Beltway Bambinos

Say it ain’t so…..more snow?! Before heading out tomorrow to any of the picks, check to make sure they are open.  We have had a few posts geared towards surviving (another) snow day, check them out for ideas and local sledding hills. Our Pinterest page has some indoor activities and craft ideas as well.

Monday, March 17:

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.

9:30am-11:00am- Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds! Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under. This week Marsha Goodman-Wood is performing. Suggested donation of $5.

10:30am-11:30am- Fairfax Old Town Hall Children’s Performance featuring Mr. Skip
(3999 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030)
Mr. Skip, one of our favorite children’s performers, makes the week start with a smile as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

4:00pm-7:00pm- St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Silver Spring
Depending on weather conditions you will celebrate the luck of the Irish with dancing and music. This is a free event! More info here.

Tuesday, March 18:

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-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.

10:00am-11:30am- Nature Explorers at Meadowside Nature Center
(5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20853)
Every Tuesday in March and April, budding nature explorers will experience the seasonal changes while discovering the woodlands, fields, pond, and stream at Meadowside. Learn about baby animals, dig for worms, search for signs of spring outdoors, and more! Participating in a variety of activities, games, and crafts will enhance children’s learning experiences. After each program, expand your visit by bringing a bag lunch to enjoy at a picnic tables under the trees. Adults must accompany children ages 3-5. $32 for all sessions, register by clicking on above link.

10:15am and 11:30am- Before the People Came: An African Fable at Discovery Theatre
(1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560)
African rhythms, masks, vivid costumes, and life-size puppets add up to a delightful mini-spectacular in the spirit of The Lion King. In this magical folktale, when a drought leaves the animals weak from thirst, a rabbit discovers a juicy pear tree—and the tiger who guards it. They learn to work together in a most unexpected way. The story’s lessons about sharing and diversity are artfully woven into a blend of spoken-word poetry and jazz, blues, funk, and pop music that will have young audiences caught it its delightful spell. Child $6, Child 2 and under $3, Adult $8

11:00am- Story time at National Air and Space Museum
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
*******Virginia location has added Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday story time*****
“Flights of Fancy” staff will read stories about famous aviators, hot-air balloon flights, trips to Mars, characters visible in the night sky, or creatures that have their own wings. Each session includes one story and a hands-on activity. Featured story is Super Duck by Jez Alborough.

11:00am-11:45am- Mr. Skip performs at Firehook Bakery & Coffee Shop
(105 S Union St., Alexandria, VA)
Enjoy scrumptious baked goods, stay for lunch, and sing along with Mr. Skip. He is a favorite of my son; he is engaging and sings well-known kid songs and will be in his favorite Hawaiian attire. And you can’t go wrong with treats from Firehook– we used to live near a Firehook and miss having those treats a few blocks away.

Wednesday, March 19:

10:00am-11:00am- Story time at The Kreeger Museum
(2401 Foxhall Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007)
Children ages 3-5 and an adult companion are invited to use their imagination as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each program includes a gallery tour, analysis of works of art from the collection, a story and a hands-on art-making experience. Class size is limited to 10 children. Pre-registration is required. Payment due at time of registration. An adult must remain with the child throughout the program. (They also have this wonderful activity on Saturdays, we will feature it this weekend)

10:00am- Story time at Barnes and Noble
(4801 Bethesda Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814)
Thirty minutes of songs and stories at both locations. The Bethesda location has a nice train setup that keeps our guy busy before and/or after story time.

10:30am-Boogie Babes presents Mr. Skip 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!

11:00am- Story time at National Air and Space Museum
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
*******Virginia location has added Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday story time*****
“Flights of Fancy” staff will read stories about famous aviators, hot-air balloon flights, trips to Mars, characters visible in the night sky, or creatures that have their own wings. Each session includes one story and a hands-on activity. Featured story is Moongame by Frank Asch.

11:00am: Animal Antics at Maryland Science Center
(601 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21230)
Join the Kids Room staff in the Learning Lab for a visit from one of the Science Center’s resident creatures. Learn about how they move, eat, and adapt to thrive in their diverse environments.

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.

5:00pm- Frozen DVD Release Party at Barnes and Noble
(4801 Bethesda Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814)
That’s right, the time has come, Frozen is out on DVD today. Stop by and grab a copy!

Thursday, March 20:

10:00am-11:30am: Nature Tots: All About Bones at Croydon Creek Nature Center
(852 Avery Road Rockville, MD 20851)
Spend time with your child discovering the wonders of nature. A naturalist will help you explore the topic through nature play, crafts, stories and hikes. Dress for the weather. Adult participation is required. Pre-registration strongly recommended. $8R/$10NR

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.

10:15am and 11:15am: Live! Amazing Animals of the Rainforest at Discovery Theatre
(1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560)
Meet Dexter the lemur—who loves hanging upside down, eating blackberries, and helping spread the word about his native habitat—when Leesburg Animal Park brings the rainforest to Discovery Theater. They’ll also meet other amazing critters who live there. It could be Slinky, a 7-foot Columbian red-tailed boa, Charlie the iguana, or hissing cockroaches that can scare off predators with a sound as loud as a lawn mower. We’ll learn why this South American ecosystem is so important to our planet’s health—and how we can all help preserve it. Child $6, Child 2 and under $3, Adult $8

10:30am- Itsy, Bitsy Infants at Maryland Science Center
(601 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21230)
Join the Kids Room staff in the Room to Grow for a program designed for our smallest scientists, 0 to 24 months, with their adult caregivers. Enjoy music, rhymes, finger plays, and more.

10:30am- Boogie Babes presents Bridgette & Dawn on Conga at Eastern Market
(225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Boogie Babes most popular show of the week! Meet at the 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.

10:30am- The Great Zucchini at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Get tickets here for The Great Zucchini, Washington’s funniest and most magical preschool and kindergarten entertainer, performs a colorful magic show where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh. Experience the excitement of the children when they get to learn a magic trick at the end of show.

11:00am- Story time at Barnes and Noble
(6260 Seven Corners Center Falls Church, VA 22044)
Thirty minutes of songs and stories. Features story is King Jack and the Dragon.

11:00am- Story time at National Air and Space Museum
(601 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20597)
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
*******Virginia location has added Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday story time*****
“Flights of Fancy” staff will read stories about famous aviators, hot-air balloon flights, trips to Mars, characters visible in the night sky, or creatures that have their own wings. Each session includes one story and a hands-on activity. Featured story is Moongame by Frank Asch in VA and The Story Of Kites by Ying Chang Compestine in DC.

6:00pm- The Singing Lizard at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
KIDS HAPPY HOUR with The Singing Lizard every 3rd Thursday at BloomBars! Bring the whole family for a rocking dance party! $7 suggested donation.

Friday, March 21:

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.

10:15am and 11:15am:Live! Amazing Animals of the Rainforest at Discovery Theatre
(1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560)
Meet Dexter the lemur—who loves hanging upside down, eating blackberries, and helping spread the word about his native habitat—when Leesburg Animal Park brings the rainforest to Discovery Theater. They’ll also meet other amazing critters who live there. It could be Slinky, a 7-foot Columbian red-tailed boa, Charlie the iguana, or hissing cockroaches that can scare off predators with a sound as loud as a lawn mower. We’ll learn why this South American ecosystem is so important to our planet’s health—and how we can all help preserve it. Child $6, Child 2 and under $3, Adult $8

10:30am-11:30am- Cabin John Mall presents Crooked Landing
(11325 Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD. 20854- Atrium of mall)
Children enjoy music and entertainment with the renowned Cabin John kids program every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month.

10:30am-Boogie Babes presents Ukulele Phil & The Hula Kids at Atlas Performing Arts
(1333 H Street NE Washington, DC. 20002)
John Henry is a family favorite!!! Join him at 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.

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.

11:00am- Story time at National Air & Space Museum  
(601 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20597)
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
“Flights of Fancy” staff will read stories about famous aviators, hot-air balloon flights, trips to Mars, characters visible in the night sky, or creatures that have their own wings. Each session includes one story and a hands-on activity. Featured story is The Story Of Kites by Ying Chang Compestine in DC and Super Duck by Jez Alborough in VA.

1:00pm-2:00pm-What’s Around the Corner? at Locust Grove Nature Center
(7777 Democracy Boulevard., Bethesda, Maryland 20817)
Calling all three to five year olds! We will investigate springtime habitats, read a story, and make a simple craft while having fun learning outdoors. Spring of course! After listening to a fun story we will look around all the corners in the park, looking for signs of spring. We’ll plant our own little spring pet to take home! Children must be accompanied by an adult. $5/class.

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.

2:00pm-4:00pm- Afternoon Aviators at College Park Aviation Museum
(1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park 20740)
Have an airplane enthusiast? We have the perfect museum for them, off the busy National Mall. Join for fun, hands-on aviation-themed activities. A weekly series for children ages five and up. Free with museum admission.

Remember to checkout our post with ongoing events for theatre shows and performances. There are also listings of other venues we love that are open everyday.

Have you gotten tickets yet? 

Ringling Bros and Barnum and Baily Built to Amaze! Circus Show
March 20-23- Verizon Center
March 26-April 6- Baltimore Arena
April 9-April 20- Patriot Center, Fairfax

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