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.

Merrifield Garden Center

by Beth Hoffman

May 23, 2009

Ah, Spring, when a young suburbanite's fancy turns to thoughts of mulch.  Do you constantly smell like mulch these days, even three showers past your last stint in the garden, or is that just me?  Last weekend, to get a break from the weeding and the mulching, we went to the garden center to buy some new plants for all those bare spots that were formerly covered by weeds.  We had a two-year-old gift certificate to Merrifield Garden Center, so we decided to head over there and put it to use.  We went to the new place near Fair Oaks, not the original in Merrifield.  And wow, this place blows my regular nursery out of the water.

We had both kids with us, of course, and they had a blast.  The toddler was in the backpack, saying hello to all of our fellow patrions, and straining for handfuls of any plant I got him too close to.  The preschooler ran all over the place admiring the plants, debating the best azalea colors, helping me pick tomatoes based entirely on their pictures and/or funny names, and getting an impromptu education on the difference between annuals and perennials, evergreen and deciduous, indoor and outdoor plants, and why in the heck we needed all that mulch anyway. 

I never thought a trip to the nursery with the kids would be anything but a hassle, but it was actually a lot of fun to go through all the plants with the kids, and Merrifield was a great place to do it.  It's huge, well organized, well stocked, and has plenty of wagons to dump the kids in when they get tired of tearing up and down the rows of rhododendrons.  So brush up on your plant identification skills, or just keep a sharp eye out for the tags, and take the kids to the garden center for a free field trip and ecology or biology lesson.
 Read more...

Herndon Festival 2009

by Beth Hoffman

May 21, 2009

The Herndon Festival is coming!  Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 28 - Sunday, May 31.  This year, the festival will feature:

• Live Entertainment on Three Stages
• Carnival Rides and Games
• Fireworks Displays on Thursday and Saturday
• Arts & Crafts Show including a Fine Arts Division
• Children's Entertainment
• Children's Hands-On Art Activities
• Business Exposition
• 10k & 5k Races (at the Herndon Community Center)
• K9 2-K & Doggie Expo (at the Herndon Community Center)
• Model Railway Exhibit
• International Foods

Thursday -The Legwarmers, Ruthie Foster, and Eric Scott

Friday - Lenka, Luke Brindley, and Leaving Texas

Saturday Night - Glen Burtnik and Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams

Sunday - Fat Ammons Band and Still Surfin'

and on Saturday & Sunday family-friendly entertainers during the day.

Now, the first time I went to the Herndon Festival was many years ago by pure accident, when we ordered a pizza to pick up from the middle of Herndon and didn't realize the festival would make getting there and back almostimpossible.  In the hours it took us to retrieve dinner, I got a good look at all the goings-on.  Lots fun for the whole family , even the littlest ones.  Be sure to park and take advantage of the shuttles so you don't repeat my pizza debacle.  Shuttles stop at Worldgate Shopping Center and Herndon High School.

Tuesday List: Family Friendly Ways to Enjoy Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

by Leticia

April 14, 2009

Living in DC, we are exposed to plenty of history and museums so you might wonder why you would want to venture beyond the Metro Area to explore other presidential digs.  Being in close proximity to Mount Vernon and the White House creates presidential intrigue so head south on a road trip to Charlottesville to visit Monticello.

Last weekend we took our two children, ages 5 and 2 1/2 years, to visit Thomas Jefferson's estate and it proved to be a wonderful place for young children.  There are lots of things you can do before you go to give your children some background knowledge about the kinds of things they will see and do.   During your visit there are numerous ways that your children can learn about Thomas Jefferson in an age appropriate way.  

Here are some ways that you can enjoy Monticello and make the most of your time there.

Before you go:

• Download Exploring Monticello: A Guide for Young Learners and share it with your children.  This booklet is more like a picture book that designed to teach interesting facts about Thomas Jefferson, the gadgets and gizmos he invented and enjoyed using, the kinds of music and games played at Monticello, the grounds, and architecture.  The booklet makes it easy for young children to understand and early elementary age kids to read independently.  Reading it prior to your trip will allow your children to have a better understanding of what they will see when they get there.
  
• Take a virtual tour using the Monticello Explorer that allows your to walk through 3-D models of the interior of the home, read about what is inside each room, view animated features, and use an interactive map of the plantation.
• Check out the calendar for Events for Kids which list the dates of the Plantation Community Weekends where the sights and sounds of the early 19th century come to life on Mulberry Row, the plantation “street” along which Monticello slaves lived and labored. Costumed artisans interpret the trades and domestic skills practiced by Jefferson's enslaved and free workers.

• Take a Family Friendly Tour- From June to September, Monticello offers Family Friendly tours that are included in the price of admission.   These special 30 minute tours feature hands-on opportunities in each room and provide a glimpse of what live was like at Monticello for the children that lived there in the late 1700s and early 1800s.  If you happen to visit when the Family Friendly Tours aren’t being offered, our 2 ½ year old and 5 year old enjoyed the regular tour which is also 30 minutes in length.
  
• Visit the Griffin Discovery Room- This new hands on learning center is specially designed for children to interact with American history, Thomas Jefferson, those who lived and worked at Monticello, and experience life as a child during the early 1800s.  The Discovery Room features many elements that are reproduced from Jefferson’s Monticello home like the alcove bed and thee nail-making shop and a slave dwelling on the plantation.  Children can engage in numerous activities including trying on clothes, practicing weaving, rubbing a replica of Jefferson’s tombstone, relaxing with a story about Thomas Jefferson or another American president, using a cipher wheel, or cooking a meal over a pretend fire.  Some of our favorite features of the Griffin Discovery Room included the polygraph machine that allowed us to see how Jefferson was able to make a copy of everything he wrote and the collection of wooden blocks where our 5 year old practiced classical architecture.
  
• Play I Spy inside the house by searching for items of a certain theme.  Look for famous portraits hanging on Thomas Jefferson’s walls, artifacts that indicate an interest in time, or items that are from animals. 
  
• Visit the Mountaintop Hands-On Activity Center.  Open from early June to September, the Activity Center allows children to write with a quill pen, play 18th century games, and engage in other family-oriented hands-on activities which is included in the price of admission.
• Roam the gardens and look for familiar flowers and herbs by rubbing the leaves between your fingers.

For more tips on visiting Monticello, visit their page of Insiders’ Tips.

For tips on visiting Charlottesville with your family, read my Being Savvy Washington DC post called Weekend Getaway: Charlottesville, Virginia for the inside scoop on family friendly things to see and do and our favorite places to grab a bite to eat.

Weekend Getaway: Charlottesville, Virginia

by Leticia

April 13, 2009

If you are craving to get away from the Beltway, politics, and enjoy some different scenery, head a couple hours south to Charlottesville.  Charlottesville is known as the home of the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Ash Lawn Highland, and Michie Tavern.   While it best known as a college town that is filled with history, Charlottesville is also a family friendly place with plenty of fabulous food and room to run that makes a wonderful weekend getaway or even a day trip. 

Here’s a quick guide of some things to do when in the Charlottesville area:

Room to Run:

• Right around UVAs Rotunda is a wide expanse of grass perfect for a game of Frisbee, bubble blowing, kite flying, or just plain roaming.  Off to the sides of the grass are some fabulous old trees with low branches that are just right for climbing. 
• At the end of the Downtown Mall by the Visitor’s Center is a large amphitheater with a large stage.  Our kids loved running up and down the aisles, between the chairs, and up the ramp to the stage.
• There are also numerous parks in Charlottesville.  For the locations and details about the city parks, click here. 

Things to See:

• If you want to integrate a little history lesson into your visit to Charlottesville, head to Monticello.  Home to Thomas Jefferson, Monticello boasts many amenities that make it family friendly.  Skilled guides tell you everything you need to know about President Jefferson’s home in 30 minutes, which is the perfect length for those 6 and under.   Make sure to allocate plenty of time for roaming the grounds and gardens.  Monticello also boasts a brand new visitor’s center complete with a café, hands-on Griffin Discovery Room for children, and family restrooms.  For a list of family friendly activities at Monticello, come back tomorrow when I cover it as a Tuesday List topic.
• The Virginia Discovery Museum is the perfect place for the 10 and under set.  With plenty of hands on exhibits to delight kids, wallet friendly admission ($4 per person), and in and out privileges, this is a must do.  For rates and hours, click here.  Also know that the first Sunday of the month is pay-as-you-wish day! 
• Right in front of the Discovery Museum is a great chalk wall for channeling your inner artist and a 1920 push carousel.  The scaled down carousel is more like a merry go round because parents have to push their kids but it is a fun free ride that our kids didn’t want to leave!

Cheap Must Eats:

• On the Downtown Mall, stop at Christian’s Pizza whose tasty flavor combinations on the most crisp crust remind me of true New York pizza. 
• On the back side of the Downtown Mall is The Flat (closed Sundays and Mondays) which serves huge sweet and savory crepes.  My pick is the ham, brie, and apples but you can choose one of their flavor combinations or create your own. 
• Located in the shopping area known as the Corner (across the street from the Rotunda) Arch’s frozen yogurt serves up delicious flavor combinations.   
• For snacks and other restaurants, stop anywhere on 29 which you took into Charlottesville to find Whole Foods, Kroger’s Grocery, Giant, and lots of restaurants.

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.

Tuesday List: Best Tricycle and Bicycle Paths

by Leticia

March 17, 2009

With spring almost here, it is time to dust off our bikes and trikes, strap on our helmets, and get riding once again.  We are lucky that there are a multitude of paved trails with easy terrain and plenty of gorgeous scenery.

Beginning bike riders who are still adjusting to 2 wheels or trike enthusiasts will appreciate the circuits below because of the smooth paved terrain.  The trails below tend not to be overcrowded so beginning riders won’t down by over enthusiastic adults ringing bells at them to move.  The short trails won’t completely tire out little legs unless those legs are like those of the Energizer bunny.

• Meadowbrook Community Park- The ride from the Meadowbrook Stables to Candy Cane City (Chevy Chase, MD) is a great circuit that can take as long or as little time as you wish.  Visit the horses, ride to Candy Cane City to play, hop back on and continue through the tennis courts, and over the little bridge before heading back.  Bring a snack or a picnic lunch and eat anywhere along the way.
• General Getty Park- Tucked away in a little neighborhood in Silver Spring off of Georgia Avenue just outside the Beltway, Getty Park has a fabulous little loop for beginning riders.  The loop goes between two separate play areas and around a small hill.  Kids can also wheel on over to the gazebo just a short distance from the riding track.
• Sligo Creek Parkway Trail- There are numerous parks along Sligo Creek Parkway in Silver Spring which make it a great place to ride.  The trail is completely paved and surrounded by trees, making it a shady spot for a cool ride on a hot summer day.  Bring along a pair of water shoes and dip your toes in the creek or stop at one of the many playgrounds along the way.  Also be sure to look in the woods as you ride since deer can be spotted throughout the day.

The trails below are best for confident bike riders who aren’t afraid of fast moving bicycles ridden by adults and can handle a longer ride.

Capital Crescent Trail- While this trail runs from Georgetown to Bethesda, my favorite part begins in Downtown Bethesda by the Barnes and Noble.  Park in the parking garage or the adjacent lot and head south.  Stop at the playground about a mile down on the right and head back or keep going.  This trail is incredibly popular and fast moving cyclists use it throughout the year.  Heading into Georgetown you have a slight advantage of going downhill the entire way from Bethesda.

BWI Trail- Got some time to kill between picking a loved one up at the airport?  Throw the bikes in the car and check out this new trail.  While the entire trail is 11 miles long, you can do a section of it and then take a rest to watch for planes overhead until that flight arrives.

Mount Vernon Trail- This is an incredibly scenic trail that is on the other side of the Potomac from Washington DC.  I love the stretch that goes by the monuments and ends at Gravelly Point, just by National Airport.  The more ambitious riders can take this path all the way to Alexandria.  Be sure to take a list of Metro stops with you if you take this trail since you can put your bike and tired selves on the Metro to head home when everyone is exhausted!

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!

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...

Day Trip: B & O Railroad Museum

by Leticia

January 14, 2009

If someone in your house likes, loves, or is obsessed with trains then the B & O Railroad Museum is the place for you. The B & O Railroad Museum is conveniently located in Baltimore, also known as the birthplace of American railroading. The museum makes for a fabulous day trip far enough from the DC Metro Area but close enough that you can make sure that you donâ??t mess up nap time.  Read more...

Baby it's Cold Outside

by Beth Hoffman

January 14, 2009

My father helpfully informed me this weekend that we are experiencing the lowest annual average daily temperatures for our area right now. Which gives me hope for the future, but also makes me want to spend the days curled up in bed with the kids under a pile of blankets instead of venturing outside. However, since we are stuck with the bitter cold until at least March or so, we may as  Read more...

Kicking off the New Year

by Beth Hoffman

December 31, 2008

So, schools have been closed for a long, long time now and I'm sure many of us are looking for ways to get the kids out the house for a day. The good news is that many things are open on New Year's Day. Here are my recommendations for getting the new year kicked off to an educational start. The Smithsonian - all Smithsonian museums are open tomorrow, and most open at 10  Read more...

Five for Tuesday - Places that Inspire the Imagination

by Beth Hoffman

October 14, 2008

Ok, I'm feeling a little bad for sending everybody to the mall yesterday, so here are some good choices if you want to help the kids stretch their brains a little more and give their imaginations a work out. Udvar-Hazy Center . From early planes to a space shuttle, plus a Concord, a Stealth Bomber, helicopters, gliders, ultra lights, rockets and satellites there's lots of material here  Read more...

Fall fun at Homestead Farms

by Leticia

October 08, 2008

When the air starts to get a little chilly and we wake up to crisp mornings, I immediately want to go apple picking. Last weekend we headed to my all time favorite apple picking spot- Homestead Farms . Located in Poolesville, Maryland, Homestead Farms is a fabulous place to go. Not only is the drive scenic but the apple picking is amazing due to the sheer variety of apples that are grown in the  Read more...

Ideas for great day trips

by Leticia

October 01, 2008

Sometimes we need inspiration to get out of our rut and try something new. We're always up for a good day trip and if you are too, check out links to some of my previous posts for great ideas to fill a few hours: Three Days in and Around DC: Day 1- Great Falls Three Days in and Around DC: Day 2- National Harbor Three Days in and Around DC: Day 3- Harpers Ferry Trains and Other Modes of  Read more...

Things to Do Without the Kids: Go on Some Dates with Your Significant Other

by Leticia

September 16, 2008

There was a time when my husband used to go out for dinner and drinks without a care in the world. We didn't have to worry about making sure we had a healthy dinner in the fridge that could be easily heated, leaving a list of instructions, or getting home by a certain time so the babysitter could go home. Those days are long gone and while it can be hard to get out and do something social, it is  Read more...

Best Local Fishing Spots

by Leticia

August 22, 2008

My grandfather loved boating and fishing and while I never had the same level of passion for the sport that he did, I did like hooking little worms on my hook and waiting for the fish to bite. Most of the time my patience was rewarded by small blue gill that my brother and I liked catching and releasing. Other times we came up empty handed. Nevertheless, the process of fishing- baiting the line,  Read more...

Pirate 101- A Pirate Primer

by Leticia

August 07, 2008

If your child is obsessed with pirates, here in the DC Metro Area there is no shortage of pirate adventure. Here's a guide to how you might begin indulging every pirate fantasy. First pick up a primer to pirates. Imagine You're a Pirate is like Pirate 101. It helps you channel your inner pirate to make sure you don proper pirate dress, eat proper pirate food (which is often referred to as  Read more...

Get Away Without Getting Too Far Away

by Leticia

July 16, 2008

As much as we love DC, sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. Leave the Beltway, politics, and Metro, and all other aspects of DC life far behind for the day or the weekend. Since we have spent a fair amount of time together poolside, talking about getaways while our children splash in the sun, I collaborated with local resource expert Jessica McFadden, from A Parent in Silver Spring ,  Read more...

Three Days in and Around DC: Day 3- Harpers Ferry

by Leticia

July 10, 2008

Today's Three Days In and Around Washington, DC travel guide is the last in a three part series where great day trip locations with preschoolers have been highlighted. If you read the first part of the Three Days In and Around Washington, DC travel guide about Great Falls, you will want to take a trip up the Potomac River and follow the C&O Canal north to Harpers Ferry, today's featured day  Read more...

Three Days in and Around DC: Day 2- National Harbor

by Leticia

July 09, 2008

Today's Three Days In and Around Washington, DC travel guide comes courtesy of guest writer, Jessica McFadden. Jessica is quickly becoming a household name among parents looking for things to do in and around Montgomery County, Maryland on a daily basis. She founded A Parent in Silver Spring , 50% humorous mommy blog and 50% DC-burbs local resource website, and also writes about great family  Read more...

Three Days In and Around DC: Day 1- Great Falls

by Leticia

July 08, 2008

Today's Three Days In and Around Washington, DC travel guide is the first in a three part series where I'm going to be highlighting great day trip locations with preschoolers. I know as parents we are constantly trying to find new things that are fun and enriching to do in and around the DC Metro Area. I hope that this series will help you learn about some new places to visit or provide a new  Read more...

50 Things To Do in the DC Metro Area With a Child Before They Grow Up

by Leticia

May 29, 2008

In no particular order, here's a list of 50 things to do in the DC Metro Area with a child before they grow up: Head out the night before and brave the elements for your tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll just to say you've done it Witness the beauty of the cherry blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial at their peak Go kayaking at Mason Neck State Park in Virginia since it is a great place  Read more...

Cultivating a Green Thumb

by Leticia

May 26, 2008

We're at the time in the year where the seasons are wavering between spring and summer. A series of rains have made the grass lush and green while the temperatures are warming and hinting that summer is on the way. I'm not a fan of the mosquitos and the Californian in me absolutely despises our humid summers so I'm trying to take advantage of being outside before summer truly arrives. We've been  Read more...

Trains and Other Modes of Transportation on Rails

by Leticia

May 22, 2008

My toddler is obsessed with trains. He knows the best places to spot trains and Metros while riding in the car and has a keen ear that always alerts him to approaching trains. For train lovers, there are many opportunities to get up close and personal with trains in the DC Metro Area and beyond. The B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore is a train lover's paradise. Cases upon cases of model trains  Read more...

History Lesson About Theodore Roosevelt with a Teddy Bear Picnic on Roosevelt Island

by Leticia

May 16, 2008

My two children have favorite stuffed bears that rarely leave their sides. But what do you know about Theodore Roosevelt and how our Nation's 26th President inspired the creation of the teddy bear According to T he Theodore Roosevelt Association , President Roosevelt loved nature and being out in the woods. He was on a bear hunt that had been organized just for him and was unable to find a  Read more...

Come Fly With Me and Learn About Airplanes!

by Leticia

May 13, 2008

What is it about airplanes that children find fascinating? Even before we had children, my husband and I loved to park ourselves at the end of the runway by National Airport and watch planes take off and land. Officially called Gravelly Point, this hot spot is easily accessible when driving to and from National Airport or from the Mount Vernon Trail path. It is a great place to stop as you  Read more...