Fun Things To Do With Kids: Washington, DC

Top 5 Things to Do with Kids in Washington, DC, This Weekend: July 17 - 18, 2010

Get ready for another hot summer weekend! Check out top 5 things to do with kids this weekend in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland.

FREE: Rocknoceros Concert - Reston, VA
Saturday, July 17: 11 am - 11:45 am

Washington, DC area's award-winning kid band will be performing for free at Reston Town Center. Listen to fun songs that teach even the youngest music fans! The band won the 2009 Washington Area Music Association's "Children's Music Artist of the Year" award. Free admissions.

Reston Town Center is located at 11900 Market St, Reston, Virginia (map it).

The Grandsons, Jr. Concert - Vienna, VA
Saturday, July 17: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

The Grandsons, Jr. is the kids band version of DC-area roots rock superstars The Grandsons. Dance to the upbeat mix of rock, swing, New Orleans R&B, country and latin music. Tickets are $8 per person (12 months and older). Get your tickets online.

The Grandsons, Jr. will be performing at Jammin' Java, located at 227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, Virginia (map it).

Bob the Builder at Port Discovery - Baltimore, MD
Saturday, July 17: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, July 18: 12 pm - 5 pm

Check out Bob the Builder exhibit at Port Discovery in Baltimore this weekend. Your kids can participate in kid-smart activities to build up their Can-Do attitudes and encourage them to be active.. Install new parts to sinks in Bob the Builder's mobile home, learn about water conservation, build the vehicle shelter and much more. Admissions are $12.95 for anyone 2 and up. Get your tickets online.

Port Discover Children's Museum is located at 35 Market Place, Baltimore, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Artscape - Baltimore, MD
Saturday, July 17: 12 pm - 10 pm
Sunday, July 18: 12 pm - 8 pm

This art festival in Baltimore has events just for families! At the Target Family Art Park, kids can paint, make crafts, play with instruments, learn to dance and more. Pre-registration to participate in this family event is required since space is limited. You can pre-register your kids at the Kids Art Workshop Tent beginning at 11 am each day of the festival. See map of the festival. Free admissions.

Artscape is held at Mount Royal Avenue and Cathedral Street/Charles Street. Use directions to the Lyric Opera House to get there, located at 140 West Mt. Royal Ave, Baltimore, Maryland (map it).

Blackberry Picking at Homestead Farm - Poolesville, MD
Saturday, July 17 - Sunday, July 18: 9 am - 6 pm

Pick your own blackberries at Homestead Farm in Maryland! Call them first before you leave to check on their availabilities (301-977-3761). Say hello to farm animals while you're there and check out their produce market.

Homestead Farm is located at 15604 Sugarland Road  Poolesville, Maryland (map it).

Top 10 Free Things to Do This 4th of July Weekend in Washington DC Metro and Baltimore

Happy Independence Day! There are so many fireworks shows in Washington, DC and Baltimore metro areas this weekend, all you have to do is take your pick. 

Here are 10 free and fun activities that you can do with your family this weekend. Yes, many of them are fireworks show, but many places also hold free concerts and/or street festivals during the day. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

FREE: A Signature Event at the White House Visitor Center - Washington, DC
Sunday, July 4: 9 am - 3 pm

Stop by the White House Visitor Center on 4th of July to experience what it would be like to be a signer of the Declaration of Independence for a day. Events for the day (9 am to 3 pm) include games, crafts and activities for kids. At 11 am and 2 pm, you can play a role as a delegate to the Continental Congress and represent your colony. Sign a giant sized copy of the Declaration of Independence with your quill pen, ring a Liberty Bell and receive a copy of the Declaration of Independence as a keepsake.

The White House Visitor Center at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, is between 14th and 15th Streets, Washington, DC (map it).

FREE: Concerts at Reston Town Center - Reston, VA
Saturday, July 3: 11 am - 11:45 am and 7:30 pm - 10 pm
Monday, July 5: 10:30 am - 11:15 am

Check out several free outdoor concerts going on at Reston Town Center this weekend. Sing along with award-winning children's musician Mister Don on Saturday at 11 am as a part of Reston Town Center's Family Fun Series. Enjoy motion songs, sing alongs and rhythm instruments at this fun event for your entire family. On Saturday evening starting at 7:30 pm, bring your lawn chair to the town center's pavilion and enjoy performance by swing/big band jazz Upper East Side Big Band. On Monday at 10:30 am, enjoy performance by Mr. Knick Knack.

Reston Town Center is located at 11900 Market St, Reston, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Smithsonian Folklife Festival - Washington, DC
Friday, July 2: 11 am - 9 pm
Saturday, July 3: 11 am - 8 pm
Sunday, July 4: 11 am - 5:30 pm
Monday, July 5: 11 am - 5:30 pm

Live entertainment, arts and crafts, festival food and more at this street festival. Learn about cultures from various parts of the world and taste food from Asia and Mexico. Free admissions.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival is held on the National Mall between the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC (map it). Download festival map.

FREE: National Mall Independence Day Celebration - Washington, DC
Sunday, July 4: 9:10 pm - 9:27 pm

Enjoy fireworks at the National Mall in Washington, DC. Free admissions. Take public transportation because traffic will be jammed after the fireworks. It is best to view the fireworks at a distance from the launch site (Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool), such as Lincoln Memorial, National Mall between 14th Street and 3rd Street, U.S. Marine Corp War Memorial/Iwo Jima and Thomas Jefferson Memorial. More on directions to National Mall.

FREE: Ports America Chesapeake 4th of July Celebration - Baltimore, MD
Sunday, July 4: 2 pm - 10 pm

Enjoy live performances at Baltimore Inner Harbor by jazz band Lovecraft at 2 pm and the Naval Academy's Electric Brigade band at 4 pm. Fireworks show starts at 9:30 pm. See the show from Harbor East, Federal Hill, Fell's Point, Canton and beyond.

Ports America Chesapeake 4th of July Celebration is held at Baltimore Inner Harbor, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Frederick's 4th - Frederick, MD
Sunday, July 4: 12 - 9 pm

Live entertainment, chili cook-off competition, festival food, kids activities and fireworks display. Activities at Kids Zones start at 12:30 and end at 7:30 pm, and they include inflatable amusements, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, remote control cars, mural painting and scavenger hunt. Live entertainment starts at 12:45. Free admissions. Many of the Kids Zones activities are also free; activities that require fees are inflatable amusements ($10 unlimited play), pony rides ($4 per ride) and face painting ($5 to $10). 

Frederick's 4th is held at Baker Park, Frederick, Maryland (map it). Free parking decks are available on Church St, Court St, W. Patrick St and Carroll Creek. Parking is also available at Frederick High School for $4 to benefit Frederick High School Sports Boosters. More on parking and directions.

FREE: July 4th Celebration and Fireworks Show - Vienna, VA
Sunday, July 4: 11 am - 4:30 pm with fireworks at 9:15 pm

Check out classic cars, grab a bite to eat at chili cook-off, participate in arts and crafts, have fun with family games and enjoy live music performances. Fireworks start at 9:15 pm at Southside Park in Vienna, Virginia. Free admissions.

Celebration is held on Vienna Community Center grounds, located at 20 Cherry St, SE, Vienna, Virginia (map it). Download map of the festival.

FREE: Herndon 4th of July Celebration - Herndon, VA
Sunday, July 4: 5 pm - 10 pm

Games, relay races, arts and crafts, bounce houses, small rides, bingo, festival food and more. Fireworks start at 9:30 pm. Free admissions; small rides and bounce houses have a charge per use. Parking is available at Herndon Middle School and Herndon Community Center. 

Festival takes place at Herndon Community Center, located at 814 Ferndale Ave, Herndon, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Independence Day Celebration - Rockville, MD
Sunday, July 4: 7 pm - 10 pm

Enjoy band performances starting at 7 pm at Montgomery College - Rockville campus. Fireworks show starts at 9:30 pm.

Montgomery College - Rockville campus is located at 51 Mannakee St, Rockville, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Fourth of July Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony - Annapolis, MD
Sunday, July 4: 9:30 am - 2 pm

Celebrate Independence Day at the home of Declaration of Independence signer William Paca. Naturalization ceremony starts at 9:30 am, then family events start at 10 am. Activities include tours of the Pacas' home, live musical performances, a Revolutionary War encampment, patriotic crafts for kids and signing the Declaration of Independence with a quill pen. Free admissions.

Fourth of July Celebration is held at William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George St, Annapolis, Maryland (map it).

Top 10 Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: June 25 - 27, 2010

It doesn't look like we'll be getting a break from the heat in the next few days. So for this weekend's top 10 fun things to do with kids, I've included a few indoor activities so you and your family can stay cool. If you go to some of the street festivals that are going on this weekend, remember to pack your hat and sunblock!

FREE: Friday Night Live! Herndon Rocks - Herndon, VA
Friday, June 24: 6:30 pm

Enjoy live performance by Kristen and The Noise this Friday night in Historic Downtown Herndon, Virginia. Don't forget your blanket or lawn chairs, but leave your pet at home. Get there early since seating is first-come, first-served. Food and beverage vendors are available on site. Free admissions.

Friday Night Live! concert is held at the Town Green, located behind the new Municipal Building at 777 Lynn St, Herndon, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Sounds of Summer - Lansdowne, VA
Friday, June 24: 7 pm - 10 pm

Go see rock band JunkFood at Lansdowne Resort in Virginia this Friday night. Bring a blanket for lawn seating (first-come, first-served). You can also purchase picnic basket snacks, special drinks, grilled foods, fresh salads and Loudoun County wines at the concert. Free admissions.

Sounds of Summer concert is held at Lansdowne Resort, located at 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Lansdowne, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Smithsonian Folklife Festival - Washington, DC
Festival is held daily from Thursday, June 24, to Monday, July 5. Hours this weekend:
Friday, June 25 - Sunday, June 27: 11 am - 5:30 pm with evening concerts from 5:30 pm to 8 pm.

Learn about cultural traditions from around the world at Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, DC. Enjoy live entertainment, check out arts, view cooking demonstrations and try traditional food from around the world. This weekend's special activities for kids include pinball painting, Japanese doll-making, kids' games from Mexico, Burmese ball sport of Chinlone, Thai calligraphy and tortilla making. See the complete schedule of events. Free admissions.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival is held at the National Mall in Washington, DC. Parking is limited, so it is best to take the Metro to Smithsonian station (Mall exit). Download festival map.

How I Became a Pirate at Imagination Stage - Bethesda, MD
Friday, June 24: 10:30 am
Saturday, June 25: 1:30 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm
Sunday, June 26: 1:30 pm and 4 pm 

Arr! Join the journey of Jeremy Jacob as he becomes a pirate in this spirited musical adventure. Recommended for kids ages 3 and up. Tickets range from $9.25 to $27, depending on seating area. Get your tickets online.

Imagination Stage is located at 4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda, Maryland (map it).

Occoquan River Festival - Occoquan, VA
Saturday, June 26: 12 pm - 7 pm

View craft demonstrations, check out sidewalk sales, enjoy live music and say hello to costumed historical reenactors at Occoquan River Festival. There is also a petting zoo and pony rides for the kids. The festival also includes Taste of Occoquan with nine participating local restaurants.

Occoquan River Festival is held at the historic Town of Occoquan in Virginia (map it).

FREE: Grand Re-Opening Open House of the Story Tellers - Occoquan, VA
Saturday, June 26: 11 am - 5 pm

Join the Story Tellers for the grand re-opening open house of their boutique bokstore before you check out the Occoquan River Festival. Open house starts at 11 am and activities include a scavenger hunt, hourly prize giveaways and face painting. Refreshments are also available. Call 703-494-1994 for more information.

The Story Tellers is located at 304 Mill St, Occoquan, Virginia (map it).

Farmer Jason at Jammin' Java - Vienna, VA
Saturday, June 26: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Dance and sing along to country rock music by Farmer Jason at Jammin' Java in Vienna. Farmer Jason won Parents Choice Gold Award for Rockin' in the Forest with Farmer Jason and an Emmy for It's a Farmer Jason PBS video interstitial program. Tickets are $8 for those who are 12 months and older. Get your tickets online.

Jammin' Java is located at 227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, Virginia (map it).

Bob the Builder at Port Discovery Children's Museum - Baltimore, MD
Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, June 27: 12 pm - 5 pm

Join the Bob the Builder and the rest of the Can-Do Crew at Port Discovery Children's Museum. Your kids can experiment with tools in Bob's building workshop, install new parts in Bob the Builder's mobile home, learn about water conservation and participate in other fun activities. Tickets are $12.95 for those 2 years and older, and free for kids under 2. Get your tickets online.

Port Discovery Children's Museum is located at 35 Market Place, Baltimore, Maryland (map it).

Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling at Strike Bethesda - Bethesda, MD
Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26: 11 am - 2 am
Sunday, June 27: 11 am - 11 pm
(No admittance for anyone under 21 years old after 9 pm)

Hit the lanes with your kids this weekend at Strike Bethesda. It's not just any bowling alley; your kids will have fun with the bright color bowling balls, glow-in-the-dark lanes, fun music, big screen video walls and yummy food. Recommended for kids ages 4 and up.

Strike Bethesda is located at 5353 Westbard Ave, Bethesda, Maryland (map it).

Sunday Fun Skate at Skate-N-Fun Zone - Manassas, VA
Sunday, June 27: 12 pm - 4 pm

Stay active and have fun with your kids at Skate-N-Fun Zone. From 12 to pm on Sunday, they have Sunday Fun Skate for families. Admissions are $6.50 per person and skate rentals are $4.25. You can also get the Fun Pak, which includes 4 admissions, 4 skate rentals and 20 game tokens for $37.99. 

Skate-N-Fun Zone is located at 7878 Sudley Rd, Manassas, Virginia (map it).

Baltimore Inner Harbor and Baltimore Aquarium

Here are some pictures from our recent visit to Baltimore, Maryland. When you get a chance this summer, drive to Baltimore for a day to say hello to the animals at the National Aquarium and have a leisurely lunch outside at Baltimore Inner Harbor.

You can find more pictures on my Facebook page.

Baltimore Inner Harbor

 

National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland

 

Jelly fish exhibit

 

Nurse shark

 

Lion fish

 

Kids area in the aquarium

 

Our Ocean Planet, the New Dolphin Show

 

Top 5 Things to Do with Kids in Washington, DC, Metro This Weekend: May 22 - 23, 2010

Happy weekend! Check out top 5 fun things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia this weekend: May 22 - 23, 2010.

FREE: "Celebrate Your Style" Family Fun Day - Baltimore, MD
Sunday, May 23: 11 am - 5 pm

Watch live entertainment, dance performances, a gymnastic performance, a science spectacular show, a Strong Man demonstration and more at this Family Fun Day event. See schedule of events. Free admissions.

Family Fun Day is held at the Avenue at White Marsh, located at 8125 Honeygo Blvd, Baltimore, Maryland (map it). 

Rock the Farm - Frederick, MD
Saturday, May 22: 10 am - 5 pm

Enjoy performances by Grammy-nominated musicians Caty & Marcy, Milkshake, The Dirty Sock Funtime Band and other fun artists for kids. Activities for your kids include face painting, balloon twisting, moon bounces and a magic show. You can also check out retail vendors and food vendors while you're there. Event will benefit Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a national charity that benefits our soldiers.

Tickets are $15 for anyone who's 2 and older. You can also get a VIP Ticket for $30, which includes a special reserved viewing area, meet and greet with the artists and more. Get your tickets at a local My Bank! First Union Bank & Trust. Call 240-566-5653 for more information.

Rock the Farm is held at Crumland Farms, located at 7612 Willow Rd, Frederick, Maryland (map it).

Virginia Renaissance Festival - Spotsylvania, VA
Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23: 10 am - 5 pm 

Take a step back in history with your kids at the Virginia Renaissance Festival. See musicians, jugglers and dancers; take lessons from the Royal Archers; shop at the Artists' Markets; enjoy food and drinks at the kitchens and taverns. Kids' activities at the festival include arts and crafts, puppetry, historical games and interactive fairy tales. Receive a royal greeting from the Queen and get knighted by the Queen. Tickets are $6 for adults and kids 6 and older, free for kids under the age of 6. See Saturday events and Sunday events.

Virginia Renaissance Festival is held at 5621 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania, Virginia (map it).

Truck Touch - Beltsville, MD
Saturday, May 22: 11:30 am - 3 pm

Touch and learn about various types of vehicles, such as a steel tank truck, SWAT Team's armored truck and a police helicopter. Other activities include games for the kids. Admissions are $3. Proceeds to benefit the Girl Scouts SHARE program. Call 301-906-3020 for more information.

Truck Touch is held at High Point High School, located at 3601 Powder Mill Rd, Beltsville, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Montrose Park - Washington, DC

Take your kids to Montrose Park, located north of Georgetown in Washington, DC. This park has open field areas, picnic tables, a playground with swings, a small merry-go-round for toddlers and a jungle gym. Don't forget to check out a boxwood maze at the park. This park is also popular among dog lovers, so expect to see puppies while you're there! Free admissions.

Adjacent to Montrose Park is Dumbarton Oaks Park, where you can stroll around the formal gardens. Admissions to Dumbarton Oaks Gardens are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (60+), $5 for kids 2 to 12 and free for kids under 2 years old. The gardens are open from 2 pm to 6 pm.

Montrose Park is located on R St NW, between 30th St and 31st St in Washington, DC (map it). 

Top 10 Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: May 15 - 16, 2010

I'm glad that the storm and hail went away, because we're ready for a sunny weekend! Check out top 10 fun things to do with kids this weekend in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia: May 15 - 16, 2010.

FREE: Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival at Reston Town Center - Reston, VA
Saturday, May 15 and 16: 10 am - 6 pm

Experience art and enjoy live entertainment at the 19th Annual Northern Virginia Fine Art Festival, a street festival that's fun for the entire family. There is a special Children's Art Tent where kids get to discover and create wonderful arts, from contributing to a community mural to learning the science behind paint.

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival is held at Reston Town Center. The Children's Art Tent is at the intersection of St. Francis Street and Town Square Street in Reston, Virginia (map it).

Mini Golf at Fairfax County Parks - Fairfax County, VA

Take your kids out for some mini golf fun - no $400 putter needed! Here are several Fairfax County parks that offer miniature golf: Oak-Marr Mini Golf, Burke Lake Park Mini Golf, Lucky Duck Miniature Golf Course at Accotink Lake Park and Jefferson Falls Mini Golf at Jefferson District Park. 

Fees vary by location, but they are typically between $4 and $6 per person.

Oak-Marr is located at 3200 Jermantown Rd in Oakton, Virginia (map it)
Burke Lake Park is located at 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station, Virginia (map it)
Accotink Lake Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Rd in Springfield, Virginia (map it)
Jefferson District Park is located at 7900 Lee Highway in Falls Church, Virginia (map it)

FREE: Gaithersburg Book Festival - Gaithersburg, MD
Saturday, May 15: 10 am - 6 pm

Meet and greet kids' favorite authors, enjoy a story time and participate in fun workshops and an art project for kids at Gaithersburg Book Festival in Gaithersburg this Saturday. Storytelling is scheduled for 12:30 pm, art project is between 10 am and 1 pm as well as between 2pm and 4:30 pm and workshops are scheduled throughout the day. Free admissions and free parking.

Gaithersburg Book Festival is held at Gaithersburg City Hall Grounds located at 31 S. Summit Ave in Gaithersburg, Maryland (map it).

The Red Balloon at Adventure Theatre - Glen Echo, MD
Saturday, May 15: 11 am, 1:30 pm and 4 pm
Sunday, May 16: 11 am and 1:30 pm

Based on the 1956 film and book Le Ballon Rouge by Albert Lamorisse, this play is about a young boy who discovers a stray balloon and then wonders through the streets of Paris with the balloon. Both parents and kids will be delighted with this classic story. Recommended for kids ages 4 and up. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for kids ages 12 and under. Get your tickets online.

The Red Balloon is held at the Adventure Theatre in historic Glen Echo Park, located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd in Glen Echo (map it).

FREE: Family Activities & Storytime at National Museum of American Indian - Washington, DC
Saturday, May 15: 1 pm - 3:30 pm

Learn about the culture of American Indians through hands-on activities, such as beading, weaving, twining or creating a paper star quilt pattern from 1 to 3 pm. Storytimes are at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm.

National Museum of American Indian is located at Independence Avenue Southwest & 4th St SW in Washington, DC (map it).

The Great Zucchini Magic Show - Vienna, VA
Saturday, May 15: 10:30 am

See the Great Zucchini, Washington's magical preschool and kidergarten entertainer, performs a fun magic show at Jammin' Java in Vienna, Virginia. Your kid even gets to learn a magic trick! Tickets are $8 for everyone 12 months and older. Get your tickets online.

Jammin' Java is located at 227 Maple Ave E in Vienna, Virginia (map it).

Curious George: Let's Get Curious! at Port Discovery - Baltimore, MD
Saturday, May 15: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, May 16: 12 pm - 5 pm

Your kid will enjoy interactive math, science and engineering in his or her adventure with Curious George at Port Discovery. Tickets are $12.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids ages 2 to 12 and free for kids younger than 2. Get your tickets online.

Port Discovery is located at 35 Market Place in Baltimore, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Taste of Arlington - Arlington, VA
Sunday, May 16: 12 - 5 pm

Enjoy this lively street festival, where you and your family get to see live entertainment from local artists and fun kids' activities as well as sample delicious food from over 40 restaurants in Ballston area of Arlington, Virginia. Kids' activities include live entertainment and moon bounces. Free admissions, but tickets are required for food and drinks. Get your food tickets online.

Taste of Arlington is held on Wilson Blvd, in front of Ballston Common Mall in Arlington, Virginia (map it.

Open Gym Time at Jumping Jack Sports - Ashburn, VA
Saturday, May 15: 7 pm - 9 pm

Climb on cargo net, go through an inflatable obstacle course, traverse on a rock wall and other activities that will get your kids active through the whole time. Open gym time is for all ages, but kids 6 years and under must be supervised by parents. Fees are $10 for kids 2 years and older, $8 for siblings and $6 for kids ages 18 months to 2 years. Call 703-858-9901 for more information.

Jumping Jack Sports is located at 44710 Cape Court Suite 128 in Ashburn, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Kids Yoga on National Mall (DC Yoga Week) - Washington, DC
Saturday, May 15: 1 pm

Bring your yoga mat, snacks, drinks and your kid for a kids yoga session during DC Yoga Week by the Washington Monument. Free admissions.

Kids Yoga on National Mall takes at place at the northeast corner of the Washington Monument, near the intersection of 15th St. and Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC (map it).

Top 10 Things to Do with Kids in Washington, DC, Metro This Mother's Day Weekend: May 7 - 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day, fellow moms!

I hope you get to pamper yourself and relax a little this weekend. When you're all done with your spa appointment, check out these fun things to do with your kids in Washington, DC, Baltimore and Northern Virginia this Mother's Day weekend. Or get your partner to take your kids out this weekend so you can extend your spa stay!

FREE - Friday Night Live - Herndon, VA
Friday, May 7: 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm

Enjoy this free concert with your family in Herndon, Virginia. It's a part of a summer concert series, with the season kicking off this Friday, May 7th, with 2U - The U2 Tribute Band. Free admissions. Call 703-481-6133 for more information. 

Friday Night Live! concert is held at 777 Lynn Street in Herndon, Virginia (map it).

Kids Night Out at JW Tumbles - Herndon, VA
Friday, May 7: 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Drop off your kids at JW Tumbles of Herndon for games, a mother's day craft, pizza party and a G-rated movie. For kids ages 3 to 7; kids must be potty trained. Fees: $25 for members, $30 for non-members, 2nd child is 20% off and 3rd child is free. Pre-register online or call 703-481-2990 for more information.

JW Tumbles of Herndon is located at 12950 Highland Crossing Drive, Upper Level in Herndon, Virginia (map it).

At Play Cafe - Reston, VA
Friday, May 7: 9:30 am - 7 pm
Saturday, May 8: 9:30 am - 7 pm
Sunday, May 9: 12 pm - 3 pm

Your kids will have fun playing in the supervised play area while you sip on a latte nearby. Oh yeah, they have free wireless Internet! Read review of At Play Cafe. Fees: $8 per child, $6 for sibilings.

By the way, here's a great Mother's Day present: give that special mom a monthly pass to At Play Cafe, available for 50% off from May 2nd to May 9th! The monthly pass normally costs $60, but you can get it for only $30 up until Mother's Day.

At Play Cafe is located at 2254B Hunters Woods Plaza in Reston, Virginia (map it).

FREE - Washingtonian Center Summer Concert - Gaithersburg, MD
Saturday, May 8: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Take a walk with your kids around the Washingtonian lake and enjoy the outdoor summer concert starting at 6:30 pm on Saturday, May 8th. This Saturday, 8 ohms, a funk and soul band from Annapolis, will be performing on the Lakefront Plaza (between Uncle Julio's and Joe's Crab Shack). Free.

Washingtonian Center is located at 9811 Washingtonian Boulevard in Gaithersburg, Maryland (map it).

FREE - Bethesda Fine Arts - Bethesda, MD
Saturday, May 8: 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday, May 9: 10 am - 5 pm

Check out and shop for fine arts and crafts from more than 140 artists at Bethesda Fine Arts. See various performances, from Junkyard Saints performing New Orleans-style party music to Georgetown Quintet.

Bethesda Fine Arts will be held at Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle: Del Ray, Auburn and Norfolk Avenues (map it).

Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band - Vienna, VA
Saturday, May 8: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Watch this award-winning kids' band perform at Jammin' Java in Vienna, Virginia. Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band performs energetic songs with a mix of original world music and inspiring lyrics. Admission fees: $10 for anyone over 12 months old. Get your tickets online.

Jammin' Java is located 227 Maple Ave E in Vienna, Virginia (map it).

Space Day at Maryland Science Center - Baltimore, MD
Saturday, May 8: 12 pm - 4 pm

Explore out of this world activities at Maryland Science Center this Saturday. Learn about rockets, our solar system, hands-on activities and giveaways. Meet space scientists and special guests from Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Telescope Institute, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and model rocket clubs. Admission fees: $14.95 for adults, $11.95 for kids ages 3 to 12, $13.95 for seniors (60+), free for kids under 3 and free for members.

Maryland Science Center is located at 601 Light Street in Baltimore, Maryland (map it).

Mom Prom and Family Affair at Gaylord National - National Harbor, MD
Saturday, May 8: 7 pm - 10 pm

Take a mini vacation this Mother's Day weekend at Gaylor National Hotel for an extra special Mother's Day weekend. The hotel is hosting a dance party for the entire family on Saturday night. This special event includes special mother-son and father-daughter dance moments. Then go the Mother's Day reception from 8 to 9 am on Sunday morning. Book online.

Gaylord National is located at 201 Waterfront Street in National Harbor, Maryland (map it).

FREE for Moms - Tour Historic Houses - Alexandria, VA
Sunday, May 29: 1 - 5 pm

Free tours on Mother's Day for moms! Tour Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum and the Lee-Fendall House in Old Town Alexandria. Fees: free for moms, $5 for all other adults, $3 for kids ages 5 to 12 and free for kids under 5. Call 703-746-4242 for more information.

Gadsby's Museum and Tavern is located at 134 North Royal Street in Alexandria, Virginia (map it).
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum is located at 105-107 South Fairfax Street in Alexandria,Virginia (map it).
Lee-Fendall House is located at 614 Oronoco Street in Alexandria, Virginia (map it).

FREE - Fiesta Asia Planet Family at the National Zoo - Washington, DC
Sunday, May 9: 1 pm - 3 pm

Enjoy eight different performances from various Asian cultures at the National Zoo's Lion/Tiger Hill Stage. Watch the lion dance, drumming and martial arts; learn the bamboo dance, the Bollywood dance, Okinawan drumming and the panda dance! Free admissions.

The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW, in Washington, DC (map it).

Monkeying Around - Birthday Celebration at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Celebrate the 5th birthday of Rozi and Asali at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore! Birthday party is on Saturday, May 15th, from 11 am to 1 pm.

The first 1,000 guests will get a free birthday cookie from Fenwick Bakery. Other activities include face painting, drawing with sidewalk chalks and decorating a Happy Birthday banner.

Event is weather permitting. General admission tickets are $14 for adults, $10 for kids ages 2 to 11, $12 for seniors (65+) and free for kids under 2. Get your tickets online.

Visit the Maryland Zoo's website for more information about this event.

Birthday Fun with The Laurie Berkner Band! Live Birthday Party Concert in Baltimore, MD

The Laurie Berkner Band was in town this past weekend, so my family planned a fun Baltimore outing for the entire weekend!

It was a birthday party concert, so the stage was decorated with birthday presents and balloons. Many kids came with birthday party hats, ready to party with the band! Other parents bought their kids birthday party hats at the concert. I ran out of my birthday party hat supply, so I brought several blowouts for my daughter instead.

The band started off with Victor Vito, which got the kids and parents to dance around. As the band continued singing more songs, such as I'm Gonna Catch You, Boots, Rocketship Run and Five Days Old, many kids got out of their seats and danced or jumped around on the aisle.

At one point, Laurie actually invited the kids to dance by the stage, so many kids took advantage and ran up to get closer to the band. There were several empty seats by our seats (we had second row seats), so some parents sat down on the unoccupied seats or stood on the side to keep an eye on their kids.

Throughout the concert, the band members gave each other birthday presents, from fun stuffed animals for all of the band members (just in time for Pig on Her Head!) to an electric guitar just for Laurie. Many kids took their favorite stuffed animals to the concert, too, so they could play along to Pig on Her Head. 

The band pretty much sang all of the kids' favorites, including I Know a Chicken, Fast and Slow (The Rabbit and The Turtle), The Goldfish, Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz) and Family. But uh oh, they left the stage without singing the biggest song of all. So they ran back to the stage and finished the concert with We Are the Dinosaurs.

My daughter had such a fun time at the concert. We got her an aisle seat since we weren't sure how she would do in a large concert venue, but she sat on he chair for probably about 20 minutes during the 1.5-hour concert. She mostly danced and jumped around on the aisle to her favorite songs. Well, she did pretend to fall asleep when the band got to the tired part of Five Days Old, so cute!

Check out some more pictures from the concert on our Facebook page.

PS: I just saw a message on The Laurie Berkner Band's Facebook page that they're looking for Josh, who dressed like Superman and happened to sit right in front of us on the first row. He wrote a nice note to the band, but with no contact information, so now Laurie and the band are looking for him! So if you're Josh, or you know Josh, write them back :)

Top 10 Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: April 30 - May 2, 2010

Hello, 90-degree weather! My family can't wait for this summery weekend to start. 

There are so many family-friendly things to do this weekend, it was really tough to pick just five things. So I decided to go for top ten things to do with kids instead.

Lucky for you, five out of the ten things listed are free!

1. FREE - KidFest - Silver Spring, MD
Sunday, May 2: 12 pm - 4 pm

A fun family event that includes games, activities, face painting, finger painting, live entertainment and clowns. Free admissions.

KidFest will be held at East County Community Center, located at 3310 Gateshead Manor Way in Silver Spring, Maryland (map it).

2. FREE - Celebrate Mama - Bethesda, MD
Saturday, May 1: 11 am - 4 pm

Check out great kid-friendly products and services at this street festival. Exhibiting vendors at Celebrate Mama will include Washington Family Magazine, My Gym of Potomac, Stroller Strides, Love Life Images, Certifikid and more. Free admissions, and the first 300 attendees get free goody bags!

Celebrate Mama will be held on Woodmont Ave, between Bethesda Ave and Elm St, in Bethesda, Maryland (map it).

3. FREE - Glen Echo Family Day Festival - Glen Echo, MD
Saturday, May 1: 11 am - 4 pm

Join the fun at Glen Echo Family Day Festival. Free activities include magic shows, face painting, t-ball extreme and more. This day is also the opening day for the carousel at the park. Free admissions, carousel ride is $1.25.

This festival will be held at Glen Echo Park, located at 7300 MacArthur Boulevard in Glen Echo, Maryland (map it).

4. The Laurie Berkner Band Birthday Party Concert - Baltimore, MD
Saturday, May 1: 2 pm - 3:25 pm

Bring your party hat! Sing along and dance to your favorite tunes with Laurie, Susie, Adam and Bob. Tickets start from $20 (lawn seats) to $50. Free for your kid if he/she sits on your lap. Get your tickets online.

The Laurie Berkner Band will be performing at Pier Six Pavilion, 731 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, Maryland (map it).

5. Science You Can Sing To Concert - Vienna, VA
Saturday, May 1: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Get ready to mix science and fun at Science You Can Sing To live concert, featuring songs from Swamp Stomp Boogie. USA Today rated Swamp Stomp Boogie as "well-produced and the songwriting is fun and quirky." Curiosity Zone will also have fun hands-on experiment labs at the concert. Tickets are $10 per person for anyone 12 months and older. Get your tickets online.

Science You Can Sing To will be held at Jammin' Java, located at 227 Maple Ave E in Vienna, Virginia (map it).

6. Dan Zanes and Friends - Bethesda, MD
Sunday, May 2: 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm

Join Grammy-award winners Dan Zanes and Friends as they perform spirited family songs at this special concert, featuring the WPAS Children of the Gospel Choir. Dan Zanes has been dubbed by People Magazine as the Crown Prince of contemporary kids music. Tickets are from $15 to $32. Get your tickets online.

Dan Zanes and Friends will be performing at Music Center at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland (map it).

7. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens - Vienna, VA
Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 2: 10 am - 7:30 pm

Take a stroll at this beautiful park in Vienna, Virginia. Say hello to the birds and butterflies as you enjoy the many trees and flowers at the gardens, such as cherry trees, irises, peonis and native wildflowers. It also features walking trails, lakes and gazebos. Admissions are $5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors (55+), $2.50 for kids ages 7 to 17 and free for kids under 7.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens are located at 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court in Vienna, Virginia (map it).

8. Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens - Mount Vernon, VA
Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 2: 8 am - 5 pm

So many things to do at Mount Vernon! Take a walk in one (or all) of the four gardens, tour the Mansion han other buildings, and check out a four-acre working farm. Come on Friday, April 30th, and enjoy wagon rides for free from 10 am to 2 pm. You can find the wagon rides at the Pioneer Farmer site, a five-minute walk from the mansion.

National Treasure tours are also open daily at 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. This walking tour is an hour long, where you get to see the behind-the-scene areas of "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets" movie.  

Admission tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors (62+), $7 for kids ages 6 - 11 and free for kids under 6. Wagon rides on Friday are included in admissions. National Treasure Tours are $5 in addition to admission fees. Get your tickets online.

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens are located at 200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia (map it).

9. FREE - Messy Art at At Play Cafe - Reston, VA
Friday, April 30: 4:30 pm
Saturday, May 1: 11 am

No need to clean up after messy painting at your house! Take your kids to At Play Cafe, an always-open play are for preschoolers, where they get to unleash their creativity with a fun art project. Free art supplies and admissions. Call 703-391-6131 for more information.

At Play Cafe is located at 2254B Hunters Woods Plaza in Reston, Virginia (map it).

10. FREE - Kidwell Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park - Herndon, VA
Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 1: 9 am - 5 pm

Say hello to little piglets, lambs, calves and other baby animals at this fun farm. Other animals include turkeys, ducks, a peacock, horses, cows, sheep, goats, chickens and rabbits. Visit Kidwell Farm at 4 pm to see a cow milking demonstration in the barn - your kid may get a chance to milk the cow, too. After taking a walk around the farm, head over to the playground area, where they have two separate play sets - one for toddlers and another for big kids.

Kidwell Farm is located 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon, Virginia (map it).