Beltway Bambinos

Hope everyone enjoyed the nice weather this weekend that lasted just a day (sigh). Spring is approaching soon, right? Right? Until then, we here at Beltway Bambinos are off for a few weeks of fun in the sun in Florida. We are hoping to publish as normal while we are defrosting by the pool.

A few school districts have a scheduled day off that is approaching, unless they’ve changed plans due to all of the snow days. If you are trying to plan ahead to your child being off of school (again) check out our post on places you can send your child to have a hands-on, active day.

Monday, March 24-

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community.

11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm and 6:30pm: Paper Airplane Contest at National Air & Space Museum
(601 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20597)
How do you control an airplane? Explore the concept of stability while making and test flying a simple paper airplane. Use weight to balance your paper airplane and compete against other visitors for the coveted title of “Top Gun” and a special prize. No experience necessary! All materials provided- free event.

Tuesday, March 25-

10:00am-3:00pm: National Agriculture Day at Oxon Cove Park
(6411 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745)
Celebrate National Agriculture Day by meeting animals, going on a wagon ride, learning how a cow is milked and other activities.

10:00am: Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Pavilion (2nd floor)
(10th St. and Constitution Ave., NW)
Every Tuesday at 10:00am you can get into the magnificent butterfly pavilion for free! Make sure and get a free ticket by the entrance. We visited this last month and were amazed by how many butterflies were flying around, some even landing on a shoulder. Look closely and you could spot a frog under some trees.

10:00am: Family Fun Day at White Marsh Mall featuring Kinderman
(9800 Perry Hall Blvd. Baltimore MD 21236-4901)
If you haven’t heard him, we recommend checking out his website. The sample music that automatically plays, captured our attention immediately. Kindercize with the Kinderman and his catchy tunes at White Marsh.

10:00am-10:45am: Tudor Tots: Growing Gardeners at Tudor Place
(1644 31st St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20007)
Tudor Place, which has enchanted young children for almost two centuries, invites your child to join us Tuesday mornings to read, sing, and play in the garden. Children and parents or care-givers will participate each week in a read-aloud, singing, and themed movements related to a theme, such as Adventurous Animals or Growing Gardens. Children enjoy active learning and sharing this tranquil setting with the grown-ups who care for them. $5 per session, recommended for kids ages 2-4.

11:00am and 1:00pm: Storytime Station at Gaithersburg Community Museum
(9 South Summit Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20877)
The City of Gaithersburg invites you and your child to enjoy monthly book readings during “StoryTime Station,” an enriching new program at the Gaithersburg Community Museum. Located in the restored 1884 B&O Railroad Station complex near the intersection of Summit & Diamond Aves in Olde Towne Gaithersburg.  The Museum is located in the restored B&O Railroad complex, & consists of the historic Freight House, History Park & the rolling stock. Ages 3-6 are recommended. Admission is $3 per child, adults and infants are free. Please note strollers are not permitted inside the Museum, and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Wednesday, March 26-

9:30am and 10:15am: Me & You-kulele Musical Storytime at Noyes Library for Young Children
(10237 Carroll Place Kensington, MD 20895)
Join in the musical fun. Come Sing With Us! Music is a fun way to learn about sounds, rhythm, rhyme and is a natural support for your child’s early learning. Appropriate for all ages.

10:15am and 12:00pm: Publick Playhouse presents Helping Drew
(5445 Landover Road  Cheverly, MD 20784)
This interactive musical puppet show has everyone helping Drew, as the principal tries to stop Lee from bullying Drew. Lee thinks bullying Drew is fun. Lee’s best friend Victoria doesn’t think so, but what can she do to help Drew? Recommended for grades K-3. $6/person.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents !Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres! at Union Market
(1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC. 20002)
Access the free market parking lot from 6th Street NE or travel via metro to NoMA-Gallaudet. Come early for coffee and stay for lunch!

4:00pm-5:30pm: Free Art Wednesdays at Create ART
(Silver Spring Civic Building – 1 Veterans Plaza)
Join Create ART in this wonderful new FREE after school art workshops – improv, sewing, comics, & more! Kindergarten-5th grade students welcome. Register online.

5:30pm: !Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres! at BloomBars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
!Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres! is a sure bet every time. Children of various ages enjoy this interactive show that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture.

7:00pm: Scooby-Doo! at Warner Theatre
Filled with wacky new characters, fantastic songs and outrageous antics, Scooby-Doo Live! will have audiences on the edge of their seats in traditional Scooby-Doo fashion. Buy tickets online.

Thursday, March 27-

10:00am: 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: Boogie Babes presents The Sugar Free All Stars at Eastern Market
(225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Our most popular show of the week! Join us at Historic Eastern Market’s North Hall (closest to South Carolina) for a lively concert, grab lunch and shop for dinner. Access to the North Hall via the market for Boogie Babes. Eastern Market Metro is two short blocks away.

11:00am: Rocknoceros Concert at Dulles Town Center
(21100 Dulles Town Circle Dulles, Virginia 20166- in the food court)
What a great chance to rock out to Rocknoceros. We’ve featured many of their concerts but this one is FREE!

6:30pm-9:00pm: OEEP and the Outdoor Education Association’s Family Science Night
(MCPS Smith Environmental Education Center, 5110 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD 20855)
Looking at Earth: Activities from NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement Mission:
•Make a rain gauge, freshwater and the water cycle and build a satellite model.
Looking at Space:
•Planetarium Show, space weather session and observe the sky with high-powered telescopes: Star Party
Please RSVP to Vicki_L_Frank@mcpsmd.org. $2/person or $5/family; free for OEA members

Friday, March 28-

10:00am: Songs, stories & puppets at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
30 minutes of storytelling, dancing, singing and entertainment just for kids under 5.

10:00am-11:00am and 12:30pm-2:30pm: School’s Out: Get Froggy! at Locust Nature Center
(7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Maryland 20817)
Come on out to explore the puddles and ponds of early spring. We’ll look for eggs and tadpoles, and if we’re lucky hear the love songs of our local frogs. Register online.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register and pay for all attendees. $5.

10:00am-11:30am: Family Hike to the Planets at Meadowside Nature Center
(5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20853)
Take a tour of the solar system without leaving Earth. Visit each planet in our tiny portion of the universe during this mile-long hike. Register online. $5. Children and adults must register and pay (strollers not appropriate).

10:30am: Rocknoceros at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
As every family with youngsters in the DC area already knows, Rocknoceros (pronounced like rhinoceros) is three guys: Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie, who make wildly popular, award-winning music for the whole family. Tickets are $5.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents Kidsinger Jim at Atlas Performing Arts
(1333 H Street NE Washington, DC. 20002)
Join us at the ATLAS Performing Arts Center along the H Street Corridor. Snack bar and bathrooms are easily accessible. Lots of good and kid-friendly lunch options within one to three blocks!

11:00am-11:45am: Otus the Owl Campfire at Meadowside Nature Center
(5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20853)
We will read a story about owls, roast some marshmallows, and meet our mascot Otus the Owl, so bring your camera! Register online. Please register and pay for all attendees. Children must be accompanied by an adult- ages 2-10.

1:00pm-4:00pm- The National Portrait Gallery presents Open Studio Fridays
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001 – Education Center, Room E151)
Friday afternoons at the Gallery feature some creative and free fun! Check out a Portrait Discovery Kit to explore the museum and try a different selection of art material each week.

       Bunny Breakfast and Train Ride at B&O Museum: April 18 and 19

       Day Out with Thomas at B&O Museum: April 25-27 and May 2-4

On Sunday morning, March 30, children ages 2-9 can enjoy a two-hour Going Green Playtime led by early childhood educators at the DCJCC (16th and Q Streets, NW). The session includes stories, songs, and art activities about caring for the earth and saving energy, as well as a performance by acclaimed children’s performer Kinderman, a Master Teacher Artist who will engage children in appreciation for the natural world through puppetry, story telling, music, and dance. A concurrent workshop for the parents, which is open to parents (and grandparents!) of any age, teaches simple, practical strategies for living sustainably at home and beyond. Parent workshop discussions include Raising Kids Who Care for the Earth, Green Family Living, and Naptime Activism. The whole event is called “Parenting in a Warming World: A Climate Change Workshop for Families.”  Kids must be registered by March 27; pre-registration is preferred for the adult workshop but walk-ins are welcome. Read more and register here.