Beltway Bambinos

With the gorgeous weather headed here on Saturday, I’m guessing the Mall will be packed with those trying to get a look at cherry blossoms. Here is the event page and the opening ceremony is on Saturday from 11:30am-3:00pm which is child-friendly with performances, face painting, and cherry-blossom themed crafts. For those who don’t wish to be in a large crowd head to Kenwood in Bethesda, Maryland and walk the streets at your leisure.

(Photo: The National cherry blossom festival parade that ends the festival’s celebrations)

Weekend Easter Egg Hunts  & Activities begin this weekend at Ticonderoga! Admission Ages 2 & Up $14.95 per. Hunts will take place promptly at 11:00am and 2:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays, during Spring Festival dates. Meet and Greet with the Easter Bunny and find the Golden Goose Egg for an extra special prize! There are many other activities included with your admission to enjoy, including: giant slide hills, huge jumping pillows, hayrides, animal feeding areas, pedal kart track, swinging bridge, and much more! There will be 3 different age groups in separate areas for each Egg Hunt: Ages 0-3, 4-6, and 7+. Food vendors will be on-site for Full Plate items, tasty treats and snacks from 11 am-4 pm. Entrance gate will close at 4:00 PM daily.

Saturday-

9:00am-3:00pm: K-12 STEM Symposium at The Nysmith School
(13625 EDS Dr. Herndon, Virginia 20171)
The K-12 STEM Symposium is a free and exciting all-day forum that equally engages children, parents, and teachers, coupled with corporate, government, academia and non-profit executives alike from the STEM fields. Kids can get first-hand experience with drones, coding, 3D printing, space and more!!

9:30am AND 11:00am: Bilbo’s Journey at National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20004)
Everyone loves the cherished tale of a home loving little Hobbit who finds himself on an adventure he could never have imagined! On his perilous trip he meets elves, trolls, a wizard, a dragon…and ssssomething ssstrange called a Gollum. Travel with this brave little Hobbit through dangerous and wondrous terrain, and then, happily, back home again. Tickets are free.

10:00am-3:00pm: Japanese Culture Day at Young Readers Center
(Thomas Jefferson Building, Room # LJ-G29 (Ground Floor) Library of Congress 10 First Street, SE, Washington, DC 20540)
The (FREE) Japanese Culture Day introduces children and adults to Japanese culture through hands-on origami artwork creation, trying on kimonos and other activities. Cherry Blossom princesses from the last few years will instruct children in the art of tiara-making. At 11:00am and 1:30pm, the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C., will present “Japan-In-A-Suitcase,” a program about Japanese life and culture. Following each of these presentations, Tsuyoshi Takemori of DC Yamato-juku Karate Club will demonstrate karate. Additional attractions for children are being planned. Children may also explore the Library’s Young Readers Center, which contains current and classic children’s literature.

10:00am: Cántale a Tu Bebé (Sing To Your Baby) Concert at The Mansion at Strathmore
(10701 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD. 20852)
A bilingual music party celebrating the release of Cántale a Tu Bebé, the Spanish-language version of the award-winning book/CD Sing To Your Baby by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer. Sonia De Los Santos (solo musician and Dan Zanes Band) and Jorge Anaya (DC-area Latino vocalist) join Cathy & Marcy for this intimate event! Learn how to use music for fun, skill development and as an ongoing expression of love in both Spanish and English. It’s never too early (or too late!) to sing with family.

10:00am-3:00pm: Kites of Asia at National Air and Space Museum
(Independence at 6th St)
Celebrate Spring at the National Air and Space Museum’s Kites of Asia Heritage Family Day which is FREE!  Talk to kite experts, see pan-Asian kite displays, marvel at indoor kite flying, make your own kite— and maybe even take a dance lesson!

11:30am: The Eagle Huntress film at National Gallery of Art
(6th & Constitution)
Among the isolated Kazakh tribe in the mountains of northwest Mongolia, the long tradition of eagle hunting has only been practiced by men. This documentary follows Aisholpan, a 13-year-old girl, as she trains to become the first female in 12 generations of her family to become an eagle hunter. Her decision causes controversy amongst older members of the community, but Aisholpan boldly embarks on a strict program of training. This inspiring film captures her courage. (Otto Bell, US, 2016, 87 minutes) English narration, and Kazakh with English subtitles. Recommended for ages 11 and up. Shown in collaboration with the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital.

3:00pm: The Lessons of Seneca at GALA Hispanic Theatre
(3333 14th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20010)
In this lively bilingual musical, Séneca, a bookish library mouse, sets out on some adventures with a trio of street-wise barrio mice, a cunning cat, and a good-natured dog. On their outing, these unlikely companions learn valuable lessons about friendship, respect, tolerance and the value of books. The duration of this family show is approximately 55 minutes and is appropriate for ages 4 through 10.

Sunday-

10:30am-12:00pm: Make Room for Matzah at Edlavitch DCJCC
(1529 16^th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036)
Join for a hands-on Passover workshop to get ready for Passover and learn more about this tradition for your interfaith or Jewish family. Your child will make a beautiful Miriam’s Cup to enhance your seder and do a mitzvah for seniors celebrating Passover. Then we will have a Seder Plate Taste Test, as we delve into why we have the things on the Seder plate that we do. Best for ages 3 and up. $15/family and can be paid at the door.

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, 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. Activities in Sunday Fun-Day are most appropriate to 3-5 year-olds but 1-2 year-old siblings and friends are also welcome! Featured story: Cock a Doodle Doo, Barnyard Hullabaloo

1:00pm-2:15pm: Missing Glove Monster Crafternoon at Little Loft
(7007 Carroll Ave Takoma Park, MD 20912)
Bring in those random mittens or gloves (knit ones work best) and turn them into cuddly pocket-sized stuffed animals! (We’ll have some extras on hand if you’ve lost BOTH by now 😉 $28, ages 6-1