(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children
Once again I publish the annual summer camp guide and there is snow in the forecast. But alas, it’s time to start thinking about your summer plans…in January, as registration has started for some. We’ve highlighted some camps with detailed information and included links to other notable camps at the bottom of the post. As always, add to this post by commenting with your own suggestion– first or second hand. Here’s to a fun and busy summer!
(Photo: Headfirst Summer Camp)
Sweet Spot Aerial Productions: Shine a Light! A Solstice Circus is on stage at Atlas Performing Arts Center at 1:00pm on Saturday and 4:00pm on Sunday. This holiday show is an uplifting, delightful spectacle that will amaze the whole family. Featuring acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and other dazzling performances – the spirit is sure to be contagious! Start a new and unique holiday tradition by coming to the circus! Appropriate for all ages.
Chug along at College Park Aviation full of miniature trains, villages, tunnels, and depots spark the imagination as they bring history to life. The National Capital Trackers bring a fascinating, constantly moving, holiday-themed display of model railroads to the museum. FREE with museum admission
$5/adults, $4/65&up, $2/ages 2-18 FREE/1&under. Holiday Trains and Planes will be showcased until December 23.
Be sure and refer to our guide for getting outdoors this winter for options to see lights, ice skate, and more.
Saturday-
8:30am-9:30am: Capoeira for Kids Ages 3.5-7 at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Capoeira provides physical fitness for children, ages 4 and up. It is intended to be a no- to low-contact martial art that helps children with gross motor planning and gross motor skills. Children will also learn maculele (a dance done hitting sticks against your partner’s sticks), samba, capoeira instruments, and Portuguese through this fun, interactive class. Classes are $15 each or $120 for a series of ten classes.
9:30am-10:30am AND 10:30am-11:30am: Harambe with Baba Ras D at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
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.With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years. $7 per child $3 per adult suggested donation.
10:00am-3:00pm: Round and Round We Go: Innovation at Udvar-Hazy Center
(14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, Virginia 20151)
Learn about the Wright brothers and test your design skills in our December challenge as you design, create, and test your own paper copter. Making STEM Magic is a new program that introduces young visitors to engineering in a fun and creative way. Learn by doing. Design, build, and test a prototype that solves a given challenge. Every month we’ll explore a new theme and introduce a new problem to be solved, so come back each month to accept the challenge and learn to think like an engineer. Free to enter with parking $15.
10:30am: Marsha and the Positrons (with Wardell Howell on bass) at Chevy Chase Library
(5625 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20015)
Sing and dance along! And then check out a book and sign up for Winter Reading.
11:00am AND 2:00pm (show begins at 11:00am): 10th Annual Rocknoceros Holiday Singalong
(227 Maple Ave Vienna, VA, 22180)
As every family with youngsters in the Washington, DC area knows, Rocknoceros is three guys: Coach, Williebob, and Boogie Bennie. They have been making award-winning music together since 2005 and are celebrating their 10th year together with a brand new album. $10.00
2:00pm: Christmas Pageant at National Cathedral
(3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington DC 20016)
Oh, come let us adore him! Join us for this beloved family-friendly event, as Cathedral clergy, a profusion of angels, shepherds, Bethlehem townspeople and a menagerie of animals present a delightful retelling of the Nativity. Open to the public. All children are invited to participate.
4:00pm: A Candlelight Christmas with Washington Chorus at Kennedy Center
(2700 F St NW)
It’s not Christmas without The Washington Chorus! Featuring brass, organ, sing-alongs, and the resplendent Candlelight Processional, A Candlelight Christmas celebrates favorites such as The Dream Isaiah Saw, Hallelujah Chorus, and grand arrangements by our own Julian Wachner. Once again, special guests from our Side-by-Side youth program will join us to celebrate the season. A special B.Y.O.Baby event, offering additional considerations for families with small children. Purchase tickets here.
4:15pm:Tots & Tykes at Tranquil Space
(1632 17th St., NW Washington, DC 20009)
The class uses songs, rhymes, and games to introduce body awareness and movement concepts to kiddos from crawlers through age 4. No yoga mat or experience is required.
Sunday-
10:00am:Boogie Babes presents a special pop-up show with Mr. Jon and Friends at Steadfast Supply
(1331 4th St. SE)Buy tickets at the door
Sing and dance along!
10:00am-12:00pm: Chanukah Celebration at the DCJCC
(1529 16th St NW)
Grab your socks and your yarmulke, it’s time to bounce for Chanukah! This year’s rockin’ Chanukah party will feature a moon bounce, games, crafts, treats and plenty of fun for the whole family. Register here.
11:00am-3:00pm: Brunch with Santa & Grinch
(901 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20001)
Enjoy some brunch favorites with Santa & drink some holiday cheer with the Grinch! Kid’s Eat Complimentary off the Kid’s Menu. And a special treat for adults, $6 Gluwien – A warm spice wine – a gift from the Grinch! It’s your last chance to make it on Santa’s Good List! Don’t miss it! *Reservations recommended
3:00pm-5:00pm: Winter Holiday Shadow Puppet Show & Workshop at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW Washington, DC 20001)
Come join Kimberley Rose & Julie Rue at BloomBars, for an all-ages, Winter Holiday shadow puppet show! There will be special performances of classic holiday stories and songs and then your child will learn how to make shadow puppets and animate them to music! Materials will be provided, however, please bring child proof scissors for your child if you have them. Hope to see you there! $10 per child/adult team.
A year-round resource for finding some amazing classes in our area for your Bambinos. We will keep the list updated and would love to hear of any you think should be added to the list.
Soccer:
Music:
Martial Arts:
Washington DC Shotokan Karate Club
Dance & Gymnastics:
Art:
A Special Lee Sewing and Craft Cafe
More places that offer outdoor & indoor classes of all kinds!
Koa Sports (Field Hockey, Flag Football, Basketball, Baseball and more)
Nationals Winterfest is at the Washington Convention Center Saturday & Sunday from 11:30am-4:00pm. Join for Nats Winterfest, returning December 10 and 11 to the Washington Convention Center. Winterfest will again feature two days of fun! Activities include: Clinics with Nationals players and coaches, watch a Homerun Derby featuring the Nationals mascots, make a snow fort, participate in the steal home challenge and take batting practice, hear a winter or baseball themed story, read by a Nationals player, participate in the Kids Press Conferences, sign up for 2017 season Jr. Nats Kids Club memberships at the Jr. Nationals Kids Club Kiosk, ride down The Slider, a giant slide reminiscent of a sledding hill and a “Video Pitch”, where fans can give virtual batters their best pitch.
You are sure to find lots to do with our guide for getting outdoors this holiday season.
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is happening at Dulles Expo Center December 9-11. A great festival to find gifts, treats, hear live music, see demos and children’s entertainment.
Great Train and Toy Show at Dulles Expo Center is Saturday & Sunday from 10:00am-4:00pm. Operating model railroads, tables of trains for sale, workshops, door prizes and more. Kids are free.
Friday & Saturday NSO Pops: A Holiday Pops! featuring Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana will play at The Kennedy Center. Warm your spirit with fresh takes on comforting classics and singalong carols in this NSO Pops tradition–this year featuring The Washington Chorus alongside Broadway stars Laura Osnes (Grease) and Santino Fontana (Disney’s Frozen). Most enjoyed by age 9 and up. Approximately 2 hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
Saturday-
10:00am: Polar Express Pajama Party at Angelika Mosaic
(2911 District Ave. Fairfax, VA)
No need to dress the kids today. Show up in jammies for a showing of the Polar Express. Concession stand will serve hot cocoa and cookies.
11:00am-3:00pm: EdFest 2016
(DC Armory:2001 East Capitol St SE)
My School DC is excited to bring you EdFEST, DC’s only citywide public school fair! Come to EdFEST and explore the city’s many public school options (PK3-12) for your child. Representatives from DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC public charter schools will showcase their programs. With the launch of the My School DC common lottery application on December 12, EdFEST is a timely event to help you make informed school selections for the 2017-18 school year common lottery. EdFEST will also feature many free services and fun activities for the whole family:Flu shots for adults, health services for kids and teens, and lots more family fun, games and entertainment brought to you by the DC Department of Health. Sports activities for all brought to you by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, including information about DPR Fun Days, Winter and Spring Break Camps, Cooperative Play, and story time with DC Public Library.
11:30am-3:00pm: Italian Holiday Festival at American Art Museum Renwick Gallery
(8th & F St)
There’s no place like SAAM for the holidays. To celebrate the vibrant culture of Italy, Simona Rodano returns as The Italian Fairy to engage kids with the beauty of her native language. Along with winter-themed crafts and holiday photo ops, she’ll be joined by The Washington School of Ballet and Faction of Fools Theatre Company, for a festival with all the Italian flair you’ll need to get in the spirit of this joyful season.
11:00am-4:00pm: Holiday Card Workshop at National Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20002)
Kick off the holiday season by creating heartfelt handmade cards at the National Postal Museum’s annual Holiday Card Workshop! We’ll have pretty papers, vintage stamps from around the world and lots of other supplies to inspire your creativity as you create one-of-a-kind holiday greetings. After making your cards, visit the museum’s stamp store to send the cards to your loved ones with a special Postal Museum postmark. This fun program offers something for all ages who love arts & crafts activities.
11:00am (doors open at 10:30am): Rockin In A Rainbow Wonderland Holiday Show and Toy Drive! at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave Vienna, VA, 22180)
Are you ready to rock around the rainbow tree? Join the Rainbow Rock Band and ring in the holiday season by singing along to many of your holiday favorites!! Winners of a Parents’ Choice Fun Stuff Award for their debut CD, “Meet the Rainbow,” an absolute mix of musical genres from folk, to rock, to rockabilly, all the while being EDUCATIONAL and FUN!!! Your child will learn about shapes, colors, movement, and more! The Rainbow Rock Band encourages all of the rainbow rockers to participate in the show either on the microphone or at their seat, either way your little one is sure to have fun!
12:00pm (Also a concert Sunday at 4:00pm): Cathedral Choral Society: Family Joy at National Cathedral
(3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington DC 20016)
Bring the whole family and get swept up in the sounds of the season! This one-hour program has something for all ages, including a kids-only sing-along. Purchase tickets here.
4:00pm-7:00pm: Winter’s Eve at Glen Echo
(7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD 20812)
Celebrate the holiday season at the Park’s annual Winter’s Eve event. Enjoy FREE activities including holiday crafts, sing-alongs, story-telling, open studios, and a hot chocolate bar. Browse and buy fine artworks at the Holiday Art Show and artist studios.
6:00pm: Target Family Night: Michael Hearst presents Songs for Unusual Creatures
(2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566)
Composer, multi-instrumentalist, and writer Michael Hearst presents a special music program featuring some of Earth’s strangest animals and interesting, uncommon instruments.
Sunday-
9:30am-3:30pm: Eastern Market Holiday Celebrations
(225 Seventh Street, SE Washington, DC 20003)
See schedule for juggler, crafts, tree decorating and more event and activity times.
Saturday-
8:30am-9:30am: Capoeira for Kids Ages 3.5-7 at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Capoeira provides physical fitness for children, ages 4 and up. It is intended to be a no- to low-contact martial art that helps children with gross motor planning and gross motor skills. Children will also learn maculele (a dance done hitting sticks against your partner’s sticks), samba, capoeira instruments, and Portuguese through this fun, interactive class. Classes are $15 each or $120 for a series of ten classes.
9:30am-10:30am AND 10:30am-11:30am: Harambe with Baba Ras D at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
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.With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years. $7 per child $3 per adult suggested donation.
9:30am AND 11:00am: Rainbow Puppets: The Really Big Dinosaur Show at National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW)
Imagine that rare dinosaur fossils could talk . . . what amazing stories they could tell! Well there’s no need to imagine as Rainbow Puppets presents a musical romp through prehistoric times including a dinosaur beauty pageant, a dancing T-Rex and a long-necked dinosaur who measures sixteen feet from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. It’s not called “The Really Big Dinosaur Show” for nothing!
10:00am: 19th Annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade
Parade units will consist of eight marching bands; glittering Thanksgiving and Christmas floats; a 12-foot inflatable turkey and penguin; the Montgomery County Recreation “T-Recs” 12-foot dinosaur; beauty queens; fire engines; and performing dog and rescue animal groups. As always, the Parade will culminate with Santa’s float playing holiday music and featuring the smiling, rosy-cheeked elf, sharing his candy canes.
10:00am-2:00pm: Children’s Maker Faire at Oyster Bilingual
(2020 19th St., NW Washington, D.C. 20009)
There will be over 60 builders signed up to exhibit their projects. Admission is free.
2:00pm: The Wizard School Scavenger Hunt at The National Gallery of Art
(Enter at 6th and Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20565)
Follow in the footsteps of young wizards on a field trip to the National Gallery of Art in search of art that echoes characters, places and enchanted objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies. Be prepared to track down a powerful sorceress, a Snape-like potions master, flying owls and dragons, Hagrid-like giants, centaurs and unicorns like those you’d see in the Forbidden Forest, strange mermaids and sharks that seem straight out of the Triwizard Tournament, fierce knights in armor, and cloaked and masked figures as scary as any Death Eater or Dementor. Wizards and muggles alike can play and enjoy this hunt. The hunt is not an addition to or variation on Harry’s adventures, but instead references to the books will provide a surprising bridge to many strange and wonderful works of art. It’s a great way to discover—or rediscover—the museum. Ages 10+ Sign up online
Sunday-
5:30pm-7:30pm: Mommy Nearest Playdate at Strathmore
(11810 Grand Park Ave. Bethesda, MD 20852)
See a live music show featuring The Pop Ups
5:30pm-7:30pm: DC Nibble & Squeak at Blue Duck Tavern
( )
Join for a special #Tykesgiving DC Nibble+squeak celebration at Blue Duck Tavern! Blue Duck Tavern is a casually-chic West End tavern, serving up the freshest seasonal foods of the Mid Atlantic.We will have an exclusive seating at the renowned Chef’s Table where we will enjoy a 3-course family style meal customized by the Chef based on regionally sources, fresh and seasonal and ingredients.
Costumes are put away, the candy bags are slowly emptying (or in our house the Switch Witch arrived last night and the candy is gone!) and the weather is still fantastic with beautiful colors on the trees. Plenty to do outdoors but also some fun events that will take you inside this weekend.
KidsEuro Festival wraps up this weekend. Check out all of the wonderful events, including but not limited to storytelling, games, musicians, puppets and a lot more.
Saturday-
9:30am AND 11:00am: Jon Sands- Slam Poetry for Kids at National Theatre
The National Theatre is excited to welcome Jon Sands, an author and poet known for electric readings. His work has been featured in The New York Times, published widely, and anthologized in The Best American Poetry. He is a Youth Mentor with Urban Word-NYC, and teaches creative writing for both adults and youth at Bailey House in East Harlem (an HIV/AIDS service center). He is the Program Director of the Dialogue Arts Project, and has represented New York City multiple times at the National Poetry Slam.Tickets will go on sale at 10:00am the Friday a week prior to the performance. Click on the link to reserve tickets, and review our ticketing policies. Walk up tickets are always available, if prior registration is not completed. Please arrive to the theatre 30 minute before the show to collect a walk up ticket.
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Boo!!! Halloween is almost here and looks like the weather is in our favor, especially for all of these fun weekend events. Weekend Picks are mostly Halloween celebrations but we added a few extra events worth checking out. DC Public Library has many festive events happening this weekend.
Saturday, Sunday & Monday Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon from 3:30pm-6:30pm. Participate in a special scavenger hunt, take a wagon ride on the 12-acre field, and create a boo-tiful Halloween craft in this unforgettable evening. Come and see wool carding, spinning, and fish net making in the historic area before greeting “Martha Washington” on the piazza of the Mansion. In order to burn off all the extra excitement, try 18th-century dancing in the upper garden. Historic chocolate-making demonstrations and chocolate tastings will take place. A children’s costume parade around the Mansion will begin at 5 p.m. and prizes will be awarded for most fang-tastic “George” and “Martha” costumes! Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon takes place rain or shine.
Friday-
5:30pm-7:30pm- Hilloween at Eastern Market
Capitol Hill celebrates Halloween as a community each year in front of Eastern Market on 7th St. Count on moon bounces, hay rides, treats, face painting and many, many costumes.
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Friday-Sunday DC Flagship Grand Opening Block Party is here! Join REI for 3-day Block Party to celebrate the Grand Opening of our DC Flagship store! Friday we’ll open the doors at 10am with some big band fanfare (hint, hint) and DJs keep the party going all day. Saturday and Sunday we’ll expand the block party to a main stage with live bands, Outdoor School classes, beer gardens, s’mores, screen printing, a climbing wall, and more. Saturday’s music starts with a family band at 10am and then goes on with live go-go, a Beatles cover band, and plenty of DJ sets (Biz Markie at 3pm!). Sunday we’re teaming up with Living Classroom Foundation’s Kingman Island Bluegrass and Folk Festival to bring you a day of live bluegrass and Americana on the main stage. All 3 days the first 500 people in line receive a custom DC Camelbak bottle with a gift card. We’ll have free breakfast and coffee each morning. Everybody who attends all weekend can help REI decide how to split up $100,000 among 5 regionally focused outdoor non-profits!
Saturday & Sunday hop on the Wheaton Haunted Train and Creepy Carousel. If you enjoy heart-racing, adrenalin-pumping, throat-constricting Halloween activities, we have a train (and carousel) for you. Who–or WHAT?–lurks in the dark Wheaton woods as you ride the Haunted Train? And what’s that perched on the ghostly horse silently screaming next to you on the Creepy Carousel? We promise to do our very best to scare the pants (metaphorically speaking) off you. We’ll show free frightening movies, and have snacks for sale, too. Purchase tickets online.
Saturday & Sunday hop on the Eye Spy Train at Cabin John Regional Park. Looking for something fun to do this Halloween that won’t give your younger kids nightmares? Ride the “Eye Spy” Halloween Train at Cabin John Regional Park! Your kids will have fun looking for familiar friends and animals hiding in the woods and marking them off their “Eye Spy” card, while you sit back and enjoy the ride! A not-so-scary train for kids under 8. Purchase tickets online.
Saturday & Sunday from 5:30pm-8:30pm you can trick-or-treat at Boo at the Zoo. Boo at the Zoo is Washington DC’s favorite Halloween treat. With more than 40 treat stations, animal demonstrations, keeper chats, and decorated trails, this frightfully fun evening is a treat for the whole family. An entertainment stage will feature magicians, jugglers, and a DJ spinning Halloween favorites. Don’t miss a themed scarecrow field. Purchase tickets.
Saturday & Sunday bravely go on a Soul Strolls in Congressional Cemetery. If they could still speak, what do you think they would say? Over 65,000 individuals are laid to rest in Congressional Cemetery. From Congressman to carpenters, suffragists to bootleggers, each resident has a unique story to tell. Soul Strolls, the Cemetery’s annual twilight tours, explore these stories through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Typically only open from dawn to dusk, this special event allows nighttime access to the public. Don’t miss out on this exclusive experience unlike any other Halloween tour! Hour-long tours depart every 15 minutes between 6 and 9 pm, and beer, wine, and cider will be for sale. Tickets
Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am-7:00pm Maryland Renaissance Festival will be joisting and serving up lots of turkey legs for the FINAL WEEKEND. The festival is free to children 11 and under. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Your children will see people dressed up in 16th century outfits. Dress like a knight and come participate!
Saturday & Sunday there is the Annual Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon celebrates the autumn season with Fall Harvest Family Days! The entire family enjoys autumn activities including wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16-sided barn, 18th-century dancing demonstrations, a straw bale maze, farrier (blacksmithing) demonstrations, corn husk dolls demonstrations and early-American games and music.
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