Beltway Bambinos

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

Holiday Gift Guide for Families and Children + 5 Days of Giveaways!

Below are our holiday favorites in case you need some inspiration or ideas. Some ideas specific to Washington, DC while others are products or companies you may not be familiar with. There are also plenty of ways to incorporate giving into your holiday which doesn’t include actually giving a gift. Be sure to read through to the end where we explain our 5 days of GIVEAWAYS! 

Books (this is one category I could go on and on and on with, so if you want more suggestions, ask!):

Music

  • Mr. Jon & Friends CD, Rock & Rhyme
    From out of the DC metro area comes unanimous praise for the Parents’ Choice Award® winning kindie band Mr. Jon & Friends, powered for nearly a decade by the husband-and-wife duo of Jon and Carrie Lewis. Now kids and families across the country can tune into the energy, fun, and sweetness of Mr. Jon & Friends’ brand of Raffi-inspired good sounds with the band’s third album, Rock & Rhyme.
  • Marsha & the Positrons CD, Positronic
    Catchy songs about science and how the world works with subtle themes of friendship.
  • Alphabet Rockers debuted a collection of T-shirts which give young change-makers and their parents a chance to wear what they believe. These vibrant shirts were designed by original AlphabetRockersmember Stefanie Liang Chung, and feature song lyrics from their GRAMMY-nominated album, Rise Shine #Woke. 

Sports

Healthy snacks for stocking stuffers

Games

Toys

Class Drop-in Pass

  • Pearachute–Their mission is to inspire children’s curiosity and passion by empowering parents and caregivers through convenience and choice. Making the best kids’ classes and activities available to you at the touch of a button, allowing you to drop-in and explore during times that fit your schedule with the flexibility to accommodate late naps, stuffy noses, and unplanned visits from grandparents. Click link above for a discounted code when signing up.

Subscription Boxes

  • Subscription boxes have become a great way for kids to make memories, create something hands-on and have an experience where all of the necessary materials come delivered to their doorstep.

Memberships

  • Smithsonian National Zoo–Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) helps the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute save species through educational and fun experiences, the power of our members, and funding for critical work. Membership levels vary, but most come with free parking (a $23 value!) as well as carousel ride vouchers.
  • Port Discovery Children’s Museum— The premier children’s museum in the Mid-Atlantic and a place that values learning through play. Not enough space to say how great this museum is; lucky to live so close to it.
  • National Building Museum— Inspires curiosity about the world we design and build. Building Zone & Play, Work Build are permanent while the museum has rotating exhibits and events throughout the year.
  • Politics & Prose— Support one of our local and amazing bookstores!
  • Sign your Bambino and self (or nanny, grandparent) up for a session with Tinkergarten

Theatre tickets

Experiences 

  • Holiday tree lighting and fireworks began on Nov. 10, 2018 and take place each Saturday through December. Complete with Santa appearances, holiday movies and fireworks. Be sure and warm up inside the Gaylord Resort, see the hanging tree and Christmas Village and then bundle up to check out ICE!. Get your tickets in advance. Use code: SNOW18 for $4 off ICE tickets valid Sunday-Thursday through Dec. 20. 
  • Tidal Basin pedal boating and swan boat tickets
  • Ice skate at various rinks in DC
  • Take your Bambinos and experience holiday tea

Gift of Creativity

Functional 

Giveaway Rules: The giveaways will be posted each day on Instagram and/or Facebook depending on that day’s giveaway- so be sure to check both! You can enter as many giveaways as you want. Directions on how to enter will be on each individual post.

Giveaway Day 1: One copy of Laurie Berkner’s new book, Pillowland

Giveaway Day 2: “Lucky’s Happy Home” Playmobil

Giveaway Day 3: 8 boxes of fruit punch from ReThink Water

Giveaway Day 4: The newest Mr. Jon & Friends CD, Rock & Rhyme

Giveaway Day 5:  4 tickets to ride the Capital Wheel 

There are no affiliate links associated with the Amazon links that are included above. 

B&O’s Magical Holiday Express + GIVEAWAY

It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the B&O’s Magical Holiday Express, a magical holiday wonderland featuring:

  • a magnificent 30-foot Christmas tree that you can stand inside of or walk through
  • operating model train layouts
  • indoor carousel rides
  • interactive kids’ crafts
  • weekend train rides & visits with Santa, December 1-23
  • weekend train rides with Frosty the Snowman, December 15 & 16
  • appearances by Mrs. Claus
  • live entertainment and performances, December 1, 2 & 9

Plus, ALL-NEW holiday themed weekends!
SILVER & GOLD – December 1 & 2 
DECK THE HALLS – December 8 & 9
JINGLE BELLS – December 15 & 16
LET IT SNOW – December 17 -31, Closed Christmas Eve & Day

Admission: $20 adults, $17 seniors (60+), $12 children (ages 2-12)
Train Rides with paid admission: First Class train rides are $10 adults, $6 children; Coach Class train rides are $3 adults, $2 children
Carousel Rides with paid admission: $2 per ride

Giveaway: Enter to win 4 vouchers to visit the museum between Dec. 1-31. Two winners will be chosen on December 5, 2018. (Please note the museum is closed on Christmas Eve & Day). Share the post on Facebook to be entered to win and comment that you shared! 

The B&O Railroad Museum™, a full affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American railroading and its impact on American society, culture and economy. The Museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment.  The 40-acre historic site is regarded as the birthplace of American Railroading and includes the 1851 Mt. Clare Station, the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse and first mile of commercial railroad track in America. For further information on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, please call 410-752-2490 or visit here.

B&O Railroad Museum 901 W. Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223

Port Discovery Children’s Museum + GIVEAWAY

Port Discovery Children’s Museum has updated their event listings and we’ve got the highlights for you:

  • Salute the Troops –  Free admission/discounts going on through January 1
  • Gingerbrick Decorating – Saturday, December 1 & Saturday, December 8
  • Dollar (or Less) Day – Sunday, December 9
  • Birthday Extravaganza Weekend (celebrating their 20th year of play) – Saturday, December 15 & Sunday, December 16
  • Winter Break Fun – December 22 – January 1
  • Noontime New Year – December 31
  • And a pretty special event that they’ll be announcing soon – taking place on January 1!

December 2018: Featured Exhibits:

The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD Exhibit
Open Now –  through January 21, 2018
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children younger than two are admitted for free.

Have an out-of-this world silly adventure with MR. POTATO HEAD® when you explore The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD® exhibit, at Port Discovery September 22, 2018 through January 21, 2019! Travel the globe and have fun learning on a jungle safari, an archeological dig, under the sea and outer space. Crawl through a jungle cave, dig for treasure, go scuba diving, and command a space station as you think about all you can be and do! The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD® exhibit was created by the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in collaboration with Hasbro. MR. POTATO HEAD® is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. and is used with permission. © 2018 Hasbro. All rights reserved. The national exhibit tour is sponsored by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, with additional support provided by Debra Altshul-Stark and Brian Stark, and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Locally sponsored by M&T Bank.

Special Offers:

Salute the Troops
November 1, 2018 – January 1, 2019
Free admission for active duty, veterans and retired military*

As part of the Salute the Troops Program, active duty, veterans and retired military receive free admission to Port Discovery Children’s Museum beginning November 11, 2018 through January 1, 2019. Guests of service members will receive $2.00 off general admission. Simply present valid military or veterans ID to take advantage of this offer.*
*Present valid Military ID, Veterans ID, State Driver’s License with Veterans Designation or Discharge Papers (photocopies acceptable) to redeem offer. One free admission per transaction. No other discounts, offers or passes may be applied within the same transaction. 

Thrifty Tuesdays & Thursdays
Admission is $10 on select Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
Visit for less! Visit Port Discovery on Tuesday and Thursdays from 1-4PM for just $10. That’s more than $5 off each general admission ticket! Enjoy hands-on, interactive exhibits and educational programs that spark imagination and learning in a place custom made for kids! (Promotion valid October 2, 2018 through Thursday, December 20, 2018) Excluded dates include: 11/6/18.

December 2018: Featured Events & Programs: 

Month-Long Birthday Celebration
Throughout December
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free

December marks Port Discovery’s 20th birthday. We’ve filled the month with fun, learning and lots of special events for visitors, members and groups to enjoy, including month-long birthday celebrations where children and caregivers can sign our giant birthday card, join in on fun birthday-themed activities (including painting giant cakes and photobooths), and more. We also will host a fun-filled Birthday Extravaganza weekend on Saturday, December 15 & Sunday, December 16, along with a party to remember on our actual birthday, Saturday, December 29th.

Healthy First Saturday & Gingerbrick Decorating
Saturday, December 1 | 10 AM – 5PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Get the wiggles out as you learn about healthy activities and habits for your little one – and your entire family! Dance, sing and get active with Faza Fam Family Jam. Learn about science at our STEM Station, and help Port Discovery kick-off birthday celebrations in birthday-themed Pop-Up Art stations and Mother Goose on the Loose® programs. Plus, join in a fun holiday tradition as you decorate gingerbricks with the fantastic chefs from McCormick! Use icing, candy and more to decorate gingerbricks that will be used to create our custom, kid-made Port Discovery gingerbread house! Don’t forget to get in on our birthday fun, too – leave us a birthday message, take silly photos and more to help us celebrate 20 years of play!

Super Sundays
Sundays in December| December 2, 8, 16, 23, 30| 10 AM – 4 PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Enjoy a family adventure before the weekend is over! Sundays are terrific days to play – and to explore Port Discovery’s indoor magic designed just for kids.  Explore movement and music together as you bop along to Tiny Tots Music Time.  Join in interactive story times, and work together to create art or science projects during Pop-Up Art or at STEM Stations. Plus, build early literacy skills for infants and toddlers in Mother Goose on the Loose®.  Don’t forget to get in on our birthday fun, too – leave us a birthday message, take silly photos and more to help us celebrate 20 years of play!

Infant & Toddler Time
Wednesdays in December| December 5, 12, 19, 26 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Looking for fun, educational programs for your infant, toddler, pre-schooler or kindergartener? Join Port Discovery for Infant & Toddler Time on Wednesdays, when drop-in programming is designed especially for children ages birth to six! Join in interactive story times, explore rhythm and music together during our fun and interactive Tiny Tots Music Time and introduce children to early literacy skills through Mother Goose on the Loose®. Wednesdays at Port Discovery are also limited to groups with children under the age of six, making for a great day of play and learning for your little ones.

Fantastic Fridays
Fridays in December | December 7, 14, 21 & 28 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Fridays are for fun and learning – and infants, toddlers, and older children rule the day at Port Discovery. Visit Port Discovery on any Friday for drop-in programs designed to build imaginations, spark curiosity, and literacy and language skills through play. Explore movement and music together as you sing and dance along during our lively Tiny Tots Music Time. Introduce children to early literacy skills during Mother Goose on the Loose(R. Plus take part in our signature Circle Time, get active while taking part in our Backyard Games Circuit, and create simple art projects as a family! 

Gingerbrick Decorating
Saturday, December 8 | 10 AM – 5PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Gingerbread houses, gum drops, icing…WAHOO! Join Port Discovery and the wonderful chefs from McCormick to decorate gingerbricks with tasty treats (we won’t tell if you eat one or two…or ten)! Watch as your creating becomes part of a GIANT gingerbread house that will be on display throughout the holiday season. Add to your holiday tradition with other fun and play inside the Museum – get your face painted, make DIY party hats, try out yoga for kids, and dance, sing and get the wiggles out with The Kindersinger’s Snowy Days are Coming program.  Don’t forget to get in on our birthday fun, too – leave us a birthday message, take silly photos and more to help us celebrate 20 years of play!

Dollar (or Less) Day
Sunday, December 9 | Noon – 5 PM

Join us for a day of play for just $1!  On Sunday, December 9, admission to Port Discovery will be just $1!* as Port Discovery participates in Baltimore’s Annual Dollar (or less) Days. This is a fantastic chance to explore the Museum and see what learning through play is all about. Please keep in mind that this day will be a busy one – please be prepared for possible lines to enter the Museum and heavier than usual traffic inside the Museum. *No other discounts, offers or passes may be applied within the same transaction. Tickets while using this discount must be purchased at the Box Office in person and cannot be applied to past purchases or online orders.

Birthday Extravaganza
Saturday, December 15 | 10 AM – 5PM   Sunday, December 16 | Noon – 5PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Who doesn’t love a birthday party?! Decorate life-sized birthday cakes (we’re talking BIG CAKES!), make DIY party hats, take part in our photo booth, and help us celebrate 20 years of play with fun, laughter and excitement! Our birthday extravaganza will take place throughout the day on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16. Can’t make it for our party? We’ll also be doing a bit of celebrating on December 29th when we officially turn the big 2-0!

$2 Family Fun Night | Friday, December 21 | 4 – 8 PM 
Admission $2 for individuals ages two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

$2 Family Fun Night is back!! Play, learn and explore for just $2 – and finish out 2018 with F-U-N! Adventure through the fantastic MR. POTATO HEAD® exhibit, try out science tricks that teach you about science in the coolest way ever, and enjoy books, art, animals and more! Don’t forget to get in on our birthday fun, too – leave us a birthday message, take silly photos and more to help us celebrate 20 years of play! Join us for $2 Family Fun Night on Friday, December 21 from 4-8PM.  Don’t miss it! 

Winter Break Fun
Saturday, December 22 – January 1
Monday  – Saturday – 10 AM – 5PM | Sundays – Noon – 5PM
Closed Monday, December 24 & Tuesday, December 25
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Oh what fun it is to…Play! Especially over Winter Break! Keep those “I’m bored” comments to a minimum as you enjoy an indoor (and warm!) winter wonderland filled with festive performances and fun programs for the whole family. There’s tons to see, do and explore every day – from special science performances from Eric Energy to interactive play workshops, dancing and singing with the Kindersinger, pop-up science and STEM activities, family art projects and so much more that we can’t possibly list it all here! Check out our Winter Break Fun schedule of activities on our website for details on activities taking place each day!

Birthday, Birthday, Birthday!
Saturday, December 29 | 10AM – 5PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Hip, hip, HOORAY! 20 Years of Play! Grab your kids, friends, neighbors…and anyone you know – and join us for a party to remember! Decorate GIANT (we’re talking big!!) birthday cakes. Create birthday cupcakes. Make birthday art. Take selfies and silly photos in our photobooth. And…of course…enjoy special activities like Eric Energy’s Freeze Show (how cool?!), a scooting rink (scooting has never been so fun), an interactive theater performance from our favorite puppet family, The Hornswoggles, and, finally….a birthday party show where we’ll sing, dance and celebrate together. Don’t miss out on this special day – after all, we couldn’t possibly celebrate our big 2-0 without you!

Noontime New Year
Monday, December 31 | 10AM – 5PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Out with the old, in with the new! Celebrate the wonderful memories, fun and adventures of 2018  – and the magical new things to come in 2019 – at the best New Year’s celebration for kids in Baltimore! Revelers small and tall are invited to join in festive celebrations to ring in 2019. Featuring a noontime countdown, juice and cookie toast, indoor dance party, special performances from Eric Energy, The Kolonder’s, The Kindersinger, a fairy dancer and more – PLUS plenty of New Years’ themed fun, this event will also be a great opportunity to explore Port Discovery’s much-loved exhibits ahead of the wonderful transformations planned for 2019. Check out our Noontime New Year’s schedule of activities on our website for more details on activities you’ll enjoy!

December 2018: Recurring Drop-In Programs

Mess Zone & Clay Play in the BGE Studio Workshop
Open daily during operating hours
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Practice painting, printmaking, clay sculpting and more as you spark your child’s imagination through fun, hands-on art projects in the BGE Studio Workshop! Enter the Mess Zone as we work together to paint and create art. Or get your hands dirty digging and playing during our Clay Play activity.  Not crazy about getting messy? That’s okay! We’ll have other activities to enjoy as well.

Circle Time
Weekdays during operating hours 11:30 AM  | Check event calendar for weekend times
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children younger than two are admitted for free.

Bring your little ones to Port Discovery’s interactive Circle Time with a changing variety of songs, stories, and fun! Watch your child’s imagination come to life as they get involved in the story and dance and sing along! Plus explore three floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits designed to teach children through play during your visit.

Tiny Tots Music Time
Wednesdays at 11:30 am, Fridays at 11:30 am, 12:15 pm Sundays at 2:30 pm, 3:15 pm, and 4:00 pm
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Explore music and movement through play, laughter and lots of fun! This lively interactive music experience (formerly known as Jingle Jangle Music Time) teaches infants and young toddlers basic rhythm through singing, clapping, and shaking shakers. Birth to age 3 with a parent or caregiver.

Mother Goose on the Loose®
Wednesdays at 10:30 am Fridays at 10:30 am, Sundays at 1:30 pm
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Mother Goose on the Loose: Mother Goose is on the Loose at Port Discovery! Reciting nursery rhymes with puppets, flannel board characters, book illustrations, songs, and musical instruments in this joyful setting helps children develop early literacy skills through play. Birth to age 3 with a parent or caregiver.

GIVEAWAY: Win a 4-6 pack of tickets to Port Discovery – (valid through 12/30/18) by commenting on Facebook & Instagram with the name of your favorite children’s museum. 

December Hours

Tuesdays – Fridays: 10 AM – 4PM | Saturdays: 10AM – 5PM | Sundays: Noon – 5PM

Winter Break Hours

Saturday, December 22 – January 1
Monday  – Saturday – 10 AM – 5PM | Sundays – Noon – 5PM
Closed Monday, December 24 & Tuesday, December 25

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Beautiful, The Carole King Musical at National Theatre + GIVEAWAY

The National Theatre presents BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.

Featuring a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song, BEAUTIFUL has a book by Tony® Award-nominee and Academy® Award-nominated writer Douglas McGrath, direction by Marc Bruni, choreography by Josh Prince, and took home two 2014 Tony® Awards and a 2015 Grammy® Award.

The cast features Sarah Bockel (Carole King), Dylan S. Wallach (Gerry Goffin), Alison Whitehurst (Cynthia Weil), Jacob Heimer (Barry Mann), James Clow (Don Kirshner) and Suzanne Grodner (Genie Klein). The ensemble includes McKynleigh Alden Abraham, Ben Biggers, John Michael Dias, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Kaylee Harwood, Willie Hill, Alia Hodge, James Michael Lambert, Marla Louissaint, Dimitri Joseph Moïse, Aashley Morgan, Deon Releford-Lee, Nathan Andrew Riley, Paul Scanlan, DeAnne Stewart, Michael Stiggers, Jr., Alexis Tidwell, and Elise Vannerson.

**Appropriate for the entire family, but very young children won’t be interested in the 1950s-era biography. The show is best for pop music lovers age 10 and up.

Purchase tickets here.  Beautiful is making its DC run from November 27th – December 30th.

**Giveaway: Enter to win 2 tickets to the first performance on Tuesday, November 27th at 7:30pm. Comment on Facebook & Instagram letting us know your favorite musical. Winner will be announced November 17, 2018.

Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas at Adventure Theatre GIVEAWAY

Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas is hitting the stage from November 16, 2018-January 6, 2019 at Adventure Theatre. The play is based on the the book “Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas” by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser and is recommended for all ages. 

What could be fancier than Christmas? Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles-and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Oohlala! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, Nancy has enough money to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. She can’t wait to decorate the Christmas tree. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous? 

Giveaway: Win a family 4-pack of tickets to see Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas!! Comment on Facebook and Instagram with the show day/time you’d prefer to see. Winner will be announced November 16, 2018. 

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