Tag Archives: Storytimes in DC

June 4, 2017 · 4:54 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: June 5-9

Spray fun at Canal Park, where a new kids’ series kicks off this week!

Monday – Go bowling! It’s a great indoor activity for a day with rain in the forecast. Take advantage of Kids Club Bowling at Pinstripes in Georgetown. From 10am – 12pm Monday – Thursday, kids can bowl for $3/hour ($3/shoe rental) and parents are free (limit 4 kids per adult). Eat while you bowl or stay after for lunch — they have a good kids menu and a pretty extensive main menu, too.

Tuesday – Head to the National Building Museum for all kinds of kid fun. The monthly Little Builders Storytime takes place at 10:30am & 11:30am in the Building Zone, where children can also enjoy areas that encourage pretend play with dress up and props inspired by some of the displays. And the PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit upstairs is always fun for kids. Museum hours are 10am – 5pm. Exhibit admission is $10/adult, $7/child, free for members. I highly recommend checking out membership options if you frequent the museum a few times per year.

Wednesday – Bring kiddos to the kick off of Kids in Canal, a new 12-week series of kid friendly entertainment at the city park in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. Every Wednesday from 10:30-11:30am, enjoy a live show for littles — kids music, science demos, magic shows, and puppetry are all part of the summer lineup. Of course, top it all off with water play in the fountains and sprays. Admission is free, and the program takes place in the middle block of the park. For more about Canal Park, see this KFDC post.

Thursday – Experience the wonderful Wings of Fancy exhibit at Brookside Gardens. The seasonal display featuring live butterflies and caterpillars from all over the world always delights all ages! While you’re there, stroll the beautiful grounds, play in the Children’s Garden, see turtles in the pond, and more. Admission to the park is free, but entry to the butterfly exhibit is $6/adults and $4/ages 3-12 (check CertifiKID for a deal before you go). Hours are 10am – 4pm for Wings of Fancy, 9am – 5pm at the Visitor Center, and sunrise to sunset for the grounds. For more about the annual exhibit and the rest of Brookside Garden’s offerings, see this KFDC post.

In the evening, join Capitol Hill Cooperative Nursery School for Family Movie Night at Miracle Theater on Barracks Row. Enjoy a screening of Muppets Take Manhattan along with a pizza dinner, plus a number of kid friendly activities. Doors open at 5:30, and the movie starts at 6:15. Single tickets are $15 each, family tickets are $48.

Friday – Take a little time trip back to the 18th century at Claude Moore Colonial Farm. The living history museum welcomes visitors to explore the grounds, where there is a tobacco barn, farm house, garden, orchard, and animals. Guests can also interact with a family portraying life as it was in the 1700’s. Hours are 10am – 5pm Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5/adults, $3/children ages 3 and up, free for 2 and under. Read more about the farm in this post about our first experience there.

Where to Play on the Weekdays: May 30 – June 2

Take a hike and take in the scenery at Riverbend Park

Tuesday – Go to the National Museum of American History for Museum ABCs. The program for ages 3-6 and adult companions introduces early learners to the museum collection through letter learning. This week, S is for Sesame Street: Drop by from 11am – 1pm for a Sesame Street story and create your own character! If your child is too young or old for the series, go explore the museum exhibits. (And on other days of the week, take little ones to play in Wegman’s Wonderplace and older kids to Spark!Lab for hands-on fun — both are closed Tuesdays, but open daily otherwise.). Museum hours are 10am – 5:30pm, and admission is free.

Wednesday – Explore the local environment from the comfort of the indoors at Buddie Ford Nature Center. The facility in Alexandria houses fascinating exhibits (including live creatures!), hands-on activities, and a staff of friendly and knowledgeable naturalists that all ages will appreciate. And if weather allows, continue the fun outdoors with a short hike at the adjacent Dora Kelley Nature Park. Buddie Ford hours are 10am – 5pm (Wednesday – Saturday, 1-5pm Sunday). Admission is free.

Thursday – Take hike at Riverbend Park. The Great Falls locale may not be as popular as its national park neighbor, but it’s just as fantastic a place to enjoy some time in nature, especially with kids. Trails are mellow for little hikers, the views are lovely, there are plenty of nice picnic spots, and admission is free. And if you want to see the magnificent falls up river, they’re an easy two-mile walk in the woods away. Riverbend Park hours are 7am to dusk.

Friday – Head to the National Portrait Gallery for some creative fun. Take little ones to play in the Explore! activity space designed for children 18 months to 8 years. And all ages can join the Open Studio Friday session in the Education Center, where guests are welcome to drop in anytime from 1-6pm and explore a different art medium with all kinds of neat projects. Of course, make time to tour the collections and hang out in the beautiful Kogod Courtyard, too. Museum hours are 11:30am – 7pm. Admission is free. Read more about the Penn Quarter gallery in this KFDC post.

Where to Play on the Weekdays: May 22-26

Even after countless visits, he’s still in awe of the Air & Space Museum

Monday – View amazing artifacts of aviation and space, discover How Things Fly, take a virtual journey among the stars, catch an IMAX film, see a planetarium show, and much more at the National Air & Space Museum on the National Mall. There’s good reason why it’s one of the most popular of the Smithsonian museums (and in the world)! Hours are 10am – 5:30pm. Admission is free, though there are fees to ride flight simulators ($7-12) and see movies ($9/adult, $7.50 child).

Tuesday – Put some brilliant color into what’s forecast to be a gray, rainy day on a visit to the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. Housing some of the most wonderful, whimsical art around, the vibrant, quirky collections — including interactive pieces — can be appreciated by art buffs of all ages. Hours are 10am – 6pm Tuesday – Sunday. Admission is $15.95/adults, $13.95/seniors, $9.95/students & ages 7 and up, free for 6 and under.

Wednesday – Take little ones to see a show on strings at The Puppet Co. The series is designed for the youngest theatre patrons (ages 0-4), so performances are shorter, the lights stay on, and the doors stay open. This week’s featured show, Old MacDonald’s Farm, begins at 10am and tickets are $6. If weather cooperates, plan to stay and play at Glen Echo Park afterwards and bring along a picnic lunch or grab food from the Praline Cafe on premises.

Thursday – Go strawberry picking! The time is ripe for gathering the fruits at several area farms — Schlagel, Westmoreland, Wegmeyer, Great Country, and Green Truck — and you can find info on all them in this post about PYO opportunities. And I always recommend calling ahead to confirm the patches are open and good for picking that day.

Friday – Tour El Galeón, a full-size reconstructed Spanish sailing vessel used in early Colonial times, as she stops in Alexandria on its journey up and down the East Coast. The 16th century Spanish galleon replica will be docked at the City Marina May 25-29 and open to visitors 10am – 7pm daily. Admission is $10/adult, $5/child, free for under 5.

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Filed under 2017, All ages, Art, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Farm, Free, Indoor Play, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Outdoor, Seasonal, Spring, Theatre, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as DC Children's Theatre, DC Kids Activities, DC Museums for Kids, DC outdoors, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, DC with kids, Family Fun, Fun Around the DMV, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, Fun with Kids in Maryland, Fun with Kids in Northern Virginia, Kid Friendly Activities, Spring 2017, Storytimes in DC, Strawberry Picking, Weekdays May 22-26

May 14, 2017 · 7:28 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: May 15-19

Running the labyrinth at Georgetown Waterfront Park

Monday – Hit the playground at Wheaton Regional Park. Two levels of slides, climbing nets, monkey bars, swings, and more fun features will appeal to all ages and abilities. Pack lunch to eat at nearby picnic tables under the lofty trees. It’s open sunrise to sunset, and admission is free.

Tuesday – Visit one of DC’s most tried and true for kids: The National Museum of Natural History. With exhibits to indulge all kinds of interests, you really can’t go wrong. Gawk at the beasts in the Hall of Mammals, hold live creatures in the Insect Zoo, learn about early humans and see what you’d look like as a Neanderthal, catch an IMAX film, and be sure to take advantage of FREE entry on Tuesdays to the Butterfly Pavilion! (KFDC Tip: Get tickets to see the butterflies when you arrive, since entry is timed, and yours may not begin right away.). Admission to the museum is free, but IMAX films are $9/adult, $7.50/child. Hours are 10am – 5:30pm.

Wednesday – Head to Kids Corner on The Plaza at CityCenter, where they are welcoming little ones for outdoor story time, singing, and fun with DC Public Library. The weekly series runs through September 27. The fun begins at 10:30am, and admission is free.

Thursday – Enjoy Shakespeare on strings at a performance of Midsummer Magic, an interactive puppetry show at the the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Showtime is 10am, and tickets are $10. Plan on lunch after at one of the many nearby H Street eateries.

Friday – Play outside at Georgetown Waterfront Park. Let the kids run through the sprays of the interactive fountain if it’s on, play on the grassy areas, follow the paths of the in-ground labyrinth, and watch the boats and ducks go by on the river. After (or before, depending on when you go), have a bite to eat or do some shopping in the neighborhood full of restaurants and retail.

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Filed under 2017, All ages, Eats, Educational, Exhibit, Farm, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Nature, Park, Seasonal, Spring, Theatre, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as DC Children's Theatre, DC Kids Activities, DC Museums for Kids, DC outdoors, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, DC with kids, Family Fun, Fun Around the DMV, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, Fun with Kids in Maryland, Fun with Kids in Northern Virginia, Kid Friendly Activities, Maryland Parks, Spring 2017, Storytimes in DC, Weekdays May15-19

May 7, 2017 · 8:15 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: May 8-12

Hains Point has play options for all ages

Monday – Hang out at Hains Point! Play, picnic, and enjoy the surrounding scenery at locale where the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers converge. 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. And the spot offers great views of the rivers and airplanes taking off and landing at DCA. Admission is free.

Tuesday – Visit the animals, roam the lovely grounds, check out exhibits of old farm machinery and local history, and enjoy activities in the Visitors Center at Oxon Hill Farm in Maryland. Hours are 8am – 4:30pm, and admission is free.

Wednesday – Explore contemporary art through stories and movement at STORYTIME+, the Hirshhorn Museum’s weekly program for little ones. This session will celebrate Mother’s Day as museum staff read Ann Herbert Scott’s On Mother’s Lap to the children, then introduce them to the sculpture Evocation of a Form: Human, Lunar, Spectral by Jean Arp. After that, they’ll create art for mom’s special day ahead.

Thursday – Shake those sillies out with the Boogie Babes as they bring kiddie entertainment to Eastern Market at 10:30am. Mr. Skip will get little ones dancing along as he strums fun tunes. Admission is $6/child, and siblings 6 months and under are free. Plan on lunch after the show — there are lots of options at the market or nearby for a tasty bite.

Friday – Wander around the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria. Stop by the art center’s many galleries to view all kinds of works in a variety of mediums — you may even see the artists, too! Plan to grab lunch in the area at one of the many dining options nearby. Take a stroll by the waterfront for scenic views and boat watching, then head to Armory Tot Lot a few blocks away, for some playground fun.