Weekday Adventures: A Family Tradition at the Zoo, Garbage to Gardens and a special visit with Thomas the Train

Hope you all had a nice weekend with family, treats and nice weather. School is probably back in session for most this week, in case Easter Monday is a school holiday, we’ve got you covered with plans. We also wanted to point out a fun outdoor spot for you to to visit; Rock Creek Park Horse Center. You can take your bambino to visit the horses, talk with employees and watch (if you’re there at the right time) some of the horses going for a stroll or being groomed. (We don’t advise going with friends as horses typically don’t like lots of noises/talking.) Bring a picnic lunch or just stop by for a few minutes. It’s a fun place to visit, out of the norm and it’s a free adventure. 

Monday-

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

9:30am-11:00am: Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds! Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under. This week features Marsha Goodman-Wood,  a D C-based singer/songwriter and music teacher. Marsha is known for getting kids singing and dancing at her shows, 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.

10:00am-4:00pm: Easter Monday (a Washington Family Tradition) at the National Zoo
(3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.)
Please join us for special family-focused activities and live entertainment. We’ll have a traditional Easter Egg Hunt and animal demonstrations as well as visits from the Easter Panda! Admittance is free!

Tuesday-

10:00am: Family Fun Day at White Marsh Mall featuring Kidsinger Jim
(9800 Perry Hall Blvd. Baltimore MD 21236-4901)
Join Miss Julie & Friends for FREE family-friendly events featuring storytelling, musical performances and more.

10:00am: Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Pavilion
(10th St. and Constitution Ave., NW)
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-10:45am: Tudor Tots: Growing Gardeners at Tudor Place
(1644 31st St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20007)
Tudor Place, which has enchanted young children for almost two centuries, invites your child to join us Tuesday mornings to read, sing, and play in the garden. Children and parents or care-givers will participate each week in a read-aloud, singing, and themed movements related to a theme, such as Adventurous Animals or Growing Gardens. Children enjoy active learning and sharing this tranquil setting with the grown-ups who care for them. $5 per session, recommended for kids ages 2-4.

10:00am, 11:00am and 12:00pm: Garbage to Gardens: An Earth Week Exploration at Discovery Theatre
(Haupt Garden, Smithsonian- Meet at Garden Entrance, outside of Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW)
Mother Nature loves garbage—and uses ours to make new soil. Meet Smithsonian naturalists in the beautiful Haupt Garden of the Castle for an Earth Week story, then get the inside scoop on how compost becomes dirt and find out how throwing a “seed bomb” can make a bare patch of ground bloom. Plenty of great hands-on activities make this the perfect way to celebrate our planet. Purchase tickets ahead of time.

11:00am–11:45am: Storytime Station at Gaithersburg Community Museum
(9 South Summit Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20877)
The City of Gaithersburg invites you and your child to enjoy monthly book readings during “StoryTime Station,” an enriching new program at the Gaithersburg Community Museum. Located in the restored 1884 B&O Railroad Station complex near the intersection of Summit & Diamond Aves in Olde Towne Gaithersburg.  The Museum is located in the restored B&O Railroad complex, & consists of the historic Freight House, History Park & the rolling stock. Ages 3-6 are recommended. Admission is $3 per child, adults and infants are free. Please note strollers are not permitted inside the Museum, and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

11:00am: Story time at National Air and Space Museum
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
“Flights of Fancy” staff will read stories about famous aviators, hot-air balloon flights, trips to Mars, characters visible in the night sky, or creatures that have their own wings. Each session includes one story and a hands-on activity. Featured story is How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman.

Wednesday-

9:15am and 10:30am- Me and You-kulele Musical Story time at Noyes Library for Young Children
(10237 Carroll Place Kensington, MD 20895)
Come Sing With Us! Music is a fun way to learn about sounds, rhythm, rhyme and is a natural support for your child’s early learning. Appropriate for all ages. Only one registration needed per family.

10:00am, 11:00am and 12:00pm: Garbage to Gardens: An Earth Week Exploration at Discovery Theatre
(Haupt Garden, Smithsonian- Meet at Garden Entrance, outside of Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW)
Mother Nature loves garbage—and uses ours to make new soil. Meet Smithsonian naturalists in the beautiful Haupt Garden of the Castle for an Earth Week story, then get the inside scoop on how compost becomes dirt and find out how throwing a “seed bomb” can make a bare patch of ground bloom. Plenty of great hands-on activities make this the perfect way to celebrate our planet. Purchase your tickets ahead of time.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents Oh Susannah! at Union Market
(1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC. 20002)
Access the free market parking lot from 6th Street NE or travel via metro to NoMA-Gallaudet. Come early for coffee and stay for lunch!

4:00pm-5:30pm: Free Art Wednesdays at Create ART
(Silver Spring Civic Building – 1 Veterans Plaza)
Join Create ART in this wonderful new FREE after school art workshops – improv, sewing, comics, & more! Kindergarten-5th grade students welcome. Register online.

5:30pm: !Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres! at BloomBars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
!Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres! is a sure bet every time. Children of various ages enjoy this interactive show that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture.

Thursday-

10:00am and 11:00am: Garbage to Gardens: An Earth Week Exploration at Discovery Theatre
(Haupt Garden, Smithsonian- Meet at Garden Entrance, outside of Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW)
Mother Nature loves garbage—and uses ours to make new soil. Meet Smithsonian naturalists in the beautiful Haupt Garden of the Castle for an Earth Week story, then get the inside scoop on how compost becomes dirt and find out how throwing a “seed bomb” can make a bare patch of ground bloom. Plenty of great hands-on activities make this the perfect way to celebrate our planet. Buy tickets ahead of time.

10:00am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents Mr. Skip at Eastern Market
(225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Our most popular show of the week! Join us at Historic Eastern Market’s North Hall (closest to South Carolina) for a lively concert, grab lunch and shop for dinner. Access to the North Hall via the market for Boogie Babes. Eastern Market Metro is two short blocks away.

10:30am: The Great Zucchini at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Get tickets here for The Great Zucchini, Washington’s funniest and most magical preschool and kindergarten entertainer, performs a colorful magic show where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh. Experience the excitement of the children when they get to learn a magic trick at the end of show.

Friday-

9:00am-4:00pm (Weekend hours vary): A Day out with Thomas at B & O Railroad
(901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223)
Little Engineers won’t believe their eyes–or their ears! For the first time ever at Day Out With Thomas™, Thomas the Tank Engine™ will be able to talk to his fans when he returns to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore! Take a 25 minute train ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy a full day of live entertainment, activities, and family fun! Tickets are $20 each for ages 2 and up available. Get tickets here.

10:00am: Songs, stories & puppets at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
30 minutes of storytelling, dancing, singing and entertainment just for kids under 5.

10:30am: The Grandsons Jr. at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
The Grandsons, Jr., is the kids band version of DC-area roots rock superstars, The Grandsons. Kids and their parents will dig the upbeat mix of rock, swing, New Orleans R&B, country, latin music we call Americana. Over the past 25 years performing as The Grandsons, the band has noticed that many of their songs resonate with the younger crowd. As the grandsons, Jr., they combine new material learned especially for the younger set, with Grandsons tunes that have always been popular with the kids. Tickets are $5.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents Kevin Kammeraad and the Cooperfly Puppet Troupe at Atlas Performing Arts
(1333 H Street NE Washington, DC. 20002)
Join us at the ATLAS Performing Arts Center along the H Street Corridor. Snack bar and bathrooms are easily accessible. Lots of good and kid-friendly lunch options within one to three blocks!

11:00am- Story time at National Air & Space Museum   
(601 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20597)
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
“Flights of Fancy” staff will read stories about famous aviators, hot-air balloon flights, trips to Mars, characters visible in the night sky, or creatures that have their own wings. Each session includes one story and a hands-on activity. Featured story is You Can’t Do That Amelia! by Kimberly Wagner Klier in DC and How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman in VA.

2:00pm-4:00pm: Afternoon Aviators at College Park Aviation Museum
(1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park 20740)
Have an airplane enthusiast? We have the perfect museum for them, off the busy National Mall. Join for a fun, hands-on aviation-themed activities. A weekly series for children ages five and up.

1:00pm-4:00pm: The National Portrait Gallery presents Open Studio Fridays
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001 – Education Center, Room E151)
Friday afternoons at the Gallery feature some creative and free fun! Check out a Portrait Discovery Kit to explore the museum and try a different selection of art material each week.

6:00pm-10:00pm: Frozen playing at the Union Market Drive-In
(1309 5th St NE Washington, DC 20002)
Calling all Frozen fans!! The Union Market Drive-In is free to attend! Parking is $10 per car, but seating in the picnic area will be first come first serve, free of charge. The parking lot will open at 6pm and the movies will begin at 8. Purchase parking here.