Beltway Bambinos

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

Celebrate Passover with PJ Library

PJ Library has updated their Passover hub with dozens of fresh ideas and resources for families, including stories and songs, games, activities and recipe ideas, and printables.

One of the new resources in 2021 is the free downloadable, intereactive PJ Library Family Haggadah. Downloadable translated PDFs are also now available in Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and French.  Additionally, there’s an interactive component that makes the Seder that much more engaging!

Whether you’ll be celebrating Passover virtually or with your family in real life, PJ Library’s pre-Seder checklist is a handy parent helper.

As a reminder, you may sign up each child {for free} to receive their own books each month. And, what a perfect gift a subscription to PJ Library will be for expectant parents and newborns!

If your kids are aging out of picture books, PJ Our Way is a highly interactive site designed to engage kids ages 9 to 12, allowing them to choose their own books each month.

Purim activities and Carnivirtual event from PJ Library

Photo: PJ Library

Purim is coming up soon; February 25-26, and PJ Library wants to remind you of the free books, podcast episodes, and excellent resources for families. Is your child receiving free books from PJ Library?

The message of Purim goes way beyond costumes and festive food. Kids and parents alike will find discussion-starters in the Purim story, so that we can all explore the meaning of bravery and heroism in ways that are meaningful and kid-friendly.

PJ Library has a plethora of amazing resources for your family to celebrate with:

·         Listen to the Purim Story for Kids on the PJ Library podcast

·         Explore Five PJ Library books about Purim 

·         Purim recipes

·         Make your own Mishloach Manot Basket with a printable origami template

As a reminder you can join PJ Library for free and every kid likes receiving mail AND books! The award-winning non-profit sends more than 200,000 books per month to families raising Jewish children across North America (since their founding in 2005, they’ve shipped more than 12 million books overall!). Expertly curated, the age-specific monthly selections, for children ages 6 mos. to 8 years old, exemplify the very best of Jewish children’s literature and offer books certain to capture children’s imaginations with cheerful characters, compelling stories, and vibrant illustrations. 

Purim Carnivirtual: Sunday, February 21, 4:30‑5:30 PM

Celebrate Purim as a family with a virtual carnival of games! PJ Library has invited mainstages to provide entertainment and lead a fun and interactive “family game night.” Costumes optional. Most appreciated by ages 5-9. Cost is $10 per family

This program is a collaboration between The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, PJ Library, and the following partners: Agudas Achim Congregation, Bender JCC of Greater Washington, Capital Camps, Congregation Olam Tikvah, Edlavitch DCJCC, HoneymoonIsrael, Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia’s Growing Jewish Families in Northern Virginia, Ramah Day Camp of Greater Washington, DC, and Temple Shalom.

What’s the spread? At home Super Bowl eats, decor and more!

What is the Super Bowl without a party?! Welp, as the pandemic approaches a year, it only seems fitting that we will be watching at home as a family and having some Zoom calls to talk trash with family and friends while also betting on football squares. My favorite part aside from the half-time show and commercials are the delicious appetizers and Pinterest inspired food! Just like everything in 2020, I plan to make this a memorable event for our Bambinos with decor and fun food.

Decor:
-Kansas City Chiefs decor and Bucs decor
-Super Bowl supplies (including a football squares board)
-Super Bowl decor (includes a cute banner)
-Keep it simple with this tablecloth and grab a few of these cups
-Get inspired by Living with Landyn’s DIY display

Food:
–Delish has a great 80+ list of Super Bowl food to make
-Grab Kansas City cupcake rings to add to a basic cupcake and Tampa Bay
-This is the dessert my kids look forward to each Super Bowl
-Use these fun football bags to serve snacks

Fun:
-Grab this free printable bingo card or buy this fun family-friendly printable game from ETSY
-Surprise them with photo booth props
-Everyone loves a piñata
-For the crafty person, Good Housekeeping has a list of Super Bowl DIY crafts
-Pure Wow has a great post 15 Super Bowl party games

Local:
–Henry’s Sweet Retreat has cookie decorating boxes; choose your home team and have a blast!
-More to come….check back!

Recent posts:
Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day Chocolates

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.

Find the best chocolate in Washington, DC for Valentine’s Day (or anytime)

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 to those I love. It also means the quality of the chocolate is definitely better than my typical 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 while supporting local businesses. 

Photo: Artisan Confections

Artisan Confections: Arlington, 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.

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
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.

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 post:
Ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day

Ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in and around Washington, DC

February 2:
7:00pm-8:30pm CST: Paper Source Virtual Valentine Card Making
Feel the love with some Valentine fun at our latest handmade cards workshop. Perfect for virtual hang out with your gals or some cozy solo crafting time. Make one-of-a-kind cards that you can gift to your significant other or your bestie on Valentine’s Day. Shop our recommended supplies here and our optional, add-on supplies here.

February 7:
2:30pm-4:30pm: Parent & Me Valentine’s Drip Cake with a Sugar Cookie Cake Topper
Join Dawn Alston from Ravy Cakes, competitor on Food Networks Wedding Cake Championship, for our Parent and Me Valentine’s Day drip cake with a Sugar Cookie Cake Topper.Each team will receive a crumb-coated, 6-inch, two layered Cake. Each team will learn piping techniques, how to apply buttercream to the cake, how to decorate the cookie cake topper, and how to apply drip onto the cake. Chef Dawn will also share additional tips and tricks for cake decorating.

February 12:
10:00am: Red Panda Valentine’s Day-inspired Workshops! 
A day off from school and a full morning of art fun!  Make magical heart worlds and raining heart wall hangings inspired by the art of Chris Uphues. All supplies are included and delivered to you (local delivery only)! Workshop is designed for ages 5 to 10.

4:30pm: Red Panda Valentine’s Day-inspired Workshops! 
Give a loved one the gift of flowers that can last forever! Join us during this 90-minute workshop as we create multiple types of flowers from polymer clay. Clay flowers are added to a canvas to create an enchanting hanging garden. Workshop is best for ages 8+. Adults are welcome to participate, this could be a perfect grown-up and child activity! All materials are included and delivered to you. 

4:00pm-4:30pm & 4:30pm-5:00pm: Valentine’s Cupcake Decorating at American Girl Store
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with sweet treats! Your girl will love adding her own special touches to girl- and doll-sized cupcakes with plenty of frosting and sprinkles to make them extra special!

5:00pm-6:00pm: Valentine’s Kids Night In with My Gym
A special one-hour “evening” event where kids will spend time together on Zoom enjoying fun games and activities with their favorite teachers. Sign up online HERE.

February 13:
11:00am-1:00pm CST: Paper Source Virtual Galentine Hangout
Grab your gals, pals and best buds to join us at the Paper Source Galentine Virtual Hangout! Spend your favorite brunch time learning to make champagne cocktails, long-lasting paper blooms and DIY pressed flower candles with the Bouqs. We recommend crafting along with us with our Big Blooms Paper Flowers Kit and creating bubbly brunch cocktails with our DIY Mimosa Kit (purchased separately). Take 20% off your order when you add the Galentine Virtual Hangout to your cart & use code GALENTINE20 at checkout.

February 14:
10:00am: Red Panda Valentine’s Day-inspired Workshops! 
Spend your Valentine’s Day morning with us as we celebrate all things love! Workshop runs from 10AM to 11AM and includes a collaborative painting project for the whole family! All ages 2+ welcome. All supplies included and delivered to you (local delivery only). $25/family.

10:00am: Virtual concert with Marsha & the Positrons
A 30 min concert; all are welcome! Tune in on Marsha’s Facebook live page.

12:00pm & 5:00pm EST: Laurie Berkner’s Valentine’s Day Party Virtual Concerts for Families 
Laurie encourages fans of all ages to decorate their homes for Valentine’s Day and to wear something fun and valentine-y to the show — shades of pink and red are the order of the day, and love-hearts are the shape of the hour! $20 Regular*/$80. Meet & greet add-on package. Group discounts available.

2:00pm: Adventure Theatre presents The Heartcracker Ballet
Adventure Theatre MTC’s Sunday digital productions will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a reading of the new play The Heartcracker Ballet by Margaret Gorman. In this new work, middle-schoolers Zelda and Therese are dear friends who have been dancing around one question for some time now: how do you admit to your friend that you want to go out with them? Adventure Theatre MTC’s digital productions are Sundays at 2PM ET free on Facebook-live.

2:00pm-4:00pm: Card making at The Lane
What’s Valentine’s day without a homemade card covered in paste and construction paper hearts? There will be hot chocolate, card making, masks, social distancing, and someone else (The Lane staff) cleaning up afterward.

2:30pm: Shrek at the Drive-In
Enjoy Valentines as a family, includes admission for the whole car, family size popcorn, a rose for Mom, & a special sweet treat, This special showing is only offered as a package.

Ongoing:
Valentine’s at-home mini kit from Nook
Host a mini Valentines Day Celebration for 5 little loves. In this kit you’ll get: a cookie decorating kit from Fluffy Thoughts Cakes, with 5 heart-shaped cookies, 3 bags of colored frosting, and a Valentines sprinkle mix, a Valentines Day activity, provided by BumoBrain, plates, napkins, and wooden (kid-friendly) knives for easy frosting application. Pre-order your kit by February 5th. Kits will be available for pickup at Nook Ballston Quarter or Nook Bethesda Row on February 11 & 13 between 9-11am. 

Eliana’s Light is taking its 6th Annual Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids & Cookies for Caregivers community service program virtual! You can be a part of a collaborative effort to share positive messages of kindness, care, and compassion for children with complex medical conditions, their caregivers & their care providers at pediatric medical centers. This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for all ages, schools, organizations, businesses, and associations! For more information, please click here. Gather your family members, friends, and colleagues as they can participate from anywhere in the world.

Year Cheer
YearCheer is the solution for busy moms who want to create memorable moments for their kids, but are so busy managing the day to day of their work and family that “having fun” often falls to the bottom of the to-do list.  You can order individual holiday boxes delivered to your door or get a subscription so all the holidays are covered!

10 DIY activities for kids to share love thanks to Kiwi Co

Pure Wow has 41 fun and easy Valentine’s crafts

All Fired Up
Valentine bundle includes Valentine bundle includes I Love You block or two heart ornaments, a heart tote, paint brushed and heart candles. They also offer adult workshops!

Rosslyn Love
This Valentine’s Day, the Rosslyn BID wants to help you show some love and gratitude! Rosslyn Love is a community-wide activity where you can share your appreciation for your friends, family, coworkers, significant other or even your favorite local business! Now through February 1, participants can submit a message through this link to be displayed on five temporary murals on Wilson Boulevard outside of the upcoming Highlands development. The murals will be installed February 8 and will be up through the end of the month for the entire neighborhood to see!

Henry’s Sweet Retreat in Bethesda will have Valentine’s goodies; likely cookies to decorate. Check back for more details.

Get the very best Valentine’s Day chocolate for your loves!

Create virtual Valentine’s for Eliana’s Light

You’re invited to show how you care for children, their caregivers, and their care providers through a caring community in advance of Valentine’s Day.

Eliana’s Light is taking its 6th Annual Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids & Cookies for Caregivers community service program virtual! You can be a part of a collaborative effort to share positive messages of kindness, care, and compassion for children with complex medical conditions, their caregivers & their care providers at pediatric medical centers. This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for all ages, schools, organizations, businesses, and associations! For more information, please click here. Gather your family members, friends, and colleagues as they can participate from anywhere in the world.

You are invited to submit pictures of:
-Hand-made cards or signs with messages of encouragement, support and empathy
-Poems, quotes or songs you write or select that give uplifting, relevant and appropriate messages
-Pictures you draw or paintings you paint of images/scenes that carry messages of renewal, replenishment & well-being

They will be shared on social media & through emails this year to families Eliana’s Light support and the doctors, nurses, social workers, case managers, therapists & all the others who care for so many.

Eliana’s Light provides emotional, financial, and educational support to families with children experiencing complex medical conditions. It is inspired by Founder Whitney Ortiz’s experience witnessing the gaps left behind by our broken support systems when taking care of her daughter, Eliana, for four years with a heart condition and transplant.

Eliana’s Light’s “C.A.R.E” collaborative model works with medical centers, mental health providers, housing assistance and other specialists to give families the integrated and integrative support services they need. They hope to replicate and scale this collaborative model works beyond our region. They invite your support and collaboration within all areas of their nonprofit’s mission.

The support Beltway Bambino’s readers have given towards this initiative in the past has been overwhelming and one of our favorite holiday events we are a part of. Our hope is that this year is no different even though it is a virtual event.

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day virtually and throughout Washington, DC

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do… you have to keep moving forward.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The National Museum of African American History & Culture has a great resource complete with activities for children and families to learn more about MLK Jr and what he stood for. It also includes talking points to start a conversation with kids about racism and activism.

Children’s books about MLK Jr and marches:
Let the Children March
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sometimes People March
I am Martin Luther King, Jr

11:00am: Virtual MLK Dare to Dream Day
Join in a free celebration honoring one of history’s greatest visionaries. Now accepting submissions for the Open Mic and Poetry Slam. Details below.

11:30am: DC Public Library virtual story time
Paula Young Shelton will read her new book, Child of the Civil Rights Movement. Shelton is the daughter of Andrew Young and she shares her experiences as the daughter of an activist who surrounded by a community of leaders. After the reading, she will be interviewed by members of DC Library’s Teen Council about community engagement. This event is the kick-off to our new civic engagement program “Our City, Our Stories”. 

12:00pm: 40th Annual MLK Jr Virtual Parade
Be sure to follow along on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @mlkholidaydc115 and on the Washington Informer website. Participants are committed to continuing this strong tradition started more than 35 years ago by radio talk show host and community activist Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene, Washington Informer publisher and philanthropist Dr. Calvin W. Rolark and former Ward 8 Councilmember Wilhelmina J. Rolark when they organized the annual Martin Luther King Day Parade (on one of the nation’s first streets named in honor of the civil rights leader, following his death in 1968). The parade began in 1979, six years before Kings’s birthday became a federal holiday. We continue the tradition and celebration that the Rolarks and Petey Greene started, as we honor Dr. King and keep his message alive. Register here.

12:00pm: 49th Annual MLK Jr Day Virtual Celebration
The virtual program will feature performances, remarks by Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton, awards presentations, a keynote speech and a panel discussion with a local historian, community advocates, allies and activists, and a Human Rights commissioner addressing topics of social justice and racial equity and equality.

We encourage you to volunteer with your family in whatever capacity fits your needs.

The National Day of Service for the Inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris will celebrate and honor the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 18, 2021. The National Day of Service is an opportunity for all Americans to unite and serve at a time when the global pandemic calls on all of us to work together and support our communities. No matter where you are, you have an opportunity to give back and the agency to do so. Most volunteer activities only require an hour or two of your time, and all events will be virtual or socially distanced, in accordance with CDC protocol.

WTOP has a list of what’s closed for MLK Jr Day as well as Inauguration.

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.

New Years Eve for families in and around Washington, DC

New Years Eve is going to be much different than others of course and probably a year we are all ready to put behind us. {Although there are things I cherish from this past year that could not have happened in a typical year & I won’t forget those} We are thankful for some fun options that our Bambinos can participate in safely this NYE. Perhaps our kids stay up until midnight and watch the ball drop this year, because why not?! Or maybe we order from a local restaurant to show our support and set it up at home like we are dining out at a fancy eatery. Maybe we treat it as any other night and that’s fine too because after all it is 2020 and we are all so over it. Whatever you choose, we wish you a happy and healthy 2021 and are so thankful to have spent another year sharing adventures and events with you all.

9:00am-11:00am: Forest Bathing at the U.S. National Arboretum
The U.S. National Arboretum will help you disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with nature in this 2-hour program where they help you relax deeply and raise your mood, immune system, and sense of coherency. The forest bathing walk will end with a modified tea ceremony and a small pre-packaged snacks to close the walk. Sounds like a great way to recharge and set some intentions for 2021!

10:00am-2:00pm: Midnight Noon
Celebrate the ball drop before bedtime with the Maryland Science Center at Midnight Noon. Join in on the socially-distanced festive fun before rocking out to a virtual performance by popular kids band, Milkshake. The entire science center will be open and ready for you to explore. Make a sound shaker, fill a snow globe, and take on your family members in giant games that will be stationed all across the building. Tickets should be reserved in advance due to attendance limits.

11:00am-12:00pm: Noon Yards Eve
The Yards has reimagined its annual Noon Yards Eve celebration into a take-home celebration kit paired with a virtual party for guests of all ages. The free, family-friendly Noon Yards Celebration Kits will be available by reservation with everything guests need to party at home!

11:00am-6:00pm: Kids Craft Day at Hops n Shine
Make your own Noisemaker on the heated patio. Then, join a kid-friendly virtual countdown and ball drop at Noon on New Year’s Eve! You may select from other dates too.

12:00pm-10:00pm: Color Burst Ice Rink at Merriweather
Enjoy a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for the entire family + festive and fun cocktail pop-up bar.

12:30pm: “Noon Year’s Eve Party” and Annual Balloon Drop 
Families are encouraged to grab milk, hot chocolate, or their favorite treats and dress in their formal best for the festivities, which will feature a performance by Tunes with Tim, followed by a noon countdown and toast to 2021.

3:00pm-4:00pm: Story Pirates New Years Bash
Your favorite Story Pirates DJ is planning a huge party to ring in 2021! Unfortunately, his old nemesis Yorma the ice dragon is trying to spoil the fun with her icy dragon magic. Will DJ Squirm-a-Lot, Peter, Meghan, Rachel, Nimene, Eric, and the rest of the Story Pirates be able to foil Yorma’s plans? With your kids’ help, they just might have a fighting chance!

6:30pm & 9:30pm: First Night Alexandria
Ready to get out of the house? Load up the car and celebrate the arrival of 2021! Sing-along, dance and enjoy a night filled with classic hits, local food trucks and exciting giveaways! Or…Planning an intimate gathering in the comfort of your home? Let First Night Alexandria be the soundtrack for your party, featuring the same great music as the Drive-In experience, streamed to you!

Year Cheer can help you get in the celebrating mood, while supplying fun decorations and games in a box that is delivered to your doorstep. We are big fans of the curated boxes and love supporting a local Mom!

Also, don’t forget about ice skating, holiday displays and checking off ideas from our winter bucket list.

Build your library with Bookroo

Plan ahead:
Registration for DC Public Library’s winter reading challenge runs from Jan. 1-Mar. 31. Kids and teens can sign up to earn badges for reading, staying active, and win prizes from the Wizards. 

KID Museum is offering virtual Winter Break Workshops, December 28-30, for families looking to enhance the holidays (and maybe head off boredom?) We’ve scheduled fun, creative options for K-4th and 5th-8th graders at varying times throughout the day. From building a Rube Goldberg machine, to learning about coding, or designing a kinetic sculpture or video game, there’s a program for everyone. The price is only $15 for KID Museum members, $20 for nonmembers. See website for details and to register.

January 9 from 10am-2:00pm
Mark your calendar to bring your holiday tree to Murch Elementary School (corner of Davenport & 36th Street). Watch Branches Tree Experts recycle it into mulch on the spot! In exchange for a recommended donation of $10-$15 to the Murch Home School Association (HSA), they’ll take your tree and save you the trouble of calling 311 for tree collection. You can even take home a bag of mulch for your yard if you’d like. Keep your curb clean, recycle your tree in an eco-friendly fashion, and support a local elementary school all at once!

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