Tag Archives: Things to do wth Kids in Nortern Virginia

September 8, 2013 · 7:45 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: September 9-13

Exploring art at the National Portrait Gallery

Monday – Discover history through art at the National Portrait Gallery. Children up to age 5 are invited to become Young Portrait Explorers and learn about George Washington as they view his portrait, hear a story about our first president, and participate in a related hands-on activity. The program runs from 10:30-11:30am. Admission is free, but registration is required — go here to sign up. In the evening, head to The Coupe in Columbia Heights for a special Back to School Family Night. Kids can enjoy craft activities, a screening of Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone, and the $4 kids’ dinner menu, while grown-ups will appreciate a chance to dine while their children are occupied by the activities. It all starts around 6pm.

Tuesday – Visit the animals, take a tractor-pulled wagon ride, play on kid-sized tractors, romp on the playgrounds, and much more at Frying Pan Farm Park. The locale in Herndon is a guaranteed hit with kids, and parents always rave about it, too. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, the farm is open 9am – 5pm, wagon rides 10am – 4pm. Admission is free, though the wagon rides cost a little extra.

Wednesday – Cool off on what’s forecast to be a hot day at a DC spray park. The Department of Parks and Recreation has extended the season for a few parks with water features until September 29. Go here to see which parks are still welcoming visitors.

Thursday – Get a glimpse of the underwater world at DC’s National Aquarium while you still can; the small but interesting showcase of marine life will close it’s doors for good after September 30. Located in the lower level of the Department of Commerce building, it’s a great place for small children to see colorful fish, sharks, turtles, and more. Admission is $9.95/ages 11 and up, $4.95/ages 3-11, free for 2 and under. Open 9am – 5pm.

Friday – Hike along the Potomac, see nature indoors and out, have a picnic, and hang out and relax at Riverbend Park. The Fairfax County locale makes for an ideal outing with little ones — easy trails, great nature viewing, and never a big crowd. Free admission, and the Visitor Center is open 9am – 5pm on weekdays.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, Art, DC, Eats, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Farm, Free, Movies, Museums, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as DC Area Parks, DC Kids Activities, DC Kids Entertainment, DC Museums, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, DC Weekdays September 9-13, kids in DC, Places to see animals around DC, Things to do with Kids in DC, Things to do wth Kids in Nortern Virginia

May 27, 2013 · 9:12 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: May 28-31

Kids love playing in the Children’s Garden at River Farm

Tuesday – Explore the grounds and play in the gardens, specifically the Children’s Gardens, at River Farm. The American Horticulture Society’s headquarters overlooking the Potomac River in Alexandria are as lovely as they are fun. Hours are 9am – 5pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Wednesday – See a show especially for little ones. The mid-week Tiny Tots show is back at The Puppet Co. with Old MacDonald’s Farm this week. The lights stay on and doors stay open during these performances for the youngest audiences. Showtime is 10am. Tickets are $5 for everyone, including babies. After the performance, plan to hang out at Glen Echo Park for some fun on the playground.

Thursday – Enjoy some water play at Georgetown Waterfront Park. Running through the fountain of sprays is a fun, refreshing way to cool down on a hot day. After (or before, depending on when you go), grab a bite to eat at one of the many nearby eateries.

Friday – Catch a free screening of One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure at the Einstein Planetarium in the National Air & Space Museum. Showtime is 10:30am every Friday (and Sunday, plus the first Saturday of every month). It only lasts about 20 minutes, so check out the exhibits and How Things Fly, a discovery room full of hands-on activities that kids always love, while you’re there.

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Filed under All ages, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Farm, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Spring, Theatre, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as DC Area Parks, DC Kids Activities, DC Kids Entertainment, DC Museums, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, DC Weekdays May 28-31, kids in DC, Things to do with Kids in DC, Things to do with Kids in Maryland, Things to do wth Kids in Nortern Virginia

May 19, 2013 · 7:28 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: May 20-24

Monday – Explore the history of mail at the National Postal Museum. It’s a perfect outing with little ones — the museum isn’t very big and overwhelming, and there are numerous interactive exhibits to keep young guests engaged. Plus, it’s conveniently located next to Union Station, so you can also grab lunch and get there easily via Metro. Hours are 10am – 5:30pm, admission is free.

Tuesday – Attend Mommy & Me (& Daddy Too!), the Rockville Town Square’s free monthly program for kids. Storytime, interactive movement, arts & crafts, and merchant sponsored activities are part of the active learning and creative play. The session will meet on the Square, and the program runs 10am – 12pm on the third Tuesday of every month. Admission is free, but you are asked to register in advance.

Wednesday – Join the Boogie Babes for a morning of music and more fun at Union Market. The live children’s entertainment at the indoor market full of tasty eateries and pop-up retail is now a regular Wednesday activity. Showtime is 10:30am, and admission is $5/child (siblings 6 months and under are free). Plan to go early for coffee and/or stay after for lunch.

Thursday – Get a glimpse of the underwater world at DC’s National Aquarium while you still can; the small but interesting showcase of marine life will close it’s doors at the end of the summer. Located in the lower level of the Department of Commerce building, it’s a great place for small children to see colorful fish, sharks, turtles, and more. Admission is $9.95/ages 11 and up, $4.95/ages 3-11, free for 2 and under. Open 9am – 5pm.

Friday – Visit the animals, take a tractor-pulled wagon ride, play on kid-sized tractors, romp on the playgrounds, and much more at Frying Pan Park. The locale in Herndon is a guaranteed hit with kids, and parents love it, too. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, the farm is open 9am – 5pm, wagon rides 10am – 4pm. Admission is free, though the wagon rides cost a little extra.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Farm, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Nature, Ongoing, Outdoor, Park, Play, Spring, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as DC Area Parks, DC Kids Activities, DC Kids Entertainment, DC Museums, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, DC Weekdays May 20-24, kids in DC, Things to do with Kids in DC, Things to do with Kids in Maryland, Things to do wth Kids in Nortern Virginia

May 12, 2013 · 10:10 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: May 13-17

Strolling through the Children’s Garden at Brookside

Monday – Wander around the beautiful grounds, play in the cute Children’s Garden, and walk among hundreds of butterflies at the annual Wings of Fancy exhibit at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Md. The park is open sunrise to sunset, the Visitor Center 9am – 5pm, and the exhibit 10am – 4pm. Admission to the park is free, but it’s $6/adults and $4/ages 3-12 for the butterflies.

Tuesday – See an amazing collection of model ships, peer into a real periscope, sit in the gun seats of old fighter planes, view naval artifacts hundreds of years old, and much more at the U.S. Navy Museum. Located on the Navy base in southeast DC, it’s a treasure trove of fascinating exhibits. Hours are 9am – 5pm. Admission is free.

Wednesday – Take a Winnie the Pooh inspired wagon ride through Riverbend Park. Journey through the woods to Poohsticks bridge, listening to Winnie the Pooh’s story on the way. The fun begins at 10am, cost is $5 for Fairfax county residents, $7/non-residents. Register here — space is limited, but if you can’t get a spot on the wagon, explore on foot instead. The park has easy trails, great nature viewing, and there’s never a big crowd. Plus, the Visitor Center is open 9am – 5pm on weekdays.

Thursday – Let the kids to shop at the market, tend to the ranch, bake in the kitchen, decorate cupcakes, and do some art projects — all possibilities in the Playseum’s various themed rooms and crafts areas. Visit the Capitol Hill or Bethesda location and plan on lunch while you’re out; both are convenient to many eateries for a pre- or post-play meal. Admission is $7/person (siblings under 11 months are free) and is good for the whole day.

Friday – Drop in for story time and other activities at your local library, or just go to check out books. See this post from the early KFDC days for a little background and quick links to libraries around the area.