Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

This has to be one of the most beautiful week in Washington, DC. The cherry blossoms always amaze me and leave me in awe of their beauty. Take advantage of the warmer weather and head to some iconic areas that are lined with the blossoms or brave the crowds and go downtown– it’s worth it. The National Cherry Blossom Festival has plenty of ways to celebrate the season.

Easter hunts and festivals have started! Check out this post for all things having to do with baskets and eggs.

The Washington Auto Show has revved into town and is at Washington Convention Center through April 14. There is a lineup of family entertainment, including PBS Kids cartoon and action characters will be making an appearance this year at the revamped WHUT/PBS Kids Family Fun Zone.

Friday

6:00pm-9:00pm: Parents’ Night Out at My Gym Bethesda: Tie Dye
Drop your kids off for three hours of nonstop action at My Gym, including fitness games, active play, pizza and fun! Potty independent please. $40 Members, $45 Non-members, Sibling Discount, Ages 3yrs – 10yrs. Save the Date: May 10th- Star Wars

Saturday

9:00am-12:00pm: Home Depot Kids Workshop: Build a Birdhouse
Encourage a love for nature and ornithology in our hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a birdhouse. Your young birdwatcher can observe birds’ behaviors like nest building and provide them a safe place to eat without the need for expensive equipment. Once your birdhouse is built, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron and pin.

10:00am-4:00pm: Baseball Opening Day Family Festival at National Postal Museum
Come join us for a free fun-filled family day festival to kick off the 2019 Major League Baseball season and the one year countdown until our own baseball exhibit opens up in April, 2020. Make your own baseball and Cherry-blossomed themed craft to welcome in Spring, learn about pioneering deaf ballplayer William Hoy at ASL-interpreted Story Time, watch and learn from 19th century baseball re-enactors, and see live baseball bat-making demonstrations from local bat-maker Juan Baret. Fill up with some delicious grub from local vendors and enjoy!

10:00am-3:00pm: 6th Annual Virginia Touch-a-Truck
It’s fun for the whole family – meet Redskins legend Gary Clark from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, climb on the big trucks, run out some energy in the back of the Martin’s Potato Roll truck, visit the kid-friendly food trucks, and much more! The first hour is horn-free for sensitive ears! $5/person, children 12 months and under free
The first 300 children receive a free die-cast car with paid admission.

10:00am: 123 Andrés at Miracle Theater
123 Andrés is back for an encore performance at the Miracle Theatre Saturday, April 6th! Don’t miss your chance to see this special, high energy performance that is sure to get you and your little ones singing and dancing. Benefitting the Greater DC Diaper Bank.

10:30am-11:15am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood teaching artist explores a popular children’s book; Five Little Ducks with your family through song, musical instruments, and movement. Plus, you receive a list of all the songs to practice at home.

12:00pm-3:00pm: DC Youth Orchestra Program Open House at Eastern High School
Join the DC Youth Orchestra Program for its Spring Open House at Eastern High School! The DC Youth Orchestra Program will open its doors to the public on Saturday, April 6, with a day of free musical events for the entire family, featuring a concert by the popular DuPont Brass. The DC Youth Orchestra Program is the leading ensemble-based classical music education program in the metropolitan region, serving over 600 students from DC, Maryland, and Virginia each semester. DCYOP offers group lessons and ensemble training on all orchestral instruments for students ages 4-18, who range in level from complete beginners to experienced musicians.

Sunday

Times vary by location: Sara & Samuel J. Lessans Good Deeds Day
Join PJ Library in Greater Washington, The Jewish Federation and our partners and share a volunteering experience with your family. The three hub sites (Bender JCCGW in MD, MILTON in DC and JCCNV in VA) will have a variety of family-friendly projects for children as young as 3. SSL hours are available for older tweens and teens. Or, sign up with a Good Deeds Day 2019 partner. Register here and be a force for GOOD in the world. For more information, please contact Ruth Lamberty.

9:00-10:30am: Small Wonders Preschool Class at the National Zoo
Join zoo educators to learn about some favorite new Zoo babies at the Small Mammal House, including a new wallaby joey and baby golden lion tamarin! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo. “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world. Pre-registration is required. Please note that classes do not include any behind-the-scenes access or animal contact. $28/child for FONZ members. $35/child for non-members. Registration fee covers one child with adult.

11:00am-2:00pm: Community day: Growing Community at National Building Museum
The National Building Museum presents Growing Community, a family afternoon to highlight the intersection of design, the natural environment, and community building. In celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, the program takes place on April 7, 2019, 11 am–2 pm. Attendees of all ages will explore the ways green space and play create a sense of belonging and place, anchoring our communities. Free, drop-in. All ages.

11:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30pm: Art Investigators at National Gallery of Art
How do you investigate a work of art? This program helps children make careful observations, analyze artists’ choices, ask questions, and use their imagination while exploring works of art. Led by museum educators, each program includes reading a children’s book, exploring one work of art in the galleries, and completing a simple, hands-on art activity. Each program is approximately 60 minutes. See dates and topics below. These free, drop-in programs are designed for individual families on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no advance registration and space is limited, so please plan accordingly. We will only accept sign-in for children in the age range for which the program is tailored. Groups cannot be accommodated in the program.

2:00pm-3:00pm: Launch Party for the Acton Children’s Business Fair of Washington, DC
Children aged 6-14 and their parents are invited to this free event to learn about the Acton Children’s Business Fair of Washington, DC Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library. The Business Fair will be May 11 in Cleveland Park. Students will learn more and find out how they can participate. At the Launch Party, children will also discover the “3 Magic Seeds” for starting a business and get tips for making their business a success from other young entrepreneurs.

GIVEAWAYS:

**Win an unlimited month of classes at MOCO Movement

**Win 2 tickets to the April 23 STOMP show at National Theatre