Beltway Bambinos

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

Labor Day weekend in and around Washington, DC

This weekend definitely doesn’t feel like a typical Labor Day weekend but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the long weekend. Some ideas of things you can do while being outside and keeping a safe distance are below as well as a few events happening.

Day destinations (less than 2 hours away)
Trails, marshes & gardens
Beach & state parks
Outdoor fun
15 ways to get outdoors
Adult Getaways
Family Overnight Trips

All weekend
Park Up DC drive in has movies all weekend long for families as well as adult movies.

Our family is missing in-person Nationals games but luckily we can cheer them on by watching MASN or listening to games on the radio. This long weekend brings a tournament between Nats vs. Braves. You can bring the stadium food to your house by ordering the best ballpark bites.

Sunday
The National Symphony Orchestra returns for their annual Labor Day Concert. Composers” William Grant Still, Aaron Copland, and more! The performance will be livestreamed at the pop-up drive-in Park Up DC (on RFK Stadium’s campus). Up to 350 cars can attend the free show, but if you don’t make it, you can see the concert broadcast on the Kennedy Center’s social media channels on Monday, September 7. The drive-in concert itself is on Sunday, September 6 at 7pm. Please Note: You must reserve a space.

Monday
Herndon Labor Day Festival

Plan ahead
The National Landing BID (née Crystal City BID) is hosting a series of drive-in movies, starting Thursday and running weekly in September. The film series dubbed “Ride in Reels” the venue is the empty lot at 33rd Street S. and Crystal Drive. Gates will open for moviegoers at 7pm. Prior registration is required to attend. Would-be attendees are encouraged to sign up for the National Landing BID newsletter; a link will appear in the Monday newsletter for Thursday’s movie. When registering, participants select their vehicle type or choose one of the non-vehicle spaces for those walking or biking to the movies.
Films scheduled for the drive-in are:
Sept. 10: Finding Nemo
Sept. 17: Just Mercy
Sept. 24: The Goonies

Weekend picks and Mother’s Day ideas

So this year Mother’s Day looks like none other but the day still holds the same meaning– love on the Mama’s! We have found a few virtual events and then supplemented with some ideas to make the day special– this year you may have to be more creative to make the day as special as she deserves. Here’s a cute tribute to Mom’s from CBS News.

Saturday
10:15am: Strathmore Family Jam Session: Discover the Blues with Mark G. Meadows
Join jazz pianist, singer/songwriter, and music director, Mark G. Meadows, as he breaks down the blues and its influence on all of American Music. Through storytelling, call and response, and performance, Mark will make blues artists out of everyone by the end of the jam session!

11:00am-11:30am: Dino Drawing
Parents, take a breather and allow your kids to hang out dinosaurs for a bit. The National Museum of Natural History and some of the world’s top paleoartists—no, that’s not a diet—will help guide your little ones through their very own sketch of a dinosaur. As participants draw, they’ll get to ask these experts questions about how they use science to create realistic artwork on the dinosaurs. The weekly series, which begins Saturday, will feature a new dinosaur each week and is FREE.

11:00am-11:45am: Stories on the Horizon: Blossoming Together from Arts on the Horizon
Parents/Caregivers join their little ones for this virtual class where we will grow and blossom together through the use of songs and movement. Stretch out your leaves and reach towards the springtime sun! Best for children ages 9 months to 2.5 years old.

May 8-11 Hillwood Estate, Museum & Garden will be sharing the best of the New York International Children’s Film Festival’s short films with you. (View the trailer here.) With these hour-long screenings, you can bring artful, inspired storytelling and hilarity to your home screen. Two short film programs are available, Kid Flicks One recommended for ages 3+, and Kid Flicks Two for ages 8+. Enjoy high-quality films as a family, and continue the fun with coloring pages, art projects, games, and more when you Explore Hillwood from Home.  Be sure to try out the following activities, inspired by Marjorie Post’s use of her pavilion to screen first-run films.

Maryland has now expanded opportunities for outdoor exercise and recreation which include beaches, boating, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hunting/trapping, off-road vehicles and shooting ranges all with specific conditions.

The Yards has just the thing for every mom – and everyone. Explore special menus and gifts. Plus, what better way to celebrate mom than with sundae fun? Join Ice Cream Jubilee founder and super-mom Victoria Lai, as she shakes things up with a spiked ice cream recipe guaranteed to make the day that much sweeter.

The Lane Social Club has put together an all-inclusive kit, so you can have Mother’s Day in the Bag.

The Creative Kitchen in NYC has many virtual offerings! They have a special “Mother’s Day Weekend Breakfast for Dinner” class or you can sign up for a private family cooking class! Freshmade NYC also has virtual cooking classes!

Ideas to make Mama feel the love:
-Make breakfast in bed or even just deliver a coffee and newspaper. Treat her to homemade pop tarts because we are all over banana bread.
–Support your local community and order dinner in and/or pick-up curbside or contactless delivery
-Turn off electronics for the day
-Homemade cards are the best
-Give an Audible subscription or send her a Kindle book
-Take the kids out of the house and leave Mom in a quiet home
-Clean up the kitchen or do laundry– even better teach your kids to do both!
-Have a “spa day” and make DIY masks and bath bombs and do her nails
-Plant flowers or weed the yard
-Have a social distance happy hour if you have the space– invite Mom friends over and bring your own drinks, snacks and chair
-Picnic in your backyard and create a fun playlist

Ways to celebrate your Mom:
-Organize a drive-by if you live close to your Mom and decorate her driveway with chalk and leave gifts
-Schedule a Zoom call with family members and/or friends and share something special with the Moms like a story, recommend a podcast or show a special photo. You could even enjoy a meal together over a Zoom call.
-Invite your Mom to come park in front of your house and wash her car while she keeps her distance

Enjoy this coloring sheet from District Dabble Lab! Click on the image to print it out.

Mother’s Day gift idea that won’t go out of style

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and sadly your child won’t be coming home with the annual handmade surprises made at school. That doesn’t mean the moms and grandparents in our lives don’t deserve something special. We’ve got the perfect gift to send your mom, friend or grandparent that will be enjoyed for many years and admired by guests.

Comet Cloth kitchen aprons & towels are created by talented, local food photographer, Renée Comet. They are 100% cotton, grown, printed, sewn and finished in the USA. These vibrant aprons & towels are a great addition to any kitchen. As Florence Fabricant from the New York Times said, “coordinate your kitchen linens with your menu”. 

Comet has launched children’s aprons for select designs which make a perfect parent/child (or grandparent/grandchild) shareable gift. Personally, I also love the idea of getting my kids matching aprons. As seen pictured above; the perfectly ripe strawberry print looks pretty adorable on! Your kitchen towels and aprons shouldn’t be dreary and boring. Add some color to your kitchen especially since these days we are all home and cooking so much; it’s a perfect time to include some fun to the experience. Shipping typically arrives takes 4 days. Order today! Don’t forget to plan ahead for the fathers in your lives as well.

Beyond candy and toys: Easter basket ideas under $15

Easter is right around the corner and we thought we’d round up a few last minute ideas to add to baskets that will also double as things that will keep your kids occupied while home from school. We’ve listed a combination of places to shop online that are local favorites that are delivering or offering curbside pickup as well as Amazon Prime deals!

Shop locally online:
Child’s Play is delivering however you schedule a date online and the earliest isn’t until after Easter. It’s worth calling them to find out they have any availability however if you want to shop local. Sullivan’s is also delivering!

Three Littles is a local kids shop {with some great items for adults too} which was based in Union Market and is offering free local delivery.

Periwinkle is my go-to store in NW, DC for chocolates and great housewarming gifts as well as a great kids section. They don’t have a great ‘shop online’ section but if you call they can tell you what they have.

Add gift certificates to local places into baskets. Most places allow for you to order them online!

Amazon 2-day delivery with Prime ideas:
Sidewalk chalk eggs, unicorn horn chalk and walkie chalk stand-up tool which looks amazing
How to draw animals book
Watercolor paints
Crayola markers and Twistable silly scent crayons
Kids sketch book
On-the-go origami animal set
Unicorn stickers
Play doh and Model magic
Vintage baseball cards and current baseball cards
Hula hoop
Little Kids First Big Book of Why
Jump rope
Mr. Wolf’s Class book #3

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.

The fun, festive holiday of Purim is exuberant, colorful and full of joy

Let PJ Library’s unique, family-friendly ideas enliven your family celebrations this March! The early springtime holiday of Purim, with all of its festive fun, is an especially accessible holiday for children; this year, the holiday falls on March 9th-10th.

On Purim, it’s customary to listen to the biblical Book of Esther (also known as the Megillah in Hebrew), put on comic productions of the story of Purim called purimspiels (Yiddish for “plays”), dress up in costumes as the famous characters from the story, bake (and eat!) hamantaschen, shake Purim groggers (noisemakers), give gift baskets (mishloach manot) to friends and do tzedakah and other good works to spread joy and help the needy.

This Purim, PJ Library wants to help families celebrate in fun and unique ways, so they’ve created 18 great ideas sure to spur creativity and togetherness.  Whether your children have never dressed for Purim before or baked a classic, delicious hamantaschen – or you’re just tired of the same old routine – check out these enjoyable activities! And, for more, families are welcome to visit PJ Library’s Purim Hub!

If you currently receive PJ Library books, be on the lookout for the special February mailing, which contains a Purim gift basket to make and decorate!

A program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, PJ Library sends more than two hundred ten thousand expertly curated books to families raising Jewish children – every month, at no cost to subscribers. Families raising Jewish children may subscribe here, tapping in to a wealth of information, parenting resources and community events as well as free books.

President’s Day in and around Washington, DC

Monday-

President’s Day Camps taking place on February 17, 2020:
Anna Banana Art: Half-day
Badlands: Special holiday event only
Brit-Am Soccer at Next Level
Glen Echo Park Aquarium Mini-Camp: Mystery of the Dead Whale (Ages 4-8)
KID Museum: Open 10am-5pm
Koa: Multi-sport camp
My Gym Bethesda: 2.6-10 years old; 1:00pm-4:00pm
My Gym Potomac: 2.6-10 years old; 1:00pm-4:00pm
PPA at Washington Episcopal School

DCPS mid-winter break camps taking place all week long

9:00am-5:00pm: Washington’s Birthday Celebration at Mt. Vernon
Celebrate the first President on the most exciting day of the year for FREE or pay admission any other day, children under 5 are free! Story time, character performances, card making, birthday cake and more. See link above for a complete list of the day’s events!

9:30am: Harambe at BloomBars
Ten years and more than 1,600 shows later, Harambee at BloomBars has become a Washington DC institution and a cultural/moral compass for thousands of parents and youth. In Swahili, Harambe means “All pull together.” At BloomBars, Harambe is the practice of hope, possibility and compassion – basically, all the things that happen when we all come together. Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community. With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambee” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years Parental consent required. $7 per child $5 per adult suggested donation (sliding scale..invest more if you can!)

9:30am-11:00am: Rise + Rhyme at Busboys & Poets
A Busboys and Poets in-house series! Rise + Rhyme is a weekly morning storytelling and performance series for children ages 5 and under, stay-at-home parents, and early rising families of all kinds.

10:00am-3:00pm: Library of Congress Semi-Annual Open House
Twice each year, the Library of Congress opens its magnificent Main Reading Room to share information about how the public can access the Library’s resources year-round. The Main Reading Room will be open to the public on the federal Presidents’ Day holiday. Various activities taking place throughout the day.

10:00am-5:30pm: American History Museum
Check out the American Presidency exhibit, The First Ladies contributions, George Washington sculpture, Star Spangled flag and anthem that plays on the second floor and more. Be sure to visit the kids Spark!Lab where they will become inventors. 

10:00am-4:00pm: The Lane
Check out DC’s newest indoor space, purchase tickets online.

10:00am-4:00pm: Visit the US President’s Gallery at Madame Tussauds
We had a blast when we made a trip to the iconic wax museum. Read all about it.

10:30pm and 2:30pm: Disney on Ice Worlds presents Celebrate Memories
Your favorite Disney stories come to life at Disney On Ice presents Celebrate Memories! Sail along with Moana on her high-seas adventure and dance with Woody, Buzz and all the Toy Story friends. Feel inspired when love wins in Frozen and dreams come true for the Disney Princesses. Share the excitement and make new memories the whole family will treasure forever! Create memories with your family today -Tickets Start at $15

1:00pm-3:00pm: George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria
It winds through a one-mile route along the historic streets of Old Town on President’s Day. It is the oldest and largest, thanks to thousands of participants.

The best places for Valentine’s Day chocolate in Washington, DC

Valentine’s Day for me is just another excuse to shove even more chocolate in my mouth than I did the day before while giving extra tight snuggles. It also means the quality of the chocolate is definitely better than my typical 1 and 3 o’clock pick-me-up from my hidden stash. There are plenty of delicious places to shop this Valentine’s Day for yourself, your love or your Bambinos that don’t include the heart shaped milk chocolate box from the drug store. These are worth the trip, guaranteed. 

Artisan Confections: Arlington, VA. and Fairfax, VA.
Jason Andelman’s recipes creatively blend high-quality ingredients that subtly enhance the star of the show – Valrhona chocolate – considered the best in the industry. The result is a collection of smooth and creamy confections that look as stunning as they taste. These are my absolute favorite and must-have each Valentine’s Day!!!

Fleurir Chocolates: Alexandria, VA.
Hand made artisan chocolates that are works of art made of high-quality, natural ingredients in small batches.

June B. Sweet: Chevy Chase, DC
They have a selection of Brigadeiro flavors, mini cakes and Brazilian Mousse available every day at Write for You.

The Chocolate House: DuPont Circle, DC
The Chocolate House is a tasting room and boutique store where you can experience over 300 unique chocolate bars and confections from artisan chocolate makers and chocolatiers from all corners of the world.

Harper Macaw: Georgetown, DC
Harper Macaw is a fine chocolate venture founded by a Brazilian chocolate maker and a U.S. Marine Veteran with an ambitious yet tangible objective: To turn chocolate into a force for tropical reforestation. They also give factory tours on select days.

Neuhaus: Union Station, DC and Bethesda, MD.
From Belgium with love since 1857.

Chocolate Moose: Downtown, DC
Over 40 years in business, this is your go-to Belgian chocolate shop.

SPAGnVOLA: Gaithersburg, MD.
Crisoire Reid is an award winning Chocolatier and co-owner of SPAGnVOLA.  Having been raised in her ancestral hacienda in Hato Del Rey, Dominican Republic. With her passion in land cultivation and agriculture, she began to focus her interest in improving the quality of their crops. They offer gift boxes, hot chocolate, caramels and more. 

Café Chocolat: H St NW, DC
A chocolate boutique with a coffee bar in it. The hot chocolate has been featured in Washington City Paper as a “must-have”. They specialize in small bean-to-bar chocolates from around the world and the US. The latest feature is the only chocolate-maker from Haiti, Askanya Chocolates.

Chocolate Chocolate: Downtown, DC
D.C.’s first independent chocolate shop, in 1984 serving chocolate from around the world.

Periwinkle: Chevy Chase, DC
In the back of this fabulous boutique shop you’ll find a display case full of fine, fresh local chocolates.

Godiva: Various locations
Hand dipped strawberries, truffles for miles and drinks made to order. You can become a Rewards member for free and receive a free truffle each month.

Balduccis: Locations in Bethesda, Alexandria and McLean
This is a premiere destination for many things such as meats and cheeses, the section of chocolates and confections is very impressive too.

Related:
Parent’s Night Out on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum

The Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum is one of the very first events I included in a blog post back in 2014 when I was just staring out. I remember running into an acquaintance that Saturday afternoon, after the card workshop at the National Postal Museum had taken place. She told me she took her kids to the card workshop because she read about it on my blog and thought the event was the perfect way to get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day. She mentioned how crazy her kids went for all of the creative supplies the museum provided and how much fun they all had. Because this workshop is free and no registration is required, pop in when you can and create some cute DIY cards for those you love. More details about the program below…

Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 10:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday, February 9, 2020 from 10:00am – 4:00pm

Homemade love is in the air at the annual Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum on February 8th and 9th! Create handmade heartfelt cards to send to your loved ones.

The museum provides a bountiful spread of patterned papers, rubber stamps and postage stamps for decoration, gems and other 3-D embellishments, special cut-out scissors, washi tape, stickers, markers of every color (with a surplus of red and pink of course!) and more. Following their own creative instincts, kids and adults can choose whichever supplies they would like to design one-of-a-kind Valentine greetings.

Once finished, cards can then be placed in envelopes, addressed and adorned with a distinctive National Postal Museum postmark at the museum’s stamp store! How cool is this?! You may want to bring some addresses of those who you will make a card for because in keeping with educating children about the postal service and how mail works, kids can pop their own cards in an official USPS mailbox that is decorated to exactly resemble – none other than – SpongeBob SquarePants!

You will find the event at the National Postal Museum in the lower-level Atrium. For those new to the National Postal Museum, the Atrium is full of various postal transports from over the years, including a real train car, semi-truck (yes, kids can climb in and pretend to drive!), a horse-drawn carriage and airplanes hanging from the ceiling. The layout of the card-making stations and supply tables fosters sharing, friendliness and a sense of community. And the museum’s pleasant staff and volunteers are always available to answer questions, provide examples of completed cards, or help in any other way!

Visit the museum’s event calendar for information on the many fun and educational programs available at the National Postal Museum.

Address of the National Postal Museum:
2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Washington, D.C. 20002

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