adventure

Imagination Stage’s Hit Spy Adventure!

November 8, 2021

S.P.I.E.S. & The Lost Treasure of Atlantis* is back at Imagination Stage! Buy your ticket today for the hit immersive online performance November 13-28, 2021.

Full of surprises, fun, and memorable characters, each performance takes the cadets (audience) through a series of puzzles, codes, and challenges on a quest to help Spy Team 7 recover the stolen Heart of the Dragon from the evil Dr. Levinious. The experience is led by a hilarious improvisational actor playing the role of Pat, who interacts with individual spy cadets in the Zoom room.

Part online escape room, part interactive game, this creative and immersive theatrical experience is a live virtual event perfect for ages 5+. Just $28 for the whole household!

*Formerly Spy Academy

Purchase your tickets here!!

“A fantastically entertaining conglomerate of action, adventure, suspense, and pure silliness perfect for ages 5 and up.”

– DC Metro Theater Arts review

For more information, please visit our website.

Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake

June 19, 2018

Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake has been in operation since 2003 and consider themselves to be a premier attraction for families with young kids in Maryland, DC, and Virginia while being conveniently located in Annapolis with parking! The program has been tailored over time to keep kids engaged and immersed in an incredible adventure at sea. They are family owned and operated and their biggest asset is their incredible crew, some who have been with the ship for over 10 years. Their ability to bring out the personality in all their young charges is what keeps people coming back year after year and contributes to the reputation as a family-friendly destination. The Pirate Adventure is a great time for kids but also makes for an enjoyable boat ride for grown-ups. The cruise includes views of the Naval Academy and historic downtown Annapolis. We were treated to an amazing afternoon aboard ship and brought along our friends to enjoy the adventure together. Photos are courtesy of Stefanie Harrington, DC area photographer.

I can attest to the fact that they specialize in family fun and even more so just plain old fun for kids. The experience began with customized pirate themed face and body paint for the kids, a quick lesson in pirate talk and mateys dressing to the part if they so choose all before climbing on board. Once on the ship, kids learned they needed to find the map in order to start the cruise to find the treasure. No child needed the attention of their parents the entire hour and a half cruise. The crew kept them completely entertained; adults might as well have been back on land. It was a chance for parents to just watch their Bambinos interact and take part in the fun interactive adventure while siting back and taking in the views from the boat, which let’s be honest, we don’t get to do very often.

They also host field trips and groups, birthday parties as well as families. The indoor party room completes the experience at sea with a pirate ship theme and pizza and cupcakes can be delivered to keep the party going after the trip.

They set sail seven days a week, six times a day from mid-April through Labor Day and weekends only through Halloween.

Ticket prices are $22 per person, $12 for children 2 and under and they offer discounted tickets at certain sailing times and for special events.

Location: 311 Third St. Annapolis, MD. 21403 (Less than an hour from DC!)

(Photos taken by Stefanie Harrington)

23 ideas for entertaining children after Daylight Savings Time

November 3, 2016

Most of us dread Daylight Savings Time. 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 with our children. And contrary to popular belief, the answer is not Benadryl =) 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 winter. Don’t forget to check out our Indoor Fun Guide for other options!

Ideas for fun outside of your home-

1. Go for a dip at Wilson swimming pool.

2. Bloombars has evening performances.

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

4. DC Library holds late afternoon events.

5. Take a trip to Target or Whole Foods and walk the aisles. Try not to buy everything.

6. Cardoza High School Pool is opening their doors and allow the public to come swim.

7. Reserve a room at a public library and have a play date with friends.

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

9. Get creative at Treehouse Atelier, Little Loft Art, Anna Banana or All Fired Up.

10. Child’s Play or Barnes and Noble (Bethesda location closes Dec. 31, 2017) can be great places for your kids toys and books. Again, try not to buy everything =)

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

12. Grab a flashlight and go on an adventure walk.

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

14. 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.

15. 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.

Ideas for indoor fun-

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

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

3. Put on a play.

4. Arts and crafts can provide endless fun (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.

Weekday Adventures: Storytime on the Lake, UkeFest and a Drive-in

August 10, 2014

Need some more carnival rides and fried twinkles in your life? How about a tractor pull? Head over to the Montgomery County Fair. It is happening through Saturday, August 16. Fair hours are 10am-12midnight and carnival hours are 12:00pm-12:00am and animal exhibits in Old MacDonald’s Barn are open each day beginning at 3 pm. Children 11 and under are FREE while adults cost $10. Check the schedule for daily events. Address is 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

Prince William County Fair is also happening through Saturday, August 16. Adults $10, Children over 5 $5.

Washington, DC Library events for the week can be found here.

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