Beltway Bambinos

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

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    • 15 family friendly hikes
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  • Beltway Bambinos Concierge
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  • 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

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

June 22, 2014

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…]

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Filed Under: Weekday Adventures Tagged: art, bloombars, campfire, Jammin Java, movies, music, story time

Weekend Picks: Dance, eat and have a good weekend!

June 19, 2014

Have a baseball fan but don’t want to take the family to Nats Stadium? Check out Bethesda Big Train, a summer collegiate league.  The stadium is located at  10600 Westlake Drive, Bethesda, MD 20852

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Saturday-

10:30am-11:15am: 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 (Down by the Bay) 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. Tickets are $6.

10:30am: Junior Jams present Oh Susannah!
(FNDTN Gallery and Liveroom, 3762 Howard Ave., Kensington, MD)
Weary of the Wiggles? Oh Susannah (Susan McNelis) provides a very welcome alternative. Kids love her music, a tasty blend of familiar favorites and lively originals perfect for singing and dancing along. Parents love her music for the unusual arrangements, clever lyrics and beautiful vocals. $6 in advance/$8 at door.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: art, baseball, bbq, festival, magic, movies, music

Weekday Adventures: Salamanders, Kings, Queens and Barefoot Puppets

June 1, 2014

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 master educator, musician, and storyteller,   Bashea “Iya ” Imana .  “Iya & the Kuumba Kids” is  an interactive, hands-on, fun-filled time. Iya masterfully blends music & movement with storytelling, eco-friendly arts & crafts, and puppetry. This educational program for children fosters a love for learning and promotes literacy, critical thinking, respect for the environment, character development, and creativity. 

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekday Adventures Tagged: bloombars, Boogie Babes, Hike, imaginative, Montgomery County, music, outdoor, portrait gallery, theatre

Weekend Picks: Bait a hook, Choo-Choo biketrain and carousels

May 29, 2014

After the rain we will welcome a sunny weekend. Lots to do outdoors, enjoy a festival or two, a bike ride or a fishing excursion and top the weekend off at the Nats game or watching Finding Nemo. 

Saturday-

8:30am-10:30am: Black Hill Boats hosts Kids Fishing Day at Little Seneca Lake
(20920 Lake Ridge Drive Boyds, MD 20841)
Participants will learn to bait a hook with worms, put their line in the water and pull in fish. Prizes for kids who catch the biggest, smallest and greatest number of fish. Ages 3-15, $8. Register online for Montgomery ParkPASS #268199.

9:30am: Choo choo! Take the Kidical Mass Biketrain to Tour de Fat
(2801 8th St NE, Washington, DC 20017)
Tour de Fat is a wacky, whimsical and family friendly festival and celebration of bicycling. Tour de Fat is FREE and open to the public. The day is jam-packed with live music and entertainment, local vendors, interactive bicycle activities, and of course beer! And what more fun for the kids; costumes are strongly encouraged–they’ll be bringing bike decorating supplies to help you make a statement with your bike!

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10:00am-11:00pm: Herndon Festival
(777 Lynn Street, Herndon, VA 20170)
Carnival, vendors, fireworks and a 5/10K race. There is also a Children’s area with hands-on activities including a model train display and live entertainment.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: baseball, bike, boat, campfire, carousel, fair, festival, fish, folk, Montgomery County, movie, music, Nationals, play, symphony

Free Summer Movies and Music in and around DC

May 23, 2014

Disclaimer: This is a list of child friendly and adult friendly movies. As you will see some of these don’t begin until sunset so perhaps it’s a late summer evening for some kids or a date night for parents. Have fun watching some free movies this summer.

Bethesda-movie-night

Bethesda Outdoor Movies
(Woodmont Triangle, Corner of Norfolk & Auburn Avenues)

Enjoy five nights of free blockbuster hits at downtown Bethesda’s 9th annual outdoor movie series. Show times begin at 9pm at the corner of Norfolk and Auburn Avenues. A limited number of chairs will be provided and attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs. A date night in the works as most of these are not kid-friendly or at least for the littlest ones. 

July 22: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
July 23: Moonrise Kingdom
July 24: Citizen Kane
July 25: Pitch Perfect
July 26: Top Gun

 

NoMa Family Film Night

(Sursum Corda Plaza, L and First Streets, NW)

Now in its fourth year, the NoMa BID is proud to present Family Film Night at Sursum Corda, where families and children gather for free family-centric movies (also fitting the ‘Unlikely Friendships’ theme) and free food. Family Film Night will take place on four Tuesdays this summer.

June 24: WALL-E (G) at 7:00 pm
July 8: Frozen (PG) at 7:00 pm
July 22: The Lego Movie (PG) at 7:00 pm
Aug 5: Despicable Me 2 (PG) at 7:00 pm

NoMa Summer Screen
(field at Second and L Streets, NE)

For adults, check out NoMa Summer Screen for Date Night Movies. NoMa Summer Screen is a free, 13-week outdoor film series in NoMa, Washington, D.C.’s fastest growing neighborhood. Every Wednesday from May 28 to August 20, bring your friends, family and neighbors at the field at Second and L Streets, NE, for music, giveaways, food trucks, picnicking, and of course, great films under the stars. Movies start at dark and are screened with subtitles. Coolers, children and friendly (leashed) dogs are welcome. We encourage moviegoers to bring blankets, Frisbees, and picnic coolers to connect with friends and neighbors as you enjoy great films under the stars. Follow us on Twitter @NoMaBID or Facebook for weather updates, surprise giveaways, weekly activities, and information on food vendor specials. Kick’s off with Back to the Future on May 28.

Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor463152784_640
(165 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745)

Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. The 2014 season runs from Sunday, May 25th through Sunday, September 28th beginning at 6:00 until 9:00. Meet at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of ocean breezes and all-ages fun! Bring your lawn chairs, snacks and enjoy the show!

Just a few highlights- see full schedule:
May 25: Up
June 1: Finding Nemo
June 22: The Parent Trap
June 29: The Princess Diaries
July 13: Wizard of Oz
July 20: Willy Wonka
July 27: Annie
Sept 7: Finding Neverland
Sept 14: Peter Pan (1953)
Sept 21: Peter Pan (2003)
Sept 28: Hook

Crystal Screen

(1851 S Bell St, Arlington, VA 22202)

The Crystal City BID hosts a free outdoor film festival every Monday in the summer. With the help of Moonflicks, a courtyard in Crystal City is transformed into a movie theater. There is no better place to meet friends, bring a picnic, and enjoy an evening under the stars. Theme this year is In Flight and we don’t see many child-friendly flicks, unfortunately. On the bright side, this could be another date night spot this summer!

June 2:  Airplane!
June 9:  Drop Zone
June 16:  Planes, Trains & Automobiles
June 23:  Red Eye
June 30:  Top Gun
July 7:  Hot Shots!
July 14:  Up in the Air
July 21:  Con Air
July 28: Iron Eagle
Aug 4: Red Tails
Aug 11:  Executive Decision
Aug 18:  Flight
Aug 25: Snakes on a Plane

Cinema Del Ray 10342502_769961849702431_3706484477222978982_n
(Mount Vernon Rec Center: 2017 Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307) 

The fun begins at 7:00pm. Free open air movie showings sponsored by Jen Walker. Snacks are even available for purchase, bring blankets and cozy up.

June 21: Despicable Me 2
July 19: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
Aug 16: The Lego Movie


Canal Park
(Canal Park, at 2nd and M St., SE- Navy Yard Metro)

Beginning at sundown/8:45pm which is probably too late for the littlest family members but perhaps your teenagers can attend. Thursday evenings bring a lawn chair and have fun watching the kids (or jointing in) as they play wii on the big screen or trivia until the movie begins., If there are any little ones in tote, last year there were plenty of hula hooping going on. Bring a lawn chair to this movie!

June 5: The Sandlot (PG)
June 12: Happy Gilmore (PG-13)
June 19: Dodgeball (PG-13)
June 26: Wimbledon (PG-13)
July 3: No Movie – Holiday Weekend
July 10: Balls of Fury (PG-13)
July 17: Space Jam (PG)
July 24: Invincible (PG)
July 31: Bend it Like Beckham (PG-13)
Aug 7: Rudy (PG)
Aug 14: A League of Their Own (PG)
Aug 21: The Blind Side (PG-13)
Aug 28: No Movie – Holiday Weekend
Sept 4: Moneyball (PG-13)

Movies on the Square
(Rockville Town Square) 

Movie begins around sundown/8:30pm. Bring a lawn chair and family and friends and join us under the stars for some of our favorite blockbusters.

Movie on the Square Schedule:
June 12: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2
June 19: Saving Mr. Banks
June 26: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
July 3: Frozen (Sing-A-Long Version)
July 10: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
July 17: Gravity
July 24: The Great Gatsby (2013)
July 31: The Lego Movie
Aug 7: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Aug 14: Star Trek Into Darkness
Aug 21: Despicable Me 2

music-under-the-stars-reid-park-tucson


Live Music
– 

Strathmore’s Backyard Theatre for Children
(Parking for Backyard Theater is in the Mansion lot on a space-available basis. Enter the lot at 10701 Rockville Pike.)
A summertime favorite, Backyard Theater for Children returns with enough music and magic to thrill kids and parents alike – all outdoors under a big tent! Each artsy experience comes at a wallet-pleasing price of only $8 each ($7.20 Stars Price) and free for ages 2 and under. Bring blankets and a bag lunch!

Recess Monkey- June 26
Mister G: ABC Fiesta- July 10
Story Pirates- July 17
Tim & The Space Cadets- July 24
Asanga Domask/Serendib Dance in Rhythm of Lanka- July 31

Friday Night Live Concert Series
(Rockville Town Square)
Kick off your weekend with live entertainment, great company, and fantastic food, wine and beer from the restaurants at Rockville Town Square from 6:30-9pm 
on the Dawson’s Market Stage. Music ranges from 80’s and 90’s cover bands, funk and soul, roots rock blues and southern rock.

Jazz in the Sculpture Garden 20090522-jazz-450
(7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW)
The Jazz in the Garden Series begins its 14th season in May. The free concert series features jazz artists performing a wide variety of styles—salsa, blues fusion, xylophone, Afrofunk, and more—every Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:30 in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.

National Memorial Day Concert
(West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol)
Sunday, May 25, 2014, 8 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. PBS sponsors a free concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Rockin on the Riverfront
(355 Water Street SE, Washington DC 20003)
Break out your blankets, picnics, and dancing shoes at The Yards Park! 2014’s Friday Night Concert Series is in full swing.

Wolf Trap National ParkWolf-Trap-933x700
(1645 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182)
Sunday, May 25, 2014, 8:00 p.m. Summer Blast Off! “The President’s Own”. The park for performing arts kicks off the summer season with a free performance by the U.S. Marine Band followed by fireworks. The Filene Center gates open at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early because the park closes once capacity is reached.

Rock the Row
(1201 South Joyce St. Arlington, Va. 22202)
This summer get ready to get down at the Pentagon Row concert series. With new bands and a brand new plaza it’s going to be better than ever. Thursday Nights, from 7-9pm, July 17 – Aug 21.

A Capitol Fourth
(West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol) 
More details to follow

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Filed Under: Summer Tagged: DC, live, md, movies, music, outdoor, va

Weekend Picks: Dragon boats, jazz with java and a birthday party

May 16, 2014

Fun things to do this weekend outdoors. Last weekend, our family climbed some rocks and searched for animals hiding at the Billy Goat Trail along the Potomac River. You can strap that baby on your back and your toddler will have a blast climbing the rocks, pretending he is a billy goat. The Mets are also in town trying to beat our Nationals both on Saturday and Sunday. Grab your tickers here and on Saturday you can admire all of the Pups that are invited to the ballpark or on Sunday your children ages 4-12 can run the bases.
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Saturday

8:30am-5:00pm: 13th Annual Dragon Boat Festival at Thompsons Boat Center
(2900 Virginia Ave NW Washington, DC 20007- near the Georgetown Waterfront)
The Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival, now in it’s 13th year, is a two day festival held along the Potomac River complete with cultural exhibitions, craft demonstrations, and of course… dragon boat racing made to look just like dragons. The event is sponsored by the Chinese Women’s League (CWL) and serves to promote Chinese culture to the Washington DC area through the sport of dragon boat racing. Schedule of events here. The kids will enjoy watching the races as well as brushing painting, calligraphy and paper cutting.

10:00am-6:00pm: Gaithersburg Book Festival
(Gaithersburg City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877)
Since its inception in 2010, the Festival has quickly become one of the nation’s top literary events, attracting hundreds of award-winning and best-selling authors, poets and songwriters from across the country to its quaint, park-like setting in the heart of Olde Towne Gaithersburg. In the Children’s Village you will also find a literary sea of activities, workshops and performances brought to us by multiple sponsors. They are designed to engage and stimulate your child’s book curiosity and interest in reading and writing.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: birthday, book, Dragon boat, fiesta, Hike, Imagination Stage, Jammin Java, movie, music, Nationals, portrait gallery, truck

Weekday Adventures: John Henry, the Guitar Playing Man and Squish, Squash, Squirt

May 11, 2014

Hopefully you still have dishes in the sink and laundry to be cleaned because you relaxed today! Lots to do this week both outside and inside.

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. This week Jessica Smith “Culture Queen” is the entertainment.

10:30am: Songs and stories with Isabel Roth at Politics and Prose Bookstore 
(5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008)
The Politics & Prose Children and Teens Department is winding down the spring season of Story Hour! Please join for songs and stories with singer-songwriter Isabel Roth for only a few more weeks. After the show (or before) ake a walk a few doors down to Little Red Fox for an almond croissant, egg sandwich or perhaps an ice cream sandwich. Whichever it is, you’ll leave happy.
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Filed Under: Weekday Adventures Tagged: bloombars, Boogie Babes, Jammin Java, library, Montgomery County, music, National Air and Space Museum, nature, story time, theatre

Weekend Picks: Mom’s picking this weekend =)

May 8, 2014

images10:00am-4:00pm: EU Embassies Open House 2014 
(Various locations)
Experience the best of European Culture without the Jet Lag! The European Union Embassies and the EU Delegation to the United States will open their doors to the public for the annual EU Embassies’ Open House: a day of family fun, food, culture and more. The event offers visitors a rare look inside the embassies and provides a unique opportunity for them to experience the cultural heritage and national traditions of the 28 member countries.

10:00am-6:00pm: Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
(Bethesda Woodmont Triangle, Norfolk Ave., between Auburn and Del Ray Aves., Bethesda, Md)
Delight in fine art created by 130 of the nation’s best artists, live entertainment and Bethesda restaurants. Children’s area will be on Auburn Ave.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: art, asia, embassy, festival, fiesta, garden, music, science, the yards, train, zoo

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