Nationals

Washington Nationals offer deals, giveaways and themed nights for families

June 13, 2019

Schools across the D.C. area are closing for summer, but the month of June is packed full of fun events, giveaways, and theme nights at Nationals Park! The Nationals invite families to spend their next family night watching the boys of summer and enjoying one of the many family-fun activities at Nationals Park during the upcoming homestand, including STAR WARS™ Day, Friday Night Fireworks, and even a pair of memorable Father’s Day gift ideas. The Nationals are excited to share with you two special offers for families to choose from on their next trip to Nationals Park!

According to a survey, one of the largest obstacles for families attending Nats games is parking availability. So, for ALL JUNE games they offering FREE PARKING with the purchase of at least four tickets through a special ticket offer found here.

Coupon code 19NATSKIDS gives fans a 20% discount on select tickets available here with a $10 food and beverage credit preloaded to each ticket that can be redeemed at any concessions stand in the ballpark. This coupon code is valid for the Saturday, June 22 game or the Sunday, June 23 game against the Atlanta Braves, which features the Screech Hooded Towel giveaway.

Fireworks Friday: June 14
BANG! ZOOM! Fireworks Fridays return to Nationals Park for another installment!
All fans are invited to stay after the game to enjoy the fireworks spectacular.

STAR WARS™ Day: June 15
The Nationals will host the fifth annual STAR WARS™ Day at Nationals Park, featuring special scoreboard elements, unique food items, and more.
STAR WARS™ characters will pose for photos with fans, stage live combats, and participate in the GEICO Presidents Race.
Specialty food items will include a Wookie Cookie, Dark Side Nachos (with red tortilla chips), a Lightsaber Skewer (buffalo chicken street skewer), and more.
Fans are encouraged to join the fun by dressing up as their favorite STAR WARS™ character.
As part of STAR WARS™ Day, the first 10,000 fans to enter through ALL GATES will receive an Obi “Sean” Kenobi Bobblehead.

Father’s Day Catch on the Field: June 16
June 16 is Father’s Day and Nationals fans will have a special opportunity to create the memory of a lifetime by playing catch on the field with Dad after the game!
A ticket package purchased through this special offer includes a 20-minute session of catch on the field, a photo opportunity in the visitor’s dugout, a $30 concession credit, and one official MLB baseball.

Youth Baseball & Softball Day: June 16
The Nationals welcome all area teams and leagues to Youth Baseball & Softball Day presented by Inova Children’s Hospital.
Fans who purchase a special ticket to Youth Baseball & Softball Day will be invited to participate in a pregame parade around the warning track.

PLAY BALL Weekend: June 15 & 16
The Nationals will join all of Major League Baseball in promoting the Play Ball initiative designed by MLB to celebrate youth baseball and softball participation in communities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
As part of Play Ball Weekend, fans ages 12 and younger will receive a Nationals Arm Sleeve upon exit of the ballpark after both the Saturday and Sunday games.

Independence Day in and near Washington, DC with kids

June 22, 2017

Have a safe and fun July 4th celebrating in the most perfect place; the nation’s capitol! To kick off the weekend grab some Washington Nationals tickets and cheer for the home team.

July 3: 6:05pm: Nationals will play the Mets. Postgame Freedom Fireworks
July 4: 11:05am: Nationals will play the Mets. No fireworks but a nice way to spend the holiday and is part of the Patriotic Series.
July 5: 7:05pm: Nationals will play the Mets.

July 4: 10:00am-11:00am: Declaration of Independence Reading at the National Archives
(National Archives Building on the Constitution Avenue steps between 7th and 9th St
Greetings from Allison Seymour, Fox 5 News Anchor. Presentation of colors by the Continental Color Guard. National Anthem by Caleb Green. Performance by the 3rd U.S. Infantry “The Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps. Remarks by David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States. Keynote remarks by Laura Murphy, descendant of Signer Philip Livingston of New York. Dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence by special guests including Abigail Adams, John Adams, John Dunlap, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Ned Hector, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. “America the Beautiful” by Caleb Green.

July 4: 10:00am-4:00pm: Inside the National Archives Building
(National Archives Building- Boeing Learning Center)
Come celebrate like it it’s 1776! Enjoy hands-on family activities, including story time, crafts and more! Meet John and Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Ned Hector, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. Collect autographs, Declaring Independence scavenger hunt, Listen to stories of our patriotic past (noon, 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m.), Make colonial-style wigs and dress in period clothing, Sign the Declaration of Independence, Write with a quill pen & Set your name in type. Watch the National Independence Day Parade go by outside the National Archives at 11:45am.

July 4: 11:45am-2:00pm: National Independence Day Parade
(Constitution Ave and 7th St)
Get your spot along Constitution Ave where the parade will travel from 7th St to 17th St. Show your kiddos the balloons, floats, military units, bands and much more. Be prepared for a large crowd.

July 4: All Day: National Mall Independence Day Celebration
(On the National Mall)
There’s no better place to be on Independence Day than the National Mall, the nation’s most important civic space and home to some of the most iconic monuments and memorials in our country. Fireworks will begin at 9:09pm.

July 4: 8:00pm-9:30pm: A Capitol Fourth Concert
(West Lawn of the Capitol)
Gates open at 3:00pm and the concert begins at 8:00pm and airs on PBS and can be heard on NPR. Admission is free. They typically have a dress rehearsal on July 3 if you want to skip the larger crowd.

July 4: 9:00pm: Fireworks
Fireworks will be launched from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool area, and will be visible from many locations in D.C. and Virginia.

Other viewing areas of the Mall fireworks:
Washington DC: U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, The White House Ellipse, West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park, Anacostia Park

Virginia: U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and the George Washington Memorial Parkway

Celebrate someplace other than the National Mall-

July 1: 10:00am-12:00pm: Happy Birthday, America & Tudor Place

July 4: 9:00am-5:00pm: An American Celebration at Mount Vernon

July 4: 12:00pm-Dusk: Frederick’s 4th

July 4: 4:00pm-10:00pm: Historic Manassas Celebrates America

July 4: 6:30pm: Annapolis Fourth of July

July 4: 6:00pm: Falls Church Music & Fireworks

Saturday Picks

April 8, 2016

Did anyone get to the Nats home opener yesterday? So excited baseball season is here. Check out the Nationals schedule to catch a game this weekend.

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Weekend Picks: Animals under the sky, water lilies and the great outdoors

July 18, 2014

Saturday-

9:00am-2:00pm: Animals in the Sky at The National Zoo
(3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC)
Take a journey to the stars without leaving the Zoo! The Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum’s mobile planetarium is coming to the Zoo’s Visitor Center for an out-of-this-world event. Enter the inflatable dome for a 15 – 20 minute narrated presentation that will guide guests through animal themed constellations. Then, embark on a scavenger hunt through the Zoo to find animals found in popular constellations.

10:00am-2:00pm: Great Outdoors Festival at Little Bennett Campground
(23701 Frederick Rd., Clarksburg, MD)
Free Hayrides all around the campgrounds throughout the event (10:30 & 11am, 1 & 1:30pm). Nature Exploration Hike with a Black Hill Regional Park Naturalist at 10:30am. Beginning Orienteering Course Run with Quantico Orienteering at 11am. Mountain Biking Skills Mini-Clinic & Bike Inspection with Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts at 11:30am. Live music with the Flower Hill String Band Two sets: 11am-Noon and 12:30-1:30pm. Campfire building demonstation and s’mores at Noon. Pitch-a-Tent Contest with prizes at 12:30pm. Mid-Atlantic D.O.G.S. Search and Rescue Demo at 1pm. Bluebird Box Building Demo with the Maryland Bluebird Society

10:00am-4:00pm: Lotus and Water Lily Cultural Festival at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Center
The annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival is here! Come experience your National Park with FREE activities for the whole family. See a spectacular display of lotus and water lilies in full bloom! Enjoy gardening workshops & traditional Asian & African dancing performances! Hands-on activities including face painting, lotus tea tasting, and painting demonstrations! Visit educational and cultural exhibitors and much more!..

10:30am: Rainbow Rock Band at Ebenezers Coffeehouse
(201 F St NE, Washington, DC)
Rock the rainbow with your bambino. Classic and original children’s songs will entertain your child. These talented tunesters will keep you bopping in your socks until you just can’t rock anymore! Always on hand, inside the box of fun, tambourines, shakers and more for your little one to join in the fun, and if they are feeling like completing their rock star appearance, how about a nice little temporary Rainbow tattoo, from none other than Pattycake Patty or the lovely Rockin Rox Anna. $6 advance/$8 door

10:30am: Secret Agent 23 Skidoo at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Combining the excitement of hip hop with the magical world of childhood, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is a one of a kind, stand out star in the family music scene. With sophisticated instrumental funk and positive, witty wordplay, he and his family band have earned a loyal national following. $10 general admission, doors open at 10am.

11:00am and 12:00pm: Nationals players at DC Libraries
(4 different libraries)
Washington Nationals players will visit four neighborhood libraries to read to kids and answer questions from eager fans.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Mariner Music Fest
(Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge 169 West St. Annapolis, MD 21401)
Rooftop – Just for Kids! – Tickets $5 (Ages 2-12)
Live Music performances for Kids including “The Singing Lizard” {The Singing Lizard’s unique Electro-Kindie style will have kids and adults dancing and singing with joy in no time!} And, Miss Mandy from Chesapeake Music Together! We’ll also have an instrument petting zoo, where kids can touch and play real instruments, arts and crafts and more fun! **Parents will need to purchase a full price ticket to bring their children to the event. But, the adult ticket is for all day, so parents can come back later and enjoy all the bands!

1:00pm-4:00pm: The DC Scoop at Union Market
(1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC)
DC’s sweetest event is back! Ice Cream enthusiasts from near and far will gather at Union Market to celebrate summer’s sweet treat. The event will be held in the indoor event space above the market, Dock 5 and the alley behind it. There will be ice cream available to taste and buy from local artisans and Ice Cream makers from other markets as well. There will be a wide array of products including gelato, ice cream sandwiches, popsicles and of course, good old-fashioned ice cream!

7:00pm: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 at Cinema Del Ray
(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.

Sunday-

12:00pm-4:00pm: Goddard Model Rocket Launch
(8800 Greenbelt Rd., Greenbelt, MD)
Attempt to land your rocket within a “moon” drawn on the ground. Trophies and model rocket kit prizes awarded to the top youth and adult finishers. The contest is free. On-site registration is required on contest day. You must bring your own rocket, motors and recovery wadding. For more details download the contest flyer, or call (301) 286-8981.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Bubble Days at Maryland Science Center
(601 Light St Baltimore, MD.21203)
Come see the sudsiest spectacle of the summer at the Maryland Science Center’s 9th annual Bubble Days. The fun will be bubbling up all over the building—and outside too! Craft your own bubble solution and wand, create bubble art to take home, experiment with homemade bubble wands, and compete in our bubble blowing contest. World-renowned bubble artist Casey Carle will be here to perform his fantastic BubbleMania show. You will be amazed at what Casey can do with seemingly ordinary soap bubbles! Performances will be on our Atrium Stage at Noon, 2:00, and 4:00pm. All activities are free with paid admission and completely free for members. Same hours on Saturday.

1:35pm: Washington Nationals host Milwaukee Brewers
Kids Run the Bases- Kids ages 4 – 12 are invited to run the bases on the field immediately following the game, field conditions permitting.

2:00pm: Reverb at The National Building Museum
(401 F St NW, Washington, DC)
Enjoy the melodic sounds of Reverb as they take you on an a cappella musical journey! Presented in collaboration with Washington Performing Arts. This event is free.

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!

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.

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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.

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.

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Weekend Picks: Drive-in at Union Market, Nationals game and Easter fun

April 18, 2014

We have published a guide to Easter fun this weekend. Find an egg hunt or festival at a farm here.

Friday-

8:00pm: Drive-in at Union Market
(1309 5th St NE Washington, DC 20002)
The movie shown is National Lampoon’s Vacation. The Union Market Drive-In is free to attend! Parking is $10 per car, but seating in the picnic area will be first come first serve, free of charge. The parking lot will open at 6pm and the movies will begin at 8.

Saturday-

10:00am: Wagon Ride-Birds, Butterflies & Blossoms at Riverbend Park
(8700 Potomac Hills St Great Falls, Va.22066)
Take a wagon ride scavenger hunt through the meadow. Search for birds and butterflies and meet a friendly animal up close. $5.00/county resident, $8.00/non-resident.

10:30am: Children’s Music Network at DC Family Fiesta at El Tamarindo
(1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009)
The Children’s Music Network is a national organization of performers, songwriters, storytellers and kids’ music lovers. CMN members from DC and the mid-Atlantic region will be gathering at DCFF to do a sing-along for our families. Don’t miss this showcase of DC and regional talent! Guests will include Uncle Devin, and Philly-based Mr. David. 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: Groovy Nate at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
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. Tickets 4/$25.

1:05pm: Washington Nationals host St. Louis Cardinals
(1500 South Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Weekends are Harris Teeter Family Fun Pack Days. Check out the deal here. Our family will be attending Saturdays game as I’m from St. Louis and am training my son to love them as well. My husband will be solo in his Nats gear 😉

Sunday-

Celebrating Easter? We have published a guide to Easter fun this weekend. Find an egg hunt or festival at a farm here.

1:35pm: Washington Nationals host St. Louis Cardinals
(1500 South Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Sundays kids ages 4-12 can run the bases after the game like their favorite player. Weekends are Harris Teeter Family Fun Pack Days. Check out the deal here. Our family will be attending Saturdays game as I’m from St. Louis and am training my son to love them as well. My husband will be solo in his Nats gear 😉