Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

This weekend is full of eggcellent hunts! Check out our Easter post. Catch a show when it may be raining this weekend, our theatre guide has some great shows!

Saturday

9:15am: The B&O Railroad Museum is having an Easter Egg Hunt
The second session is only available (the first one is sold out) for 6 to 10-year olds. Each hidden Easter egg will be filled with prizes and candy, and whoever finds the golden egg will win four tickets to Day Out With Thomas at the B&O. Following the egg hunt children and their families will hop on board the B&O’s Mile One Express for a round trip train ride with the Easter Bunny. Later that morning when the B&O opens to the public at 10:00am, Museum visitors may hop on board the Mile One Express and take a train ride with the Easter Bunny that departs promptly at 11:30am and 2:00pm. While on board each child will personally receive a prize filled Easter Egg from the Easter Bunny. 

9:30am: Civil War Hike
Join historians from the National Park Service and Arlington County Parks and Recreation for a special hike from Fort Ethan Allen to Fort Marcy.  The 2.5 hour guided hike will take visitors from Fort Ethan Allen to Chain Bridge to Fort Marcy on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Ranger Steve T. Phan of the Civil War Defenses of Washington and Historian John McNair of Arlington County Parks and Recreation will lead visitors on an in-depth fort tour beginning at the remnants of Fort Ethan Allen.

10:00am-12:00pm: Family Introduction at Climbing at Earth Treks
Earth Treks is excited to offer a course where both kids and adults can learn and climb together. During this 2 hour program, the kids will climb with one of our instructors while the adults climb and learn the necessary skills to belay. After the adults have learned the basic safety skills, everyone climbs together. The course is designed for adults that are interested in getting their children involved in climbing and wish to help them with their journey. No experience is necessary.

10:00am-12:00pm: Cupcake Wars Families Unplugged
Looking for a fun way to spend time with your family? Come try your hand at cupcake wars! Each family will learn fun new ways to decorate this popular dessert and create a fabulous spring-themed cupcake design to take home. Register ahead of time.

10:00am-5:00pm: Celebrate Spring at Port Discovery with STEM
Explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in fun, playful ways during STEM in Spring at Port Discovery! Enjoy hands-on learning, special performances, and activities from partners including NISE Network (National Informal STEM Education), Eric Energy, Wildlife Adventures, Numbers Alive! and others! Plus, Explore The Construction Zone and let your little Van Goh shine as you create and make in the Art Studio, build creations straight out your imagination at the Block Dock, explore the Universe and launch rockets towards the moon at the Sun, Earth, Universe exhibit! Plus, take center stage in the Black Box Theater and don’t forget to venture upstairs to enjoy The Oasis, Dance Dance Revolution and more!

10:30am-12:30pm: Dino-fy Yourself: Make Your Own Prehistoric Animal Costume at Q?rius Lab
Dinosaurs, giant sloths and mastodons, oh my! During this program, visitors will use art materials to create prehistoric animal costumes, wearable art, and accessories informed and inspired by science and the animals that will be featured in the new Fossil Hall that opens this summer. Participants can wear their creations on June 8th as part of the Fossil Hall opening celebration.This program is designed for ages 8 and up.

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; Rain, Rain, Go Away with your family through song, musical instruments, and movement. Plus, you receive a list of all the songs to practice at home.

1:00pm-5:00pm: Anacostia River Family Festival
The 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service present the fifth annual Anacostia River Festival, a premier event and the official closing of the 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival. For a taste of local D.C., come celebrate the Anacostia River and the 100th birthday of Anacostia Park. Take a canoe out to explore the River, ride in our bike parade, play lawn games with your family and experience Southeast D.C.’s local arts scene at this special FREE event.

Sunday

11:00am-4:00pm: The B&O Railroad Museum
Families and their guests from out of town will have the special opportunity to see the most important American railroad collection in the world! At 1:00pm visitors may hop on board the Mile One Express train ride and travel along the nation’s first mile of commercial railroad. It’s sure to be a “hoppening” good time!  

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
You and your child are invited to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, music, movement, and visual art. Each session you leave with a special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. The featured story is Dragons Love Tacos.

12:00pm-5:00pm: Celebrate Spring at Port Discovery with STEM
Explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in fun, playful ways during STEM in Spring at Port Discovery! Enjoy hands-on learning, special performances, and activities from partners including NISE Network (National Informal STEM Education), Eric Energy, Wildlife Adventures, Numbers Alive! and others! Plus, Explore The Construction Zone and let your little Van Goh shine as you create and make in the Art Studio, build creations straight out your imagination at the Block Dock, explore the Universe and launch rockets towards the moon at the Sun, Earth, Universe exhibit! Plus, take center stage in the Black Box Theater and don’t forget to venture upstairs to enjoy The Oasis, Dance Dance Revolution and more!

Monday

11:00am: Easter Egg Hunt in the Firehook Garden
Join a neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt in the Firehook Cleveland Park Garden. The event will start promptly at 11:00am, a winner will be announced and a delicious 8 inch Carrot Cake will be awarded to the participant with the most eggs. The first 20 guests will receive seasonal carrot cake cupcakes! All ages are welcome!

Plan Ahead:
–Friday Nerf Nights at Badlands
-April 27: Saturday Family Jam Session at Strathmore
-May 4: First Studio at The Kreeger Museum
–Tennis is coming to the roof of Union Market in July!
–Summer camp options!

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