Beltway Bambinos

Is your child off school tomorrow (Feb. 17)? Check out our post on what to do with your child when they don’t have school.

We’ve also created a running list of on-going fun around the area which we plan to keep updated moving forward. Local puppet shows and theaters will be on that post instead of listing them each day or week.

Monday, Feb. 17 (Happy Presidents Day!)

8:00am- Happy Birthday George Washington at Mt. Vernon
Free admission to celebrate! Check out the days events here. 

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.

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.

10:00am-4:00pm-President’s Day Celebration at National Children’s Museum
(151 St. George Boulevard, National Harbor  Fort Washington, Maryland 20745)
Decide which president should be added to Mount Rushmore as you learn about sculpture and Gutzon Borglum, the artist behind the famous landmark. Your child can also create 2-D presidential heads! 

10:30am- Story and music at Politics and Prose
(5015 Connecticut Ave NW, DC. 20015)
Meet downstairs in the children’s department for thirty minutes of songs and stories. Grab a treat in the cafe before or afterwards. Or swing by Little Red Fox after for a coffee, lunch or treat.

10:30am- Groovy Nate at PB & Jack 
(9540 Main St, Fairfax VA 22031)
Open play is from 9:00am-5:00pm and features a concert at 10:30. Open everyday as well.

12:30- Disney on Ice at Verizon Center
Today is the final show in DC celebrating 100 years on the ice. Tickets for the 12:30pm show here. 

4:00pm- Rainbow Rock Band at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub
(2300 Mt Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22301)
Our family loves this coffee pub and it’s sweet treats of course. Every third Monday they host Rainbow Rock.

Tuesday, Feb. 18

10:00am-4:00pm- B&O Railroad Museum
(901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223)
A wonderful train museum with  kids in mind. They offer activities and a carousel and friends like Stationmaster Sue and Conductor Cap. Entry is $16 adults/$10 kids over 2. Open everyday.

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.

Remember to checkout our post with ongoing events.

Wednesday, Feb. 19

Grand Opening of Great Play
(11395 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22030)
A new local gym that offers high energy, interactive classes integrating technology. Kids as young as 6 months are invited to join the fun. Check website or join the email list for more information on the free grand opening events.

9:30am-11:00am- Circle of Friends Playgroup 
(Community Room at National City Christian Church on Thomas Circle, Entrance on 14th St through courtyard)
Parents, grandparents, and children, newborn up to age 4, are most welcome to attend this free group and no pre-registration is required. The community room has space for the active play of toddlers, as well as a comfortable area for those with infants and not-yet-mobile babies. Each session will begin with introductions and music, followed by open play. They have a clean up time and closing circle. The playgroup does have a collection of toys, books, and art supplies for use as well. Please feel free to bring drinks and snacks for yourselves and your little ones. Restroom facilities are available and the community room is stroller accessible. Contact Alyssa for more information.

10:00am- Story time at Barnes and Noble
(Montrose Crossing 12089 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852)
(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. 

10:00am- Samba Baby at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
It’s never too early to learn the infectious dance of the world’s 5th largest country and there’s no better teacher then Zezeh Zax– a dancer, professional performer of Brazilian samba and founder of the ZEZEH BRAZIL Dance Troupe. Get your baby movin and groovin!

10:30am-Boogie Babes presents The Singing Lizard 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!

3:30-5:30pm- Creative Hands-on Workshop at American Visionary Art Museum
(800 Key Highway Baltimore, Maryland 21230)
AVAM in the Afternoon is a series of special, interactive workshops for ages 8 and up. Build creativity by  exploring the world of visionary art, meeting guest artists, and engaging in creative projects. Each week will feature a different hands-on activity and/or artist demonstration. To register, please email Amy. For ages 8 & up.  The museum sits next to a large hill, a playground resides at the top along with phenomenal views of Baltimore so while your older child is at the workshop you can take your younger to have fun too.

4:00pm-5:30pm- Open Studio at Art Space
(614 S St NW, Washington, DC. 20001)
Kids 3-6 years old and their accompanying adult are encouraged to come and create age-appropriate art projects. An employee will set up materials for safe, fun, and creative projects. Children will learn the art or cleaning up as well. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in. Siblings of any age are welcomed. $5

5:30pm & 6:30pm- !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.

Thursday, Feb. 20

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-11:15am- Preschool Series: Treasure Quest at Hillwood Estate Museum and Garden
(4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008)
Enter a world of wonder as you hunt for hidden gems, gold, and magnificent treasures that glitter and sparkle. Experience the wonder of Hillwood with your preschooler! Explore a new mansion room each week of this three-part series through make believe, art projects, and imaginative play. $30 per child for a 3 class series or $12 for one day session. Remaining dates are 2/20 and 2/27. For more information read more.

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 National Air & Space Museum 
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
(600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560)
“Flights of Fancy” story time will feature Nobody Owns the Sky by Reeve Lindbergh. The museum in Chantilly is typically very empty with great spaces for your kids to roam around and see amazing airplanes and even The Discovery. Wind Flyers by Angela Johnson is the featured story.

6:30pm- The Singing Lizard at Bloombars
The 3rd Thursday of the month she performs here.

Friday, Feb. 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.

10:30am-Boogie Babes presents Mr. Gabe at Atlas Performing Arts
(1333 H Street NE Washington, DC. 20002)
Join Mr. Gabe 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- Oh Susannah at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Weary of the Wiggles? Oh Susannah provides a very welcome alternative. Kids love her music, a tasty blend of familiar favorites and lively originals perfect for singing and dancing along. Parents love her music for the unusual arrangements, clever lyrics and beautiful vocals. 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 Hot Air by Marjorie Priceman.

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.

5:00pm-7:00pm- Free Family Night at National Children’s Museum
(151 St. George Boulevard, National Harbor  Fort Washington, Maryland 20745)
Enjoy free admission to the museum for your whole family, as well as hands-on activities and interactive play in the NCM theatre and exhibit areas. Tickets are first come first served beginning at 5:00pm.

Looking ahead to the weekend:
DCtots is organizing a series of Playtime Family Brunches at H Street Country Club (1335 H St NE). The brunches will take place from 10am-12pm on Sun Feb 23, Sat Mar 8 and Sun Apr 13.  Families will enjoy access to both floors with a buffet brunch and activities aimed at kids 0-5 years old. Tickets can be purchased here.