Beltway Bambinos

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

Thanksgiving books, crafts, games and volunteer opportunities for families

Thanksgiving themed books-
Balloons Over Broadway
Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving
How To Catch A Turkey
The Great Thanksgiving Escape
The Story of Pilgrims
Would You Rather? Thanksgiving Edition
Thanksgiving on Thursday: Magic Treehouse
Thanksgiving Activity Book

Wreath of Plenty craft from Parents

Crafts & games-
We have added some fun activities and games to our Pinterest page to get your kids thinking about what they are grateful for. Our family will be creating a grateful tree and I love the idea of having them create a handprint runner and decorating it for our dinner on a long sheet of inside out wrapping paper. A few more of my favorites that are on our Pinterest page are:
-Disguise the Turkey
-Thankful Banner
-Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

Need last minute Thanksgiving decor? Check out Caravan Shoppe for downloadable (send to a local print shop) interactive decorations!

Volunteer opportunities are a bit different this year but nonetheless more important than ever.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Where to see fall foliage near Washington, DC

Smoky Mountain fall foliage prediction map is a helpful guide to ensure you don’t miss those colorful landscapes.

Washingtonian outlined some of the dates for us that are in close proximity to Washington, DC- Staunton: October 12, Luray: October 12, Winchester: October 12, Rappahannock County: October 19, Mount Vernon: October 19, Charlottesville: October 19, Shenandoah National Park: October 19, Old Rag Mountain: October 19, Harper’s Ferry: October 26, Great Falls Park: October 26, Frederick: October 26, DC Arboretum: October 26, Rock Creek Park: October 26.

Getaways worth the drive:  
Skyline Drive in Virginia offers 75 overlooks

Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia will leave you (get it?!) in awe of the 200,000 acres of scenic countryside traversed by more than 500 miles of trails

Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina

Deep Creek Lake in Maryland spans over 1800 acres and some readers recommend taking a boat ride to see the foliage

Local areas, closer to home:
Maryland
Seneca Creek State Park
Cunningham Falls State Park
Sugarloaf Mountain

Virginia
Three Lakes Park & Nature Center

Washington, DC
Rock Creek Park
U.S. National Arboretum
C&O Canal

West Virginia
Harper’s Ferry

Ultimate guide to Halloween and fall in and around Washington, DC

There are many orchards and fall festivals that are adhering to social distancing guidelines for those of you who want to pick a pumpkin or sip warm apple cider this fall. We have been crossing off items from our fall bucket list and hope you are starting to enjoy the fun that comes with fall too. Here are the guidelines DC recommends in regards to Halloween and Día de los Muertos.

Outdoor and drive-in Halloween themed movies:
Park Up DC: child and adult movies
DC Party Box: spooktacular drive-in movies October 9-25
Capitol Riverfront movie series: movies through October 30
Halloween drive-up movie night: October 30

Halloween and fall events:
DC Party Box is aiming to save Halloween 2020 with a contactless drive thru trick or treating Halloween experience in Rockville and drive-in movies, complete with trick-or-treating (get candy and give-aways for the whole family) and interactive exhibits (LED screens, live actors, etc).

Creepy Climb at Summit Ropes: October 10, 17, 24 & 31
Creepy Climb starts this Saturday, October 10th at 6:45pm. Our once a year event will be held every Saturday evening thru October 31st. This is truly a unique experience that combines the ultimate indoor adventure with a low-level light display featuring all of your favorite Halloween haunts! There are only 40 passes available each Saturday, and they are selling out fast! This is an event you don’t want to miss, so click the button below to book your reservation. Your reservation is 75 minutes, which includes training, harnessing and 60 minutes of ropes adventure time. This is only held once a year so Book NOW!

Soul Strolls at Congressional Cemetery: October 16-17 & 23-24
Trespass into the past and discover the secrets of some of Congressional Cemetery’s “residents.” Soul Strolls, the Cemetery’s annual twilight tours, explore the stories of individuals buried here through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Experience the history of this hallowed ground exactly the way it should be experienced in October – in twilight and darkness, happening upon vignettes and individuals under the guidance of one of our “Dozen Decent Docents.” Hour-long tours depart every 15 minutes between 6 and 10 pm. Adult tickets are $35; children 12 and under are $15.

Glow in the Park: October 16, 24, 30 & 31
Glow in the Park at the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring is available on select dates but some are sold out. 2 hours of climbing & ziplining, additional 40 minutes for the intial orientation. Tickets available every 10 minutes starting at 6pm until 8:20pm.

Halloween Toddler Time at B&O Railroad: October 22 at 10:00am
During this special Halloween Toddler Time, all participants enjoy a socially-distant craft at 10 AM and Halloween story time  at 10:30 AM in our Roundhouse, followed by a costume parade, with pre-filled goodie bags available for pick-up at the end! Costumes recommended but not required. Event included with admission. Free for B&O Members.Story: Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Schertle

Drive thru at the Zoo: October 24 & 25 SOLD OUT
Start your engines and prepare for some spooky fun during Boo Drive Thru, sponsored by Mars Wrigley, a special edition of the beloved children’s trick-or-treating event. Pack your car full of ghouls, ghosts, princesses and superheroes and cruise down the Zoo’s North Road, all in support of Friends of the National Zoo. Supernatural sights await along your drive—and so do treat bags stuffed with M&Ms, Twix and more!

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: October 24 & 25
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities & demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon.

Halloween in the Garden: October 24
Join Anne Marie Sculpture Garden for a socially-distanced, low-touch/no-touch day of Halloween fun and games!  Working with local health department, they have reconfigured the beloved Halloween event into a family-group based celebration of the fall season.  Activities will be spread out across 30 acres, giving families plenty of room to social distance!  Dress up, put on your masks, and come enjoy an awesome day of socially-distanced trick-or-treating, low-touch/no-touch games, great photo opps, music, and yummy food and drinks! 

Fall Frolic at Lee-Fendall House: October 24
Enjoy some safe and seasonal fun with the family in the garden of the Lee-Fendall House during our Fall Frolic! Put on your Halloween costumes and join for crafts, a ghost hunt, a Trick or Treat walk, and more! Sessions are at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance. Only 10 participating children per session, plus accompanying family members, face masks are required.

My Gym Halloween Party: October 24, 30 & 31
Dress up in your favorite costume (and mask!) and join for a 45 minute Halloween-themed circle time, games, a costume parade, and not so spooky fun! They’ve decorated and planned for both In Gym and Outdoor entertainment to make it fun and exciting for the kids as well as safe and comfortable for parents. Every child will leave with a My Gym Halloween Treat! My Gym Potomac – In Gym Events (Up to 9 children/adults) on Oct. 24th 10am and 11am & Oct. 31st 10am and 11am. Outdoor Events: Inverness Recreation Club field: Oct. 24th 3pm and 4pm & Oct. 30th 4pm and 5pm

Virtual Halloween Concert: October 30 at 6:30pm
What do Sharon and Randi and their family do for Halloween during a pandemic? They dress up in costumes and make music together, of course! Fans of all ages are invited to dress up in their Halloween attire and join Sharon and Randi for a very special LIVE virtual show, SKINNAMARINK with Sharon and Randi, Back by Popular Demand!

Trackside Trivia: Halloween Edition at B&O Railroad: October 30
from 6:00-10:00pm
Trackside Trivia returns for a frightfully fun night of spooky trivia, drinks, food, and laughs! Whether you want to scare the competition stiff or just distract them with laughter, costumes are encouraged. We’re even holding a special Halloween themed scavenger hunt to keep you on your toes! Pre-ordered tickets include one free drink.

Hill-O-Ween: October 30 from 5:30-7:30pm
Capitol Hill celebrates Halloween as a community each year in front of Eastern Market on 7th St. Count on moon bounces, hay rides, treats, face painting and many, many costumes.

“Halloween Party” LIVE Virtual Family Concerts: October 31 at 12:00pm and 5:00pm
Double the fun, a family ticket grants admission to one or both livestreams! To join in the fun, fans of all ages should plan to grab their superhero capes, their instruments (or noisemakers), their dancin’ shoes, and a stuffed animal (for their heads)! Halloweeny stuffed animals like cats, bats, or even friendly monsters would be great for kids to bring to this show.

The Station at Riverdale Park’s: October 31, from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Join this FREE, family-friendly Halloween event. The Station will be hosting socially-distanced outdoor activities including mini golf, a self-guided photo scavenger hunt, prize raffle, and more! Guests can also enjoy food and drinks from The Station’s retailers including Denizens, District Taco, and more as well as a food truck on-site, and of course, candy.

Rockville Sweet Treat Drive Thru & Car Costume Contest: October 31 from 1:00pm-5:00pm
Join a fun and safe way to Trick-or-Treat in your car while maintaining social distancing. Celebrate this Halloween in style, get the family together and decorate your car in the Halloween spirit and you could win a prize! Children will also be able to take home a goodie bag with Halloween cookie (gluten free), crafts and candy. So, grab your keys, dress up in your favorite costumes, and make your way to the park to collect sweet treats and crafts at fun Halloween stations throughout the parking lot.

Mister G Help Save Halloween virtual concert: October 31 at 4:00pm and 7:00pm
There will be two worldwide virtual concerts from the historic Academy of Music Theatre. Tickets are FREE, but space is limited so sign up here to claim a front row seat in your living room. Each family that reserves their free spot to our Help Save Halloween costume party will also receive a printable activity pack.

Halloween Spooktacular: October 31
Enjoy trick-or-treating, socially-distanced fun and activities, a family-friendly movie, pizza, popcorn and more at The St. James. Halloween Spooktacular is a great way to enjoy a fun-filled, safe Halloween evening. Bring your own blanket for socially-distanced family movie night in The St. James Field House. Your ticket includes the following: Trick-or-treating (pre-wrapped candy only), Halloween activities and fun (masks required), 1 slice of pizza, 1 bag of popcorn, Spot in the Field House to watch Hotel Transylvania.

Corn mazes:
Liberty Mills Farm– Virginia’s largest corn maze
Winterbrook Farm– Maryland’s largest corn maze
Summers Farm
Montpelier Farm
Wayside Farm

Date nights:
Halloween Hayride & Haunted Bonfire
Enjoy a tractor driven hayride in the darkness with demons and devils. We will then gather around a HAUNTED bonfire where we can enjoy roasting hotdogs, marshmallows and making s’mores (all will be provided and included in the ticket)! 

Grief & Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 23 & 24, 30 & 31
Celebrate Halloween with a look at Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair jewelry, mourning clothing, and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark. Tickets are $10 and must be reserved in advance due to limited space. Face masks are required.

Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Shocktober
Six Flags Fright Fest

Ring in the new school year with ‘Back to The Yards’ giveaway event

Lancer Photography, 2020. All rights reserved.

The Yards, DC’s most exciting waterfront neighborhood for living, dining, shopping, and relaxing, is ringing in back-to-school with Back to The Yards! While this school year looks different for many students and parents, The Yards will be giving away FREE boxes of fun school supplies curated for younger Yards guests when they dine-in or pick up take-out from any Yards Restaurant on Friday, September 25th from 5:00-8:00pm.

Back to The Yards boxes will contain fun, colorful essentials for back to school (or homeschool), wherever that may be! Boxes are limited to one per family, while supplies last, for pick-up at The Yards Park.

Back to The Yards boxes will include festive supplies like: pencils, notebooks, colorful post-its, stickers, highlighters and more fun. Special boxes with fun school supplies are free to each family with a receipt from any Yards restaurant. All participating restaurants can be found here – meaning a receipt from one of these restaurants will allow you to pick up a free back-to-school box from Yards Park. We hope the start of the school year has been okay for everyone.

Boo drive thru at the Smithsonian National Zoo

Start your engines and prepare for some spooky fun during Boo Drive Thru, October 24 & 25 from 4:30pm-9:30pm. This is a special edition of the beloved children’s trick-or-treating event. Pack your car full of ghouls, ghosts, princesses and superheroes and cruise down the Zoo’s North Road, all in support of Friends of the National Zoo. Supernatural sights await along your drive—and so do treat bags stuffed with M&Ms, Twix and more!

In order to ensure that everyone stays safe this year, Boo Drive Thru is a special 2020 version of Boo at the Zoo, in which kids (and their parents) get Halloween entertainment and candy from the comfort of their own cars.

When purchasing your car pass, you will be able to choose a drive thru time and reserve up to six treat bags. All cars will enter through the Zoo’s Connecticut Avenue entrance and follow a mile-long path along the side of the Zoo. Only family-sized vehicles will be permitted to enter Boo Drive Thru.

On your drive, you will see witches, vampires, Count Pandula and other spooky sights — and get a fun photo opportunity — before receiving your treat bags at the end. After you receive your bags, you will be able to exit at the lower end of the Zoo.

Friends of the National Zoo members can purchase car passes now. Non-members can purchase car passes beginning Wednesday, Sept. 23. Each car can reserve up to six treat bags while purchasing car passes.

FONZ members: $45 per car pass
Non-members: $55 per car pass

Fall festivals, farms, orchards and events in and around Washington, DC

It’s that time of year when the weather is beginning to cool, fun fall outfits await, PSL’s are back and kids are hoping to start jumping in leaves soon. It also means making memories at local apple orchards, fall festivals and picking pumpkins. Be sure to check websites as protocols have certainly changed this year. Have a favorite place to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!

Butlers Orchard (22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876)
In the past there have been so many attractions including; a twisted pumpkin corn maze, corn box, hayrides, straw maze, corn hole, giant slides, pumpkin coach, jump in the hayloft, visit barnyard buddies, pumpkinland, pedal tractors, playground, pumpkin cannon, pony rides, face painting, kids crafts, pick your own pumpkins, festival food and a farm market as you exit the Orchard. More info to come soon on their website. Children under 24 months are free. September 26 & 27 $13.00/person October 3 & 4 $13.00/person Peak Dates October 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25 $15.00/person. October 31 $13.00/person. Nov 1 last call for fall $13.00/person. Cash only at gate.  ATM on site or purchase tickets at the market with your Visa or MasterCard.

Winterbrook Farms (13001 Creagerstown Rd., Thurmont, MD 21788)
Visit September 26-November 1 from 11:00am-6:00pm to visit the Fall Festival.  They are a 4th generation family farm that has been offering a fall festival for over 20 years! There is something fun for all ages at the farm with over 25 activities to enjoy. With over 9 acres of 20+ different varieties and colors of U-Pick Pumpkins, free Hay rides, Maryland’s Largest Corn Maze, an interactive farm animal area, a Pumpkin Jump Pillow, Mini Beeline Ziplines, Round Bale Rollers, Giant Corn box, Apple Cannons & much more! Also to enjoy, Freshly made Apple Cider Donuts, Local Apple Cider, Kettle Corn, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Delicious BBQ & more! NEW for 2020! A Farm Market full of fall decor and goods to take home from the farm. Click here for COVID-19 protocols.

Summers Farm (5620 Butterfly Ln. Frederick, MD 21703)
Open in the Fall each year with an old-fashioned Fall Festival from September 19–Nov 8. Purchase tickets here. The farm features a 12 acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, more than 45 activities, live weekend music, fireworks, finger-lickin’ good food and lots more!

Homestead Farm (15604 Sugarland Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837)
Pick your own apples and pumpkins, live animals to see and browse market goodies such as apple cider, mums and honey.

Larriland (2415 Woodbine Rd., Woodbine, MD 21797)
Open through the first Sunday in November, closed on Mondays. On Saturdays and Sundays in late September and October, they offer hayrides during the day which fords the stream, goes through the woods and includes a stop at the pumpkin field where everyone selects their favorite pumpkin. The straw maze, built with over 1000 bales of straw, is a delightful place to get lost. The boo barn is designed for children ages 4–6. It is a dark passage in the bottom of the red barn and is filled with animated, not too scary ghosts and goblins. Apple fritters and food trucks weekends in October.

Clark’s Elioak Farm (10500 State Rte 108 Ellicott City, MD 21042)
Open through November 3, Tuesday-Sunday. Purchase tickets here. Petting farm animals, hayrides, cow train rides, pony rides, birthday parties, educational tours, enchanted pine tree forest, special weekend events, enchanted forest attractions (from an old theme park) and fall season pumpkin patch.

Gaver Farm (5501 Detrick Rd., Mount Airy, MD 21771)
September 4–November 3, 2020 is the fall season at Gaver Farm featuring a farm market, pick your own pumpkins and sunflowers, farm fresh food and Fall Fun Days! Tickets are required for Fall Fun Days daily admission and can be purchased here. If you are visiting the farm for pick your own, hayrides, food stands or the Farm Market, you do not need an admission ticket. These areas of the farm do not required a ticketed wristband for entry.

Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA 20135)
Open daily for apple picking and corn maze from Sept 1-30. Purchase tickets here. Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival is from September 28-October 31 & Pumpkin Chunkin taking place November 1-3. Celebrate with tastings of this season’s best ciders and demonstrations of antique cider press. Pick your pumpkins and apples, fire pumpkins from a cannon, enjoy cider donuts, get lost in a corn maze and visit with the pumpkin princess while at the pumpkin harvest festival.

Leesburg Animal Park (19270 James Monroe Hwy., Leesburg, VA 20175)
Pumpkin Village is open September 19-November 3. Purchase tickets here. There is also a Halloween costume contest on Oct. 31. Enjoy the giant hill slides, hay wagon rides, pet and feed animals, free apple and cider snack with admission, free mini-pumpkin, kids maze and live entertainment, pedal carts, bounce pillow and live music. Specials on weekends include camel rides and live entertainment.

Wayside Farm (5273 Harry Byrd Hwy., Berryville, VA 22611)
Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday’s from September 26-November 1. Whether you are head there to find the perfect pumpkin for carving Jack-o-lanterns, to find your way through the 10-acre corn maze, or to take in the scenery of their grounds while the kids enjoy all of our activities, Wayside Farm has something for everyone!

Ticonderoga Farms (26175 Ticonderoga Rd., Chantilly, VA 20152)
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Cox Farms (15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, VA 20120)
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Visitors can take a self driven hayride and even load up on apple cider donuts and kettle corn to enjoy on the ride.

Readers also recommend:
Montpellier Farm
Weber’s Cider Mill
Pumpkin Playground at Burke Nursery

Festivals:
Maryland Renaissance Festival: Virtual September 12-13, 2020
H Street Festival: Virtual the month of September
Fall for Fairfax KidFest: October 2-3, 2020
Frederick Oktoberfest: Carry out & delivery October 3, 2020
Weiner 500 Oktoberfest at the Wharf: October 3, 2020
Barracks Row Fall Festival: Cancelled
Piketoberfest: TBA

Adults only:
Markoff’s Haunted Forest: Tickets coming soon
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest

Fall classes {virtual & in-person} in and around Washington, DC

Fall classes look a lot different this year! Most of our favorite places however have gone virtual with their classes, while some are in person.

Adventure Theatre:  Join a musical theater class designed for children in grades K-5.

Anna Banana Arts and Crafts:  Offering small group art classes for children ages 4-8.

Bach 2 Rock: Weekly music and movement classes for toddlers.

Brazilian–American Cultural Center: What once offered Capoeira for youth and adults as well as Portuguese language classes, yoga, various types of Brazilian dance, youth art classes and more is now hosting neighborhood learning pods.

Brit-Am Soccer Academy: Small group soccer classes and lessons starting with toddlers and going up to 12th grade.

Children’s Art Studio: Virtual classes for children ages 4-13.

Dance & Gymnastics classes can be found here!

DC Stoddert Soccer: Soccer program starting at age 3 going through high school.

District Dabble Lab: DabbleBox is their newest endeavor. The first box ships out in September. This will be your child’s favorite extracurricular activity! A monthly subscription arts + crafts kit for your child to have a creative outlet and to fulfill the need for art in your child’s life during these isolated times. Plus they will be instructed by Emily via streamed video…it’s just like being in class at the DabbleLab! Find out more here.

Happy Little Art Studio: Join for six weeks of art exploration. Each week you will receive a box of supplies and links to a video with easy to follow instructions. No zooms. No stress. Students can work at their own pace.

Imagination Stage: For 40 years, Imagination Stage has offered programming that inspires youth to grow as artists and innovators. Their virtual arts education is no exception! Coming off of a successfully reimagined summer, they’re excited to bring interactive online classes into the fall semester Registration is now open! Click the search button below to browse online fall class options for all ages.

International School of Music: Offering in-person and virtual music classes.

Kicks are for Kids: Small group soccer classes at various locations.

Miss Amy’s Music Makers: Offering virtual class as well as class at an outdoor park for children under the age of 6.

Red Panda Art Studio: Virtual art class for children ages 1.5 to age 8. All supplies included— and organized by class.

Squash on Fire: Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, the coaching staff has the talent and experience to help you improve your squash game.

Tinkergarten: Online circle time for families with children ages 0-8. A new Tinkergarten activity from this season’s Creativity curriculum will be revealed in each session, inspiring kids to reconnect with the outdoors and enjoy healthy, playful learning all week long. Each week, parents and caregivers get a how-to guide and see a demonstration of the activity, ask questions and get expert help on how to support their child.

Tunes 4 Tots: Music classes for a variety of ages.

Washington DC JCC: Just because we can’t gather in person doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun with music and movement this fall!  Join us via Zoom for any or all of the live classes listed above.  All ages are welcome, but classes are geared towards the 0-4 year old crowd.  Session registration includes one weekly live class and also access to the recording of that class to watch anytime your kiddo wants. 

Indoor gyms:
My Gym Bethesda & Potomac
BusyBees offering neighborhood learning pods
Gymboree free first month of virtual classes
MoCo Movement offering limited in-person sessions

Related posts:
Yoga with your Bambino
Year-round classes

Don’t know if you want to commit your child to a session of classes? Pearachute allows you to drop-in to various classes, events, camps and they even have vouchers for gift cards. You can use the app to drop-in or make changes to your reservation; most places allow you to cancel your drop-in up to a few hours before the class so if you have a sick child or one who just doesn’t want to go to the class, try again a different day with no penalty.

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