nature – Page 2

Weekend Picks

May 6, 2016

The 77th Annual Flower Mart at The National Cathedral takes place Friday & Saturday. This event is fun for the entire family; food, flowers, performances, carnival rides and more!

Mothers Day Weekend at Mount Vernon is Saturday and Sunday.
Join the “Mother of our Country”, Martha Washington, for Mother’s Day weekend at Mount Vernon! Stroll through Mount Vernon’s magnificent gardens in bloom. Lady Washington will give lavender sachets to all mothers (while supplies last).

Saturday-

8:00am-11:00am: Spring Celebration at Woodend Nature Sanctuary
(8940 Jones Mill Rd., Chevy Chase, MD)
Learn to identify our region’s birds on this volunteer-led walk around Woodend Nature Sanctuary. Bring your own binoculars or use ours. Join our Master Naturalists for a nature hike around Woodend Nature Sanctuary. This kid-friendly nature walk is great for all ages. Visit our Blair Native Garden to see what’s in bloom and stroll through our meadow to learn about butterflies. Take a guided tour of the historic Woodend mansion.
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Weekend Picks are endless!

September 10, 2015

There’s no excuse to stay home this weekend. So much happening, it was hard to pick the best.

The Kensington Train Show is back! Model trains will chug around the tracks at the family-friendly event. Saturday and Sunday your kids can view the trains from 11:00am-5:00pm both days. Admission is $5 for adults/$2 for children/$10 for a family. Kensington Town Hall 3710 Mitchell Street Kensington, Maryland

Maryland Renaissance Festival will be weekends of August 29-October 25. The festival is free to children 6 and under this weekend. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment for you and the kids, 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!
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Weekend Picks: Groundhog Day, Spy Fest and Avalon Theater

January 30, 2015

Friday:

10:30am: Groundhog Day at Meadowside Nature Center
(5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20853)
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Will spring be early or late? Find out how the groundhog became a weather forecaster, and make a craft to take home. Ages 3-5; $5

6:00pm: Spy Fest at The International Spy Museum
(between 9th and 8th Streets at 800 F Street, NW)
Could you be a spy? Now’s your chance to find out! The International Spy Museum’s Spy Fest 2015 provides kids and parents a rare opportunity to get an inside glimpse into the secret world of espionage. Through interactive, spy-related activities and booths, attendees will learn how to think like real secret agents as they assume new identities, decipher coded messages, analyze hand-written and satellite images, and detect liars by polygraph — all directly from experts in the field. And who knows, there just may be a spy or two in your midst…Ages: 5 and up* (one adult required for every five KidSpy agents). Ticket includes exclusive after-hours admission, SPY snacks, scavenger hunt, prize competitions, and more!

Saturday:

10:00am: Avalon Theater presents Marsha Goodman-Wood
(5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20015)
DC-based singer/songwriter Marsha Goodman-Wood sets little toes to tapping with original melodies that mix generous doses of science and positive social messages into songs that are just plain fun. Her quirky, smart compositions take on topics from astronomy (answering the age-old question “Why Can’t You Dance on Jupiter?”) to nonconformity (“Sheep Don’t Wear Shoes”) to biology (“The Penguin Song”).

10:30am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, 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. Best for ages 1 month-3 years. Featured story: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Sunday:

10:00am: Sunday Fun Day at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session you leave with a completed craft, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Best for ages 1-3. Featured story: Building a House

Monday:
7:30am: Groundhog Day in DuPont Circle Park
Potomac Phil, the National Groundhog, will make an appearance and offer weather and political predictions. Phil will let us know whether to expect six more weeks of winter or an early spring. Live accordion music, polka dancers, puppet show, VIP celebrities and more. Top Hats are strongly encouraged.

Want to get away for the weekend? Or just the day? Head to Baltimore! It’s a quick car trip and there’s endless fun to be had.

Weekday Adventures: Coyote Mischief, Geocaching and Postal Museum Storytime

November 2, 2014

Brrr– November is here and Fall weather has arrived. I’m ecstatic because that means I’m only 2 weeks away from meeting our second child but I am also fully aware that today was not *that* cold and I still had to run screaming to my car tonight on our way out of Comet Pizza because I was so cold. I’m admittedly a big baby when it comes to cold weather (in my defense I lived in Florida for 6 years). With that being said, I will keep a few events outdoors but it’s that time of the year where I will search for fun indoor events mostly. The heat is on at DC Libraries and you can find the Children’s Library Events for the week here. Also, our Indoor Fun Guide has plenty of places to check off your list this winter and escape the cold.

Monday-

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 The Singing Lizard is performing.

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.

10:30am: Storytime at The National Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20002)
The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum invites adults and young children (ages 2-3) to discover the world around them together at our monthly StoryTime. Children will build important developmental and social skills through books, activities, songs and self-guided gallery exploration. Explore themes, such as shapes, colors, and sizes, in a relaxed setting at your neighborhood museum. Feel free to bring snacks and enjoy the space after the program! Free- no reservation required. Featured story is Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats.

10:30am-11:00am: Songs and stories at Politics and Prose
(5015 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008)
Come sing-along to your favorite songs. Grab a treat in the cafe afterwards or hang out reading books.

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Weekday Adventures: Music at Metro Center, Climate Action Playdate and Summer Movies

July 27, 2014

We have two mid-week posts coming to your inboxes, keep an eye out! Also, make sure to ‘Like’ us on Facebook to get updates on local events that may not be covered in our blog posts.

This is Boogie Babes final week until Fall, so catch one or both of their shows.

Wolf Trap Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods has several shows this week including Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips and Capitol Tap. Details here.

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Weekday Adventures: Splish, splash in the stream, theatre-in-the-woods and practice your ABC’s with Mister G

July 6, 2014

Looking to escape the warmer temperatures this week? There are some new theatre performances in town, including Pinkalicious and the BFG. Our theatre roundup have the details you need.

The Smithsonian’s Discovery Theatre has a new show this week: Christylez Bacon: Human Beatbox. Showtimes are Tuesday-Friday at 10:15am and 11:30am.

DC Parks and Rec have turned on all spray parks and pools! Check them out to cool off.

Monday-

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.

10:30am-11:15am: Mr. Knick Knack at Reston Town Center (Pavillon)
(11900 Market St, Reston, Va. 20190)
Unique, heart-centered music for kids! Free.

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Weekday Adventures: Chill out with ice cream, a Frozen sing-along and more

June 29, 2014

DC Capital Fair is in town through July 6. Find the schedule here. You’ll find a huge carnival, delicious food, games, and free live entertainment and shows including Circus Flores, Lance Gifford’s Magic & Illusion Show, Las Vegas Hypnotist Show, Wild Wolves Show and Tiger Show.
(RFK Stadium- 2400 East Capital St SE, Washington, D.C.)

Monday-

10:30am-11:15am: Mr. Knick Knack at Reston Town Center (Pavillon)
(11900 Market St, Reston, Va. 20190)
Unique, heart-centered music for kids! Free.

Tuesday- Today the first 100 customers at each of Dolcezza’s five area locations will receive a complimentary mini cone of their special 10th anniversary flavor: Chocolate Suizo (Swiss) Gelato.

10:00am and 11:00am: Mr. Gabe at Takoma Park Maryland Library
(101 Philadelphia Ave. Takoma Park, Md. 20912)
Join the catchy and entertaining Mr. Gabe for “Community Circle Time” for 2 free shows. Become a member of the library while you’re there, if not one already or just stay and read with your little one.

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.

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Weekend Picks: Get digging, kicking or just mill around Rock Creek Park

June 26, 2014

Smithsonian Folklife Festival is happening on the National Mall through Sunday and then again July 2-6.

As always, check out the Theatre Roundup page for shows!

Saturday-

10:00am-12:30pm: Family Garden Day at The National Arboretum
(3501 New York Ave., NE, Washington, D.C.)
Family Garden Days is an interactive family gardening, nutrition education, and cooking program. It is designed to bring families together at the Washington Youth Garden to share in a communal experience of learning how to grow and prepare fruits and vegetables, maintain an organic garden, and prepare healthy meals. Tailored to beginning gardeners and those looking to enhance their food and wellness practices, the program is an exciting opportunity for families to grow awareness, appreciation and connections to their food sources and engage in healthy life affirming outdoor activities! Participating families harvest fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden for cooking demos as well as to prepare and enjoy at home. Buy tickets here.

10:00am: Mr. Gabe and the Circle Time All-Stars at Burke Lake Park Amphitheater
(7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039)
Free children’s and family concert. Mr. Gabe and his band, the Circle Time All-Stars, perform a mix of traditional children’s songs, family-friendly pop songs, and originals from Mr. Gabe’s award-winning CD, Play Date. Bring a picnic and enjoy being outside.

10:30am: Jammin with the Smithsonian: The Diggity Dudes at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, Va. 22180)
The Diggity Dudes play hip music for hip kids and their equally hip parents. A typical set covers everything from pet rocks to disco moves to science experiments to presidential physical fitness, all delivered via ultra-catchy melodies over funky and danceable grooves. Interactive skits, audience participation and a lighthearted comedic twist are what make a Diggity Dudes show more than a show – it’s truly an experience. $10 and doors will open at 10:00am.

11:00am-2:00pm: Pierce Mill in Rock Creek National Park
(Tilden Street (same as Park Road), NW and Beach Drive, Washington, DC 20015)
Mill in Operation (11 AM – 2 PM) – watch the waterwheel turn and learn how the flow of water into the “buckets” brings the wheel to life and sets the machinery inside the mill in motion Visitor Center (10 AM – 4 PM) – learn about the Peirce family and the other mills that operated along Rock Creek. There will be games for children, including a self-guided treasure hunt, water flow and gravity toys, checkers, and other simple toys from the milling period.

11:00am-12:00pm: Songs and Dances of the Pua (Flowers) of Hawaii at US Botanic Garden
(100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001 National Garden Amphitheater. Rain Location: Conservatory Garden Court)
Join the Hawai’i State Society of Washington D.C. `Ukulele Hui as they depict in song and dance the beautiful flowers of Hawai’i, such as the yellow ginger, pikake, hibiscus, carnation, green rose, lehua, gardenia, bird-of-paradise, and more. Celebrate the pua, or flower, which serves as a metaphor for a child or someone very cherished. Learn how leis, made up of these special flowers, are presented to people for occasions involving love, friendship, joy, congratulations and best wishes.

Sunday-

9:00am-9:45am: Tots and Tykes Yoga at Tranquil Space
(1632 17th St NW, Washington, DC)
Tot & Tyke Yoga is a supportive, fun-loving, and active yoga class. During this class crawlers and walkers playfully practice yoga postures while they are standing, sitting up, walking and jumping. An adult must attend class with child but no yoga experience is required.

11:30am-1:30pm: Pannini America at Child’s Play
(5536 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC. 20015)
Child’s Play will be roping off the parking lot behind their Chevy Chase store for 2 hours of games and giveaways. Practice your goal kicking skills in our inflatable goals. Bring your stickers and trade with others. Panini America (the makers of those amazing World Cup stickers) will be there giving away free World Cup 2014 merchandise (while supplies last).