Weekend Picks: Groundhog Day, Spy Fest and Avalon Theater

Friday:

10:30am: Groundhog Day at Meadowside Nature Center
(5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20853)
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Will spring be early or late? Find out how the groundhog became a weather forecaster, and make a craft to take home. Ages 3-5; $5

6:00pm: Spy Fest at The International Spy Museum
(between 9th and 8th Streets at 800 F Street, NW)
Could you be a spy? Now’s your chance to find out! The International Spy Museum’s Spy Fest 2015 provides kids and parents a rare opportunity to get an inside glimpse into the secret world of espionage. Through interactive, spy-related activities and booths, attendees will learn how to think like real secret agents as they assume new identities, decipher coded messages, analyze hand-written and satellite images, and detect liars by polygraph — all directly from experts in the field. And who knows, there just may be a spy or two in your midst…Ages: 5 and up* (one adult required for every five KidSpy agents). Ticket includes exclusive after-hours admission, SPY snacks, scavenger hunt, prize competitions, and more!

Saturday:

10:00am: Avalon Theater presents Marsha Goodman-Wood
(5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20015)
DC-based singer/songwriter Marsha Goodman-Wood sets little toes to tapping with original melodies that mix generous doses of science and positive social messages into songs that are just plain fun. Her quirky, smart compositions take on topics from astronomy (answering the age-old question “Why Can’t You Dance on Jupiter?”) to nonconformity (“Sheep Don’t Wear Shoes”) to biology (“The Penguin Song”).

10:30am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist (playing a ukulele!) 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. Best for ages 1 month-3 years. Featured story: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Sunday:

10:00am: Sunday Fun Day at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session you leave with a completed craft, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Best for ages 1-3. Featured story: Building a House

Monday:
7:30am: Groundhog Day in DuPont Circle Park
Potomac Phil, the National Groundhog, will make an appearance and offer weather and political predictions. Phil will let us know whether to expect six more weeks of winter or an early spring. Live accordion music, polka dancers, puppet show, VIP celebrities and more. Top Hats are strongly encouraged.

Want to get away for the weekend? Or just the day? Head to Baltimore! It’s a quick car trip and there’s endless fun to be had.