It’s Valentine’s weekend and President’s weekend. We’ll post a separate post on activities for Monday for those of you who are off with your Bambinos. Did you stop by any of the chocolate shops mentioned in our guide? Hopefully you “like” our Facebook page because we noted a new chocolatier this week, not mentioned in the post and we are constantly sharing relevant articles and information. 
A yummy highlight this weekend is Sur La Table- Sweet Valentine’s Treats Cooking Class.
The Alexandria, VA and Arlington, VA locations are participating and will have a class on both Saturday & Sunday (see link for details). Bring your little one and join us for a family afternoon filled with baking, laughter, and plenty of tasty Valentine’s Day treats. Mom, grandparent, or special adult along with their kids will have a wonderfully sweet time creating yummy cookies, whoopie pies and chocolate-dipped hearts. Plus, our instructor will walk you through the steps for making delicious cream cheese frosting and share some fun decorating tips. This year, make Valentine’s Day extra special for your little loved ones by making delicious desserts—and precious memories—together.
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Weekend Picks: Be My Valentine this President’s Day Weekend
The Kennedy Center Performances for Young Audiences presents: Jack’s Tale: A Mythic Mountain Musical Adventure. This world premiere Kennedy Center co-commission with Nashville Children’s Theatre uses actors and a live bluegrass band to dive deep into the eclectic music traditions of the Appalachians. The result: a delightfully authentic mountain musical! There are 5 shows throughout the weekend, tickets are $20 for the 60 minute musical, best suited for children ages 8+.
It is George Washington’s Birthday Weekend! Celebrate George Washington’s 283rd birthday this weekend with special activities at Mount Vernon! Enjoy a sample of George Washington’s favorite breakfast on February 14-15 (included in admission). Celebrate the national observance of George Washington’s birthday by attending Mount Vernon’s events free-of-charge on February 16! Admission on Monday is free.
Friday:
11:30am-7:00pm- SweetARTS and Valentines at American Art Museum
(8th and F Streets, NW)
Need something special for your sweetie? Looking for a snarky card to send to your BFF? Tired of the same ol’ Valentine’s Day options? Look no further; American Art has what you need. Come on by to make the perfect, personalized card—we supply all the necessary materials at no cost. If you are feeling fancy, horticulturists from Smithsonian Gardens can help you make an orchid corsage for a $10 materials fee, while supplies last.
Saturday:
10:00am- Baby Loves Disco DMV presents Brunch Box at H St Country Club
(1335 H Street, NE, Washington DC 20002)
From the host who brought the DC area Baby Loves Disco since 2008 and owner of Hex9 Productions – we present “Brunch Box” – a pop up Brunch event for families in the DC area debuting at the wildly popular H Street Country Club in the Atlas Arts District of Washington, DC. Your ticket also includes the entertainment: a balloon twister, The Face Paint Lady! and other activities. Mini golf and the two shuffle board tables are available for exclusive use for the two hours. Tickets are $23 pp and children 8 and under are FREE. Get your tickets here.
10:00am- Avalon Theatre presents The Great Zucchini
(5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20015)
It’s time for The Great Zucchini to take over The Avalon once again! And he’s bringing in New York’s Charlie & Checkers for their first DC appearance ever! Don’t miss this very special performance from some of the biggest children’s entertainers on the east coast.
10:30am- Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist (playing a ukulele!) 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. Best for ages 1 month-3 years. Featured story: Skidamarink
10:30am-11:30am or 1:30pm-2:30pm- Be My Valentine Tour & Workshop for Children at Tudor Place
(1644 31st Street, NW Washington, DC 20007)
Tour the historic mansion in search of Valentine’s Day greetings from long ago. Children then design their own Valentines to take home, drawing artistic inspiration from historic cards in the Tudor Place Archive.
10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm- Steve Songs at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Steve Roslonek of SteveSongs has been writing and performing his award-winning music for kids and families for the past fifteen years. Steve blends participatory songs, clever stories and great melodies to create what the Boston Globe called “not just a musical journey but an entertaining, interactive and educational one.”
1:30pm-3:00pm- The French Academy presents Saint Valentin Workshop
(Baptist Church of Chevy Chase)
On Valentine’s Day we will talk about LOVE, of course: our best friends, our pets and family. We will prepare cards for our loved ones. Songs, games and treats await you too! Price for our students: $25 for one child/ $20 per child if you sign up two or more. Price for non students: $30 for one child/ $25 per child if you sign up two or more. For children ages 3-12 years old. Register
Sunday:
10:00am- Sunday Fun Day at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session you leave with a completed craft, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Best for ages 1-3. Featured story: My Heart is Like a Zoo
11:30am-3:00pm- Presidential Family Fun Day at The National Portrait Gallery
(8th and F St NW)
Celebrate President’s Day weekend during a patriotic family day at the National Portrait Gallery. Enjoy a variety of crafts and performances dedicated to our nation’s famous past-leaders.
Meet Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in person and enjoy several art activities like Presidential Polaroid’s and making picture frames. See performances by the local a capella group, “Snowday,” get your picture taken with the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents, and more.
Monday:
9:30am-11:00am- Presidents Day Family Storytime Yoga at Lil Omm
(4708 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016)
Storytime Family Yoga with Arts and Crafts with Julia Colton. Storytime Yoga is the perfect family workshop for budding bookworms and reluctant readers alike. Drawing on her experience working at Politics & Prose in the Children’s department and as “the best bed-time story reader ever” (according to several moms), teacher Julia Colton was inspired to combine two of her favorite things: books and yoga. Start with “Ish” by Peter H. Reynolds and then play our way through a few classics of children’s literature with time at the end for crafts based on our favorite stories (Ish drawings & butterfly masks). The workshop costs $30. Children ages 2-3 must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver.Drop-off optional for ages 4-5 years. Sign up here.
10:30am- Rocknoceros at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Spend Presidents Day rocking out with a DC favorite. As every family with youngsters in the DC area knows, Rocknoceros (pronounced like rhinoceros) is three guys: Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie. They have been making award-winning music for the whole family since 2005.
Weekend Picks: Children’s Orchestra, Chocolate Festival and Drones
Chocolate buzz anyone? We know it isn’t Valentine’s Day quite yet but this weekend brings a few sweet events to attend to get you ready for the 14th. The highlight of this weekend; The Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax. There will be a puppet show, chocolate tastings, face painting, story time and much more that involves chocolate! Check out the schedule here. Also, be sure and check out our guide to getting delicious chocolate for your Valentine!
Friday:
6:00pm-9:00pm: Kennedy Center hosts Orchkids
(2700 F St., NW, Washington, D.C)
Sixty-five students from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s during- and after-school music program perform a special concert that will feature a mix of classical, jazz, pop and spiritual-inspired pieces.
Saturday:
10:00am-2:00pm: The Learning Center for Young Children presents WINTERFEST!
(10123 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895 Social Hall, Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church)
A day filled with fun for preschoolers, bake sale, silent auction, and music. All are welcome.
10:00am: Avalon Theater presents Blue Sky Puppet Theatre
(5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20015)
For over 40 years Blue Sky Puppet Theatre has brought excellence in theatre, art, education and fun to audiences all along the east coast. Their show “The Three (Not So Little) Pigs,” explores sibling rivalry and cooperation, incorporating audience participation and humor aimed at all ages.
10:30am: GIGS & Kindiemusicdc Present: Junior Jams – Marsha Goodman-Wood at FNDTN Gallery and Liveroom
(3762A Howard Ave. Kensington, MD. 20895)
Singer-songwriter Marsha Goodman-Wood is known for setting little toes to tapping with original melodies that mix generous doses of science and positive social messages into songs that are just plain fun. Her quirky, smart compositions take on topics from astronomy, answering the age-old question “Why Can’t You Dance on Jupiter?” to nonconformity with “Sheep Don’t Wear Shoes,” and biology in “The Penguin Song.”
10:30am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist (playing a ukulele!) 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. Best for ages 1 month-3 years. Featured story: Barnyard Dance
11:00am-2:00pm: Eyes in the Sky: Game of Drones Family Day at The National Building Museum
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001)
Drones have been in the news quite a bit but few people really know how they are designed, built and operated. Join the International Spy Museum, the National Building Museum and the DC Drone User Group to discover the secrets of drones. Local drone makers will demonstrate their wares and show families the inner workings of their drones as well as their special spy skills. A spy mission challenge will take place in which drone makers will guide their drones through a series of secret spy missions to see whose drone is the stealthiest. This event is free and requires no reservation.
1:00pm-5:00pm: Valentine’s Day Card Making at The Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Avenue Northeast, Washington, DC 20002-Atrium on the level 1)
Love is in the details at the annual Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum. Come out and create heart-felt handmade cards and visit the museum’s stamp store to send the cards to your loved ones with a special Postal Museum postmark! This event is free and needs no reservation.
Sunday:
10:00am: Sunday Fun Day at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session you leave with a completed craft, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Best for ages 1-3. Featured story: The Rainbow Fish
1:00pm-4:00pm: Takoma Plays! 5th Annual Mid-Winter Play Day
(Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave, Takoma Park, 20912)
See the flyer here for the schedule of details. Bach to Rock will be playing, face painting, box play with Girl Scouts and more indoor fun!