Fun Things To Do With Kids: Washington, DC

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).

Top 10 Things to Do with Kids in Washington, DC, This Weekend: June 12 - 13, 2010

I hope you and your family are enjoying this summer! I myself can't believe that it's June already - did we skip May? Well, we still have 12 weekends before Labor Day, so let's enjoy this summer. 

Check out top 10 fun things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia this weekend: June 12 - 13, 2010.

Celebrate Fairfax! - Fairfax, VA
Saturday, June 12: 10 am - midnight
Sunday, June 13: 11 am - 7 pm

Carnival rides, vendor exhibits, festival food, family-friendly live entertainment and petting zoo. Admission fees per day are $12 for adults, $5 for kids 3 to 12 and free for kids under 3. Admission fees include free access to concerts, entertainment and exhibits. Tickets for carnival rides are sold separately for $25 per day.

Celebrate Fairfax! Festival is held at the Government Center, located at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia (map it). Park at one of the designated parking lots for the festival and take a free shuttle bus from the parking lot. More on parking and directions to the festival.

FREE: Celebrate Mama - Washington, DC
Sunday, June 13: 10 am - 4 pm

Check out over 30 vendors that feature products and services for kids and families as well as family-friendly entertainment at Celebrate Mama. Free admissions and the first 300 guests get to be bring home a fun goody bag, also for free. They also have a charity raffle that benefits the March of Dimes. Performers include Little Maestro's at 11:30 am, the Singing Lizard at 12:30 pm and Barely Five Feet at 2 pm.

Celebrate Mama is held at University Yard on the George Washington University campus, located on 20th Street between G and H Streets, NW, Washington, DC (map it). Park on the street or take the Metro to Foggy Bottom Metro station.

FREE: Bethesda Artist Market - Bethesda, MD
Saturday, June 12: 10 am - 5 pm

Enjoy live entertainment and check out 25 local and regional artists showcase their fine arts and crafts and the Bethesda Artist Market. Free admissions. 

Bethesda Artist Market is held at Veterans Park, on Norfolk Avenue between Fairmont and St. Elmo Avenues in Bethesda, Maryland (map it).

Cherry Picking at Homestead Farm - Poolesville, MD
Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13: 9 am - 6 pm

Grab a bag and pick tart cherries at Homestead Farm. You can also check out their market, where they have picked produce, various preserves and their own honey. Your kids can also say hello to farm animals at the farm. On the weekends, they have a country kitchen that serves hot dogs and refreshments. Call 301-977-3761 to confirm availability before you go.

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

Giggles: "The girl who made the whole world laugh" - Washington, DC
Saturday, June 12: 10:30 am and 12:30 pm

Enjoy this live performance where you can follow Giggles, a little girl who was born without a voice, but with the ability to giggle. The story will teach your kids that being different is okay and family is what you make it. Call 202-633-3030 for tickets availability.

Giggles is playing at S. Dillon Ripley Center, Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel, 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC (map it).

FREE: Good Vibes Peace Festival - Silver Spring, MD
Saturday, June 12: 10 am - 3 pm

Good Vibes Peace Festival is presented by Meditation Museum in Silver Spring, Maryland. Live music, henna and face painting, cooking for peace and dancing for peace are among the many activities at Good Vibes Peace Festival. Design kites to be sent to Haiti as tokens of remembrance. Free admissions.

The festival is held in the Pyramid Atlantic parking lot, next to Meditation Museum, located at 8236 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland (map it).

Leesburg Animal Park - Leesburg, VA
Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13: 10 am - 5 pm with craft show from 12 pm to 3 pm

Feed camels, nilgai antelopes, llamas, sheep, goat and other animals at Leesburg Animal Park. Say hello to gibbons, zebras, an African serval cat, peacocks and more animals. Your kid can also ride a pony and go on a wagon ride. This weekend, there is a special craft show at the animal park from 12 to 3 pm.

Admission fees are $9.95 for adults, $7.95 for kids ages 2 and older and free for kids under 2. See my review of Leesburg Animal Park.

Leesburg Animal Park is located at 19270 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg, Virginia (map it).

FREE: On Stage Concert Series - Gaithersburg, MD
Saturday, June 12, 2010: 7 pm

Enjoy a free performance by a local rock band, Big Sur, this Saturday as a part of On Stage Concert Series in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and food for a fun picnic with your family.

Gaithersburg City Hall Concert Pavilion is located at 31 South Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, Maryland (map it). 

The Shushybyes - Vienna, VA
Saturday, June 12: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Your preschooler will love dancing to music that combines catchy rock, swing jazz, Latin, R&B and more. Admissions are $8 per person (12 months and older). Get your tickets online.

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

FREE: Washingtonian Center Summer Concert - Gaithersburg, MD
Saturday, June 12: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Ride a pedal boat on Washingtonian Lake, grab an early dinner with your family at Washingtonian Center, then head to Lakefront Plaza, between Uncle Julio's and Joe's Crab Shack, to enjoy a free summer concert. This Saturday, DC Motors perform classic rock and oldies at the plaza.

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

Top 10 Things to Do with Kids in Washington, DC, This Weekend: June 4 - 6, 2010

Does this weekend seem so short to you, or is it because we had a 3-day weekend last week? Anyway, happy weekend! Check out top 10 things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia this weekend: June 4 - 6, 2010. 

FREE: Herndon Festival - Herndon, VA
Thursday, June 3: 6 pm - 10 pm
Friday, June 4: 5 pm - 11 pm
Saturday, June 5: 10 am - 11 pm
Sunday, June 6: 11 am - 6 pm

Check out live family-friendly entertainment, children's hands-on art activities, carnival rides, festival food and more fun activities to keep your kids entertained at Herndon Festival. Bike to the festival and get a valet service for free, or drive to either Worldgate Center or Herndon High School and take a free shuttle bus to the festival. Admissions are free, and carnival rides start at $1 per ticket or $15 per day on Thursday and Saturday for an all-day access to all rides.

Herndon Festival is held at downtown Herndon, Virginia. More on directions and see festival map.

Great Country Farms - Bluemont, VA
Open daily: 9 am - 6 pm

Play in a 5-acre farm play area, which includes four mazes, three 60-foot tube slides, 2,800-square-feet jumping pillow, rope swings and a tractor tire mountain. Other activities that your family can enjoy at the farms include 18-hole cow pie putt-putt course, farm animals, antique tractors and an imagination village. Admissions are $8 per person and free for kids ages 2 and younger.

Great Country Farms are located at 18780 Foggy Bottom Road  Bluemont, Virginia (map it).

Curious George, Let's Get Curious! at Port Discovery - Baltimore, MD
Friday, June 4: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday, June 5: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, June 6: 12 pm - 5 pm

Curious George: Let's Get Curious! is a special exhibit at Port Discovery, a children's museum in Baltimore, Maryland. Have fun with this interactive adventure that are based on math, science and engineering. Admission fees are $12.95 per person and free for kids ages 2 and younger.

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

FREE: Planetarium at Rock Creek Park - Washington, DC
Saturday, June 5 - Sunday, June 6: 1 pm and 4 pm

Visit the only planetarium in the National Park System. There are two shows this weekend at the planetarium at Rock Creek Park. The 1 pm show (Spring Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star) is recommended for kids ages 5 and older, where they get to view the season's brightest stars, planets and constellations. The 4 pm show (Exploring the Universe) is recommended for kids ages 7 and older, where they get to explore the sun, moon, stars and planets. Admissions are free; get your tickets 30 minutes before the show starts.

The Nature Center/Planetarium at Rock Creek Park is located at 5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC (map it).

Things That Roll - Gaithersburg, MD
Saturday, June 5: 10 am - 12 pm

Your preschooler gets to take his or her scooter, Big Wheels, or anything else that can roll for a fun time at the Skate Park. Helmets are required! A limited supply of Big Wheels, scooters, helmets and safety gears are available, so it's best to bring your own equipment. Admissions are $3 per resident child, $5 per non-resident child and free for parents. No pre-registration is necessary, simply register at the gate. Call 301-258-6350, extension 168 for more information.

The Skate Park is located at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, Maryland (map it).

Hullabaloo Band - Vienna, VA
Saturday, June 5: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Hullabaloo Band is an award-winning band that features farm-fresh, free-range, organic kid-folk music. Admissions are $8 per person and free for babies younger than 12 months old. Get your tickets online.

Hullabaloo Band's performance is held at Jammin' Java, located at 227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, Virginia (map it). 

Imagination Bethesda - Bethesda, MD
Saturday, June 5: 11 am - 4 pm

The 17th annual Imagination Bethesda is a fun street festival geared towards kids ages 12 and under. Activities and entertainment include face painting, hands-on creative activities, balloonists and family-friendly performers. 

The festival is held on Woodmont Avenue between Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street in downtown Bethesda, Maryland. More on directions and parking.

FREE: Occoquan Craft Show - Occoquan, VA
Saturday, June 5: 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday, June 6: 10 am - 5 pm

Get your holiday shopping done early! The Occoquan Craft Show features local merchants, crafters, food vendors and live entertainment. Admissions are free. 

The craft show is located in the historic Town of Occoquan, Virginia. Shuttle bus is available at designated parking lots for $4 per person or free for kids under the age of 12. More on directions and parking.

Virginia Renaissance Faire: Pirate Invasion - Spotsylvania, VA
Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6: 10 am - 5 pm

Visit an English country village and meet nobles, merchants, artisans and the queen herself. Children's activities include arts and crafts, puppetry and interactive fairy tales. This weekend's theme is pirate invasion, where you get to meet pirates and privateers. Admissions are $8 per person and free for kids 5 and under.

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

FREE: Love Your Body, Northern Virginia Yoga and Wellness Day - Reston, VA
Sunday, June 6: 10 am - 4 pm

Try a yoga class, learn about holistic wellness, sample drinks and snacks and get a massage. Kid yoga is scheduled from 12:20 pm to 12:40 pm and teen yoga is scheduled from 12:45 pm to 1:10 pm.

Northern Virginia Yoga and Wellness Day is held at Reston Town Center Pavilion, located at 11900 Market Street, Reston, Virginia (map it).

Fun Family Festival in Northern Virginia: Celebrate Fairfax! on June 11 - 13, 2010

Come join the fun at Celebrate Fairfax! Festival from Friday, June 11th to Sunday, June 13th. There are so many fun activities to keep you and your kids entertained at the festival, from carnival rides to live entertainment.

What?
Celebrate Fairfax! Festival is a large annual festival in a 25-acre site in Fairfax, Virginia. Check out more than 400 exhibitors, food vendors and crafters. Stay late and enjoy fireworks on Friday and Saturday night at 9:15 pm.

They also have five stages for live concerts where more than 60 performances are held during this 3-day festival. Entertainers include Rusted Root, Carolina Liar, Josh Thompson, Jimmy Wayne and KC & the Sunshine Band.

At the children's stage, your kids can enjoy performances by Rocknoceros, Reptiles Alive!, Magic 4 U and other kids entertainers. See a full schedule of performers on the children's stage.

Other activities for your kids include carnival rides, provided by Amusements of America. Ride along on a merry go round, take a ride on a ferris wheel, go on a roller coaster ride and so many more rides.  

 Stop by the petting zoo to say hello to baby farm animals, such as lambs and baby chicks.

Of course, don't forget to grab a bite to eat while you're there! What's a festival without funnel cakes, kettle corn and ice cream? Over 30 vendors are at the festival, so take your pick. You'll find the typical festival food vendors where you can get burgers, fries and pizza, as well as some surprising vendors such as Bonefish Grill and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

When?
Friday, June 11: 6 pm - 12 am
Saturday, June 12: 10 am - 12 am
Sunday, June 13: 11 am - 7 pm

Where?
Celebrate Fairfax! Festival is held at the Government Center, located at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia (map it).  You can bike, drive or take public transportation there. Free bike valet parking is available.

If you plan to drive, park at one of the designated parking lots for the festival and take a free shuttle bus from the parking lot. More on parking and directions to the festival.

How much?
Admission fees per day are $12 for adults, $5 for kids 3 to 12 and free for kids under 3. Admission fees include free access to concerts, entertainment and exhibits. Tickets for carnival rides are sold separately for $25 per day. You can get combo tickets which include admissions, concerts, entertainment, exhibits and all day carnival rides. Combo tickets per day are $35 for adults and $28 for kids 3 to 12. 

Save time and a few bucks by getting your tickets online instead of at the gate. Admission fees if you purchase online are $9 for adults and $4 for kids 3 to 12, plus $2 service charge per order. Get your tickets online. 

More information
More information about Celebrate Fairfax! Festival can be found on their website or by calling 703-324-3247. Download the Festival Map below.

 

FREE - Herndon Festival: June 3 - 6, 2010

This weekend, check out the 30th annual Herndon Festival, a fun street festival in the town of Herndon, Virginia. Live entertainment, food vendors, kids activities and more. Even better, admission to the festival is free!

What?
Arts and crafts, carnival rides, live entertainment, festival food and children's hands-on art activities are among the many activities that you and your family can do at Herndon Festival.

There are three stages for live entertainment. For family-friendly entertainment, check out the Municipal Center stage, where you can watch magic shows, comedy shows, rescue dog show and family-friendly bands. See full schedule of performers at the Municipal Center Stage.

The festival also has over a dozen rides and games and twenty food vendors, so stop by the carnival area for some fun rides and yummy festival food. Stay late to watch fireworks on Thursday night and Saturday night at 9:30 pm.

Animals are not allowed in the festival area, except for seeing eye dogs and service animals. However, there is K-9 2K Dog Walk and Doggie Expo on Saturday the 5th. The dog walk starts at 10 am and the expo is from 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-register for the dog walk online.

When?
Thursday, June 3: 6 pm - 10 pm
Friday, June 4: 5 pm - 11 pm
Saturday, June 5: 10 am - 11 pm
Sunday, June 6: 11 am - 6 pm

Where?
Herndon Festival is held in downtown Herndon, Virginia. If you drive, park at one of the designated parking areas then take a free shuttle bus. You can park at Worldgate Center or Herndon High School. More on parking and directions.

You can also bike to the festival, where they offer a free valet service for bikes. Bike racks are located at the intersection of Elden Street and Lynn Street in Herndon.

Download festival map below.

How much?
Admission to the festival is free, which includes access to live entertainment on three stages, children's entertainment and children's hands-on art area. Carnival rides are not free; tickets are sold at $1 per ticket or you can get a wristband for an all-day access to rides for $15 per day for Thursday and Saturday.

More information
More information about Herndon Festival can be found on their website or by calling 703-787-7300. You can also download handy pocket guide.

FREE - Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival in Reston, VA: May 15 - 16, 2010

My daughter and I went to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival at Reston Town Center yesterday. Between people watching and dog watching, we squeezed in some shopping and art making.

We headed down first to the Children's Art Tent, where we started with painting using magnets and finished with making an art with some play-doh like material.

We also checked out the community mural and couldn't resist to contribute.

We then walked around the festival to visit the various artists there. We did a little shopping, but what made it more fun was that my daughter got to see the various forms of arts at the festival, such as digital photography, oil painting, mixed media arts, metal sculptures and ceramic sculptures. I think I lost count on how many times I said,"Just look, no touching."

We checked out the food vendors at the festival, too, but we ended up eating dinner outside at one of the many restaurants at Reston Town Center. What a nice way to end the day!

This street festival is still going on today, Sunday, May 16th, from 10 am to 6 pm. Admissions and parking are free. So check it out with your family - dogs are welcome, too!

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).

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).

Three Free Things to Do with Kids to Celebrate Dr. Seuss's Birthday in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia

March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's 106th birthday. Check out three free things you can do with your kids to celebrate his birthday in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia this week. 

1. Make green eggs and ham for dinner tonight
Yum, breakfast for dinner! But why just make a green scrambled egg? Go with green eggs and ham sandwich or green eggs and ham quiche. If you're feeling adventurous, try green chili eggs.

2. Go to a bookstore and enjoy a free Dr. Seuss storytime
Here are some local bookstores that hold storytime sessions featuring Dr. Seuss books:'The Cat in the Hat' at Barnes & Noble in Springfield, Virginia: Tuesday, March 2, 10 am
Dr. Seuss storytime at Barnes & Noble in Bethesda, Maryland: Saturday, March 6, 11 am
Read Across America for Dr. Seuss' Birthday at Barnes & Noble in Reston, Virginia: Tuesday, March 2, 4 pm

Also check out Cat-A-Van reading tour from Read Across America on Tuesday, March 2, at 10:30 am. The van will be at at Library of Congress, James Madison Building, Montpelier Room (619), 101 Independence Ave, SE, Washington, DC (map it).

3. Play fun Dr. Seuss games at home
Go to Seussville.com for free online games, or print out some activity sheets:
Cat Tricks! - Challenge your kids to do some tricks that the cat in the hat can do!
Where are the fish? - Help the cat in the hat find one fish, two fish, red fish and blue fish
Can You Find the Cats? - Play a word puzzle game to find as many "cats" as you can
The Sneetches! - Color two sneetches, one with a star and one without
Which Words Don't Belong? - Find words that don't belong in a group (hint: they don't rhyme with the rest!)

National Pancake Day = Free Pancakes!

Who doesn't like pancakes? Who doesn't like FREE pancakes? Yep, I said free.

Just swing by a participating IHOP restaurant between 7 am and 10 pm today, February 23rd, and you'll get a free short stack (three) of their buttermilk pancakes. As you're enjoying your delicious pancakes, consider making a donation to support local children's hospitals through Children's Miracle Network or other local charities.

Before you go to your nearest IHOP, call them first to see if they participate in this fun day. If you don't know where the nearest IHOP is, check out their restaurant locator. Note that this is for dine-in only and there's a limit of one free short stack per guest.

Happy pancake day!

Princess Tea Party at Kentlands Mansion, Gaithersburg, Maryland

How cute is this? The city of Gaithersburg, Maryland, is hosting a princess tea party at Kentlands Mansion on March 7th. 

Your little girl gets to dress up in her best party dress, complete with jewelry and gloves if you desire. Moms, dads and grandparents are welcome to tag along.

Snack on tea sandwiches, fruit, cookies and of course, tea. Make-up time begins at 1 pm, where your little princess will get all made up, complete with blush and lipstick, all compliments of a local make-up artist. Then she'll get to strike a princess pose during picture time! Coloring activities are also available, with "Alice in Wonderland - the Tea Party" theme.

Reservations are required. Family seatings of four, six or eight people can be accommodated. Individuals or parties of two will be seated with other guests. Call 301-258-6425 to make a reservation. 

AT A GLANCE
When?
March 7, 2010, from 1 pm to 3:30 pm.

Where?
320 Kent Square Road
Gaithersburg, Maryland

How much?
$15 for kids 12 and under, $20 for everyone else. Call 301-258-6425 to make a reservation.

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