Beltway Bambinos

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

Weekday Adventures: Mr. Gabe at the Farm and a Haunted Halloween

The kids are living for Friday! With Halloween being on a Friday, we have the longest celebrating to do, with two weekends of parties and parades. But, don’t forget about the apple and pumpkin picking– here’s the guide!  The weather this week looks amazing so take advantage of the festivities. 

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Monday-

9:30am-11:00am: Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds! Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under. This week Jessica “Culture Queen” Smith is a Master Teaching & Performance Artist who creates fun and cultural experiences for your royal children!

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

10:30am-11:00am: Songs and stories at Politics and Prose
(5015 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008)
Come sing-along to your favorite songs. Grab a treat in the cafe afterwards or hang out reading books.

11:00am and 12:00pm: Mr. Gabe at Cox Farms  Cox_farms_fall_festival
(15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA 20120)
A perfect way to explore a new farm and fall festival. The farm opens at 10:00am so get there early to play and then catch the concert(s).

[Read more…]

Weekday Adventures: Starry, Starry Night, Owl-O-Ween and Boo at the Zoo

This week has all of our usual fun activities but near the end of the week Halloween festivities will begin! Get those finishing touches on those costumes!

Monday-

9:30am-11:00am- Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds! Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under. This week Marsha Goodman-Wood,  a D C-based singer/songwriter and music teacher will perform. 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.

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

10:30am-11:00am: Songs and stories at Politics and Prose
(5015 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008)
Come sing-along to your favorite songs. Grab a treat in the cafe afterwards or hang out reading books.

 

[Read more…]

Weekday Adventures: Rock out with Rocknoceros and Old School Pre-School

A 3-day weekend for some and a 4-day weekend for others. Either way, enjoy the week with our Adventures below,  watch a show and/or go stock up on your pumpkins.

Monday-

9:30am-11:00am- Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds! Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under. This week Culture Queen will be there to perform and storytell.

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

10:00am: Columbus Day with Rocnoceros at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
As every family with youngsters in the DC area knows, Rocknoceros (pronounced like rhinoceros) is three guys: Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie. They have been making award-winning music for the whole family since 2005. Tickets are $5.

10:30am-11:00am: Songs and stories at Politics and Prose
(5015 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008)
Come sing-along to your favorite songs. Grab a treat in the cafe afterwards or hang out reading books.

11:00am: Columbus Day Ceremony
(Union Station Plaza, Massachusetts Ave. & 1st St. Washington DC)
Washington, DC honors and celebrates the achievements of Christopher Columbus each year with a national wreath laying ceremony on Columbus Day. Embassies of Italy and Spain and the general public lay wreaths at the base of the Columbus Memorial Statue located at Union Station.

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Weekend Picks: Columbia Heights Day, Fall Festival at American Art Museum and Groovy Nate

In our house we are officially counting down to Halloween (as I’m sure most of you are as well). It helps that there are so many opportunities in our area to wear our costumes and have some Fall Fun. Check our Tricks and Treats post to find what else is going on this weekend!

Saturday-

10:30am: Saturday Morning with Groovy Nate
(227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA.)
Groovy Nate is a children’s performer who blends music, puppetry, movement, and comedy into one groovy experience! The shows expose participants to various genres of music and encourage them to move, sing, and play creatively with one another. Doors open at 10:00am. Tickets are $8.

10:30am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Ave, 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. Featured story today is Old MacDonald Had a Farm. Best for ages 1 month-3 years. Tickets can be purchased here.

11:00am-6:00pm: Columbia Heights Day
(On 11th St NW (from Park Rd to Kenyon St NW) & Harriet Tubman School Yard)
A fun, one-day annual festival to celebrate the neighborhood of Columbia Heights. The festival highlights the local businesses and artists, and it has several activities to entertain all ages. Ranging from eating contests, local musicians, a dunk tank, face painters, an adult tricycle race, family fun field day, and much much more – Columbia Heights Day will entertain you and leave you cherishing the wonderful neighborhood of Columbia Heights! Click here for the schedule of performances.

11:30am-3:00pm: Fall Family Festival at American Art Museum
(Kogod Courtyard, 8th and G street NW, Washington DC 20004)
Celebrate the changing seasons with stilt walkers, ghost stories, and a performance by the Banjo Man, Frank Cassel. Enjoy fall-themed craft activities like leaf rubbings or a scavenger hunt to find autumn scenes in the museum’s galleries. Performances  at 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. on stage.

 

Sunday-

FreightTrain210:00am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Ave, 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. Featured story today is Freight Train. Best for ages 1-3. Tickets can be purchased here.

Weekday Adventures: National Postal Museum Story time and Explore The Kreeger Museum

The weather made a drastic turn this weekend but this pregnant Mama continued to satisfy her YogiBerry craving. We did however unpack our fleeces and vests from the attic so we could enjoy the weekend a little warmer. Have you been to any of the Orchards or Fall Festivals on our list? The weather has us in the Fall mood and ready to choose the perfect pumpkins.

DC Library Kid Events schedule can be found here. There’s an exciting Morning Glory Series at Rosedale, Wordless Book Story Time at West End and Hispanic Heritage events at various libraries.

Monday-

9:30am-11:00am- Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds! Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under. This week The Singing Lizard will be there to rock out.

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

10:30am: Story time at The National Postal Museum DgAxQ1noPWLBba7VlWqoZwB7
(2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002- Byrne Education Loft, Mezzanine Level)
The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum invites adults and young children (ages 2-3) to discover the world around them together at monthly Story Time. Children will build important developmental and social skills through books, activities, songs, and self-guided gallery exploration. Explore themes, such as shapes, colors, and sizes, in a relaxed setting at your neighborhood museum. Feel free to bring snacks and enjoy the space after the program!

10:30am-11:00am: Songs and stories at Politics and Prose
(5015 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008)
Come sing-along to your favorite songs. Grab a treat in the cafe afterwards or hang out reading books.

11:00am and 12:00pm: Mr. Gabe at Cox Farms
(15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA 20120)
A perfect way to explore a new farm and fall festival. The farm opens at 10:00am so get there early to play and then catch the concert(s).

[Read more…]

Weekday Adventures: A kid-friendly Oktoberfest, Fall Frolic and tunes by Mr. Gabe

Thursday-Sunday you can check out the 19th annual Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest. Check out the Kinder Korner schedule so you don’t miss anything. Musical performances, carnival rides and so much more.

A trip to the farm or orchard is a perfect way to break up the week. Check out some local fall festivals to head to. After all,  you need to start to decorate your home with pumpkins and begin baking with all of those apples.

DC Library Events for Kids can be found here.

Monday-

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

10:30am-11:00am: Songs and stories at Politics and Prose
(5015 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008)
Come sing-along to your favorite songs. Grab a treat in the cafe afterwards or hang out reading books.

11:00am and 12:00pm: Mr. Gabe at Cox Farms aba46d79c4b8f4b2b9c0da3348a4702d_400x400
(15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA 20120)
A perfect way to explore a new farm and fall festival. The farm opens at 10:00am so get there early to play and then catch the concert(s).

Tuesday-

10:00am and 11:00am: Mr. Gabe at Takoma Park Maryland Library
(101 Philadelphia Ave. Takoma Park, Md. 20912)
Join the catchy and entertaining Mr. Gabe for “Community Circle Time” for 2 free shows. Become a member of the library while you’re there, if not one already or just stay and read with your little one.

10:00am: Tudor Tots: Fall Frolic
(1644 31st Street, NW Washington, DC , DC 20007)
Tudor Place has enchanted young children for 200 years. Experience it yourself Tuesday mornings, as you meet to read, sing, and play in the gardens and historic spaces. This family-friendly program offers a new theme each week, from “adventurous animals” to “growing gardens” and more. Children will participate in interactive read-alouds, songs, and themed movements related to the week’s topic, sharing a tranquil setting with the grown-ups who care for them. Sign up for one class or all of the classes that run through November 25. Parents/caregivers remain with children.

[Read more…]

Weekday Adventures: Summer festivals, The Singing Lizard leaps around and movie nights

The Chautauqua Festival is an free, eight-day (June 21-28) family oriented arts and music festival held each year in Elizabeth Brown Park in Downtown Wytheville, VA. Uno, Dos, Tres Con Andres is playing on Wednesday at 10:30am. Road trip anyone?  Smithsonian Folklife Festival is also happening on the National Mall beginning on Wednesday. 

Looking to escape the warmer temperatures this week? There are some new theatre performances in town. Out theatre roundup has the details you need. 

 DC Parks and Rec have turned on all spray parks and pools!  Check them out to cool off. 

Monday-

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

9:30am-11:00am- Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds! Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under.Today’s featured artist is The Singing Lizard. 

Tuesday-  

10:00am: Rocking Tot Tuesdays with The Singing Lizard at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
Grab an instrument, get on stage or practice your moves on the dance floor. This is a perfect spot for your little one to move and groove. Suggested donation $7.

[Read more…]

Weekday Adventures: Frogs, Camping & Sky Watching

Hope all the Dads out there had a nice Father’s Day! We had a fun afternoon at the Bowie Baysox game. It’s a close drive from DC and on Fridays and Saturdays they have fireworks. Check it out, baseball fans.

Have a great week. We are counting down the days until DC turns on spray at playgrounds during the week, which will be June 23! 

Monday-

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

9:30am-11:00am- Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds! Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under.Today’s featured artist 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.

Tuesday-  

10:00am: Rocking Tot Tuesdays with The Singing Lizard at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
Grab an instrument, get on stage or practice your moves on the dance floor. This is a perfect spot for your little one to move and groove. Suggested donation $7.

[Read more…]

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