Black Friday Childcare and Activities

Want to start your holiday shopping on Black Friday? Or perhaps you just need a break? A few great places will happily welcome your Bambinos for a few hours on Friday and there are also activities scheduled that will be perfect for out-of-town guests to take the Bambinos to. We will add to this list as we hear of more!

Badlands
Black Friday is the perfect time to get your Christmas shopping done but what are you going to do with the kids? Instead of taking them with you, drop them off for a day of fun at BADLANDS. Our staff have an amazing day of Slime, Pizza Making, Science Experiments, Games, Yoga, Dance Parties, and soooo much more! Drop-off slots are from 6am-2pm, each time slot is up to 4 hours and include thoughtful programming and snacks for your child. 5 year olds and up.

Squash on Fire
School may be on break but Squash is always in session! Camps include drills, matchplay, strategy and fitness. Open to juniors between the ages of 9-18. Don’t miss the opportunity for your champion in the making to train with our world-renown coaches and to keep their squash skills sharp!

My Gym Bethesda & My Gym Potomac
When School is Off – My Gym Camp is on! Drop your kids off for three hours of cool and nonstop fun at My Gym, including themed games, crafts, gymnastics, sports and snack! Perfect for potty independent 3-9.6 year olds. Camp is from 1:00pm-4:00pm.

Not drop-off options but activities a babysitter or family member in town could do:

9:00am-10:00pm: Super, Awesome & Amazing at The St. James
Super, Awesome & Amazing is your center for active entertainment. This is the place where fun is encouraged and there are always new opportunities to find exciting and active ways to play. It’s not just for kids; adults are also welcome to use their imaginations and stretch their skills in our interactive spaces. Challenge yourself on our unique climbing structures and explore intricate obstacle courses. Gamers will find their home in the Virtual Reality and eSports Centers. Stay cool in the indoor Waterpark and bring your friends to celebrate your birthday or other special occasion with a fun and active party.

11:00am & 2:00pm & 4:30pm: The Velveteen Rabbit at Adventure Theatre
Margery Williams’s classic toy story gets a vibrant retelling in this brand new adaptation. When the Child gets the Rabbit for Christmas, she is at first disappointed in her gift. But as the two quest and adventure through her storybooks, both Rabbit and Child grow and care for each other. And they discover that love is the greatest force in the Universe and can make impossible things Real. Recommended for all ages.

11:00am & 1:00pm: Hear Me Say My Name at Discovery Theater
“I am not your mascot, and I don’t live in a tipi. See me for who I am, hear me say my name.” How do American Indian stereotypes, prejudice, and identity shape the discussion of what it means to be a young person in our country today? This original multimedia play, created by Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater in collaboration with the American Indian Museum, tackles America’s assumptions about American Indians and starts a conversation with audiences reclaiming rich history, challenges, hopes, and dreams. After the play, students are invited to explore the exhibition galleries with self-guided materials to learn more. 

1:30pm & 4:00pm: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe at Imagination Stage
Leap through the wardrobe and into a winter wonderland in this dance-based adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s treasured novel from the Chronicles of Narnia. A remount of Imagination Stage’s Helen Hayes award-winning 2012 production, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe tells the story of four siblings who journey from war-torn England to a magical land frozen in eternal winter, where the powerful lion Aslan leads them on a journey to discover their destiny. Music, modern dance, and breathtaking puppetry tell a story of love, sacrifice, and redemption. Best for ages 5+.

ZooLights at the National Zoo lights up November 29 – January 1.

Learn about the traditions and heritage of local American Indian tribes throughout American Indian Heritage Weekend at Port Discovery Children’s Museum  Explore the American Indian heritage and culture up close and personal from the Baltimore American Indian Center, enjoy an intertribal dancing performance, plus take part in hands-on activities celebrating American Indian Heritage!

Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Maryland Ensemble Theatre
Based on the children’s books by Barbara Park, this play follows the feisty and irrepressible Junie B. Jones as she plays Secret Santa to her least favorite classmate, Tattletale May. Will Junie B. give Tattletale May exactly what she thinks she deserves or will the holiday spirit force a change of heart? With plenty of laughs and life lessons, this story is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family. Showing November 30 – December 29, 2019.

***Have you entered to win a family 4 pack to see The Illusionists- Magic of the Holidays at National Theatre? This is a great show for the whole family, right in time for the holidays.