Beltway Bambinos

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

Ultimate Guide to Halloween in and around Washington, DC

Saturdays and Sundays only– 10:00am-6:00pm-: Eye Spy Train at Wheaton
All aboard the Wheaton Eye Spy Halloween Train! NO LONGER HAUNTED! This “not so scary” train ride is fun for the whole family – it’s all about fun, not fright! Each child will receive an Eye Spy card before boarding the train. As you ride through the woods of Wheaton Regional Park, look all around to find Halloween friends hiding, and mark them off the Eye Spy card. They’ll have fun Halloween activities in the Train Station Party Room, where snacks will also be available for purchase. Costumes are encouraged! Please bring a canned food donation for your neighbors in need – they’ll donate them to Mid-County United Ministries in Wheaton. [Read more…]

Tricks and Treats around Washington, DC this Halloween

Post has been updated and can be found here for 2018

I can’t count the number of times our son wore his “Max” costume from Where the Wild Things Are. Between parades, school, special celebrations and on Halloween he got lots of practicing saying, “Let the wild rumpus start”! Here’s a guide that will help your child get mileage out of their costume(s) this year. Of course, check out our guide to Festivals and Orchards, as many of them have a special Halloween celebration as well as their day-to-day happenings. DC Library also will have a variety of Halloween celebrations, including Creepy Crafts & Pumpkin Decorating! Check out Facebook and Instagram for updated events.

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Weekend Picks

The Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival 2016 brings the best of DC arts and artists to the stage and H Street with performances, experiences and happenings in theatre, dance, music, vocal, choral, opera, visual arts, video, film, writing, sculpture, photography, circus, spoken word, public art, community art, and art space activation. Discover how art, culture and connection happen on H Street. The festival ends March 6. There are many family events (too many to choose for our picks), so please check out the schedule for family friendly shows.

Also, keep in mind James and the Giant Peach is at Adventure Theatre, JACK and Phil, Slayers of Giants-Inc is at Imagination Stage and Treasure Island ends this weekend at Encore Stage and Studio.

A Light Themed Art Installation at The Yards is an Installation Melding Light, Sculpture and Music to Create Wonder.

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Saturday-

10:00am: Avalon Weekend Family presents Rainbow Rock Band
(5612 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20015)
Are you ready to meet the rainbow? Join Rainbow Rock Band members, the Rainbow Lady (Kate Moran) and Mister Melody (Michael Mattice), as they entertain your little dudes with tunes, laughs and lots more! Winners of a Parents’ Choice Award for their debut CD, ‘Meet the Rainbow,’ this amazing team will have microphones and more for your little one to join in the fun! Don’t miss your shot to rock! Tickets: $8 / $6.50 (Children under 2 are free.)
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Weekend Picks

Kicking off the Atlas Performing Arts Center 10th Anniversary, the Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival 2016 brings the best of DC arts and artists to the stage and H Street with performances, experiences and happenings in theatre, dance, music, vocal, choral, opera, visual arts, video, film, writing, sculpture, photography, circus, spoken word, public art, community art, and art space activation. Discover how art, culture and connection happen on H Street. The festival begins February 26-March 6. There are many family events (too many to choose for our picks), so please check out the schedule for family friendly shows.

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Also, keep in mind James and the Giant Peach is at Adventure Theatre, JACK and Phil, Slayers of Giants-Inc is at Imagination Stage and Treasure Island premieres this weekend at Encore Stage and Studio.

A Light Themed Art Installation at The Yards is a Two-Week-Long Installation Melding Light, Sculpture and Music to Create Wonder. On Saturday, they are kicking off their US tour, families are invited from 3pm to 6pm to delight in the sight of the enormous glowing bunnies, while enjoying children’s activities, including a giant Lite-Brite.

Saturday-

10:00am: Avalon Theatre presents Blue Sky Puppet Theatre
(5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20015)
Blue Sky Puppet Theatre is back at the Avalon this winter! Their new production “SuperPig!” will have kids and families laughing and learning, with audience participation and humor aimed at all ages. “SuperPig!” shares the story of  Chester, who dreams of having superhero powers, but learns what heroes really are when a friend helps him out of a bullying situation. Tickets: $8.00 / $6.50 for Avalon members (Children under 2 are free)
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Weekend Picks

An exciting program we’ve been to a few times that occurs each Saturday is at Glen Echo: Saturday Art Explorers. This Saturday it will be from 11:15am-1:00pm (slightly different time than usual). Drop in for an art activity and play in the Candy Corner Studio for $10, no need to pre-register. Play on the playground afterwards, look around the Glen Echo Park Aquarium or catch a show at Adventure Theatre or the Puppet Co.

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Saturday-

10:00am-3:00pm: African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space at National Air & Space Museum
(Independence Ave at 6th St)
Each February, the Museum celebrates the significant contributions African Americans have made to flight and space exploration despite the overwhelming obstacles they had to overcome. Visitors enjoy presentations, hands-on activities, and stories, and may have the opportunity to meet astronauts, fighter pilots, and others who will share stories of their challenges and accomplishments. They also learn about inspiring historic figures like Bessie Coleman through reenactments or story times.
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Weekend Picks: Valentine’s Edition

It’s Valentine’s weekend and President’s weekend. We’ll post a separate post on activities for Monday for those of you who are off with your Bambinos. Did you stop by any of the chocolate shops mentioned in our guide?   Hopefully you “like” our Facebook page because we noted a new chocolatier this week, not mentioned in the post and we are constantly sharing relevant articles and information. DgD6-VvKRbFSGrhO5jCh0llT A yummy highlight this weekend is Sur La Table- Sweet Valentine’s Treats Cooking Class.
The Alexandria, VA and Arlington, VA locations are participating and will have a class on both Saturday & Sunday (see link for details). Bring your little one and join us for a family afternoon filled with baking, laughter, and plenty of tasty Valentine’s Day treats. Mom, grandparent, or special adult along with their kids will have a wonderfully sweet time creating yummy cookies, whoopie pies and chocolate-dipped hearts. Plus, our instructor will walk you through the steps for making delicious cream cheese frosting and share some fun decorating tips. This year, make Valentine’s Day extra special for your little loved ones by making delicious desserts—and precious memories—together.
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Weekend Picks

Chocolate buzz anyone? We know it isn’t Valentine’s Day quite yet but this weekend brings a few sweet events to attend as you get ready for the 14th. The highlight of this weekend; The Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax. There will be a puppet show, chocolate tastings, face painting, story time and much more that involves chocolate! Check out the schedule here. Also, be sure and check out our guide to getting delicious chocolate for your Valentine!

Also, February is Maple Sugaring Month at Brookside Nature Center. Every Saturday and Sunday you’ll have an opportunity to experience an American tradition: maple sugaring! Watch the whole maple sugaring process from start to finish. See sap drip from trees and taste it. Watch us boil it down into sweet maple syrup, then sample a tasty treat. Join in the fun and activities and learn something new at this family-friendly program! Space is limited so pre-registration is encouraged.

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Weekend Picks: Magic Tree House, MusiKids and Engineers for a day

Arts on the Horizon will be featuring Sunny and Licorice at Atlas Performing Arts Intersections Festival this weekend. Check here for the Family Schedule of Events.

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Friday & Saturday-

Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark, Kids! at Adventure Theatre featuring ATMTC Academy Students in Grades 2 – 5 Feb. 27 & 28
(7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812)
While exploring one afternoon, Jack and Annie discover a tree house full of books: Jack looks through a book about dinosaurs and wishes he could see a real one. Suddenly the wind begins to blow and the tree house starts to spin wildly. When it finally stops, Jack and Annie open their eyes to find they have been transported back to the time of the dinosaurs! Tickets are $5.

Saturday-

10:00am: MusiKids at Avalon Theatre
(5612 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC. 20015)
Come join musiKids in a brand new Adventure Day – “Down on the Bayou”! This interactive musical show will have children singing and moving to songs inspired by the colorful creatures from the bayous of Louisiana. Learn how to snap like an alligator or jump like a rabbit! musiKids Adventure Days encourage kids to sing and move along with each and every song. Recommended for children ages 18 months to 6 years old.

10:00am-4:30pm:Engineering Family Day at National Building Museum
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 2000)
Every February, the National Building Museum and the National Engineers Week Foundation invite you to debunk the myths of engineering and discover how professional engineers turn ideas into reality. Celebrate Engineers Week by participating in this free, hands-on, and fun-filled festival. Explore thermodynamics, electricity, aerodynamics, and more with engineers at more than 25 activity tables and demonstrations made especially for kids. Discover Engineering Family Day is a FREE, drop-in program. $5 donation suggested. Program and activities are most appropriate for children ages 6 to 12 with adult supervision. Registration is not required.

10:30am: Saturday Fun-Day at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist (playing a ukulele!) explores a popular children’s book with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home. Best for ages 1 month-3 years. Featured story: The Wheels on the Bus

11:00am and 1:00pm: Human Rights Campaign features “Dancin’ in the Kitchen” concert
(640 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036)
Join HRC for a special family concert featuring the Grammy winning duo, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer and songs from their forthcoming CD, “Dancin’ in the Kitchen,” featuring songs that celebrate all kinds of families!  Each family will receive an advance copy of “Dancin’ in the Kitchen,” a chance to meet the musicians, and snacks during the show. Seating will be limited, so get your tickets early! Adult General Admission: $10 and Children General Admission: $5

Sunday-

th10:00am: Sunday Fun Day at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 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. Best for ages 1-3. Featured story: Where the Wild Things Are

2:00pm: The Wacky & Whimsical Tea for THEARC
(1150 22nd Street, NW Washington, DC 20037-The Ritz-Carlton of Washington)
Enjoy a fun-filled Sunday afternoon that will include high tea, a silent auction and creative games for kids of all ages and their families, including a treasure trove, special entertainment and other surprises.  All of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC).

 

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