2018

Celebrating New Years Eve in Washington, DC with kids

December 18, 2018

(Photo: Noon Yards Eve at The Yards)

Weekend Tots: Noon Year’s Eve at Tudor Place

Date: Sunday, December 30, 2018

Time: 11:30am-12:30pm

Location: 1644 31st St. N.W. (between Q and R)

Details: Celebrate New Year’s Eve a day early with a Tudor Place event for children aged 2 to 4. Enjoy a festive, counting-themed story time, then count down together at noon. Celebrate the “noon-year” with noisemakers, confetti, a sparkling craft, and then toast 2019 with juice.

Noon Yards Eve at The Yards

Date: Monday, December 31, 2018

Time: 10:00am-1:00pm

Location: The Yards Park Boardwalk: 355 Water Street SE Washington, DC 20003

Details: The free family-friendly New Year’s Eve daytime celebration that transforms Yards Park into an all-ages holiday wonderland, complete with interactive activities for children and adults. Yards Park will offer New Years-themed musical and magical performances, an inflatable obstacle course and the ever popular trackless train ride throughout Yards Park. The event will culminate with a countdown and celebratory balloon drop when the clock strikes noon to ring in the New Year!

Midnight Noon at Maryland Science Center

Date: Monday, December 31, 2018

Time: 10:00am-2:00pm

Location: 601 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21230

Details: Join for the annual New Year’s Eve celebration; Midnight Noon. There will be fun New Year’s festivities throughout the day, including a live concert by popular kids band Milkshake. Their Grammy-nominated tunes will keep you dancing throughout the day. The entire Science Center will be open and ready for you to explore. All activities are FREE with paid admission, and completely free to members.

Noon Time New Year’s Celebration at Port Discovery Children’s Museum

Date: Monday, December 31, 2018

Time: 10:00am-5:00pm

Location: 35 Market Pl. Baltimore, MD. 21202

Details: Don’t wear just anything to this New Year’s Eve celebration. Kids are encouraged to dress in their favorite costumes and join in an energetic countdown to the new year. There will be live performances, dancing, and snacks.

12th Annual Rocknoceros New Years Eve Party at Jammin Java

Date: Monday, December 31, 2018

Time: 11:00am

Location: 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, VA.

Details: For the 12th year in a row, the hyper popular kids band will once again get the little ones rockin’ at this special New Year’s Eve gig at Jammin Java. Rocknoceros will do a full-fledged countdown and an apple juice toast for all!

Busy Bee’s New Year’s Eve Party at Chevy Chase location (details in photo below)

Busy Bee’s New Year’s Eve Party at Falls Church location

Date: Monday, December 31, 2018

Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm

Location: 6110 D Arlington Blvd Falls Church, VA 22044

Details: Come wave goodbye to 2018 and say hello to 2019 with us, and most importantly, your little one(s)! Rock with us and with Rainbow Rock Band as we play, dance, eat, count down and toast with cider to the new year! Who says we have to wait until midnight? The important part is to see the new year with the ones we love! We promise you won’t find a better kid-friendly new year celebration around!Pla

First Night Alexandria

Date: Monday, December 31, 2018

Time: 2:00pm-11:45pm

Location: 30 indoor venues, within walking distance, along King St in Old Town

Details: A New Year’s Eve celebration for families with children 12 and under! Face painting, games, balloons, fireworks, dancing, DJ and more. Includes a Fun Hunt from 2:00pm-4:00pm. There are 3 Kids Karnivals from 6:00pm-9:00pm especially designed to entertain and engage families with children up to 12 years old. There will be clowns, face painting, music, games, and a special guest host at each location all for only $5 per child 2-12 years old (or free with adult with a First Night Badge).

Plan Ahead:
A family-friendly event to kick off the new year; Jaleo’s annual Three Kings Day brunch is back at Jaleo Bethesda on Sunday, January 6. From 10:00am – 2:00 pm. Guests can enjoy brunch and a complimentary slice of Roscón de Reyes (King Cake) alongside live performances by Adventure Theatre. 2019 may be your lucky year – whoever finds a bean in their slice of cake will win a prize!

Fall Festivals and Orchards in and around Washington, DC

September 23, 2018

It’s that time of year! School is in full swing, crisp winds begin, fun fall outfits, PSL’s and jumping in leaves once all this rain ends. It also means making memories at apple orchards, festivals and picking pumpkins. We’ve created a short list of the closest places to take your Bambinos. Have a favorite place to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!

Butlers Orchard 37th Annual Pumpkin Festival (22200 Davis Mill Rd, Germantown, MD 20876)
Dates of the Festival: September 29, 30, October 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28
Spider web, twisted pumpkin corn maze, corn box, hayrides, straw maze, corn hole, giant slides, pumpkin coach, jump in the hayloft, visit barnyard buddies, pumpkinland, pedal tractors, playground, pumpkin cannon, pony rides, face painting, kids crafts, pick your own pumpkins, festival food and a farm market as you exit the Orchard.

Homestead Farm (15604 Sugarland Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837)
Pick-Your-Own Fruit

Ticonderoga Farms (26175 Ticonderoga Rd, Chantilly, VA 20152)
September 22-November 4
Admission includes hayrides, activities and access to the pick your own pumpkin field. Noah’s Ark, log cabins, hillside slides, ponds, swings, fire pits, hayrides, tire play, hay forts, rolling tunnels, s’mores roasting, animals, enormous jump and bounce pillow and so much more.

Cox Farms (15621 Braddock Rd. Centreville, VA. 20120)
September 22-November 4
5 giant slides, world famous hayrides, farm animals & their babies, CORNundrum cornfield adventure, rope swings, kiddie zone, goat village, local apples & fresh cider, straw tunnels, a patch pumpkin to take home, live entertainment, 90 acres of fun!

Summers Farm (5620 Butterfly Lane Frederick, MD 21703)
September 22 – October 31
Open in the Fall each year with an old-fashioned Harvest Festival — featuring a 12 acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, more than 30 activities, live weekend music, fireworks, finger-lickin’ good food … and lots more!

Larriland (2415 Woodbine Rd, Woodbine, MD 21797)
Open through the first Sunday in November
The Straw Maze, built with over 1000 bales of straw, is a delightful place to get lost. The Straw Maze is open every day the farm is open in late September and October. Fee charged. All day pass. The Boo Barn is for children ages 4 – 6. It is a dark passage in the bottom of the Red Barn and is filled with animated, not too scary ghosts and goblins. The Boo Barn is open every day the farm is open in late September and October. Fee charged. All day pass.

Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont, VA 20135)
Open Daily in September for Apple Picking & Corn Maze Fun from 9:00am-5:00pm
Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival: October 1-31
Pumpkin Chunkin: November 3-6
Apple Gala and Cider Fest is every weekend in September
Celebrate with tastings of this season’s best ciders and demonstrations of our antique cider press. Pick your pumpkins and apples, fire pumpkins from a cannon, enjoy cider donuts, get lost in a corn maze and visit with the pumpkin princess at Pumpkin Harvest Festival and bring your leftover pumpkins to Pumpkin Chunkin.

Clark’s Elioak Farm (10500 State Rte 108 Ellicott City, MD. 21042)
Open through November 4. Open Tues-Sun
Petting farm animals, hayrides, cow train rides, pony rides, birthday parties, educational tours, enchanted pine tree forest, special weekend events, enchanted forest attractions and fall season pumpkin patch.

Leesburg Animal Park and Pumpkin Village (19270 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg, VA 20175)
Pumpkin Village open September 15-November 6
Halloween Costume Contest & Trick or Treating Oct 28 & 29
Giant hill slides, hay wagon rides, pet and feed animals, free apple and cider snack with admission, free mini-pumpkin, kids maze, camel rides and live entertainment, pedal carts, face painting on weekends.

Wayside Farm (5273 Harry Byrd Hwy, Berryville, VA 22611)
September 22-November 4 on weekends
This year’s maze theme is Emoji…come see if you can wind your way through the 10-acre maze. The popular pig races will run on festival days. And don’t forget to visit the 8 acre pumpkin patch where you can pick your very own pumpkin right from the the vine! The farm offers hayrides, pig races, slides, and playgrounds. In addition to offering plenty of entertainment, this working farm has an 8-acre u-pick pumpkin patch. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Wayside Farm is an idyllic farm setting for families looking for the ultimate farm adventure this fall. Wayside Farm would like to offer our readers 20% off admission this fall- mention Beltway Bambinos at the booth!

Readers also recommend:

Sharps at Waterford Farm

Pumpkin Playground

Festivals:

Maryland Renaissance Festival: Weekends August 25-October 21, 2018

Barracks Row Fall Festival: September 29, 2018

Frederick Oktoberfest: September 28 & 29, 2018

Piketoberfest: October 7, 2018

Fall classes for children in and around Washington, DC

August 6, 2018

Class assignments are coming out, camps are ending, but the weather is still amazing and I’m forced to register for Fall sports and classes {sigh}. I say it each year but this summer went by way too quickly and I wish we could rewind time and start it over again. It’s not too late to cross some of our highlights off your list though.

We’ve highlighted some places offering Fall classes, parent-and-me groups as well as play groups. Here’s to cooler weather, the turning of leaves and continuing to stay busy exploring Washington, DC.

Audubon Naturalist Society: Tales & Trails 10-week class ages 2-4 with a caregiver can be found here.

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

Anna Banana Arts and Crafts: Art classes for ages 2-8 year olds 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. Ukulele and guitar classes are found here for ages 4+.

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.

Nook: Nook has curated a selection of classes and workshops that offers developmental opportunities for ages 0-5 years. Find out more here.

Player Progression Academy (PPA): Offers a variety of sports from tots to high school. Find schedules here.

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

Red Panda Art Studio: Each class is carefully planned to focus on a different art material. Children will be introduced to new art and sensory materials in a structured but exploratory setting. Classes for ages 2-4 and 4-7 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.

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 Gym

BusyBees

Magic Ground

Gymboree

Kidville

Other posts:

Yoga with your Bambino

Dance and Gymnastics classes

Year-round classes

Tax Day Steals and Deals

April 16, 2018

Tax Day is tomorrow…. With the help of Forbes we have rounded up some Tax Day Deals and Freebies in our area to help celebrate Tax Day being behind us. Take advantage of these deals whether it be a discounted before school breakfast for the kiddos, a treat or a discounted hotel stay.

Food

Thanks to Great American Cookie Company, Tax Day will once again be pretty sweet. The national gourmet cookie shop will continue its annual Tax Day tradition by offering a free Cookies & Cream cookie to customers who stop by participating stores on April 17. Limit one per customer, while supplies last. According to the company’s Executive Vice President, David Kaiser, “Tax Day can be a bit of a bummer so our annual cookie freebie is our way of ‘sharing the fun of cookies’ and helping everyone take a delicious bite out of Tax Day stress.”
On Tuesday, April 17, any guest who dines in-restaurant at Boston Market can get a $10.40 Tax Day Meal Special, which includes a Half Chicken Individual Meal with 2 sides, cornbread, a regular fountain beverage and a cookie.
Bruegger’s Bagels brings back its annual Tax Day deal for a whole week, April 11-17, to match the extended tax filing season and lighten taxpayers’ load. Starting April 11, participating bakeries will offer Bruegger’s famous Big Bagel Bundle for just $10.40 with a downloadable coupon from the company’s website– a significant $3.50 “deduction” from the standard price.
Firehouse Subs is inviting guests to stop by to receive a free medium sub when they purchase a full price medium or large sub, chips and a drink (valid Tuesday, April 17 through Thursday, April 19, 2018). Please click here for a link to the offer.
California Tortilla.Get a free order of small chips and queso with any purchase Tuesday. You have to say “chipping in.”
Chuck E Cheese. This tax season, families can enjoy a guaranteed return at Chuck E. Cheese. The Tax Day (Tue, 4/17 – Thurs, 4/19) offer: Buy any large pizza, get one large cheese pizza free. U.S. only.
The Hamilton Hotel Washington D.C. Located in the heart of D.C., The Hamilton Hotel is offering a special “$1.4 Trillion Dollar Cocktail” – a delicious respite from the steadily rising national deficit – made with “conservative” amounts of Absolut Elyx, Blood Oranges, Elderflower Liquor and Passion Fruit Juice at the hotel’s restaurant and bar, 14k Restaurant. Appropriately priced at $14, the Hamilton Hotel encourages patrons to write this boozy cocktail off and de-stress this Tax Day.
Corner Bakery Café: Tuesday through Thursday you can mix and match two breakfast, lunch or dinner items for $10.40 at participating locations.
P.F. Chang’s On April 17, this popular Asian-themed chain is giving a 15% discount to diners at every location across the country. Discount not valid on drinks or Happy Hour food.
Tax Day is here and Potbelly Sandwich Shop is offering deals that will put some ease on your wallet. Customers who sign up for Potbelly Perks by downloading the Potbelly app (iPhone/Android) or online will receive a free sandwich (the free sandwich offer ends when 75,000 sandwiches have been given away). Those already enrolled in Potbelly Perks can enjoy a BOGO Sandwich that will automatically load into the app for redemption on Tax Day (April 17).

Traveling and Services

Marriott International in DC. Marriott International’s hotels in Washington, DC are encouraging travelers to enjoy their “returns” and do more by saving more with the Tax Day Deal. For two weeks only, April 11 through April 25, 2018, travelers can save up to 25% off best available weekend rates for stays June 29 – September 3, 2018. Rates are per room and exclude tax and gratuities. Offer valid Friday through Sunday. Terms and conditions apply. To book your reservation at participating hotels click here , and refer to promotional code SPU.
The Omni Homestead Resort. The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA, is offering a special: Book one night and the second night is just $25. You must book by 4/20/2018; valid for stays between 4/17/2018 – 12/22/2018.
Thinking of spending your tax refund in Europe? Rail Europe is offering travelers $25 off for $400 bookings made through April 24. Use code: TAXDAYRE18.