Beltway Bambinos

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

  • 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
  • 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

Saturday Adventures

April 24, 2015

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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Filed Under: Weekday Adventures Tagged: art, bluegrass, books, Earth Day, music, Thomas, train, trucks, yoga

Weekend Picks: Intersections Festival, Chinese New Year and Tunes

February 20, 2015

Atlas Intersections Festival kicks off the 6th annual Festival this weekend showcasing over 125 performances in music, theatre, dance, film, spoken word and performance art that offer new ways to see ourselves and to celebrate our community and our world. The festival begins February 20-March 7. There are many family events (too many to choose for our picks), so please check out the schedule for family friendly shows.

Saturday-

10:00am: Avalon Theatre presents The RTT’s
(5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20015)
The RTTs (also known as the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours) bring their toe-tapping, award-winning, original roots rock back to the Avalon! The whole family will want to dance along as they play hits like “Snack Time” and “Turn it Up, Mommy.”

10:00am-12:00pm: Open Studio at Little Loft
(511 11th St SE Washington, DC 20003)
Drop in anytime during our open hours to play at our sand and rice tables, play dough station, book corner, and art table. Great for ages 1.5 – 8. $15/child (siblings half price), no preregistration necessary.

10:30am: GIGS and Kindiemusicdc present Junior Jams: John Henry the Guitar Playing Man! at FNDTN Gallery and Liveroom
(3762A Howard Ave. Kensington, MD. 20895)
John Henry is renowned for his ability to connect with his audiences. He brings 20 years of early childhood education, and experience as a dad himself to his interactive program, engaging children of all ages as they dance, sing and imagine.

10:30am:  Saturday Song Circle 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: Five Little Monkeys

11:00am-4:00pm: Mardi Gras Family Day at Smithsonian Anacostia Community MuseumDgBaACWornGMV2rrOmUaGXP-
(1901 Fort Place SE Washington, DC 20020)
Join in on the fun with this popular annual museum event featuring  storytelling, face painting, balloon artist, mask-making, and other hands-on activities including a second line parade through the museum.  Attendees can also participate in the popular Art of Adornment workshop with artist and entrepreneur, Januwa Moja-Nelson.   Get a complimentary picture of you dressed in Januwa’s individual designs.  Those interested in the Adornment workshop should sign up on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival.  This program is free and open to everyone! Register or call 202.633.4844.

Sunday-

10:00am: 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: The Little Engine That Could

2:00pm-5:00pm: Chinese New Year Parade and Festival
(H Street, NW, between 6th and 7th Streets)
Each year a parade is held in Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The event features the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations and live musical entertainment. The firecracker will be lit at 3:45 p.m. A good place to view the parade is along 7th St. The closest Metro station is Gallery Place/Chinatown.

Print2:00pm: McLean Community Center presents “Fly Guy and Other Stories”
(1234 Ingleside Avenue McLean, Virginia 22101)
Fly Guy has met his match, and her name is Fly Girl. Fly Guy is totally impressed and totally smitten. Will Fly Guy and Fly Girl get married and leave Buzz without his dear pet? Other stories by authors such as McMullan, Howe, Henkes and Munsch will be featured. Tickets are $15 for non-members. For ages 5+.

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: art, books, Chinese New Year, festival, Imagination Stage, intersections, music, theater

Weekend Picks: The Big Build, Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site and Mt. Vernon’s Colonial Market and Fair

September 18, 2014

Mount Vernon Colonial Market and Fair is Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am-5:00pm. The annual market features dozens of America’s finest craftspeople and plenty of family fun; including puppets, military drills, sword swallowing and music.

Saturday and Sunday DC Shorts are featuring more Family Films: DC Shorts Film Festival at Angelika Film Center. Family appropriate films are for children 8 and older. For the full schedule click here.

Maryland Renaissance Festival  is still in town. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Your children will see people dressed up in 16th century outfits. Dress like a knight and come any weekend through October 17.

Saturday:

Screen Shot 2014-09-07 at 8.25.44 AM10:00am-4:00pm: The Big Build at The National Building Museum (401 F St NW, Washington,DC 20001)
The FREE construction truck “petting zoo” expands onto F Street; Earn prizes by completing a hard hat scavenger hunt; and help build the World’s Tallest Toy from Superstructs in the Great Hall! CLIMB aboard tractors, cranes, and a fire truck, CONSTRUCT a log cabin , IMAGINE and build a playground, CARVE stone with master carvers, BUILD an electrical circuit with licensed electricians, COMPETE in a nail-driving contest, CREATE a hardware wind chime to take home

 

 

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Filed Under: Weekday Adventures Tagged: books, build, butterflies, construction, festival, mt. vernon, music, puppets

Weekend Picks: Art Festival, Instrument Petting Zoo and DC Shorts

September 11, 2014

We’ll have a Guide to Fall Festivals out next week! For now, enjoy this weekend, looks like Sunday is the day to be outdoors.

12th Annual Alexandria King Street Art Festival– At this community festival, art enthusiasts discover spectacular paintings, life-size sculptures, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more, offering extraordinary art for every taste. More than $15 million in art will be on display, providing visitors with the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind wares and meet the artists behind the work, hearing firsthand what inspires them.Saturday 10:00am-7:00pm and Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm.

Marvel Universe Live! is at the Patriot Center. Perfect for those Dads who want to relive their youth and for children into the comics and may want to go dressed as their favorite superhero.

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Saturday-

10:00am: Teddy Bear Clinic at National Museum of Health and Medicine
(2500 Linden Lane Silver Spring, MD 20910)
Bring your favorite stuffed friend and explore the Teddy Bear Clinic at the National Museum of Health and Medicine with activities and crafts designed to highlight the body, physical fitness and healthy habits. This program is recommended for children in PreK – 2nd grade. This family program is free and open to the public!

10:00am: Rainbow Rock at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180)
Rainbow Rock is a really fun kids band whose shows at Jammin Java have been packed recently! Bring the whole family and come check out this special Saturday show and rock the rainbow!

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: art, books, music

Weekend Picks: Blues, Jazz and Labor Day

August 28, 2014

Maryland Renaissance Festival kicked off  last weekend! The festival is free to children 11 and under this weekend. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Your children will see people dressed up in 16th century outfits. Dress like a knight and come any weekend through October 17.  

Curtain call on some great theater performances this weekend. Check out the list and see a show.

Friday-

5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Sculpture Garden
(7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW)
This is the final concert of the summer. The free concert series has featured jazz artists performing a wide variety of styles—salsa, blues fusion, xylophone, Afrofunk, and more. Bring a picnic dinner.

Saturday- 

10:00am-10:00pm: Library of Congress National Book Festival  poster_enlarge
(Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Pl., NW, Washington, D.C)
This year’s festival will feature authors, poets and illustrators in several pavilions well into the evening. Festival-goers can meet and hear firsthand from their favorite poets and authors, get books signed, enjoy special entertainment, and stay up late for special new graphic novel, poetry and film programs.

12:00pm-7:30pm: 26th Annual Blues Fest at Carter Barron Amphitheater
(16th Street & Colorado Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008)
Throughout the day, visit the John Cephas Workshop Stage for workshops led by talented and well-known artists who will entertain children and adults. Check out The John Cephas Workshop Stage  from 12:00 – 4:00 pm for the Children’s Instrument Play Area. Admission is free.

2:00pm-8:00pm: 8th Annual Jazz and Blues Festival at Lake Anne
(1609 Washington Plaza, Reston , VA)
This free, family friendly, all-day event will showcase a variety of talented regional and national jazz & blues performers.

2:00pm: The Fresh Beat Band at Wolf Trap
(1645 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA)
It’s a “Great Day” to sing and dance “Just Like a Rockstar” with Kiki, Marina, Twist, and Shout from Nick Jr.’s sensational TV band! All patrons, including children of any age, must have a ticket to performances. Tickets range from $25-125.

Sunday-

3:00pm-11:00pm: Capitol Concert 
(1st St SE., Washington, DC 20515)
Gates open at 3:00pm, open rehearsal at 3:30pm and concert begins at 8:00pm. This year’s program explores American music from TV, movies, and beloved Broadway musicals, with a veritable “who’s who” of notable composers represented. Concert is 90 minutes in length. 

memorial_day_parade_1

Parade Guide-
Kensington, MD 46th Annual Parade and Festival

Old Towne Gaithersburg Parade

Greenbelt Parade and Festival 

Herndon Labor Day Festival 

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Filed Under: Holiday Options, Weekend Picks Tagged: blues, books, concert, festival, jazz, Labor Day, music, outdoor, parade, reading

Weekend Picks: Star Wars Yoga and Pilot for a Day

June 12, 2014

Saturday-

10:00am-2:00pm: Pierce Mill in Rock Creek National Park
(Tilden Street (same as Park Road), NW and Beach Drive, Washington, DC 20015)
Mill in Operation (11 AM – 2 PM) – watch the waterwheel turn and learn how the flow of water into the “buckets” brings the wheel to life and sets the machinery inside the mill in motion Visitor Center (10 AM – 4 PM) – learn about the Peirce family and the other mills that operated along Rock Creek. There will be games for children, including a self-guided treasure hunt, water flow and gravity toys, checkers, and other simple toys from the milling period.

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: books, carousel, festival, mill, movie, pilot, playgrounds, reading, theatre, yoga

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