Weekday Adventures: Mardi Gras, Nature Centers and Mad Science

Well another school closure for us tomorrow so our fingers are crossed that the below events are ON. We need to get out of the house, pronto! We will try and update you if any are cancelled but recommend calling or checking on their individual websites before heading out.

If you are from an area that hasn’t been highlighted much on Beltway Bambinos please reach out to us and let us know so we can research your area and find great events going on.

Tuesday, March 4:

9:00am-5:00pm- PB & Jack 
(9540 Main St, Fairfax VA 22031)
Bead it Baby at 2:00pm (included with admission). Join the PB & Jack crew for 45 minutes of beading and necklace making. No supplies necessary. Kids 3-5 years old welcome. Open play is from 9:00am-5:00pm and is open everyday.

10:00am- Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Pavilion (2nd floor)
(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-11:30am- Nature Explorers at Meadowside Nature Center 
(5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20853)
Every Tuesday in March and April, budding nature explorers will experience the seasonal changes while discovering the woodlands, fields, pond, and stream at Meadowside. Learn about baby animals, dig for worms, search for signs of spring outdoors, and more! Participating in a variety of activities, games, and crafts will enhance children’s learning experiences. After each program, expand your visit by bringing a bag lunch to enjoy at a picnic tables under the trees. Adults must accompany children ages 3-5. $32 for all sessions, register by clicking on above link.

11:00am- Story time at National Air and Space Museum
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
*******Virginia location has added Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday story time this week*****
“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 Super Duck by Jez Alborough.

11:00am-11:45am- Mr. Skip performs at Firehook Bakery & Coffee Shop
(105 S Union St., Alexandria, VA)
Enjoy scrumptious baked goods, stay for lunch, and sing along with Mr. Skip. He is a favorite of my son; he is engaging and sings well-known kid songs and will be in his favorite Hawaiian attire. And you can’t go wrong with treats from Firehook– we used to live near a Firehook and miss having those treats a few blocks away.

8:00pm- The Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade
It’s probably a little late for most kids to make it out to this free Mardi Gras parade. But, if you decide to take them to the parade you won’t be sorry…until the next day when they are super fussy. It is one of the most impressive Mardi Gras parades in the area (maybe because there aren’t many) but there are lots of colorful floats, costumed partiers to see and lots of bands to hear. There are plenty of family friendly and/or quick places to grab a bite for dinner. The parade runs along Wilson Blvd, from North Barton St. to North Irving St.

Wednesday, March 5:

10:15am-11:00am- Tot Time! Nature’s Pattern in Art at Locust Grove Nature Center
(7777 Democracy Boulevard., Bethesda, Maryland 20817)
Explore the sights, sounds, textures and movements of the natural world. Each session will feature a different topic specially selected to engage young minds. Outdoor activities are included in every program, so please dress for the weather. $5/class.

10:30am- Little Tots presents Mad Science at the Washingtonian Center
(209 Boardwalk Pl, Gaithersburg, MD 20878)
First Wednesday of every month treat your child to free interactive entertainment. Location is RIO Center’s lower level atrium.

9:30am-11:00am- Circle of Friends Playgroup 
(Community Room at National City Christian Church on Thomas Circle, Entrance on 14th St through courtyard)
Parents, grandparents, and children, newborn up to age 4, are most welcome to attend this free group and no pre-registration is required. The community room has space for the active play of toddlers, as well as a comfortable area for those with infants and not-yet-mobile babies. Each session will begin with introductions and music, followed by open play. They have a clean up time and closing circle. The playgroup does have a collection of toys, books, and art supplies for use as well. Please feel free to bring drinks and snacks for yourselves and your little ones. Restroom facilities are available and the community room is stroller accessible. Contact Alyssa for more information.

10:00am- Story time at Barnes and Noble
(2800 Clarendon Blvd. Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201)
(12089 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852)
(4801 Bethesda Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814)
Thirty minutes of songs and stories at both locations. The Bethesda location has a nice train setup that keeps our guy busy before and/or after story time. 

10:00am- Samba Baby at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
It’s never too early to learn the infectious dance of the world’s 5th largest country and there’s no better teacher then Zezeh Zax– a dancer, professional performer of Brazilian samba and founder of the ZEZEH BRAZIL Dance Troupe. Get your baby movin and groovin!

10:30am-Boogie Babes presents Lea 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!

11:00am- Story time at National Air and Space Museum
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
*******Virginia location has added Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday story time this week*****
“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 Moongame by Frank Asch.

4:00pm-5:30pm- Open Studio at Art Space
(614 S St NW, Washington, DC. 20001)
Kids 3-6 years old and their accompanying adult are encouraged to come and create age-appropriate art projects. An employee will set up materials for safe, fun, and creative projects. Children will learn the art or cleaning up as well. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in. Siblings of any age are welcomed. $5

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. Please note they only have 1 showtime now.

Thursday, March 6:

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 Babess presents The Singing Lizard at Eastern Market
(225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Boogie Babes most popular show of the week! Meet at the 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.

11:00am- Story time at National Air and Space Museum
(601 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20597)
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
*******Virginia location has added Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday story time this week*****
“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 Moongame by Frank Asch in VA and Hot Air Henry by Mary Calhoun in DC.

11:00am- Story time at Barnes and Noble
(6260 Seven Corners Center Falls Church, VA 22044)
Thirty minutes of songs and stories at both locations. The Bethesda location has a nice train setup that keeps our guy busy before and/or after story time.

11:00am-11:45am- Preschool Songs and Stories at The Arts Barn
(311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD)
Back by popular demand, the Arts Barn will once again host an exciting and enriching cultural arts program for children. Preschool Songs and Stories gives three to five year olds and their parents or guardians the opportunity to explore the arts through singing, dancing and active listening to story books. $3/child.

Friday, March 7:

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-11:30am- Cabin John Mall Kids Day
(11325 7 Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854)
A great new children’s entertainer at each event,  1st and 3rd Friday each month. Plus great discounts throughout Cabin John Mall.

10:30am-Boogie Babes presents Oh Susannah! at Atlas Performing Arts
(1333 H Street NE Washington, DC. 20002)
Join Mr. Gabe at 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.

10:30am- Rocknoceros at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
As every family with youngsters in the DC area already knows, Rocknoceros (pronounced like rhinoceros) is three guys: Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie, who make wildly popular, award-winning music for the whole family. Tickets are $5.

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 Hot Air Henry by Mary Calhoun in DC and Super Duck by Jez Alborough in VA.

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.

Remember to checkout our post with ongoing events for theatres and other venues we love that are open everyday.