(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children
The International School of Music is known for their music classes. They offer classes in-person as well as virtually. Contact The International School of Music to tailor a program for your Bambinos. Sign up for lessons here or call 301-365-5888.
Adventure Theatre: Join a musical theater class designed for children in grades K-5.
Anna Banana Arts and Crafts: Offering small group art classes for children ages 2-8.
Bach 2 Rock: Weekly music and movement classes for toddlers.
Brazilian–American Cultural Center: What once offered Capoeira for youth and adults as well as Portuguese language classes, yoga, various types of Brazilian dance, youth art classes and more.
Brit-Am Soccer Academy: Small group soccer classes and lessons starting with toddlers and going up to 12th grade.
Children’s Art Studio: Virtual classes for children ages 4-13.
Circle Yoga: Yoga classes for all ages.
Creative Youth: Sewing classes that includes all materials for ages 7-17.
Dance & Gymnastics classes can be found here!
DC Soccer Club: Soccer program starting at age 3 going through high school.
District Dabble Lab: Dabblers will explore a new hands-on craft each week.
Happy Little Art Studio: Offering classes for a variety of ages.
Harmonic Music Studios: Offering music classes with most instruments to all ages.
Imagination Stage: For 40 years, Imagination Stage has offered programming that inspires youth to grow as artists and innovators. Programming inspires youth of all ages and abilities to grow as artists and innovators.
International School of Music: Offering in-person and virtual music classes.
Miss Amy’s Music Makers: Offering music class for children under the age of 6.
Red Panda Art Studio: Art class for children ages 15 months to age 10.
School of Rock: Weekly music classes with an option to join a band!
Squash on Fire: Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, the coaching staff has the talent and experience to help you improve your squash game.
The Loft Collective: Each art session offers new projects and materials for preschoolers through teens. All class programs emphasize confidence through competence, and teach compassion and connection to the inner and outer world.
Tinkergarten: Online circle time for families with children ages 0-8. A new Tinkergarten activity from this season’s Creativity curriculum will be revealed in each session, inspiring kids to reconnect with the outdoors and enjoy healthy, playful learning all week long. Each week, parents and caregivers get a how-to guide and see a demonstration of the activity, ask questions and get expert help on how to support their child.
Tunes 4 Tots: Music classes for a variety of ages.
Washington DC JCC: Variety of classes for many ages
Indoor gyms:
My Gym Bethesda & Potomac
Gymboree free first month of virtual classes
Related posts:
Yoga with your Bambino
Year-round classes
Anna Banana Arts & Crafts
Children learn about artists such as Monet, Matisse, Seurat, and Jackson Pollock. My art history background gives me a wonderful basis for teaching your children about artists and materials. Children will use materials such as pastel, watercolor, paint, and charcoal. Mediums including print making, photography, painting and sculpture are presented in a fun, relaxed environment. Classes are for children ages 2-8.
Red Panda Art Studio
Springtime inspiration is in the air! Join us for a dose of creativity during our Spring session of classes. Registration is NOW OPEN! Click here to see Spring offerings. Spring classes start the week of 4/4.
Squash on Fire
Your champion in the making will master the basics of squash, have fun, and make new friends! Clinics start for kids in Kindergarten and go up to 9th grade.
Bach 2 Rock
Weekly music and movement classes for toddlers as well as lessons for children of all ages.
Trapeze School
Activities at TSNY are a great way to get kids up and moving, and to foster their creative side. Sessions are not only fun, but also great exercise, building muscle and flexibility, along with confidence, trust, and teamwork. Children walk away from our sessions feeling empowered and ready to tackle anything! While children ages six and up may sign up for any of the all-levels sessions offered, they have specialized youth programs for kids aged 6-16. Check out the offerings below and sign up here.
Levine Music
Levine Music Theatre (LMT) group classes provide musical theatre training for students of all ages. Students will receive training in movement, acting, voice, and music, and will discover the strategies they need to feel successful on stage while working with award-winning, professional LMT faculty.
Brazilian–American Cultural Center
Capoeira for youth and adults as well as Portuguese language classes, yoga, various types of Brazilian dance and youth art classes.
Brit-Am Soccer Academy
Small group soccer classes and lessons starting with toddlers and going up to 2nd grade.
CREATE Arts Center
CREATE offers an exciting mix of on-site art classes year-round for children ages 2-16, such as: Drawing and Painting, Mixed Media Art, Comics & Cartooning, Kids Pottery, Family Pottery and more.
Creative Youth
Weekly sewing classes for ages 7-17.
District Dabble Lab
Art classes for Kindergarten-grade 6 using a variety of materials and techniques.
Circle Yoga
They offer a variety of classes for children from mindfulness to pre-teen yoga. Classes start for kids as young as 2.
Edlavitch DCJCC
Offers child & caregiver classes as well as afternoon classes and camps.
Happy Little Art Studio
Offering a variety of art classes in-person and virtual.
Imagination Stage
Theme-based classes for children ages 1 – 18.
International School of Music
Offering in-person and virtual music classes.
Just For Kids
A variety of sports classes for ages 18months – 11 year olds.
Kicks are for Kids
Small group soccer classes at various locations.
Miss Amy’s Music Makers
Offering virtual music class as well as class at an outdoor park for children under the age of 6.
Parkour at The Lane
Climbing the walls may be a no-no at home, but the walls at The Lane were made for it! Our next session of Parkour starts on March 29 and is available on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings for ages 4-10. This is the perfect class for the energetic and curious. Kids will learn self confidence while taking on fun and physical challenges. Snag a spot before they’re gone!
My Gym Potomac
Click HERE to view Complete Schedule, Details and Sign up! Try My Gym for $29 with a special introductory special. It includes 1 class per week and Unlimited Open Gym for kids ages 6 months-8 years old.
Super Soccer Stars
Soccer for kids 12 months to 6 years old.
Synetic Theater
Each Saturday morning class will have a theme/focus for kids grades K-12.
Tinkergarten
Outdoor and virtual classes for kids 1.5-8 years old, refer to a previous post we wrote for more insight.
Tunes 4 Tots
Music classes for kids 4 and under.
Quick Feet
Soccer for 2-7 year olds in DC, MD and VA.
Related posts:
Easter basket & Spring gift ideas
Cherry blossoms in the DC area
February 26 – March 27
Book and Lyrics by Psalmayene 24
Music by Nick “tha 1da” Hernandez
Directed by Tony Thomas
G.Petto is an ingenious computer games designer who one day discovers that his newest game character, P.Nokio, can live outside the computer! G.Petto is thrilled at the prospect of having a “son,” and with the help of the Graffiti Fairy, he teaches P.Nokio how to become a real boy. But, P.Nokio falls in with con artists and finds himself in a web of lies that endangers his father. To save G.Petto, P.Nokio must wise up, keep it real, and learn that words and truth are the mightiest weapons of all. A completely contemporary, high-energy musical update of Pinocchio that will have your kids dancing in their seats. Best for ages 5-11.
Imagination Stage is a holistic theatre arts organization for all children and youth. For more information about our shows, classes, and camps, please visit our website.
This year President’s Day coincides with DCPS mid-winter break. We’ve got some great camps to occupy your Bambinos if you can’t take off work when they are off school. We also have a round-up of 16 ways to explore Washington, DC which always comes in handy.
Monday, February 21, 2022:
8:00am-5:00pm: Washington’s Birthday Celebration at Mt. Vernon
Celebrate the first President on the most exciting day of the year for FREE or pay admission any other day, children under 5 are free! Story time, character performances, card making, birthday cake and more. See link above for a complete list of the day’s events! Also, taking place Tuesday, Feb 22: 9:00am to 4:00pm.
9:00am-5:00pm: National Museum of the United States Army
Discover techniques used by the U.S. Army’s first spymaster: George Washington. Winning the Revolutionary War took cunning as well as courage. He built a robust spy network to learn about the enemy’s plans and best thwart them. Children ages 4-12 are invited to experiment with codes, secret writing, and spy techniques at the Experiential Learning Center. Participation is free and included with a general admission ticket.
9:30am: Harambe at BloomBars
Ten years and more than 1,600 shows later, Harambee at BloomBars has become a Washington DC institution and a cultural/moral compass for thousands of parents and youth. In Swahili, Harambe means “All pull together.” At BloomBars, Harambe is the practice of hope, possibility and compassion – basically, all the things that happen when we all come together. Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community. With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambee” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children.
10:00am-5:30pm: National Museum of American History
Check out the American Presidency exhibit, The First Ladies contributions, George Washington sculpture, Star Spangled flag and anthem that plays on the second floor and more. Be sure to visit the kids Spark!Lab where they will become inventors.
11:30am: Disney on Ice
Grab your Mickey ears and get ready for non-stop fun when 50 of your favorite Disney friends come to life through world-class ice skating.
1:00pm-3:00pm: George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria
The largest parade in the USA that celebrates Washington’s Birthday – in his chosen hometown! It winds through a one-mile route along the historic streets of Old Town on President’s Day.
Visit:
Getaways:
Outdoor ice skating rinks
Color Burst Ice Rink at Merriweather District– Downtown Columbia, MD
The Color Burst Ice Rink at Merriweather District is back for the 2021 – 2022 season! There will be plenty of celebrations and themed events throughout the season, as well as music and pop-up food and beverage. You will have a 75-minute skate period beginning when you enter the rink.
Pentagon Row– 1201 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202
October 25 – mid-March
Reservations are required to skate. Reservations are open two weeks in advance. They also offer skating lessons to children and adults.
Canal Park Ice Rink– 202 M Street, SE Washington, DC 20003
November – February and open on holidays
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink– National Mall at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20408
Skating fees are for two 45-minute sessions. November 19, 2021–March 6, 2022, weather permitting. You can purchase single tickets, seasons passes and they offer skating lessons.
Silver Spring Veteran’s Plaza Ice Rink– 8523 Fenton St., Silver Spring, MD 20910
October 29 – mid-March
This season reservations are required to skate at the rink. Reservations are open two weeks in advance. They offer group and private skating lessons.
Rockville Town Square Ice Rink– 131 Gibbs St., Rockville, MD 20850
Mid-October – mid-March
This season reservations are required to skate at the rink. Reservations are open two weeks in advance. They offer several options to learn to skate- whether you are an aspiring hockey player, beginning figure skater, an adult wishing to get reacquainted with the ice, or anything in between, they have an option for you.
Wharf Ice Rink– 960 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
November 26 – late February and open on holidays
This year, The Wharf Ice Rink has gone ALL CAPS. Check out the Washington Capitals décor and ice resurfacer, and join fellow hockey fans on the ice for Rock The Rink skate event on January 15. The Rock The Rink skate event features a DJ, Caps gear giveaways, and a visit from Slapshot. During the event, they’ll also broadcast the Capitals’ away game on a jumbotron near the ice and fans wearing Capitals gear receive $5 off admission to The Wharf Ice Rink. Also, join for a free, friendly game of curling every Wednesday evening in January! The Canadian game marries hockey and shuffleboard for a low-pressure evening on the ice—no skates needed! Want to play? Preregister for your desired gametime on Eventbrite. Games begin at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm every Wednesday through January.
Washington Harbour Ice Rink– 3050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Reserve your tickets here.
Gaylord National Ice Rink– 201 Waterfront Street National Harbor, MD 20745
Tickets must be purchased in advance online. No on-site box office. Unlimited same-day skating and skates.
Indoor ice rinks
Cabin John Ice Rink– 10610 Westlake Dr Rockville, MD 20852
Open year-round with three rinks (NHL, Olympic, and Studio), public skate sessions, lessons provided, camps, three party rooms available to rent, a pro shop with skating equipment, apparel, and skate sharpening and repair services.
Wheaton Ice Arena– 11717 Orebaugh Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902
NHL-size skating rink, public skate sessions, camps, lessons provided, two party rooms to rent, a snack bar /vending machines with refreshments and snacks. Pro Shop with skates, hockey equipment, apparel, skate sharpening, and repair services.
Fort Dupont Ice Arena– 3779 Ely Place SE Washington, DC 20019
They have a program which offers opportunities for kids from 5-18 interested in hockey, figure skating, synchronized skating and speed skating.
MedStar Capitals Iceplex– Ballston, VA
Practice rink of our Washington Capitals! You can public skate, take lessons, adults can take part in a pick-up game of hockey, kids can take hockey lessons, have a birthday party and attend camps.
Indoor roller rinks
Lanham Skate– Lanham, MD
Family fun nights, arcade games, lessons, STEM field trips, birthday parties, school break days and more!
Laurel Roller Skating Center– Laurel, MD
Birthday parties, lessons, family nights and more!
Temple Hills– Temple Hills, MD
Family skate nights, glow nights, arcade, STEM field trips, birthday parties and more!
Skate Zone– Crofton, MD
Lessons, birthday parties, STEM field trips, event calendar and more!
Cavalier Family Skating– Stafford, VA
Birthday parties, speed team, arcade and indoor play zone, lessons and more!
Skate-N-Fun Zone– Mannassass, VA
Laser tag, arcade, indoor play zone, themed nights, STEM field trips and more!
Outdoor roller rink
Anacostia Park– SE, DC
Skate rentals are free at this outdoor rink! And on summer weekends you can dance to DJ music as you enjoy this open air roller rink. This is the one and only roller skating rink in the National Park Service but is only open for a short season. Skate rentals will return Memorial Day to Labor Day 2022.
This guest post is written by Jen Dryer who is a parenting coach for parents of neurodiverse children and mother to two neurodiverse children, and has previously written an informative piece for Beltway Bambinos which helps parents navigate early intervention resources. She will be co-leading a class again called Raising Orchid Kids: Practical Strategies for Parents of Neurodiverse Children beginning January 13. She will lead the class alongside Gabriele Nicolet, MA, CCC-SLP, a family communication specialist, speech therapist and parent coach and founder of SpeechKids Therapy.
My 9-year old son, Max, and I go for a hike every weekend in a section of Rock Creek Park that’s a 5 minute drive from our house. He puts on water shoes and a bathing suit when it’s warm and rain boots and a jacket in colder weather and we ford the shallow stream alongside the official trail. We started this tradition in the early, desperate days of the pandemic, as a much needed break from online school and from the anxiety produced by Covid life.
We took the exact same path every time. Every. Time. When his brother came along and would beg to try a different route, Max would hunker down and yell, “Noooo!!!” as if his brother were about to attack him with a baseball bat. It seems, for most of us with neurotypical brains, that this reaction to a simple route change request is absurd and unfounded. But Max is autistic, and deviating from his expected path without preparation or advance notice felt much like being attacked by a bat-wielding older brother. So, we stayed on the path that day. But it pushed me to think about the ways I could encourage flexibility. I advance planned with him to shift our route ever so slightly, joining the same path at a different entrance in the spirit of what well-known autism advocate and author Temple Grandin calls a “loving push.”
That loving push helped set the stage a few weeks ago, when Max, his brother and I went for a hike and found an entirely new path. We even lost the path at some point, forging our own route along the stream. Max had to scramble over branches, balance on fallen trees to cross the stream and find his literal and figurative footing in an unfamiliar path. He did not yell once, actually enjoyed many of the challenges before him, and felt proud of his accomplishment. We were thrilled. Until his brother slipped on a rock in the stream, got wet and scraped his knee, and we had to abort the mission. We backtracked, and I tucked in a lesson on the fly on empathy when someone you care about gets hurt and feels frustrated about it. Now Max is much more open to trying new routes (as long as we sometimes go back to the familiar one!).
Raising Max has pushed me to work to understand and respect why and when his challenging behaviors arise, and to identify strategies that I keep in a mental toolbelt to best support him in working through challenges in a positive way. I share all this because I want others raising neurodiverse, or Orchid Kids (those challenging kids with behavioral, developmental or learning differences who, like the flower, can thrive and blossom given the right conditions and supports), to know that it’s easy to get stuck and, at the same time, there are real strategies to help them break free from patterns that can trigger meltdowns and cause stress for all.
These are exactly the supports and preparation tools that experienced speech and communication therapist Gabriele Nicolet and I teach in our Raising Orchid Kids: Practical Strategies for Parents of Neurodiverse Children class, with the goal of making life less stressful and more joyful for those families, and to help parents find effective avenues to help their neurodiverse child thrive.
Raising Orchid Kids participants have universally noted how incredibly helpful it is to find your “parenting tribe” who can relate to what you’re experiencing, while getting support from experts and others who are on that same path. The work that we have been doing to support parents of neurodiverse kids has been truly inspiring to witness, as we guide parents toward strategies and insights into how to better support their challenging child and help them thrive.
Our next 6-week session of the online livestream Raising Orchid Kids: Practical Strategies for Parents of Neurodiverse Children course starts Thursday, January 13, and runs for 6 consecutive Thursdays from 12-1:30pm. For more information and to register, click here.
By Jen Dryer, co-founder, Raising Orchid Kids
This holiday season stuff their stockings with music lessons from International School of Music at a very low price.