Beltway Bambinos

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

Frosty the Snow Man at Adventure Theatre

(Photo: Sarah Straub)

What: Frosty the Snow Man

When: November 17, 2017 – December 31, 2017

Where: Adventure Theatre
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. 20812

Why: Do you want to build a snow man? How about watching him spring to life in front of you for one day of adventures before he melts away? In this merry wintertime romp, chock-full of chuckles and comic antics, Frosty dances into the hearts of kids and adults alike- even the heart of one near-sighted cop- through his uproarious antics.

Frosty the Snow Man is unlike any Frosty play you’ve seen, and we mean that in a good way. This show should be on your family’s holiday theatre must-see list. You will enjoy some familiar songs and be wow’ed by the dancing from Frosty. And once again, Adventure Theatre draws you in with a set that makes you feel like it’s your very own snow day. The cast immediately begins to have fun in the snow, acting like the kids you have sitting next to you. They’ll have you dreaming about the snow day you will spend with your Bambinos this winter.

  • Directed by Jason Schlafstein
  • Running time is 60 minutes with no intermission
  • Recommended for all ages
  • Tickets can be purchased here. Tickets are $19.50 each with group and field trip rates available. Children under the age of 1 are free

Weekend Picks: December 16-18

Sweet Spot Aerial Productions: Shine a Light! A Solstice Circus is on stage at Atlas Performing Arts Center at 1:00pm on Saturday and 4:00pm on Sunday. This holiday show is an uplifting, delightful spectacle that will amaze the whole family. Featuring acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and other dazzling performances – the spirit is sure to be contagious! Start a new and unique holiday tradition by coming to the circus! Appropriate for all ages.

Chug along at College Park Aviation full of miniature trains, villages, tunnels, and depots spark the imagination as they bring history to life. The National Capital Trackers bring a fascinating, constantly moving, holiday-themed display of model railroads to the museum. FREE with museum admission
$5/adults, $4/65&up, $2/ages 2-18 FREE/1&under. Holiday Trains and Planes will be showcased until December 23.

Be sure and refer to our guide for getting outdoors this winter for options to see lights, ice skate, and more.

 

Saturday-

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8:30am-9:30am: Capoeira for Kids Ages 3.5-7 at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Capoeira provides physical fitness for children, ages 4 and up. It is intended to be a no- to low-contact martial art that helps children with gross motor planning and gross motor skills. Children will also learn maculele (a dance done hitting sticks against your partner’s sticks), samba, capoeira instruments, and Portuguese through this fun, interactive class. Classes are $15 each or $120 for a series of ten classes.

9:30am-10:30am AND 10:30am-11:30am: Harambe with Baba Ras D at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community.With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years.  $7 per child $3 per adult suggested donation.

10:00am-3:00pm: Round and Round We Go: Innovation at Udvar-Hazy Center
(14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, Virginia 20151)
Learn about the Wright brothers and test your design skills in our December challenge as you design, create, and test your own paper copter. Making STEM Magic is a new program that introduces young visitors to engineering in a fun and creative way. Learn by doing. Design, build, and test a prototype that solves a given challenge. Every month we’ll explore a new theme and introduce a new problem to be solved, so come back each month to accept the challenge and learn to think like an engineer. Free to enter with parking $15.

10:30am: Marsha and the Positrons (with Wardell Howell on bass) at Chevy Chase Library
(5625 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20015)
Sing and dance along! And then check out a book and sign up for Winter Reading.

11:00am AND 2:00pm (show begins at 11:00am): 10th Annual Rocknoceros Holiday Singalong
(227 Maple Ave Vienna, VA, 22180)
As every family with youngsters in the Washington, DC area knows, Rocknoceros is three guys: Coach, Williebob, and Boogie Bennie. They have been making award-winning music together since 2005 and are celebrating their 10th year together with a brand new album. $10.00

2:00pm: Christmas Pageant at National Cathedral
(3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington DC 20016)
Oh, come let us adore him! Join us for this beloved family-friendly event, as Cathedral clergy, a profusion of angels, shepherds, Bethlehem townspeople and a menagerie of animals present a delightful retelling of the Nativity. Open to the public. All children are invited to participate.

4:00pm: A Candlelight Christmas with Washington Chorus at Kennedy Center
(2700 F St NW)
It’s not Christmas without The Washington Chorus! Featuring brass, organ, sing-alongs, and the resplendent Candlelight Processional, A Candlelight Christmas celebrates favorites such as The Dream Isaiah Saw, Hallelujah Chorus, and grand arrangements by our own Julian Wachner. Once again, special guests from our Side-by-Side youth program will join us to celebrate the season. A special B.Y.O.Baby event, offering additional considerations for families with small children. Purchase tickets here.

4:15pm:Tots & Tykes at Tranquil Space
(1632 17th St., NW Washington, DC 20009)
The class uses songs, rhymes, and games to introduce body awareness and movement concepts to kiddos from crawlers through age 4. No yoga mat or experience is required.

Sunday-

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10:00am:Boogie Babes presents a special pop-up show with Mr. Jon and Friends at Steadfast Supply
(1331 4th St. SE)Buy tickets at the door
Sing and dance along!

10:00am-12:00pm: Chanukah Celebration at the DCJCC
(1529 16th St NW)
Grab your socks and your yarmulke, it’s time to bounce for Chanukah! This year’s rockin’ Chanukah party will feature a moon bounce, games, crafts, treats and plenty of fun for the whole family. Register here.

11:00am-3:00pm: Brunch with Santa & Grinch
(901 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20001)
Enjoy some brunch favorites with Santa & drink some holiday cheer with the Grinch! Kid’s Eat Complimentary off the Kid’s Menu. And a special treat for adults, $6 Gluwien – A warm spice wine – a gift from the Grinch! It’s your last chance to make it on Santa’s Good List!  Don’t miss it! *Reservations recommended

3:00pm-5:00pm: Winter Holiday Shadow Puppet Show & Workshop at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW Washington, DC 20001)
Come join Kimberley Rose & Julie Rue at BloomBars, for an all-ages, Winter Holiday shadow puppet show! There will be special performances of classic holiday stories and songs and then your child will learn how to make shadow puppets and animate them to music! Materials will be provided, however, please bring child proof scissors for your child if you have them. Hope to see you there! $10 per child/adult team.

Weekend Picks: December 9-11

Nationals Winterfest is at the Washington Convention Center Saturday & Sunday from 11:30am-4:00pm. Join for Nats Winterfest, returning December 10 and 11 to the Washington Convention Center. Winterfest will again feature two days of fun! Activities include: Clinics with Nationals players and coaches, watch a Homerun Derby featuring the Nationals mascots, make a snow fort, participate in the steal home challenge and take batting practice, hear a winter or baseball themed story, read by a Nationals player, participate in the Kids Press Conferences, sign up for 2017 season Jr. Nats Kids Club memberships at the Jr. Nationals Kids Club Kiosk, ride down The Slider, a giant slide reminiscent of a sledding hill and a “Video Pitch”, where fans can give virtual batters their best pitch.

2015 Nationals Winterfest
(2015 Nationals Winterfest)

You are sure to find lots to do with our guide for getting outdoors this holiday season.

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is happening at Dulles Expo Center December 9-11. A great festival to find gifts, treats, hear live music, see demos and children’s entertainment.

Great Train and Toy Show at Dulles Expo Center is Saturday & Sunday from 10:00am-4:00pm. Operating model railroads, tables of trains for sale, workshops, door prizes and more. Kids are free.

Friday & Saturday NSO Pops: A Holiday Pops! featuring Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana will play at The Kennedy Center. Warm your spirit with fresh takes on comforting classics and singalong carols in this NSO Pops tradition–this year featuring The Washington Chorus alongside Broadway stars Laura Osnes (Grease) and Santino Fontana (Disney’s Frozen). Most enjoyed by age 9 and up. Approximately 2 hours, including one 15-minute intermission.

Saturday-

10:00am: Polar Express Pajama Party at Angelika Mosaic
(2911 District Ave. Fairfax, VA)
No need to dress the kids today. Show up in jammies for a showing of the Polar Express. Concession stand will serve hot cocoa and cookies.

11:00am-3:00pm: EdFest 2016
(DC Armory:2001 East Capitol St SE)
My School DC is excited to bring you EdFEST, DC’s only citywide public school fair! Come to EdFEST and explore the city’s many public school options (PK3-12) for your child. Representatives from DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC public charter schools will showcase their programs. With the launch of the My School DC common lottery application on December 12, EdFEST is a timely event to help you make informed school selections for the 2017-18 school year common lottery. EdFEST will also feature many free services and fun activities for the whole family:Flu shots for adults, health services for kids and teens, and lots more family fun, games and entertainment brought to you by the DC Department of Health. Sports activities for all brought to you by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, including information about DPR Fun Days, Winter and Spring Break Camps, Cooperative Play, and story time with DC Public Library.

11:30am-3:00pm: Italian Holiday Festival at American Art Museum Renwick Gallery
(8th & F St)
There’s no place like SAAM for the holidays. To celebrate the vibrant culture of Italy, Simona Rodano returns as The Italian Fairy to engage kids with the beauty of her native language. Along with winter-themed crafts and holiday photo ops, she’ll be joined by The Washington School of Ballet and Faction of Fools Theatre Company, for a festival with all the Italian flair you’ll need to get in the spirit of this joyful season.

11:00am-4:00pm: Holiday Card Workshop at National Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20002)
Kick off the holiday season by creating heartfelt handmade cards at the National Postal Museum’s annual Holiday Card Workshop! We’ll have pretty papers, vintage stamps from around the world and lots of other supplies to inspire your creativity as you create one-of-a-kind holiday greetings. After making your cards, visit the museum’s stamp store to send the cards to your loved ones with a special Postal Museum postmark. This fun program offers something for all ages who love arts & crafts activities.

11:00am (doors open at 10:30am): Rockin In A Rainbow Wonderland Holiday Show and Toy Drive! at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave Vienna, VA, 22180)
Are you ready to rock around the rainbow tree? Join the Rainbow Rock Band and ring in the holiday season by singing along to many of your holiday favorites!! Winners of a Parents’ Choice Fun Stuff Award for their debut CD, “Meet the Rainbow,” an absolute mix of musical genres from folk, to rock, to rockabilly, all the while being EDUCATIONAL and FUN!!! Your child will learn about shapes, colors, movement, and more! The Rainbow Rock Band encourages all of the rainbow rockers to participate in the show either on the microphone or at their seat, either way your little one is sure to have fun!

12:00pm (Also a concert Sunday at 4:00pm): Cathedral Choral Society: Family Joy at National Cathedral
(3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington DC 20016)
Bring the whole family and get swept up in the sounds of the season! This one-hour program has something for all ages, including a kids-only sing-along. Purchase tickets here.

4:00pm-7:00pm: Winter’s Eve at Glen Echo
(7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD 20812)
Celebrate the holiday season at the Park’s annual Winter’s Eve event. Enjoy FREE activities including holiday crafts, sing-alongs, story-telling, open studios, and a hot chocolate bar. Browse and buy fine artworks at the Holiday Art Show and artist studios.

6:00pm: Target Family Night: Michael Hearst presents Songs for Unusual Creatures
(2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566)
Composer, multi-instrumentalist, and writer Michael Hearst presents a special music program featuring some of Earth’s strangest animals and interesting, uncommon instruments.

Sunday-

9:30am-3:30pm: Eastern Market Holiday Celebrations
(225 Seventh Street, SE Washington, DC 20003)
See schedule for juggler, crafts, tree decorating and more event and activity times.

 

Many theatre productions you can see this weekend!

Holiday tea in and around Washington, DC

Check out our updated post for Holiday Tea in 2018!

Holidays are a time for creating memories, whether it be continuing a family tradition or beginning new ones. I’ve been lucky enough to go to a few high teas, my favorites was at The Plaza Hotel in New York with my best friend followed by a Holiday Tea at the Willard Intercontinental with family. My daughter is still too young to go to a holiday tea; we’ve got a few more years. For those of you looking to take your Bambinos or go without kids here’s a list of some places in our area that you can enjoy some tea and crumpets.

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(Photo: Minitime.com)

Attached to Tysons II with lots of festive décor. Served Friday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., as part of the regularly served Afternoon $36 per Person (for our guests under age 12)

They offer a Kids Dessert Tea Tour as well as high tea and various other kids events like O’Kids Playdates.

Join in December for Holiday Afternoon Tea, one of The Willard’s most cherished holiday traditions. Seated in the grandeur of Peacock Alley, among the festive decor and elegant sounds of the live harp, guests can enjoy a tantalizing array of festive teas, sandwiches and pastries. Holiday Afternoon Tea is offered daily from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. throughout December, excluding December 1, 2, 3, 24, 25 and 31st. Reservations are required. $52 per adult, $22 for children 5-12 years of age. Children under 5 dine complimentary.

The soothing sounds of local musicians fill the room, as you enjoy Afternoon Tea in the cozy atmosphere of The Shapiro Music Room at Strathmore. They do hold special events around various holidays so check their schedule to plan ahead.

Saturday & Sunday afternoons they have an expansive tea service but also have a “Teddy Bear Tea” which is $16 per person, Selection of Children’s Tea Sandwiches, Sweet Plate-Pastry Chef’s Choice of the Day and Hot Chocolate.

Not holiday specific, however afternoon tea is served on Sundays. Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged.

Has many tea inspired events you can sign your kids up for. Including but not limited to Little Ladies Afternoon Fairy Tea, Toddler Tea and Tea with Santa Claus.

Enjoy a special dining experience with a variety of dainty tea sandwiches and assorted sweet treats. Several dates for Holiday Tea and Santa events.

Situated within Tyson Corner I mall with access to Santa, an ice skating rink, Pottery Barn Kids, the Disney Store and over-the-top holiday decorations! Great value for the price! See a guest review on an afternoon at Tysons.

Every Saturday afternoon in December: $38 per child 4 to 12 years of age, children under 4 years of age dine for free. See menu online

Hotels that offer tea service (not necessarily holiday themed)

The Jefferson

The Mayflower

Park Hyatt Washington

The St. Regis

 

Outdoor fun in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia

We’ve pulled together some great outdoor options for you and your Bambinos in the Washington, DC area. This is not an exhaustive list of ALL places outdoors to play and visit. Instead, it’s a running (constantly being updated) list of out-of-the-box options to head to. Please add your suggestions to the comments below and we’ll keep building! Be sure and scroll all the way to the bottom for some already written content that includes outdoor fun.

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Washington, DC-

The Yards Park– (355 Water Street SE Washington DC 20003)
Come experience DC’s new waterfront destination and centerpiece of the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood! Located just south of Capitol Hill and to the east of Nationals Ballpark, this thoughtfully designed park is a place to be active or relax and enjoy the outdoors. At the Yards Park you’ll find open grassy areas and well-landscaped outdoor rooms, a waterfall and canal-like water feature, an elevated overlook, an iconic bridge and light sculpture, terraced performance venue, and a riverfront boardwalk.
[Read more…]

Weekend Picks

Many places take a break around this time of year, but there’s still plenty to do. Be sure and visit Zoo Lights and catch a holiday show! We’ve got plenty of holiday festivities and ice rink info here.

Ice! Featuring Santa Claus is Coming to Town is still going on at The Gaylord National Harbor. Guests can walk-through holiday attraction, kept at a chilly 9 degrees, marvel at two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculpture, have fun on five ice slides, walk and see the 7 individual rooms depicting the story of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and see The Frostbite Factory – a live carving zone.

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[Read more…]

Weekend Picks

Experience the Mall Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, to celebrate the season with Smithsonian. We’ve got special events galore to help you get in the holiday spirit, including musical performances, book signings, trunk shows, activities for kids, and more!  Participating museums include: National Museum of American History, National Museum of Air and Space, National Museum of Natural History, Freer Gallery of Art and Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of African American Art, National Postal Museum, and The Smithsonian Castle. Hours are 10:30am-5:30pm and the Holiday Festival is free.

This weekend Baltimore will be having Dollar or Less Days. Many of your favorite spots will only be $1 for admission. Get there early as lines will be long but they’ll move fast. Check the above link for participating places. See our post on Baltimore for ideas of other places to go.

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Ice! Featuring Santa Claus is Coming to Town is still going on at The Gaylord National Harbor. Guests can walk-through holiday attraction, kept at a chilly 9 degrees, marvel at two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculpture, have fun on five ice slides, walk and see the 7 individual rooms depicting the story of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and see The Frostbite Factory – a live carving zone.

Home Sweet Home Gingerbread  Workshop at National Building Museum is Saturday and Sunday. Get in the holiday spirit and construct a gingerbread house at the National Building Museum. Participants will learn how to use gingerbread walls and royal icing to build a house. We’ll provide the supplies and treats to make your gingerbread home as sweet as can be. Register online!

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‘Tis the Circus! A Holiday Party on High presented by Sweet Spot Aerial Productions at Atlas Performing Arts Friday-Sunday. The holidays can be a circus – quite literally, at this holiday party! As the guests arrive, one couple’s living room is transformed as acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and other performers dazzle with spectacular routines celebrating the magic of the holiday season. Fun for the whole family – prepare to be delighted, amazed and inspired. A unique and new holiday tradition. All ages. [Read more…]

Adventure Theatre presents A Lump of Coal for Christmas

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What: A Lump of Coal for Christmas at Adventure Theatre

When: November 20, 2015 – December 31, 2015

Where: Adventure Theatre
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812

Why: Get into the holiday spirit by teaching your children what coal is, maybe they’ll be on their best behavior until the holidays are over (or at least for the day). Audience members will come to love the main character, a lump of coal as she has big dreams of doing something with her life. She sings and dances her way throughout multiple, humorous encounters with people who turn her down. She has an amazing voice which turns traditional holiday tunes into fun and quirky lyrics having to do with the experiences she comes across. She meets a theatre director, a Cook, and a Gallery Owner before she finds her way into Rufus’ stocking.

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Rufus is a child who is left home with his disinterested Uncle until his family returns home from an emergency. Children will relate to Rufus as he is excited Christmas is the next day and hopes to carry on his Christmas Eve traditions, his uncle not-so-much. Uncle Otis gives Rufus a copy of Don Quixote to keep him busy while he leaves for work. His imagination quickly leads him to illustrating the book and bringing the words to life. A Lump of Coal for Christmas is just what Rufus (and the lump of coal) need to have a happy Christmas!

Details:
Running time is 1 hour with no intermissions.

Tickets can be purchased here. Price is $19.50.

Adventure Theatre is collecting stuffed stockings for children who need holiday cheer this season.  Click here for the full scoop.

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(All Photo credit: Michael Horan)

 

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