Smithsonian National Zoo

Weekend Picks: December 15-17, 2017

December 15, 2017

Join Nats Winterfest, returning December 16 and 17 to the Washington Convention Center. Winterfest will again feature two days of fun! Activities include:

Clinics with Nationals players and coaches
Watch a Home Run 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 2018 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
“Video Pitch,” where fans can give virtual batters their best pitch

Bring your young animal lover to the Zoo this weekend for “Meerkat Mania,” or “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” preschool classes for 2-3 and 3-5 year olds! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 and 3-5 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo. “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world. Pre-registration is required. “Meerkat Mania” will run on Saturday, December 16 from 10:00am-11:30am “Monkey See, Monkey Do” will run on Sunday, December 17 from 10:00am-11:30am $28/child for FONZ members. $35/child for non-members. Registration fee covers one child with adult.

This weekend Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show is at the Dulles Expo Center. It is the largest and longest-running model train and collectible toy show in the country. The show is geared towards the general public and towards modelers and hobbyists, featuring hundreds of tables of trains and accessories for sale, huge operating exhibits, activities for kids, and more. All aboard!

Saturday-

9:30am AND 11:00am: Bright Star Theatre: Holiday Songs: Music Around the World at National Theatre
Songs and stories come together for a truly magical wintertime show. Audiences will travel from Africa to Mexico and everywhere in between, while hearing a range of songs from “I Have A Little Dreidel” and “Auld Lang Syne” to “Away in a Manger,” “Sankta Lucia” and so much more.

11:00am-1:00 pm: Holiday Edition Art Making at Treehouse Atelier
Bring your school-age kids and take some time off your busy schedules to craft alongside your child during this special time of year. What a better gift than to create some holiday cheer with your children? Projects include: Gingerbread Wintery Mural (art), Make your own Ornament (craft), Create a Candy/Winter Wonderland world (craft) and Create a Nutcracker collage (art). Please note this Open Studio is geared towards school-age kids 4 and older. $25 per child with sibling discounts. Please register here.

1:00pm-4:00pm: From Our Happy Home Holiday Craft Program at National Portrait Gallery
Step into the 19th century world of Louisa May Alcott in this craft program for the entire family. Construct paper house lanterns and handmade books as you explore some of the ways people have created feelings of comfort and warmth in the cold winter months. Join Little Women story time to hear how Alcott’s heroines the March sisters celebrated the holidays, bringing literature and music together to light their home. This drop-in program will take place Saturday, December 16 in the National Portrait Gallery’s Education Center, E151, and Explore! children’s space. Reservations are appreciated but not required. Designed in collaboration with the National Building Museum; a variation of this program will take place on Sunday, December 17 at the National Building Museum. Visit their website for more information.

4:00pm: Family Yoga at LemonTree
Come enjoy an all-levels vinyasa yoga practice with your little one(s). Mamas (and papas) with kiddos are welcome to join us for this fun, interactive flow. Grown-ups and older children will move through poses while littler yogis sleep, play and/or explore in a child-friendly (and safe) environment. No prior experience is required. Please bring your mats and a playful attitude.

Sunday-

1:00pm-4:00pm: Family Afternoon: From Our Happy Home at National Building Museum
Construct paper house lanterns and handmade books as you explore some of the ways people in the past and today create feelings of home in the cold winter months. Investigate objects from the Museum’s House & Home exhibition for examples of interior lighting. Step into the 19^thcentury world of author Louisa May Alcott and discover how music and literature were brought together to light her homes during the winter season. Designed in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery; a variation of this program will take place on Saturday, December 16 at the National Portrait Gallery. Visit their website for more information. Free, drop in. All ages.

3:30-5:00 pm: Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas at Hooray for Books
Come meet Pamela Ehrenberg, author of the new PJ Library® book, Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas. We will have a book reading and signing, followed by crafts and vegetarian Indian snacks from Namaste King Street. You’ll get a signed, hardcover copy of the book!$25 for up to 3 people – includes signed book and Indian snacks; $5 for every additional person. Best for ages 3 and up. Brought to you by PJ Library Greater Washington, Federation’s Jewish Food Experience, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington andHooray For Books.

Holidays in Washington, DC

Guest Post: ZooLights and more fun at the National Zoo

December 7, 2016

I love that I have friends who have busy lives; juggling work and a family (and so much more) but still find the time to help me out. Thanks to my friend Patricia for her review and recommendation on all that the Smithsonian National Zoo has to offer for families as well as a date night option.

Patricia Masi works as Director for Edible DC and has two beautiful children whom she takes on lots of fun adventures in the DMV area. You can find her other Guest Post here.

Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights, powered by Pepco, a part of their annual holiday tradition. A free event, ZooLights includes live music performances, tasty winter treats and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. More than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland! New this year: enjoy dozens of large, glowing animal lanterns and stroll through thousands of reflecting lights as part of the interactive ⁠— and highly Instagrammable — art exhibit called “Entre Les Rangs.” Member week takes place Dec. 1 through Dec. 8. During Member Week, FONZ members will have benefits to take advantage of.

The Smithsonian National Zoo can do no wrong with my family. I have two daughters ages two and four and we visit the zoo year round. From the pandas to the zebras and everything in between there is something there for everyone. While we come year round it is the special events that we never miss!

Just a few weeks ago we attended Boo at the Zoo and the kids had a blast! While there weren’t a ton of animals to see you still felt their presence. Kids were able to trick-or-treat in costume, enjoy the festive decorations, listen to music and watch a juggler work his magic. Tickets are not free of course but the entertainment and memories alone are worth the price of admission. We look forward to going back every year!

One last thing I will mention- if you love the Zoo and want a fun date night, check-out ZooFari; a fundraiser you can really sink your teeth into. With more than 100 of the area’s top restaurants it will be a delicious evening of gourmet food, fine wines, and celebrity chefs all in the wild setting of the National Zoo.

Weekend Picks

April 22, 2016

Saturday-

10:00am-2:00pm: Earth Day Celebration at National Zoo
(3001 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008 )
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is committed to saving species and our planet. Did you know that the Zoo recycles approximately 100 tons of materials and composts 600 tons of waste each year? This Earth Day, make the Zoo your go-to place to participate in green-themed activities. You’ll have the chance to get gardening tips from our expert horticulturists, take a tour of the Zoo’s green facilities, attend special demonstrations, and more. Don’t forget to ride your bike!

10:00am-3:00pm: Virginia Touch-A-Truck
(Dominion High School, 21326 Augusta Dr., Sterling)
Put your imagination in gear and go! Join us for Virginia’s original TOUCH-A-TRUCK where kids get a chance to get behind the wheel and rub elbows with their hometown heroes. Come and climb on and explore your favorite vehicles including big rigs, fire engines, cement mixer, school bus, utility vehicles and so many more… It will surely be a day that will be remembered for years to come. $5

10:00am-2:00pm: Junior Ranger Day at Pierce Mill
(2539 Tilden St NW, Washington, D.C.)
Earn a centennial junior ranger badge, make a corn husk craft, learn to make a map, find out how to tie different knots, and much more.

37-atxl 10:30am: Miss Nina’s Sing-Along at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Whether you see her performing in concert, in class or listen to her original music you can witness her high-energy joy that fuels her dancing spirit. And Nina hopes its contagious! Providing children and their families the space and opportunity to enjoy music and movement together is her passion.

2:00pm: Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s “Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny”
(1234 Ingleside Ave. McLean, VA 22101)
“Goodnight Moon” is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while “The Runaway Bunny”’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both tales feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery never fail to infuse young readers with a reassuring sense of security. Mermaid’s staged adaptation will bring a new sense of appreciation to stories that have delighted several generations.

Sunday-

10:30am: Royal Family Yoga
(CityDance located at 4435 Wisconsin Ave NW)
Calling all princesses, princes, knights, and dragons! Dress in your finest fairytale inspired clothing for a royal gathering. We’ll dance, stretch, play, and imagine. Ages 3-8. Registration ends Friday.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Earth Day at Brookside Gardens
(1800 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, MD 20902 )
What better place than Brookside Gardens, M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks, to celebrate Earth Day? Through volunteering, walks and tours, earth friendly activities and browsing our green craft fair, you can learn while having fun. Interactive family-friendly activities and a “green” vendor and craft fair will be offered from 12noon- 4pm. Enjoy wildflower and plant walks starting at 12:30pm. Discover how small changes in your everyday habits can make a big impact on improving our environment.