Beltway Bambinos

(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children

Port Discovery Children’s Museum events and exhibits

Port Discovery Children’s Museum celebrated their grand opening of a $10.5 million transformation this summer. This marks the Museum’s first major makeover since opening in December 1998. The museum features a new four-story SkyClimber and life-sized cargo ship celebrating The Port of Baltimore! Below you will find out about fun events happening through the end of the year as well as some hands-on exhibits you won’t want to miss. You can make a weekend out of your trip to Baltimore or easily hit the museum in a day.

October 2019

Monsters, Mystery & Magic 
Friday, October 18 – Thursday, October 31

Calling all ghouls, goblins and princesses! Don your spookiest (or sparkliest!) Halloween costume and head to Port Discovery for a spook-tastic celebration during Monsters, Mystery & Magic! Enjoy fang-tastic family entertainment, and not-so-scary Halloween celebrations. Make Halloween-themed creations in Dr. Frankenstein’s Monster Factory. Enjoy the magic of the season during special theater performances on Port Discovery’s Magic Stage.  Dress up and celebrate together during Monster Parades. Enjoy events and activities that are fun for the whole family – and that will get everyone into the Halloween spirit – during this not-so-scary event!

October Deal Days*
Weekday Afternoons in October. Valid Tuesday – Friday after 1 PM in October 2019.

Play, learn, and save! What could be better? Explore Port Discovery Children’s Museum on weekday afternoons in October – and take advantage of a great deal. Join Tuesday – Friday after 1 PM – and play, learn and make magical memories together for just $10 per person. That’s almost $8 off the normal admission price – so act now and save big!

*This offer cannot be applied to previous purchases or used for online purchases. Offer cannot be combined with other coupons or offers. Valid after 1 PM on weekdays in October 2019 only.

November 2019

Salute the Troops
November 11, 2019 – January 1, 2020 
Free admission for active duty, veterans and retired military*

From November 1, 2018 through January 1, 2019 active duty, veterans and retired military receive free admission to Port Discovery Children’s Museum. Guests of service members will receive $2.00 off general admission. Simply present valid military or veterans ID to take advantage of this offer.*
*Present valid Military ID, Veterans ID, State Driver’s License with Veterans Designation or Discharge Papers (photocopies acceptable) to redeem offer. One free admission per transaction. No other discounts, offers or passes may be applied within the same transaction. Tickets while using this discount must be purchased at the Box Office and cannot be applied to past purchases or online orders.

Exploring Light & Science
November 1 – 10, 2019
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Light: It’s dazzling, it’s electrifying, and it’s all around you! Help us celebrate Light City and the Maryland STEM Festival as you explore and experiment with lights and science at Port Discovery. Take part in circle times, scavenger hunts, and hands-on science activities- plus enjoy special science shows. You’ll learn all sorts of fun trivia – like why the moon doesn’t actually glow, that UV Light doesn’t come just from the sun, and more!

Hops & Vines – Adults Only Playdate at Port Discovery
Saturday, November 23, 7:30pm – 11:00pm

Adult night out!  Join us for Hops & Vines – an adults-only play date – and PLAY in the redesigned Museum while you sip beer and wine provided by Baltimore’s best breweries and wineries. Explore Port Discovery’s new four-story SkyClimber – and super tall, super spiral, and super-fast slide! Race your friends to stack cargo in The Port. Play in Tiny’s Diner, make giant bubbles in Wonders of Water, solve the mysteries in Adventure Expeditions, and more! Light fare will be provided. Hops & Vines raises funds for Port Discovery’s access programs, which provide free or reduced admission for families and schools in economically challenged communities, children with special needs and military families. This is a 21 and over event.

American Indian Heritage Weekend
Friday, November 29, Saturday, November 30 & Sunday, December 1

Learn about the traditions and heritage of local American Indian tribes throughout American Indian Heritage Weekend! Explore the American Indian heritage and culture up close and personal from the Baltimore American Indian Center, enjoy an intertribal dancing performance, plus take part in hands-on activities celebrating American Indian Heritage! This event is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council.


December 2019

Gingerbricks presented with McCormick
Saturday December 7 & Saturday December 14, 10am-5pm
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Gingerbread houses, gum drops, icing…WAHOO! Join Port Discovery and the wonderful chefs from McCormick to decorate gingerbricks with tasty treats (we won’t tell if you eat one or two…or ten)! Watch as your creating becomes part of a GIANT gingerbread house that will be on display throughout the holiday season. Add to your holiday tradition with other fun and play inside the Museum. Not only will you be enjoying a new, fun holiday tradition, you’ll also experience the learning that takes place when children have the chance to create, design and are part of a larger project!

Dollar (or Less) Day
Sunday, December 8
Explore three floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits designed especially for kids for just $1 on Sunday, December 9! Explore BIG new exhibits, The Port and the SkyClimber, join in educational and fun drop-in programs including interactive story times, Mother Goose on the Loose®, music and movement in Tiny Tots Music Time and more! *Please prepare for long entry lines and crowds for this event. 

Winter Break Fun
Saturday, December 21 – Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Celebrate family traditions, holidays and winter break with hands-on learning and fun! Join while kids are out of school for a memorable day of play and learning that the whole family will enjoy.

Check out the winter break fun schedule of activities on their website for details on activities taking place each day!

Noon Time New Year: When You Wish Upon a Star
Tuesday, December 31, 10am-5pm
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Countdown to New Years at Noon at this family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration! Countdown to 2020 with a celebration including a magical noontime countdown, a juice and cookie toast, festive tunes, and more. This year, they’ll celebrate the wishes everyone has for the year ahead while making magical memories together. *Please prepare for long entry lines and crowds for this event. 

Happening Monthly

Explore New Exhibits – The SkyClimber (socks required!)
Open daily. Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Encourage your children to build confidence, learn problem solving skills, build motor skills, and have fun as they try their hand at climbing The SkyClimber! Children (and kids at heart) will be inspired to dream and to test their courage as they climb their way up and around the four-story SkyClimber up into the clouds. Then either slide down an ultra-fun (and ultra-swirly!) four-story slide, or climb down towards the ground.

Explore New Exhibits – The Port
Open daily. Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Become the captain of an imaginative adventure on a life-sized cargo ship in The Port! Sail, navigate and be a ship engineer as you explore the seas and discover how products make their way around the world. Work together to move, stack and explore what’s inside of shipping containers. Try your hand at operating a gantry crane, explore an engine room and try your hand at navigating a ship, plus learn about the Port of Baltimore – and the many jobs and products that make up one of the world’s most active ports!

Here We Grow!
Open daily. Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Here We Grow! is an interactive exhibit that introduces children and their caregivers to farm processes, products and people through the themes of science and technology, history, local ecology, global economics and art. Through words, ideas, sounds and interactive elements the exhibit will help visitors develop an appreciation for the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives and teach concepts of agricultural conservation and sustainability.

Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

Friday & Saturday evening, Mount Vernon is celebrating Independence Day. Enjoy a patriotic evening filled with dazzling fireworks, Mansion tours, musical performances, and games on George Washington’s beloved estate! Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30pm.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival established in 1967, honors contemporary living cultural traditions and celebrates those who practice and sustain them. Produced annually by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, the Festival has featured participants from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The free Festival takes place for two weeks every summer, overlapping the Fourth of July holiday. It is an educational, research-based presentation that features master artisans and other tradition bearers.Visitors are invited to sing and dance along, try craft and game workshops, learn traditional recipes, ask questions, and take part in this unique cultural exchange.

Breakfast with the Bears at the National Zoo will run on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, July 1 from 9-10:30am. This is a class you can surely sink your teeth into. Learn about the favorite foods of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s three species of bears, and then join us for outdoor snack time outside one of the bear exhibits! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 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.

Friday

5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Sculpture Garden
The free concert series features jazz artists performing a wide variety of styles—Traditional New Orleans jazz, blues, swing, Ska, Funk, Blues, Pan-Caribbean salsa, boogaloo, Go-go, and more. During jazz concerts, the Pavilion Café offers a special menu of creative American cuisine and refreshments. Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into the Sculpture Garden but may be purchased at the café. (Picture above)

7:00pm-9:00pm: Friday Night Concert Series
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 8th Season. Every Friday night this summer, come to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants within a few minutes walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike.

Saturday

8:00am-1:00pm: 11th Annual City-Wide Truck Touch
This event will feature a variety of free activities for kids and adults. A host of DC government agencies will present and demonstrate nearly 30 vehicles used to clean and repair streets, change traffic lights, collect refuse, clear snow, provide emergency services, administer mobile healthcare, and more. Free boxed lunches will be provided to kids age 18 and under.

10:15am: Children’s Art Talk & Tour at Strathmore
Young art lovers can get behind the brushstrokes and into the head, heart, and history of the artists with these kid-friendly Saturday tours. Children take part in an educational guided tour of the current exhibitions followed by a hands-on art activity. Ages 7 & up. Accompanying adults are free. Reservations required.

10:30am: The Wizard of Oz at Wolf Trap Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
Rediscover the joy of following the yellow brick road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion as they travel through a reimagined world of Oz!

11:00am:  A Day at the Beach at Little Falls Library
Meet some animals that leave at the seashore! Under the Sea presents “A Day at the Beach,” a virtual tour of a beach on the Atlantic coast. You’ll learn about beach features like sand, waves, tides, dunes, and jetties. Children will meet some of the animals that call beaches home and learn about beach food chains during this lively and educational presentation by a marine scientist. This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County Inc and is appropriate for the entire family, but especially ages four and up. Space is limited; free tickets will be handed out 30 minutes before the program begins.

Sunday

(Photo: Red Panda Art Studio)

10:00am-5:00pm: KID Museum
KID Museum is an innovative learning space unlike any other in the DC region. The museum provides hands-on learning that incorporates STEM, art, and culture with 21st century skills like creativity and critical thinking. Click above link for the day’s events.

3:30pm-4:15pm: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
You and your child (ages 1-5) are invited to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, music, movement, and visual art. Each session you leave with a special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. Featured story: Elephant & Piggie. Get your tickets!

4:00pm-5:30pm: Red Panda Art Studio Pop-in Drop-in
Red Panda Art Studio will be opening a Summer Pop-Up location to fulfill all of your creative needs during the month of July at the WAS Gallery in the Westwood II Shopping Center in Bethesda. Come check out the new studio space and celebrate their opening with a selection of their favorite sensory activities and projects, geared towards ages 3 to 8. Drop-off welcome. $25/child.

Other articles you may be interested in: 

Kids Eat Free in DC

Summer Camp Guide

Local Theatre Performances

Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum is hosting a Garden Party from 11am-4pm both Saturday & Sunday to celebrate the warmer weather, and to highlight one of our exhibitions, Beautiful Blooms: Flowering Plants on Stamps. The exhibition’s focus is on stamp art that features flowers and diverse elements of a garden, such as birds and flowering trees. The artwork on display represents some of the most attractive pieces in the renowned Postmaster General’s Collection, and we are excited to feature the exhibition as part of this educational, fun and inviting program.

Balloonacy at Imagination Stage is on it’s final weekend of performances. Shows are Saturday & Sunday.

Helpful information on the Cherry Blossoms can be found here.

Royal Adventure Days at B&O Railroad Museum allows you to spend the day with some of your favorite princesses and fairy tale characters. Explore 5 royal kingdoms where you interact or make crafts with royalty. Saturday, April 7, 10am – 3pm, Sunday, April 8, 11am – 3pm. Train Ride: Saturday at 11:30am, 12:30pm & 2pm. Sunday at 12pm & 2:30pm.

USA Science & Engineering Festival will be at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday 10 am- 6 pm and Sunday 10 am- 4 pm. This is the Nation’s largest celebration of STEM. With over 3,000 hands-on exhibits, stage shows & scientists. Free 2-day expo!

Saturday-

9:30am AND 11:15am: Theatreworks USA: Dragons Love Tacos and Other Stories
The National Theatre is thrilled to welcome Theatreworks USA’s newest musical revue of beloved contemporary children’s books! Dragons love all sorts of tacos – except spicy ones! When a boy throws his new dragon friends a spicy salsa taco party, red-hot trouble ensues. FREE

10:00am-12:00pm: Open Studio: Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival! at Freer|Sackler
Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with the Freer|Sackler! Take a family-friendly tour and learn about nature in Japanese art (10:30 am). Then, continue to explore the Freer for pop-up art-making activities and artist demonstrations inspired by the spring season. All ages welcome with adult companions.

10:15am: Strathmore Children’s Art Talk & Tour at the Mansion
Young art lovers can get behind the brushstrokes and into the head, heart, and history of the artists with these kid-friendly Saturday tours. Children take part in an educational guided tour of the current exhibitions followed by a hands-on art activity. Ages 7 & up. Accompanying adults are free. Reservations required.

10:30am-11:15am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist 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. The Little Engine That Could is the featured story.

11:30am-3:00pm: Jazz Family Day at SAAM
Come and jam at SAAM during Jazz Appreciation Month! SAAM celebrates jazz’s influence on artists with activities and performances. Improvise with your own jazz-themed crafts, complete a swinging scavenger hunt, and bop to jazz performances throughout the day.

1:00pm-9:30pm: Petalpalooza
Join us for live music, games, fireworks, free product giveaways, and more. There are also lots of great restaurants along The Wharf where you can pop inside and grab a bite to eat. We’re looking forward to a fun-filled Saturday and can’t wait to see you there! To remain aware of updates, check back here or follow us on Facebook: CherryBlossomFestival and Twitter: @CherryBlossFest.

Sunday-

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Fun-Day at Imagination Stage
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, music, movement, and visual art. Each session you leave with a special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. From Head to Toe is the featured story.

2:00pm AND 6:00pm: Bubble Guppies Live at National Theatre
Get the ultimate fan experience with the Meet and Greet Package. Package features premium show seating and a pre-show Meet and Greet with two Bubble Guppies Live friends – Gil and Molly! Meet and Greet packages will include a separate Meet and Greet ticket, which you’ll receive with your show tickets. Each adult and child (age 1 and up) in a group must purchase a Meet and Greet Package. All Meet and Greets start one hour before show time and last 20 minutes.**Everyone entering the theater must have a ticket.

Weekend Picks: April 7-9

Easter egg hunts have commenced!!! Hop in on this free community Easter egg hunt, Eggstravaganza, where kids can collect as many candy-filled eggs as they can find. Enjoy getting to know neighbors, grab some free popcorn, take part in games and outdoor fun, and even meet the Easter Bunny! Register online. 

Saturday-

10:00am-1:00pm: Eggstravaganza at South Run Recreation Center
(7550 Reservation Dr, Springfield, VA 22153)

11:00am-2:00pm: Eggstravaganza at Four Mile Run Park
(4109 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305)

11:00am-1:00pm: Eggstravaganza at Garrison Elementary
(1200 S St NW, Washington, DC 20009)

12:00pm-4:00pm: 2nd Annual PEEPS Day at National Harbor
(165 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745)
Celebrate everyone’s favorite treat with kids’ activities, a DJ, the PEEPS mascot, a movie, and the National Harbor World PEEPS Eating Championship, hosted by Major League Eating! There will also be a moon bounce maze, a climbing wall, cornhole, facepainting, and more! The Capital Wheel celebrates PEEPS Day with one free tickets for kids (12 and under) with one paid adult ticket. See ticket kiosk for details.

Saturday & Sunday- Febergé Egg Family Festival at Hillwood Estate & Garden
(4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008)
Admire the exquisite imperial eggs and other fanciful Fabergé creations collected by Marjorie Post. Experience festive folk music performed by Samovar Russian Folk Music Ensemble and spirited dancing by Kalinka Dance Ensemble. Enjoy stories of Russian Easter traditions in a fun family play, produced by Happenstance Theater. Take part in a traditional Russian egg-rolling game. Step into Fabergé’s Workshop to decorate your own Fabergé-inspired egg.

Saturday & Sunday (as well as other weekends in April): Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard
(22200 Davis Mill Road Germantown MD 20876)
Enjoy a hayride down the Bunny Trail, race the Rubber Duck Derby, hunt for colorful eggs (we provide the basket!), exchange eggs for a goodie basket to take home, visit with the farm’s very own Country Bunny, ride pedal tractors, play in Hayromp and Playground, hop in inflatables, ride the giant slides, see bunnies, lambs and chicks, get your face painted and ride a pony. $9 per child and $7 per adult. Open 10:00am-4:00pm.

 

The Acton Children’s Business Fair held in Washington, DC, Saturday June 4, 2016. (Photo by Cal Cary/ImageSmith Media)

Saturday-

9:00am-10:00am: Weekend Walk in the Woods at Woodend Nature Sanctuary
(8940 Jones Mill Road Chevy Chase, MD 20815)
FREE family programs are here! We invite you to take an hour out of your schedule to enjoy spending time with your family outdoors. Join our Master Naturalists on the first Saturday of each month from 9-10 am for a nature hike around Woodend Sanctuary. Each hike will have a unique and exciting natural history theme.  Programs are appropriate for family members of all ages. Please come prepared to hike in sneakers and don’t forget your water bottle. We hope you will join us for our exciting new programs each month! Meet at the gazebo by the main house.

9:30am-5:00pm: STEM in Spring at Port Discovery
(35 Market Place Baltimore, MD 21202)
School may be out for spring break, but your kids can still learn while  they have FUN at Port Discovery! Immerse yourself into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) activities that challenge your visual perception during Light City Baltimore! Lasting from Saturday-April 17.

10:00am-12:00pm: National Cherry Blossom Parade
(Constitution Avenue – From 7th to 17th streets, NW)
One of DC’s largest spectator events, the energy-filled National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC runs for 10 blocks along iconic Constitution Avenue. Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down the Parade route in a grand spectacle of music and showmanship seen only once a year during the Festival. From the National Archives to the Washington Monument, spectators are wow-ed by the pageantry and excitement that is the nation’s premier springtime parade.

10:30am-6:00pm: 57th Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival
(M St and New Jersey Ave SE)
The Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival is the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the United States and is proud to be the grand finale of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  Performers and vendors travel from all over the country and the world to Washington, DC to share their love of Japanese culture and traditions with the Festival attendees.Sakura Matsuri tickets can be bought in advance online and at the gate on the day-of for $10 with children 12 and under always free. Ticket sales on the day of the festival are cash only.

1:00pm-3:00pm: Emancipation Day Parade and Truck Touch
(1000-1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW)
Events include the parade at 1:00pm, the concert at Freedom Plaza at 3:00pm and fireworks at 9:00pm.

2:00pm-3:00pm: Acton Children’s Business Fair Launch Party at the Kennedy-Warren
(3133 Connecticut Ave NW)
Learn about the business coming to Cleveland Park on May 13 and how your child (ages 6-14) can participate. Hear the experiences of young entrepreneurs from the 2016 Business Fair.

Sunday-

11:00am-2:00pm: Design with Nature at the National Building Museum
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001)
Explore the intersection of design, building, and the natural environment. In celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, attendees of all ages can discover ways in which environment inspires design. Learn how nature can be intentionally integrated into and around built spaces. Fold origami flowers and join other families to design a large-scale paper garden to help bring spring into the Great Hall. Construct and decorate your own nature-inspired miniature Japanese bӯobu screens. Picnic inside the Museum and listen to a springtime story.

1:00pm-5:00pm: Anacostia River Festival
(Anacostia Park: Anacostia Drive & Good Hope Road SE)
The National Park Service and the 11th Street Bridge Park present the third annual Anacostia River Festival, a premier event of the 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival. For a taste of local D.C., come celebrate the Anacostia River and take a canoe out to explore the River, ride in our bike parade, play lawn games with your family and experience Southeast D.C.’s local arts scene at this special FREE event. This year we are celebrating biking in the District with trail rides, safety classes, quick bike tune ups and special bike activities for all ages.

 

Weekend Picks March 24-26

With the gorgeous weather headed here on Saturday, I’m guessing the Mall will be packed with those trying to get a look at cherry blossoms. Here is the event page and the opening ceremony is on Saturday from 11:30am-3:00pm which is child-friendly with performances, face painting, and cherry-blossom themed crafts. For those who don’t wish to be in a large crowd head to Kenwood in Bethesda, Maryland and walk the streets at your leisure.

(Photo: The National cherry blossom festival parade that ends the festival’s celebrations)

Weekend Easter Egg Hunts  & Activities begin this weekend at Ticonderoga! Admission Ages 2 & Up $14.95 per. Hunts will take place promptly at 11:00am and 2:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays, during Spring Festival dates. Meet and Greet with the Easter Bunny and find the Golden Goose Egg for an extra special prize! There are many other activities included with your admission to enjoy, including: giant slide hills, huge jumping pillows, hayrides, animal feeding areas, pedal kart track, swinging bridge, and much more! There will be 3 different age groups in separate areas for each Egg Hunt: Ages 0-3, 4-6, and 7+. Food vendors will be on-site for Full Plate items, tasty treats and snacks from 11 am-4 pm. Entrance gate will close at 4:00 PM daily.

Saturday-

9:00am-3:00pm: K-12 STEM Symposium at The Nysmith School
(13625 EDS Dr. Herndon, Virginia 20171)
The K-12 STEM Symposium is a free and exciting all-day forum that equally engages children, parents, and teachers, coupled with corporate, government, academia and non-profit executives alike from the STEM fields. Kids can get first-hand experience with drones, coding, 3D printing, space and more!!

9:30am AND 11:00am: Bilbo’s Journey at National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20004)
Everyone loves the cherished tale of a home loving little Hobbit who finds himself on an adventure he could never have imagined! On his perilous trip he meets elves, trolls, a wizard, a dragon…and ssssomething ssstrange called a Gollum. Travel with this brave little Hobbit through dangerous and wondrous terrain, and then, happily, back home again. Tickets are free.

10:00am-3:00pm: Japanese Culture Day at Young Readers Center
(Thomas Jefferson Building, Room # LJ-G29 (Ground Floor) Library of Congress 10 First Street, SE, Washington, DC 20540)
The (FREE) Japanese Culture Day introduces children and adults to Japanese culture through hands-on origami artwork creation, trying on kimonos and other activities. Cherry Blossom princesses from the last few years will instruct children in the art of tiara-making. At 11:00am and 1:30pm, the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C., will present “Japan-In-A-Suitcase,” a program about Japanese life and culture. Following each of these presentations, Tsuyoshi Takemori of DC Yamato-juku Karate Club will demonstrate karate. Additional attractions for children are being planned. Children may also explore the Library’s Young Readers Center, which contains current and classic children’s literature.

10:00am: Cántale a Tu Bebé (Sing To Your Baby) Concert at The Mansion at Strathmore
(10701 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD. 20852)
A bilingual music party celebrating the release of Cántale a Tu Bebé, the Spanish-language version of the award-winning book/CD Sing To Your Baby by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer. Sonia De Los Santos (solo musician and Dan Zanes Band) and Jorge Anaya (DC-area Latino vocalist) join Cathy & Marcy for this intimate event! Learn how to use music for fun, skill development and as an ongoing expression of love in both Spanish and English. It’s never too early (or too late!) to sing with family.

10:00am-3:00pm: Kites of Asia at National Air and Space Museum
(Independence at 6th St)
Celebrate Spring at the National Air and Space Museum’s Kites of Asia Heritage Family Day which is FREE!  Talk to kite experts, see pan-Asian kite displays, marvel at indoor kite flying, make your own kite— and maybe even take a dance lesson!

11:30am: The Eagle Huntress film at National Gallery of Art
(6th & Constitution)
Among the isolated Kazakh tribe in the mountains of northwest Mongolia, the long tradition of eagle hunting has only been practiced by men. This documentary follows Aisholpan, a 13-year-old girl, as she trains to become the first female in 12 generations of her family to become an eagle hunter. Her decision causes controversy amongst older members of the community, but Aisholpan boldly embarks on a strict program of training. This inspiring film captures her courage. (Otto Bell, US, 2016, 87 minutes) English narration, and Kazakh with English subtitles. Recommended for ages 11 and up. Shown in collaboration with the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital.

3:00pm: The Lessons of Seneca at GALA Hispanic Theatre
(3333 14th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20010)
In this lively bilingual musical, Séneca, a bookish library mouse, sets out on some adventures with a trio of street-wise barrio mice, a cunning cat, and a good-natured dog. On their outing, these unlikely companions learn valuable lessons about friendship, respect, tolerance and the value of books. The duration of this family show is approximately 55 minutes and is appropriate for ages 4 through 10.

Sunday-

10:30am-12:00pm: Make Room for Matzah at Edlavitch DCJCC
(1529 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036)
Join for a hands-on Passover workshop to get ready for Passover and learn more about this tradition for your interfaith or Jewish family. Your child will make a beautiful Miriam’s Cup to enhance your seder and do a mitzvah for seniors celebrating Passover. Then we will have a Seder Plate Taste Test, as we delve into why we have the things on the Seder plate that we do. Best for ages 3 and up. $15/family and can be paid at the door.

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 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 special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. Activities in Sunday Fun-Day are most appropriate to 3-5 year-olds but 1-2 year-old siblings and friends are also welcome! Featured story: Cock a Doodle Doo, Barnyard Hullabaloo

1:00pm-2:15pm: Missing Glove Monster Crafternoon at Little Loft
(7007 Carroll Ave Takoma Park, MD 20912)
Bring in those random mittens or gloves (knit ones work best) and turn them into cuddly pocket-sized stuffed animals! (We’ll have some extras on hand if you’ve lost BOTH by now 😉 $28, ages 6-1

 

Weekend Picks

renwick
(Renwick Gallery)

Saturday-

10:00am-2:00pm: Museum Day Live! Family Celebration at Renwick Gallery
(2nd floor- 8th and F Streets, N.W.)
Who runs the world? Girls! Celebrate women and girls of color and their many contributions to our communities with a day of live music, performances, and crafts at the Renwick. Part of Museum Day Live!, an initiative hosted by Smithsonian Digital to promote our nation’s dynamic heritage and cultural life with a day of free admission at participating museums across the country. A must-see exhibit, Wonder is displayed at the Renwick now. Perfect event to make it to see and celebrate.
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Weekend Picks

Another busy weekend! Maryland Renaissance Festival is still going on and The Washington Nationals are in town playing this weekend. Want to start heading to Fall Festivals and Orchards? Check out our updated list.

 

Saturday-

Gates open at 9:00am:Andrews Air Force Base Air Show
(Park: FedEx Field and Branch Avenue Metro Station and they have shuttle service)
Guests will experience aerial demonstrations and learn more about the military personnel and equipment JBA uses to carry out the missions here. Open Ceremony 11:30am and Thunderbirds Performance at 3:00pm.

10:00am-4:00pm: The Big Build at National Building Museum
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001)
Be a builder for the day at the Big Build festival! Amateur builders young and old can discover what it’s like to build a brick wall, carve stone, hammer nails, and much more as they work side-by-side with designers, builders, and artisans demonstrating their skills. Meet plumbers, ironworkers, landscape architects, woodworkers, and experts in many other fields to learn about their professions and hobbies. This year at the Big Build, visitors can; Climb aboard trucks and tractors, Construct a log cabin, Imagine the view from the beams of a skyscraper, Compete in a nail driving contest and Create a hardware windchime.
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