Beltway Bambinos

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

Summer may be ending but the fun in Washington, DC is not!

Many students in Washington, DC go back to school tomorrow (sigh/hooray). Summer may be ending for some but that doesn’t mean the fun in the city is ending. There’s still plenty of fun to be had! Splash pads and pools have a few more weeks open.

thThe Beach at The National Building Museum presents a one-of-a-kind destination for visitors, an interactive architectural installation that brings the quintessential summer experience of going to the beach to downtown Washington, D.C. Spanning across the Museum’s Great Hall, the BEACH, created in partnership with Snarkitecture, will cover 10,000 square feet and include an “ocean” of nearly one million recyclable translucent plastic balls. Check it out before it closes Sept. 7.

Good Humor Ice Cream will be giving away free ice cream all week long in Washington, DC.

Washington Nationals allow kids to Run the Bases on games played on Sundays. They have games throughout September.

DC Library has many events each day at various libraries for babies, kids and teens.
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Weekend Picks: Roller skate, fly around at a fair and watch an outdoor movie

Didn’t get enough carnival rides and fried twinkles on the boardwalk this summer? Head over to the Montgomery County Fair. It is happening through Saturday, August 22. Fair and carnival hours vary as do animal exhibits in Old MacDonald’s Barn. Children 11 and under are FREE while adults cost $10. Check the schedule for daily events. Address is 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

Prince William County Fair is also happening through Saturday, August 22. Adults $10, Children over 5 $5 (with specials on various days).

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11:00am-6:45pm Weekends: Roller Skate at NPS Park before it closes for the season
(1500 Anacostia Drive SE, Washington, D.C)
Have you checked out the National Park Pavilion turned roller rink? Free roller skate rentals with a valid ID.

Potomac Nationals are in town and have some fun promotions and events happening, including a Ryan Zimmerman Bobblehead giveaway on Sunday.

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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.

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Make Meaning (and memories) in Bethesda

MM Party RoomLooking 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.

 

MM Layout1Recently, 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…]

Weekend Picks: Superheros, trucks and festivals

Happening all weekend:

The Green Festival – kids will have a blast at The Green Kids Zone. 

Celebrate Fairfax – make sure to see their Innovation Health Family Stage line-up!

Also, we have outlined some great live music and outdoor movies to enjoy this summer.

Saturday-

8:00am-1:00pm: 8th Annual DC Truck Touch
(RFK Stadium Lot 7 Oklahoma Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002)
Come experience the high-tech equipment and vehicles used to provide vital city services. Learn how they operate to serve you better. Kids can climb aboard, work the gears, and honk the horns!

9:30am AND 11:00am: The Three Not So Little Pigs at The National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC. 20004)
Little Yellow Pig the musician, Little Blue Pig the mechanic, and Little Red Pig the architect are fighting and not getting along. They quickly learn that cooperation is the key to success and happiness in Blue Sky Puppet Theatre’s production of this familiar tale. FreetTickets distributed 30 minutes prior to each show.

Unmask7_010:00am-1:00pm: Superhero Training Camp at Chevy Chase Library
(5625 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015)
Discover your Superhero Identity! Come to CC Library for Superhero Training Camp! Kids and teens can create their own superhero identity, complete with costume. You’ll be saving the world in no time! Training camp includes a photo booth, so bring your super fast camera to capture the action.

10:00am-3:00pm:Imagination Bethesda
(Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street in downtown Bethesda)
Celebrate children, art, and all things fun at the 21st annual Imagination Bethesda. Activity tents line the streets, face painters bring butterflies and pirates to life, a stage of live entertainment will have the whole street dancing and more! Enjoy this free family fun day!

4;30pm: Here Comes Trouble CD Release Party at FNDTN Gallery and Liveroom
(3762A Howard Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895)
Led by a husband-and-wife team of conservatory-trained jazz musicians who lead double lives as successful lawyers, the beloved DC-area band Here Comes Trouble is thrilled to announce the national release of their debut kids’/family album, Goo On My Shoe, an eclectic collection of songs that celebrate the goofy and sweet things that are likely to pop up in everyone’s life. $6 in advance/$8 at door, cash only.

 

Sunday-

10:00am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session you leave with a completed craft, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Story this week: Stone Soup. Best for ages 3-5. Tickets are $10.

Weekend Picks: Dragon Boats, LEGOS and Art

Happy Weekend! Enjoy it outdoors at some of these great events. Or hang out inside if the weather gets rainy.

Saturday-

main_image8:30am-5:00pm: 14th Annual Dragon Boat Festival at Thompsons Boat Center
(2900 Virginia Ave NW Washington, DC 20007- near the Georgetown Waterfront)
The Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival, now in it’s 14th year, is a two day festival held along the Potomac River complete with cultural exhibitions, craft demonstrations, and of course… dragon boat racing made to look just like dragons. The event is sponsored by the Chinese Women’s League (CWL) and serves to promote Chinese culture to the Washington DC area through the sport of dragon boat racing. Schedule of events here. The kids will enjoy watching the races as well as brushing painting, calligraphy and paper cutting.
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Saturday Adventures

We’ve got you covered for Saturday plans. As for Sunday, check out our Theater Roundup or Indoor Guide for fun. Also, Lil Omm has many family yoga classes throughout the weekend. Get your little yogis there to stretch and relax a bit. 

This weekend (and next) is the long-awaited Day Out with Thomas at B&O Railroad.  Little Engineers won’t believe their eyes–or their ears! Thomas the Tank Engine will be able to talk to his fans when he returns to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore! Take a 25 minute train ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy a full day of live entertainment, activities, and family fun! Tickets are $21 each for ages 2 and up available. Get tickets here.

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Weekday Adventures!

Don’t you wish there was a day in between Saturday & Sunday? Not ready for the weekend to be over and so not ready to deal with a rainy Monday with a newborn and toddler. We were spoiled by Saturdays gorgeous day– hope you enjoyed it! Here are a few fun things to do this week, including Earth Day. Keep in mind we have plenty of places to take your Bambinos to that are indoors in case of rain as well as theater shows.

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Monday:

9:30am-11:00am: Marsha Goodman-Wood at Rise + Rhyme Busboys and Poets
(5331 Baltimore Ave. Suite 104, Hyattsville, MD 20781)
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. Marsha Goodman-Wood,  a D C-based singer/songwriter and music teacher. Marsha is known for getting kids singing and dancing at her shows, setting little toes to tapping with original melodies that mix generous doses of science and positive social messages into songs that are just plain fun.

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