Weekday Adventures: Tyke hike, a Japanese Journey and The Yards Park

What a beautiful weekend! Hope you were able to enjoy the weather! Some of your children are off school on Friday, remember to check our post that outlines some places that will entertain your kids for the day! Also, remember the great theatre programs in our area. Get out and see a show performed at one of the many wonderful local stages. 

Rain, rain go away!!!! Visit this DC Library link to see all of the children’s events going on this week that wll keep you dry and indoors.

Word around the playground is that The Yards Park will be turning on their water for kids to splash in come the beginning of May. A sure sign summer is on its way! This peaceful green space is just south of Capitol Hill and east of Nationals Park. There is a waterfall and canal-like water feature, an elevated overlook, an iconic bridge and light sculpture, terraced performance venue, and a riverfront boardwalk. Pack a picnic, some balls to throw around and bubbles when you go as your kids will have a blast. 

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 The Singing Lizard will be there to rock out.

The weather may get colder and wet this week and perhaps you need to escape indoors for a bit. Skip the sarcastic animated movies and go see Disney Nature’s Bears.

Tuesday- 

10:00am and 11:00am: Mr. Gabe at Takoma Park Maryland Library
(101 Philadelphia Ave. Takoma Park, Md. 20912)
Join the catchy and entertaining Mr. Gabe for “Community Circle Time” for 2 free shows. Become a member of the library while you’re there, if not one already or just stay and read with your little one.

10:00am: Family Fun Day at White Marsh Mall Storytime & Sing-a-long with Miss Julie
(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.

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: Julie Billingsley at Noyes Library for Young Children
(10237 Carroll Place Kensington, MD 20895)
Julie brings special musical instruments for children to play. 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.

10:30am-11:15am: Tyke Hikes: Flowers at Meadowside Nature Center
(5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD)
Come and discover the bustling world around the Nature Center. Take a nature mini-hike and make a craft to take home. Please register and pay for all attendees. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Recommended for kids ages 2-3, $5.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents Kidsinger Jim 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: 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.

10:15am and 11:30am: Shisa Dogs and Taiko Drums: A Japanese Journey at Discovery Theatre
(Baird Auditorium, Natural History Museum)
Nothing is more exciting than the sound of a big Japanese drum. And a huge, purple dancing lion-dog is a must for every festival. Musicians and colorfully costumed dancers from the Chin Hamaya Daiko Culture Center use drums, chant, song, and dance to sweep you into the spirit of celebrations from Japan’s Ryukyu Islands. Buy $6 tickets ahead of time.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents The Singing Lizard 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-

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: 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.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents Marsha Goodman Wood 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 If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty in DC and Mousetronaunt Goes to Mars by Mark Kelly 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.