Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

Saturday & Sunday The Kennedy Center presents NSO Music for Young Audiences: String Thing. A “silent” comedic tag-team—bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green—takes a break from the NSO to introduce young audiences to some of the greatest music ever written in a hilarious program of music and mayhem. Most enjoyed by age 3 and up. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Most enjoyed by kids ages 3+. Come early for a Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo” -Starting one hour before the concert, hands-on activities let children get up close with the instruments they’ll see played on the stage.

Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt premieres at Adventure Theatre on Friday and plays through June 3, 2018. Third grade has put Judy Moody in a mood. She’s got to figure out what to include in her “Me” collage, and her know-it-all little brother Stink keeps getting in the way. When the Moody family drops anchor on “Artichoke” Island, they meet Cap’n Weevil with a secret treasure map, launching them on a mad dash across the island in search of gold. But they’re not the only salty dogs lookin’ for loot! Can Judy Moody and Stink outwit their competition in time? Will Judy finish her project? Come aboard as we launch this world premiere and find out! 

FYI: The {amazing} Beauvoir School playground will be closed all day this Sunday.

Friday

6:00pm-9:00pm: Parents Night Out at My Gym Potomac
Drop your kids off for three hours of nonstop action at My Gym including fitness games, active play, pizza and fun! Kids have their own party here at My Gym while grown-ups enjoy 3 hours to themselves. My Gym is the best babysitting around! Space is limited-Reserve your spot here! Reservations required. Potty Independent please.

Saturday

9:30am AND 11:00am: Christina Drapkin: Bob Goes the Weasel- Jazz for Kids at National Theatre
Sing, clap your hands, snap your fingers, and swing in this musical morning filled with variations on popular children’s tunes. Everyone is part of the action whether singing about Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Old MacDonald’s band, riding on Route 66, or Swinging on a Star. FREE

10:00am-11:00am: Tudor Tots: Welcome, Spring
Stimulate your toddler’s senses at Tudor Tots. Read, sing, and play as we celebrate spring in the picturesque gardens. Tots will take home a craft they’ve made themselves. Click link above to purchase tickets.

10:00am-2:00pm: Earth Optimism Day at the National Zoo
Celebrate conservation success stories at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in honor Earth Day. This year’s event features family friendly activities, hands-on learning opportunities and interactive demonstrations—all in the name of conservation. Hear first-hand from Zoo experts about some of the innovative solutions being used in the fight to save species, and learn how you can take action to help protect the planet at this free event!

11:00am-2:00pm: Spring in the Valley
Car seat safety check with Safe Kids DC, Spring Valley Pediatrics, Stork Childbirth Education, moon-bounces, face paint and so much more.

11:00am: Saturday Family Jazz Session at Strathmore
Junior jazz aficionados spend Saturday mornings singing, playing, and preparing for a lifetime of music appreciation. Strathmore’s fun, creative, kid-friendly series features renowned jazz singer Rochelle Rice and multi-instrumentalist Seth Kibel. Recommended for ages 3–8.

11:00am-3:00pm: Designing for Our Changing World with Discover-E at the National Building Museum
Construct the perfect city for our changing world out of recyclables and display it in the Great Hall. Learn from the 2018 National Future City Competition winning team from Edlin, Virgina as they present their award winning designs and share how they learned to consider the needs of all citizens, including our oldest residents. This event does not require an RSVP.

1:00pm-4:00pm: Taste of DuPont
Dupont Circle restaurants will open their doors to showcase their signature appetizers, entrées, drinks, and desserts for the 11 annual Taste of Dupont. This progressive lunch encourages patrons to walk from restaurant to tavern with a master ticket to discover new places to try. Purchase ticket at above link.

1:00pm AND 4:30pm: The Wild Kratts at DAR Constitution Hall
WILD KRATTS – LIVE! is a theatrical stage show based on the #1 animated television series Wild Kratts. Martin and Chris Kratt, stars of the Emmy-nominated Wild Kratts step out LIVE ON STAGE to engage the audience in a classic Wild Kratts story. Experience, live-on-stage, the astounding “creature” fundamentals, and the infectious excitement and inspiring quest of the Kratt Brothers that make the hit television series Wild Kratts so popular with kids and their families.

5:00pm-8:00pm: Off the Wall at George Mason
A benefit hosted by Mason’s School of Art, and programs in Computer Game Design and Film and Video Studies to celebrate and support the visual arts at Mason. Create a mural. Star in a film. Play a virtual game. Enjoy the music, silent auction, food, and drinks – it’s a great party!

Sunday

9:00am-10:30am: Splish, Splash Sea Lion at the National Zoo
Bring your young animal lover to the Zoo this weekend for “Splish, Splash Sea Lion,”. 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.  Pre-registration is required. $28/child for FONZ members. $35/child for non-members. Registration fee covers one child with adult.

9:00am-4:00pm: Earth Day Festival at Brookside Gardens
Brookside Gardens to celebrate Earth Day and learn ways to keep it healthy.This festival offers something for everyone: a green craft fair, a plant sale featuring natives, environmental action area, family activities, interactive drum circles and more. This year we’ll have family activities and educational vendors that will help you discover how small changes in your everyday habits can make a big impact on improving our environment! 

12:00pm-4:00pm: Earth Day Plant Sale & Picnic at Tudor Place
The annual Plant Sale will feature heirloom and native sun to shade perennials for your garden, as well as tropical and house plants. New this year: herbs and other edible plants. Your Plant Sale purchases support conservation and education at Tudor Place. Bring your own picnic and blanket. See you rain or shine!

12:00pm: Shakespeare’s Birthday at Folger Shakespeare Library
Join the Folger for this beloved annual tradition, as we celebrate the birthday of the Bard with a day full of festivities. From Shakespeare performances to stage combat demonstrations to Elizabethan crafts, there’s something for everyone—including birthday cake!

1:00pm: Kite Day at Strathmore
Grab your kites and head to Strathmore for a day of fun and spectacle! Fly your own kite and watch amazing demonstrations, including outdoor choreographed team flying and indoor flying set to live music. Picnic, toss a frisbee, and enjoy the afternoon with family, then join us for an amazing performance of Air Play in the Concert Hall  (tickets to Air Play can be purchased here). Guests may fly their own kites, visit the exhibition in the Mansion, picnic, and enjoy throughout the day! Click above for a schedule of demonstrations and other events. 

2:00pm AND 4:00pm: Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site at Hylton Performing Arts Center
Bedtime is approaching, and this team of construction vehicles needs to get their rest. But Crane Truck is getting cranky, Cement Mixer takes too long with bath time, and Dump Truck just isn’t sleepy! Excavator and Bulldozer find that preparing for bed is a job in itself! Will they ever get some shut-eye before tomorrow’s day of work? A world premiere musical based upon the New York Times best-selling picture book about construction vehicles by author Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrator Tom Lichtenheld demonstrates the importance of teamwork, follow-through, hard work, and bedtime rituals. Founded in 2004, the Bay Area Children’s Theatre works to enrich children’s lives, inspire their imagination, and introduce them to lifelong enjoyment of theater. Recommended for ages 3–8; Pre-K–Grade 3.

4:00pm: Air Play at Strathmore
Ride the wind and dream with Air Play, a modern spectacle that brings to life the very air we breathe. Perfect for families, Air Play’s flying umbrellas, larger-than-life balloons, giant kites, and the biggest snow globe you’ve ever seen will make you gasp in wonder and laugh until it hurts. This circus-style adventure tells the story of two siblings journeying through a surreal land of air, transforming the ordinary into objects of uncommon beauty. Fabrics dance in the wind, balloons have a mind of their own, confetti become the night sky, and an enormous canopy of hovering silk forever alters their future. Recommended ages 5+.