We’ve all been stuck inside for a few days with this rain. While its easy to just turn on Disney Junior, engaging your children is so important. We did some easy seasonal crafts this week. I even made a trip to A.C. Moore to get the $1 foam craft kits that my son LOVES. All of the crafts below can be found on my Pinterest Halloween page. An added bonus: these are pretty mess free!!
The Kreeger Museum isn’t just for adults
We attended First Studio at the Kreeger Museum a few weeks ago where children and an adult companion are invited to use their imagination as they explore the paintings, sculptures, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each program includes a gallery tour, analysis of works of art, a story and a hands-on art making experience. The workshop fee per child is $7 and adult companions are free. First Studio: An Art Exploration is intended for children ages 3-5. First Studio’s are held every 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00am-11:00am.
Free places to take kids in Washington, DC
Most people think of the Smithsonian Museums, Galleries and Zoo as being the only free places to take kids or offer to visitors who are in town. While those are definitely worth the trip and are family go-to’s when escaping bad weather, the city has many other free options.
Park your car (off the northbound George Washington Parkway in Virginia) at Gravelly Point Park and head to a picnic table, the grass or sit on the dock and watch airplanes take off from Reagan National Airport. There are walking and bike paths that run through the park as well.
Your family can explore the exhibits and then create an art project through Freer and Sackler Gallery ImaginAsia Family Programming.
Make Meaning (and memories) in Bethesda
Looking for an unforgettable outing filled with fun and creativity? Just walk in or plan ahead by making a reservation for a one-of-a-kind experience for kids and adults of all ages at
Make Meaning. Perfect for a mother daughter day or a fun activity for the whole family! There were enough choices for younger kids but I can imagine this is a pre-teen/teenagers dream. Planning a party? They have that covered too.
Recently, on a rainy morning my son and I decided to head to Bethesda and check out the newish art space. We were greeted by a friendly employee (an Associate Creativity Enthusiast to be exact) who took us to an immaculate, organized and color coordinated area where she explained the options to us; candle making, soap making, plaster painting, glass making, ceramics painting, canvas painting and cake decorating were the choices. Each activity had an assigned color and chairs to match where children would work. My son chose to paint a plaster treasure box (after I discouraged him from decorating a cake) which included using quick dry acrylic paint so we were able to take it home immediately. They gave him a disposable apron as well as a clean, large area to work and let us be. They have a snack bar you can purchase treats and drinks. The restrooms are clean and have changing tables. [Read more…]
Climbable Art at Climb Zone USA
A few weeks ago my son and I had a day-date and I wanted it to be a meaningful day. I decided against his favorite places that we typically go to and instead headed to an awesome indoor spot (because it was a rainy, cold day); Climb Zone USA which is in Laurel, Maryland. We had no traffic and it was a quick 30 minute drive.
Climb Zone has 76 themed climbing walls and each wall is 28 feet tall. My son has never been rock climbing, besides of course those small 3 foot walls at playgrounds. He was definitely nervous as the instructor strapped on a harness to his waist. I figured he’d need encouragement and assistance so I decided not to climb, but adults are more than welcome to. The instructor explained how to attach his carabiner to each climbing wall and then we were off, on our own. We walked around, admiring all of the familiar scenes recreated on walls and he found his favorite climbable art wall and up he went.
Once your little one has had enough climbing, they can jump over to the bounce houses or test their luck at some video games. A small cafe offers treats and cold drinks. There is a small fenced in area for children 3 and under to play in as well. Children ages 2-5 cost $12 and children 6 years and older will cost $25. There is no time limit so you can stay all day if you’d like. You can also host a birthday party at this fun indoor spot.
Montgomery Mall….indoor fun?
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Westfield, Montgomery Mall. Perhaps, it should be tagged as “Indoor Fun” as we brace ourselves for yet another snow storm.
Having a newborn in the Winter has been so much more difficult than it was when my toddler was born in the Summer. She sleeps much better when on the move and well I haven’t exactly been able to take many stroller walks. So, enter my routine when my toddler has school. Drop him off at 8:50am, drive to Montgomery Mall, bolt to the Starbucks on Level 2 around 9:15am and get a Grande coffee, mall walk and say hello to the regular walkers I’ve come to recognize, make a few phone calls and voila the doors of all the stores slowly open at 10:00am. From there I make returns from purchases I made last week when I was wandering aimlessly because I needed my baby to sleep and I now feel guilty about buying. I use my Godiva Rewards card at some point…that’s right Rewards card at a chocolate shop. Inquire about it, you won’t be sorry. Errr maybe you will, perhaps that’s why I’m having trouble losing some baby weight. After about an hour baby begins to wake up and I have to make my decision to head to the Mother’s Room at Nordstrom or the Family Lounge in the Food Court to change her diaper and feed her. Which was the real reason I’m writing this post. I hadn’t put much thought into decent malls for parents with newborns. Do I want to sit on a couch to nurse her and change her on a pillow top changing table or do I want to walk past the delicious smell of McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches that still lingers and change her on large open changing tables where cartoons play and curtains hang from the private feeding areas for privacy? I’ve tried both and when I’m alone with the baby, I head to Nordstrom and sit in silence (with the occasional flush you hear from the restrooms next door) and when I’m with both kids I go to the Family Lounge so my toddler can be kept busy playing with the games or watching cartoons. The Family Lounge also has a microwave in case you need to warm up a bottle as well as family restrooms. So, escape from the cold (or heat in the summer) and head to Montgomery Mall to shop, walk, eat, nurse and be warm.
Pictures are from the Family Lounge located in the Food Court
Montgomery Mall has been remodeled and is unrecognizable. They kept the play area which is located on the lower level across from the maternity clothing store. It has a garden theme and insects and logs children can climb on and crawl through. They also have a new movie theater, Arclight, which can be accessed through the Food Court. Met Bethesda, Crave Sushi Bar, Cava Mezze Grill, Chipotle and Jamba Juice are a few places you can grab a bite.
Photos of Food Court
Play area on lower level
Weekday Adventures: Our favorite places in and around Washington, DC
We’re switching up the Weekday Adventures this week and providing you with a list of some of our favorite and fun places to visit in and around Washington, DC.
See live animal encounters, pet an alpaca and feed the goats at The Leesburg Animal Park.
Rent a paddle boat, go fishing or hop on a pontoon ride on Lake Needwood.
Take a fun ride on the hop on and off bus that tours around DC, your Bambino(s) will love the double decker Big Bus.
Pick your own raspberries and blackberries at Butlers Orchard. Stay and play on the climbing equipment and have a picnic.
Your kids will want to spend all day at Clemyjontri Playground. Designed for children with all abilities, this playground is colorful and has something that will appeal to every child. Arrive early as parking becomes hard. The carousel costs $1.50 to ride.
Your airplane enthusiast will love sitting at a picnic table and watching the airplanes from Reagan fly over their head at Gravelly Point. 
Celebrate Bao Bao’s birthday a few days earlier, beating the crowd at The National Zoo.
Taxi! Grab a water taxi from The National Harbor and relax on a 20 minute ride to Alexandria. The Potomac Riverboat Company charges $10 for children 2-11 and $16 for adults for a roundtrip.
Take a quick and simple trip to a farm at Oxon Hill Farm. Check schedule of events for the week as they offer story time, wagon rides and a chance to feed the chickens. Be sure and check driving directions before leaving since the newly 295 has been finished, my directions took me an old way and I couldn’t find the farm.
Looking for indoor fun on a rainy or hot day?
There’s many splash and water parks in our area to spend the day.
All aboard the choo choo train!
A few places braved the storm and are open!
The National Air and Space Museum is open today! This is the only Smithsonian open. Metro accessible.
Three coffee shops we have written about many times are open today. All of these provide room for your child to cozy up with a hot cocoa and book while you stay warm and get caffeinated and out of the house.
Ebeneezers– 201 F St., NE., Capitol Hill
St. Elmos Pub– 2300 Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, Va
Peregrine Espresso 1309 5th St., NE., at Union Market
Playseum opened late today.
545 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
7000 Wisconsin Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Don’t have chili in the crock pot? No worries– one of our favorite restaurants is open today– all locations. Chef Geoff’s, Lia’s, etc.
Want to stay inside? We have plenty of ideas to keep you busy. Check out our Pinterest page for crafty ideas.