Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

KID Museum is an AWESOME hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math learning experience with an exploration of world cultures and global citizenship. It offers unique, maker experiences for elementary and middle school-aged children. See events calendar here to pick a day that is perfect for your Bambino. You won’t be disappointed. KID Museum’s current site at Davis Library in Bethesda, Maryland provides the community with programs and workshops on weekends and after school.

There is no Food Like My Food is part of the National Gallery of Art Winter Film Program, showing this weekend. This delicious collection of short documentary films features food from around the world. Hear firsthand from child narrators how they and their families prepare traditional dishes. This program features food from France, Argentina, Trinidad, Thailand, and Kazakhstan. Learn that how food is gathered, prepared, and eaten reflects the unique culture and history of a particular location.(New Dimension Media, USA, 60 minutes). Best for ages 6+. 

Did you know the Washington Monument weighs more than 5,000 Apatosauruses? Yes, really! Ready for another one? About 41 Spinosauruses could stand nose-to-tail in the reflecting pool outside the Lincoln Memorial! Come learn more fun dinosaur facts when our dinosaur exhibit stomps into the DC Armory January 26-28! Since the Fossil Hall at the Smithsonian is closed for another year, you have to get your dinosaur fix in somewhere! Get your tickets for our to Discover Dinosaurs at DC Armory DC today and get ready for family fun of Jurassic proportions!

Monster Jam is at Capital One Arena this weekend. Featuring the eight most intense athletes of Monster Jam, Washington, DC fans will witness a fierce battle for the championship with each competitor using customized high-powered vehicles: Monster Jam Speedsters, Monster Jam ATVs and the famous Monster Jam trucks. 

Applause Unlimited of Richmond, VA is back at the Glen Echo Playhouse for the next three weekends, presenting three of Beatrix Potter’s favorite tales: “Two Bad Mice,” “Jemima Puddle-Duck,” and “Jeremy Fisher.” Christopher Hudert brings these stories to life through the everyday activities of a young girl as she dreams and plays alone in her room. BEst for ages 3-9, a 45 minute performance. 

Friday-

6:00pm-9:00pm: Spy Fest: Tradecraft Try-Its Ticket at International Spy Museum
Could you be a spy? Now’s your chance to find out! Sitting in your comfy chair watching James Bond makes spy tradecraft look easy-now’s your chance to find out if you could be the next 007. Do you have the savvy to beat a lie-detector? The smarts to break a top secret coded message? The wits to create secret writing? The moves of a Ninja? Families are invited to find out how they measure up at the Museum’s annual Spy Fest. Mini-missions, tradecraft demonstrations by the experts, and the chance to try spy skill challenges will give KidSpy agents and their handlers an insider’s peek into the shadow world of spying-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)
Tickets: $14 per person*, Members of The Inner Circle: $12 *Includes exclusive after-hours admission, SPY snacks, scavenger hunt, prize competitions, and more! Complementary frozen custard generously donated by Shake Shack!

Saturday-

9:30am AND 11:00am: Beech Tree Puppets: Hollow Stump at National Theatre
Adapted from the popular tale, The Mitten, The Hollow Stumpcelebrates community, as the animals learn to share one space. Seven very different animals seek shelter from the winter cold and snow in a large hollow stump. The characteristics of each animal are revealed through a unique and descriptive poem and song. When the animals let newcomers enter and the space inside the stump grows tighter, their songs interweave. FREE

11:00am-12:30pm AND 1:30pm-3:00pm: Musical Innovations at Sackler Gallery
What kind of music did people listen to thousands of years ago? Visit the exhibition Resound: Ancient Bells of China and learn about the technologies that led to innovations in early Chinese music. Then, return to the studio to create your own cutting-edge music makers using twenty-first-century technologies with teaching artists from FutureMakers. This program is designed for children aged six to twelve and adults to enjoy together. Free registration required. Email AsiaWorkshops@si.edu with the following information: name, session andnumber of registrants (include youth and caretakers). We will respond with your registration status within forty-eight hours.

11:00am: Clementine: The Musical at Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center
Clementine is not having a good day, but she’s not letting a trip to the principal’s office get her down! Whether she’s cutting the glue out of her best friend Margaret’s hair, concocting a scheme to prevent her teacher Mr. D’Matz from moving to Egypt, or riding the service elevator with Mitchell, who is N-O-T not her boyfriend, Clementine’s antics are sure to make you laugh. Join America’s favorite curly-haired carrot-top as she navigates the waters of friendship, family, school, and mischief on a hilariously epic third-grade adventure you’ll never forget. Don’t miss this fun new musical based on the series of books by Sara Pennypacker! Recommended for ages 5+.

1:00pm: Culture Queen at Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Black History Live! with Culture Queen is a modern-day Josephine Baker-inspired performance for children that uses original and interactive music, movement and storytelling to teach them to celebrate their history and love themselves. With a spoonful of magic and ancient wisdom, Culture Queen’s soulful alto voice dances across a fusion of festive calypso, Afrobeat, jazz and hip-hop rhythms that celebrate the Kings and Queens of African American history. Free, with reservation. Tickets may be reserved HERE.

Sunday-

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
Bring your favorite stories 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. Featured story: The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Date Night Giveaway to Spoiled Rotten! at National Theatre is coming to a close soon, enter here!!

Have you entered to win 4 tickets to Disney on Ice for opening show??