Tysons Corner | KidFriendly DC

Season's Greenings at the USBG opens Thanksgiving Day!

Monday – Vis it Santa before the rest of DC does at Tyson’s Corner. Along with photo ops, get a free gift from St. Nick. And while you’re there, hit the National Geographic-sponsored play area on the third floor next to the food court.

Tuesday – Thanksgiving is the theme of story time at many public libraries this week. Deanwood is hosting one at 10:15am, and Georgetown will read turkey day-inspired books at 3:30pm. Find a story time near you by checking out your local library — this early KFDC post contains links to DC-area county libraries.

Wednesday – Glide in the fresh air at an outdoor ice skating rink or practice your spins and axels at an indoor venue. This post has all you need to know to get started.

Thursday – Experience Season’s Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden on opening day! Go while the turkey is cooking at home (with someone staying behind to watch it, of course) or head over for some post-feast holiday cheer.

Friday – Get into the holiday spirit at Christmas on the Potomac, the Gaylord National Resort’s spectacular season attraction. Enjoy the decor and festivities at the hotel, then head to the water for the kick-off of the Harbor Lights Festival, the National Harbor’ annual tree lighting and lights show, at 5pm.

Celebrate World Oceans Day with Nat Geo and Pottery Barn Kids

Just yesterday, as we were driving back from a long weekend at the beach, Owen informed us that he no longer wants to be an architect when he grows up, and instead he is going to become a marine biologist. I think it had something to do with the dolphins he saw swimming and jumping through the ocean waves and the crabs and jellyfish he studied up close, or maybe it’s his ongoing fascination with sharks. Whatever the reason for the switch in aspirations, his new ambition makes me tempted to take him out of school a little early next week for a special event that he — and any kid with an interest in sea creatures — is sure to dig.

Next Wednesday, June 8 from 3 – 4pm, kids are invited to celebrate World Oceans Day with National Geographic and Pottery Barn Kids. Events will take place at Pottery Barn Kids stores across the nation, but the one at the Tysons Corner location will be extra cool, as National Geographic explorers present a special guest.

Emmy-award winning scientist, inventor, filmmaker, and National Geographic explorer Greg Marshall will be at the event to speak about World Oceans Day and offer tips on how kids can get involved and help protect one of our most vital natural resources. Greg has dedicated the last 25 years to studying, exploring, and documenting life in the oceans. One of his greatest contributions to the marine world is the invention of the Crittercam, a device safely worn by wildlife that captures video, sound, and other information that give us rare views of the private lives of animals. Deployed on whales, sharks, seals, turtles, penguins and other species, Crittercam has enabled Greg and his research collaborators to capture information that, until now, was inaccessible to humans. What we learn from Crittercams helps us protect the very animals that wear them.

Along with Greg’s apearance, in-store events will include a Crittercam demo, songs, trivia contests, face painting, hands-on crafts, and activities themed to ocean conservation. The event will be part of Pottery Barn Kids “Little Explorers Club,” a series of in-store events that brings the science museum experience to its stores, with educational content from National Geographic.