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

Weekend Update

by Beth Hoffman

May 28, 2009

Ah, Spring has sprung and the mosquitoes have not.  I think that makes this the perfect weekend to get outside.  Check out the following local events:

Friday Night Live! Summer Concert Series - Every Friday until August 28th from 6:30 to 10:00 at the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn Street).  This Friday features Black Sheep and next week is Burnt Sienna.  Food and drinks are for sale during the shows.

How Plants Work, A Guide to Being Green - This ongoing exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden.  It is hands-on and targeted for kids, but I think the moms and dads will enjoy it as well.

Walking Town DC - This Saturday and Sunday, Cultural Tourism DC is sponsoring 120 free walking tours around the city.  Check out their website for full details and the schedule.

Night at Mount Vernon - May 29-31 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.  Watch the sunset from the lantern lit grounds and interact with historical re-enactors.  Tickets are required, see the website for more information.

Artomatic 2009 - The 10th anniversary of this event opens May 29th and last until July 5 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) at 55 M St. SE.  This month-long art festival is free to the public.  Read more...

Fresh Hot Tips for Visiting the National Aquarium in Baltimore

by Beth Hoffman

May 27, 2009

We have been talking about a trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for months, and we finally made it up there on Memorial Day.  So, here are my newly-updated tips for your visit.

• Remember the stroller ban.  You can check your stroller when you get to the aquarium, but lines to check them in and out get long.  You might want to leave it in the car and fetch it later if you are staying in Baltimore for the day.
• If you want to see the dolphin show, buy your tickets in advance or be prepared to wait for an afternoon show.  We bought our tickets at 10:00 (the aquarium opens at 9:00), and the next available show was at 3:30.
• Check the aquarium's website for a list of their highest traffic days.  The aquarium basically tells you not to come on those busy days, and you would do well to heed their advice.  Memorial Day was not too crowded, at least in the morning while we were there, but the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend is one of their high volume days.
• Plan a stop at the Harbor View Cafe.  It is about halfway up in the main exhibit and a great place to let the kids have a little more freedom to wander and blow off a bit of steam from all their good behavior.  It is also a great place to let the little kids out of whatever backpack/Ergo/Baby Bjorn you've strapped them into for the visit.
• Pay attention to what the fish are eating.  We saw zucchini, lettuce, and bok choi, and my hgihly vegetable-averse preschooler suddenly wants to try "that thing the polka dot fish was eating."
• Warn the kids well in advance about the sharks.  Also warn the kids that much of the aquarium is rather dark to allow better viewing of the fish.
• Either be prepared to buy tickets to tour the submarine right outside the museum, and rent a paddle boat, and possibly go sailing in the pirate ship that my kid spotted in the harbor, or have your firm nos ready to go.

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Weekend Update

by Beth Hoffman

April 02, 2009

Here are some of the kid-friendly goings-on about town this weekend.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade:  Saturday starting at 10 AM.  It happens every year, it is a madhouse every year, and you will spend the day begging your children not to touch the cherry trees (it is bad for them, remind the tourists, would you?), but it is also the most beautiful time of year to be downtown and a heck of a lot of fun for the kids.  Alex Trebek is the Grand Marshall this year, there are musical guests that I have never heard of but who will surely delight the tween set, the DC Roller Derby Skaters, performances from two Broadway shows, and, of course, Elmo.  Take Metro, pack snacks, the kids will love it.

Rainforest Alive! at Discovery Theater:  Special family performance at noon Saturday.  Got a critter lover?  This live animal show features a boa constrictor, caiman crocodile, iguana, and other rainforest animals.  The Saturday show is followed by a reception with "Earth-friendly treats."

Our Ocean Planet at National Aquarium in Baltimore:  Saturday and Sunday 11 AM to 3:30 PM.  The Baltimore Aquarium introduces a new dolphin show this weekend with special events including games, face painting, and a "build a dolphin" activity.

Polar Weekend at the Maryland Science Center:  Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM.  Tired of the warmer weather?  Missing the winter chill?  Check out the cold weather tents, displays of cold weather animals and a polar science fair at the Maryland Science Center.  Anyone else think they should have saved this for August?  Read more...

2009 White House Easter Egg Roll

by Beth Hoffman

March 26, 2009

So, are you spending all day today refreshing the 2009 White House Easter Egg Roll ticketing website, or is that just me?  No luck, so far for me.  They are releasing tickets in blocks throughout the day, but the times are not published so you just have to guess and get lucky.  I suppose this is more convenient for most of us than thronging the Ellipse for tickets, but at least then you can see how many people are ahead of you and what your chances aire.  Anyway, since I am dedicating so much time to running over to my laptop to hit F5, I thought I would share some fun facts about the White House Easter Egg Roll, for anyone else out there who is spending far too much time on this today.

From the White House's Easter Egg Roll website:

• The White House Easter Egg Roll will be held on Monday, April 13, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the South Lawn of the White House.
• The theme for this year's egg hunt is "Let's Go Play."  Do you think that means President Obama will be on hand to play "Wizard of Oz" with my three year old for nine straight hours?
• The first White House Easter Egg Roll was in 1878.
• This is the first time that tickets have been distributed online.

(Refresh.  Refresh.  Refresh.)

 Good luck if you are trying for tickets!

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Tuesday List: Best Places to Picnic

by Leticia

March 24, 2009

With the weather turning warmer, our thoughts turn from being inside to spending as much time as humanly possible outside.  One thing we love to do is to picnic.  On the weekends we take our cooler stuffed with food with us on outings for an al fresco lunch.  Picnics are great not only because we are spending more time outside but the crumbs that drive me crazy at the kitchen table help the local ecosystem.

 

Here are our favorite places to picnic:

 

National Zoo (DC)- We’ve picnicked all over the Zoo.  Outside the Bird House, in the giant meadow between the Ape House and Reptile Discovery Center, on Lion and Tiger Hill, while watching the seals, and off the path leading behind the Ape House.  In our opinion, there aren’t any truly bad places to picnic at the zoo and often times our picnic location is determined by when hunger strikes!   

 

Smithsonian Castle (DC)- Behind the Smithsonian Castle is a picnic oasis.  Bubbling fountains, beautifully manicured grounds, shady trees, and benches make this a perfect spot to grab a bite between museums.  And it’s not too far from the carousel in case a post-lunch carousel ride is in order.

 

Wheaton Regional Park(Wheaton, MD)- With plenty of room to run, tons of climbing structures, the miniature train, and carousel, Wheaton Regional Park becomes not just a picnic spot but a day trip.  With plenty of parking, you can keep your lunch in the car until the kids are worn out and need a bite to eat before it is off to play again.

 

Gravelly Point Park (end of National Airport runway)- What can be better than eating lunch while watching boats on the river, an endless stream of bicycles, and planes take off or land overhead during your picnic?  Gravelly Point Park has free parking and endless entertainment.  There’s also lots of grass so on a windy day, it makes a great place to fly a kite.

 

Butler’s Orchard (Germantown, MD)- When summer comes and we head out berry picking, we supplement our berry eating with an actual lunch.  While shade can sometimes be hard to find, we like eating our lunch between the boysenberry bushes or down by the farm stand under the shady trees you pass as you drive in.

 

Great Falls (the Maryland side)- Something about being surrounded by water always makes it seem much cooler at Great Falls, even in the hot steamy summer months.  We like to go for walks and pack lunch in a backpack so we can eat whenever we get hungry.  A rock usually does just fine as a seat or if you’d like, there are picnic tables by the Visitor Center.  If you don’t pack a lunch or grab something on your way, you can always get a bite to eat at the snack bar between the months of March and November.

 

Quiet Waters Park (Anne Arundel County, MD)- For a day trip away from the city, head to Quiet Waters Park, just south of Annapolis.  There you can easily spend the day between playing on the playground, visiting the gardens, or renting a canoe or kayak for a couple of hours.  With all that activity, you have to eat and luckily, there are plenty of places to do so.

 

Federal Hill Park (Baltimore)- Whenever we are in Baltimore, we love to head to Cross Street Market to select our eats among a variety of different food stalls (sushi and the fried chicken are my faves!) before heading to Federal Hill Park.  The park overlooks the Harbor on one side and off in the distance you can see a huge white mountain of salt not too far away from the large Domino Sugar sign and plant.  The fenced in area with the playground is dog-free and has a climbing structure, plenty of grass, and swings that are hugely popular.  And sometimes it is just fun to lie in the grass and watch the huge flag blow in the breeze overhead.

 

 

 

 

 

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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...

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday List: 100 Things to Do Before Kindergarten

by Leticia

January 27, 2009

As a mom of a child who will be a kindergartner this fall, the thought of kindergarten readiness can be daunting. As a former first grade teacher, I often think of the skills that my students entered my classroom with having learned or not learned in kindergarten. It is true that kindergarten is becoming increasingly academic but the chances are if you read to your child, talk to them about the  Read more...

Savvy Pick: Favorite Being Savvy Posts from Around the Country (Part 3)

by Leticia

August 02, 2008

Over the last 2 days I covered 16 cities around the country in Parts 1 and 2 of my favorite Being Savvy posts. Today I continue my virtual journey and also head to Canada to bring you my favorite posts written by my fellow Being Savvy City Editors. If you are looking for ways to spruce up your car's playlist with more adult music, check out Kim Tracey Prince's Sneaky DJ: Essential Summer  Read more...