It’s Valentine’s weekend and President’s weekend. We’ll post a separate post on activities for Monday for those of you who are off with your Bambinos. Did you stop by any of the chocolate shops mentioned in our guide? Hopefully you “like” our Facebook page because we noted a new chocolatier this week, not mentioned in the post and we are constantly sharing relevant articles and information. 
A yummy highlight this weekend is Sur La Table- Sweet Valentine’s Treats Cooking Class.
The Alexandria, VA and Arlington, VA locations are participating and will have a class on both Saturday & Sunday (see link for details). Bring your little one and join us for a family afternoon filled with baking, laughter, and plenty of tasty Valentine’s Day treats. Mom, grandparent, or special adult along with their kids will have a wonderfully sweet time creating yummy cookies, whoopie pies and chocolate-dipped hearts. Plus, our instructor will walk you through the steps for making delicious cream cheese frosting and share some fun decorating tips. This year, make Valentine’s Day extra special for your little loved ones by making delicious desserts—and precious memories—together.
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Weekend Picks + MLK Jr Day
Saturday-
9:00am-4:00pm: Bei Bei the Panda’s Debut at The National Zoo
(3001 Connecticut Ave. NW)
Giant panda cub Bei Bei will go on public exhibit for the first time! The panda house will open at 9am and those interested should enter at the Asia Trail entrance across from the Visitor Center. Please note: Cub viewing is not guaranteed. Animal behavior, weather, and other factors may affect viewing.
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Weekend Picks
Washington Nationals will host Winterfest this weekend at The Convention Center. Test your skills at a variety of baseball attractions and game. Transform yourself into a human snowball in the Steal Home Challenge. Jump into a giant stocking and slide down the “The Slider”. Strike a pose at the life-size snow globe photo station. Take a photo with Santa. Donate a toy to a child in need*. And much, much more! Tickets are; Adults: $30 per ticket, Kids, ages 4-12: $20 per ticket, Kids, ages 3 & under: Free. Open to public 11:30am-4:00pm, other times for season ticket holders.
Ice! Featuring Santa Claus is Coming to Town is still going on at The Gaylord National Harbor. Guests can walk-through holiday attraction, kept at a chilly 9 degrees, marvel at two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculpture, have fun on five ice slides, walk and see the 7 individual rooms depicting the story of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and see The Frostbite Factory – a live carving zone. [Read more…]
Weekend Picks
This weekend kicks off on at noon today (Friday) at the popular Saint Sophia’s annual Greek Festival. Its open all weekend 12-6 Friday & Saturday and 12-7 on Sunday. If you haven’t been, don’t miss out on this annual Festival. Amazing food, live entertainment, marketplace, children’s games and did I mention the amazing food….
Maryland Renaissance Festival will be joisting and serving up lots of turkey legs weekends through 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!
Weekend Picks: Children’s Orchestra, Chocolate Festival and Drones
Chocolate buzz anyone? We know it isn’t Valentine’s Day quite yet but this weekend brings a few sweet events to attend to get you ready for the 14th. The highlight of this weekend; The Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax. There will be a puppet show, chocolate tastings, face painting, story time and much more that involves chocolate! Check out the schedule here. Also, be sure and check out our guide to getting delicious chocolate for your Valentine!
Friday:
6:00pm-9:00pm: Kennedy Center hosts Orchkids
(2700 F St., NW, Washington, D.C)
Sixty-five students from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s during- and after-school music program perform a special concert that will feature a mix of classical, jazz, pop and spiritual-inspired pieces.
Saturday:
10:00am-2:00pm: The Learning Center for Young Children presents WINTERFEST!
(10123 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895 Social Hall, Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church)
A day filled with fun for preschoolers, bake sale, silent auction, and music. All are welcome.
10:00am: Avalon Theater presents Blue Sky Puppet Theatre
(5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20015)
For over 40 years Blue Sky Puppet Theatre has brought excellence in theatre, art, education and fun to audiences all along the east coast. Their show “The Three (Not So Little) Pigs,” explores sibling rivalry and cooperation, incorporating audience participation and humor aimed at all ages.
10:30am: GIGS & Kindiemusicdc Present: Junior Jams – Marsha Goodman-Wood at FNDTN Gallery and Liveroom
(3762A Howard Ave. Kensington, MD. 20895)
Singer-songwriter Marsha Goodman-Wood is known for setting 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 with “Sheep Don’t Wear Shoes,” and biology in “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: Barnyard Dance
11:00am-2:00pm: Eyes in the Sky: Game of Drones Family Day at The National Building Museum
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001)
Drones have been in the news quite a bit but few people really know how they are designed, built and operated. Join the International Spy Museum, the National Building Museum and the DC Drone User Group to discover the secrets of drones. Local drone makers will demonstrate their wares and show families the inner workings of their drones as well as their special spy skills. A spy mission challenge will take place in which drone makers will guide their drones through a series of secret spy missions to see whose drone is the stealthiest. This event is free and requires no reservation.
1:00pm-5:00pm: Valentine’s Day Card Making at The Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Avenue Northeast, Washington, DC 20002-Atrium on the level 1)
Love is in the details at the annual Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum. Come out and create heart-felt handmade cards and visit the museum’s stamp store to send the cards to your loved ones with a special Postal Museum postmark! This event is free and needs no reservation.
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: The Rainbow Fish
1:00pm-4:00pm: Takoma Plays! 5th Annual Mid-Winter Play Day
(Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave, Takoma Park, 20912)
See the flyer here for the schedule of details. Bach to Rock will be playing, face painting, box play with Girl Scouts and more indoor fun!
Weekend Picks: Cars, Trucks and Music, oh my!
We’ve got a great way to stay connected to your family this weekend while getting stretched out at the same time. Lil Omm has a weekend full of family yoga as well as a Family Circus Yoga class. Check out their schedule here.
Washington Auto Show is at the Convention Center from Jan. 23-Feb.1. Expect to see over 700 automobiles as well as some of your Bambinos favorite characters dressed up. Tickets cost $12 for adults; $5 for kids 6-12; free for kids under 5. Your quickest and most convenient way to get to the Convention Center is probably by Metro depending on where you live. 801 Mount Vernon Place Northwest, Washington, DC 20001
Saturday and Sunday Monster Jam takes over Verizon Center. Make sure to bring headphones or plugs for the Bambinos and get ready for some car smashing, trucks jumping and crowd cheering.
Saturday-
9:30am and 10:30am: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: Jammin with The Smithsonian: Karen K and The Jitterbugs at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
BUG OUT! With Karen K & the Jitterbugs! Known for their upbeat, catchy, genre-swirling tunes that parents enjoy as much as their kids, Karen K & her Jitterbugs keep hands clapping and feet jumping at their rockin’, crowd-engaging shows performed across the country. The scene is set in Karen K’s Bug Out, the fort in her back yard where she seeks adventures and makes music with her imaginary friends, the Jitterbugs: Bumble (Seth Connelly, guitar); Stinky (Dan Wheddle, drums), Hop (Eric Salt, bass); side-kick and best friend, Lightning Bug (Aaron Jones, banjo and everything else); and Lady Bug (Tracey O’Farrell), vocalist. Tickets are $10.
Sunday-
10:00am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
You are invited 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: Ferdinand the Bull Buy tickets here.
10:30am: A Playdate with Rocknoceros at Ohr Kodesh Congregation
(8300 Meadowbrook Lane (at East West Highway) Chevy Chase, MD)
Join Coach Cotton, Williebob and Boogie Woogie Bennie for a morning of singing, dancing and fun! Prizes will be raffled off. Concert and raffle tickets are on sale here. You can purchase raffle tickets with concert tickets online as part of a Family Four or Six Pack or using this form to purchase – you can win prizes even if you can’t attend the concert! For more information: here’s the flyer.
11:00am-12:00pm: Family Yoga at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
This family class will explore the practice of yoga through music, dance, relaxation and play. Families will have the chance to connect in a meaningful and fun way, while also giving each family member the chance to breathe, stretch and relax. This community-based class will inspire connection and awareness in a nurturing and playful environment. Make the time to share mindful and heart-opening practices with your family, no matter the age or experience level. Come breathe, move and play with us every Sunday!
11:00am: Recess Monkey at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Recess Monkey is the nationally acclaimed trio of teachers who make music for kids and families that truly rocks. Seamlessly meshing their indie-rock roots with their keen awareness of childhood themes, the band continues to make waves coast to coast. “Deep Sea Diver” is the band’s ninth album, showcasing the high-energy, pitch-perfect understanding of what gets kids excited that has launched them into national awareness. Tickets are $12.
Weekday Adventures: Storytime on the Lake, UkeFest and a Drive-in
Need some more carnival rides and fried twinkles in your life? How about a tractor pull? Head over to the Montgomery County Fair. It is happening through Saturday, August 16. Fair hours are 10am-12midnight and carnival hours are 12:00pm-12:00am and animal exhibits in Old MacDonald’s Barn are open each day beginning at 3 pm. Children 11 and under are FREE while adults cost $10. Check the schedule for daily events. Address is 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.
Prince William County Fair is also happening through Saturday, August 16. Adults $10, Children over 5 $5.
Washington, DC Library events for the week can be found here.
Weekend Adventures: Get outdoors at Family Garden Day, MoCo Farm Tour and a day at Ticonderoga Farm
Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale will take place Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am-4:00pm to celebrate its agricultural heritage, promote local farms, and indulge in seasonally fresh food. Celebrate Montgomery County’s unique agricultural treasures by spending a day or two in the country petting farm animals, going on a hay ride or enjoying a freshly-picked lunch by a scenic pond. Support the local agricultural economy by purchasing fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and more at one of seventeen participating farms, plus, this year includes a special photo contest.
Citi Open is in town and tennis matches will be held through Aug.3. William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center is easy to get to and sits in Rock Creek Park.
Saturday-
9:30am and 11:00am: The National Theatre presents Mary Ann Jung: Pee Wee Pirates
(1312 Pennsylvania Ave NW)
Ahoy there, mattes! Set sail with Captain Jean, the Pirate Queen on a rollicking ’round the world adventure in sailing. In this fast-moving show, kids volunteer for duty hoisting the rigging, swabbing the deck and looking for land while learning details of foreign cultures the world over. Free performance, tickets distributed 30 minutes prior to each show.