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

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...

The Great Space Junk Hunt of 2009

by Beth Hoffman

April 01, 2009

Did you hear about the fireball that some people saw in the skies over our are on Sunday night?  On Monday, officials were saying that it was caused by a Russian rocket booster re-entering the atmosphere.  Tuesday brought the news that the rocket really fell to earth near Taiwan and that what we had was a meteor.  Either way, I think it is the perfect opportunity to take the kids out for a space junk hunt.  All reports agree that you aren't going to find any space junk around here, no matter what the cause of those lights in the sky, but it is still a chance to explain all sorts of things to the kids while getting out to enjoy the Spring weather.  For the younger kids, try little rocks that fall from space and bounce off the atmosphere.  (For that matter, maybe you should start with explaining the atmosphere.)  Older kids can learn fun new words like geosynchronous orbit.  And kids of all ages can enjoy tromping through the woods imagining that a decaying pinecone of shiny scrap of soda can are really treasures from outer space.  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!

Hearty flowers for little hands

by Leticia

March 16, 2009

With the warm spells that we have had so far this month, we are eagerly watching the buds form on the trees, the yellow blooms of the forsythia in our yard grow bigger each day, and the tips of our tulip plants emerge from under the grass. 

Last year we really got into gardening and this year I’m determined to get an earlier start on our planting.  Whether you have a yard of your own or want to start a container garden to brighten up your indoor space, planting is a fun and easy science activity that is quite rewarding for young children. 

But where to start?  Sometimes the selection at garden centers can be completely overwhelming.  Last year my kids wanted one of each seed packet on the racks before them.  The pretty blossoms and colors sent them into a spring planting tizzy and it was hard to restrict them to just a few kinds.  Based on our planting and growing experience from last year, I suggest the following seeds for your budding botanist which are not only easy to grow but are sturdy enough for your child cut with child scissors without destroying the blooms:

Cosmos- I remember my mom planting Cosmos in our yard each spring.  I loved picking the pink, purple, and white ones for bouquets for our kitchen table.  Cosmos are great flowers for any yard because they tolerate poor soil, heat, and drought well. 

Nasturtiums- These blooms are generally yellow, red, and orange.  While some say you need to soak the seeds in order to have them germinate faster, we found that just planting them and keeping the soil moist was enough to make the seeds sprout.  Nasturtium flowers and leaves are edible and commonly used to adorn fancy salads but you may not want to tell your child this for fear that they will start to sample other non-edible garden plants.

Zinnias- Zinnias come in all colors and are quite hearty flowers that are also deer resistant.  My children loved seeing the beautiful yellow, white, red, bright and pale pink, purple blooms throughout the summer.  We picked them all summer long and had constant containers of them on our kitchen table.  They bloomed constantly despite regular harvesting and we even had Zinnias blooming into early fall even when it started to get cold.

Marigolds- These short blooms are usually full like pom poms.  They can be solid yellow, orange, or white or variegated with multiple colors on a single bloom. Marigolds are perfect for kids because they bloom prolifically all summer long and there’s not much that can be done to harm them.  Their stems are perfect for a child to cut and when the flower dies, you can collect the seeds in a jar to save them for next year’s planting season.

Coneflowers- We always admire our neighbor’s coneflowers.  These large flowers usually have purple petals and a beehive shaped center that rises up from the flower.  They are a perfect addition to your garden if you want to try to attract butterflies to your yard.

Black Eyed Susans- If you have a lot of room and are looking for a flower that will fill the space you give it, plant some Black Eyed Susans.  This Maryland state flower has 13 yellow petals with a black center.  They can become bushy as they plants mature but the blooms flower all summer long, making for a gorgeous backdrop in your yard.

Sunflowers- There are many variety and colors of sunflowers besides the dinner plate size blooms that tower over children.  Check the back of the seed packet to find ones that grow only a foot or two high and intersperse them with a packet of the super tall ones.  Since the stems of some sunflower varieties can be quite thick, have your child wrap their hands around yours as you use garden shears instead.

Now that you know the heartiest flowers for little hands, head to the garden center to get some peat pots and soil to start your seeds inside.  If you end up with too many seed packets like we did, have a planting party and invite some friends over to begin getting them excited about spring too. 

Happy planting!

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...

Water fun in your own yard

by Leticia

June 28, 2008

Do you feel it heating up after last week's cooler spell? Summer is back in a big way and just in time for the 4th of July! Besides seeking out air conditioned buildings and trips to the pool, how can you cool down without subjecting yourself to an excursion? Water play in your own yard and investigate the scientific properties of water! If your yard isn't big enough, take any of the  Read more...