Categories: Weekend Picks

Weekend picks for families in and around Washington. DC

Monster Jam is in town and crushing cars Saturday & Sunday at Capital One Arena. 

KID Museum is open all weekend and has lots of fun hands-on workshops from Hummingbird Robotics to Fab Lab! 

Wake Up, Brother Bear at Imagination Stage is theatre for the youngest audience. Meet Brother and Sister Bear, play in a rushing waterfall, and catch lightning bugs in this interactive 10th anniversary performance Saturday & Sunday at 10am & 11:15am. 

Saturday 

9:30am AND 11:00am: Saturday Morning at The National presents Synetic Theatre: Magic Balloon
A series of hilarious pantomime sketches incorporates music, ballet, clowning, and audience participation. Families will discover the art of acting without words, opening the door to their imaginations. Expressed through body and facial masks, pantomime illusions, and unique choreography, ‘Balloon’ tells a wonderful story of a traveling actor and his magical trunk of tricks and toys.

11:00am: An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly at Arena Stage
Join APO favorite, Hilary Morrow (known most recently for her role as Detective Fix in APO’s Around the World in 80 Days), in a madcap retelling of this classic children’s story. Watch as this old woman’s appetite for strange objects transforms her quiet afternoon into a wildly spectacular tale!

11:45am: Story time in our Explore! Family Space at National Portrait Gallery
space immerses you in tales of artists, presidents, inventors, athletes, and more! Before or after story time, enjoy our family space where you can play and learn about portraiture. 11:45am Tuesday-Sunday. All ages welcome. No reservation required.

1:00pm-4:00pm: Discovery Kit at National Portrait Gallery
Portrait Discovery Kits are an interactive and imaginative way for visitors to learn more about people who are in the National Portrait Gallery and their contributions to American history. The kits offer a self-guided tour, “Seek and Find” cards, “Portrait Detective” and “Historian Guides,” and a “Compare and Contrast” activity using a doll. Visitors can check out kits just outside of the National Portrait Gallery’s education center, room E151 on the first floor. Kits must be returned prior to 4 p.m. This program is sponsored in part by the Reinsch Family Education Endowment.

1:00pm, 2:15pm & 4:00pm: Angelina Ballerina at BlackRock
ANGELINA BALLERINA brings to life the beloved storybook about a fictional mouse training to become a ballerina. Angelina and her friends perform a variety of dance styles, including hip-hop, modern, Irish jig, and ballet to show off their skills to their famous visitor.

4:00pm: Jane Franklin Dance presents Mouse in House
Adapted from the book by Elizabeth Spires, Mouse in House is about a friendship between a lively mouse and reclusive 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson.  Moved by Emily’s evocative words, the mouse becomes determined to be a poet herself.

Sunday

11:00am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
Explore popular children’s book The Mitten through music, movement and visual art.

11:00am-5:00pm: Chocolate Festival at McLean Community Center
Taste the specialties of area chocolaties and enjoy fun for the whole family. There will be live entertainment and a children’s game room! Admission is $2, kids under 3 are free.

11:45am: Story time in our Explore! Family Space at National Portrait Gallery
space immerses you in tales of artists, presidents, inventors, athletes, and more! Before or after story time, enjoy our family space where you can play and learn about portraiture. 11:45am Tuesday-Sunday. All ages welcome. No reservation required.

1:00pm-4:00pm: Discovery Kit at National Portrait Gallery
Portrait Discovery Kits are an interactive and imaginative way for visitors to learn more about people who are in the National Portrait Gallery and their contributions to American history. The kits offer a self-guided tour, “Seek and Find” cards, “Portrait Detective” and “Historian Guides,” and a “Compare and Contrast” activity using a doll. Visitors can check out kits just outside of the National Portrait Gallery’s education center, room E151 on the first floor. Kits must be returned prior to 4 p.m. This program is sponsored in part by the Reinsch Family Education Endowment.

3:00pm-5:00pm: The Noyes Fairy Tale Ball
The Noyes Children’s Library Foundation will host a family dance party celebrating imagination, fun and books. Kensington Town Hall will be transformed into a fairy-tale palace, with children invited to a Royal Procession before joining our fabulous A-Squad DJ on the dance floor. We’ll have crafts, photo opps, and a special Royal Reading Room with stories and songs. Costumes are encouraged for children and parents alike! We’ll  see you at The Ball, with imaginations soaring!

New indoor spots to check out:

Summit Ropes

The St. James: Super, Awesome & Amazing

Related Posts:

2019 Summer camp guide

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