Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

Winterfest is here! Nationals Park is turning into a winter and baseball wonderland for the annual weekend-long fan fest, complete with both indoor and outdoor programs. Interact with players and coaches, hear updates on the team, and enjoy special behind-the-scenes access to several parts of Nationals Park that are typically closed during the season! There will be a variety of activities including: Photo opportunity with the Commissioner’s Trophy, Photo opportunities with players, coaches and team mascots, Clubhouse tours, Dugout Dance photo opportunity in the Nationals dugout, Hit in the Nationals batting cages, Race the Racing Presidents, WGL Energy Bullpen Cart photo opportunity, Winter-themed activities and interactive events, Stories read by Nationals players Youth baseball clinics from the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy and more.

Friday

6:00pm-9:00pm: Parents Night Out at Bolt
Every month parents can drop kids off at BOLT and have an evening to themselves, secure in the knowledge that their children are having fun, getting exercise, and making friends in a safe place. For ages 5+ due to the size of the equipment in the gym. Kids have a blast with open gym play time, pizza dinner (must order pizza separately, see below*), popcorn and watching an appropriate movie in the gym. $20 if currently enrolled at any Dynamite gym, $25 for the general public.

Saturday

9:30am AND 11:30am: Sound Health at the Kennedy Center featuring CityDance POP
This series of free workshops designed for families with children under the age of 5 explores the power of the arts to promote wellness of the mind and body. Every second Saturday of the month, local arts organizations offer two 45-minute workshops in the Kennedy Center Grand Foyer.

10:00am-2:00pm: Camp Arena Stage Open House
The open house will feature sample activities and classes taught by camp staff and provides an opportunity for prospective campers and parents to experience a taste of Camp Arena Stage and have all their camp questions answered. The event is free and children ages 8-15 are welcome to participate in sample workshops and classes focusing on theater, musical theater, visual art, singing and dance. Prospective campers and their families are welcome to drop in for any portion of this event.

10:00am-12:00pm: Clean the Little Falls Creek and Parkway
Clean Creek/Clean Parkway – Help us help the Bay! Join Little Falls Watershed Alliance to clean the creek. Pre-approved for MCPS SSL hours.  Under 14 must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

10:15am-12:00pm AND 1:30pm–3:15pm: Family Workshop at National Gallery of Art
Workshops provide the opportunity to explore artists’ thinking and studio practices. Taught by museum educators, each workshop includes a conversation in the galleries followed by a hands-on studio art session. Family Workshops are designed for children (ages 8–11) and adults to participate in together. Workshops are free but preregistration is required.

10:30am-12:00pm: The World and Me: Family Program: Backyard Habitats for Birds and other Wildlife
Learn more about your place in the world through explorations of nature and culture. Every second Saturday of the month, museum educators lead a program that combines a book reading, activities, and a chance to look more closely at the museum’s collections.  For this month’s program, participants will do activities to understand the needs of birds, how this changes seasonally, and how birds have adapted to living in various habitats. Horticulturists from Smithsonian Gardens will serve as special guest experts to help us learn about making our own backyards safe and welcoming habitats for birds and other wildlife, and why this is important. Visitors will also learn how to participate in the nationwide Backyard Bird Count in February where anyone can count birds they find in their backyard and share their information with scientists!

5:00pm-8:00pm: Parents Night Out at Dynamite Gym
Every month, from September through May, parents can drop kids off at Dynamite and have an evening to themselves, secure in the knowledge that their children are having fun, getting exercise, and making friends in a safe place. Please note attendees must be ages 3½+ and reliably potty trained. Kids have a blast with open gym play time, pizza dinner (must order pizza separately, see below*), movie popcorn and watching an appropriate film in the gym.$22 if currently enrolled at any Dynamite gym, $30 for the general public.

Sunday

10:30am-12:30pm: Washington Wizards Kids Day
Head to Capital One Arena for a fun-filled afternoon of LEGO themed activities, STEM projects, face painting, balloon artists, crafts, prizes and more! The first 200 kids will receive a gift!*Kids Day is a FREE event from 10:30 A.M. -12:30 P.M. The Washington Wizards will take on the Utah Jazz at 3:30 P.M. that day. Discount tickets will be available for purchase during Kids Day if you would like to attend the game. Don’t miss out, RSVP today.

11:00am-12:00pm: Storytime at Hirshhorn
Storytime explores contemporary art through stories and movement. Each week features a fresh and fun theme. Bring your littlest art lover for an introduction to an artist on view, interactive read aloud, and a hands-on activity.

11:15am–1:00pm AND 2:30pm–4:15pm: .Family Workshop at National Gallery of Art
Workshops provide the opportunity to explore artists’ thinking and studio practices. Taught by museum educators, each workshop includes a conversation in the galleries followed by a hands-on studio art session. Family Workshops are designed for children (ages 8–11) and adults to participate in together. Workshops are free but preregistration is required.

5:00pm: Step Afrika! Step Xpolsion at Strathmore
Strathmore is proud to welcome back Step Afrika!, the first professional organization dedicated to the African American tradition of stepping. This performance begins with a showcase of the region’s finest step squads featuring lightning-fast footwork, percussive chants, and incredible synchronicity. In addition to Step Xplosion, Step Afrika! will showcase a portion of their new work, Drumfolk, commissioned by Strathmore. Drumfolk honors the heritage of step and places the evolution of this vibrant art form in its historical context. Tracing step’s roots to the African American percussive traditions of patting juba, hambone, ring shout, and tap, Drumfolk reflects on the harsh realities of the American South and celebrates the fortitude of enslaved Africans who practiced these transcendent musical forms.Ideal for ages 8 and up.

Weekend Theater:
Narnia at Encore Stage & Studio: January 10-19, 2020
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe at Imagination Stage: Final weekend
Mouse on the Move at Imagination Stage: January 11-February 16, 2020
Pete the Cat at Olney Theatre Center: January 11-12, 2020

GIVEAWAY:
Enter to win 4 tickets to the Monster Jam show on January 25 at 7pm. Enter on Facebook and/or Instagram just by commenting! A random winner will be announced on January 19, 2020.

You can still sign-up for some winter classes!