Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

We apologize for being MIA and promise once we are back in the swing of school, Beltway Bambinos has big things planned for you all. We are enjoying a few weeks with no summer camp and just family fun being more unplugged than usual. Why did summer fly by so quickly and please slow the clock down {school starts in 10 days for us}!

As a reminder, the coupon code 19NATSKIDS is valid for use THIS WEEKEND as the Nationals take on the Milwaukee Brewers Friday through Sunday! This weekend promises to be action-packed as these two teams continue to fight for playoff position, PLUS the weekend will feature two fun giveaways, with a Patrick Corbin Bobblehead giveaway for fans of all ages on Saturday, and the Sunday kids giveaway, a Teddy Squeezable Toy. Fans who use the coupon code 19NATSKIDS will receive 20% off tickets in select sections for any of the three games this weekend. Also continuing through Labor Day is the Nationals Kids Eat Free program! This initiative offers complimentary meals for Jr. Nationals Kids Club members. The complimentary meal packs include a hot dog, a choice of chips or applesauce, and a 12 oz. bottled water or soda, and are available at dedicated Kids Eat Free concession stands. Jr. Nationals Kids Club membership is free of charge for children ages 12 and younger. Fans can register for the Jr. Nationals Kids Club and the Kids Eat Free program through the MLB Ballpark App or by clicking here.

Montgomery County Agriculture Fair ends on Saturday. Get your fill of carnival rides, live entertainment, 4-H demonstrations and contests, animals and so much more.

While the beautiful Glen Echo Park Carousel building is being restored and renovated, the Glen Echo Park Partnership (along with Talk of the Town) is sponsoring some great activities for two weekends in August and two weekends in September that are FREE to you with your same-day purchase of tickets to The 3 Billy Goats Gruff at the Puppet Co. Click here for all of the details.

The 2019 Pokémon World Championship has returned to Washington, DC, from August 16 to 18 at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The best players from all over the world will compete for the title of Pokémon TCG, Video Game, or Pokkén Tournament World Champion—and for their share of the prizes! You can have a great time at the Pokémon World Championships even if you aren’t competing in the main event by attending as a spectator. Go see all the battles in person and participate in side events throughout the three-day event.

Friday

4:00pm-8:00pm: $2 Family Fun Night at Port Discovery Children’s Museum presented by Ports America
Join Port Discovery for $2 Family Fun Night presented by Ports America Chesapeake from 4-8 PM and explore big new exhibits including The Port (featuring a giant cargo ship!), the four-story SkyClimber, and three floors of other favorite exhibits including Wonders of Water,  Tiny’s Diner, Here We Grow! and more. Admission $2 for individuals ages one and up. Members and children under  one enter free.

5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Sculpture Garden
The Jazz in the Garden Series begins its 19th season in May. The free concert series features jazz artists performing a wide variety of styles—Brazilian Folk Jazz, Alternative Modern, Blues, Reggae, World Steam Punk, Afro Funk, African Fusion Jazz, Cuban Charanga, Django Guitar, New Orleans Jazz, and more—every Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:30 in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. You can purchase food and adult beverages or bring your own picnic (but no adult bevs are allowed in, purchase them there).

5:00pm-8:00pm: Summer Friday Event at Spring Valley Village
Stop by for jewelry making, face painting, art activities for the kids, shopping, and more! Grab an outdoor seat at one of the delicious restaurants while your kiddos hop from station to station.

5:30pm-8:00pm: Nerf Night at Badlands
Badlands invites kids ages 7+ to join us for an evening of team based challenges! Participants are encouraged to bring the blaster of their choosing and protective eye wear. Badlands will provide the foam darts, a FREE buffet for the kids, and FUN! Be on the lookout for our weekly themed Nerf nights, including Pokemon, Fortnite, Superheros, and much more!

7:00pm-9:00pm: Friday Night Concert Series
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 9th Season. Every Friday night this summer, head to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants within a few minutes walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike.

7:30pm: Aladdin at The Kennedy Center
Discover a whole new world at Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical! From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy, and breathtaking spectacle. Playing through September 7.

Saturday

9:00am-10:30am: Elephant March! Preschool Class at the National Zoo
Stomp your feet and raise your trunk! Follow the herd to learn all about amazing elephants at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 3-5 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. 

10:00am: Saturday Morning at The National: Stone Soup & Other Stories
Anchored in American roots music, Fox and Branch are as much a celebration of being together as it is a musical performance. Audience members are invited to sing along, to dance, and to come onstage to try their hand at the washboard and other musical instruments. Dave Fox and Will Branch strive to create a communal atmosphere of fun and high spirits wherever they play. Everyone has fun at a Fox and Branch show!

11:00am-7:00pm: Around The World Cultural Food Festival
You will be taken on a “day trip around the world” and presented with cuisine, culture and traditions of several countries participating on the event. Please check their website or Facebook page for this year’s participating countries.  There will be a full day schedule of traditional dances on the stage starting with 11:30am! Ethnic arts & crafts, small businesses and non-profit organizations will also be present at the festival! Join for a full day of culture, art, food and performances!

11:30am-3:00pm: Korean Family Day at the National Portrait Gallery
Learn about Korean culture and celebrate the exhibition, ‘Portraits of the World: Korea’ with one-of-a-kind crafts and lively music. 

12:00pm-5:00pm:  Georgia Avenue Day 
A festival at Bruce Monroe Park at Columbia Road and Georgia Avenue, NW. There will be more than 40 vendors selling everything from fine art to clothing.  And food trucks will be present to fill your cravings.  And a stage will fill the park with open mic music and poetry for you to participate and enjoy!  Free!

Sunday

9:00am-10:30am: Elephant March! Preschool Class at the National Zoo
Stomp your feet and raise your trunk! Follow the herd to learn all about amazing elephants at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. 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. 

10:30am-11:30am: Groovy Nate at Capitol Cider House
Groovy Nate is a children’s entertainer and Wolf Trap Teaching Artist who creates fun and educational shows using exotic musical instruments and puppet skits— a la Sesame Street meets Parliament/Funkadelic, meshed with The Electric Company, Kraftwerk, and Dub Reggae. The shows encourage children and adults to move, sing, and play creatively with one another, while exposing them to various genres of music. Tickets required for all ages. All adult ticket holders will be able to enjoy our normal weekday happy hour – $4 pours of house cider, $5 craft beer, $6 local wine & $7 cocktails – from 10am-noon. Doors open at 10am. Full food and drink menus will be available. This is a family-friendly event.

3:30pm-4:15pm: Summer Sunday Fun-Day at Imagination Stage: Elephant & Piggie
You and your child will 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. Best for ages 1-5.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor: Learning to See The World of Insects
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Please note that movies will begin at 6:00pm and will be shown once. They also feature Date Night Movies on Thursdays at 7:00pm.

More events:
National Building Museum Summer Block Party
Treasure Island at Synetic Theatre– Final Weekend
The Cat in the Hat at Adventure Theatre

**Visit our calendar to plan ahead!
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