Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

2020 is the Year of the Rat, an animal that symbolises wealth and the beginning of a new day. This weekend is full of ways to celebrate with the family. The REACH, Chinese New Year Day at the Kennedy Center, Chinese New Year Family Day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Lunar New Year at Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Lunar New Year Celebration at Freer|Sackler and DC Chinese New Year Parade are a few!

Zoom! Zoom! The Washington Auto Show is at the Convention Center January 24-February 2. Your chance to check out the newest vehicles, ride in an all-new Jaguar, driven by a stunt driver, and test-drive an all-electric vehicle on the streets of DC. This year’s Family Fun Zone will be bigger than ever, featuring appearances by popular PBS characters including Splash and Bubbles, Daniel Tiger, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Jet Propulsion from Ready Jet Go!, and Luna from Let’s Go Luna! 

Monster Jam has rolled into Capital One Arena and will be putting on a show Saturday and Sunday.

Jurassic Quest allows you experience over 80, true-to-life-size, dinosaurs and all-new water dwellers at the Dulles Expo Center Friday-Sunday. Young Paleontologists can uncover huge triceratops fossils, T-Rex fossils and more. Unearth million year old secrets just like a real paleontologist! Children can ride on the back of our special animatronic dinosaurs. There all lots of different species to ride and our guests always find their favorite. Many activities for children including face paint, crafts, bounce houses, science stations and more.

Saturday

9:30am AND 10:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
Ten years and more than 1,600 shows later, Harambe @BloomBars has become a Washington DC institution and a cultural/moral compass for thousands of parents and youth. In Swahili, Harambe means “All pull together.” At BloomBars, Harambe is the practice of hope, possibility and compassion – basically, all the things that happen when we all come together. Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community. With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years Parental consent required. $10 per child $7 per adult suggested donation (sliding scale..invest more if you can!)

10:00am AND 11:30am: AMP: BSO Music Box at Strathmore
Back by popular demand! The BSO Music Box concert series is the perfect program for budding little music lovers. Maria Broom hosts these 30-minute highly engaging and interactive concerts featuring an ensemble of BSO musicians performing light-hearted classical and children’s songs to develop your child’s musicality, creativity, coordination, and literacy. Half an hour prior to each concert, the room fills with a range of musical, creative, and fun activities for children and families, presented by Levine First Music. Ideal for ages 6 months–3 years. What fun to frolic in a beautiful winter wonderland of fluffy snow!

10:30am AND 11:00am: Winter Blast: A Family Day of Native Games
This family-friendly event celebrates Indigenous games from the Arctic to Argentina. Visitors can meet Talibah Begay (Navajo) as she shares a traditional Navajo shoe guessing game, Leihua Stewart (Native Hawaiian) shares traditional Hawaiian games. Participants can learn to play Bolivian games with Julia Garcia (Aymara). The day features hands-on activities and “make-and-takes.”

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.

Sunday

1:30pm AND 4:00pm: Beauty and the Beat
See NSO principal second violinist Marissa Regni and NSO principal percussionist Eric Shin in an exciting new program exploring the magic created when the violin and percussion join together. Ages 3+

3:00pm-5:00pm: Fairy Tale Ball at Noyes Children Library
Enjoy a winter theme and all of the same great elements as last year! Beginning with The Royal Procession, the Ball features lively dancing and friendly craft tables. The Royal Reading Room with stories and songs invites families to enjoy favorite children’s books read aloud. Children and families are encouraged to dress in costumes of any kind! The Winter Wonderland Ball is open to children of all ages, but the activities are geared to kids from 2 to 8 years old.  We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance, as there is limited space!

3:00pm-6:00pm: STEAM Day
Tinker, experiment, create, and explore with Gesher JDS and PJ Library
Join this FREE afternoon of around the world family fun! Your child’s curiosity will take them to new and far-away places when they experience science, technology, engineering, art, math with hands-on projects for kids aged 3-8 and their parents! Get your passport stamped as you travel around the world trying out experiments and activities as you go.

3:30pm AND 5:30pm: Capital City Symphony’s Symphonic Dancing
This fun, interactive family concert will have every family member on their feet! The program explores the expressive, dance-like melodies of William Grant Still’s Danzas de Panama, and Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag. Come enjoy this energetic concert for all ages!  Join us 30 minutes before the performance for our Instrument Petting Zoo!

Enter to win 4 tickets to see A King’s Speech at National Theatre.