Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

Saturday-

10:00am: Blue Sky Puppet Theatre at Avalon Theatre
Blue Sky Puppet Theatre is back at the Avalon this winter! In “If Pigs Could Fly,” three 5th grade students join the school librarian for the 2nd grade story time. One 2nd grader, Rocky, says he doesn’t like books. The 5th graders proceed to show Rocky and his classmates how much fun reading can be by producing puppet shows from 4 world folktales books from the library. Tickets: $8.00 / $6.50 for Avalon members (Children under 2 are free).

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. Where The Wild Things Are is the featured story.

11:00am: Saturday Family Jazz Session at AMP by 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. This weekends show: Jump, Jive & Boogie-Woogie with Daryl Davis
Explore the elements of boogie woogie music, starting from its roots when it was performed by soloists. Then find out how it was incorporated into popular music in swing orchestras, and the birth of rock ‘n roll. Led by pianist and AIR mentor Daryl Davis.

11:00am-12:00pm: Little Red Riding Hood presented by Wheaton Family Theatre at Highland Elementary School
Seymour Barab’s funny and sprightly one-act opera delights youngsters as we follow Little Red Riding Hood’s merry jaunt through the woods  to Grandmother’s house. Join us for InterAct Story Theatre and  Victorian Lyric Opera Company’s fresh take on this classic children’s  opera…and watch out for that sneaky Big Bad Wolf! Best for ages 4 and up for this free event.

1:00pm-2:00pm: All Ages Family Yoga at Washington Yoga Center
Join Rhiannon Landesberg for a fun-filled all-ages family class, where we will move, breathe, dance, stretch and play yoga! We will practice traditional poses with an imaginative flair, as well as partner and group poses to encourage connection and fun for the whole family, while improving strength, flexibility and mindfulness skills for children and adults alike! Workshop is $30.00 for two family members plus $10 for each additional member.

2:00pm-6:00pm: Ireland on the Wharf
The luck of the Irish is headed to the waterfront with an Ireland on The Wharf festival! Celebrate the beauty and tradition of the Emerald Isle with bagpipers, a beer garden, Irish dancers, live music, and plenty of family-friendly activities. And, of course, sip a pint of Guinness in honor of St. Patrick’s Day at Kirwan’s Irish Pub. Live music lineup:
2pm – 3pm: Aine O’Doherty Band (Donegal, Ireland)
3:15pm – 4:30pm: The Danny Burns Band
4:45pm – 6pm: The ShamRogues

Sunday-

10:00am, 12:00pm & 2:00pm: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at Metropolitan Ballet Theatre
Want to meet the characters from MBT’s upcoming ballet, Alice in Wonderland, before the performance? You are cordially invited to join us at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! Please call or click for tickets. These will sell out quickly! Each child needs a ticket; parents are admitted free of charge.  This event is age-appropriate for children ages 3-7. Meet Alice and other characters from the ballet! Enjoy a mini-performance and a craft. Enjoy a sweet treat.

11:00am-12:00pm: STORYTIME at Hirshhorn
Why am I me? Why are you you? In this storytime, we’ll look closely at the work Five Day Forecast by Lorna Simpson, and examine our unique features through a read-alound of Why am I me? by Paige Britt. Following the story, we’ll play with shapes, lines and colors to create our own self-portraits. STORYTIME explores contemporary art through stories and movement. Museum staff will read aloud a book, introduce children to an artist in the collection, and lead a hands-on activity.

12:00pm: 48th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade of Washington, DC
The parade will proceed down Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets, N.W., in our Nation’s Capital.   “Showcasing DC Irish Culture” was chosen as this year’s theme to celebrate local Irish-American leaders who have been instrumental in the promotion Irish culture throughout the DMV area and become leaders in showcasing Washington’s unique Irish heritage beyond the city.

3:30pm: Toddler & Me Yoga at Washington Yoga Center
Designed for crawlers to walkers up to around 24 months; come move, sing, and play with your tot to boost social and physical development, meet others families, and get out of the house between naptime and dinnertime… Grown-ups can expect lots of participation, some gentle adult yoga movement, an opportunity to bond, and a chance to learn from your natural little yogis; all loving adults are welcome (parents, grandparents, other caregivers).

Many local theatre performances on stage this weekend.

Paw Patrol? Bubble Guppies? Check out some popular shows coming to our area.

Egg hunts and Easter fun!

Spring Break Camps!

Plan ahead for Smithsonian Sleepovers (they sell out quickly!!)

National Museum of Natural History Sleepovers: Sleepover guests will experience the museum through an interactive exploration of exhibit halls consisting of games, puzzles and challenges; exhibit-based craft projects; and sleeping under the museum’s giant North American right whale, Phoenix. Sleepovers at the National Museum of Natural History will be held May 18, June 1, June 29, July 6, Aug. 24 and Aug. 31.

National Museum of American History Sleepovers: Participants will solve a mystery of historic proportions during an interactive exploration of exhibit halls. When the devious diva Miss Rose steals six valuable objects from the museum, kids must discover what is missing before the evening’s end. Using their detective skills, they will collect clues to guide them to the crime scene. Along the way, they will take part in games, experiments and craft projects—and even become a presidential candidate. Sleepovers at the National Museum of American History will be held May 11, May 25, June 15 and Aug. 10.

National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center Sleepovers: Kids and their chaperones will explore the whole world of flight, from its pioneering days through the era of commercial aviation to the excitement of today’s space program. After they grab a flight checklist, they will take off for a night that includes plenty of games, art activities and close-up looks at some of the most historic and fascinating craft ever to take to the skies. Udvar-Hazy Center staff will be on hand to offer information and insights about the aviation treasures on view. Sleepovers at the Udvar-Hazy Center will be held July 14, July 28 and Aug. 18.