Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Washington, DC

Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime

by Beth Hoffman

June 03, 2009

I keep swearing that I am sticking to one activity per kid for the summer and spending the rest of our time playing at the pool and visiting new places and attending all the kid-friendly events that happen around here in the summer.  But then I keep finding out about new activities that my kids would love, so I'm having a hard time sticking to it.  In case you are still in the market for some ways to pass the weeks until school starts back up, here are some of the things tempting me:

• Yoga!  Soccer!  Ballet!  Arts and Crafts!  Swimming!  Nature hikes!  Gymnastics!  Once a week classes or weeks-long camps!  And cheap!  Oh, Parks and Recreation, where have you been all my life?  Check out your local county, city or town rec center and see what they are offering for the summer.  My almost-four-year-old could keep herself very bus bouncing from camp to class to activity at the local community center.  We've done several programs there in the past year and they have beenalmost without exception fantatic.
• Most of the indoor playground places (Gymboree, Little Gym, My Gym, JW Tumbles, etc.) offer summer camps for preschool-age and up.  I've been considering Little Gym, where you can do morning or afternoon sessions and can buy anywhere from one day of camp to the entire summer.

No, wait, I have to stop looking or else I'm going to sign the kids up for something every day of the week.  What are your kids doing this summer?  Read more...

Weekend Picks: Fun, Free Family Fun!

by Leticia

April 23, 2009

Nothing to do this weekend?  Other than getting outside and enjoying the beautiful spring weather we are supposed to have after the last few rainy days, here are my weekend picks for some great free family fun.

 

Maryland Day

Saturday 10-4 pm
University of Maryland, College Park

This popular free family friendly event is UMD’s open house that is filled with learning, exploration, and fun.  Choose activities among the various themes:  Science & Tech Way, Arts Alley, Sports & Rec Row, Biz & Society Hill, Terp Town Center, Ag Day Avenue, and Global Village.  UMD will have over 400 hands on activities, workshops, events, and performances so there will be something to please everyone in your family.  Click here for a list of events especially designed for kids. 

 

Celebrate Earth Day with the Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services

Saturday 11-3 pm
850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD  20850

Catch a bus every 15 minutes to tour the county’s recycling center, get a free Leafgro and compost bin, make Earth Friendly crafts, bring your jeans and other denim clothing to repurpose into home insulation, bring your personal documents for on site shredding, and learn more about environmentall friendly homes, recycling and waste reduction, and purchasing recycled products.

 

Grand Opening of National Children’s Museum Launch Zone

Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, 2009, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m
NCM Launch Zone, 112 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745

Open to the public seven days a week, the Launch Zone is a place where children can prototype exhibit components and programs, share their ideas about what should be included in the new Museum, and participate in fun and educational programs related to the Museum’s core content areas.  On Saturday festivities will feature recycled art activities, face painting, chalk art, food, and an original, interactive performance by the Museum, The Adventures of Wally the Water Bottle. Performances will take place at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.  On Sunday, April 26, the celebration continues with recycled and chalk art activities, face painting, balloon creations, treats, and a special performance – Sea Revels – by cultural performance organization, the Washington Revels. Performances will take place at the Main Stage at National Harbor at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

 

 

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Kid Art Auction for Earth Day 2009

by Beth Hoffman

February 05, 2009

Our fabulous Being Savvy Denver City Editor, Aimee, has recently announced the second annual Kid Art Auction for Earth Day. This effort was started last year when Aimee's six year old son suggested that they hold an art sale in their backyard. Things being what they are, the effort soon made the jump to cyberspace and raised nearly $800 for environmental causes. The concept is  Read more...