Weekend Picks

Museum Day Live is Saturday! Sure, we can visit many Museums for free but some do cost money and thanks to Smithsonian Magazine they are free on Saturday. National Building Museum, Dumbarton Oaks & College Park Aviation Museum are just a few that will be free of charge for one day only.

Maryland Renaissance Festival will be joisting and serving up lots of turkey legs weekends  through October 25. The festival is free to children 6 and under this weekend. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment for you and the kids, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Your children will see people dressed up in 16th century outfits. Dress like a knight and come participate!

Saturday-

9:30am AND 11:00am: Illstyle and Peace Production – The History of Hip Hop  at The National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC. 20004)
You and your child are invited to join us at The National on Saturday mornings for a series of free programs that engage and inspire the young mind. Play, laugh, learn and discover through interactive performances, puppets, dance and music that are designed to light up the imagination and celebrate a world of wonder. Saturday programming is best suited for children 4-10 years, but siblings and friends of other ages are always welcome.  This high-energy Hip Hop performance brings the history of hip-hop dance to life, through interactive demonstration, jaw-dropping dance, and audience participation.

10:00am-3:00pm: Junior Botanist Day at US Botanic Garden
(100 Maryland Ave  SW Conservatory Terrace)
Come help us celebrate the wonders of being a Junior Botanist! Adventure abounds at the U.S. Botanic Garden as you discover all the talents needed to become a Junior Botanist. Between hands-on activities, engaging discussions with USBG staff and volunteers and tasty cooking demonstrations, be sure to ponder plants with root expert Dr. Jerry Glover. Then checkout a backpack and try to become an actual Junior Botanist! – See more at: http://www.usbg.gov/events/2015/08/03/festival-celebrate-junior-botanists#sthash.z9DPlIj0.dpuf

10:30am-11:15am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814)
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist 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. Activities in Saturday Song Circle are best for 1-3 year-olds but 4-5 year-old siblings and friends are also welcome to join in the fun. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is the story this weekend. $8 per person.

11:00am AND 1:30pm: Georgetown’s New CITY KIDS THEATER presents The Story Thief and the Prince of Dreams at Georgetown Lutheran Church
(1556 Wisconsin Avenue, NW  Washington, DC 20007)
In this story, a group of children at a family reunion gather to hear their venerable great-grandfather spin one of his legendary bedtime stories. When he’s unable to tell even one, they begin to worry that something’s amiss. Something is also worrying the Prince of Dreams, from his distant, slumbery realm, he notices that no children in the world are dreaming! He enlists the aid of our group of young heroes to find out where the dreams have gone, and it starts them on a trial that leads to the terrible Dream-Thief, who is bent on stealing all the bedtime stories in the world. And with them, the contented sleep of millions of children. Will the Prince of Dreams and the children be able to stop the Story-Thief in time for bed? Best for ages 4+.  Buy tickets online for $15 per person. $5 discount using Coupon Code: FIRSTSHOW

12:00pm-3:30pm: Bethesda Fire Department Open House
(Corner of Wisconsin Ave and Bradley Blvd)
Here is an opportunity to have fun and learn fire safety tips that could protect you, your family and your property. Plus you get to say hello and thank you to the brave firefighters who will be on the scene if a fire or rescue emergency should unfortunately strike in our community.  On the fun side, there will be games for children, a bounce house, hats, balloons, coloring books.  And a chance to climb aboard a real fire truck and have your picture taken.  Fire Engines and other equipment will be on display for your viewing. Ronald McDonald will also be on hand to greet you and talk about fire safety.
And there will be free drinks and food.You can learn about the smoke detector law and how it applies to your home; how to make a fire safety plan, fire safety in the kitchen and other ways to prevent fire and become more alert to the ways to protect your home from fire. .

Sunday-

10:15am: Tots & Tykes Yoga at Tranquil Space
(1632 17th ST., NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20009)
If you are looking for a fun activity with your kiddos (early crawlers through age 4),  join us for the monthly Sunday morning Tots & Tykes yoga class at Tranquil Space studio. The class involves movement, songs, and playful yoga poses designed to help little one(s) learn movement concepts and body awareness. No experience or mat is required. Online registration is available here.

10:00am-10:45am: Sunday Fun-Day at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 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. Activities in Sunday Fun-Day are most appropriate to 3-5 year-olds but 1-2 year-old siblings and friends are also welcome! Dinosaur Roar is the story this weekend. $8 per person.

11:00am-3:00pm: Rock Creek Park Day
(5200 Glover Road NW)
RCP is 125 years old! Celebrate by visiting the link above to see the amazing line up of activities including knot tying, yoga hikes, nature poetry, rock wall climbing and so much more!

11:00am-7:00pm: Turkish Festival
(Pennsylvania Ave NW between 14th St and 12 St)
The “Kid’s Tent” will present Turkish culture with hands-on activities, offering children and their parents the opportunity to create unforgettable memories. Turkish cuisine from local Washington D.C. Turkish restaurants: Kabobs, vegetarian dishes, pastries and desserts will be available for purchase.

1:00pm AND 3:30pm: Georgetown’s New CITY KIDS THEATER presents The Story Thief and the Prince of Dreams at Georgetown Lutheran Church
(1556 Wisconsin Avenue, NW  Washington, DC 20007)
In this story, a group of children at a family reunion gather to hear their venerable great-grandfather spin one of his legendary bedtime stories. When he’s unable to tell even one, they begin to worry that something’s amiss. Something is also worrying the Prince of Dreams, from his distant, slumbery realm, he notices that no children in the world are dreaming! He enlists the aid of our group of young heroes to find out where the dreams have gone, and it starts them on a trial that leads to the terrible Dream-Thief, who is bent on stealing all the bedtime stories in the world. And with them, the contented sleep of millions of children. Will the Prince of Dreams and the children be able to stop the Story-Thief in time for bed? Best for ages 4+.  Buy tickets online for $15 per person. $5 discount using Coupon Code: FIRSTSHOW

2:00pm: Liz Pichon at Takoma Park Maryland Library
(101 Philadelphia Ave)
Author of Tom Gates is on tour and coming to our area.