This will hopefully be one of the posts you save, earmark, print, forward to friends, give to nannies and grandparents because it provides you will a list of places that have a recurring event each week (well, most of them). It also highlights the lack of afternoon activities happening. So if you know of any or have a favorite go-to afternoon spot, please share with us! The end of the post provides you with ongoing events that occur on more than one day of the week at specific places.
Monday-
9:30am: Rise + Rhyme at Busboys & Poets
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly morning storytelling and performance series for children ages 5 and under with the goals of teaching children to engage with their community, learn to love performing and become rising artivists! $5 per child.
Locations in Brookland, Hyattsville & Takoma
9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
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.
10:00am-11:30am: Toddler Art Time at New Community ArtSpace + Story time
Children and their accompanying adult are encouraged to come to our ongoing kids drop in classes and create age-appropriate art projects. Rachel Dickerson will set up materials for safe, fun, and creative projects. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in. Siblings are welcome. $10/child drop in fee. Sign up for our 11 class package and get one class free. Supply donations welcomed.
10:30am AND 11:00am: Storytime at The National Postal Museum
The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum invites adults and young children (ages 2-3) to discover the world around them together at weekly Story Time. Children will build important developmental and social skills through books, activities, songs, and self-guided gallery exploration. Explore themes, such as shapes, colors, and sizes, in a relaxed setting at your neighborhood museum. Feel free to bring snacks and enjoy the space after the program!
10:30am-11:00am: Songs and stories at Politics and Prose
Come sing-along to your favorite songs for free. Grab a treat in the cafe afterwards or hang out reading books.
Tuesday-
10:00am: Tudor Tots
Keep your toddler active in mind and body and learning about the world around us in these weekly sessions featuring songs, stories, crafts, and movement, all tailored to growing Tots. Each week highlights a different theme. Parents/caregivers remain with children. $5 per class
10:00am: Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Pavilion
Every Tuesday at 10:00am you can get into the magnificent butterfly pavilion for free! Make sure and get a free ticket by the entrance. We visited this last month and were amazed by how many butterflies were flying around, some even landing on a shoulder. Look closely and you could spot a frog under some trees.
10:00am AND 11:30am: Shadow Puppets at Bloombars
This shadow puppet stage show will feature a variety of characters and menagerie of traditional and original songs. It explores themes that center around the seasons, the environment, as well as learning components of music.
10:30am AND 11:30am: Little Builder’s Storytime at the National Building Museum
Join us on the first Tuesday of each month for an interactive read-aloud in the Building Zone’s book nook. After the story, participate in a corresponding hands on activity to continue the fun! Free with admission to the Building Zone. Recommended for ages 3 to 5.
Wednesday-
10:00am: Story Time at Hirshhorn
10:00am-11:00am: Story Time in the ReSource Room for Pre-Schoolers and Adults at National Archives
Join us for story time designed for 3-5 year olds and accompanying adults. Typically the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
10:00am-11:00am: Little Treasures at Bloombars
Artist in Bloom Resident Tamika Love Jones presents Little Treasures, an educational and interactive journey for babies and children (under age 3) that explores a special box of little treasures. Each treasure that is picked from the box will lead tots and parents to sing their favorite songs, read fun stories and explore their bodies through exciting movement. The theme of Little treasures is self-love and teaching the tots that they, too, are little treasures!
10:30am AND 1:30pm: Children’s Program at US Botanic Garden
Each month has a different theme for ages 3-5. ***Program booked for May, calendar not updated to show if this will continue through summer.
10:30am: Storytime at The Park at City Center
Join CityCenterDC and DCPL for Kids Corner! Librarians from the DC Public Library will lead a 30-40 minute FREE story time full of books, songs, rhymes and fingerplays! Story time is a great way to introduce your child to language skills in a positive and fun, outdoor environment. May 10 – September 27
5:30pm: Samba Baby at Bloombars
Join Zezeh Brazil (Sao Paolo), former carnaval queen, radio personality and dance instructor extraordinaire for child & family samba dance lessons. It’s never too early to learn the infectious dance of the world’s 5th largest country. Samba Kids is the perfect introduction to movement and rhythm, not to mention Portuguese. The classes starts with yoga followed by a dance class to the sound of Brazilian carnival music for kids.
Thursday-
10:00am: Fish Tales Story Hour at DOEE’s Aquatic Resources Education Center
Join staff biologists monthly for free nature-based stories, crafts, and songs for 2-5 year olds and their parents/guardians! Register online Typically the first Thursday of the month.
10:30am: Live Music with Boogie Babes at Eastern Market
The Boogie Babes program brings interactive musical performances for young children and their caregivers each week to area neighborhoods. The events, typically 45 minutes in length, provide a wonderful way to expose children to different musical instruments and styles while also raising funds for and awareness of DC Diaper Bank’s work and mission. $6 per child
10:30am: Live Kids Shows at Jammin Java
10:30am: Preschool Series at 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 accompanying adult. $10 per class
10:30am-11:30am: Parent & Child Program: Snugglers at the US Botanic Garden
Do you have a tiny treasure in a snuggly? Looking for ways to get out of the house and learn? Join us each Thursday for a 45-minute guided tour of the Conservatory. Each week will be a different exploration. This program is designed for parents and care providers who have a tiny one in a snuggly. Please note: You are welcome to arrive with a stroller, however due to our narrow paths and the nature of this program, we cannot support strollers or older siblings during the actual program.
Friday-
10:00am-12:00pm: Open Play at Little Loft Art Studio
Open play in the Sensory Room for 2-5 year olds and their caregivers. Sand table, rice table, light table, and a new interactive art project each week. No preregistration necessary. $12/visit, half price for siblings
10:30am: Story Time at Library of Congress
For six months, from March through August, the Library’s Young Readers Center will host story time on the last Friday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Thomas Jefferson Building, located at 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C. Tickets are not required for this event, which is free and open to the public.
10:30am: Live Kids Shows at Jammin Java
1:00pm-6:00pm: Open Studio at National Portrait Gallery
Join us on Friday afternoons for some creative fun! Check out a Portrait Discovery Kit to explore the museum. You may also explore a different art material each week as it relates to portraiture. Education Center, Room E151.
Events on Multiple Days of the Week-
Tudor Tots (Currently Monday & Tuesdays)
Preschool Series at Hillwood Estate (Currently Wednesday & Thursdays)
Smithsonian National Zoo Classes
Open Gym at Silver Stars Gymnastics
The Puppet Co Main Stage & Tiny Tot Performances
Fit4Mom Classes at Union Market– Currently Tuesday & Thursdays at 9:30am
Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment. Taught by certified and specially trained fitness instructors, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser. Stroller Strides instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to entertain and engage baby, while moms are led through a series of exercises specific to her role as mom.
Pinstripes Kid’s Bowling
Join us every weekday morning from 10 am to 12 pm for Kids Club Bowling. Kids bowl for $3 per hour with a $3 shoe rental and parents bowl free! Please limit four kids (12 & under) per adult.
Story time at National Portrait Gallery– 2:00pm-2:30pm Tuesday-Friday
Story time in our Explore! space immerses you in tales of artists, presidents, inventors, athletes, and more! Before or after story time, enjoy our family space where you can play and learn about portraiture. All ages welcome. No reservation required.
Story time at National Air & Space Museum (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center)
