Beltway Bambinos

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

Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

Weekend Shows- 

Ballonacy at Imagination Stage debuted last weekend and is showing through April 8 for ages 1-5. The story of a lonely man who is revived by a visit from a red balloon is reminiscent of the silent films of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. The playwright has imagined the man as an older version of the boy in the movie The Red Balloon, now grown up and grown old, having forgotten his youthful adventure. The red balloon returns to rescue its boy! 

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at Adventure Theatre

The Princess & The Pauper: A Bollywood Tale at Imagination Stage

Circulo/Circle at Encore Stage and Theatre

Big Apple Circus at National Harbor

Saturday- 

9:30am AND 11:00am: Saturday Morning at National Theatre: Shakespeare For The Young: The Tiniest Tempest
Shakespeare For The Young’s The Tiniest Tempest is an interactive puppet show for families. Four puppeteers bring the characters of Miranda and Prospero, Antonio and Alonso, as well as Caliban and Ariel to life with their story of hurt, love, revenge, and forgiveness. Large-bodied puppets, shadow puppets, and actors bring this story to life. FREE

10:00am-11:00am: First Studio at The Kreeger Museum
Children are invited to use their imaginations as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each First Studio includes a gallery tour, a story, and a hands-on art-making experience. An adult companion is required and art-making attire is recommended. Read about our wonderful experience here.

10:00 – 11:30 am: Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center: Family Workshop Two’s Travelers
The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center opens its doors on the weekends to local families. Their unique programs combine playful classroom activities with visits to nearby museums. Each program is developed especially for the age group and with a unique theme. Spaces Available, Two’s Travelers: Riding in My Car. Buckle your seatbelts, it’s time to go for a ride!  Through experimentation, our engineers will discover why wheels are circle shapes, and how they makes cars go.  We’ll end the class looking at some classic cars at the National Museum of American History.

11:00am-2:00pm: Kids in the Castle at Heurich House
A suit of of armor, woodcarvings of animals & magical beasts, towering ceilings. For children, the Heurich mansion is a magical castle to explore. Held every few months, Kids in the Castle is a free event that encourages kids and their families to wander through the house at their own pace, complete photo scavenger hunts to win prizes, and take a more detailed self-guided tour if they desire. During the warmer months, families can also relax and play games in the Castle Garden. (A limited number of walk-ins will be accepted. Guests may arrive at the museum anytime between 11am and 2pm. Touring through the house will take between 30 minutes and 1 hour.)

12:00pm AND 4:00pm: Alice in Wonderland presented by Metropolitan Ballet Theatre shown at Robert Parilla Performing Arts Center
You’ll watch curious young Alice’s adventures through Wonderland with mischievous and comical characters such as the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, and the Queen of Hearts. A family-friendly event for all ages!

3:00pm: GALita: Volcanoes- Cuentos de El Salvador at GALA Hispanic Theatre
Treat your children to this joyful bilingual play with music, songs, dance, and poetry. Written and directed by Cornelia Cody, VolcanO – Tales of El Salvador is a fun journey that navigates the immigrant experience through the legend of the cadejos, the magic dogs of the volcanoes that protect Salvadorans from danger at home and abroad. $10 children/$12 adults

4:00pm-6:00pm: Community Festival at THEARC
Levine Music is proud to present Community Festival at THEARC – a series of 3 events with free music, food, and fun for the entire family! Come enjoy a festival to celebrate the community around our DC Campus: THEARC! Each event is free and will feature an incredible music performance by local DC artists. The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra began in April 2010 at the historic Bohemian Caverns. Each week until the club’s closing in March 2016, the 17-piece big band held its Monday night residency featuring some of the finest talent in Washington DC. Classic music from the likes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton and Gil Evans was augmented by collaborations with Miho Hazama, Oliver Lake, Elliott Hughes, Nathan Parker Smith, and a large book of arrangements by band members Leigh Pilzer and Dan Roberts.

(Photo: Levine Music)

Sunday-

10:30am-11:30am: Meet the Illustrator at Solid State Books
Join illustrator Isabel Roxas, The Littlest Viking for a creative story time, live drawing demo, and signing of her newest book. This event is FREE.  RSVP on Facebook.

11:00am-4:00pm: Maker Faire NoVa at George Mason Univeristy
Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, projects. They call it the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth – a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. Glimpse the future and get inspired!

1:30pm: St. Patrick’s Day Parade (+ Fun Dog Show) in Alexandria
Visitors and residents are invited to don their green and line King Street in Old Town Alexandria. Participants will include Irish dancers, bands, community groups and more. Parade-goers come early for the Fun Dog Show on Market Square. This year’s fun dog show benefits the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and features costumed dogs competing in a range of categories, including Best Human/Canine Look-Alike, Most Talented and Most St. Paddy’s Spirit. Each of the winners will receive a 2018 “Pet” Troy Award Trophy, in honor of this year’s Grand Marshalls, Pat and Bernadette Troy. The dogs will then kick off the parade.

3:30pm-4:30pm: Toddler & Me Yoga at Yoga District (Columbia Heights Location)
Designed for crawlers to walkers up to around 24 months; come move, sing, and play with your tot to boost social and physical development, meet others families, and get out of the house between nap time and dinnertime. Grown-ups can expect lots of participation, some gentle adult yoga movement, an opportunity to bond, and a chance to learn from your natural little yogis; all loving adults are welcome (parents, grandparents, other caregivers). NOTE: SPACE IS LIMITED – PREREGISTRATION STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. MATS PROVIDED.

Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

Saturday-

10:00am: Blue Sky Puppet Theatre at Avalon Theatre
Blue Sky Puppet Theatre is back at the Avalon this winter! In “If Pigs Could Fly,” three 5th grade students join the school librarian for the 2nd grade story time. One 2nd grader, Rocky, says he doesn’t like books. The 5th graders proceed to show Rocky and his classmates how much fun reading can be by producing puppet shows from 4 world folktales books from the library. Tickets: $8.00 / $6.50 for Avalon members (Children under 2 are free).

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. Where The Wild Things Are is the featured story.

11:00am: Saturday Family Jazz Session at AMP by Strathmore
Junior jazz aficionados spend Saturday mornings singing, playing, and preparing for a lifetime of music appreciation. Strathmore’s fun, creative, kid-friendly series features renowned jazz singer Rochelle Rice and multi-instrumentalist Seth Kibel.  Recommended for ages 3–8. This weekends show: Jump, Jive & Boogie-Woogie with Daryl Davis
Explore the elements of boogie woogie music, starting from its roots when it was performed by soloists. Then find out how it was incorporated into popular music in swing orchestras, and the birth of rock ‘n roll. Led by pianist and AIR mentor Daryl Davis.

11:00am-12:00pm: Little Red Riding Hood presented by Wheaton Family Theatre at Highland Elementary School
Seymour Barab’s funny and sprightly one-act opera delights youngsters as we follow Little Red Riding Hood’s merry jaunt through the woods  to Grandmother’s house. Join us for InterAct Story Theatre and  Victorian Lyric Opera Company’s fresh take on this classic children’s  opera…and watch out for that sneaky Big Bad Wolf! Best for ages 4 and up for this free event.

1:00pm-2:00pm: All Ages Family Yoga at Washington Yoga Center
Join Rhiannon Landesberg for a fun-filled all-ages family class, where we will move, breathe, dance, stretch and play yoga! We will practice traditional poses with an imaginative flair, as well as partner and group poses to encourage connection and fun for the whole family, while improving strength, flexibility and mindfulness skills for children and adults alike! Workshop is $30.00 for two family members plus $10 for each additional member.

2:00pm-6:00pm: Ireland on the Wharf
The luck of the Irish is headed to the waterfront with an Ireland on The Wharf festival! Celebrate the beauty and tradition of the Emerald Isle with bagpipers, a beer garden, Irish dancers, live music, and plenty of family-friendly activities. And, of course, sip a pint of Guinness in honor of St. Patrick’s Day at Kirwan’s Irish Pub. Live music lineup:
2pm – 3pm: Aine O’Doherty Band (Donegal, Ireland)
3:15pm – 4:30pm: The Danny Burns Band
4:45pm – 6pm: The ShamRogues

Sunday-

10:00am, 12:00pm & 2:00pm: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at Metropolitan Ballet Theatre
Want to meet the characters from MBT’s upcoming ballet, Alice in Wonderland, before the performance? You are cordially invited to join us at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! Please call or click for tickets. These will sell out quickly! Each child needs a ticket; parents are admitted free of charge.  This event is age-appropriate for children ages 3-7. Meet Alice and other characters from the ballet! Enjoy a mini-performance and a craft. Enjoy a sweet treat.

11:00am-12:00pm: STORYTIME at Hirshhorn
Why am I me? Why are you you? In this storytime, we’ll look closely at the work Five Day Forecast by Lorna Simpson, and examine our unique features through a read-alound of Why am I me? by Paige Britt. Following the story, we’ll play with shapes, lines and colors to create our own self-portraits. STORYTIME explores contemporary art through stories and movement. Museum staff will read aloud a book, introduce children to an artist in the collection, and lead a hands-on activity.

12:00pm: 48th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade of Washington, DC
The parade will proceed down Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets, N.W., in our Nation’s Capital.   “Showcasing DC Irish Culture” was chosen as this year’s theme to celebrate local Irish-American leaders who have been instrumental in the promotion Irish culture throughout the DMV area and become leaders in showcasing Washington’s unique Irish heritage beyond the city.

3:30pm: Toddler & Me Yoga at Washington Yoga Center
Designed for crawlers to walkers up to around 24 months; come move, sing, and play with your tot to boost social and physical development, meet others families, and get out of the house between naptime and dinnertime… Grown-ups can expect lots of participation, some gentle adult yoga movement, an opportunity to bond, and a chance to learn from your natural little yogis; all loving adults are welcome (parents, grandparents, other caregivers).

 

Many local theatre performances on stage this weekend.

Paw Patrol? Bubble Guppies? Check out some popular shows coming to our area.

Egg hunts and Easter fun!

Spring Break Camps!

 

Plan ahead for Smithsonian Sleepovers (they sell out quickly!!)

National Museum of Natural History Sleepovers: Sleepover guests will experience the museum through an interactive exploration of exhibit halls consisting of games, puzzles and challenges; exhibit-based craft projects; and sleeping under the museum’s giant North American right whale, Phoenix. Sleepovers at the National Museum of Natural History will be held May 18, June 1, June 29, July 6, Aug. 24 and Aug. 31.

National Museum of American History Sleepovers: Participants will solve a mystery of historic proportions during an interactive exploration of exhibit halls. When the devious diva Miss Rose steals six valuable objects from the museum, kids must discover what is missing before the evening’s end. Using their detective skills, they will collect clues to guide them to the crime scene. Along the way, they will take part in games, experiments and craft projects—and even become a presidential candidate. Sleepovers at the National Museum of American History will be held May 11, May 25, June 15 and Aug. 10.

National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center Sleepovers: Kids and their chaperones will explore the whole world of flight, from its pioneering days through the era of commercial aviation to the excitement of today’s space program. After they grab a flight checklist, they will take off for a night that includes plenty of games, art activities and close-up looks at some of the most historic and fascinating craft ever to take to the skies. Udvar-Hazy Center staff will be on hand to offer information and insights about the aviation treasures on view. Sleepovers at the Udvar-Hazy Center will be held July 14, July 28 and Aug. 18.

Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

Badlands has launched Weekend Programs. Prices include 1 hour of play and a 1 hour workshop. This weekend your child can learn about lava and volcanoes and magnetic slime, age dependent. 

The Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival is back– February 22 – March 11, 2018 and is about presenting excellent art in all its forms that inspires a community to connect and create a vibrant neighborhood, city, and world. Now in its 9th season, INTERSECTIONS is a key layer in DC’s dynamic arts scene. New this year, a workshop series and an expanded Youth Summit – a full day of performances by young people followed by a youth-led summit. Here are a few free family fun days to check out. 

Saturday-

9:00am-12:00pm: Home Depot Kids Workshop: Periscope
Hone your powers of observation in our hands-on workshop. Just like an above-water viewfinder or historical trench optical instrument, you and your child can construct a periscope to expand your view. Once the periscope is built, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron, and pin.

9:00am-11:30am: The Children’s House of Washington Montessori School Open House
Special Guest Patti Harburger, CHOW Founding Director, will speak about the importance of mathematics and language in a Montessori education.

9:30am AND 11:00am: Traveling Lantern: Pinocchio at National Theatre
A little wooden marionette is lovingly created by a master craftsmen…but what a bad little puppet he turns out to be! He’s selfish and greedy, and he lies. He doesn’t listen to the good counsel of anyone: his father Gepetto, a philospher Cricket, or a Blue Fairy. After many hair raising adventures, Pinocchio finally learns what it takes to become human…kindness, compassion, loyalty, hard work, and selflessness. Free

10:00am: Rainbow Rock Live at Avalon Theatre
Are you ready to rock the rainbow? Join the Rainbow Rock Band as they entertain your little dudes with tunes, laughs and more! Winners of a Parents’ Choice Fun Stuff Award for their debut CD, “Meet the Rainbow,” an absolute mix of musical genres from folk, pop rock to rockabilly, all the while being educational and fun. Your child will learn about shapes, colors, movement, and more! The Rainbow Rock Band encourages all rainbow rockers to participate in the show either on the microphone or at their seat. Either way your little one is sure to have fun! $8 / $6.50 (Children under 2 are free)

10:00am-2:00pm: Hirshhorn: Art Pop-Up + Library Program
Check it out! Find our cart in the galleries and check out a fun kit full of our favorite finds for kids. Each kit is an art meets reading adventure, with a special theme, children’s book, suggested artworks for viewing, and hands-on art making materials.

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. Barnyard Dance is the featured story.

Sunday-

9:30am-11:00am AND 2:30pm-4:00pm: Model Airplane Construction at National Building Museum
Are you an aspiring aviator or a pilot with potential? Want to learn what keeps a plane in the air? Construct your own rubber-band-propelled model airplane and learn about aeronautics with the D.C. Maxecuters, then try a test flight in the National Building Museum’s Great Hall. Cost per plane/child:  $15 Member | $20 Non-member. Ages 8 and up, adult assistance required. Adults do not need to purchase a separate ticket, unless they would like to make their own plane.

10:00am-12:00pm: Purim Carnival at DCJCC
When was the last time you dressed up like a queen or king? Now is your chance – the EDCJCC’s Purim Carnival is the perfect time for children and adults to dress up and celebrate this festive annual holiday! Join us for carnival games, arts & crafts, hamantaschen (yummy Purim treats), songs and a Purim play! Don’t forget your costume!  Please bring an unexpired, unopened food item in a cardboard box (like macaroni and cheese or couscous) to decorate as a grogger to use during the Purim play. We will then donate them to those in need in our community. Price per family: $23

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
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. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Little Blue Truck is the featured story.

10:30am-11:30am: Sensory-Friendly Purim Celebration at Washington Hebrew Congregation
Does your child cover their ears in a crowd? Do they avoid loud noises?  We will minimize the noise and other sensory input but maximize the fun! Join us for crafts, an interactive reading of the Purim story (megillah), a mitzvah (good deed) project and treats to take home. Costumes encouraged but not required.$5 per family, plus bring a canned good to donate. Best for 4-8 year olds. Please pre-register as space is limited. This program is a collaboration of PJ Library in Greater Washington, Washington Hebrew Congregation and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

11:00am-2:00pm: The Rumpus Room: A Family Dance Party at U Street Music Hall
Welcome to the Rumpus Room, a daytime dance party for families, with sounds provided by DC’s top club DJs (who all happen to be parents themselves). Created by DJs who wanted to share the nightclub experience with their kids, the Rumpus Room adapts the club environment (think disco ball, lights, and of course music) into safe family-friendly fun. Get ready for a dance floor filled with little ones, parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. The soundtrack will be a family-friendly mix of dance hits and classics, all at a kid-friendly volume. We provide the shakers, hula-hoops, beach balls and other props. You come to dance. Rumpus Room is designed for kids 8 and under and their caregivers, but older siblings are welcome.

1:30pm AND 4:00pm: National Symphony Orchestra Music for Young Audiences: Two Divas and a Bear at The Kennedy Center
What happens when you bring together a concert violinist, an opera singer, and everyone’s favorite stuffed animal? You get Two Divas and a Bear! Join NSO violinist Marissa Regni and soprano Kari Paludan as they explore the human voice. As it turns out, the violin has a voice, too! As you listen to Schubert’s The Trout, Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise, and Rossini’s Two Cats, you’ll discover that the strings of the violin are very similar to our very own vocal cords. Most enjoyed by age 3 and up. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Come early for a Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo.” Starting one hour before the concert, hands-on activities let children get up close with the instruments they’ll see played on the stage.

2:00pm: Doktor Kaboom by McLean Community Center at the Old Firehouse
Doktor Kaboom is an over-the-top German physicist with a passion for science that knows no bounds. Sporting chrome goggles, orange lab coat, motorcycle boots and wicked cool hair, Doktor Kaboom travels the world, thrilling adults and children alike with his explosive comedic style of science experiments designed to involve, excite, educate and entertain! For ages 7+

Weekend Theatre-

 Feb 9 – March 31: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at Adventure Theatre

Feb 10 – March 18: The Princess & The Pauper: A Bollywood Tale at Imagination Stage

March 2 -24: Circulo/Circle at Encore Stage & Studio

March 3 – 4: Pinkalicious at Blackrock Center

March 3 – 17:  VolcanO:  Tales from El Salvador at GALA Theater

 

Chick rental is live at Rocklands Farm! The Chick Rental service is an educational opportunity for families, friends, school groups to take care of a pair adorable chicks for one week. Each rental includes everything you need for the week; their little home, feed, feeding and watering dishes, and care instructions. Link to reserve your chicks here. We are looking forward to seeing everyone out again this year!

Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

It’s the weekend of Parents Night Out at various kid places. See our blog post from earlier this week on where your child can be entertained while you are out for the evening. A win/win for all!

The Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival is back– February 22 – March 11, 2018 and is about presenting excellent art in all its forms that inspires a community to connect and create a vibrant neighborhood, city, and world. Now in its 9th season, INTERSECTIONS is a key layer in DC’s dynamic arts scene. New this year, a workshop series and an expanded Youth Summit – a full day of performances by young people followed by a youth-led summit. Here are a few free family fun days to check out. 

The beloved garden gnomes from GNOMEO AND JULIET are back for a whole new adventure in London. When Gnomeo and Juliet first arrive in the city with their friends and family, their biggest concern is getting their new garden ready for spring. However, they soon discover that someone is kidnapping garden gnomes all over London. When Gnomeo and Juliet return home to find that everyone in their garden is missing – there’s only one gnome to call… SHERLOCK GNOMES. The famous detective and sworn protector of London’s garden gnomes arrives with his sidekick Watson to investigate the case. The mystery will lead our gnomes on a rollicking adventure where they will meet all new ornaments and explore an undiscovered side of the city. A few events taking place to get audiences excited for the event are on Friday, February 23rd  at Alexandria Public Library for a Scavenger Hunt 11:00am-11:40am  and Saturday, February 24th at Hooray for Books from 1:00-2:00pm. The SHERLOCK GNOMES costume character will be making his way around DC

Saturday- 

9:30am AND 11:00am: Stephen Christoff at National Theatre
In celebration of President’s Day, come sing songs from the Colonial period with Mr. Christoff. This musical history program brings to life the ballads and song lyrics that helped build American independence and define a nation. He will captivate families with the jaws harp, banjo, guitar, mandolin, hand whistle, the musical saw, and even the bottles. The Colonial times were filled with music and Mr. Christoff explores the fun.

10:00am-2:00pm: Hirshhorn: Art Pop-Up + Library Program
Check it out! Find our cart in the galleries and check out a fun kit full of our favorite finds for kids. Each kit is an art meets reading adventure, with a special theme, children’s book, suggested artworks for viewing, and hands-on art making materials.

10:00am-4:00pm: Family Day: Chinese Lunar New Year at GW Museum & Textile Museum
Celebrate the year of the dog at the museum! Enjoy music performances by GW’s Chinese Music Club, create colorful zodiac animals from paper, and design your own jewelry inspired by the traditions of China’s Guizhou Province. Visit the galleries to see the exhibition Vanishing Traditions: Textiles and Treasures from Southwest China during its opening weekend. Visitors can also explore our new hands-on learning center, Textiles 101, which introduces the basics of textile making through fiber, color, and structure. All ages welcome.

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. Toot Toot Beep Beep is the featured story. 

11:00am-12:00pm: The Magic of Spying: Tradecraft Trickery
In the real-life world of espionage, spies often call upon the art of magic and illusion to distract the enemy, make evidence disappear, and escape unnoticed.  Join professional magician, Peter Wood, as he demonstrates the art of misdirection, sleight of hand, and other illusions used by skilled spies. This one of a kind performance, custom-designed for the Spy Museum, is guaranteed to fascinate children and adults alike. $10

(Photo: Hirshhorn: Art Pop-Up + Library Program)

Sunday-

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
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. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Caps For Sale is the featured story.

1:00pm-2:30pm: Preschool Pioneers at Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
You don’t have to be an expert to expertly look at a painting. This class will engage your child by encouraging them to look, respond, and ask questions through multiple careful looking techniques.  We will even get to sketch in the galleries! Do You See What I See? is the theme for this 3-5 year old class. Read our review of this amazing program here. 

1:00pm: Disney Live at Eagle Bank Arena
Open the door to reveal unforgettable Disney moments and grand illusions with Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic. Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy as 25 of your favorite characters surprise and captivate at every turn of the knob! See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella’s rags into a beautiful ball gown; the Toy Story gang defy the dimensions of Andy’s toy box; and the dazzling stage debut of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider as they rise amidst the floating lanterns. With special appearances by Snow White, Tinker Bell and Aladdin’s Genie, you never know who might join in the fun.

2:30pm-3:30pm: Family Literacy Fiesta: Dancing Our Way Through Books at Wheaton Interim Library
In our FREE Literacy Fiesta programs, kids and adults join together in a celebration of books and stories! In our February Fiesta, we’ll explore a kid-friendly folk tale through creative movement and dance. Kids get to practice reading skills while moving, dancing, and sharing stories with our families and friends.  What a fun way to dance away the winter blues!  45 minutes, best for ages 3 and up. 

Weekend Theatre:

Encore Stage & Studio—Theatre by Kids, for Kids! presents Disney’s The Lion King Jr.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at Adventure Theatre

The Princess & The Pauper: A Bollywood Tale at Imagination Stage

Giveaway to Discovery Theater Tot Rock show!


Don’t mind a drive to Baltimore? Head to Port Discovery Children’s Museum. We went a few weekends a go and had a blast! A few events happening there this weekend:

Chinese New Year: Year of the Dog | Saturday, February 24 | 10AM – 5PM
Celebrate the Year of the Dog as Port Discovery celebrates the Chinese New Year! Visitors of all backgrounds will learn, experience, and participate in traditions surrounding the Chinese New Year celebration. You’ll be mesmerized by the Chinese Lion Dancers of Tai Yim Kung Fu School, who perform the lion dance throughout the center of the Museum using a paper mache lion, instruments, and dance that will captivate you. Watch amazing performances of traditional and modern Chinese Dance by children, teens and adults from the Gina Ling Chinese Dance Chamber. Learn the art of calligraphy and chopsticks with the Xiamen Chinese Sister City.  Plus, learn about animals with a live petting zoo from Wildlife Adventures, enjoy music and dance from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Staff, and make festive art projects including Chinese New Year Lucky Charms, Festive Dragons, and more! Featuring a number of new art projects to enjoy while learning about Chinese cultures and traditions!

Super Sundays | Sunday, February  25  | 12 – 5 PM 
Make it a true Sunday FUN-day when you spend the whole day learning through play! Explore movement and music together as you bop along to our lively Jingle Jangle Music Time.  Join in interactive story times, and work together to create art or science projects that you can take home. Be sure to make music with us in the Percussion Garden, explore early literacy learning during Mother Goose on the Loose, and check out Kamishibai Story Time!

Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

Love is in the air at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum’s annual Valentine’s Day Card Workshop! Perfect for visitors of all ages, this open-house event will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on both Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11, 2018. The museum provides a bountiful spread of patterned papers, rubber stamps and postage stamps for decoration, gems and other 3-D embellishments, special cut-out scissors, washi tape, stickers, markers of every color (with a surplus of red and pink!) and more! Following their own creative instincts, kids and adults can choose whichever supplies they would like to design one-of-a-kind Valentine greetings. 

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at Adventure Theatre premieres Feb 9 through March 31, 2018. Alexander is having a bad day. A terrible day. A horrible day. To be quite honest, it’s a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. But then, everybody has bad days, sometimes. Not only does Alexander wake up with gum in his hair, but his mother forgets to pack him dessert, and his best friend decides he’s not his best friend anymore. And if that’s not bad enough, Alexander’s brothers don’t have any cavities but—he does. And just when it can’t get any worse, there are lima beans for supper and —yuck!—kissing on TV. It is enough to make anyone want to go to Australia. Uuuugggghhh. Recommended all ages.

Goodnight Moon & Runaway Bunny at Black Rock Center for the Arts is on Feb 10 & 11, 2018. From the creators of the 2014-15 sold-out performances of The Very Hungry Caterpillar comes a new adaptation of a children’s classic. Adapted from Margaret Wise Brown’s sixty-year-old classic, 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 performances feature the endearing animal puppets, stunning scenic effects and evocative music that have earned international recognition for Mermaid Theatre. The hour-long staged adaptation brings a fresh appreciation of the stories and images that have delighted several generations.

The Princess & The Pauper: A Bollywood Tale at Imagination Stage premieres Feb 10 through March 18, 2018. 
Set in long ago India, this Bollywood-inspired adaptation of the classic Mark Twain novel shows how the common people work long hours to support the luxurious lifestyle of those in the palace. As a corrupt Wazir plots to steal the throne from the Sultan’s heirs, a spoiled Princess Razia forces a shy dressmaker’s daughter, Zainab, to exchange places with her. Razia gradually discovers how unfairly the people are treated, and resolves to become a just leader. But, can she expose the Wazir’s villainy before he is crowned? In a madcap finale, Razia, Zainab, and all of the people of Dehli rise up to crash the coronation. Recommended ages 5+.

KID Museum is an AWESOME hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math learning experience with an exploration of world cultures and global citizenship. It offers unique, maker experiences for elementary and middle school-aged children. See events calendar here to pick a day that is perfect for your Bambino. You won’t be disappointed. KID Museum’s current site at Davis Library in Bethesda, Maryland provides the community with programs and workshops on weekends and after school.

Saturday and Sunday head to the National Gallery of Art and join us for a cozy winter weekend of animated shorts from Weston Woods Studios, where books come to life through film. This program includes Ezra Jack Keats’s The Snowy Day, Leo Lionni’s Frederick, Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon, Ed Young’s Seven Blind Mice, Mac Barnett’sExtra Yarn, and Peter H. Reynolds’s The North Star. (Weston Woods Studios, USA, 50 minutes) 

Saturday-

8:30am-9:30am: Capoeira for Kids Ages 3.5-7 at Bloombars
Capoeira provides physical fitness for children, ages 4 and up. It is intended to be a no- to low-contact martial art that helps children with gross motor planning and gross motor skills. Children will also learn maculele (a dance done hitting sticks against your partner’s sticks), samba, capoeira instruments, and Portuguese through this fun, interactive class. Classes are $15 each or $120 for a series of ten classes. Stick around for Harambe afterwards, beginning at 9:30am AND 10:30am.

9:30am AND 11:00am: Gemini Children’s Theatre: Little Mermaid’s Pollution Solution at National Theatre
The Little Mermaid has come back under the sea to visit her father, but the Sea Witch is up to her old tricks. She has polluted the water to drive out all the sea life in order to take over the underwater kingdom. It’s up to the Little Mermaid and her sea creature friends to save the day.

10:00am-3:00pm: African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space
Join us as we celebrate African American History Month by revealing past pioneers and giving families the opportunity to inspire the next generation of innovators in aviation and space.  African Americans have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to flight and space exploration despite the overwhelming obstacles they had to overcome. Enjoy guest speakers as they share their personal tales of triumph, participate in hands-on activities that will challenge families to be pioneers in space and aviation, and hear inspiring stories of African Americans who have overcome challenges and refused to be hidden figures.

10:00am: Avalon Theatre Family Weekend Family Matinee: Wonder
Based on the New York Times bestseller, WONDER tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time. Rated PG.

10:00am-12:00pm: Boogie Babes Gear Drive & Free Concert
Come to Eastern Market and donate baby gear you no longer need to a family in need and stay to boogie down with us! Our friends at The Residences at Eastern Marketare sponsoring a FREE Boogie Babes show with the amazing Rainbow Rock Band at 10:30am.

11:00am-4:00pm: The Arctic Melt at The National Academy of Sciences
Join Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences (CPNAS) and the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC) for a day of family fun discovering the Arctic landscape and its inhabitants. Through hands-on activities, children and families will explore Diane Tuft’s stunning photography exhibit, The Arctic Melt: Images of a Disappearing Landscape, and make connections to the Arctic environment, climate change, and conservation. Participants are encouraged to bring an old t-shirt to make a reusable shopping bag. This program is geared for families with children ages 3-8. Registration is recommended.

11:30am-3:00pm: Chinese New Year Festival at Smithsonian American Art Museum
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at SAAM to begin the Year of the Dog! Enjoy a variety of activities and demonstrations including traditional paper cutting, an art scavenger hunt, red paper-lantern making, and panda crafts. There will also be performances by special guest artists from Chengdu, China, including traditional music, Sichuan Opera, and acrobatics. Help us “awaken the lion” and ring in the New Year!

Sunday-

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
You are invited with 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.Featured story: Pout, Pout Fish

11:00am-5:00pm: Lunar New Year Celebration at Freer|Sackler
Join us for our fourth annual Lunar New Year celebration to ring in the Year of the Dog. Discover the richness of arts and culture in Sichuan Province, home to China’s beloved giant pandas. Experience interactive food and art demonstrations, live acrobatic and puppetry performances, and creations by local and international artists. And enjoy the six reimagined Chinese art exhibitions in the Freer and the innovative Resound: Ancient Bells of Chinain the Sackler. The celebration features lively performances of opera, folk music, and dance. Be prepared to sample some spicy dishes featuring Sichuan’s mouth-numbing peppers. Plus, write a Lunar New Year greeting card.

Extra, Extra–

Surprise your littles with Disney on Ice presents Frozen tickets!

Date Night Giveaway to Spoiled Rotten! at National Theatre is coming to a close soon, enter here!! Use discount code: BARD for seating starting at $39 each. 

Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic at Eagle Bank Arena
February 25, 2018

Paw Patrol Live!: The Great Pirate Adventure at The Hippodrome
May 12 & 13, 2018

Bubble Guppies Live at National Theatre
May 8, 2018

The Wild Kratts Live!
April 15, 2018- The Modell Lyric
April 21, 2018- DAR Constitution Hall

Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

KID Museum is an AWESOME hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math learning experience with an exploration of world cultures and global citizenship. It offers unique, maker experiences for elementary and middle school-aged children. See events calendar here to pick a day that is perfect for your Bambino. You won’t be disappointed. KID Museum’s current site at Davis Library in Bethesda, Maryland provides the community with programs and workshops on weekends and after school.

There is no Food Like My Food is part of the National Gallery of Art Winter Film Program, showing this weekend. This delicious collection of short documentary films features food from around the world. Hear firsthand from child narrators how they and their families prepare traditional dishes. This program features food from France, Argentina, Trinidad, Thailand, and Kazakhstan. Learn that how food is gathered, prepared, and eaten reflects the unique culture and history of a particular location.(New Dimension Media, USA, 60 minutes). Best for ages 6+. 

Did you know the Washington Monument weighs more than 5,000 Apatosauruses? Yes, really! Ready for another one? About 41 Spinosauruses could stand nose-to-tail in the reflecting pool outside the Lincoln Memorial! Come learn more fun dinosaur facts when our dinosaur exhibit stomps into the DC Armory January 26-28! Since the Fossil Hall at the Smithsonian is closed for another year, you have to get your dinosaur fix in somewhere! Get your tickets for our to Discover Dinosaurs at DC Armory DC today and get ready for family fun of Jurassic proportions!

Monster Jam is at Capital One Arena this weekend. Featuring the eight most intense athletes of Monster Jam, Washington, DC fans will witness a fierce battle for the championship with each competitor using customized high-powered vehicles: Monster Jam Speedsters, Monster Jam ATVs and the famous Monster Jam trucks. 

Applause Unlimited of Richmond, VA is back at the Glen Echo Playhouse for the next three weekends, presenting three of Beatrix Potter’s favorite tales: “Two Bad Mice,” “Jemima Puddle-Duck,” and “Jeremy Fisher.” Christopher Hudert brings these stories to life through the everyday activities of a young girl as she dreams and plays alone in her room. BEst for ages 3-9, a 45 minute performance. 

Friday-

6:00pm-9:00pm: Spy Fest: Tradecraft Try-Its Ticket at International Spy Museum
Could you be a spy? Now’s your chance to find out! Sitting in your comfy chair watching James Bond makes spy tradecraft look easy-now’s your chance to find out if you could be the next 007. Do you have the savvy to beat a lie-detector? The smarts to break a top secret coded message? The wits to create secret writing? The moves of a Ninja? Families are invited to find out how they measure up at the Museum’s annual Spy Fest. Mini-missions, tradecraft demonstrations by the experts, and the chance to try spy skill challenges will give KidSpy agents and their handlers an insider’s peek into the shadow world of spying-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)
Tickets: $14 per person*, Members of The Inner Circle: $12 *Includes exclusive after-hours admission, SPY snacks, scavenger hunt, prize competitions, and more! Complementary frozen custard generously donated by Shake Shack!

Saturday-

9:30am AND 11:00am: Beech Tree Puppets: Hollow Stump at National Theatre
Adapted from the popular tale, The Mitten, The Hollow Stumpcelebrates community, as the animals learn to share one space. Seven very different animals seek shelter from the winter cold and snow in a large hollow stump. The characteristics of each animal are revealed through a unique and descriptive poem and song. When the animals let newcomers enter and the space inside the stump grows tighter, their songs interweave. FREE

11:00am-12:30pm AND 1:30pm-3:00pm: Musical Innovations at Sackler Gallery
What kind of music did people listen to thousands of years ago? Visit the exhibition Resound: Ancient Bells of China and learn about the technologies that led to innovations in early Chinese music. Then, return to the studio to create your own cutting-edge music makers using twenty-first-century technologies with teaching artists from FutureMakers. This program is designed for children aged six to twelve and adults to enjoy together. Free registration required. Email AsiaWorkshops@si.edu with the following information: name, session andnumber of registrants (include youth and caretakers). We will respond with your registration status within forty-eight hours.

11:00am: Clementine: The Musical at Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center
Clementine is not having a good day, but she’s not letting a trip to the principal’s office get her down! Whether she’s cutting the glue out of her best friend Margaret’s hair, concocting a scheme to prevent her teacher Mr. D’Matz from moving to Egypt, or riding the service elevator with Mitchell, who is N-O-T not her boyfriend, Clementine’s antics are sure to make you laugh. Join America’s favorite curly-haired carrot-top as she navigates the waters of friendship, family, school, and mischief on a hilariously epic third-grade adventure you’ll never forget. Don’t miss this fun new musical based on the series of books by Sara Pennypacker! Recommended for ages 5+.

1:00pm: Culture Queen at Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Black History Live! with Culture Queen is a modern-day Josephine Baker-inspired performance for children that uses original and interactive music, movement and storytelling to teach them to celebrate their history and love themselves. With a spoonful of magic and ancient wisdom, Culture Queen’s soulful alto voice dances across a fusion of festive calypso, Afrobeat, jazz and hip-hop rhythms that celebrate the Kings and Queens of African American history. Free, with reservation. Tickets may be reserved HERE.

Sunday-

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
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. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Featured story: The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

 

Date Night Giveaway to Spoiled Rotten! at National Theatre is coming to a close soon, enter here!!

Have you entered to win 4 tickets to Disney on Ice for opening show??

Date Night at The National Theatre to see Something Rotten! + Giveaway

Something Rotten! at The National Theatre is a great date night alternative to your typical routine and you can win a pair of tickets to the grand opening show (see details below).

When: February 6-18, 2018

Where: The National Theatre: 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

Details: With 10 Tony® nominations including Best Musical, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is a “big, fat hit!” (New York Post). Set in the ‘90s – the 1590s – this hilarious smash tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom (Tony® nominee Rob McClure and Broadway’s Josh Grisetti), two brothers who are desperate to write their own hit play while the “rock star” Shakespeare (Tony® nominee Adam Pascal) keeps getting all the hits. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first MUSICAL! With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequins in its soul, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is “The Producers + Spamalot + The Book of Mormon. Squared!” (New York Magazine).

The completely original new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (the director of the world premiere musical Mean Girls, The Book of Mormon, Aladdin), with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Wayne Kirkpatrick and Golden Globe Award and Tony Award nominee Karey Kirkpatrick and a book by Tony Award nominees Karey Kirkpatrick and best-selling author John O’Farrell.

Run time: Estimated running time is 150 minutes, including one intermission

Tickets: $48.00-$108.00
 

GIVEAWAY:  For a chance to win 2 tickets to see Something Rotten! at the National Theatre on grand opening night, Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 7:30pm, leave a comment below. You can get an extra entry by leaving a comment on BeltwayBambinos Facebook page too! This giveaway will run through February 1, 2018, then a winner will be drawn at random and announced.

Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

This is one of those weekends that I wish I could be in more than one place at a time. There are so many great events going on. In addition to the weekend events there are new performances starting so be sure and grab some tickets and support our local theatre while instilling a love of theatre in your Bambinos.

Have you entered to win 4 tickets to Disney on Ice presents Frozen yet? Winner will be announced February 6, 2018!

Saturday-

9:30am AND 11:00am: Rocknoceros at National Theatre
Get ready to twist, shake, rattle, and roll as Rocknoceros gets the family on their feet dancing to upbeat tunes. Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie have been making award-winning music for the whole family since 2005. Not only are they one of DC’s most well-loved bands, but they have also gained recognition in Austin and Chicago. FREE

10:00am: Toddler Trailblazers: Up, Up and Away
Our workshops offer a variety of hands-on experiences that introduce young children to concepts in engaging ways. Each class includes playful activities that are intentionally chosen to support your child’s development. Our learning extends beyond the classroom and into the museum and community where children and parents are encouraged to wonder and explore together as a family. Come take a pretend hot air balloon ride with us! The class will imagine floating up, up, and away before visiting the National Air and Space Museum to further explore hot air balloons.

10:00am-12:00pm: Kids Club at Michaels: Pony Bead Snowflakes
They make, you shop! Kids 3 and up and can enjoy making snowflakes with chenille stems and pony beads. All supplies provided. Parent or guardian must remain on the premises. $2 fee

10:00am: Twos Travelers: Yellow Submarine
Our workshops offer a variety of hands-on experiences that introduce young children to concepts in engaging ways. Each class includes playful activities that are intentionally chosen to support your child’s development. Our learning extends beyond the classroom and into the museum and community where children and parents are encouraged to wonder and explore together as a family. Dive deep into the Ocean Hall at the National Museum of Natural History and learn about the type of transportation we would need to travel below the surface of the water.  Along the way we will explore the different ocean zones and the creatures that inhabit them.

10:30am-2:30pm: A Library + Art Pop-Up At Hirshhorn
Check it out! Find our cart in the galleries and check out a fun kit full of our favorite finds for kids. Each kit is an art meets reading adventure, with a special theme, children’s book, suggested artworks for viewing, and hands-on art making materials.

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. Baby Beluga is the featured story.

10:30am: Mr. Jon & Friends at Jammin Java
Mr. Jon & Friends is Parents’ Choice Award winning music for kids and their families. This energetic family music is all about fun, movement, and laughter!

11:00am-2:00pm: Family Afternoon: Pop Up Tents at National Building Museum
Construct an awe-inspiring fort from newspapers. Find out how a triangle’s strong shape can brace your structure and keep your fort standing longer. Create tetrahedral caverns small enough for one or big enough for your entire clan. Little ones can explore how to build forts all year round, even in the cold winter months, during a story time with local Megan Wagner Lloyd. Enjoy a reading of her children’s book, Fort Building Time, and then pick up your very own copy in the Museum Shop.

11:00am-1:00pm: Children’s Workshop: Will It Be a Bonsai or a Big Tree? at National Arboretum 
Every tree seedling has its fate, and in this workshop, you can learn how that fate is determined. One adult and one child will have a special day together as they work as lab partners, using their “scientist eyes” to observe details and make comparisons. We’ll learn about plant physiology, ecosystems and bonsai history, too.  At the close of class, each research team will receive a seedling whose fate they will decide. Will your tree go through the rigorous training to become a bonsai or will you plant it outdoors in spring to grow up wild, big and free?  Be sure to bring warm coats since we will be in an open exhibit area for part of the workshop. This activity is not recommended for participants under the age of 8, and is geared to children in the third and fourth grades. Due to limited classroom space, strollers can’t be accommodated. Fee: $25 per child-adult pair ($22 FONA/NBF) Registration required.

1:00pm-3:00pm: KidzJam
Kids ages 2-4 are in an exciting stage of life where their imaginations are dynamic and almost anything can be a game. During KIDZJAM, they get structured play time with other kiddos, which is an opportunity for them to develop social skills. Books, toys, puzzles, dolls, trucks, art, and games will keep them busy and entertained. Through interactive stations, energetic team games, and silly GoNoodle songs, kids in grades K-5 will develop their teamwork skills. Most kids love a challenge, especially when they are cheered on and encouraged by our friendly leaders. We want your kids to walk away from this experience knowing how to respectfully cooperate with others, even when they have different ideas or opinions. $10 per session (dates in February, March and April also)

Sunday-

11:00am AND 3:00pm: Laurie Berkner at The Gordon Center for Performing Arts
Children’s music icon Laurie Berkner brings her signature blend of whimsical lyrics and indie folk pop melodies to the Gordon Center in a solo show. Laurie’s hit songs like “We Are the Dinosaurs” and “Victor Vito” are featured on children’s networks Nick Jr. and Sprout, in Off-Broadway children’s musicals, and in children’s books. Be sure to catch the artist People magazine calls “the queen of children’s music” and the New York Times has dubbed “the Adele of the preschool crowd.”

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
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. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Featured story: The Snowy Day.

3:00pm-5:00pm: Jumpin’ January Dance Party at Kensington Town Hall
The event will include crafts, a reading room, and dancing led by A-Squad Entertainment. Admission is $5 per person ($20 max per family). Please RSVP above.

5:00pm: Step Afrika! Step Xplosion at Strathmore
Step Afrika!’s fourth annual showcase at Strathmore is going to be big! Percussive dance styles historically practiced by African American fraternities and sororities plus African traditional dance and art forms from around the world come together as Step Afrika! integrates songs, storytelling, and humor into a highly entertaining, interactive show. Watch as the top step teams from across the country showcase the kind of technique and agility that inspires audiences everywhere, and see how Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, promoting teamwork, academic achievement, and cross-cultural understanding.

logo design courtesy of New Leaf Design