giveaways from the Pollinator Partnership, the US Forest Service, and USDA. Join the fun from 10am – 12:30pm in Q?rius on the Ground Floor of the museum. Admission is free.

4, For those times that you can’t get out, 50 at-home kids’ activities.

5, A fun watch with a children’s fave.

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Filed under 2022, DC, Summer

Tagged as DC Culture, DC Kids Activities, DC Lifestyle, DC with kids, Family Friendly Activities in DC, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, June 2022, Kid Friendly DC, Places to Go with Kids in DC, Spring 2022, Summer 2022, Summer in DC

June 16, 2022 · 9:37 am

Five Things: June 16, 2022

Taking in views of DC from the Old Post Office Clock Tower

1. One of the neatest DC adventures (that many people never seemed to know about) is back after a pandemic hiatus! We can once again see the city from a unique vantage point at the Old Post Office Clock Tower. Located at 12th & C Streets NW (within the former Trump Hotel, now Waldorf Astoria) and operated by the National Park Service, it’s free to visit and go up to the observation deck of one of the tallest buildings in DC. It’s fascinating to see the inner-workings of the big ticker and exhilarating to take in the sweeping views of the city. Read more about it in this post about our first visit there many years ago. It’s open daily from 9am – 4pm, but note there are closure dates during the first week of every month — in 2022 they are July 5, August 2, September 1, October 4, November 1, and December 1. The building is located at 12th & Pennsylvania NW, and the entrance for the Tower is at 12th & C Streets NW (on 12th between Pennsylvania & Constitution Ave.).

2. There is fun bubbling up at CityCenter in Downtown DC! BubbleworksDC, an immersive world-class bubble spectacle, is bringing some extra delight to The Plaza through July 4. Stop by to play for free in the 6-8 minute interactive shows — they run every hour at the top of the hour 1-7 pm daily. Since it’s a short experience, make the most of your visit to the area and head to the nearby National Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian American Art Museum. Both are open daily 11:30am – 7pm, and admission is free. CityCenter is located bewteen 9th & 11th. Streets and New York Ave. & H Streets NW. The museums are located at 8th & F Streets NW.

3. Looking for a family volunteering opportunity? DC Way is hosting a clean-up event this Sunday, June 19, from 9am – 3pm. Part of their quarterly environmental project, it will take place on the four blocks surrounding Tyler Elementary School, their primary soccer camp location. The goal is that the cleanliness of the streets surrounding will be improved, a clean community will be present, and a good environment for children to grow in is maintained. All are welcome to help out, but let them know if you’ll be joining!

4. Shows to watch during Pride Month.

5. Happy end of the school year! 😂

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Filed under 2022, DC, Summer

June 9, 2022 · 2:37 pm

Five Things: June 9, 2022

1. A sobering sight on the National Mall right now: The National Gun Violence Memorial 2022 remembers victims of gun violence with over 45,000 flowers — one for every American who has died from gun violence in a single year — in thousands of vases lining the grounds. While most of the flowers are white, 5,000 are orange to represent the increase of deaths from gun violence over the last year. These are accompanied by signs with facts about gun violence in America and messages urging people to act. Created by Giffords, Gabby Giffords’ organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence, the installation will be on view at 15th & Constitution Ave. NW through this Saturday, June 11.

2. Similarly, the Gun Violence Memorial Project is a very powerful exhibit at the National Building Museum. It has been on view since the museum reopened last spring, but is, sadly, ever-timely. It is free to visit along with the Great Hall, though if you go, I recommend checking out the rest of the exhibits, including Play Work Build, the interactive space for kids filled with big, blue foam building blocks. Admission to exhibits is $10/adult, $7/child. The museum is open Thursday – Monday, 10am – 4pm.

3. Tinkergarten’s first-ever Summer Celebration is taking place nationwide in mid-June — and it’s (free and open to all! Families are invited to join in delightful kid-friendly outdoor activities and a chance to connect to nature and the community as they welcome the start of a new season. Activities include decorating nature crowns and make community art, share in celebratory songs and movement, making wishes for the season, and more. Find a Tinkergarten Summer Celebration near you!

4. If you’re looking for a luxury getaway that isn’t too far from DC, I highly recommend Salamander Resort in Middleburg, VA. I just did an overnight there with friends — my first stay there — and it was fantastic. It’s a splurge, for sure, but everything top-notch and so lovely.

5. “Everything I learn about you makes me love you more.” 🌈

Five Things for Today: June 1, 2022

Iconic Batman character costumes on display at a past Awesome Con

1. Awesome Con, the convention celebrating pop culture and geekdom, is coming to DC this weekend, June 3-5. For three days at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, there will be an amazing assortment of engaging events, comic books, collectibles, toys, games, original art, cosplay, appearances by pop culture stars, and more. There is so much for all ages, including a whole Awesome Con Jr. area with programming especially for younger kids. It all takes place on Friday, 1-8pm; Saturday, 10am – 7pm; and Sunday, 10am – 5pm. Admission starts at $18/child, $45/adult online, and $27/child, $60/adult at the door. We’ve been several times, so can tell you from experience that it is, well, awesome. Get a glimpse of past events here and here. And see what other big events and festivals are coming to the area this summer.

2. Tomorrow, June 2, watch a flick where you usually look for the DC United score! Audi Field will transform into an outdoor cinema as Movies on the Pitch presents a film on the stadium’s Jumbotron screen. The monthly summer series kicks off with Spider Man: No Way Home — gates open at 5:30pm, and the family-friendly experience begins at 7pm. Reserve free, general admission tickets in advance. Concessions will be available for purchase. This will also take place on June 30 (Sing 2), July 28 (A Quiet Place 2), and August 25 (In the Heights). And for more opportunities to enjoy the big screen under the stars, see the KFDC Summer Guide.

3. Looking for entertainment for little ones? The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park presents Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs June 2 – July 3. Their Tiny Tots series for really little ones, where the lights stay on and doors remain open, has also returned with performances of The Apple Tree. Even better, discount tickets to both are available through Goldstar for the Mainstage production here, and for Tiny Tots here. (PS: You can read a KFDC review of Little Red Riding Hood from a bunch of years back here.)

4. Plan for KidFree time: 11 New and Newly Reopened Rooftop Bars for Summer Fun in DC rounded up by Washingtonian.

5. 78 Long Minutes — This NY Times article published over the weekend is an incredibly powerful read and scroll (you’ll see what I mean). Everyone should see it and share it… and keep the fight for gun control reform going.

Five Things for Today: May 16, 2022

1. Did you know that kids ages 12 and up (and you with your tween/teen) are guaranteed entry to Glenstone, the fantastic indoor-outdoor art museum in Potomac, MD? Along with active-duty military personnel and staff from other museums, students age 12+, can enjoy guaranteed admission for themselves and one guest. You can also visit without reserved tickets by taking the Ride On Bus that runs from Route 301 to the museum. Otherwise, you need to book free tickets in advance online, which can be a bit tricky, as they are only released on the first of every month for timed-entry admission for two months following (eg, August visits will be released on June 1 at 10am), and they tend to go quickly. But it’s worth the patience and effort to get them. See why in this KFDC post about the museum.

2. KID Museum, which for many years provided innovative, hands-on learning experiences for kids at the Davis Library in Bethesda, is opening a new flagship site at Bethesda Metro Center this Sunday, May 22. The 28,000-square-foot facility will offer the same kinds of experiences that encourage invention, creativity, experimentation, and discovery — but on a larger scale in a bigger space. Kids ages 4-14 can explore coding, robotics, engineering design, and hands-on maker learning in the new state-of-the-art makerspace. While the Grand Opening celebration this weekend is sold out, tickets ($15/ages 2+) are available for future dates, and it’s probably a good idea to snag them while you can. Get more of an idea of what KID Museum is all about in this KFDC post.

3. Find some new reads for your kids with the May/June 2022 Kids Indie Next List.

4. A KFDC reader who also happens to be a nearby neighbor recently started Famventure, a newsletter devoted to family travel, near DC and far. The latest edition about finding vacation rentals is filled with useful information. And you can find links to previous ones here.

5. Congratul ations, Ukraine! 💙💛 (Watch here)