Beltway Bambinos

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

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    • 15 family friendly hikes
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    • Outdoor fun
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    • 20 classic outdoor games
    • Trains and carousels
  • Beltway Bambinos Concierge
    • Customized itineraries
    • Introducing Beltway Bambinos Concierge
  • About
  • Beltway Travel
    • Introducing Beltway Travel
    • Family Summer Getaways
    • Traveling with Little Ones?
    • Why Now is the Time to Plan
    • Travel Advisors Save You More Than Money
    • Why You Should Work with Me
    • How Do You Make Sure the Trip Has Something for Everyone?
    • DC Hotels with Indoor Pools
  • Itineraries
    • 5 Days in Costa Rica
    • {Winter} Staycation
  • Home
  • Indoor Fun
    • Theater & musical productions
    • Guide to Indoor Fun for Kids
  • Fall
    • Halloween guide
    • Fall festivals, farms, orchards
    • Fall Foliage Spots and Drives
    • Fall events
    • Fall classes
    • Fall bucket list
    • Survive Daylight Savings
  • Winter
    • Holiday gift guide
    • Holiday shows, ballets and concerts
    • Hanukkah Celebrations
    • Holiday Tea
    • Christmas Trees, Lights & Markets
    • Ski and snowboard
    • Cut-your-own tree
    • Ice rinks and roller rinks
  • Spring
    • Cherry blossoms
    • Easter egg hunts
    • Easter basket & spring gift ideas
    • Spring bucket list
    • Mother’s Day
    • Memorial Day weekend
    • Tax day steals and deals
  • Summer
    • Summer Camps
    • July 4th
    • Ice cream
    • Sunflower Fields
    • Summer bucket list
    • Live outdoor music
    • Outdoor movies
    • Outdoor swimming pools
    • Splash parks
    • Trains!
  • Camps and Classes
    • Fall classes
    • Spring classes
    • Summer camps
    • Mid-winter break camps
    • Winter camps and classes
    • November 2, 4, 5, 11
    • DCPS spring break camps
    • Schools out, camps are in
    • Year-round classes
    • Gymnastics and dance classes
  • Neighborhood Guides
    • Annapolis, MD
    • AU Park, DC
    • Baltimore, MD
    • Bethany Beach, DE
    • Breweries in the DC area
    • Brookland, DC
    • Chevy Chase, DC
    • Georgetown, DC
    • Philadelphia, PA
    • Lancaster County, PA
    • Madison, VA
    • Frederick, MD
    • St. Louis, MO
  • Outdoor Play
    • 15 family friendly hikes
    • Pick your own fruit and vegetables
    • Beaches and state parks
    • Outdoor fun
    • Trails, marshes and gardens
    • 20 classic outdoor games
    • Trains and carousels
  • Beltway Bambinos Concierge
    • Customized itineraries
    • Introducing Beltway Bambinos Concierge
  • About
  • Beltway Travel
    • Introducing Beltway Travel
    • Family Summer Getaways
    • Traveling with Little Ones?
    • Why Now is the Time to Plan
    • Travel Advisors Save You More Than Money
    • Why You Should Work with Me
    • How Do You Make Sure the Trip Has Something for Everyone?
    • DC Hotels with Indoor Pools
  • Itineraries
    • 5 Days in Costa Rica
    • {Winter} Staycation

Looking ahead…

October 31, 2017

Upon, writing various posts, I realized there were multiple occasions I’d go to post fun events for you to do and the event was already sold out.{ Enter this blog post } This will be a place for you to look ahead and reserve your spot if you’re interested in attending or save date on your calendar.

May 11, 2018: Pajama Party Movie Night: Knights, Dragons, and Magical Monster at Hillwood Estate & Museum
Enjoy a selection of award-winning, family-friendly short films featuring fanciful creatures. 5:30-8 p.m. 

May 12, 2018: Action Children’s Business Fair
Young entrepreneurs, ages 6-14, will line Connecticut Ave in Cleveland Park and set up shop, literally

May 19, 2018: Gaithersburg Book Festival

Shows-

Keep in mind our local theatre performances

 

Paw Patrol Live!: The Great Pirate Adventure at The Hippodrome
May 12 & 13, 2018

Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival: June 9

The Nextival: July 13-15

Music-

Strathmore Children’s Art Talk & Tour at the Mansion

SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2018, 10:15AM
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018, 10:15AM

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

Night Out at the Museum:
National Museum of Natural History Sleepovers

Sleepover guests will experience the museum through an interactive exploration of exhibit halls consisting of games, puzzles and challenges; exhibit-based craft projects; and sleeping under the museum’s giant North American right whale, Phoenix. Sleepovers at the National Museum of Natural History will be heldMay 18, June 1, June 29, July 6, Aug. 24 and Aug. 31.

National Museum of American History Sleepovers

Participants will solve a mystery of historic proportions during an interactive exploration of exhibit halls. When the devious diva Miss Rose steals six valuable objects from the museum, kids must discover what is missing before the evening’s end. Using their detective skills, they will collect clues to guide them to the crime scene. Along the way, they will take part in games, experiments and craft projects—and even become a presidential candidate. Sleepovers at the National Museum of American History will be held May 11, May 25, June 15 and Aug. 10.

National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center Sleepovers

Kids and their chaperones will explore the whole world of flight, from its pioneering days through the era of commercial aviation to the excitement of today’s space program. After they grab a flight checklist, they will take off for a night that includes plenty of games, art activities and close-up looks at some of the most historic and fascinating craft ever to take to the skies. Udvar-Hazy Center staff will be on hand to offer information and insights about the aviation treasures on view. Sleepovers at the Udvar-Hazy Center will be held July 14, July 28 and Aug. 18.

***Already occurred but will update with new dates as they become available***

February 10, 2018, 10:00am – 4:00pm: Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at National Postal Museum

Love is in the details at the annual Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum! Come out and create heart-felt handmade cards and visit the museum’s stamp store to send the cards to your loved ones with a special Postal Museum postmark. Free, no need to RSVP.

Feb. 14-19, 2018: Disney On Ice presents Frozen at Capital One Arena (also in Baltimore Jan. 31-Feb. 4)

February 17, 2018 from 10:00am-4:30pm: Discover Engineering Family Day at The National Building Museum

Celebrate National Engineer’s Week by trying out exciting, hands-on engineering experiences and talking with professional engineers of all kinds. See a complete list of all activities. Free, drop in. All ages.
MIX slime, and learn about different chemical reactions
INVENT a creative way to launch a ping pong ball into the air
EXPLORE like a real surveyor, using map and compass to find your way
DESIGN a motorized bot to walk across a table
SPIN paper helicopters and test the best design

February 17, 2018-February, 19, 2018: Celebrate Washington’s Birthday on President’s Day at Mount Vernon

February 23, 2018-March 10, 2018: Atlas Intersections Festival

The 8th annual INTERSECTIONS Festival will feature more than 100 performances in dance, music, theatre, family programming and youth development, and will be seen by over 7,000 patrons and arts lovers.

Kids in the Kitchen at YMCA Anthony Bowen presented by Junior League of Washington

February 25, 2017 (no time listed yet)

Kids in the Kitchen is an annual spring event that showcases ways kids can eat smart and make healthy lifestyle choices. Targeted to children ages 3-13, local chefs host healthy cooking demonstrations, fitness experts lead high-energy exercise sessions and certified nutritionists are on hand to answer questions. Kids in the Kitchen is a fun-filled day of games, crafts, hands-on learning, and exciting prizes – all to celebrate and promote nutritional literacy.


Magic of Spying: Tradecraft Trickery at The Spy Museum

February 25, 2017 from 11:00am-12:00pm

In the real-life world of espionage, spies often call upon the art of magic and illusion to distract the enemy, make evidence disappear, and escape unnoticed.  Join professional magician, Peter Wood, as he demonstrates the art of misdirection, sleight of hand, and other illusions used by skilled spies. This one of a kind performance, custom-designed for the Spy Museum, is guaranteed to fascinate children and adults alike. The Magic of Spying is for children ages 7 and up. One adult is required for every five KidSpy agents. Space is limited—advance registration required.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Sometime mid-March 2017 (Details to follow)

Blossom Kite Festival

April 1, 2017 from 10:00am-4:30pm

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is kicking off kite season. The seventh annual Blossom Kite Festival showcases the creativity of kite makers and skill of fliers from across the US and other countries through a variety of competitions and demonstrations, Rokkaku Battles and the Hot Tricks Showdown. Bring your own kites or children can make a kite at an activity station (while supplies last) to fly on the Public Field.

Fabergé Egg Family Festival at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

April 8 & 9, 2017 from 10:00am-5:00pm

Celebrate spring’s arrival in Russian style! Admire the exquisite imperial eggs and other fanciful Fabergé creations collected by Marjorie Post. Enjoy festive folk music and dancing. Take part in a centuries-old egg-rolling game. Step into Fabergé’s Workshop to decorate your own Fabergé-inspired egg. $18, $15 Senior, $12 Member, $10 College Student, $5 Child (ages 6-18), free for children under 6. Please note: As with all festival days, members do not receive free admission to Fabergé Egg Family Festival and guest passes are not accepted.

10th Annual Eggstravaganza at Tudor Place

April 8, 14 & 15, 2017 from 10:00am-12:00pm

Rolling green lawns, bright spring blooms, and the elegant mansion on a hill serve as backdrop for the 10th year of this festive annual attraction. Join the Easter Bunny for a special day as children of all ages enjoy games, crafts, an Egg Hunt, and thrilling Egg Roll Contest, down the grand South Lawn. Bring your own basket, spoon, and one hard-boiled egg per child. Member child: $7 | Non-member child: $10 | Accompanying adult: $5

Tudor Place Family Member Presale: January 3–31
Tickets on sale to the general public February 1

Maryland Day :March 24-26, 2017

Sleepover at the National Archives

A night of adventure awaits at the National Archives! Join us for a special sleepover at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, and spend the night next to America’s most precious treasures: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. During the event, kids ages 8-12 along with their adults will explore our nation’s treasured records, meet author Kathleen Krull and comic book artist Carolyn Belefski, sleep in the Rotunda near the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and make memories to last a lifetime. Guests also will be treated to movies in the museum’s William G. McGowan Theater before turning in for the night, and will enjoy breakfast – including pancakes flipped by Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero! – and more activities the next morning.

Nov. 4, 2017 at 11:00am:  Saturday Family Story Session at Strathmore
Local storytellers teach kids how to weave narrative tales, instilling a love of learning with every word. Music, movement, art, and interactive play: it’s all about understanding other people, enjoying different cultures and boosting imagination and creativity. Recommended for ages 3–8.
Nov. 5, 2017 from 10:30am-12:30pm: Forest Hills Playground Harvest Hoedown
(Rescheduled due to rain)
Nov. 4, 2017 from 12:30pm-2:00pm:  Color’s Garden Interactive Performance at National Gallery of Art
Nov. 12, 2017 from 2:00pm-8:00pm: Tree Lighting & Fireworks Show at National Harbor
Santa’s Frosty Follies, Holiday Movie, Santa at the Carousel, Tree Lighting & Fireworks
Nov. 24- Dec. 2, 2017:  Tenley WinterFest
Tenley WinterFest is an eight-day celebration of the holiday season designed to showcase local businesses, community groups, and the neighborhood – all with a unique Tenleytown flair and lots of yetis.

Nov. 26, 2017 at 5:30pm: Kids Pajama Jam Party at AMP Strathhmore
Get ready to ring in the holidays with a special festive Pajama Jam! Described as “the best-sounding band in children’s music” (NPR’s All Things Considered), three-time Grammy nominees Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could are here to shake, dance, and groove their way through classic holiday favorites and new holiday jams alike! Their rootsy, accordion-laced take on children’s music is energetic, spirited, and will provide the perfect soundtrack for your holiday.
Dec. 2, 2017 from 1:00pm-4:00pm: Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland
Celebrate the holiday season in Veterans Park in downtown Bethesda with a variety of performances, live ice sculpting, a visit from Santa Claus and more!
Dec. 2 at 4:00pm: Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long
Kick off the holiday season with family and friends at Wolf Trap’s 2017 Holiday Sing-A-Long! This musical celebration hosts a performance by the United States Marine Band and a Sing-A-Long of Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with local choir and vocal groups from the metropolitan Washington area.

Dec. 9 from 10:00am-4:00pm: Annual Holiday Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum
Kick off the holiday season by creating heartfelt, handmade cards at the National Postal Museum’s Annual Holiday Card Workshop! We’ll have pretty papers, vintage stamps from around the world and lots of other supplies to inspire your creativity as you create one-of-a-kind holiday greetings. After making your cards, visit the museum’s stamp store to send your cards to friends and family with a special Postal Museum postmark!

Dec. 9 & 10, 2017: Dollar or Less Day in Baltimore
In the spirit of the Holidays, Baltimore area attractions will open their doors the weekend of December 9 & 10, 2017 and offer free or $1 admission.

Dec. 9 at 3:00pm: Woodshop for Kids at the Building Museum
Use a drill to craft a wood toy you can give as a gift or enjoy yourself.

Dec. 9 at 11:00am: Kids Gingerbread House Workshop at DBGB

December 10 and 17 from 1:00pm-2:30pm: Gift Making workshop for kids at Little Loft Art Studio
Calling all elves! Make your own gifts this season! Our handmade gifts are designed to be practical as well as thoughtful, and they’re a great conversation piece to hear about your child’s creative process and artistic choices. Sign up for one or both. Join in – or drop off and do some holiday shopping in the neighborhood while you wait. Shop small this season – support local businesses! Hot chocolate and holiday music provided. Ages 5-10, $32/day
Sign up for one only or both.

Dec. 17 at 11:00am AND 2:00pm: 1, 2, 3 Andres plays at Bender JCC
Join for a magical holiday story, song and dance benefiting the Greater DC Diaper Bank

Dec. 17 from 1:00pm-4:00pm: Family Afternoon at the Building Museum
Construct paper house lanterns and handmade books to create feelings of home.

Jan. 15 at 11:00am: New Orchestra of Washington (NOW) Family Concert
Bring the whole family to enjoy a special family concert! The colorful program will engage listeners both young, and young at heart. After the concert, you may opt to stay, for the instrument petting zoo and pizza lunch. If you are looking for something to do on a cold holiday, this is it!

February 3, 2018 from 1:30pm-3:30pm: Q, the Witch and the Magical Orb at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

come see a FUN Company play – Q, the Witch and the Magical Orb! Afterwards we’ll have snacks and make art around the themes of the play, and play theatre games–all for free!  Recommended for ages 3-7.

February 3, 2018 from 10:00am-5:00pm: La Chandeleur Day at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

La Chandeleur, also known as Crêpe Day, marks the halfway point between winter and spring.  In France, families celebrate by eating crêpes, which are round and golden like the springtime sun. Snack on a tasty treat of sweet crêpes. Hear classic French tales inspired by scenes from La Fontaine fables that are pictured on tapestries covering chairs from France displayed in the mansion. Explore Hillwood’s French treasures through interactive, docent-led, family-friendly gallery talks and a printed activity guide. Decorate a plate with fanciful designs and flourishes inspired by Hillwood’s French Sèvres porcelain.

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Filed Under: Holiday Options, Indoor Play, Music, Outdoor Play Tagged: arts, Festivals, music, plan ahead, rsvp, upcoming

Programs at Strathmore for Bambinos

October 24, 2017

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

Saturday Family Story Sessions

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

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

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

Upcoming Shows:

  • Saturday, October 28, 2017, 11am
  • Saturday, November 4, 2017, 11am

For more information read, Go Tell It In The Mansion

Children’s Art Talk & Tour

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

Upcoming Dates:

  • Saturday, November 25, 2017, 10:15am
  • Saturday, January 27, 2018, 10:15am
  • Saturday, April 7, 2018, 10:15am
  • Saturday, May 26, 2018, 10:15am
  • Saturday, June 30, 2018, 10:15am

                                                                              (Lisa Loeb pictured above from a Pajama Jam show we attended)
Kids Pajama Jam Party at AMP by Strathmore
    

Upcoming Shows:

  • BRADY RYMER & THE LITTLE BAND THAT COULD Sun, Nov 26
  • JUSTIN ROBERTS & THE NOT READY FOR NAPTIME PLAYERS Sun, March 11

Everyone needs a ticket! Children 1 year old and under will be admitted for free, but they do require a ticket to help us manage attendance and be sure we don’t go over our maximum allowed capacity. If you plan to bring a child 1 year old or younger to this performance, please call our ticket office to reserve a special free ticket at 301.581.5100. A limited quantity of free tickets will be available. No strollers, please.

Doors open 60 minutes prior to the show. Seating will be available in the back of the house, but we plan to leave plenty of floor space for dance and play! AMP is located at Pike & Rose.

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Filed Under: Indoor Play, Music, Winter Tagged: AMP by Strathmore, Childrens Education, Strathmore

Destinations for those with early risers

September 11, 2017

I recently was introduced to DC Urban Dad and loved that he wrote a post dedicated to coffee — coffee shops that are open before 7:30am! It’s not necessarily tailored to the working folks, but for the parents with early risers. That post had me thinking– So many kid places don’t open until 10:00am. Why? I drop off my oldest at school by 8:30am and there are so few places to take my youngest right after that. There’s only so many days of the week I can convince myself (and her) that we WILL find the best chocolate croissant 😉 Here’s where we can  take early risers once we have the above mentioned coffee in hand!

Busy Bees in Chevy Chase and Falls Church opens at 9:00am Monday-Friday

Badlands Play Space opens at 9:00am Tuesday-Sunday

Smithsonian Castle opens at 8:30am

The Smithsonian National Zoo grounds open at 8:00am (indoor animal houses don’t open until later)

Rock Creek Nature Center opens at 9:00am. A one-half mile self-guiding interpretive trail, the Woodland Trail, begins behind the Nature Center, while a one-fourth mile wheelchair-accessible Edge of the Woods trail begins right out the front door.

Playseum opens at 9:00am on Saturdays only

Magic Ground is open daily at 9:00am

Woodrow Wilson Aquatic Center opens at……wait for it…..6:00am and has an indoor small pool for children

Climb Zone opens at 9:00am on Saturday & Sunday

Many DC Library‘s open a few days a week at 9:30am

Port Discovery Children’s Museum opens at 9:30am the months of September-May

Nook Play Space opens at 9:00am Monday-Thursday On Tuesdays from 9-10am, Bambinos ages 0-12 months have the place to themselves!

Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday at 9:30am

Most playgrounds open at dawn

And if all else fails, Target opens at 7:00am!

Would love to hear form readers of any places you tend to head early with your Bambinos.

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Filed Under: Indoor Play, Outdoor Play Tagged: indoor, open early, outdoor

My Gym Bethesda & Potomac Open House, Fall Enrollment + Giveaway!

August 28, 2017

My Gym has developed an extraordinary program and facility devised to help children 6 weeks thru 10 years of age develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. They offer structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. Children have loads of fun as they gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem. My Gym has earned the reputation as the best early learning program of its kind.

Fall Open House at both Bethesda and Potomac My Gym will be on Friday, September 15th from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Visit My Gym for FREE! Meet some teachers, play in the space and learn about new classes and programs!

Fall Schedule for My Gym Potomac HERE
11325 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

Fall Schedule for My Gym Bethesda HERE
5110 Ridgefield Rd #201, Bethesda, MD 20816

Fall classes start September 5th – Reserve your class TODAY! Popular classes and times will book up fast. Try a NEW class like Ninja Training or Pre-Ballet. Don’t forget that all enrolled members get Open Gym (which they call Practice and Play) for free! This fall they are including MORE Open Gym times to accommodate members.

Not only does My Gym Bethesda and Potomac make having a child’s birthday party so easy but they offer very generous perks and policies. My daughter has taken classes at My Gym for a year now. This summer if you were enrolled in a class you received unlimited classes at either gym location! And you always get unlimited Practice and Play (Open Gym) in both locations when you are enrolled at either location.  PLUS you can always do make-up classes in ether gym if there is a class that better fits your schedule. It doesn’t get much better than My Gym and trust me, I’ve been to many kid gyms!

****My Gym is offering 1 lucky Bambino a month of free classes at either Bethesda or Potomac location. Comment below with what class you’d be interested in signing up for and earn extra entries by commenting on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter. Winner will be announced on September 14, 2017****

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Filed Under: Classes, Giveaway, Indoor Play, Sponsored Post Tagged: bethesda, classes, Enroll, exercise, Giveaway, gym, indoor, my gym, open house, potomac

Fall Classes, Play Groups and Parent Groups in and around Washington, DC

August 21, 2017

Quickest summer ever…..I can’t believe it’s already time to sign up for Fall classes. I feel like I was just finalizing summer camp registrations. Summer is ending {sigh} so we’ve highlighted some places offering Fall classes and parent-and-me groups as well as play groups.  Here’s to cooler weather, the turning of leaves and staying busy.

foliage

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

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

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

Curiosity Zone: Hands-on science classes in a science lab for children ages 3-Grade 5. Classes can be found here. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Children’s Art Studio: A 10-week Fall session for children ages PK-Teenagers. Classes can be found here.

The Creative Difference: After school enrichment classes for children ages PK-Grade 5 can be found here.

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

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

Washington DC JCC: Fall classes and parenting classes

Kids-playing-soccer

Mom’s Groups:

New Mom support group with Dr. Ellyn Turer

Group for first and second time Moms PACE

8 Week New Mom’s Group at Lemon Tree

DC Parents of Multiples Group at Lemon Tree

Parent-and-me classes and experiences at Petite DC

A school for Toddlers and Parents and Caregivers at Intown Playgroup

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

 

Indoor Gym Spaces:
My Gymth

BusyBees

Magic Ground

Gymboree

Kidville

 

Other posts:

Yoga with your Bambino

Dance and Gymnastics classes

Year-round classes

 

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Filed Under: Classes, Indoor Play, Outdoor Play Tagged: classes, Fall, gyms, moms groups

ZavaZone Indoor Adventure Park

August 8, 2017

What: ZavaZone  (40 Southlawn Ct, Rockville, MD 20850)

ZavaZone is an Indoor Adventure Park: a unique space dedicated to active fun for people from ages 5 to 105.

ZavaZone brings together ninja courses, ropes courses, trampolines, climbing challenges, zip lines, and more under ONE soaring roof.  It delivers a heart-pumping multi-action experience like no other. 

The state-of-the-art equipment is overseen by highly trained ZavaZonecoaches who ensure your safety while inspiring you to make the leap or try a bold new move.

Review: I took two six-year olds after purchasing a Certifikid which included 2 hours in the gym. We didn’t know what to expect, we looked at the website and I knew it was a place they’d get to expend some energy at but what we were in store for was an unexpected surprise. These two boys were running, jumping, laughing and climbing for 2 straight hours. They were not 52″ so they couldn’t do the two-story ropes course but that didn’t bother them. They were immediately attracted to the Parkour Course which is smallish and doable for that age. They loved the Battlebeam over a foam pit, able to knock one another off a balance beam with padded sticks, basketball dunks on endless trampolines, running through the Ninja Warrior Course, rock climbing in a dark blacklit structure (or in the light) and climbing the low ropes course. There is even a Parents Zone for those who don’t to keep as close of an eye on the Bambinos which includes wifi, coffee and cozy seats.

Prices:

All ZavaZone activities are included with admission.*  

1 Hour: $19.50

2 Hour: $34.00

3 Hour: $44.00

4 Hour: $54.00

Add an Hour: $16.00

*There is a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more and 15% for groups of 20 or more on non-holiday weekdays (Monday-Thursday)

Extras:

  • Birthday Parties
  • Parents Night Out
  • Adult Night In the Gym

Tips:

  • Complete waiver prior to going
  • Reserve your time prior to going
  • Everyone needs socks and closed toe shoes
  • Bring a sweater, it’s freezing
  • Warn your 5 & 6 year olds they may not be able to do EVERYTHING (if they are under 52″)
  • Closed on Tuesday(Photo: ZavaZone Instagram)

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Filed Under: Indoor Play

Good to be bad: Badlands nature-inspired indoor play space

August 3, 2017

Badlands is a nature-inspired play space and interactive environment where children can take risks, succeed at challenging themselves, and find their own way.  Targeted to children ages 2-13, Badlands offers a broad spectrum of challenging opportunities carefully curated to young minds.

Highlights:

The Workshop: Complete with tools, workbenches, and tinkering stations where children and parents can work together and be creative using real materials. My son was attracted to this room because it was complete with tools. An employee asked his age and depending on what it is, they allow you to use certain tools with supervision. He used a screwdriver to screw in various things on a wooden block. There was also an art station set-up with employees assisting with the intended craft, which was making things to fly. Once you created it you put it inside a wind tunnel to see if it was successful at flying. If it wasn’t, you could go back and fix the project. Kids are also able to be creative and make something of their choice. A Lego pool was also in this room— were talking thousands and thousands of legos. A few animals also live in cages in the Workshop room.

The Mountain: Kids discover new confidence as they climb and scramble their way to the summit (no need for harnesses). Kids are instructed to keep feet AND a hand on the mountain at all times and employees are at the top to assist anyone who needs a helping hand. There are mountains of various sizes. My 2.5 year old was able to master each mountain by the end of our time there while my 6 year old had no problem from the beginning. Children can also climb through caves and pull themselves up by a rope on one part of the mountain.

Loose parts: There are several containers of large wooden pieces, ropes, wheels and plastic screws. Children were creating wagons, carts, and anything they set their minds to. Next to this area is a space that looks like a stream, complete with large rocks, a bridge, logs and trees to maneuver around.

Builder’s Room: Children use large-scale building materials that they can easily manipulate to design and create whatever they can dream. This room was not available because a summer camp was using it. But from what we saw before the camp came, they provide mats, soft blocks, milk crate containers and other materials to tinker around and create something with.

Exhibits: Features new interactive experiences every three months. During the first rotation, the space will house live butterflies. We were fortunate enough to witness a butterfly coming out of the chrysalis. Bambinos can use magnifying glasses to examine plants and butterflies in the exhibit.

There is also a screening room, a space in the center that is fenced off for small games, a cafe that serves wine and has wifi, and 4 large pavilions that are used for parties and celebrations.

The complete space is huge and bright. You feel like you are outdoors with the nature theme in addition to the bright, attractive colors. They have an entire hallway of bathrooms that are all family-friendly. The only negative thing I found was that they encourage you to let your child roam and explore however the front doors have a handicapped button to open them. I have a roaming almost 3 year old who happened to go right up to it and open the door. Had I not been with her she would have darted out of the place. Perhaps a wristband they check upon leaving is a good idea or roping off the entrance somehow so it isn’t so open.

Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm Closed on Mondays.

Address: 5200 Randolph Rd. Rockville, MD.20852 (in the same plaza as Chuckee Cheese)

Cost: Children 3+: $22.50

Children under 3: $12.50

Memberships are also available.

Tip: Sign the waiver ahead of time online

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Filed Under: Indoor Play Tagged: Badlands, create, explore, freedom, maryland, nature, play

nook– a modern indoor play space

July 26, 2017


nook™ is a modern indoor play space for kids that parents can enjoy too. They have removed the overstimulating, chaotic elements of the typical crowded play place to create more room for your child’s imagination and a relaxed space for you to watch it unfold.

The photos on nook’s social sites don’t do this place justice. I was expecting a small space with minimal things for kids to do. I WAS WRONG! The space is huge and the options are endless. We spent over 2 hours there and the only reason we left was because we had to pick up older brother at camp.

nook’s mission is to create opportunities for children to develop their imagination, confidence, and social skills through play. Designed by an award-winning architecture and product design studio, nook is divided into several different play areas or “nooks”, each with its own play theme. You’ll find nooks for art, music, reading, building, climbing, and sensory play. To keep up with your child’s growing imagination, play themes in each nook will change periodically throughout the year.

My daughter was drawn to the dress-up area that had costumes and a mirror (to check out your new look). Once she had a favorite on– an owl, she went exploring and found a climbing structure that ended with a ball pit! After bouncing around we played with art supplies; stickers, dot paint, play dough, cookie cutters and markers. There was an interactive music class being held at 10am and again at 10:45am which admission in the summer covers the cost of. There was an adorable tent setup with camping supplies inside. The train table was taken to a new level as it was built into a wall with small wooden buildings alongside. Animal crackers, popcorn, cheerios and coffee are complementary and you can enjoy them with your Bambinos at the center table reading one of the many books they have displayed. There is even a nook for infants with a rocker, soft rug and baby toys.  Everything felt so pristine, modern, white and tan. The feeling was comfortable and it was apparent there were regulars there who had formed friendships by being members.

As mentioned above, they also offer a variety of classes to provide endless opportunities for development, discovery, and learning. nook has included the cost of the class in your admission cost for the summer only.

nook is designed specifically for 0 to 4 year olds. One parent or caregiver must accompany their child at all times.

Details:

2905 District Ave, Suite 115 Fairfax, VA 22031

Nook Ballston Quarter: Coming Soon

Monday-Thursday, 9am to 5pm, Friday-Sunday, 10am to 3pm

A reservation is required on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. Purchase a pass online and call 703-270-6388 to reserve your spot.

Prices: 
1 day pass: $20
10 day pass: $150
Membership: $120/month

The space is available for birthday parties, play dates, baby showers, or any reason to gather.

1 Comment
Filed Under: Classes, Indoor Play Tagged: arlington, create, imagine, indoor, learn, nook, play, space, virginia

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