Weekend Picks: Be My Valentine this President’s Day Weekend

The Kennedy Center Performances for Young Audiences presents: Jack’s Tale: A Mythic Mountain Musical Adventure. This world premiere Kennedy Center co-commission with Nashville Children’s Theatre uses actors and a live bluegrass band to dive deep into the eclectic music traditions of the Appalachians. The result: a delightfully authentic mountain musical! There are 5 shows throughout the weekend, tickets are $20 for the 60 minute musical, best suited for children ages 8+.

It is George Washington’s Birthday Weekend! Celebrate George Washington’s 283rd birthday this weekend with special activities at Mount Vernon! Enjoy a sample of George Washington’s favorite breakfast on February 14-15 (included in admission). Celebrate the national observance of George Washington’s birthday by attending Mount Vernon’s events free-of-charge on February 16! Admission on Monday is free.

Friday:

11:30am-7:00pm- SweetARTS and Valentines at American Art Museum
(8th and F Streets, NW)
Need something special for your sweetie? Looking for a snarky card to send to your BFF? Tired of the same ol’ Valentine’s Day options? Look no further; American Art has what you need. Come on by to make the perfect, personalized card—we supply all the necessary materials at no cost. If you are feeling fancy, horticulturists from Smithsonian Gardens can help you make an orchid corsage for a $10 materials fee, while supplies last.

Saturday:

10:00am- Baby Loves Disco DMV presents Brunch Box at H St Country Club
(1335 H Street, NE, Washington DC 20002)
From the host who brought the DC area Baby Loves Disco since 2008 and owner of Hex9 Productions – we present “Brunch Box” – a pop up Brunch event for families in the DC area debuting at the wildly popular H Street Country Club in the Atlas Arts District of Washington, DC.  Your ticket also includes the entertainment: a balloon twister, The Face Paint Lady!  and other activities. Mini golf and the two shuffle board tables are available for exclusive use for the two hours.  Tickets are $23 pp and children 8 and under are FREE. Get your tickets here.

10:00am- Avalon Theatre presents The Great Zucchini
(5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20015)
It’s time for The Great Zucchini to take over The Avalon once again! And he’s bringing in New York’s Charlie & Checkers for their first DC appearance ever! Don’t miss this very special performance from some of the biggest children’s entertainers on the east coast.

10:30am- Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist (playing a ukulele!) 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. Best for ages 1 month-3 years. Featured story: Skidamarink

10:30am-11:30am or 1:30pm-2:30pm- Be My Valentine Tour & Workshop for Children at Tudor Place
(1644 31st Street, NW Washington, DC 20007)
Tour the historic mansion in search of Valentine’s Day greetings from long ago. Children then design their own Valentines to take home, drawing artistic inspiration from historic cards in the Tudor Place Archive.

10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm- Steve Songs at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Steve Roslonek of SteveSongs has been writing and performing his award-winning music for kids and families for the past fifteen years. Steve blends participatory songs, clever stories and great melodies to create what the Boston Globe called “not just a musical journey but an entertaining, interactive and educational one.”

1:30pm-3:00pm- The French Academy presents Saint Valentin Workshop
(Baptist Church of Chevy Chase)
On Valentine’s Day we will talk about LOVE, of course: our best friends, our pets and family. We will prepare cards for our loved ones. Songs, games and treats await you too! Price for our students: $25 for one child/ $20 per child if you sign up two or more. Price for non students: $30 for one child/ $25 per child if you sign up two or more. For children ages 3-12 years old. Register

Sunday:

10:00am- Sunday Fun Day at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 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. Best for ages 1-3. Featured story: My Heart is Like a Zoo

11:30am-3:00pm- Presidential Family Fun Day at The National Portrait Gallery
(8th and F St NW)
Celebrate President’s Day weekend during a patriotic family day at the National Portrait Gallery. Enjoy a variety of crafts and performances dedicated to our nation’s famous past-leaders.
Meet Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in person and enjoy several art activities like Presidential Polaroid’s and making picture frames.  See performances by the local a capella group, “Snowday,” get your picture taken with the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents, and more.

Monday:

9:30am-11:00am- Presidents Day Family Storytime Yoga at Lil Omm
(4708 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016)
Storytime Family Yoga with Arts and Crafts with Julia Colton. Storytime Yoga is the perfect family workshop for budding bookworms and reluctant readers alike. Drawing on her experience working at Politics & Prose in the Children’s department and as “the best bed-time story reader ever” (according to several moms), teacher Julia Colton was inspired to combine two of her favorite things: books and yoga. Start with “Ish” by Peter H. Reynolds and then play our way through a few classics of children’s literature with time at the end for crafts based on our favorite stories (Ish drawings & butterfly masks). The workshop costs $30. Children ages 2-3 must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver.Drop-off optional for ages 4-5 years. Sign up here.

10:30am- Rocknoceros at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Spend Presidents Day rocking out with a DC favorite. As every family with youngsters in the DC area knows, Rocknoceros (pronounced like rhinoceros) is three guys: Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie. They have been making award-winning music for the whole family since 2005.