Tag Archives: Spring 2022

June 29, 2022 · 9:50 am

Five Things: June 29, 2022

1. Great news: The water features at Yards Park in the Capitol Riverfront are finally running again after being closed for repairs! Take the kids to play in the wade pool and splash around in the fountains. You can also hang out in the grassy areas, stroll the boardwalk, take in the scenic views, and have a picnic by the water or go for lunch at one of the many nearby eateries. Access to all of it is free! (Note that the link above is to a very old post about Yards Park, like from the first day it opened, but descriptions of the water features are still accurate. Find more about the area here.)

2. Happening today: Pick up some new reads for the kids and enjoy a fun day out at the Children’s Book Festival. From 10am – 5pm on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, there will be opportunities to meet authors, book readings, and hands-on activities led by the National Children’s Museum and Planet Word. You can also shop thousands of gently-used books (for all ages) on sale for $6 or less provided by Carpe Librum, benefitting Turning the Page, an education-based nonprofit.. Admission is free, The Plaza is located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

3. Little ones can get creative at an art museum! Tomorrow, June 30, the Hirshhorn’s Art Cart, which offers young artists a hands-on maker experience during their visit, will share a project from 10am – 12pm inspired by Laurie Anderson’s 2011 tribute to Lola, her terrier, now on view. And the Hirshhorn is once again offering regular in-person programming for kids — check out the full calendar here.

4. New Smithsonian Nighttime Adventures will offer kids opportunities to explore the National Museum of Natural History after hours! When the crowds are gone, and the doors have closed, one of the world’s most popular museums will become their playground until nearly midnight. Children ages 8-14 and their adult chaperones can join other night owls in this unique experience held Fridays: July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5, and August 12 from 7-11pm. Participants will wander through the museum’s galleries to explore the Earth’s past, discover the wonders of the ocean, and more as they are guided by the fun and challenging “Adaptation Game” filled with activities to complete. Tickets are $85 for general admission and $70 for Smithsonian Associates members, and advance registration is required.Cost includes exclusive access and activities in the museum, interactive exploration, and a pre-packaged individually wrapped snack.

5. Bravo to my friend Jody on her raw, thought-provoking, impeccably-written piece in the Washington Post that brings to light yet another potential consequence of the Roe v. Wade overturning.

Bonus: July 4th sales are beginning! Some good ones: Anthro, REI, Target, West Elm, Lowes, GAP.

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

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.