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Weekend Picks and Labor Day 2017 in and around Washington, DC

September 1, 2017

We survived the first two weeks of being back in school and are sad to say good-bye to pool days. In addition to the Weekend Picks, we included a short list of quick day or overnight trips for your holiday weekend as well as some Labor Day activities in our area.

Shenandoah National Park

Explore the art of recycling at the museum’s 38th-annual Celebration of Textiles Festival at the Textile Museum Saturday and Sunday. Try your hand at weaving with recycled materials and designing a paper dress; watch local fiber artists at work; enjoy live music and dance; and explore the ingenious designs in the exhibition Scraps: Fashion, Textiles, and Creative Reuse. Free; no reservations required. In addition to performances, visitors will be able to make upcycled jewelry with Scrap Baltimore, weave with recycled materials, design a paper dress and join a knitting circle with Project Knitwell.

Maryland Renaissance Festival will be jousting and serving up lots of turkey legs this weekend! The festival is free to children 7 and under. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, jousting, mazes, puppetry, pony rides, a huge pirate playground and so much more. Your children will see people dressed up in 16th century outfits. Dress like a knight and come participate or just watch! The Festival ends October 22 and is open weekends only.

Saturday-

8:30am-7:30pm: 17th Library of Congress National Book Festival at the Washington Convention Center
(801 Mt Vernon Pl NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Starting at 9:30 a.m., more than 100 authors, illustrators and poets will make presentations on stages dedicated to kids, fiction, history, poetry, contemporary life and more. Many fascinating thematic programs and panel discussions will be offered throughout the festival. A Main Stage of 2,000 seats will feature seven of the most popular festival authors. The exposition floor on the lower level of the Convention Center will also offer a wide array of fun and exciting activities and programs for festival attendees of all ages. From the literacy corner reading space to special story times and a fun hunt for Waldo, festival sponsors will offer family-friendly activities throughout the day.

11:00am-6:00pm: DC Veg Fest at Yards Park, DC
(Intersection of N St. SE and First St. SE)
DC VegFest is a fun, free, and flavorful way to discover the many benefits of choosing plant-based foods for our health, the planet, and animals. The free event offers: Complimentary samples of vegan cuisine, Live Music, Busboys & Poets Beer Garden, Humane Rescue Alliance Barking Lot, Kids’ Zone (including yoga, kids’ hands-on cooking demonstrations, a moon bounce and more) and Inspirational Speakers & Cooking Demonstrations. Rain or shine– lots of areas are tented.

Sunday-

3:00pm-11:00pm: Capitol Concert
(US Capitol West Lawn)
The National Symphony Orchestra performs a free Labor Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol each year, the Sunday before Labor Day. The annual concert is produced by the Kennedy Center. Open rehearsal is at 3:30pm and the concert is at 8pm. The concert will be moved indoors to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall if inclement weather.

Monday-

9:30am: Harambe with Baba Ras D at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
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 “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years. $7 per child $3 per adult suggested donation.

10:00am-5:00pm: Port Discovery Children’s Museum Labor Day Celebration

(35 Market Place Baltimore, MD 21202)
Greatest children’s museum, 45 mins from DC– worth the trip.

10:30am: Rocknoceros Concert at Jammin Java
(227 Maple E, Vienna, VA. 22180)
Rocknoceros is three guys: Coach, Williebob, and Boogie Bennie. They have been making award-winning music together since 2005 and are celebrating their 10th year together with a brand new album.

Labor Day Parade Guide & Festivals-

Kensington, Maryland 50th Annual Parade and Festival

Old Towne Gaithersburg Parade

63rd Annual Greenbelt Parade and Festival

Lake Ann Jazz Festival

Herndon Labor Day Festival

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at Adventure Theatre

October 3, 2016

knuffle-bunny

(Photo credit: Michael Horan)

What: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical

When: September 23, 2016 – October 23, 2016

Where: Adventure Theatre
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. 20812

Why: Based on the book by Mo Willems. Six time Emmy Award-winner, Mo Willems wrote the script and lyrics while Grammy Award-winning children’s composer Michael Silversher wrote the music. You may recall the debut being in 2010 at The Kennedy Center.

Trixie and her father bustle through the streets of New York City down the block, across the park, past the school, to the Laundromat. But returning home, Knuffle Bunny is gone, and Trixie can’t tell her father what’s wrong.
[Read more…]

Indoor fun in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia

June 23, 2016

There’s an update to this post and it can be found here.

We figured we’d pull together some great indoor options for you and your kids in the Washington, DC metro area– plus some options up the road in Baltimore. So whether it’s raining, snowing — or just too cold or hot outside, here are some fantastic places to check out. They’ll keep your little ones engaged and might even tire them out enough to keep you happy. We’ll try to keep this list updated, so do add your suggestions to the comments below and we’ll keep building! Scroll all the way to the bottom as there are on-going lists of theatres, gyms and other great indoor spaces.

Washington, DC:

Skill Zone- (709 8th Street SE Washington, DC 20003)

SkillZone is a fun, fresh place to play and learn in Washington, DC., open for drop-in play time, classes, and private parties! A place in the city for children 6 & under. Registration is required.

Smithsonian Museum– (Various Locations)

Most are free of charge! Specific child-friendly areas in museums listed below.

U.S. Botanic Garden– (100 Maryland Ave SW)

Massive indoor exhibits, you can spend all day here. Check website as they occasionally have events such as cooking demonstrations, concerts, baby snuggler days and more.
[Read more…]

Weekend Picks: Dragon boats, jazz with java and a birthday party

May 16, 2014

Fun things to do this weekend outdoors. Last weekend, our family climbed some rocks and searched for animals hiding at the Billy Goat Trail along the Potomac River. You can strap that baby on your back and your toddler will have a blast climbing the rocks, pretending he is a billy goat. The Mets are also in town trying to beat our Nationals both on Saturday and Sunday. Grab your tickers here and on Saturday you can admire all of the Pups that are invited to the ballpark or on Sunday your children ages 4-12 can run the bases.

Saturday

8:30am-5:00pm: 13th Annual Dragon Boat Festival at Thompsons Boat Center
(2900 Virginia Ave NW Washington, DC 20007- near the Georgetown Waterfront)
The Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival, now in it’s 13th year, is a two day festival held along the Potomac River complete with cultural exhibitions, craft demonstrations, and of course… dragon boat racing made to look just like dragons. The event is sponsored by the Chinese Women’s League (CWL) and serves to promote Chinese culture to the Washington DC area through the sport of dragon boat racing. Schedule of events here. The kids will enjoy watching the races as well as brushing painting, calligraphy and paper cutting.

10:00am-6:00pm: Gaithersburg Book Festival
(Gaithersburg City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877)
Since its inception in 2010, the Festival has quickly become one of the nation’s top literary events, attracting hundreds of award-winning and best-selling authors, poets and songwriters from across the country to its quaint, park-like setting in the heart of Olde Towne Gaithersburg. In the Children’s Village you will also find a literary sea of activities, workshops and performances brought to us by multiple sponsors. They are designed to engage and stimulate your child’s book curiosity and interest in reading and writing.

[Read more…]

Weekend Picks: Cherry Blossoms, Bookworms and Architects

April 10, 2014

Cherry blossoms are in full force according to our Facebook News Feed and we can’t wait to get home from vacation to see them first-hand. Have you made your way to Kenwood or The Tidal Basin to see them?

Saturday-

9:30am-12:00pm- Children’s Architectural Tour of Cleveland Park hosted by the Cleveland Park Historical Society
(Meet at NCRC: 3209 Highland Pl. Washington, DC. 20008)
Designed for students in the 6-12 year old range. We will spend the first part of the morning learning some vocabulary, then walk around the neighborhood looking at seven different properties including the Uptown Theater, NCRC, and the Macklin Apartments. After we return from the walk, children will build a structure based upon the tour and other ideas. Once all of the buildings are constructed the children will assemble their neighborhood. The cost is $10 per child for CPHS members, and $20 per child for non-members. The cost covers craft supplies. We will need volunteers/parents to walk with us and perhaps assist the children with their models when building.

10:00am-12:00pm- National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
(Constitution Avenue – From 7th to 17th Streets, NW)
Vibrant costumes and blossom-inspired décor create the look of nation’s premier springtime parade. Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, and performers burst down Constitution Avenue in a grand spectacle of music and showmanship seen only once a year during the Festival.

10:00am-4:00pm- Easter Eggs-travaganza at Reston Zoo
(1228 Hunter Mill Rd., Vienna, Va)
Join your friends for two weekends packed with Easter fun!. Feed baby lambs, goats and bunnies. Enjoy excellent photo opportunities with the Easter bunny and have your face painted with your favorite animal before venturing out to take part in an Easter egg hunt. All Easter egg hunts will include eggs filled with candy, stickers, toys, and more! Children must attend the Easter egg hunts by age group. Adults: $12.95, Children (2-12): $11.95 under 2 $2.00.

10:00am- Bethesda Literary Festival
(Downtown Bethesda, MD)
Festival kicks off Friday night and goes all weekend long. Children, teenagers and adults who enjoy ready will love this festival. Check the schedule for story times, meet and greets and read alouds.

10:30am- Mr. Skip at DC Family Fiesta at El Tamarindo
(1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009)
Mr. Skip’s been delighting and enlightening young children for nearly 40 years. Stay after the show for El Tamarindo’s delicious food and kid-friendly options. Children of all ages will enjoy the music. $4 person/3 people for $10.

10:00am (doors open), 10:30am (show begins)- Gustafer Yellowgold at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Gustafer Yellowgold shows are a unique musical and visual experience. The minimally animated illustrations are accompanied by illustrator/songwriter Morgan Taylor’s catchy and original story-songs for a truly different multimedia experience that is entrancing children, teens and adults alike. Enjoy his unique blend of live music and moving image. Parents you may be entertained as well as Gustafer Yellowgold has performed as the support act for WILCO and The Polyphonic Spree.

Sunday-

10:00am-4:00pm- Community Day and Open House at Valley Mill Camp
(15101 Seneca Road, Darnestown MD 20874)
The Great Outdoors awaits! Valley Mill Community Day is about getting back to nature. Feel free to stop by, bring a friend and enjoy a lovely walk in the woods. Crepe eating, bird watching, nature observing, live music, woodland waking and fun with family and friends. This event is free and may give you an opportunity to learn more about their camp offerings as well.

2:00pm-5:00pm- Portrait Story Days: Duke Ellington at National Portrait Gallery
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Today, learn about American jazz musician Duke Ellington (1899-1974). Best for kids ages 5 and up.

*Remember to click on our Ongoing Events page at the top for local theatre productions.