Tag Archives: Weekend May 20-21

The Weekend Round-Up: May 19-21

Catching sprays from the fountain outside of the National Gallery of Art

Catching sprays from the fountain outside of the National Gallery of Art



Music outdoors, story time with the Redskins, a time trip to colonial days, cultural festivities, live entertainment, fun opportunities to support local non-profits, and much more. These are just some of the ways you can spend some QT with the kids over the next few days. Read on for even more. Happy Weekend!

Jazz it Up
Where: National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, 5–8:30pm
Admission: Free

Start the weekend with live entertainment under in the fresh air. The free, outdoor summer music series kicks off this weekend with Brazlian Buegrass band Matuto. Spread out a blanket, pack a picnic dinner or purchase food and drinks there, and enjoy the tunes and the “summer” vibe. Note: BYO alcohol is not permitted, but adult drinks are available from the pavilion.

Go Fish!
Where: Constitution Gardens | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – pm
Admission: Free

Get the kids hooked on nature at this fishing event. All ages are invited to an action-packed day of fishing instruction and fun at the Department of Energy and Environment’s 9th Annual Family & Youth Casting Call. Training and gear will be provided for participants to catch a fish. Activities aren’t limited to casting a line — guests can learn to tie knots, do some fish art, enjoy games, and learn about the Potomac watershed and the wildlife that is such an exciting part of it. And PBS Kids’ Nature Cat will be there accompanied by Buddy Bison from the National Park Trust to celebrate Kids to Parks Day. Constitution Garden is located at 17th and Constitution Avenue NW (near the Vietnam Memorial).

Acton Children’s Business Fair
Where: 3400 Connecticut Ave | Cleveland Park
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free

Experience the power of young entrepreneurs! Shop the Acton Children’s Business Fair of Washington, DC, an outdoor market where children ages 6-14 become entrepreneurs for a day. Over 100 young entrepreneurs will be selling everything from animal books to poems, tomato plants and wiggly worms, homemade bread, iPhone screen repairs, and more. This event is free and open to the public. Most businesses will accept cash only, so plan accordingly.

Redskins Read Bookfair
Where: Barnes & Noble stores throughout the DMV
When: Saturday,
Admission: Free

Stop by your local Barnes & Noble store for the Redskins Read Bookfair for a day of fun and a chance to meet Redskins celebrity readers, cheerleaders, and guest authors! A percentage of each purchase that day will benefit youth literacy programs in our community. Fans are encouraged to mention the Redskins Read Bookfair at checkout to participate. The voucher code (12118170) can also be used online at www.bn.com on the day of the event.

Gaithersburg Book Festival
Where: Gaithersburg City Hall | Gaithersburg, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free

The City of Gaithersburg welcomes you to their 7th annual literary event! Festivities will include the chance to see and meet some of the world’s best writers, from best-sellers to acclaimed up-and-comers; join in literary workshops; and a full day of fun at the Children’s Village. The Gaithersburg City Hall is located at 31 South Summit Avenue.

Playdate with a Purpose
Where: Vienna Town Green | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 8:30-11:30am
Admission: $24/family

Want to have a morning of fun and support a great local organization? Join DC Diaper Bank at Playdate with a Purpose this Saturday, 8:30-11:30am, at Vienna Town Green! Enjoy performances by the Great Zucchini and Rainbow Rock, do some kid-friendly yoga, participate in the 1st Annual Diaper Bank Olympics, and learn about how DC Diaper Bank fights family poverty and how you can help.

2nd Annual Family Fun Festival
Where: Sibley Memorial Hospital | Palisades, DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 12pm
Admission: Free

Sibley is hosting its 2nd Annual Family Fun Festival with games, health screenings, live music, snacks, Zumba, giveaways, and more! Bring diapers for the diaper drive to support families in need. And anyone who was born at Sibley can join others for a Sibley Baby Reunion! This will all take place in Parking Lot 2, across from Building A.

Spring Colonial Market Fair
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm | McLean, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $8/adult, $4/child, free for under 3

Celebrate spring at the first Colonial Market Fair of the season at this local living history working farm and National Park. The Spring Colonial Market Fair takes place on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 from 11 am until 4:30 pm. Play games, listen to music and interact with staff and volunteers in 18th century costume and character. Watch a children’s puppet theater and make your own corn husk doll. See spinning and candle making. Enjoy the heritage breed animals on site including Ossabow pigs, chickens, geese and turkeys. Herbs and flowering plants available for sale as well as soaps, candles, 18th century clothing and jewelry. Affordable, fun and educational event. Great family outing

SerbFest
Where: Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church | Potomac, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free

Celebrate Serbian culture and enjoy some family time at this three-day festival. There‘s something for everyone, including traditional Serbian cuisine, dance and music performances, gifts and boutique items, and lots of family-friendly activities.  Saint Luke’s is located at 10660 River Road in Potomac, MD.

Kids Tree Climb
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free

Kids have a chance to reach new heights and climb a tree like a professional arborist! While they might not rescue an eaglet, they will definitely have a great time. This invites youth ages 4–14 years to experience the thrill of ascending into a mature tree under the direct supervision of a professional, seasoned tree care worker (arborist)! They will be fully secured with a rope, saddle and safety gear.

Birds & Presidents at Rock Creek Park
Where: Rock Creek Nature Center | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 7am -3pm
Admission: Free

Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at the Nature Center on Saturday. Activities include bird walks, invasive plant removal, hands-on activities for kids of all ages, exhibits, information booths, a talk about Presidents in Rock Creek Park (1pm), and food.

McLean Day
Where: Lewinsville Park | McLean, VA
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free

McLean’s annual festival to celebrate the city has something for everyone in the fam. Enjoy carnival rides, food trucks, live entertainment, a petting zoo, exhibitor booths, free field games, a tennis clinic, Bubble Ball, laser tag, balloon animals, and more that will delight all ages.

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres | Throughout the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show

* Head to Glen Echo Park to see Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp at Adventure Theatre
* Journey to Wonderland and catch a performance of Momentum Dance Theatre’s production of Alice featuring both company dancers and their students
* Delight little ones with Midsummer Magic at the Atlas Performing Arts Center
* Go wild for The Jungle Book at Imagination Stage
* The Kennedy Center presents the NSO Family Concert Peter and the Wolf in Hollywood on Sunday
* Cinderella is on the Main Stage at The Puppet Co.
* And Old MacDonald’s Farm is this week’s featured Tiny Tots show there
* Ragtime is still running at Ford’s Theatre, a historic DC etertainment venue
* Make it a date night at Shakespeare Theatre’s Macbeth (look for a discount)
* Synetic Theatre’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame would also make for a good KidFree night
* See The Secret Garden performed by Fauquier Community Theatre

Saturday Family Jazz Sessions
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 11am
Tickets: $10/advance, $12/at door

Junior jazz aficionados can spend Saturday morning singing, playing, and preparing for a lifetime of music appreciation. This fun, creative, kid-friendly series features music by a different performer each session. Improvisation is the theme this week, and Seth Kibel will lead the group in a class about makin’ it up as you go along.

Dragon Boat Fest
Where: Thompson Boathouse
When: Saturday & Sunday, 8:30am – 3:30pm
Admission: Free

The Washington, DC Dragon Boat Festival is a two day celebration held along the Potomac River complete with cultural exhibitions, craft demonstrations, and of course… dragon boat racing. The event is sponsored by the Taiwan-U.S. Cultural Association to promote Taiwanese culture in the DC area through the sport of dragon boat racing.

Catch the Ultimate Breeze
Where: Gallaudet University | Northeast, DC
When: Saturday, 6:30pm
Admission: $10/advance, $12.50/day of, free for 12 and under

Bring the kids out for fun, fresh air, and Pro Ultimate Frisbee! Not only will you get to see exciting Frisbee action as local team DC Breeze take on the Montreal Royal, kids can join a free youth clinic (for ages 6-17) before the game at 5pm (FYI: they offer this at every home game.) And while your kids are learning Ultimate out on the field, you can enjoy food and drink specials and listen to a live band to get ready for the game.

Date Night: Smart People
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Through May 21
Admission Tickets start at $41

Oh, this is good! The Arena Stage production is clever and captivating as it deals with race and what shapes our belief systems. The topic is explored through four smart, strong characters, their approaches to their professions, and interactions with each other. While it covers serious subject matter, the show is loaded with laugh-out-loud moments, bringing comic relief to tense situations. In the end, though, it leaves you thinking… and also wistful for a time when we thought, perhaps, we’d crossed some of those bridges.

Civil War Day
Where: Cherry Hill Park and Farmhouse | Falls Church, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free

Take a time trip at this family-friendly, living-history event depicting the Falls Church home front during the Civil War. Presentations with Civil War soldiers and civilian re-enactments will be among the festivities along with children’s activities, Civil War dancing, displays and relic exhibits, live music, tours, and more.

Zora & Amelia Pop-Up Shop
Where: Colony Club | Columbia Heights, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free

Shop a curated selection of items that have empowerment of girls and women in mind. Zora & Amelia is a new online store founded by a local mom after she joined the Women’s March with her daughter. This Saturday, you can browse in person products from established companies and budding entrepreneurs who want to show the world what a feminist looks like. This Pop-Up Shop is in partnership with playwelldc, a new local, women-owned business that provides prenatal, early childhood classes, and workshops for parents and caregivers.

Armed Forces Day
Where: National Cryptologic Museum | Annapolis MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free

Honor and celebrate the men and women serving in our nation’s Armed Forces at the National Cryptologic Museum on Saturday. The event promises to be a day of fun and education for the whole family. Indoor and outdoor activities will include a chance to talk by ham radio, K-9 Unit demos, knot tying workshops with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, special tours and photo ops, kids gamesto earn SNO cones, music, and more. Service members will be serving hot grilled food and drinks, and ice cream will be available for a sweet treat. Rain or shine.

Powell Elementary Spring Community Carnival
Where: Roosevelt High School | Petworth, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission:

Support a local elementary school and have fun at Powell Elementary’s 3rd annual Spring Community Carnival. Activities will include a dunk tank, climbing wall, moon bounces, carnival games and prizes for kids, food & treats, live performances, and more. Proceeds help fund field trips, classroom technology, classroom supplies, and other school-support activities. This will all take place on the Roosevelt football field located at 4301 13th St NW.

Celebrate Hawai`i: The Ahupua`a
Where: National Museum of the American Indian | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10:30am – 5pm
Admission: Free

Explore Hawai’i’s unique land management system, the ahupua`a. This traditional environmental system managed the lands and the waters and extended into the air and out into the ocean. Learn the mele (songs) that went with each area of the ahupua`a and the stories that have been passed down.

Capitol Hill Classic
Where: Stanton Park | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday,
Admission: $10-40

Get some exercise and support DC public school at this annual race, one of my personal favorites, through the beautiful Capitol Hill neighborhood. It’s fun and family-friendly with a couple of distances — 10k or 3k — including a fun run around Stanton Park for little ones.

Leveling the Playing Field Fundraiser
Where: Pyle Middle School | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 1-5pm
Admission: $25

Join Leveling the Playing Field for a day full of fun activities and competitions with all proceeds going towards providing free sporting equipment to students in need in the DC area. Both kids and adults will be put on teams to compete against one another for some amazing prizes (sports tickets, memorabilia, and more!). Stations will include everything from relay and 3-legged races to water balloon and frisbee toss! All day you will be joined by some of the very kids who have benefited from Leveling the Playing Field’s equipment program and hear from a few of them about what sports mean to them. This event will take place in two shifts – 1-3pm & 3-5pm. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Strawberry Festival
Where: Oatlands Historic House and Gardens | Leesburg, VA
When: Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: $10 or $20/family

The Third Annual Oatlands Strawberry Festival promises an exciting day of fun for the entire family. Enjoy u-pick strawberries, hayrides, crafts, games, tours, more! 

Taste of Arlington
Where: Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, VA
When: Sunday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free, but pay for tasting tickets

The 30th annual Taste of Arlington transforms Wilson Boulevard and neighboring streets into a family-friendly street festival with dining, music, and entertainment for all ages. This annual event features the cuisine of more than 50 Arlington restaurants, two concert stages with live music, an expanded Beer and Wine Garden with Deschutes Brewery’s Street Pub, a 5k race benefiting Girls on the Run, BarkPark, and a KidZone with a rock climbing wall and carnival games. This will all take place on Wilson Blvd. from Glebe Rd. to N. Quincy St.

4-H FUNdraiser
Where: Northern Virginia 4-H Conference Center | Front Royal, VA
When: Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free

This family-friendly FUNdraising event is a great opportunity to visit the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational and Conference Center and explore this beautiful piece of Front Royal. Free activities include face painting, performances from local artists, and making s’mores in the campfire circle. Pay-to-play fun will add to the thrill of the day — whiz down a ride on a 275-feet-long zip line or take a dip in theJunior Olympic size pool!  A portion of the proceeds will benefit the 4-H Center, to include 10% of all food and beverage sales and select activity fees. Preregistration preferred, but tickets not required for admission on the day of.

Food Festival of the Americas
Where: Organization of American States | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free

Get a taste of Latin American culture at the Organization of the Women of the Americas’ fundraising event to collect funds for nonprofits in Latin America and the US helping women and children from vulnerable communities. The Festival will showcase cuisines, music, dance, and more cultural traditions from the countries of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Observer members of the OAS. There will also be activities for children, including a piñata workshop, pasta jewelry making, and pizza decorating. While admission is free, you need to purchase tickets for food, drinks, and a raffle.

***More Good Stuff to Know***
* If you haven’t yet bookmarked the 2017 KFDC Guide to the Best of Summer in DC, go do it now. It has all you need to make the most of the warm season — which has already unofficially begun!
* Looking for a fun, active summer camp for kids? Check out DC Way Soccer — I can tell you from my kids’ experiences, it’s a fantastic program!
* Get some great dinner ideas from Not-So-SAHM’s 30 Days of Dinners, a list of her family’s evening meals for the past month with links to recipes. She doesn’t cook at home every night (because… who does?!), but the meals she makes always sound deeelish. And the ones I have made always are.
* It’s a great time to PYO strawberries! Find out some of the best places to reap the fruits here.
* If you want to shop for wonderful & whimsical art, mark your calendar for June 17. It’s the only day this summer that artist Jonathan Blum will be selling his paintings in DC at Eastern Market. His portraits are very distinct — and poignant in their own way. You’ve likely seen some of them around town, as they are beloved by Washingtonians. (We have an Ernie — you know, Bert’s friend — hanging in our kitchen!)


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Filed under 2017, All ages, Annual, Art, Competition, Date Night, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Shop, Special Event, Sports, Spring, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

Field Day Fundraiser for Leveling the Playing Field this Sunday!

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Leveling the Playing Field, the nonprofit organization dedicated to giving underprivileged children the opportunity to enjoy the mental and physical benefits of youth sports, invites families to participate in the First Annual Field Day Fundraiser this Sunday, May 21! The event is an effort to support their mission of providing free sporting equipment to students in need in the DC area.

Since its launch in 2013, Leveling the Playing Field has distributed over two million dollars worth of sporting equipment to over 400 schools and youth development programs that serve low-income communities. They collect donations of used and new equipment from various sources, the community and sports organizations among them. Donations to LPF allow programs to allocate saved funds towards lowering registration fees, expanding scholarship programs, enhancing existing athletic programs and developing new ones.

Sunday’s Field Day is a great opportunity for the community to support LFP and have a ton of fun. Both kids and adults can participate in the games. Teams will compete against one another for some amazing prizes including sports tickets and memorabilia. Stations will include everything from relay and three-legged races to water balloon and Frisbee toss. And participants will be joined by some of the very kids who have benefited from LPF’s equipment program!

The event will take place in two shifts, from 1-3pm and 3-5pm. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Registration is $25/person, and you can sign up online in advance here or day of at the event.
 
This will all take place at Pyle Middle School located at 6311 Wilson Lane in Bethesda, MD. More information is available on the Leveling the Playing Field website.

And PS: They welcome volunteers to help out at their warehouse and with equipment drives, and there’s no age minimum, so it’s a great opportunity for family volunteering!


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Filed under 2017, All ages, Annual, Competition, Fundraiser, Maryland, Outdoor, Special Event, Sports, Weekend

Playdate with a Purpose to Support DC Diaper Bank

playdatewithapurpose_instagram

Want to have a morning of fun and support a great local organization? Join DC Diaper Bank at Playdate with a Purpose this Saturday, 8:30-11:30am, at Vienna Town Green!

Enjoy performances by the Great Zucchini and Rainbow Rock, do some kid-friendly yoga, participate in the 1st Annual Diaper Bank Olympics, and learn about how DC Diaper Bank fights family poverty, and how you can help.

Tickets/Family Sponsorships are $24/family and can be purchased online in advance here.


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New Date: Shop the Acton Children’s Business Fair this Saturday, May 20!

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This post is sponsored by Acton Academy of Washington, DC, however, I only promote programs and places that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.


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Filed under 2017, All ages, Annual, DC, School Event, Shop, Sponsored Post, Spring, Weekend

The Weekend Round-Up: May 20-22

Enhance your weekend at Tour de Fat's Friday Night concert and Saturday Festival

Enhance your weekend at Tour de Fat’s Friday Night concert and Saturday Festival



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Just because it’s going to be a wet weekend, that doesn’t mean it won’t be fun. Get out the rain coats and waterproof footwear and head outdoors anyway, or take your pick of indoor pursuits from both special events listed below and ongoing activities here. I do recommend checking to make sure there aren’t cancellations due to rain, and I’ll update here as well. Wet or dry, indoors or out, have a… Happy Weekend!

BioBlitz
Where: Parks around the area
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: Free

To celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service, National Geographic is bringing together 300 scientists and thousands of members of the public to explore the parks around DC and document all the creatures that live in them. We’ll also have a Biodiversity Festival on the Mall with music, entertainment, and booths with hands-on activities. It’s all completely free!

Biodiversity Festival
Where: National Mall
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: Free

This two-day event is part of the cornerstone BioBlitz. Head to Constitution Gardens for hands-on science exhibits, food and art, as well as family-friendly entertainment and activities. Constitution Gardens will also serve as base camp for the National Capital Parks BioBlitz and as a connection to all the other BioBlitzes taking place at national parks that weekend.

Rockin’ on the Riverfront
Where: Yards Park
When: Friday, 6:30-8:30pm
Admission: Free

Kick off the weekend as the Yards Park kicks off its seasonal Friday Night concert series! Tour de Fat presents the Black Masala Band in the first installment of the summer staple, so there will be extra bemusements along with the show, as well as food and beverages will be available for purchase (note that BYO alcohol is no longer permitted, but you can still spread out for a picnic dinner).

Tour de Fat
Where: Yards Park
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free

The celebration of bike and bemusement is zany in the best way possible. There’s a bicycle parade, bicycle art, reconfigured bicycles to ride, a dance contest to win a bicycle, a car-for-bike swap, a bike-themed kids area, and bikes just…everywhere. There’s also beer! Registration for the parade starts at 10am, then the rest of the festivities kick off at 11am. Costumes encouraged.

Voices of Now
Where: Arena Stage
When: Friday & Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Free

Enjoy an evening of evening of original, autobiographical theater as artists ages 11 to 18 share their stories and raise important questions they have about their communities. This year’s plays examine topics including issues of race and ethnicity, self-identification, mental health and illness, heroes and role models, putting down roots in new places, risk-taking, the magnitude of our actions, and implications of language used surrounding grief and death.

MoCo Strawberry Fest & Fair
Where: Zimmerman-Ace Field in Burtonsville
When: Friday, 6-9pm & Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free to the marketplace, tents and rides extra

Celebrate spring in Montgomery County with carnival fun and seasonal treats! Enjoy local strawberries, a market of artisan goods, face painting, strawberry foods, shortcake, live entertainment, and more!

18th Century Spring Market Fair
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm
Admission: $8/adult, $3/child, free for 2 and under

Celebrate spring at the first Market Fair of the season! The living history museum’s annual event showcases aspects of life in 1771 in lots of fun, festive ways. Play games and watch a children’s puppet theatre, or make your own Corn Husk Doll. Order nails from the Blacksmith and watch all kinds of demos by artisans. Purchase herb and flowering plants and shop for other wares. Concession include fresh vegetables, roast chicken, sausages, and bread; lemonade and sugar cakes from the Sweets stand; and wine or ale from the Tavern. Due to weather, the Fair will only take place Sunday this season. Read more about Claude Moore in this recent post.

IRELAND 100: Redhead Family Day
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 4pm
Admission: Free

As the Kennedy Center showcasing Irish arts and culture over the next couple of weeks, this special family day welcomes redheads and redheads-at-heart to join this free celebration. Featuring music acts, dance performances, demonstrations, and activities for the whole family, the day wil culminate in a redhead kids’ parade and photo gathering.

Puppet Show
Where: National Museum of the American Indian
When: Saturday, 10:30am & 2pm
Admission: Free

Head to the NMAI’s imagiNATIONS activity center for an interactive puppet show based on the children’s book The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood and Martin Link.Learn about the Diné (Navajo) people from the southwest United States and the six steps involved in creating a traditional Navajo rug. Recommended for children up to age six. Seating is limited and first come, first served. Extend your visit and enjoy the many hands-on activities for kids at the museum.

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue

* The Pop-Ups are playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin’ Java
* Watch the World Children’s Choir perform The Magic Flute in Arlington on Saturday
* The Kennedy Center present The Girl Who Forgot to Sing Badly as part of its IRELAND 100 festival on Sunday
* See The Emperor’s Nightingale at Adventure Theatre
* Encore Stage & Studio’s current production by kids for kids is Shakespeare’s Tweflth Knight
* Looking for Roberto Clemente is on the Imagination Stage
* See a fairy tale on strings as Sleeping Beauty is performed at The Puppet Co.
* And Panda Monium is the featured Tiny Tots show

Dueling Pianos
Where: Bobby McKeys at National Harbor
When: Saturday, 1:30pm
Admission: $18

The whole crew can enjoy an afternoon of music and fun at one a dueling piano shows. The two hours of all-request live music paired with a lunch buffet is a great way to brighten a gray, rainy day. And this is a performance where kids are encouraged to wiggle in their seats, dance in the aisles, and sing along!

Armed Forces Day
Where: National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free

Honor and celebrate the men and women serving in our nation’s Armed Forces at the National Cryptologic Museum on Saturday. The event promises to be a day of fun and education for the whole family. Indoor and outdoor activities will include a chance to talk by ham radio, K-9 Unit demos, knot tying workshops with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, live jazz from the U.S. Army Field Band Ambassadors, special tours and photo ops, kids games, face painting, bouncy fun, and more. Service members will be serving hot grilled food and drinks, and ice cream will be available for a sweet treat. Rain or shine.

Book Shop Sing-a-Long
Where: Walls of Books
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free

Since it’s going to rain, make the day awesome by joining Walls of Books for some music and great stories. Bear Song will lead the tunes, and grown ups can grab some coffee provided by Heat Da Spot.

Family Book Making Arts
Where: African Art Museum
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free

Learn the art of traditional book making techniques and create your own book art. Workshops will focus on different aspects of book making, featuring local and international book art making artists. The African Art Museum is located at 950 Independence Avenue, enter from the Haupt Garden.

Astronaut Academy
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free

Experience the Air & Space Museum’s new Smithsonian TechQuest: Astronaut Academy. The free alternate reality game challenges you to become an astronaut-in-training for a future trip to Mars. Choose what role you will play on the mission; engage in fun interactive activities; and explore the science, technology, engineering, and math skills you will need as a member of the next generation of space travelers. Along the way, you’ll learn about some of the Museum’s fascinating artifacts. Read more about the adventure on the website. Best for upper elementary and middle school visitors and their families.

International Migratory Bird Day
Where: Rock Creek Park Nature Center
When: Saturday,10am – 3pm
Admission: Free

Help Rock Creek celebrate the birds that call the park home, even for part of the year. For generations, migratory birds have connected communities across continents, providing unique opportunities for international collaboration and inspiring people to improve conditions for birds, all wildlife, and for ourselves. The day will include bird walks, hands-on activities and exhibits, food, art, and family-friendly entertainment – a special performance by Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble. See the schedule of activities on the website.

McLean Day
Where: Lewinsville Park, Mclean VA
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free

McLean’s annual festival to celebrate the city has something for everyone in the fam. Enjoy canival rides, food trucks, live entertainment, a petting zoo, exhibitor booths, free field games, a tennis clinic, Bumpr Ball, laser tag, and a roaming Magician and balloon animals that will delight the littles!

Fiesta Asia Street Fair (UPDATE: Postponed to June 5)
Where: Pennsylvania Avenue, 3rd – 6th Streets, NW DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: Free

Celebrate Asian Heritage Month at the annual street fair presented by the Asia Heritage Foundation and Passport DC. This showcase of Asian art and culture will include music and dance performances, martial arts demos, food, hands-on activities, and more. Kids can enjoy activities like origami, sidewalk chalk, dragon making, story telling, and more. While admission is free, be prepared to spend on food and in the marketplace.

Saturday Family Jazz Session
Where: Strathmore
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: $10

Jumpstart a love for jazz with classes that nurture talent and spark musicality! Junior jazz aficionados can spend Saturday mornings singing, playing, and preparing for a lifetime of jazz appreciation at this fun, creative, kid-friendly series featuring classes with multi-instrumentalist and local jazz legend Seth Kibel and renowned jazz singer Rochelle Rice. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. All attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

Parks & Yoga
Where: Constitution Gardens on the Mall
When: Saturday, 9am
Admission: Free

Pop-up yoga brand Grip The Mat will be teaching an open yoga session on Saturday morning at 9am as part of the Biodiveristy Festival and centennial celebration of the National Park Service. Join them as they explore one of the most notable National Parks, the National Mall, and the whole fam can connect with each other during a light-hearted yoga session followed by a brunch by Peet’s Coffee. Admission is free, but RSVP here. Be sure to bring a yoga mat!

Gaithersburg Book Festival
Where: Gaithersburg City Hall, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free

The City of Gaithersburg welcomes you to their 7th annual literary event! Festivities will include the chance to see and meet some of the world’s best writers, from best-sellers to acclaimed up-and-comers; join in literary workshops; and a full day of fun at the Children’s Village. The Gaithersburg City Hall is located at 31 South Summit Avenue.

Outdoor Movie Night: Minions
Where: J.O. Wilson Elementary School
When: Friday, 8pm
Admission: Free

The JO Wilson PTA will be hosting a Outdoor Family Movie Night for kids, families, neighbors and friends on Friday, May 20 starting at 8pm. The movie will be Minions and admission is free. We will have pizza, juice, water, and concession sales. We will also have pre-activities with music and games for all between 6:30 and 8:00. The activities and movie will take place on the JO Wilson soccer field at 660 K St NE. Bring your blankets, chairs, and picnic baskets. Fun for everyone. Alcoholic beverages not permitted.

STEMosphere
Where: KIPP DC
When: Saturday,9:30am – 2:30pm
Admission: Free

Students and families from across the region are invited to this highly interactive expo of hands-on, brains-on adventures for learners of all ages who want to explore, invent, and experiment.

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival
Where: Reston Town Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $5 suggestion donation

Experience the 25th annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, an 11-block art walk filled with more than 200 artists from around the nation with their paintings, photography, mixed-media, sculpture, jewelry, and fine craft. Be inspired with art appreciation for all tastes and ages, interact with artists and learn about their processes, enjoy acclaimed family art-making activities in the Pavilion, and see innovative performances of dance inspired by public art installations.

Flocks and Farms Festival
Where: Black Hill Regional Park
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free

Join the Maryland Bluebird Society and Black Hill Nature Programs for a celebration of the conservation success stories of the Eastern Bluebird and Montgomery County’s very own Agricultural Reserve. Participants will learn how to help bluebirds and other cavity-nesters, while meeting farmers and organizations based in the Ag Reserve.

Full STEAM Ahead
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free

Families are invited to visit the Annmarie artLAB for hands-on investigations and challenges. This month’s “Wonderful Weather” themed session (and here I have to note the irony) will include a variety of fun and wildly creative games that will help kids explore, observe, ask questions, and make predictions about the world around them as they create and play.

Awesome Possum Book Reading!
Where: Upshur Street Books
When: Sunday, 1pm
Admission: Free

Book it to Upsher Street, where author Sara Pascoe is giving a reading of her new children’s book, Oswald the Almost Famous Possum. The story is about fame-seeking opossum who must decide whether the promise of fame is more important to him than sticking by his friends is a fantasy chapter book for 7-9 year olds with great educational details sprinkled in about language (Oswald is a poet) and fun facts about the different animal characters (did you know opossums have opposable thumbs on their back legs?).


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