Beltway Bambinos

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    • Fall bucket list
    • Survive Daylight Savings
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    • Holiday Tea
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    • Ski and snowboard
    • Cut-your-own tree
    • Ice rinks and roller rinks
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    • July 4th
    • Ice cream
    • Sunflower Fields
    • Summer bucket list
    • Live outdoor music
    • Outdoor movies
    • Outdoor swimming pools
    • Splash parks
    • Trains!
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    • Spring classes
    • Summer camps
    • Mid-winter break camps
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    • 15 family friendly hikes
    • Pick your own fruit and vegetables
    • Beaches and state parks
    • Outdoor fun
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    • 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: Wise tails, rocking tots and Rosie Revere

May 4, 2014

We spent our weekend entirely outdoors in the company of other families at area festivals we featured in the Weekend Picks.

Butler’s Orchard is open and berry season is here.  They are open daily from 10-5 so if nothing below strikes your attention go berry picking with your bambino! Don’t forget to check out our Ongoing Events page for theatre showtimes.

images

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 “Iya & the Kuumba Kids” will be there to rock out.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekday Adventures Tagged: birds, bloombars, Boogie Babes, Family friendly, Jammin Java, kreeger, magic, Montgomery County, music, National Air and Space Museum, nature, orchard, singing lizard, theatre

Weekend Picks: Flowers, festivals and funk FTW

May 2, 2014

It’s May AND Friday!!! Not sure which I’m more excited about the prospect of warmer (and drier) weather upon us or having Daddy home all weekend to help and play with the toddler. Note the first 2 picks start today (Friday). With the arrival of May comes Azalea Festivals and Flower Marts you’re sure to bring something home to brighten up the yard or a nauseous child that’s been on one too many rides. Either way this weekend is one we love because it offers so many choices. Get out and enjoy a few of them.

May 2-3 (10:00am-5:00pm): National Cathedral Flower Mart
(Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin & Massachusetts Aves., NW., Washington, DC)
Attend the 75th year for the Flower Mart which benefits the Cathedral’s gardens and grounds. You can admire many flowers and there will also be garden tours, musical performances and delicious food. And for your kids, well there is enough to keep them busy too; rock wall, moon bounce, ferris wheel and a carousel.

May 2-4 from 10:00am-5:00pm: Landon School Azalea Garden Festival Main_Page
(6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817)
Enjoy this wonderful azalea festival while strolling the gorgeous land Landon sits on. Bearly Used is an enormous tag sale during the Azalea Garden Festival that offers deals on gently used treasures. There is a huge FunLand that will entertain your child for hours, live music including a Jazz Festival and food vendors. All proceeds from the festival support student financial assistance and faculty enrichment. General admission and parking are free. Schedule of events found here.

May 2-4 (various times): A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Adventure Theatre P3Kj957kteYW9MR2bDQFQ5fjy2nAIcByVcuLdYxMuQD-9QDQwii_sU1gN29KYAW6rVxDvYnHgWYTs0JBoRU_ZWFVYpe7vKoZfACkaTN0m9pnILgrh42P7L2-80A=s0-d-e1-ft
(7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, was written around 1594 or 95. It portrays the adventures of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with woodland fairies and a duke and duchess. Taking place in a mythical Athens and an enchanted forest, there is a handsome fairy king, a misguided parent, star-crossed lovers, a weaver who’s transformed into a half-donkey, wood sprites and elves. This work is widely performed around the world, and no wonder – it’s about the world’s most popular pastime, falling in love. But as Puck knows, falling in love can make fools of us all. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Find tickets here. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: airplane, azalea, concert, family, festival, fiesta, flower, market, music, rocket, theatre, truck

Weekend Picks: The disco is back, rock out at the Kingman Island Festival and puppeteers in action

April 24, 2014

We’ve highlighted some exciting events going on in our area this weekend. A weekend sure to please everyone and keep you busy. In case you want to get indoors and see a show check out our ongoing events page for showtimes. Also, it’s the last weekend The Natural History Museum will have the dinosaurs on display. Go see them before they are gone for a few years for renovations and updates. 

Saturday-

8:30am-6:00pm: A Day out with Thomas at B & O Railroad 14DOWT_Verticall-120
(901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223)
Little Engineers won’t believe their eyes–or their ears! For the first time ever at Day Out With Thomas™, Thomas the Tank Engine™ will be able to talk to his fans when he returns to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore! Take a 25 minute train ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy a full day of live entertainment, activities, and family fun! Tickets are $20 each for ages 2 and up available. Get tickets here.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: Boogie Babes, disco, festival, fiesta, Imagination Stage, Jammin Java, music, portrait gallery, puppets, spring, theatre, thomas the train, ymca, yoga

Weekend Picks: Cherry Blossoms, Bookworms and Architects

April 10, 2014

Cherry blossoms are in full force according to our Facebook News Feed and we can’t wait to get home from vacation to see them first-hand. Have you made your way to Kenwood or The Tidal Basin to see them? 

Saturday-

9:30am-12:00pm- Children’s Architectural Tour of Cleveland Park hosted by the Cleveland Park Historical Society
(Meet at NCRC: 3209 Highland Pl. Washington, DC. 20008)
Designed for students in the 6-12 year old range. We will spend the first part of the morning learning some vocabulary, then walk around the neighborhood looking at seven different properties including the Uptown Theater, NCRC, and the Macklin Apartments. After we return from the walk, children will build a structure based upon the tour and other ideas. Once all of the buildings are constructed the children will assemble their neighborhood. The cost is $10 per child for CPHS members, and $20 per child for non-members. The cost covers craft supplies. We will need volunteers/parents to walk with us and perhaps assist the children with their models when building.

10:00am-12:00pm- National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
(Constitution Avenue – From 7th to 17th Streets, NW)
Vibrant costumes and blossom-inspired décor create the look of nation’s premier springtime parade. Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, and performers burst down Constitution Avenue in a grand spectacle of music and showmanship seen only once a year during the Festival.

Parade-2012-Detailed-Image1

10:00am-4:00pm- Easter Eggs-travaganza at Reston Zoo
(1228 Hunter Mill Rd., Vienna, Va)
Join your friends for two weekends packed with Easter fun!. Feed baby lambs, goats and bunnies. Enjoy excellent photo opportunities with the Easter bunny and have your face painted with your favorite animal before venturing out to take part in an Easter egg hunt. All Easter egg hunts will include eggs filled with candy, stickers, toys, and more! Children must attend the Easter egg hunts by age group. Adults: $12.95, Children (2-12): $11.95 under 2 $2.00.

10:00am- Bethesda Literary Festival
(Downtown Bethesda, MD)
Festival kicks off Friday night and goes all weekend long. Children, teenagers and adults who enjoy ready will love this festival. Check the schedule for story times, meet and greets and read alouds.  

10:30am- Mr. Skip at DC Family Fiesta at El Tamarindo
(1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009)
Mr. Skip’s been delighting and enlightening young children for nearly 40 years. Stay after the show for El Tamarindo’s delicious food and kid-friendly options. Children of all ages will enjoy the music. $4 person/3 people for $10.

10:00am (doors open), 10:30am (show begins)-  Gustafer Yellowgold at unnamedJammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Gustafer Yellowgold shows are a unique musical and visual experience. The minimally animated illustrations are accompanied by illustrator/songwriter Morgan Taylor’s catchy and original story-songs for a truly different multimedia experience that is entrancing children, teens and adults alike. Enjoy his unique blend of live music and moving image. Parents you may be entertained as well as Gustafer Yellowgold has performed as the support act for WILCO and The Polyphonic Spree.

Sunday-

10:00am- Bethesda Literary Festival
(Downtown Bethesda, MD)
Festival kicks off Friday night and goes all weekend long. Children, teenagers and adults who enjoy ready will love this festival. Check the schedule for story times, meet and greets and read alouds. 

10:00am-4:00pm- Easter Eggs-travaganza at Reston Zoo Row of Easter Eggs with Daisy on Fresh Green Grass
(1228 Hunter Mill Rd., Vienna, Va)
Join your friends for two weekends packed with Easter fun!. Feed baby lambs, goats and bunnies. Enjoy excellent photo opportunities with the Easter bunny and have your face painted with your favorite animal before venturing out to take part in an Easter egg hunt. All Easter egg hunts will include eggs filled with candy, stickers, toys, and more! Children must attend the Easter egg hunts by age group. Adults: $12.95, Children (2-12): $11.95 under 2 $2.00.

10:00am-4:00pm- Community Day and Open House at Valley Mill Camp
(15101 Seneca Road, Darnestown MD 20874)
The Great Outdoors awaits! Valley Mill Community Day is about getting back to nature. Feel free to stop by, bring a friend and enjoy a lovely walk in the woods. Crepe eating, bird watching, nature observing, live music, woodland waking and fun with family and friends. This event is free and may give you an opportunity to learn more about their camp offerings as well.

2:00pm-5:00pm- Portrait Story Days: Duke Ellington at National Portrait Gallery 
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Today, learn about American jazz musician Duke Ellington (1899-1974). Best for kids ages 5 and up.

 

*Remember to click on our Ongoing Events page at the top for local theatre productions. 

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: book, cherry blossoms, egg hunt, Family friendly, Jammin Java, literary, music, nature, zoo

Weekend Picks: A symphony in Baltimore, a bunny at the farm and a pillow fight on The Mall

April 3, 2014

We can’t admit to following DC area weather while being away in sunny and hot Florida so we aren’t sure if this weekend will allow for outdoor adventures or not. But, as Spring is here some farms are opening up their gates to entertain! We’ve highlighted one in this Weekend’s Picks which is open both Saturday and Sunday. Remember to click on our Ongoing Events page at the top for local theatre productions. Also, Like us on Facebook (if you haven’t already) so you are guaranteed to get updates and reminders about fun events. Happy Weekend!!

Saturday-

10:00am-3:00pm- B&O Railroad Open House
(8100 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, Md. 20910)
The Silver Spring Historical Society and Montgomery Preservation Inc. sponsor this monthly open house at the historic 1945 B&O Railroad Station, the first Saturday of each month. Free Popcorn and punch, kids’ craft activity.

10:00am-2:00pm- Touch-A-Truck at Lake Braddock Secondary School shapeimage_1
(9200 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA 22015)
Bring your kids to get behind the wheel of real vehicles! There will be fire trucks, tow trucks, race cars, motorcycles, a helicopter, and so much more. Admission is just $5/person. Food trucks will be on site.

10:30am- The Uncle Devin Show at DC Family Fiesta at El Tamarindo
(1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009)
The Uncle Devin Show cultivates the minds of children through percussion instruments and is a dynamic cross between Fat Albert and Schoolhouse Rock. Stay after the show for El Tamarindo’s delicious food and kid-friendly options. Children of all ages will enjoy the music. $4 person/3 people for $10.

10:30am- Mr. Gabe and the Circle Time All Stars at Ebenezers Coffeehouse
(201 F St NE, Washington, DC 20002)
Mr. Gabe and his band — Holly Montgomery on bass; Chelle Fulk on violin — are back on Capitol Hill to present their interactive brand of family music, combining original arrangements of traditional children’s songs, family-friendly pop classics and songs from Mr. Gabe’s award-winning debut CD. Tickets $8 (everyone 1 year and older)/$6 in advance. Doors open at 10:00am.

11:30am- The Music Box Series at The Music Center at Strathmore Bugs
(5301 Tuckerman Ln., Bethesda, Md.20852)
The music of Debussy and Mendelssohn will soar like the bees, butterflies and ladybugs when performed by a piano trio. The Music Box Series is a unique music program for young children ages 6 months to three years old and their families. Each performance features pre-concert activities hosted 30 minutes prior to the show by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and partner organization Ready-at-Five, a non-profit that works to ensure that all Maryland children are ready to learn by age five. The wide range of pre-concert activities will encourage literacy, creative play and musical skills. Buy tickets here.

11:30am-3:00pm- American Cool Family Day at National Portrait Gallery
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Are you “American Cool”? Come to the Portrait Gallery and check out some “cool” music, art projects, and docent-led tours of the American Cool exhibition.

1:00pm-3:00pm- Children’s Cherry Blossom Celebration at Green Spring Gardens
(4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA)
Kids can celebrate spring and learn about history of the gift of trees that bring so many visitors to Washington, DC every year. This open house format includes origami, crafts, and cherry tree “hunt.” $10

2:00pm- Pillow Fight on The National Mall
(Washington Monument- Constitution Ave. at 15th St., SW, Washington, D.C.) 
There is a ‘holiday’ for everything apparently. And this Saturday is National Pillow Fight Day. Bring your pillow to The Washington Monument where friendly-fighters of all ages will be going at it. Families with smaller children can play outside the main pillow crowd with other little ones.

DC_Pillow_Fight_4_by_howe2skate

Sunday-

10:00am-5:00pm- Ticonderoga Farms – Spring Easter Festival
(26469 Ticonderoga Rd, Chantilly, VA)
Ticonderoga Farm’s Bunny will be joining everyone at the farm. Hopping around and posing for picture opportunities during our weekend hours and playing with our favorite friend Chickadee. Together hiding eggs for all the children to enjoy finding, especially the golden eggs that provide extra fun prizes for those who find them. Egg hunts will be held at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Cost is $11.95. Giant slides, mazes, animals, face painting and much more will be there!

2:00pm-5:00pm- Portrait Story Days: Elvis Presley at National Portrait Gallery
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Today, learn about American musician Elvis Presley (1935-1977). Best for kids ages 5 and up.

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: DC, Easter, Farm, festival, fiesta, music, national mall, portrait gallery, trains

Weekday Adventures: Kinderman, Storytime Station and Scooby-Doo

March 23, 2014

Hope everyone enjoyed the nice weather this weekend that lasted just a day (sigh). Spring is approaching soon, right? Right? Until then, we here at Beltway Bambinos are off for a few weeks of fun in the sun in Florida. We are hoping to publish as normal while we are defrosting by the pool.

A few school districts have a scheduled day off that is approaching, unless they’ve changed plans due to all of the snow days. If you are trying to plan ahead to your child being off of school (again) check out our post on places you can send your child to have a hands-on, active day.

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Monday, March 24-

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.

  [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekday Adventures Tagged: bloombars, Boogie Babes, DC, Jammin Java, Kinderman, music, National Air and Space Museum, scooby doo, story time

Weekend Picks: St. Patrick’s Day parades, truck touch and interactive music shows!

March 14, 2014

It’s mid-March already?! Put on the green this weekend and catch a local parade to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. If parades aren’t your thing there’s plenty to do, especially on Saturday.

9:30am and 11:00am- Rick Potter: Bert the Nerd at National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004)
Bert performs amazing feats of skill, daring stunts and incredible magic at this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance.

10:00am-4:00pm- Touch-A-Truck Fundraiser at Walt Whitman Middle School piswMNno0_1PEcrJkRrj_th-bKX1eLled4JuIrrAtpSGw1q3Jh8ac4NqdLl-0gTS4qQ-=s142
(2500 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306)
Children are invited to spend a day in the driver’s seat and explore trucks big and small at Fort Hunt Preschool’s annual hands-on, touch-a-truck event. Children will have an opportunity to climb on up into trucks of all shapes and sizes—to press buttons, to honk horns, and to learn about gadgets. Enjoy entertainment and refreshments —including delicious food by Red Hot & Blue— while enjoying a fantastic selection of vehicles. $5 for attendees older than 2 years old.

  [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: crafts, fair, fiesta, Imagination Stage, invention, Jammin Java, Montgomery County, music, parade, St. Patricks Day

Weekend Picks: NPR, Persian New Year and a teddy bear concert

March 7, 2014

The weekend we’ve been looking forward to for months: Daylight Savings! Also, known as a time parents dread because they have to get their child back on a sleep schedule, adapting to the time change. The weather should be warm and sunny on Saturday. A perfect time to take advantage of the free admission to Dumbarton Oaks 1703 32nd St NW, Washington, DC 20007. Between 2:00pm-5:00pm (Sunday as well) you can roam the gardens and run the long lawns. MehQcBs5qeckHhfNPKw6YwO1okpH7U9HCWzgTA3lCjKAybpB-oz_WYRgMOwtlfZTlVDoTQ=s114
images

Saturday:

9:30am-4:00pm- Explore, Invent and Experiment with STEMosphere at George Washington University
(Charles E. Smith Center at GWU 600 22nd St NW, Washington, DC. 20052)
STEMosphere is a FREE one-day event where students, parents, educators and lifelong learners of all ages can join us for a public exhibition of fun, interactive, STEM-inspired activities. Learn anatomy by layering clay on realistic models. Experiment with the world’s first interactive projector. Get your hands dirty with an environmental service-learning project.

10:00am-3:00pm- Family Day: The Great Escape at The Corcoran Gallery of Art
(500 17th St., NW, Washington, D.C.)
Escape to Paris, New York, and the Wild West without leaving DC! Families will experience these destinations through live performances, in-gallery activities, and hands on art workshops. Featuring special performances of My Grandfather’s Circuis by Zany Umbrella Circrus and a masquarde salon by Project Enlightenment, this celebration will higlight some of the D.C. area’s best art, dance, and music. This FREE, amazing adventure is inspired by the exhibition American Journeys: Visions of Place. All ages are welcome.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: art, garden, invent, museum, music, National Air and Space Museum, npr, pirate, stories, teddy bear

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