Beltway Bambinos

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

Port Discovery Children’s Museum announces opening of temporary exhibit Animationland

Port Discovery Children’s Museum is celebrating the grand opening of the temporary exhibit, Animationland, locally sponsored by M&T Bank & in collaboration with OMSI, on Saturday, May 22nd from 10AM – 4PM and Sunday, May 23rd 11AM – 4PM.

Families and children are invited to explore Animationland, an immersive world diving into storytelling and animation all while using science! Children will learn about the magic of storytelling and animation by learning the basics through hands-on interactives including storyboarding, sketching, stop-motion movie making and more! 

Featured Exhibit Activities Include:

  • Create Your Own Storyboard – Children will learn how simple geometric shapes create animated characters by practicing creating characters featured inside the exhibit, or they get ultra-creative and make their very own unique character!
  • Be a Foley Artist – Children will master the art of sound effects as they become a Foley Artist inside the Foley Studio! Children will use noise-making tools to create unique sound effects and add them to their original animation.
  • Make Stop-Motion Magic – Children will learn the magic behind stop-motion movies by creating one themselves! Children can stop by the Plan & Pose Interactive to get creative and start in your very own stop-motion animation, featuring fun props and more!
  • Capture the Memories – Snap a family pic in the Prickle Desert or Comfort Peaks photo ops to enjoy your adventure through Animationland together for years to come! 

As the premier children’s museum in the mid-Atlantic, Port Discovery Children’s Museum educates children and inspires life-long curiosity. The play-to-learn philosophy opens the door for children to discover and explore the world around them and to lead smarter, healthier, more engaged lives. The Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution, offers three floors of educational, interactive exhibits and programs and is ranked among the Top Children’s Museums in the United States.

The current hours at Port Discovery are – 
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10AM – 2PM
Friday: 10AM – 4PM
Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
Sunday: 11AM – 4PM

The do have summer hours that will be announced in June.

See a full webpage about cleaning policies and procedures at Port Discovery here. There is a re-opening plan that gives a full overview of all the measures they’ve taken.

Port Discovery Children’s Museum events and exhibits

Port Discovery Children’s Museum celebrated their grand opening of a $10.5 million transformation this summer. This marks the Museum’s first major makeover since opening in December 1998. The museum features a new four-story SkyClimber and life-sized cargo ship celebrating The Port of Baltimore! Below you will find out about fun events happening through the end of the year as well as some hands-on exhibits you won’t want to miss. You can make a weekend out of your trip to Baltimore or easily hit the museum in a day.

October 2019

Monsters, Mystery & Magic 
Friday, October 18 – Thursday, October 31

Calling all ghouls, goblins and princesses! Don your spookiest (or sparkliest!) Halloween costume and head to Port Discovery for a spook-tastic celebration during Monsters, Mystery & Magic! Enjoy fang-tastic family entertainment, and not-so-scary Halloween celebrations. Make Halloween-themed creations in Dr. Frankenstein’s Monster Factory. Enjoy the magic of the season during special theater performances on Port Discovery’s Magic Stage.  Dress up and celebrate together during Monster Parades. Enjoy events and activities that are fun for the whole family – and that will get everyone into the Halloween spirit – during this not-so-scary event!

October Deal Days*
Weekday Afternoons in October. Valid Tuesday – Friday after 1 PM in October 2019.

Play, learn, and save! What could be better? Explore Port Discovery Children’s Museum on weekday afternoons in October – and take advantage of a great deal. Join Tuesday – Friday after 1 PM – and play, learn and make magical memories together for just $10 per person. That’s almost $8 off the normal admission price – so act now and save big!

*This offer cannot be applied to previous purchases or used for online purchases. Offer cannot be combined with other coupons or offers. Valid after 1 PM on weekdays in October 2019 only.

November 2019

Salute the Troops
November 11, 2019 – January 1, 2020 
Free admission for active duty, veterans and retired military*

From November 1, 2018 through January 1, 2019 active duty, veterans and retired military receive free admission to Port Discovery Children’s Museum. Guests of service members will receive $2.00 off general admission. Simply present valid military or veterans ID to take advantage of this offer.*
*Present valid Military ID, Veterans ID, State Driver’s License with Veterans Designation or Discharge Papers (photocopies acceptable) to redeem offer. One free admission per transaction. No other discounts, offers or passes may be applied within the same transaction. Tickets while using this discount must be purchased at the Box Office and cannot be applied to past purchases or online orders.

Exploring Light & Science
November 1 – 10, 2019
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Light: It’s dazzling, it’s electrifying, and it’s all around you! Help us celebrate Light City and the Maryland STEM Festival as you explore and experiment with lights and science at Port Discovery. Take part in circle times, scavenger hunts, and hands-on science activities- plus enjoy special science shows. You’ll learn all sorts of fun trivia – like why the moon doesn’t actually glow, that UV Light doesn’t come just from the sun, and more!

Hops & Vines – Adults Only Playdate at Port Discovery
Saturday, November 23, 7:30pm – 11:00pm

Adult night out!  Join us for Hops & Vines – an adults-only play date – and PLAY in the redesigned Museum while you sip beer and wine provided by Baltimore’s best breweries and wineries. Explore Port Discovery’s new four-story SkyClimber – and super tall, super spiral, and super-fast slide! Race your friends to stack cargo in The Port. Play in Tiny’s Diner, make giant bubbles in Wonders of Water, solve the mysteries in Adventure Expeditions, and more! Light fare will be provided. Hops & Vines raises funds for Port Discovery’s access programs, which provide free or reduced admission for families and schools in economically challenged communities, children with special needs and military families. This is a 21 and over event.

American Indian Heritage Weekend
Friday, November 29, Saturday, November 30 & Sunday, December 1

Learn about the traditions and heritage of local American Indian tribes throughout American Indian Heritage Weekend! 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! This event is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council.


December 2019

Gingerbricks presented with McCormick
Saturday December 7 & Saturday December 14, 10am-5pm
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Gingerbread houses, gum drops, icing…WAHOO! Join Port Discovery and the wonderful chefs from McCormick to decorate gingerbricks with tasty treats (we won’t tell if you eat one or two…or ten)! Watch as your creating becomes part of a GIANT gingerbread house that will be on display throughout the holiday season. Add to your holiday tradition with other fun and play inside the Museum. Not only will you be enjoying a new, fun holiday tradition, you’ll also experience the learning that takes place when children have the chance to create, design and are part of a larger project!

Dollar (or Less) Day
Sunday, December 8
Explore three floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits designed especially for kids for just $1 on Sunday, December 9! Explore BIG new exhibits, The Port and the SkyClimber, join in educational and fun drop-in programs including interactive story times, Mother Goose on the Loose®, music and movement in Tiny Tots Music Time and more! *Please prepare for long entry lines and crowds for this event. 

Winter Break Fun
Saturday, December 21 – Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Celebrate family traditions, holidays and winter break with hands-on learning and fun! Join while kids are out of school for a memorable day of play and learning that the whole family will enjoy.

Check out the winter break fun schedule of activities on their website for details on activities taking place each day!

Noon Time New Year: When You Wish Upon a Star
Tuesday, December 31, 10am-5pm
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Countdown to New Years at Noon at this family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration! Countdown to 2020 with a celebration including a magical noontime countdown, a juice and cookie toast, festive tunes, and more. This year, they’ll celebrate the wishes everyone has for the year ahead while making magical memories together. *Please prepare for long entry lines and crowds for this event. 

Happening Monthly

Explore New Exhibits – The SkyClimber (socks required!)
Open daily. Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Encourage your children to build confidence, learn problem solving skills, build motor skills, and have fun as they try their hand at climbing The SkyClimber! Children (and kids at heart) will be inspired to dream and to test their courage as they climb their way up and around the four-story SkyClimber up into the clouds. Then either slide down an ultra-fun (and ultra-swirly!) four-story slide, or climb down towards the ground.

Explore New Exhibits – The Port
Open daily. Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Become the captain of an imaginative adventure on a life-sized cargo ship in The Port! Sail, navigate and be a ship engineer as you explore the seas and discover how products make their way around the world. Work together to move, stack and explore what’s inside of shipping containers. Try your hand at operating a gantry crane, explore an engine room and try your hand at navigating a ship, plus learn about the Port of Baltimore – and the many jobs and products that make up one of the world’s most active ports!

Here We Grow!
Open daily. Admission is free with museum entry, which is $17.95 for individuals one and up. Members and children younger than one are admitted for free.

Here We Grow! is an interactive exhibit that introduces children and their caregivers to farm processes, products and people through the themes of science and technology, history, local ecology, global economics and art. Through words, ideas, sounds and interactive elements the exhibit will help visitors develop an appreciation for the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives and teach concepts of agricultural conservation and sustainability.

Discovery Stage Series brought to you by Port Discovery Children’s Museum

Port Discovery Children’s Museum launched a new children’s theater series, The Discovery Stage Series. Featuring a variety of interactive, entertaining, and imaginative performances perfect for children ages two and up, The Discovery Stage Series will run through March 31, 2019 and will feature interactive performances from three different highly respected children’s artists including Happenstance Theater’s “Pinot & Augustine”, Parent’s Award Winner Silly Goose & Val, and Story Tapestries with Arianna Ross. The unique, interactive and education theatrical performances add to Port Discovery’s existing visual and cultural arts offerings, and encourage children to explore theater through hands-on play and learning.

Performances include:

–          Story Tapestries featuring Arianna Ross (Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 2:00 pm, Sunday, March 3, 2019 at 2:00 pm) – Enjoy an immersive learning experience with Story Tapestries with Arianna Ross, who uses dance, storytelling, music and art to entertain and enrich audiences’ knowledge of the world.

–          Silly Goose & Val (Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 1:30 pm, Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 1:30 pm, Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 1:30 pm) – features a musician awarded with multiple Parent’s Choice Awards. Performances will encourage children to sing and dance along, and will provide opportunities for children to be active participants.

Admission to Discovery Stage Series performances is free with entry into Port Discovery’s Construction Zone, which is $5.00 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free. The Construction Zone is located in the Atrium at Port Discovery (directly next door to the main Museum).

For more detailed information on each Discovery Stage Series performer, please visit this website. The Discovery Stage Series is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org).

Related Posts:

Theatre for Kids

Port Discovery Children’s Museum + GIVEAWAY

Port Discovery Children’s Museum has updated their event listings and we’ve got the highlights for you:

  • Salute the Troops –  Free admission/discounts going on through January 1
  • Gingerbrick Decorating – Saturday, December 1 & Saturday, December 8
  • Dollar (or Less) Day – Sunday, December 9
  • Birthday Extravaganza Weekend (celebrating their 20th year of play) – Saturday, December 15 & Sunday, December 16
  • Winter Break Fun – December 22 – January 1
  • Noontime New Year – December 31
  • And a pretty special event that they’ll be announcing soon – taking place on January 1!

December 2018: Featured Exhibits:

The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD Exhibit
Open Now –  through January 21, 2018
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children younger than two are admitted for free.

Have an out-of-this world silly adventure with MR. POTATO HEAD® when you explore The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD® exhibit, at Port Discovery September 22, 2018 through January 21, 2019! Travel the globe and have fun learning on a jungle safari, an archeological dig, under the sea and outer space. Crawl through a jungle cave, dig for treasure, go scuba diving, and command a space station as you think about all you can be and do! The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD® exhibit was created by the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in collaboration with Hasbro. MR. POTATO HEAD® is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. and is used with permission. © 2018 Hasbro. All rights reserved. The national exhibit tour is sponsored by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, with additional support provided by Debra Altshul-Stark and Brian Stark, and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Locally sponsored by M&T Bank.

Special Offers:

Salute the Troops
November 1, 2018 – January 1, 2019
Free admission for active duty, veterans and retired military*

As part of the Salute the Troops Program, active duty, veterans and retired military receive free admission to Port Discovery Children’s Museum beginning November 11, 2018 through January 1, 2019. Guests of service members will receive $2.00 off general admission. Simply present valid military or veterans ID to take advantage of this offer.*
*Present valid Military ID, Veterans ID, State Driver’s License with Veterans Designation or Discharge Papers (photocopies acceptable) to redeem offer. One free admission per transaction. No other discounts, offers or passes may be applied within the same transaction. 

Thrifty Tuesdays & Thursdays
Admission is $10 on select Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
Visit for less! Visit Port Discovery on Tuesday and Thursdays from 1-4PM for just $10. That’s more than $5 off each general admission ticket! Enjoy hands-on, interactive exhibits and educational programs that spark imagination and learning in a place custom made for kids! (Promotion valid October 2, 2018 through Thursday, December 20, 2018) Excluded dates include: 11/6/18.

December 2018: Featured Events & Programs: 

Month-Long Birthday Celebration
Throughout December
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free

December marks Port Discovery’s 20th birthday. We’ve filled the month with fun, learning and lots of special events for visitors, members and groups to enjoy, including month-long birthday celebrations where children and caregivers can sign our giant birthday card, join in on fun birthday-themed activities (including painting giant cakes and photobooths), and more. We also will host a fun-filled Birthday Extravaganza weekend on Saturday, December 15 & Sunday, December 16, along with a party to remember on our actual birthday, Saturday, December 29th.

Healthy First Saturday & Gingerbrick Decorating
Saturday, December 1 | 10 AM – 5PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Get the wiggles out as you learn about healthy activities and habits for your little one – and your entire family! Dance, sing and get active with Faza Fam Family Jam. Learn about science at our STEM Station, and help Port Discovery kick-off birthday celebrations in birthday-themed Pop-Up Art stations and Mother Goose on the Loose® programs. Plus, join in a fun holiday tradition as you decorate gingerbricks with the fantastic chefs from McCormick! Use icing, candy and more to decorate gingerbricks that will be used to create our custom, kid-made Port Discovery gingerbread house! Don’t forget to get in on our birthday fun, too – leave us a birthday message, take silly photos and more to help us celebrate 20 years of play!

Super Sundays
Sundays in December| December 2, 8, 16, 23, 30| 10 AM – 4 PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Enjoy a family adventure before the weekend is over! Sundays are terrific days to play – and to explore Port Discovery’s indoor magic designed just for kids.  Explore movement and music together as you bop along to Tiny Tots Music Time.  Join in interactive story times, and work together to create art or science projects during Pop-Up Art or at STEM Stations. Plus, build early literacy skills for infants and toddlers in Mother Goose on the Loose®.  Don’t forget to get in on our birthday fun, too – leave us a birthday message, take silly photos and more to help us celebrate 20 years of play!

Infant & Toddler Time
Wednesdays in December| December 5, 12, 19, 26 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Looking for fun, educational programs for your infant, toddler, pre-schooler or kindergartener? Join Port Discovery for Infant & Toddler Time on Wednesdays, when drop-in programming is designed especially for children ages birth to six! Join in interactive story times, explore rhythm and music together during our fun and interactive Tiny Tots Music Time and introduce children to early literacy skills through Mother Goose on the Loose®. Wednesdays at Port Discovery are also limited to groups with children under the age of six, making for a great day of play and learning for your little ones.

Fantastic Fridays
Fridays in December | December 7, 14, 21 & 28 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Fridays are for fun and learning – and infants, toddlers, and older children rule the day at Port Discovery. Visit Port Discovery on any Friday for drop-in programs designed to build imaginations, spark curiosity, and literacy and language skills through play. Explore movement and music together as you sing and dance along during our lively Tiny Tots Music Time. Introduce children to early literacy skills during Mother Goose on the Loose(R. Plus take part in our signature Circle Time, get active while taking part in our Backyard Games Circuit, and create simple art projects as a family! 

Gingerbrick Decorating
Saturday, December 8 | 10 AM – 5PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Gingerbread houses, gum drops, icing…WAHOO! Join Port Discovery and the wonderful chefs from McCormick to decorate gingerbricks with tasty treats (we won’t tell if you eat one or two…or ten)! Watch as your creating becomes part of a GIANT gingerbread house that will be on display throughout the holiday season. Add to your holiday tradition with other fun and play inside the Museum – get your face painted, make DIY party hats, try out yoga for kids, and dance, sing and get the wiggles out with The Kindersinger’s Snowy Days are Coming program.  Don’t forget to get in on our birthday fun, too – leave us a birthday message, take silly photos and more to help us celebrate 20 years of play!

Dollar (or Less) Day
Sunday, December 9 | Noon – 5 PM

Join us for a day of play for just $1!  On Sunday, December 9, admission to Port Discovery will be just $1!* as Port Discovery participates in Baltimore’s Annual Dollar (or less) Days. This is a fantastic chance to explore the Museum and see what learning through play is all about. Please keep in mind that this day will be a busy one – please be prepared for possible lines to enter the Museum and heavier than usual traffic inside the Museum. *No other discounts, offers or passes may be applied within the same transaction. Tickets while using this discount must be purchased at the Box Office in person and cannot be applied to past purchases or online orders.

Birthday Extravaganza
Saturday, December 15 | 10 AM – 5PM   Sunday, December 16 | Noon – 5PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Who doesn’t love a birthday party?! Decorate life-sized birthday cakes (we’re talking BIG CAKES!), make DIY party hats, take part in our photo booth, and help us celebrate 20 years of play with fun, laughter and excitement! Our birthday extravaganza will take place throughout the day on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16. Can’t make it for our party? We’ll also be doing a bit of celebrating on December 29th when we officially turn the big 2-0!

$2 Family Fun Night | Friday, December 21 | 4 – 8 PM 
Admission $2 for individuals ages two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

$2 Family Fun Night is back!! Play, learn and explore for just $2 – and finish out 2018 with F-U-N! Adventure through the fantastic MR. POTATO HEAD® exhibit, try out science tricks that teach you about science in the coolest way ever, and enjoy books, art, animals and more! Don’t forget to get in on our birthday fun, too – leave us a birthday message, take silly photos and more to help us celebrate 20 years of play! Join us for $2 Family Fun Night on Friday, December 21 from 4-8PM.  Don’t miss it! 

Winter Break Fun
Saturday, December 22 – January 1
Monday  – Saturday – 10 AM – 5PM | Sundays – Noon – 5PM
Closed Monday, December 24 & Tuesday, December 25
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Oh what fun it is to…Play! Especially over Winter Break! Keep those “I’m bored” comments to a minimum as you enjoy an indoor (and warm!) winter wonderland filled with festive performances and fun programs for the whole family. There’s tons to see, do and explore every day – from special science performances from Eric Energy to interactive play workshops, dancing and singing with the Kindersinger, pop-up science and STEM activities, family art projects and so much more that we can’t possibly list it all here! Check out our Winter Break Fun schedule of activities on our website for details on activities taking place each day!

Birthday, Birthday, Birthday!
Saturday, December 29 | 10AM – 5PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Hip, hip, HOORAY! 20 Years of Play! Grab your kids, friends, neighbors…and anyone you know – and join us for a party to remember! Decorate GIANT (we’re talking big!!) birthday cakes. Create birthday cupcakes. Make birthday art. Take selfies and silly photos in our photobooth. And…of course…enjoy special activities like Eric Energy’s Freeze Show (how cool?!), a scooting rink (scooting has never been so fun), an interactive theater performance from our favorite puppet family, The Hornswoggles, and, finally….a birthday party show where we’ll sing, dance and celebrate together. Don’t miss out on this special day – after all, we couldn’t possibly celebrate our big 2-0 without you!

Noontime New Year
Monday, December 31 | 10AM – 5PM
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Out with the old, in with the new! Celebrate the wonderful memories, fun and adventures of 2018  – and the magical new things to come in 2019 – at the best New Year’s celebration for kids in Baltimore! Revelers small and tall are invited to join in festive celebrations to ring in 2019. Featuring a noontime countdown, juice and cookie toast, indoor dance party, special performances from Eric Energy, The Kolonder’s, The Kindersinger, a fairy dancer and more – PLUS plenty of New Years’ themed fun, this event will also be a great opportunity to explore Port Discovery’s much-loved exhibits ahead of the wonderful transformations planned for 2019. Check out our Noontime New Year’s schedule of activities on our website for more details on activities you’ll enjoy!

December 2018: Recurring Drop-In Programs

Mess Zone & Clay Play in the BGE Studio Workshop
Open daily during operating hours
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Practice painting, printmaking, clay sculpting and more as you spark your child’s imagination through fun, hands-on art projects in the BGE Studio Workshop! Enter the Mess Zone as we work together to paint and create art. Or get your hands dirty digging and playing during our Clay Play activity.  Not crazy about getting messy? That’s okay! We’ll have other activities to enjoy as well.

Circle Time
Weekdays during operating hours 11:30 AM  | Check event calendar for weekend times
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children younger than two are admitted for free.

Bring your little ones to Port Discovery’s interactive Circle Time with a changing variety of songs, stories, and fun! Watch your child’s imagination come to life as they get involved in the story and dance and sing along! Plus explore three floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits designed to teach children through play during your visit.

Tiny Tots Music Time
Wednesdays at 11:30 am, Fridays at 11:30 am, 12:15 pm Sundays at 2:30 pm, 3:15 pm, and 4:00 pm
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Explore music and movement through play, laughter and lots of fun! This lively interactive music experience (formerly known as Jingle Jangle Music Time) teaches infants and young toddlers basic rhythm through singing, clapping, and shaking shakers. Birth to age 3 with a parent or caregiver.

Mother Goose on the Loose®
Wednesdays at 10:30 am Fridays at 10:30 am, Sundays at 1:30 pm
Admission is free with museum entry, which is $15.95 for individuals two and up. Members and children under two enter free.

Mother Goose on the Loose: Mother Goose is on the Loose at Port Discovery! Reciting nursery rhymes with puppets, flannel board characters, book illustrations, songs, and musical instruments in this joyful setting helps children develop early literacy skills through play. Birth to age 3 with a parent or caregiver.

GIVEAWAY: Win a 4-6 pack of tickets to Port Discovery – (valid through 12/30/18) by commenting on Facebook & Instagram with the name of your favorite children’s museum. 

December Hours

Tuesdays – Fridays: 10 AM – 4PM | Saturdays: 10AM – 5PM | Sundays: Noon – 5PM

Winter Break Hours

Saturday, December 22 – January 1
Monday  – Saturday – 10 AM – 5PM | Sundays – Noon – 5PM
Closed Monday, December 24 & Tuesday, December 25

Related Posts: 
Top 11: Bambinos in Baltimore

Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

Maryland Renaissance Festival takes place on weekends from August 26-October21, 2018. The Rent Fest will be full of jousting while serving up lots of turkey legs! Take a time machine back to medieval times where you’ll see wizards, knights and wenches. 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 and will be begging to participate while staring in awe. Dress like a knight and come participate or just watch! This weekend is the only time they offer kids entry as FREE.

Be sure and check out all of the programs DC Library has to offer.

WashingCon will be at Georgetown Hotel and Convention Center at Georgetown University. Before you read further, see this event page— looks amazing!! The doors open at 10am on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday the Main Hall and the Game Library close at 11pm but the West Lobby and the South Gallery stay open until the wee hours of the night so feel free to come hang out until late (especially if you are staying at the hotel!) 

Friday

5:30pm-7:30pm: Ice Cream Social & DJ Dance Party at Turtle Park/Friendship
FREE ice cream & FREE family dance with Deejay! First come, first serve for ice cream while it lasts…School’s back in session and we’re all in town! Brought to you by Friends of Friendship Park*FOFP is the 501(c)3 non-profit that supports, beautifies and holds special events at Turtle Park roughly monthly.

6:00pm-9:00pm: Friday Night Live Concert Series
Kick off your weekend with live entertainment, great company, and fantastic food, wine and beer from the restaurants at Rockville Town Square 
on The Square in Rockville Town Square. Music ranges from 80’s and 90’s cover bands, funk and soul, roots rock blues and southern rock.

Lot opens 6:00, Lot closes promptly at 7:30, Film begins 8:00, Film ends at 9:30: Union Market Drive-In: The Lion King
$10 parking fee per car. Advance purchase is highly recommended. Free for walk-ups. Excited for the drive-in but don’t have a car? A Lion cub crown prince is tricked by a treacherous uncle into thinking he caused his father’s death and flees into exile in despair, only to learn in adulthood his identity and his responsibilities. 1h 28 min, rated G

7:00pm-9:00pm: The Yards Park Friday Night Concert Series
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 8th Season. Every Friday night this summer, come to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants within a few minutes walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike.

Saturday

10:00am-2:00pm: Hirshhorn Library + Pop-Up
Check it out! Find our cart in the gallery and check out a kit to use inside the Museum. Kits include a children’s book, suggested artworks for viewing, and hands-on materials.

10:00am-1:00pm:  Glen Echo: Saturday Art Explorers 
Drop in for an art activity and play in the Candy Corner Studio for $5, no need to pre-register. Play on the playground afterwards, look around the Glen Echo Park Aquarium or catch a show at Adventure Theatre or the Puppet Co.

11:00am-5:00pm:The Kensington Train Show
A Benefit for Noyes Children’s Library Foundation and The Kensington Historical Society. Admission:  $7 for adults/$2 for children/$15 for a family

12:30pm-3:00pm: 1, 2, 3 Andres at MLK, Jr Library
Sing, Talk and Read = STAR
Singing, talking and reading with your baby or young child now can help them later in school. It’s never too early to give your kids a smart start.
Come to DC Public Library’s STAR Family Festival featuring:

  • Workshops for parents to support your child’s early learning
  • Fun activities, crafts and games for children
  • Free children’s books
  • Music!

Sunday

11:00am-5:00pm:The Kensington Train Show
A Benefit for Noyes Children’s Library Foundation and The Kensington Historical Society. Admission:  $7 for adults/$2 for children/$15 for a family

12:00pm-5:00pm: Dinomite Dinosaur Day at Port Discovery
Visit us on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9 for Dinomite Dinosaur Days and the closing of the temporary Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice exhibit. Enjoy a Paleo-Expedition as you are guided through a dino-themed story time; participate in a Tiny Dino Dig while engaging in creative, interactive play; and learn how to dance like a dinosaur in Dino-cize! Practice your game show skills and test your dinosaur knowledge in our I Know Dino Game Show! and tap into your inner creative as your make-and-take DinosART paper dinosaurs home! Many activities taking place Saturday & Sunday.

Make a day out of being in Baltimore!

12:00pm-6:00pm: Adams Morgan Day
Celebrating its 40th year this year, Adams Morgan Day is Washington’s longest running neighborhood festival. Adams Morgan Day is a family-friendly celebration with music, art and activities for all ages. We welcome residents and visitors alike to meet our neighborhood businesses, artists and service organizations. Attendance and entertainment is free, and most businesses and restaurants offer deals for the day.

Rainy day indoor options:

Indoor Fun

BloomBars

Madame Tussauds

 

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Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

It’s the weekend of Parents Night Out at various kid places. See our blog post from earlier this week on where your child can be entertained while you are out for the evening. A win/win for all!

The Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival is back– February 22 – March 11, 2018 and is about presenting excellent art in all its forms that inspires a community to connect and create a vibrant neighborhood, city, and world. Now in its 9th season, INTERSECTIONS is a key layer in DC’s dynamic arts scene. New this year, a workshop series and an expanded Youth Summit – a full day of performances by young people followed by a youth-led summit. Here are a few free family fun days to check out. 

The beloved garden gnomes from GNOMEO AND JULIET are back for a whole new adventure in London. When Gnomeo and Juliet first arrive in the city with their friends and family, their biggest concern is getting their new garden ready for spring. However, they soon discover that someone is kidnapping garden gnomes all over London. When Gnomeo and Juliet return home to find that everyone in their garden is missing – there’s only one gnome to call… SHERLOCK GNOMES. The famous detective and sworn protector of London’s garden gnomes arrives with his sidekick Watson to investigate the case. The mystery will lead our gnomes on a rollicking adventure where they will meet all new ornaments and explore an undiscovered side of the city. A few events taking place to get audiences excited for the event are on Friday, February 23rd  at Alexandria Public Library for a Scavenger Hunt 11:00am-11:40am  and Saturday, February 24th at Hooray for Books from 1:00-2:00pm. The SHERLOCK GNOMES costume character will be making his way around DC

Saturday- 

9:30am AND 11:00am: Stephen Christoff at National Theatre
In celebration of President’s Day, come sing songs from the Colonial period with Mr. Christoff. This musical history program brings to life the ballads and song lyrics that helped build American independence and define a nation. He will captivate families with the jaws harp, banjo, guitar, mandolin, hand whistle, the musical saw, and even the bottles. The Colonial times were filled with music and Mr. Christoff explores the fun.

10:00am-2:00pm: Hirshhorn: Art Pop-Up + Library Program
Check it out! Find our cart in the galleries and check out a fun kit full of our favorite finds for kids. Each kit is an art meets reading adventure, with a special theme, children’s book, suggested artworks for viewing, and hands-on art making materials.

10:00am-4:00pm: Family Day: Chinese Lunar New Year at GW Museum & Textile Museum
Celebrate the year of the dog at the museum! Enjoy music performances by GW’s Chinese Music Club, create colorful zodiac animals from paper, and design your own jewelry inspired by the traditions of China’s Guizhou Province. Visit the galleries to see the exhibition Vanishing Traditions: Textiles and Treasures from Southwest China during its opening weekend. Visitors can also explore our new hands-on learning center, Textiles 101, which introduces the basics of textile making through fiber, color, and structure. All ages welcome.

10:30am-11:15am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist explores a popular children’s book with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home. Toot Toot Beep Beep is the featured story. 

11:00am-12:00pm: The Magic of Spying: Tradecraft Trickery
In the real-life world of espionage, spies often call upon the art of magic and illusion to distract the enemy, make evidence disappear, and escape unnoticed.  Join professional magician, Peter Wood, as he demonstrates the art of misdirection, sleight of hand, and other illusions used by skilled spies. This one of a kind performance, custom-designed for the Spy Museum, is guaranteed to fascinate children and adults alike. $10

(Photo: Hirshhorn: Art Pop-Up + Library Program)

Sunday-

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
Bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, music, movement, and visual art. Each session you leave with a special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Caps For Sale is the featured story.

1:00pm-2:30pm: Preschool Pioneers at Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
You don’t have to be an expert to expertly look at a painting. This class will engage your child by encouraging them to look, respond, and ask questions through multiple careful looking techniques.  We will even get to sketch in the galleries! Do You See What I See? is the theme for this 3-5 year old class. Read our review of this amazing program here. 

1:00pm: Disney Live at Eagle Bank Arena
Open the door to reveal unforgettable Disney moments and grand illusions with Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic. Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy as 25 of your favorite characters surprise and captivate at every turn of the knob! See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella’s rags into a beautiful ball gown; the Toy Story gang defy the dimensions of Andy’s toy box; and the dazzling stage debut of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider as they rise amidst the floating lanterns. With special appearances by Snow White, Tinker Bell and Aladdin’s Genie, you never know who might join in the fun.

2:30pm-3:30pm: Family Literacy Fiesta: Dancing Our Way Through Books at Wheaton Interim Library
In our FREE Literacy Fiesta programs, kids and adults join together in a celebration of books and stories! In our February Fiesta, we’ll explore a kid-friendly folk tale through creative movement and dance. Kids get to practice reading skills while moving, dancing, and sharing stories with our families and friends.  What a fun way to dance away the winter blues!  45 minutes, best for ages 3 and up. 

Weekend Theatre:

Encore Stage & Studio—Theatre by Kids, for Kids! presents Disney’s The Lion King Jr.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at Adventure Theatre

The Princess & The Pauper: A Bollywood Tale at Imagination Stage

Giveaway to Discovery Theater Tot Rock show!


Don’t mind a drive to Baltimore? Head to Port Discovery Children’s Museum. We went a few weekends a go and had a blast! A few events happening there this weekend:

Chinese New Year: Year of the Dog | Saturday, February 24 | 10AM – 5PM
Celebrate the Year of the Dog as Port Discovery celebrates the Chinese New Year! Visitors of all backgrounds will learn, experience, and participate in traditions surrounding the Chinese New Year celebration. You’ll be mesmerized by the Chinese Lion Dancers of Tai Yim Kung Fu School, who perform the lion dance throughout the center of the Museum using a paper mache lion, instruments, and dance that will captivate you. Watch amazing performances of traditional and modern Chinese Dance by children, teens and adults from the Gina Ling Chinese Dance Chamber. Learn the art of calligraphy and chopsticks with the Xiamen Chinese Sister City.  Plus, learn about animals with a live petting zoo from Wildlife Adventures, enjoy music and dance from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Staff, and make festive art projects including Chinese New Year Lucky Charms, Festive Dragons, and more! Featuring a number of new art projects to enjoy while learning about Chinese cultures and traditions!

Super Sundays | Sunday, February  25  | 12 – 5 PM 
Make it a true Sunday FUN-day when you spend the whole day learning through play! Explore movement and music together as you bop along to our lively Jingle Jangle Music Time.  Join in interactive story times, and work together to create art or science projects that you can take home. Be sure to make music with us in the Percussion Garden, explore early literacy learning during Mother Goose on the Loose, and check out Kamishibai Story Time!

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