Beltway Bambinos

(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children

Smithsonian Sleepovers: Spend a night at the Natural History Museum!

Sleepover at NMNH Photo by Jim McCallum, volunteer

Don’t just dream about dinosaurs: Visit one! The Nation’s t-rex has returned to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and his towering skeleton has been drawing big crowds to the amazing Deep Time exhibition.

Join Smithsonian Associates for a post-Halloween Smithsonian Sleepover on Saturday, Nov. 2 to avoid the crowds and spend plenty of quality time with your favorite dinosaur. And as a bonus, you can wear your Halloween costume one more time. Children ages 8 to 14 may participate. There must be at least one adult for every three children in any group that registers. Chaperones must be 21 years or older. No adults without children.

To register call 202-633-3030 or click here.

Fall Bucket List

Most people love Fall. I love Summer {sigh}. However, I do recognize that Fall welcomes such great opportunities to be with your family while also being outdoors. We invite you to click the links below to gather more info as well as add to our bucket list in the comments!


–The Observation Deck at the Washington Monument and more info since previous site isn’t offering much
–Apple & pumpkin picking
–Boo at the Zoo
–Volunteer
–National Children’s Museum OPENS
–Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
–Haunted house at American Plant
–Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Family Day
–REACH
–Markoff’s Haunted Forest
–After Hours at NGA
–National Theatre

Fall festivals, farms and orchards in and around Washington, DC

It’s that time of year! School is in full swing, the weather is beginning to cool, fun fall outfits await, PSL’s are back and kids are hoping to start jumping in leaves soon. It also means making memories at local apple orchards, fall festivals and picking pumpkins. Have a favorite place to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!

Butlers Orchard (22200 Davis Mill Rd, Germantown, MD 20876)
Dates of the pumpkin festival this year are September 28-29, October 5-6, 12-14, 19-20, 26-27 & November 2-3 from 10:00am-5:00pm. There are so many attractions including; a twisted pumpkin corn maze, corn box, hayrides, straw maze, corn hole, giant slides, pumpkin coach, jump in the hayloft, visit barnyard buddies, pumpkinland, pedal tractors, playground, pumpkin cannon, pony rides, face painting, kids crafts, pick your own pumpkins, festival food and a farm market as you exit the Orchard. 

Winterbrook Farms (13001 Creagerstown Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788)
Visit September 21-November 3 from 11:00am-6:00pm. Home of Maryland’s largest corn maze and over 20 fun fall activities such as mountain slides, a u-pick pumpkin patch, mini ziplines, farm animals, apple cannons, pedal karts & more! 

Summers Farm (5620 Butterfly Lane Frederick, MD 21703)
Open in the Fall each year with an old-fashioned Harvest Festival from September 21–October 31. The farm features a 12 acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, more than 45 activities, live weekend music, fireworks, finger-lickin’ good food and lots more!

Larriland (2415 Woodbine Rd, Woodbine, MD 21797)
Open through the first Sunday in November, closed on Mondays. On Saturdays and Sundays in late September and October, they offer hayrides during the day from 9:30am-4:30pm which fords the stream, goes through the woods and includes a stop at the pumpkin field where everyone selects their favorite pumpkin. The Straw Maze, built with over 1000 bales of straw, is a delightful place to get lost. The Boo Barn is for children ages 4–6. It is a dark passage in the bottom of the Red Barn and is filled with animated, not too scary ghosts and goblins.

Clark’s Elioak Farm (10500 State Rte 108 Ellicott City, MD 21042)
Open through November 3, Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm.Petting farm animals, hayrides, cow train rides, pony rides, birthday parties, educational tours, enchanted pine tree forest, special weekend events, enchanted forest attractions (from an old theme park) and fall season pumpkin patch.

Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont, VA 20135)
Open daily for apple picking and corn maze fun from 9:00am-5:00pm. Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival: September 30-October 31 & Pumpkin Chunkin: November 2-3 & Apple Gala and Cider Fest is every weekend in September.
Celebrate with tastings of this season’s best ciders and demonstrations of antique cider press. Pick your pumpkins and apples, fire pumpkins from a cannon, enjoy cider donuts, get lost in a corn maze and visit with the pumpkin princess at Pumpkin Harvest Festival.

Leesburg Animal Park (19270 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg, VA 20175)
Pumpkin Village is open September 21-November 5 from 9:30am-5:00pm weekdays and 9:30am-6:00pm weekends. There is also a Halloween costume contest & trick or treating on Oct 26 & 27. Enjoy the giant hill slides, hay wagon rides, pet and feed animals, free apple and cider snack with admission, free mini-pumpkin, kids maze and live entertainment, pedal carts, bounce pillow and live music. Specials on weekends include camel rides and face painting.

Wayside Farm (5273 Harry Byrd Hwy, Berryville, VA 22611)
Weekends from September 21-November 3 from 10:00am-6:00pm you can wind your way through the 10-acre SpongeBob themed corn maze. Enjoy a hayride out to u-pick fields, hop on the jumping pillow, watch pig races, travel down the slides and enjoy apple cider donuts. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Wayside Farm is an idyllic farm setting for families looking for the ultimate farm adventure this fall. Wayside Farm is offering our readers 25% off admission this fall- mention Beltway Bambinos at the register!

Ticonderoga Farms (26175 Ticonderoga Rd, Chantilly, VA 20152)
September 21-November 3, weekdays 10:00am-5:00pm and weekends 10:00am-6:00pm. Admission includes hayrides, activities and access to the pick your own pumpkin field. Noah’s Ark, log cabins, hillside slides, ponds, swings, fire pits, hayrides, tire play, hay forts, rolling tunnels, s’mores roasting, animals, enormous jump and bounce pillow and so much more.

Cox Farms (15621 Braddock Rd. Centreville, VA. 20120)
Fall Festival is held September 21-November 5 from 10:00am-6:00pm and closes at 5:00pm in November. The Fall Festival is filled with family-friendly entertainment and attractions including slides, swings, animals, hayrides and more. There is even Fields of Fear for the adults who want a scare.

Readers also recommend:
Homestead Farm (u-pick)
Sharps at Waterford Farm
Pumpkin Playground
Gaver Farm

Festivals:
Maryland Renaissance Festival: Weekends through October 20, 2019
Weiner 500 Oktoberfest at the Wharf: September 21, 2019
H Street Festival: September 21, 2019
Frederick Oktoberfest: September 27 & 28, 2019
Barracks Row Fall Festival: September 28, 2019
Fall for Fairfax KidFest: October 5-6, 2019
Piketoberfest: October 6, 2019

Adults only:
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest

Fall classes, indoor gyms and parent groups in Washington, DC

We are on our second week of school and the routine is slowing starting to set. I say it each year but this summer went by way too quickly and I wish we could rewind time and start it over again. It’s not too late to cross some of our highlights off your list though. Below we’ve highlighted some of the fantastic places offering classes this Fall.  So here’s to cooler weather, the turning of leaves and continuing to stay busy exploring Washington, DC.

Adventure Theatre:  Join a musical theater class designed specifically for the elementary age.

Anna Banana Arts and Crafts:  Anna Banana offers small group art classes for children ages 2-8,  as well as custom-scheduled adult classes and day-off camps.

Audubon Naturalist Society: Tales & Trails 10-week class for ages 2-4 with a caregiver.

Bach 2 Rock: Weekly music and movement classes for toddlers.

Brazilian–American Cultural Center: Capoeira for youth and adults (including morning capoeira) offered on several days of the week, as well as Zumbini (for babies through age 4), Portuguese language classes, yoga, various types of Brazilian dance, youth art classes and more.

Brit-Am Soccer Academy: Soccer classes during the day for the younger kids and after school for older.

Dance & Gymnastics classes can be found here!

DC Stoddert Soccer: Soccer program starting at age 3.

Happy Little Art Studio: Clay, potions, drawing and more for tots through grade 5.

Hillwood Estate: Experience the wonder of Hillwood with your preschooler! Explore a new mansion room each week of this three-part series through make believe, art projects, and imaginative play. Each class is limited to 10 children ages 2 to 5, each with one or two accompanying adults.

Imagination Stage: Imagination Stage offers quality, year-round arts education for children and teens ages 1-18.

Just for Kids: Various sports for kids 18 months-age 9 offered in a variety of locations throughout the DMV.

Kicks are for Kids: Once a week soccer for 45 minutes with drills and games.

Master Lee’s Martial Arts: In a 40 minute class, students will participate in a series of drills and skills that work on their strength, flexibility and endurance. 

Miss Amy’s Music Makers: 10 week music class with mixed-age, family style for children ranging in age from birth through age 5. 

Montgomery County Recreation Department: Check out The Guide which is full of classes and events.

Nook:  Ages 0-2, kids are learning and growing, so classes balance a focus on early childhood development milestones with attention to your growth in the role of parent and caregiver.

Red Panda Art Studio: Each class is carefully planned to focus on different art materials, techniques and artists. Classes suited for ages 2-10.

Smithsonian National Zoo: Preschool, homeschool and after school classes are offered throughout the year.

Tinkergarten: Families with children ages 0-8 meet outdoor at a park to connect and learn through play.

Tudor Place: Toddlers get active in mind and body while learning about the world around them in weekly sessions featuring songs, stories, crafts, and movement. 

Washington DC JCC: Offering fall classes and parenting classes.

Mom’s groups:
New Mom support group with Dr. Ellyn Turer
Group for first and second time Mom’s PACE
8 week new Mom’s group at Lemon Tree
Parents of multiples group at Lemon Tree
Back to work after baby with Mindful Return

Indoor gyms:
My Gym
BusyBees
Magic Ground
Gymboree
Kidville
MoCo Movement

Related posts:
Yoga with your Bambino
Year-round classes

Don’t know if you want to commit your child to a session of classes? Pearachute allows you to drop-in to various classes, events, camps and they even have vouchers for gift cards. You can use the app to drop-in or make changes to your reservation; most places allow you to cancel your drop-in up to a few hours before the class so if you have a sick child or one who just doesn’t want to go to the class, try again a different day with no penalty.

Thanksgiving in and around Washington, DC

Thanksgiving

  • Season’s Greenings at the United States Botanic Garden –This year, take a train ride across America as the annual holiday show Season’s Greenings showcases train stations! Plant-based recreations of iconic train stations from across the United States will be represented in the train room. Explore classic stations like New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, St. Louis’ Union Station, and many more. Thousands of blooms will be on display throughout the Conservatory, including a showcase of heirloom and newly developed poinsettia varieties. Our collection of D.C. landmarks made from plant materials will return to fill the Garden Court, this year including a botanical version of Washington, D.C.’s Union Station. Celebrate the holidays and America’s railroad history. 
  • Volunteer with your family
  • ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Gaylord National Resort- ICE! is a signature holiday attraction open Nov. 16-Jan. 1. Watch Charlie Brown rediscover the meaning of Christmas as the beloved story unfolds through two million pounds of ice sculptures and displays. Cirque Dreams Unwrapped will entertain your family in the Atrium, get festive at the Christmas Village which allows you to decorate gingerbread houses, ice skate, enjoy milk and cookies with Mrs. Claus and more. 
  • Mount Vernon by candlelight- Join Mount Vernon’s residents and visitors for a festive evening. The experience begins in the Ford Orientation Center, where you can enjoy the sounds of the holiday season and view spectacular Christmas trees highlighting the lives of the Washingtons. After the tour concludes, continue the experience by visiting the Greenhouse and participating in 18th-century dancing, just as the Washingtons might have done during the holidays. Enjoy cookies while sipping warm cider, listening to fireside caroling, and paying a visit to Aladdin the Christmas camel. The evening will conclude with live music in the Education Center Lobby and an opportunity to visit the Education Center exhibits and The Shops.
  • Go to a movie: Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2, Grinch 2, The Nutcracker and the 4 Realms, Mowgli

Need last minute Thanksgiving decor? Check out Caravan Shoppe for downloadable (send to a local print shop) interactive decorations! Pictured below

Friday and beyond
#OptOutside with REI
REI thinks spending time outdoors is more important that shopping! They pay their employees to #OptOutside on Friday and invite you to join.

  • Zoo Lights at The National Zoo opens Friday
  • Downtown Frederick Partnership in celebrating their 16th annual Frosty on Friday. Help spread holiday cheer with a full day of early and late shopping hours, carriage and trolley rides, caroling & , and fun seasonal activities.
  • Reston Town Center Holiday Parade & The Reston community kicks off the holiday season with a full day celebration including a holiday parade, visits with Santa, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and more on Friday.
  • Plenty of volunteer opportunities
  • ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Gaylord National Resort ICE! is a signature holiday attraction open Nov. 16-Jan. 1. Watch Charlie Brown rediscover the meaning of Christmas as the beloved story unfolds through two million pounds of ice sculptures and displays. Cirque Dreams Unwrapped will entertain your family in the Atrium, get festive at the Christmas Village which allows you to decorate gingerbread houses, ice skate, enjoy milk and cookies with Mrs. Claus and more. 
  • Mount Vernon by candlelight- Join Mount Vernon’s residents and visitors for a festive evening. The experience begins in the Ford Orientation Center, where you can enjoy the sounds of the holiday season and view spectacular Christmas trees highlighting the lives of the Washingtons. After the tour concludes, continue the experience by visiting the Greenhouse and participating in 18th-century dancing, just as the Washingtons might have done during the holidays. Enjoy cookies while sipping warm cider, listening to fireside caroling, and paying a visit to Aladdin the Christmas camel. The evening will conclude with live music in the Education Center Lobby and an opportunity to visit the Education Center exhibits and The Shops.
  • Maryland Christmas Show at the Frederick Fairgrounds –Nothing brings back the yuletide spirit quite like the Maryland Christmas Show. For the 34th season visitors from near and far will discover the joys of shopping at Maryland’s premier Christmas event. The Maryland Christmas Show, located in historic Frederick City, brings together many fine artisans and merchants to make your holiday shopping an enjoyable event. Two weekend event; November 16, 17 & 18 November 23, 24 & 25
  • Cut Your Own Christmas Tree with this great list from Trip Savvy
  • Downtown Holiday Market– The 14th Annual Downtown Holiday Market is located on the F Street sidewalk in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery between 7th & 9th Streets, NW. Bringing a unique and festive shopping “village” to the heart of Downtown DC, the market features more than 150 regional artisans, crafters and boutique businesses of ethnically produced goods. Hundreds of diverse gift items, such as jewelry, pottery, paintings, and textiles will be offered by 60 exhibitors each day.
  • Washington Capitals take on Detroit on Friday for a 4:00pm face-off
  • NSO Pops: Walt Disney Animation Studios—A Decade in Concert at The Kennedy Center. Scenes from Frozen, Moana, Zootopia & more with LIVE music. Friday-Sunday

Related Posts:

Ice skating, holiday light displays and more outdoor fun

Holiday shows, ballets and concerts

Holiday tea

31 ways to survive Daylight Savings in and around Washington, DC with kids

Most of us dread that date in Fall that creeps up and turns our strict routine into havoc; Daylight Savings. For parents, it’s a few months where our time spent outdoors comes to a halt and we wonder how to occupy the remainder of the evening (that used to be so sunny) with our children. And contrary to popular belief, the answer is not an earlier bedtime. Let’s be honest, you can only put on an afternoon movie so many times. Here are a few ideas I’ve compiled from readers and my own DST adventures to help you get out of the house with your Bambino(s) this Fall & Winter. Don’t forget to check out our Indoor Fun Guide for even more options!  

Ideas for fun outside of your home-

1. Go for a dip at Wilson, Marie Reed or any of DC indoor swimming pools.

2. Bloombars has evening classes, events and performances.

3. Drop by a pet store to observe the animals and maybe see some dogs getting groomed.

4. DC Library holds late afternoon family programs and events.

5. Isn’t Target obvious?! (Try not to buy everything).

6. Grab a lane and try for a strike at Pinstripes. Dinner is served alongside bowling. Location in Georgetown & Bethesda.

7. Reserve a room at a public library and have a play date with friends. DC Library is open until 9pm Mon-Thur.

8. Hotel lobbies can be fascinating, especially around the holidays. Plus, they have bathrooms and heat.

9. Get creative at Treehouse Atelier, Red Panda Art Studio, District Dabble Lab, Little Loft Art, Anna Banana or All Fired Up.

10. Child’s Play and Politics and Prose can be great places for your kids to check out new toys and books. Child’s Play has many toys out and welcome kids to play with them. Again, try not to buy everything =)

11. Go out to dinner at one of these DC restaurants that offer entertainment for kiddos.

12. Speaking of dinner, there are so many restaurants that offer KIDS EAT FREE throughout the week and weekend.

13. Grab a flashlight and go on an adventure walk. Bonus if you have time to create a scavenger hunt.

14. Check the bus route and take a random ride.

15. Fairmont Hotel has a piano and a pretty garden, is fairly tolerant of children climbing up and down the stairs and enjoying the lobby’s holiday decorations.

16. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage has free, daily shows that usually begin at 6:00pm. Catch the show or just part of it, explore and walk the long foyer and look at the mirrors, ramps, etc. Go outside onto the terrace and watch the cars on the bridge or boats on the water.

17. Lace up those skates and go ice skate!

18. Enroll in a winter class or playgroup.

19. Dare I say, grocery shop….but my kids love making lists and my youngest loves pushing the cart while I pick up everything she knocks over with said cart. Bonus if you know of a store with a fun kid-car or kid-cart (Giant grocery stores are all I can think of).

20. Go see a movie! Splurge for some popcorn.

21. Drop into a Pearachute class

22. Happy Hour doesn’t have to wait until 5pm….Early dinner or apps (see $12)

Ideas for fun in your home in case you can’t escape-

1. Bake or cook something with your Bambino(s).

2. Make a fort, add pillows and blankets and watch a movie, grab a flashlight and/or read stories.

3. Put on a play, get out that old camcorder and record them– your iPhone will suffice too.

4. Arts and crafts can provide endless fun and messes (put your OCD tendencies aside).

5. Make your own play doh.

6. Download some educational apps on your device and set a timer.

7. Have your child help organize/fold socks when you’re doing laundry.

8. Get bath paints or crayons and let your child get artsy and messy in the bath– bonus they can get clean while having fun.

9. Playdates help the time go by, (unless the kids don’t play together) and in that case you’d rather be doing one of the above mentioned activities

Related Posts: 
Winter camps & classes

Birthday Party ideas for older Bambinos

Birthday Party ideas, venues & entertainers

Volunteering with families in and around Washington, DC

GIVE, GIVE, GIVE!!! (And not just around the holiday season!) There are so many ways you can help others in our area and the best part is they all welcome children to participate. Teaching our littlest the value of giving and not just receiving is critical. Hopefully your child will connect with one of these organizations, making your family regular volunteers.

young-volunteers
(Photo: So Others May Eat)

                                                                                                                    
Volunteer your time:

Generation Hope
A Wider Circle has a variety of ways to volunteer and donate through Holiday Giving Programs
Mary’s Center Reading Pals, Special Events and Patient Portal Volunteers needed
Eliana’s Light has a variety of ways to volunteer
Make sandwiches (throughout the year in your home) for CCPC Transition Assistance Program
Arlington Food Assistance Center
Humane Rescue Alliance 
Children’s National Medical Center
Volunteer your time at Spend Yourself Food Pantry
Helping dogs at Lucky Kids Club
Read to cats at Animal Welfare of Arlington’s Paws and Read
Create and send holiday cards to injured, ill or hospitalized service members and veterans through American Red Cross
Planting trees through Casey Trees
Various events and ways to help at DC Diaper Bank
Sort and pack food for delivery at Capital Area Food Bank
Helping the poor help themselves at Art for Humanity
Organize a drive to collect food, clothing and toiletries for Bethesda Cares
Help prepare meals at DC Central Kitchen
Help prepare and serve meals at So Others May Eat
Assist inner-city seniors at We Are Family
Help with food, clothing and special events at Martha’s Table
List of ways to volunteer in Fairfax County
Lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery December 15, 2018

Other ways to show you care:

District Dabble Lab invites you to come to a Kindness Rocks Project Workshop on Sunday’s (ages 4-10) You can also create your own group to attend.
Create holiday cards for Cards for Hospitalized Kids
Find a Toys For Tots drive and donate
Spend time at a Nursing or Assisted Living Center
Host a refugee family
Shop with your children at a local grocery store for non-perishable items and donate them to a canned food drive
Claude Moore Colonial Farm has many ways to volunteer and donate
Star Gazing Farm has many ways to volunteer and donate

Making donations:

Eliana’s Light would be grateful to receive donations of stress-relief items for children with complex medical conditions and their caregivers through an Amazon Wish List
Diapers to the DC Diaper Bank
Kids Crafts for a cause through Little Loving Hands
Seasonal clothing and toiletries to Bethesda Cares

Bowie Baysox continues Louie’s Holiday Hope Project for the 12th year. Beginning now and continuing through early December, the team will be accepting nominations for families that need assistance this holiday season. The Baysox will also be collecting gently used coats, new socks and other warm clothing to be donated to area families. If you know a family who is in need, please email here.

Holiday tea for families in Washington, DC

Holidays are a time for creating memories, whether it be continuing a family tradition or beginning new ones. I’ve been lucky enough to go to a few high teas; my favorites was at The Plaza Hotel in New York with my best friend followed by a Holiday Tea at the Willard Intercontinental with family. For those of you looking to take your Bambinos or go without kids here’s a list of some places in our area that you can enjoy tea and crumpets, most with a holiday theme.

holiday-afternoon-teas-with-kids-e3851d8d0bca4c94a854db16b7817976

(Photo: Minitime.com)

Attached to Tysons II with lots of festive décor. Served Friday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., as part of the regularly served Afternoon $38 per person. Enjoy the Ritz-Carlton Tea experience with your young ones with a menu especially designed for our guests ages 12 and under.

$16 per person. Selection of Children’s Tea Sandwiches, Sweet Plate-Pastry Chef’s Choice of the Day, Hot Chocolate. To make an Afternoon Tea reservation please call (703) 412-2762.

They offer a Kids Dessert Tea Tour as well as high tea and various other kids events like O’Kids Playdates.

Join in December for Holiday Afternoon Tea, one of The Willard’s most cherished holiday traditions. Seated in the grandeur of Peacock Alley, among the festive decor and elegant sounds of the live harp, guests can enjoy a tantalizing array of festive teas, sandwiches and pastries. Holiday Afternoon Tea is offered daily in December from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., excluding December 24, 25 and 31st. Reservations are required. $65 per adult, $30 for children 5-12 years of age. Children under 5 dine complimentary.

The soothing sounds of local musicians fill the room, as you enjoy Afternoon Tea in the cozy atmosphere of The Shapiro Music Room at Strathmore. They do hold special events around various holidays so check their schedule to plan ahead.

Not holiday specific, however afternoon tea is served on Sundays. Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged. $28.50 per person inclusive of tax and gratuity. All tea sandwiches and pastries are served family-style. 

Has many tea inspired events you can sign your kids up for. Including but not limited to Little Ladies Afternoon Fairy Tea, Toddler Tea and Tea with Santa Claus.

Enjoy a special dining experience with a variety of dainty tea sandwiches and assorted sweet treats. Several dates for Holiday Tea and Santa events.

Situated within Tyson Corner I mall with access to Santa, an ice skating rink, Pottery Barn Kids, the Disney Store and over-the-top holiday decorations! Great value for the price! See a guest review on an afternoon at Tysons.

Hotels that offer tea service (not necessarily holiday themed)

The Jefferson

The Mayflower

Park Hyatt Washington

The St. Regis

 

Related Posts:
Ice Skating, Holiday Lights and Outdoor Winter Fun

Holiday Shows, Ballets and Concerts

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