John Henry

Ultimate Guide to Halloween in and around Washington, DC

October 11, 2018

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

October 9, 2017

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: Paper Lanterns, Innovation Festival and The Amazing Max

October 30, 2014

Take a break from the candy eating and check out most of these sugar-free activities! Remember to turn your clocks back for Daylight Savings Time on Sunday and read our post on how to spend the darker afternoons.

Saturday-

9:00am-2:00pm: The Mount Pleasant Children’s Puppet Hour hosts Paper Lantern Making at La Casa
(3166 Mount Pleasant Street Washington, DC)
We create lanterns by collaging tissue paper and other things onto pre-built paper lanterns. It makes a good activity for even the youngest kids (with grown-up help!) but it also allows a lot of creativity and craft and is great for older kids and adults. Lantern-making supplies, including battery-powered lights – will cost $5 per lantern. Lantern walk is at 5:30pm, see below.

10:00am: John Henry the Guitar Playing Man will perform at Avalon Theater
Costume party and live children’s music! Performing for the 10th year in a row, John Henry once again brings his playful musical style to the Avalon’s annual Halloween party. Children of all ages welcome! $6.50 / $5 for Avalon members.

10:00am-5:00pm: Innovation Festival at National Air and Space Museum
(Independence Ave at 6th St, SW Washington, DC 20560)
Join us for a festival for the whole family that celebrates the accomplishments of American inventors and the spirit of innovation that has led to so many of today’s technologies. Exhibits, crafts, talks, and performances will showcase ingenuity at the Smithsonian and across America. Meet inventors and the patent examiners who worked with them on their inventions, hear directly from experts about how an idea is molded into a working product, and try your hand at making your own invention.

10:30am: Rocknoceros 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.

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 Five Little Pumpkins. Best for ages 1 month-3 years. Tickets can be purchased here.

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