Taking in the views from the Maryland side at Great Falls
Monday – Take little ones to Nook, a play and learning space for young, modern families, that offers art, building, climbing, imaginary, and sensory play for children 0-5 years old. Reserve two hours of Open Play time at either the Ballston or Mosaic location. Admission is $20.
Tuesday – Enjoy some of the area’s best nature at Great Falls Park. Whether you opt for the Maryland or Virginia side, you really can’t go wrong. Take in spectacular views of the falls and rapids from several overlooks, hike easy trails along the river or through the woods, and stop in the Visitor Center — there’s one on each side — to learn more about the area’s history and wildlife. Open 7am to 30 minutes after sunset. Admission is $10/vehicle.
Wednesday – Laugh it up with The Great Zucchini at Kids in Canal. The weekly series at Canal Park is kicking off another fun summer with the children’s comedic magician. Every Wednesday from 10:30-11:30am, enjoy a live show for littles — kids music, science demos, magic shows, and a raptor show 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 – Go see the dinosaurs at the National Museum of Natural History. The new David H. Koch Hall of Fossils-—Deep Time just opened this past weekend, and it’s full of skeletal beasts plus hundreds of smaller prehistoric remnants and cool installations that present 3.7 billion years of life on Earth. Weekdays are a good time to go when crowds aren’t as big as the weekends. Of course, plan for time to explore the rest of the museum, too! I always recommend the Insect Zoo, where kids love opportunities to hold live creatures and theHall of Human Origins where they can see what they’d look like as a Neanderthal in a special face morphing photo booth. The museum is open 10am – 5:30pm, and admission is free.
Friday – Head up to Baltimore for the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Port Discovery. The children’s museum and its BIG new exhibits will be fully open for play, learning, and family adventures. Celebrate and soar to new heights on a four-story SkyClimber. Set sail and explore the seas on a life-sized (and giant!) cargo ship. Enjoy new family seating, updated restrooms, and more! The day’s special activities run from 12-5pm. The new admission fee is $17.95/age 2+. (KFDC Tip: Port Discovery is a good one to consider for membership; just a couple of visits for a family of four makes it worth it!)
