Beltway Bambinos

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

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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JACK and Phil, Slayers of Giants-INC. at Imagination Stage

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What: JACK and Phil, Slayers of Giants-INC.

When: February 3, 2016-March 13, 2016

Where: Imagination Stage
4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD. 20814

Why:
In this contemporary, tongue-in-cheek adaptation of the classic fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack is a sporty, popular kid whose mother is facing foreclosure on their house. Jack enlists Phil, his smart yet nerdy neighbor, to accompany him to a pawnbroker to trade in his Grandfather’s gold watch for quick cash. Instead, the boys are paid in magic beans, and soon enough, a beanstalk grows tall with golden eggs, a harp, and a Giant’s home waiting at the top! After discovering the treasures, Jack becomes an overnight TV sensation, but his failure to acknowledge Phil’s help threatens the boys’ friendship, and very nearly leads to disaster when the Giant decides to come down from the beanstalk.

Not only will your Bambinos be entertained by the talented performers but they will also learn the value of friendships. The adventure the boys go on is fun and thrilling. The Giant stays behind a big door the entire time so have no fear. Each time the Giant makes an appearance you’re sure to hear laughter from the crowd as he has some tricks up his sleeve. Go home and re-read the classic fairy tale together and compare it with the play.

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Details:
Running time is 75 minutes with one intermission.

Tickets can be purchased here. Price are $10-$30.

ASL-interpreted: February 21 at 4:00 p.m.

Sensory-Friendly: February 28 at 11:00 a.m.

Special Saturday Night Performance: March 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Join us before the show to craft your own mini magic beanstalk!

(Photo credits: Margot Schulman)

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 + MLK Jr Day

Saturday-

9:00am-4:00pm: Bei Bei the Panda’s Debut at The National Zooth
(3001 Connecticut Ave. NW)
Giant panda cub Bei Bei will go on public exhibit for the first time! The panda house will open at 9am and those interested should enter at the Asia Trail entrance across from the Visitor Center. Please note: Cub viewing is not guaranteed. Animal behavior, weather, and other factors may affect viewing.
[Read more…]

Weekend Picks

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Washington Nationals will host Winterfest this weekend at The Convention Center. Test your skills at a variety of baseball attractions and game. Transform yourself into a human snowball in the Steal Home Challenge. Jump into a giant stocking and slide down the “The Slider”. Strike a pose at the life-size snow globe photo station. Take a photo with Santa. Donate a toy to a child in need*. And much, much more! Tickets are; Adults: $30 per ticket, Kids, ages 4-12: $20 per ticket, Kids, ages 3 & under: Free. Open to public 11:30am-4:00pm, other times for season ticket holders.

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. [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…]

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