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

UniverSoul Circus is Hip Hop Under the Big Top!

by Leticia

May 25, 2009

We are circus veterans having attended numerous Cirque du Soliel and Ringling Brothers shows in the past.  This weekend we attended a circus we hadn’t heard of before- UniverSoul Circus which is in Landover, MD at the Capital Plaza Mall until May 31. 

UniverSoul Circus was started in 1994 to highlight black talent and culture.  With performers from numerous African nations such as Ghana, Gabon, and South Africa, Caribbean countries like Trinidad and Tabago and the Virgin Islands, and the amazing Soul Flyer aerial act and acrobats from China, the show is like having the United Nations under the big top. 

Like the other circuses we’ve been to, all the acts take place in a ring and there are elephants and tigers but UniverSoul isn’t your traditional circus.  Nicknamed “Hip Hop Under the Big Top,” the show’s ringmaster is the first ever African American woman, breakdancers and hip hop acts replace clowns between the big extravaganzas, and the show involves the audience in a way that the traditional circus does not.  UniverSoul has been called the most interactive circus in the world and it has all the others we've attended beat by a long shot!  Audience members are expected to get rowdy (bring ear plugs for the kiddos) and participate both inside and out of the ring.  A Soul Train, kids dance off, and old school vs. new school challenge all brought members of the audience up out of their seats and into the ring. 

Oh, and during intermission, your kids can ride an elephant!  Rides are $10 per child which seemed pricey but since we didn’t pay for parking (parking is free in the adjacent lot!), it was well worth it since our kids loved their elephant ride.

The show we attended was sold out and we had a blast during the 2 ½ hour show.  I highly recommend taking a trip to Landover for a truly unique circus experience!

Order tickets via TicketMaster for the remaining UniverSoul Circus shows:

• Wednesday, May 27- 10:30 am, 7:30 pm
• Thursday, May 28- 10:30 am, 7:30 pm
• Friday, May 29- 10:30 am, 7:30 pm
• Saturday, May 30- 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 7:30 pm
• Sunday, May 31- 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 7:30 pm

Special thanks to Aimee from Smiling Mama and Out By Ten who raved about the show and provided us with our tickets from her giveaway.

http://www.universoulcircus.com/

Elephants on Parade as the Circus Arrives in DC!

by Leticia

March 13, 2009

Every year when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® heads into DC, everyone eagerly anticipates information about the Elephant Walk. The famed walk happens as the elephants exit the train at Union Station and walk around Capitol Hill, making for an outstanding parade as they meander over to the Verizon Center.

This year the pachyderm parade will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as the animals walk to the beat of a bagpiper.  The walk will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. but due to unpredictable train schedules, the starting time and route are subject to change.  The best way to get up to the latest information is to call the Animal Walk Hotline (866-683-3640 or 866-683-3650) for continuous updates.

The walk celebrates the arrival of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Over The Top show which is coming to DC for five weeks of wacky and whimsical circus spectaculars.  Over the Top’s biggest stars will also march on Capitol Hill in their St. Patty’s Day best.  Showing their true green spirit, the Pachyderms will parade behind the Capitol to the sound of bagpipes.

Want to watch the pachyderm parade?  The route for the animal walk is as follows:

• East on Virginia Ave SE (By Garfield Park)
• North on 4th Street, SE to East Capitol Street
• Continue north on 4th Street, NE to Stanton Park
• Continue west on Massachusetts Ave, NE to Columbus Circle, NW in front
• of Union Station. 
• Columbus Circle, NW to E Street, NW. 
• 3rd Street, NW to G Street, NW to the Verizon Center

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® OVER THE TOP show will be at these DC area venues on the following dates:

• March 19 – 22, Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
• March 25 – April 5, 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Md.
• April 8 – 19, Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA

If you are excited about going to the circus and haven't gotten your tickets yet, I'll hook you up with 4 tickets for $44! Click here to read my previous post about the circus that contains information about how the discount and treat your family to a special circus outing without breaking the bank.

Coming Attractions

by Beth Hoffman

March 12, 2009

Here are a few options if you are looking for things to do with the kids this weekend.

NSO Community Music & Arts Festival at THEARC.  This event takes place from 10AM to 2 PM and all ages are welcome.  There's a concert at 10AM targeted to 3-6 years olds, who are invited to bring their teddy bears.  At 11, there's a musical instrument "petting zoo," an appearance by Maestro Mouse, face painting, balloon artists, and more, and finally a full orchestra family concert at 1 PM.  Admission is free, but you do need tickets, so hit the website for more info.

Pi Day at the Maryland Science Center.  Planning to be near the Inner Harbor?  Check out Pi Day at the Maryland Science Center from noon to four.  Entrance is free with paid admission and they are offering pie, a Pi memorization contest and a hula hoop contest.  (Let's see.... 3.14159.... I'm out.  Who can beat me?)  It's Einstein's birthday too, so you can take a shot at explaining relativity to your preschooler.  I wish you luck on that one.

Elephant Walk through D.C.  The circus is coming!  The circus is coming!  And at 10AM Tuesday (weather permitting), the elephants are coming to take a stroll through the streets of D.C. from Garfield Place to the Verizon Center.  They're even bringing a bagpiper in honor of St. Patrick's Day.  I'm definitely heading downtown for this one, I think the sight of elephants walking down city streets will blow my three-year-old's mind.  Read more...

The Circus is Coming to Town!

by Beth Hoffman

February 27, 2009

99 Things To Do in DC

by Leticia

February 24, 2009

In no particular order, here’s a list of 99 things to do in the DC Metro Area with a child before they grow up:

1. Head out the night before and brave the elements to obtain coveted tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll
2. Witness the beauty of the cherry blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial at their peak 
3. Go kayaking at Mason Neck State Park in Virginia since it is a great place to spot a bald eagle 
4. Step back in time and go on a canal boat ride in Great Falls or Georgetown 
5. After dinner and a bath, take your PJ-clad child on a tour of the Monuments at night
6. Appreciate the grandeur of the interior space of the National Building Museum then head to the Building Zone to satisfy your child’s inner Bob the Builder 
7. Play at Turtle Park and don’t miss Turtle Park Day  
8. Attend a performance at Glen Echo Puppet Theater 
9. Catch a show at Glen Echo Adventure Theater, DC’s longest running children’s theater 
10. Take a spin on the Glen Echo Carousel and witness the amazing Wurlitzer band organ 
11. Witness air acrobatics at Bealeton Airport Flying Circus 
12. Choose a local farm, bring your own containers, and an appetite to spend a couple hours berry picking
13. Introduce your child to the wonders of live performances at Wolf Trap Theater in the Woods 
14. Attend afternoon high tea at Strathmore Mansion 
15. Witness the power of water at Great Falls
16. Take a seat at the end of the runway at National Airport’s Gravelly Point and watch airplanes zoom overhead 
17. Explore all areas of the National Zoo, including the naked mole rats
18. Feed the koi at the National Arboretum
19. Ponder what George Washington used to think about while sitting on his back porch on Mount Vernon high above the Potomac River 
20. Ride the train and feed the trash pig (a trash can that talks when you throw garbage in it) at Cabin John Park 
21. Throw rocks in Rock Creek
22. Hike part of the Billy Goat Trail 
23. Spend time in the woods just exploring
24. Go camping at a local campground for the weekend
25. Bike the Monuments and the sights of The Mall
26. Go to Sky Meadows State Park for Astronomy Day or a Saturday Star Party
27. Let a butterfly land on you at the Wings of Fancy exhibit at Brookside Gardens 
28. Attend the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival to witness sheep shearing, partake in the fabulous lamb sold at the concession stands, and be dazzled by all the beautiful hand knit items for sale by vendors 
29. Experience the plethora of fried goods, carnival rides, and animals at a County fair
30. Have a hands on learning day at Port Discovery 
31. Go train crazy at the B&O Railroad Museum 
32. Go plane crazy at the College Park Aviation Museum 
33. Have a cultural experience at an Embassy
34. Ride a restored DC trolley car at the National Capital Trolley Museum 
35. Hunt for shark teeth at Calvert Cliffs State Park 
36. Hum The Star Spangled Banner while paying tribute to the inspiration for our National Anthem during a visit to Fort McHenry 
37. Step back in time to 1771 at Claude Moore Historical Farm 
38. Attend Claude Moore Historical Farm’s Market Fair offered three weekends a year 
39. Engage in hands on science at Discovery Creek Children’s Museum 
40. Enjoy more hands on science fun at the Maryland Science Center 
41. Stare in awe at the most amazing stained glass rosettes at the National Cathedral 
42. Stare in awe at sheets of uncut money at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing 
43. Stare in awe as you take in the scenery from the top of the Washington Monument 
44. Explore every corner of the 2 acre Clemyjontri Park 
45. Procure tickets to an afternoon performance of Cirque du Soleil and witness acrobatics like you’ve never seen before 
46. Cruise the Potomac
47. Attend Art-o-Matic, the free art festival featuring paintings, sculpture, photography, music, theater, poetry, dance and workshops 
48. Visit Cunningham Falls
49. Attend the lighting of the National Christmas Tree
50. Visit the bonfire on the Ellipse during the holidays
51. Catch Vienna based kid rock band, Rocknoceros, in concert for music the whole family will enjoy
52. Join up with Stroller Strides for a great workout and fun scenery and songs for your kiddo
53. Attend the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
54. Marvel at Jim Henson’s creations, First Ladies gowns, and the ruby slippers at the Museum of American History
55. Give your child unrestricted access to the hose one hot humid summer afternoon
56. Go swimming at an indoor pool in the middle of winter
57. Cool off at an ice skating rink during the summer
58. Be a pirate for a day 
59. Visit Meadowlark Gardens 
60. Begin to culture a love of art with a visit to the National Portrait Gallery or National Gallery 
61. Catch a summer movie outside under the stars at the Strathmore Film Fest or Screen on the Green
62. Practice using chop sticks at dim sum 
63. Go fishing 
64. Root for the home team at an O’s or Nat’s game
65. Pretend to be a rocket scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 
66. Go apple picking
67. Take advantage of Free for All Fridays classes at the Roundhouse Theater 
68. See the sights in the snow
69. Visit rescued owls and experience the cave slide at Meadowside Nature Center
70. Enjoy the spectacle of a Chinese New Year’s parade
71. Root for the Ravens or the Redskins either live or on TV
72. Have a SmartTrip card and know how to swipe it to ride the Metro
73. Know which Metro station is closest to home
74. Marvel at the sculptures in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden
75. Seen the inspiration for the Star Spangled Banner at the Museum of American History
76. Witnessed the grandeur of the space shuttle at Udvar Hazy
77. Indulge in a hot dog at Ben’s Chili Bowl
78. Visit all the monuments on the National Mall
79. Write a letter and mail it from the National Postal Museum
80. Visit Roosevelt Island 
81. Walk among the dinosaurs or visit the butterflies at the National Museum of Natural History
82. Visit the butterflies at the National Museum of Natural History
83. Have an ice cream themed birthday party and create your own flavor of ice cream at Moorenko’s
84. Go spelunking at Luray Caverns 
85. Rock out with your kids while sipping coffee at Jammin’ Java 
86. Go on a tour of the White House with tickets from your local Member of Congress
87. Visit an aquarium- either in Baltimore or the one right here in DC!
88. Cool off at Deep Creek Lake
89. Test furniture at IKEA until you get a craving for meatballs and lingonberry sauce
90. Visit a lighthouse
91. Practice espionage at the International Spy Museum
92. Go fly a kite at the Smithsonian Kite Festival on the Washington Monument grounds 
93. Gaze at the stars at the Rock Creek Planetarium 
94. Enjoy a free summer concert at Carter Barron Amphitheater 
95. Watch the tennis pros practice for free before competing in the Legg Mason Tennis Classic
96. Become one with nature at the Audobon Nature Fair 
97. Ogle at sailboats at the United States Sailboat and Powerboat Shows in Annapolis
98. Walk in the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure 
99. Watch 4th of July fireworks on the National Mall
100. Spend a whole day doing what your child wants to do!

Big Apple Circus

by Beth Hoffman

October 06, 2008

The Big Apple Circus has pitched their tents behind Dulles Town Center until October 13 (take Route 7 west from the Beltway to just past Sterling). Now, if you are used to a Ringling Brothers type circus, this one may surprise you in that it is pretty cheesy. No wild animal acts (dogs and horses only), no trapeze, no motorcycle ball of stupid death, or whatever that thing is called. Most  Read more...