Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

Fancy Nancy premieres on Friday at Adventure Theatre and will be entertaining Bambinos through Jan. 6.

ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas begins Nov. 16 and lasts through Jan. 1 ICE!—is a signature holiday attraction at The Gaylord & is back with a new theme. Watch Charlie Brown rediscover the meaning of Christmas as the beloved story unfolds through two million pounds of ice sculptures and displays. After all the fun Christmas activities and ICE, warm up with a cup of hot cocoa and sweet treats at the Cocoa Shoppe.

Saturday

9:30am: Atlas Arts for Young Audiences: The Hollow Stump
Seven very different animals seek shelter from the winter cold and snow in a large hollow stump. The cuddly, hand-crafted rod-puppets will enchant any child as the characteristics of each animal are revealed through a unique and descriptive poem and song. When the animals let newcomers enter and the space inside the stump grows tighter, these songs interweave. Adapted from the popular tale, The Mitten, this tale celebrates community, as the animals learn to share one space. Best for ages: 3-9

10:00am-12:00pm: Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade
The streets are being overrun with turkeys, dinosaurs, penguins, and reindeer! No, the zoo hasn’t opened their gates – it is the Annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade! With marching bands, Bolivian dancing groups, floats, giant characters and balloons, and Santa, the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade is the only Thanksgiving Parade in the metro DC area. Held in downtown Silver Spring, the exciting parade traditionally heralds the start of the holiday season. The parade steps off from Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and proceeds south on Georgia Avenue, ending at Silver Spring Avenue.

10:00am-1:00pm: Glen Echo: Saturday Art Explorers
Drop in for an art activity and play in the Candy Corner Studio for $5, no need to pre-register. Play on the playground afterwards, look around the Glen Echo Park Aquarium or see a show at the Puppet Co.

10:00am-12:00pm: Michael’s Kids Club
They craft, you shop! Kids 3 and up can enjoy making a Penguin craft. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.

10:00am-11:00am: First Studio at Kreeger Museum
Children are invited to use their imaginations as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each First Studio includes a gallery tour, a story, and a hands-on art-making experience. An adult companion is required and art-making attire is recommended. Workshop fee per child: $10 Adult companion: Free. Read about our experience a few years ago; we’ve been back many, many more times since then.

10:30am: Turkeypalooza at the Arts Barn
Back by popular demand, VF Dance Theater takes children on an exciting adventure that explores Thanksgiving. This interactive story encourages children to count, read, move, and solve problems. Known for their athleticism and comedy, VF Dance Theater engages young audiences with this unique holiday performance. Great for the entire family; recommended for ages 3 and up. Performance is followed by a craft.

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 with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home. Ages 1-5. Featured story: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

11:00am: American Pops Orchestra presents a Very Silly Vaudeville at Arena Stage

2:00pm-4:00pm: Acton Academy Detective Adventure for Children Aged 6-10
Have you ever imagined yourself as a shrewd and observant detective, solving mysteries to make the world a better, safer place? Are you fascinated by forensics, the science behind solving criminal cases? If yes, please join Acton elementary teacher, Katie Langford, for an Acton Academy adventure into the world of forensics. During this mini-quest, you will be part of the elite “Detective in Training” program, tasked with a series of challenges to determine the culprit in a case of stolen files. Use your observation and deduction skills to complete real-world experiments and solve the case! This is a free event, and there are limited spaces available. Please register.

3:00pm: Kid’s birthday cake and truffle baking class at Milk Bar
Learn the secrets to how we make our favorite b’day cake! Join us as we teach the how’s and why’s, as we build our layer cakes together! We’ll also show you how to make our beloved b’day cake truffles with leftover cake scraps and you’ll take home your very own 6″ b’day cake! Registration is $95 for one adult and child. Open to ages 5-16.

Sunday

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
Your child’s favorite stories will come 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. Featured story: Where it the Green Sheep?

11:30am: Atlas Arts for Young Audiences: The Hollow Stump
Seven very different animals seek shelter from the winter cold and snow in a large hollow stump. The cuddly, hand-crafted rod-puppets will enchant any child as the characteristics of each animal are revealed through a unique and descriptive poem and song. When the animals let newcomers enter and the space inside the stump grows tighter, these songs interweave. Adapted from the popular tale, The Mitten, this tale celebrates community, as the animals learn to share one space. Best for ages: 3-9

12:00pm-4:00pm: Fall Festival at Right Proper Brookland
A festival of fall fun! There will be carnival games, a DIY candy apple station, bounce house and more! The cheese counter at #RightProperShaw will be onsite with some delicious eats, and we’ll be serving up fresh apple cider from Distillery Lane Ciderworks! $5 per adult or $10/family gets you unlimited access to all games, the bounce house and the DIY candy apple station! Stop by the brewery between noon and 4pm to get in on the fun!

12:30 & 1:30pm: Kidz Graffiti Party at ArtJamz
It is time to get messy like a street artist at our $10 Kidz Graffiti Party and get 1 Hour of studio time to paint the wall. The lounge will be open for accompanying parents and we’ll be playing jamming tunes to inspire all the little artist. Afterwards, your family can purchase additional studio time and canvas and let your vision come to life off the wall.

3:30pm: Happy Tails Story Time at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library
Join for a fun story time with adorable dogs each month. Kick off this story time with a book, some songs and then it is your turn. Bring your own book, make up a story, or grab a book here in the library to read to a lovable doggie. Many thanks to the volunteers with People Animals Love (PAL) for bringing in their pets. Next date: Dec. 9. *Story time is subject to availability of dogs.

5:00-7:00pm: Marsha and the Positrons CD Release Show at Busboys & Poets
Album listening party with giveaways!