Beltway Bambinos

(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children

Children and family programs at Strathmore

Strathmore has so much to offer to not only adults but for Bambinos of all ages as well. They have summer camp for kids and teens, a fun backyard summer concert series we attend every year, an annual Uke Festival and Bambinos can be a part of the  Strathmore Children’s Chorus or the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra. Below are a few series currently taking place. Here is a full listing of children’s programs at Strathmore so you don’t miss out! Below are a highlight of a few programs currently taking place. 

Children’s Art Talk & Tour

Young art lovers can get behind the brushstrokes and into the head, heart, and history of the artists with these kid-friendly Saturday tours. Children take part in an educational guided tour of the current exhibitions followed by a hands-on art activity. Ages 7 & up. Accompanying adults are free. Reservations required. Program also offered in Spanish- Recorrido de Arte para Niños en Español

Upcoming Dates:

  • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2018, 10:15AM
  • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019, 10:15AM
  • SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2019, 10:15AM
  • SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019, 10:15AM
  • SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2019, 10:15AM

Saturday Family Jam Sessions

Junior music aficionados spend Saturday mornings singing, playing, and preparing for a lifetime of music appreciation. Strathmore’s fun, creative, kid-friendly series features renowned jazz singer Rochelle Rice and multi-instrumentalist Seth Kibel.

Recommended for ages 3–8. All sessions take place at 10:15am in the Mansion.

Performances on March 2 and April 13 are sensory-friendly to create an experience that is welcoming to children with autism or sensory sensitivities.

Upcoming Dates:

  • SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019, 10:15AM
  • SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019, 10:15AM
  • SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2019, 10:15AM
  • SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019, 10:15AM
  • SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019, 10:15AM

Saturday Family Story Sessions

Our popular Saturday Family Jazz Sessions series continues this fall with a new, story-telling twist. Saturday Family Story Sessions is 4 weeks of fun! Local storytellers teach kids how to weave narrative tales, instilling a love of learning with every word. Music, movement, art, and interactive play: it’s all about understanding other people, enjoying different cultures and boosting imagination and creativity. Recommended for ages 3–8.

Everyone needs a ticket! All attendees, including accompanying adults, must have a ticket.

Children 2 years old and under will be admitted for free, but they do require a ticket to help us manage attendance and be sure we don’t go over our maximum allowed capacity. If you plan to bring a child 2 years old or younger to this performance, please call our ticket office to reserve a special free ticket at 301.581.5100.

Tudor Place programs for youth & family in Washington, DC

Tudor Place has Youth & Family Programs throughout the year but Fall & Winter have a few extra special events that should be on your radar as space is filling up. 

Tudor Tots on Tuesdays, through Nov. 13
Stimulate your toddler’s senses at Tudor Tots. Each weekly program is tailored to meet the needs of young learners and inspire creativity. Activities feature songs, stories, crafts, and movement, based around a theme. Parents/caregivers must remain with children at all times.

Trick or Treat at Tudor Place, Saturday, October 27
Get into the Halloween spirit! Explore the Tudor Place garden as the seasons change, and trick or treat throughout the site. Make your own superhero bracers and festive owl decoration. Play traditional outdoor games, enjoy face painting, and paint your own pumpkin to take home. Costumes suggested but not required.

Deck the Halls: A Family at Christmas, Saturday, December 1
Enjoy an interactive open house, send cheer to a servicemember, join carolers in song, make a festive stocking ornament, and sample sweets from 100 years ago. In the spirit of the Peters’ postwar service, Tudor Place will be collecting Toys for Tots, and new, warm men’s crew socks that So Others Can Keep Striding will distribute to the homeless community. Celebrate holiday traditions at Tudor Place, and discover ways the Peter family contributed to relief efforts after World War I, like Nannie Peter and her lady’s maid Miss Duvall continuing to knit socks to send to soldiers overseas.

 

Holiday Teen Tea, Sunday, December 9
Join fellow teens and families for an elegant tea and tour of Tudor Place celebrating the Centennial of the end of World War I. Start with a Victorian tea in the 1867 Dower House and enjoy tea sandwiches, scones, popular desserts from 1918, and historic tea blends. Next, take a guided tour of the historic house highlighting festive décor, holiday traditions, and the ways the Peter family served their community in the wake of World War I. For preteens and teens aged 11+.

Gingerbreadpalooza!, Saturday, December 22
Follow the gumdrops to Tudor Place for a family-friendly gingerbread-house crafting palooza! Enjoy a brief, kid-friendly architecture tour and story time, then design your own house, cottage, or mansion at our family-friendly gingerbread workshop. For families with children all ages.

Tudor Place Historic House and Garden
(1644 31st St., NW. Washington, D.C. 20007-3071)

(Photo credit: Tudor Place Historic House & Garden)

Beefsteak’s Little Sprouts event with a q+a from Bennett Haynes

Chef José Andrés’ invites you to Beefsteak’s Little Sprouts event, a seasonal friendly veggie celebration taking place at Beefsteak Tenleytown from 11:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday, September 22, 2018. 

Little Sprouts is an seasonal  program that takes place across Beefsteak locations, designed to prove to children that veggies are both delicious and fun. The complimentary event on Saturday, September 22 will feature kid-friendly entertainment with coloring books, raffles and a plant potting activity with ThinkFoodGroup’s Chief of Produce Bennett Haynes. Beefsteak will offer small bites to sample from the menu, and children 10 & under will receive a free JV Bowl with purchase of any full-size bowl, salad or burger (this same deal applies every Wednesday at Beefsteak as part of their “Kids Eat Free” promotion).

We had the opportunity to pick the brain of ThinkFoodGroup’s Chief of Produce, Bennett Haynes’ a bit and asked him for a few tips when it comes to Bambinos + healthy eating–

BB: What are some ways to get children interested and knowledgeable about farm-to-table?

BH: Start with the vegetables your kids like to eat and do a little research. How does this vegetable grow? What is its season here in DC? Teach your kids a little of what you learned and maybe you’ll find it’s something you can grow in your home garden or a planter on the front steps. I loved sweet corn growing up and remember growing my first row of plants, it helped me appreciate it in a whole new way. Otherwise, get out to a U-Pick farm this fall – Butler’s Orchard has a great list of fall crops to harvest yourself.

BB: What vegetables can we secretly add to our children’s meals without them knowing it’s been mixed in? 

BH: Peas! Boil them with some salt and then add a little butter or olive oil and smash with a potato masher or something similar. Smashed shelling peas are a great addition to mac and cheese or spread inside a turkey sandwich.

BB: What are some out of the box ways to introduce new vegetables to picky children?

BH: Transform the ingredients. Blend up broccoli or cauliflower with vegetable stock into a soup, or mince up pieces for homemade pizza toppings.

BB: Is it important for parents to continue to put dreaded vegetables on our children’s plates night after night and watch them get throw away or can we throw in the towel and wait a few years? 

BH: I didn’t think much of vegetables until middle school. But, I do know kids who grew up coming to my farm for CSA pick ups and they now understand more about produce than I could have dreamed. I think exposure to where and how your food is grown at an early age could help!

BB: Organic, non-GMO, local, natural…..what advice do you give parents when they are in the produce section? 

BH: Before going to the produce section, stop by your local farmers market. Even if you don’t do a ton of shopping there, the market will give you a sense of what is in season, locally. Wherever you shop, let the season guide the produce you use. I prefer to use organic produce but the best way to know your food is to know your farmer.

Day off camps and activities in and around Washington, DC

Is your child off from school and you don’t know how to keep their mind active, stay sane or be able to go to work?  With a few school off-days and holidays approaching, check these places out before calling a babysitter or taking the day off. Consider asking your child’s friends to join them so they are less likely to complain at the idea. We’ll keep adding to the list as we build it– so please add your suggestions in the comments below! Most of these also host holiday and summer camps. 

Mini Camp at Hoop ED
(Various locations)
Sports overload for girls and boys from 9:00am-3:00pm for $60. After care available. Many locations and dates!

Red Panda Art Studio
(Bethesda, MD)
Extended Workshops for School Days off! 9:00am-12:30pm, option to extend until 2:00pm. Ages 3 to 8. Join us for a full morning of sensory play and art activities related to the day’s theme. Please bring along a nut-free snack and lunch— and something to drink!

The St. James Ultimate Sports Camp
(Springfield, VA)
Campers will get to experience all the St. James has to offer, from basketball and rock climbing to ice skating and splashing at their Waterpark. Camp is from 9:00am-4:00pm.

The Children’s Art Studio:
(NW Washington)
Workshops meet from 9:00am-2:00pm.  Workshops are for children 5 years old an up.

Little Loft Art
(Takoma Park, MD)
Come to Little Loft on school days off! Full day camps for children in grades K-3, 9:00-3:30. Aftercare available until 6:00 where noted.

Capitol Language Services
(Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church: 4900 Connecticut Ave NW, Wahington, DC 20008)
Camps during DC Public School Closing, Holidays and Federal Holidays – Sign up for the whole year and pay a non-refundable fee of $870 instead of $960. – Or sign up only for the camps you need.

DC Way Soccer
(Tyler Elementary School: 1001 G St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
At DC Way camps, the philosophy is that players learn best when they are having fun. They use simple and engaging games to challenge players and teach them essential skills. The program is for anyone at any level. Even without ever playing before, they guarantee your child will enjoy our camp. They create a soccer-related environment with lots of exciting and challenging activities to ensure falling in love with soccer and sports in general. Focusing on speed, footwork, 1v1 moves, creativity, vision, confidence.

Meet the Instrument No School Day Camp at National Conservancy of Arts
(NW & SW Locations)
Give your child a full day of fun on their out of school day! This camp is active and full of challenges with music lessons, music classes, music games, and art class. This camp will welcome a guest musician, who will introduce the cello. Hands-on experiences and opportunities to sing familiar songs with each instrument are a part of the curriculum, and children begin to develop an awareness of the distinctions among instrument families. Music exploration focus on repertoire that highlights each instrument’s unique qualities, supported by group singing, movement activities and, when developmentally appropriate, an introduction to notation. Camp starts at 9 am with watercolor painting, and then musical yoga. At noon we have cheese pizza or hot dogs for lunch and recess at 12:30 pm. Morning and afternoon snacks included.  9am – 3:30pm– before and after care available

Dulles Sportsplex
(21610 Atlantic Blvd., Sterling, VA 20166)
Bring your child to the Dulles Sportsplex for a day of fun when kids have off from school. If your child is between 6-12 and enjoys sports or wants to try new sports, this is the place for them. Your child will have fun, learning and playing sports. A few sports they may try are flag football, soccer, wiffleball, volleyball, basketball, kickball, team handball and others. Costs include lunch-  $45 (Full day: 9am-2pm) and $65 (Extended day: 8am-6pm)

The Player Progression Academy Camps
(Location depends on type of camp)
PPA Soccer and Hoops camps offer a great opportunity for players to continue their development and enjoy the quality coaching and environment during the summer and other school holidays that PPA offers throughout the year.

Arlington Parks and Rec Camp
(Location depends on type of camp)
Kids in grades K-5th will enjoy a variety of engaging activities including cooperative games, sports, nature fun & creative arts! Participants will choose from structured leisure activities during extended hours. Participants must bring a lunch and snacks. Various camps to choose from.

Valley Mill
(15101 Seneca Rd, Darnestown, MD 20874)
Weather permitting, we’ll do our usual fun activities at camp: kayaking and canoeing, archery & air rifle, rock climbing, group games,  playing in the creek, and hikes. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll check out some indoor adventures. Tuition per day for Holiday Camp including transportation: $100 for ages 5-14. Transportation will be from pick up points in nearby Montgomery County and DC.

Calleva
(13015 Riley’s Lock Rd. Poolesville, MD. 20837)
Calleva’s Maryland camps are all of your old favorites including, Cubs, Explorers, EXPX, Adventure camp, Leaders In Training, and High Adventures. All of these camps are based out of our Riley’s Lock campus on the Potomac River. Transportation is provided for free, and buses pick up from many Maryland and D.C. locations, as well as one stop in Mclean, VA.

Urban Adventure Squad (UAS)
(Location depends on day)
Each adventure day has a unique curriculum that is aimed at engaging Squad members at their own levels. UAS researches and plans their programs very carefully to make sure that Squad members stay physically active, intellectually stimulated, and engaged with community. Squad members hike in snowy woods, meet people with amazing jobs (folk singers, chefs, environmental educators, local composers), harvest lunch from urban gardens, visit former presidents’ homes, go on scavenger hunts, create art and music masterpieces, lead service projects, and so much more!The programs run 8:45am-4:00pm each day and offer easy, drive-up pickup and drop-off. The cost is $70 per day, and all siblings are $50 per day. Cost includes snacks and transportation (Bus/Metro).

DC Department of Parks and Recreation offer Fun Day
(Various locations)
A single-day program offering fun and enriching activities (such as sports activities, arts & crafts, and more) for children ages 6 – 12 years old from 9:00am-5:00pm.  DPR strives to meet the needs of District families when the District’s public schools have planned closures. 12 DPR sites will hold Fun Day. Online pre-registration is required however there is no fee or application.

Round House Theatre
(925 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910)
A full day of theatrical fun for grades K – 5 at the Round House Theatre Education Center when Montgomery County Public Schools are closed. Round House Education invites students to collaborate with their peers to create an original play in just one day! Each “Day Off!” features a new and exciting story genre to explore as well as a unique specialty skill. Specialties will include dance, music, puppetry, movement, or unique disciplines in the performing arts. 9:00am-5:30pm for $75.

Silver Stars Gymnastics
(2701 Pittman Drive Silver Spring, Maryland 20910)
(Also locations in Bowie, MD)
Gymnastics camp is appropriate for the beginner, intermediate and advanced gymnast. Your child will be able to build an athletic foundation for all sports through the strength, flexibility and coordination that only the challenge of gymnastics can offer.  Full Day: 8:30am-4:30pm, $65.00; Half Day: 9:00am-12:00pm, $50.00; Before and after care available.

Adventure Theatre School’s Out Day Camp
(7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD)
Send your kids to come play with Adventure Theatre MTC and put your hours in at the office worry free – your kids will thank you (and so will your boss)! Kids in Grades K-5 are invited to come play from 8:50am-4:00pm. A full day of theatrical activities including a showing of a performance on their main stage.

BloomBars uniting people, art and community building

BloomBars located at 3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, is a not-for-profit community arts organization. BloomBars is not something you can easily describe. Some have called it an artist and non-profit incubator, performance space, art gallery, theater, dance studio, screening room, youth academy, and center for health, wellness, and community engagement-they were all correct. Both innovative and old-school wisdom, BloomBars is turning a concept to unite communities through the arts into a model for energizing and inspiring communities to strive for personal and collective progress. Established in 2008 in Washington, DC’s burgeoning Columbia Heights neighborhood, BloomBars is driven by a volunteer team of artists, educators, and community and business leaders. Redefining the perception of a bar, BloomBars does not serve or allow alcohol on its premises fostering a safe and family-friendly environment. They believe art has a critical role in community building, social justice, advocacy, youth development, and health and wellness (Art meaning music, visual and multi-media arts, martial arts, dance, and film). They believe art can be a powerful conduit to link individuals inspired to serve, and communities and organizations in need. They believe there is an urgency to unite people around these principals.

Below you will find all of the amazing programs offered this Fall at BloomBars!

Steel Pan Drum Performance & Workshop- Sept 8
Come hear and learn to play the steel pan drum from the best, PANLARA! Thanks to a partnership with the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington DC, and through a grant from the DC Commission on Arts & Humanities, we are excited to welcome the Caribbean rhythms of PANLARA Steel Orchestra. All ages. All welcome.

The Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) is a non-partisan, non-profit 501 (3) organization established in 1993 dedicated to education, advocacy and action on issues that impact on Caribbean Americans.

Musical Theatre Mondays (starting Sept 10)
Join Natalie Clasper-Thompson every Monday from 5:30 to 6:30pm for a musical theater journey that invites you to dance and sing along to Broadway and West End musicals. Each class, students will learn about a new musical and rehearse choreography from Aladdin, Frozen, The Lion King, On your Feet, Wicked and more! Make new friends and dance your hearts out to some of the greatest musical stories and perform in a bi-annually recital.

Monday’s at 10:30am
A Boy Called Patches & Friends is an interactive puppet show featuring chants, movement, songs and storytelling! Overall, A Boy Called Patches focuses on the acceptance of differences between yourself and others, therefore aiding in having less need for conflict resolution in certain areas at the early-childhood level while reinforcing that it’s okay to be different!

V. Kuroji Patrick is a father of five, a husband and a published illustrator with a background in early childhood development and education. Kuroji is a true creative who infuses real life into his lessons, no matter the age of the audience.

Tuesdays at 5:30pm
FunDanceMentals – This introductory class will provide a foundation of dance terminology and movement that is based in the techniques of Tap, Hip Hop, Modern and West African dance. The class will culminate in an fun and interactive performance.

Wednesdays at 5:30pm
Family Yoga – This class will give adults and young people and opportunity to meditate and move together. Hermione teaches in a Vinyasa Flow style that is accessible and adaptable to all levels of mobility. She also like to play yoga inspired games that will be fun and beneficial to all ages.

Wednesdays at 10am
Artist in Bloom Resident Tamika Love Jones presents Little Treasures, an educational and interactive journey for babies and children (under age 3) that explores a special box of little treasures. Each treasure that is picked from the box will lead tots and parents to sing their favorite songs, read fun stories and explore their bodies through exciting movement. The theme of Little treasures is self-love and teaching the tots that they, too, are little treasures!

More Programs:

The objectives of BloomBars:

• Build compassionate communities that nurture and support artists committed to service and social responsibility
• Create meaningful connections between artists and community-based organizations
• Empower youth and parents to use art as an education and literacy tool
• Establish a space for artists and community members to learn and practice social activism
• Provide a premier performance space for artists to hone and share their craft
• Provide a (live and digital) platform to amplify artists’ work, and engage and connect local and global communities
• Foster an environment that allows music and art (musicians/artists) to be more accessible to non-artists
• Inspire exploration and discovery of new ideas, places, and people within, and outside of the surrounding community

Fall classes for children in and around Washington, DC

Class assignments are coming out, camps are ending, but the weather is still amazing and I’m forced to register for Fall sports and classes {sigh}. I say it each year but this summer went by way too quickly and I wish we could rewind time and start it over again. It’s not too late to cross some of our highlights off your list though.

We’ve highlighted some places offering Fall classes, parent-and-me groups as well as play groups.  Here’s to cooler weather, the turning of leaves and continuing to stay busy exploring Washington, DC.

Audubon Naturalist Society: Tales & Trails 10-week class ages 2-4 with a caregiver can be found here.

Adventure Theatre: Fall Academy Classes for children Grade K-Grade 12 can be found here.

Anna Banana Arts and Crafts: Art classes for ages 2-8 year olds can be found here.

Encore Stage & Theatre: Learning opportunities for children 6 months-Grade 12 can be found here.

Hillwood Estate: Various themes and sessions for ages 2-5. Classes can be found here.

Imagination Stage: Theme-based Fall Class Schedule for children ages 12 months-age 18 can be found here.

Just for Kids: Various sports for kids 18 months-age 9 can be found here.

Little Loft: A neighborhood art studio in Takoma Park. Offering classes for preschool kids, open studio time and off school classes. Click here to view many options.

Meadowlark Music: Classes include parachute, scarves, instruments, drums, puppets, balls, guitar, flute, dancing, singing, giggling, clapping, movement and more! More information can be found here for children 0-3 years old. Ukulele and guitar classes are found here for ages 4+.

Montgomery County Recreation Department: You can find The Guide which is full of classes here or you can pick one up at a Montgomery County Library or Recreation Center.

Nook: Nook has curated a selection of classes and workshops that offers developmental opportunities for ages 0-5 years. Find out more here.

Player Progression Academy (PPA): Offers a variety of sports from tots to high school. Find schedules here.

Quick Feet: Soccer for 2-7 year olds in DC, MD and VA. Classes can be found here.

Red Panda Art Studio: Each class is carefully planned to focus on a different art material. Children will be introduced to new art and sensory materials in a structured but exploratory setting. Classes for ages 2-4 and 4-7 can be found here.

Round House Theatre: Fall classes consist of 8-week sessions on Saturdays. Classes for children ages 2-Grade 8 can be found here.

Silver Stars Gymnastics: Fall classes for children ages 18 months and up can be found here.

Smithsonian National Zoo: Preschool classes and after school classes throughout the year can be found here. 

Tinkergarten: Families meet outdoors to connect and learn through play. Various sessions for ages 0-8 can be found here.

Tudor Place: Toddlers get active in mind and body while learning about the world around us in weekly sessions featuring songs, stories, crafts, and movement. Classes for kids ages 2-4 can be found here. 

Washington DC JCC: Fall classes and parenting classes

Kids-playing-soccer

Mom’s Groups:

New Mom support group with Dr. Ellyn Turer

Group for first and second time Moms PACE

8 Week New Mom’s Group at Lemon Tree

DC Parents of Multiples Group at Lemon Tree

Parent-and-me classes and experiences at Petite DC

A school for Toddlers and Parents and Caregivers at Intown Playgroup

Six (seven) Week Hook-Up from Mama’s Link

 

Indoor Gym Spaces:
My Gymth

BusyBees

Magic Ground

Gymboree

Kidville

 

Other posts:

Yoga with your Bambino

Dance and Gymnastics classes

Year-round classes

Not your typical kid gym

Need a place to escape the heat (or cold in the winter) and head indoors? Here are a couple of places that are sure to make your child happy and get some exercise when it’s too hot to be outside in the afternoon (or too cold in the winter). Most of these unique spaces offer camps, classes and birthday parties in addition to providing a space for your Bambinos to move. 

(Photo: Badlands)
Badlands Playspace– 5200 Randolph Rd. Rockville, MD 20852
Read about our fun there!

Scramble Indoor Play– 5412 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22304
Scramble is the first European-style play center in Alexandria. Scramble offers incredible indoor play every day of the week, birthday parties Fri-Sun and a full program of summer camps for Elementary-age children this summer.

Elemeno– 709 8th St SE Washington, DC 20003
Formerly known as SkillZone. Parent coworking, SkillZone indoor play, early childhood STEM, family social events, kid-free time & private parties.

Magic Ground– 3100 14th St Northwest 3rd Level Washington, DC
See original review here.

Laugh Out Loud Stations Mega Fun Center– 6250 Greenbelt Rd. Greenbelt, MD 20770
CRAZY FUN Rides and AMAZING attractions all in one place to develop LOL Stations as the Best Indoor Theme Park and Birthday Party Place in the Washington metropolitan area, where the entire family can play together!! LaserTag, Challenge Course, Tumbler, Bumper Cars, Ball Blaster, Bouncers, 4-Level Playground, Himalaya, and much more!! Purchase a package or pay for single games.

Hyper Kidz!- 9309 Snowden River Parkway Columbia, MD 21046
Themed zones for kids ages 0-13. Other attractions include an interactive LED dance floor, laser light show, interactive screen games, bubble machine, glow-in-the-dark play, a concession stand, souvenir stand, and giant lite brite boards. Hyper Kidz encourages healthy and active social play.

(Photo: Nook)
Nook–  Nook Mosaic:Coming Summer 2018 & Nook Ballston Quarter:Coming Fall 2018
Nook is a play and learning space for the young, modern family. Not just a children’s play space, Nook is a blended play, work, and learning experience for the entire family.

Climb Zone-13200 Mid Atlantic Boulevard Suite 130 Laurel, MD 20708
Indoor rock climbing with individual walls, each with a theme. There are a few bounce houses, an area for kids 3 and under to play in, video games and a small cafe. Ages 2-5 are $12, 6 years and older $25. You can stay as long as you’d like. Outside food is permitted. You can have a birthday party here too. Put your harness on and climb aboard your favorite art whether it be Mt. Rushmore or the Alice in Wonderland themed wall, you’ll have a great time.

ZAVAZONE– 45685 Oakbrook Ct #110, Sterling, VA 20166 & 40 Southlawn Court Rockville, MD 20850
ZAVAZONE is an Indoor Adventure Park: a unique space dedicated to active fun for people from ages 5 to 105.  ZAVAZONE brings together ninja courses, ropes courses, trampolines, climbing challenges, zip lines, and more under ONE soaring roof.  It delivers a heart-pumping multi-action experience like no other.  Every visit to ZAVAZONE grants access to ALL of these exhilarating challenges, so you’re always free to create your very own active adventure. The state-of-the-art equipment is overseen by highly trained ZAVAZONE coaches who ensure safety while inspiring guests to make the leap or try a bold new move. All ZAVAZONE activities are included with admission.

Animated Child– 5167 Waterway Drive Montclair, VA 22025
Animated Child is an innovative enrichment center that encourages a child’s natural curiosity, independence and creativity. We engage children in every element of intelligence to highlight their unique way of learning. By exploring in which way a child is smart versus how smart they are, children are empowered to recognize ability within themselves. Great for ages 2-12. Open exploration times, enrichment classes, summer camps and birthday parties are available.

Sprout at Saffron – 3260 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201
The ultimate new business concept that combines your productivity (coworking), relaxation, fitness or yoga with your kids playing and learning.  Moms, dads and caregivers can catch up on work or relax in the cafe, take a fitness or yoga class while your kids are taken care of in a holistic and educational environment.  Classes vary from supervised open gym, music, ballerina classes and more! Classes are also offered for kids or adults.

Busy Bees– 11 Wisconsin Circle Bethesda, MD & 6110 D Arlington Blvd. Falls Church, VA 22044
An indoor play space where everything moves, spins or flies just for kids under 48″. $15 (or a pass) will get your kiddos inside, come and go as you please. Open 9-5 everyday. Complimentary coffee, tea and wifi. They also through amazing birthday parties.

Don’t forget these indoor spaces as well:

My Gym–5110 Ridgefield Rd, Bethesda, MD 20816
Kidville– 4825 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
Gymboree– Various Locations

Washington, DC’s newest coworking playspace: Workafrolic

I had the privilege of meeting Naomi Rasmussen, founder of Workafrolic, a unique coworking playspace w/ flexible childcare and classes back when her idea was coming to fruition. She now has an amazing space located in between Eckington & Shaw which boasts three stories; top floor is a coworking space with everything you need to work successfully, main level includes a kitchen, lactation room and a separate space for childcare and a basement for older kids, classes and conference calls you may need to take.

Below is a q+a that will allow you to understand what Workafrolic offers and how you can use all it has to offer to your advantage. 

How did the concept begin?

At first, my idea was to build an indoor playspace for infants and toddlers. When my son was too young to enjoy the playground, there weren’t many indoor places outside of my apartment where he could safely explore new surroundings and I could relax knowing it was acceptable for him to be crawling around putting everything in his mouth. As the concept developed, the amenities I had in mind for the parents grew until it was a space that was equal parts for kids and adults. I ended up creating my ideal place as an urban working parent!

Explain what coworking is.

Coworking is when individuals who don’t work for the same organization work side by side in the same office space. It’s often a financially smart arrangement for businesses of all sizes since the overhead costs necessary in managing an office can get expensive. For individuals who would most likely be working from home in isolation, the coworking model has created a valuable opportunity to work in an office setting where they get access to professional networking, printers, and meeting space. The coworking model has been around for a few decades, but there has been a sharp increase in its popularity over the last several years and is now common globally.

What’s unique about Workafrolic?

Workafrolic is unique not only because it is a coworking space that has on-site child care, but because of the flexibility our version of this model affords parents. They can see availability and book child care by the hour weeks in advance or right up to the minute before they arrive. We have long hours during the week (8am-7pm) and weekend (10am-7pm) to accommodate a variety of schedules. We have monthly memberships, but we also welcome non-members to use our services on a drop-in basis. We also host classes that families can participate in together during the week and weekends, like music and family yoga.

Another unique aspect of Workafrolic is that in addition to work space we offer a convenient place for adults to take time for themselves to participate in fitness and wellness classes while their child is being looked after. Parents—and especially moms—often sacrifice their own personal time for work and family responsibilities. Not that we need a reason to have some alone time, but evidence shows that exercise makes people more productive and creative. Self-care also puts parents in a stronger position to care for kids. Integrating this element into the same space with work and family and providing child care makes it easier to fit it all in to the day since time is the reason so many of us don’t get to it.

Workafrolic’s playspace is designed for children from birth to age 6 with toys and activities that engage children at each developmental stage. We believe free play encourages creativity and independence and our playspace gives children materials and space to feed their vivid imaginations and innate desire to learn and grow. The playspace is available as an indoor area for parent-supervised play (Open Play) on the weekends and after 4pm on weekdays. We also rent out the space for birthday parties.

Can a Mom come to Workafrolic if she is nursing? What about if a child needs to nap? 

Absolutely! In fact, one of the benefits of Workafrolic is that mom and child can spend the day in close proximity and can continue their nursing routine as long as they’d like. Our rocking chairs in front of the large windows overlooking North Capitol St are a prime spot for nursing. We also have a comfortable lactation room if you’d like more privacy to nurse or pump.

Most of the children who come to Workafrolic nap here. One side of our main child care space is dedicated to napping and a gate keeps wandering children from bothering the nappers. We have cots, cribs, infant swings, bouncers, and a rock ‘n play, so your little one will certainly find a comfy spot to settle into!

What can those using the working space expect?

Expect to be productive!

Workers can expect a comfortable and inviting space with everything they need at hand to tick things of their to do list. We serve complimentary hot and iced coffee and tea and sell snacks from local food businesses to munch on while you work.

You can also expect to see a lot of Dads! Many people assume moms are the parents using Workafrolic, but our clientele is pretty much half and half so dads should feel very welcome to come work here.

Location: 1707 North Capitol St NE Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-506-2770 

logo design courtesy of New Leaf Design