Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

Searching for a unique and wholesome way to bond with your family this holiday season? The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum’s Annual Holiday Card Workshop may be just what you’re looking for! Perfect for visitors of all ages, this open-house event will be held from 10:00am–4:00pm on both Saturday, December 8th, 2018 and Sunday, December 9th, 2018. The museum provides a bountiful spread of patterned papers, postage and rubber stamps, gems and other 3-D embellishments, special cut-out scissors, washi tape, stickers, markers of every color, and more! Following their own creative instincts, kids can choose whichever supplies they would like to design one-of-a-kind greetings for any holiday, or even just a wintery “Hello!”

Sit back, relax and let Santa’s helpers serve you during this magical holiday experience;Tea with Santa at Dumbarton House. This event is held from 11:00am-1:00pm on both Saturday, December 8th, 2018 and Sunday, December 9th, 2018. Visit with Santa and hear a special holiday story. Families enjoy a delicious holiday tea complete with special holiday tea blends, hot apple cider, sandwiches and desserts. After taking tea, children decorate their own gingerbread cookies to take home. Tickets: general adults $30, General Kids $20, Member adults $25, Member kids $15

The Annual Sugarloaf Festival is at Dulles Expo Center Friday-Sunday. Shop Sugarloaf Crafts for the holidays! Join 350+ talented artisans December 7 -9 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA. Find the most unique and special gifts for everyone on your shopping list. Every treasure has its own story, and our exhibitors love sharing the history of their creations. Meet face to face directly with master craftsmen and artists as you shop handcrafted gifts, jewelry, fashion, fine art, photography, home furnishings and decor, pottery, sculpture, and more to discover. Dozens of specialty food exhibitors vendors have tasty treats to sample and buy – a perfect stocking stuffer! Live art demonstrations and an interactive puppet theater keep the whole family entertained as you stroll aisles after aisle of the nation’s most talented artisans. 

(Photo: Light Yards)

Georgetown Glow and Light Yards are two exhibits you won’t want to miss! 

Other holiday events (not highlighted below, because there are just SO many) can be found here:
Holiday shows, ballets & concerts

Ice skating, holiday light displays and outdoor fun

Holiday tea

Zoo Lights

Friday

6:00pm-8:00pm: Nerf Night at Badlands
Badlands invites kids ages 7+ to join us the first Friday of every month for Nerf Night! Participants are encouraged to bring the tool of their choosing and protective eye wear- Badlands will provide the foam darts and the fun! Rentals are also available from the front desk for $5. Be sure to purchase your general admission ticket for the 6 PM – 8 PM time slot online ahead of time. We will have a pavilion available for parents and Happy Hour until close!
Plan Ahead for other Nerf Nights: Jan 4 & Feb 1

Saturday

10:00am-3:00pm: Holiday Family Day at National Air & Space Museum
Join a festive Holiday Family Day at the National Air and Space Museum. Take a look at the winter night sky for unique constellations you can only see during the winter solstice and learn how air and space technology make holiday travel, communication, and shopping possible.  The event will also feature hands-on activities, a scavenger hunt, and special performances. 

10:00am-10:45am: Junior Ranger Program: Scavenger Hunt
Join a ranger to solve riddles and explore treasures along the way. Find out what’s around at this time of year or where it might be if you don’t see it. You never know what we will find! Ages 5+

10:00am: Civil War Tour
Join Ranger Steve Phan of the Civil War Defenses of Washington for a tour of Fort Bunker Hill. Named after the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775 in Boston, the fort had 13 guns mounted in the rectangular-shaped fort, which operated until the conclusion of hostilities in 1865.  The program will detail the fort’s construction, its involvement during the Battle of Fort Stevens, and the post-war transformation of the historic landscape in Northeast DC. Free.  Rain or shine.

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, or see a show at the Puppet Co. and get tickets to see Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas at Adventure Theatre.

11:00am-2:00pm: Santa Saturday at Glen Echo Park Aquarium: Visit with Santa, snap a picture, make a wish, and everyone gets a candy cane!

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

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: The Wheels on the Bus

4:00pm-7:00pm: 10th Annual Winter’s Eve at Glen Echo
Get into the holiday spirit while enjoying holiday crafts, story time, portrait shoots, hot cocoa, crafts, 

Sunday

(Photo: Jingle Argh The Way at Encore Stage & Studio)

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. Bear Snore On is the theme!

1:30pm: Cinderella at Imagination Stage

3:00pm: Jingle Argh The Way at Encore Stage & Studio

Plan Ahead: Jane Austen Birthday Tea on December 16th, 11am-1pm 

Related Posts:

Holiday Gift Guide

Theatre for the Family