Cherry Blossom Festival events, spring and Easter celebrations, museum programs, live entertainment, plus scores of mainstay attractions around the area will keep the whole crew satisfied over the next few days. Happy Weekend!
Go Fly a Kite!
Where: Washington Monument Grounds
When: Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
The Blossom Kite Festival is, in my opinion, the best event during cherry blossom season (when the weather cooperates, anyway). The sight of thousands of kites in all colors, shapes, and sizes soaring around the Washington Monument is truly a sight to behold. It’s absolutely magical for my kids, and even for me as a jaded adult. The sails you see flying at the Festival each spring range from simple to pretty darn creative. Dragons, sharks, butterflies, giant soccer balls, even some that look like intricate works of art actually outnumber your basic diamond. And anyone can go fly their kites, so be sure to bring one. There’s a competition aspect to the event, too; expert kite enthusiasts will wow crowds with cool stunts, and prizes will be awarded to winners of various categories such as most beautiful, funniest, and aerodynamics.
Fabergé Egg Family Festival
Where: Hillwood Estate and Gardens
When: March 28, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $18/adult ($10/members), $5/ages 6-18, free for 5 and under
Celebrate spring’s arrival in traditional Russian style! Hillwood’s annual festival has programs, music, art, and activities for all ages. Adventure Theatre will apply their clever stagecraft to the Fabergé story with the new play, Fabergé’s Treasures. A favorite for all ages is the fun of stepping into “Fabergé’s Workshop” and using ribbons, gems, and appliqués to create delicate works of art in the style of Fabergé. Samovar Russian Folk Music Ensemble takes visitors back to Old Russia as they perform on traditional instruments, and the Kalinka Dance Ensemble performs Russian folk dances. And centuries-old Russian springtime games like egg-rolling and egg and spoon racing will entertain children of all ages. All activities take place throughout the day – see the schedule for specifics.
Easter Egg Decorating
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange
When: Saturday, 1pm
Admission: Free
Fun! Glitter! Eggs! The Brentwood Arts Exchange promise all three at this free family-friendly workshop. Create beautiful decorated eggs that will impress friends and even the Easter Bunny. Children will receive their first two eggs for free. Additional eggs will be available to purchase 2 for $1.
More Eggcellent Celebrations
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by event
Many places around the area are hosting egg hunts, Easter bunny visits, and more spring fun to celebrate Easter and the season. Even if you’re not big on the holiday, there are attractions beyond bunnies and candy-filled eggs for the whole fam. See this post for a list of them.
Friendship Between Nations Family Day
Where: National Archives
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join the US National Archives and Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center for a free family day full of fun! From unique gifts to treaties, families can learn, play, and create with hands-on activities, like making your own treaty and a designing a medal to give as a special gift.
Music Makes Life Better
Where: Jammin’ Java
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 2:30pm
Admission:
The entertainment venue in Vienna is hosting its first ever music festival for kids to benefit the Rainbow Collection. Rocknoceros, The Great Zucchini, Rainbow Rock, Groovy Nate, and Mr. Gabe will all be part of the line-up, plus there will be face painting, games, and more! This special show will help support The HSC Pediatric Center — a pediatric specialty hospital that provides rehabilitation and transitional care to children and young adults. Rainbow Collection will also be rounding up some while you rock out to the bands, so consider bringing along something to donate. See the list of what they need here.
Go Monster Fish
Where: National Geographic Museum
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $11/adults, $7/ages 5-12, free for 4 and under
Discover some of the behemoth creatures that lurk in the world’s rivers at the National Geographic Museum’s brand new exhibit. Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants just opened and is both visually compelling and full of cool interactives. Life-size sculptures of monster fish and games that are fun and educational will appeal to guests of all ages.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Arts on the Horizon presents Blossom’s Rainbow at The Athenaeum on Sunday
* Jack and the Beanstalk is at The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park
* And Old MacDonald’s Farm is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre
* Blue is on the Imagination Stage
* Bright Star Theatre’s Happily Ever After is this week’s free Saturday Morning at the National show
* Catch the final performances of Creative Cauldron’s The Jungle Book this weekend
* Enjoy the NSO Family Concert The Magic Horn at the Kennedy Center on Sunday
Cherry Blossom Celebration
Where: Freer-Sackler Galleries
When: Saturday, 11am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
The galleries dedicated to Asian art are celebrating the 2015 National Cherry Blossom Festival with a day full of Japanese art, anime and manga films, and family activities. The museum shop is hosting a trunk show of vintage Japanese garments as well as a signing of the newly released book Cherry Blossoms, featuring artworks from the Freer and Sackler collections.
Spectacular Spots Storytime
Where: National Museum of Natural History
When: Saturday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Young readers can learn about spotted creatures during this storytime with author Susan Stockdale as she shares her newest book, “Spectacular Spots.” From charging cheetahs to swooping owls, they’re all depicted in their natural habitats. Susan uses visual props to demonstrate the many steps involved in creating her books including connecting with Smithsonian scientists. The reading will take place in Q?rius Jr. (the discovery room on the 1st floor) , and a book signing will follow in the Museum’s Family Store from 2-3pm.
Environmental Film Fest
Where: Various locations
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Varies by film
more than 150 films from across the globe will be screened around the DC-Metro area during the 23rd annual Environmental Film Festival. And there are several family-oriented flicks among them this weekend. Little movie-goers can watch a series of animated shorts at the Dorothy I. Height/ Benning Library on Sunday. The National Museum of Natural History is showing three films that kids can enjoy. Adventure Planet, playing at Sitar Center, is recommended for ages 6-12. Song of the Sea is part of the kids film program at The National Gallery. There are even more films that kids might enjoy – and learn from. View the website for showtimes and details.
Adventure in the Trees
Where: Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by age
The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring opens for the season this weekend! Kids as young as 5-years-old can experience fun and adventure on the ropes courses and ziplines in the park’s aerial forest, the largest in North America. Children ages 5-6 and an accompanying adult have access to two of the easier courses. Older kids can do even more. It may seem like a pricey venture, but it’s worth it. Trust me.
Mmmm… Chocolate
Where: National Museum of the American Indian
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10:30am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
It’s a celebration of Cacao at the American Indian Museum this weekend! One of the world’s most beloved foods, chocolate is considered by the Maya and Aztec peoples a “food of the gods” (and I wholeheartedly agree). This colorful two-day festival will feature music, dance, art, science and food. Demonstrations will be presented by Guatemalan gourd artists, while Bolivian cacao growers discuss chocolate production. There will also be chocolate beverage tastings and opportunities for children to make their own Mola from 10:30am-12pm and 1:30pm-3:30pm in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center.
Build Your own Bat House
Where: Riverbend Park
When: Sunday, 11am – 1pm
Admission: $8/register $15/bat house
Bats help eat mosquitoes, and pollinate plants, but they are having a hard time. Help these important animals thrive by building a bat house to hang in your yard. There are only a few spots left in this workshop, so register soon!
Portrait Story Days & Discoveries
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Saturday, 1-4pm & Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the Portrait Gallery to listen to a story about author Toni Morrsion and complete a hands-on activity. When you’re done there, pick up a Portrait Discovery Kit to explore the museum. For more about the program, see this post about one of our experiences there.
The Ins and Outs of DC
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
If you’re simply looking for things to do outdoors or inside, depending on the weather or simply your preference, these posts are chock full of evergreen pursuits:
The Great Indoors
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids
