Beltway Bambinos

Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

Your favorite Disney stories come to life as you thaw a frozen heart with Elsa, sail along with Moana, dance with the Toy Story friends and feel inspired by the Disney Princesses. Share the excitement and make new memories at Disney On Ice presents Celebrate Memories at Capital One February 13-17!

For those of you with children in DCPS schools and need some last minute camps for next weeks mid-winter break, you can plenty here.

The King’s Speech is based on the true story of King George VI’s struggle with a speech impediment and the friendship he formed with his unconventional speech therapist, Lionel Logue. The show is at National Theatre thorugh February 16 and is wonderful! With the Nazi threat looming and civil unrest at home, royal secrets explode around the King as he’s thrust onto the world stage. David Seidler’s original play – which inspired the 2010 Oscar-winning film starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush – will make its long-awaited U.S. debut in a production The Mail proclaims “A right royal treat.” This show is recommended for ages 13 and up. Find tickets here.

Friday

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone. If you don’t have a sitter but want to get out tonight there are some great options here.

5:00pm-7:00pm: Valentine’s Day Handi-Hour Pop-Up
Celebrate friendship, love, and fun at our annual Valentine’s Day Handi-hour pop-up in SAAM’s dazzling Kogod Courtyard. Paper, scissors, stickers, glue, and more are provided for you to make the perfect sweet or snarky valentine. While you craft your heart out at this free event, drink specials and snacks are available for purchase from the Courtyard Café. Free. Registration recommended.

Saturday

9:30am AND 11:00am: Mary Ann Jung: The Queen’s Speech at The National Theatre
You’ve heard of the King’s Speech? Well, long before that, a queen sat on the English throne, lending her name to England’s Golden Era. Mary Ann Jung introduces children to Elizabethan language, manners, Shakespearean insults, and yes, Queen Elizabeth’s most famous speeches.

9:30am AND 10:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
Ten years and more than 1,600 shows later, Harambe @BloomBars has become a Washington DC institution and a cultural/moral compass for thousands of parents and youth. In Swahili, Harambe means “All pull together.” At BloomBars, Harambe is the practice of hope, possibility and compassion – basically, all the things that happen when we all come together. 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: John Henry the Guitar Playing Man at Avalon Theatre
Join us as we celebrate President’s Day with a live concert from John Henry, The Guitar Playing Man! With 20 years of childhood education and performance experience, John Henry’s program engages children as they dance and sing during this memorable concert.

10:00am-11:00am: First Studio at the Kreeger Museum
Children, ages 3-5, are invited to use their imaginations as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum and then create a piece of work.

10:15am–12:00pm or 1:30pm–3:15pm: National Gallery of Art Family Workshop
Workshops provide the opportunity to explore artists’ thinking and studio practices. Taught by museum educators, each workshop includes a conversation in the galleries followed by a hands-on studio art session. Family Workshops are designed for children (ages 8–11) and adults to participate in together. See the complete listing below for topic, dates, and times. Workshops are free but preregistration is required.

11:30am-3:00pm: Presidential Family Fun Day
Every year we kick off Presidents’ Day weekend with a presidential party loaded with crafts, music, dancing, games and special tours of “America’s Presidents.” Celebrate the presidents with the Portrait Gallery, President Lincoln’s Cottage, the DC Public Library, the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents, artists, and experts from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Sunday

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage: Pete the Cat
You and your child will 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.

11:00am: Family Dance Workshop: American Ballet Theatre at Kennedy Center
Join a 45-minute workshop led by artists from American Ballet Theatre. Designed for families with children age 10 and under, the workshop explores music, movement, and/or themes of a ballet while taking families through learning simple ballet steps or choreography.

11:15am–1:00pm or 2:30pm–4:15pm: National Gallery of Art Family Workshop
Workshops provide the opportunity to explore artists’ thinking and studio practices. Taught by museum educators, each workshop includes a conversation in the galleries followed by a hands-on studio art session. Family Workshops are designed for children (ages 8–11) and adults to participate in together. See the complete listing below for topic, dates, and times. Workshops are free but preregistration is required.

2:00pm AND 4:00pm: NSO Family Concert: Girl Power!
Don’t miss a special showcase of female composers, conductors, and performers to mark 100 years since the 19th Amendment gave many women the right to vote. Ages 5+

2:00pm-4:30pm: Rumpus Room Family Dance Party
Rumpus Room is a family-friendly daytime dance party created by Marc Meistro & Steven Faith, DJs who wanted to share the nightclub experience with their children. Rumpus Room transforms the club environment (think disco balls, lights, and of course music) into safe family-friendly fun. Prepare for a dance floor filled with little ones, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and caregivers. The soundtrack for Rumpus Room is always a family-friendly mix of popular dance hits, classics, children’s songs and more, all at a kid-friendly volume.

Weekend Theatre:
The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats at Adventure Theatre through April 5
Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth at Imagination Stage through March 22
Thumbelina at Imagination Stage through April 5
Mouse on the Move at Imagination Stage through February 16
Hear Me Say My Name at Discovery Theater
Rapunzel at The Puppet Co through Feb. 16
Baby Bear’s Birthday at The Puppet Co Tiny Tots