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

Borders Kids Summer Reading Challenge

by Leticia

June 05, 2009

With summer upon us, I’m looking for a way to keep my kids busy without being overscheduled.  I also want to make sure that we do little things each day that help progress my 5 year old daughter's reading skills.  One thing that we definitely plan on doing is participating in our local library’s summer reading program and the Borders Kids Reading Challenge.

The Borders Kids Reading Challenge is for any child 12 and under.  To participate, click here to get the Reading Challenge Worksheet and sign it when your child reads 8 books.  Take the Reading Challenge Worksheet back to your local Borders store anytime before August 31 to take advantage of the 50% or more discount on your choice of items including 3 book sets by E.L. Konigsburg or the Bunnicula collection, Melissa & Doug Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles in a Box, and kits for the art enthusiast.  

For $4.99 I’d happily get our 5 year old the Drawing and Painting Horses Kit or the Melissa and Doug Puzzles for our 3 year old to maintain their enthusiasm for reading! 

Click here for more details about the Borders Kids Reading Challenge and download the Reading Challenge Worksheet by clicking here.

Child Friendly Bethesda Row is Fun for the Whole Family

by Leticia

May 11, 2009

Looking for a place that has stylish shopping, great dining options, and boasts child friendly spaces with room to run can be a tall order.  Recently we’ve found that Bethesda Row delivers all of the above.

With an impressive list of restaurants that can delight foodies, Bethesda Row’s restaurants are also places where parents with children can feel comfortable going with their kids for a nice evening out.  Most restaurants, including Austin Grill, Levante’s, Mon Ami Gabi, Café Deluxe, Cosi, Le Pain Quoitdien, Lebanese Taverna, and Raku feature outdoor seating.  We love being able to eat al fresco not only for the fresh air, but also because minimizes parental embarrassment since the birds tend to clean up puddle of rice or pile of crumbs left underneath our kids’ seats.

With no shortage of stroller traffic on Bethesda Row streets, store owners are used to parents who bring their kids in to browse while they shop.  The newly expanded Apple Store has 4 computers on a low table with round seats for children to test outkid friendly software titles while mom and dad browse.  Out of all the large bookstores, I’ve found that the Bethesda Barnes and Noble has the most knowledgeable staff in the children’s section and the most organized collection of books. The enticing window displays of Tugooh Toys/Yiro Children’s Clothing on Bethesda Avenue reveals a children’s paradise upon setting foot inside.

The collection of shops and restaurants may be called Bethesda Row but include an area larger than a city block which allows for plenty of walking and running between stores.  The uneven cobblestone walkway that passes by stores like Lucy, Cacao, Le Creuset and Redwood Restaurant and Bar is a safe place for kids to run since it is protected from traffic.  Just watch the windows at Redwood if they are open since the bottom corners of the many windows stick out and are about the height of a three year old’s forehead!  There’s also a great park kitty-corner from Lebanese Taverna and across the street from the newly renovated Giant Food Store

There are also many other kid-friendly stops along the way.  Barnes and Noble boosts a stage with weekly story times, plentiful floor space for cuddling up with a book, and a train set which is always popular.  The fountain outside the Barnes and Noble is perfect for exploring the properties of water or watching birds dust off their feathers.  Or run to the other side of the block to find a fountain where water runs over cups and plates with a Winnie the Pooh quote encircling it.

Bethesda Row is west of Wisconsin Avenue, between Bradley Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road.  Click here for directions.

For a list of child friendly dinner time destinations, come back tomorrow for my Tuesday List which will give a rundown of the many ethnic eateries in Bethesda. Friday’s post will feature the best places to roam in Bethesda to work out those pre and post meal wiggles.

Tuesday List: Best Toy Stores

by Leticia

April 07, 2009

Sometimes you need that perfect gift for a special child and that big box store just won’t do.  Or you are looking to fill your home with those toys without batteries, seizure inducing lights, and ear splitting music.  

Here are a list of our favorite independent toy stores that are fun to browse, tend to provide more personal attention, and have unique items for kids of every age that foster creativity and open ended play.

Acorn Hill Little Shop (Silver Spring)- Located inside the Acorn Hill Waldorf Kindergarten and Nursery School office, this is a gem of a shop that has beautiful wooden Waldorf toys, hand made dolls, and high quality art supplies.  The shop also has a wide variety of crafting kits like wool felting kits and supplies to make delicate flower fairy dolls which are perfect for creative children wanting to practice their fine motor skills.  The Little Shop also has unique holiday items.  I always feel good when patronizing the Little Shop since all purchases made directly benefit the school.

Child’s Play (DC, Rockville)- Child’s Play reminds me of the toy stores I visited as a kid.  Treasures at every turn packthe shelves of the store.  Whethe ryou are looking for a bell for your Kettler, a wooden bento box full of sushifor your toy kitchen, or just a special doll, Child’s Play is the place to go.

Fun and Games (Kensington)- Located on the other side of the train tracks from the Kensington Train Station, Fun and Games is a great place to stop if you are in need of a gift or a gift certificate. The store staff is always super helpful and they have a wide selection of items from Melissa and Doug, Haba, Playmobil, eeBoo, and Kettler.

Marimekko (Silver Spring)- I’ve always loved Marimekko for their graphic designs so I love to head to the Marimekko Concept Store in Silver Spring to shop while my kids play in their well equipped children’s area that is always stocked with fun stuff I have a hard time leaving at the store.

National Building Museum Museum Shop (DC)- We love the Building Zone, the wide open space on the mainfloor, and yes, the Museum Shop.  It is filled with all kinds of cool stuff for your budding engineer.  Pick up a set of Capitol Blocks, recycled wood crane set, a Way Things Work game, and so much more!  So the next time you go, bring thatlist of upcoming birthdays to grab gifts for everyone on your list. 

Pajama Squid (Takoma Park)- I have a hard time not falling in love with every singlething that Tiffany, owner of the Pajama Squid, selects for her store.  Tiffany exhaustively researches and contacts manufacturers who demonstrate social responsibility in creating unique items like handmade wooden and plush toys from the US, France and the Netherlands.   She also stocks a wide selection of books (most of which you won’t find at a chain bookseller), super soft children’s clothing made of organic cotton, items for new moms, and some of the most amazing mobiles that I swear belong in the Museum of Modern Art.  If you don’t live enough to visit Tiffany at the Pajama Squid, her website makes it easy to shop online forthe perfect gift for a child of any age.

Sullivan’s Toy Store (DC)- Sullivan’s is well loved among DC parents for their wonderful customer service, fabulous selection, and high quality products.  It is an institution that brings back many happy memories from those born and bred District parents who shopped there as kids and are now taking a new generation to experience the store.  While some parents note that it is difficult to navigate crowded aisles with a stroller due, they tendto overlook this inconvenience in favor of supporting their favorite independent toy store.

Guide to Storytimes

by Leticia

November 11, 2008

Who doesn't love a good story? Public libraries and bookstores host free story times for children that can breathe life into old favorites or make you discover a fabulous new book. Browse the list below and pencil the dates of local story times in your calendar so you are never without a great story. Public library systems: Alexandria Arlington County Fairfax County Falls Church  Read more...