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).

Rainy Day Activities in Washington, DC Metro Today, June 9, 2010

Where did the sun go this morning? No worries! You can still have fun with the kids on this rainy day. Here are several open play times in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland that you can go to today.

At Play Cafe - Reston, VA
Open play time at At Play Cafe today is from 9:30 am to 7 pm. Fees: $8 for the first child and $6 for each additional sibling. Babies under 8 months are free. Read my review of At Play Cafe.

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

The Family Room - Washington, DC
Open play time at the Family Room today is from 9 am to 6 pm. Fees: $10 for the first child and $5 for each additional sibling. If you stop by after 3 pm, fee is $5 per child. Call 202-640-1865 for more information.

The Family Room is located at 411 8th St SE, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC (map it).

FunFit Family Fitness - Rockville, MD
Open play time at FunFit Family Fitness today is from 10 am to 2 pm. Fees for members: $7 per child, $6 for each additional sibling and $15 per family maximum. Fees for non-members: $9 per child, $8 for each additional sibling and $20 per family maximum.

FunFit Family Fitness is located at 17511 Redland Rd , Rockville, Maryland (map it).

JW Tumbles - Arlington, VA
Open play time at JW Tumbles of Arlington today is from 9 am to 1 pm. Fees: $6 for members enrolled in a class, $8 for members not enrolled in a class and $10 for non-members. Call 703-531-1471 for more information.

JW Tumbles of Arlington is located at 2499 N. Harrison St, Arlington, Virginia (map it).

MoBu Kids - Falls Church, VA
Open play time at MoBu Kids today is from 12:30 pm to 5 pm. Call 703-241-PLAY for more information.

MoBu Kids is located at 442 South Washington St, Falls Church, Virginia (map it).

Pump It Up - Leesburg, VA
Pop in play time at Pump It Up today is from 1 pm to 2:30 pm. Fees: $10 per child. For kids ages 2 to 12. Call 703-443-1400 for more information.

Pump It Up is located at 73 Lawson Road SE, Leesburg, Virginia (map it).

Sport Bounce of Loudoun - Ashburn, VA
There are two open gym times at Sport Bounce of Loudoun today: from 10 am to 11:30 am (for kids 18 months to 6 years) and from 12 pm to 1:30 pm (for kids 18 months and older). Fees: $10 for the first child (2 and older), $8 for each additional sibling (2 and older), $6 for kids ages 18 to 24 months. Call 703-729-9522 for more information.

Sport Bounce of Loudoun is located at 44710 Cape Ct., Suite #116, Ashburn, Virginia (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).

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).

Face to Face with Animals at Leesburg Animal Park, Northern Virginia

My family frequently visits Reston Zoo, so we thought we should try out a different animal park. This past weekend, we went to Leesburg Animal Park in Leesburg, Virginia.

We were among the first visitors in the morning since we got there a few minutes before the park opened. We got my daughter the VIP pass, which included a cup of food and a pony ride. Each adult also received an ice cream cone filled with food for the animals as well.

We headed straight to the animal feeding area, where we were greeted by emus, a camel, llamas, a nilgai antelope, fallow deer fawns, sheep, donkeys and goats. There was also a Scottish highland cattle, but it wasn't interested in our food. My daughter loved feeding the baby goats while I made friends with the nilgai antelope.

We said hello quickly to the peacocks before heading into the contact area, which had more animals to feed and pet, including goats and a camel. I saw on their website that they have camel rides at certain times of the year, but they didn't have the camel ride when we were there.

As we were finishing up in the contact area, there was an announcement that the pony ride was about to start. So we took a short walk to the pony area; three quick circles and the pony ride was done.

On the way to the wagon ride, we said hello to an African serval cat, who was prancing around. It was in a cage, but there was only a rope between the viewing area and the cage, so we watched our daughter closely to make sure that she didn't put her fingers in the cage.

We also visited the gibbons, who were busy swinging around the trees. Then my daughter spotted a dragon moonbounce, so she decided to run straight there. It was very convenient to have a playground and a moonbounce right by the wagon ride; my daughter happily bounced and played while we waited for the wagon ride to start.

The wagon ride took us down the hill to see two zebras before heading to the pond. A staff member gave us more food so we could feed the fish, geese and ducks. We also spotted a Peking duck, an Egyptian goose and African geese at the pond.

If you don't want to take the wagon ride, you can also walk down to the pond by yourself. They did warn us that the geese may be a little aggressive to each other during nesting season, so it's better to stay away from the geese to be safe.

We decided after the wagon ride that we've had enough of animal fun and headed out for lunch. As we exited the park, we said good bye to squirrel monkeys, pot belly pigs, bunnies and ring-tailed lemurs.

We all thought the most fun part of the park was feeding the animals; my daughter couldn't stop talking about feeding the baby goat and the llamas at lunch and the next day.

AT A GLANCE

Location
Leesburg Animal Park is located at 19270 James Monroe Highway in Leesburg, Virginia.

View Larger Map

Hours of Operation
Leesburg Animal Park is open from March to September:
Wednesday - Thursday: 10 am to 3 pm
Friday - Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm

Admission Fees
$9.95 for adults, $7.95 for seniors (55+), $7.95 for kids 2+ and free for kids under 2. You can also get a VIP pass for your kid for $9.95, which includes a pony ride and animal food in a souvenir cup for you to take home. A season pass costs $35. You can get your tickets at the door or on their website. You can also get a coupon online.

Birthday Parties and Special Events
You can hold a birthday party at Leesburg Animal Park, or have the zoo come to you. For a party at the park, it costs $16.95 per child and $9.95 per adult with minimum $200 for the party. Kids under 2 are free. The birthday party package includes a private pony ride, a private wagon ride, a private animal encounter, a souvenir bucket of animal food and a goody bag for each kid. You can book your party online or call 703-433-0002.

To have the zoo come to you, it costs between $299 and $699 depending on the animals that you'd like to have at your party and the number of hours.

Animal Fun! Zoos, Aquariums, Animal Parks & Farms in Washington, DC, Metro

You and your kids have probably been to the National Zoo and Baltimore Aquarium a dozen times, but did you know that there are other zoos and animal parks in the Washington, DC area? 

Check out this list of zoos, aquariums, animal parks and farms in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. 

Bug Box in Fredericksburg, VA
This live insect zoo is full of critters that your kids will love. Bug Box in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is home to scorpions, tarantulas, stinging insects, spiders, giant millipedes, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, frogs, turtles, crayfish and more.

Open from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday. Admissions: $2 per person.

Bug Box is located at 10822A Courthouse Rd, Fredericksburg, Virginia (map it).

Catoctin Wildlife Animal Preserve and Zoo in Thurmont, MD
Visit over 450 exotic animals at Catoctin Wildlife Animal Preserve and Zoo in Thurmont, only minutes from Frederick, Maryland. See lions, bears, macaws, monkeys, boas and go on a global safari ride to see ostriches, zebras, bison, antelopes, llamas and more.

Admission fees: $15.95 for adults (13+), $9.95 for kids ages 6 to 12, $6.95 for kids ages 2 to 5 and free for kids under 2. See operating hours.

Catoctin Wildlife Animal Preserve and Zoo is located at 13019 Catoctin Furnace Rd, Thurmont, Maryland (map it). 

FREE - Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, VA
Say hello to farm animals, such as cows, sheep, goats, chickens and pigs, horses, turkeys, ducks, rabbits and a peacock at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Virginia. Read review of this farm.

Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Free admissions.

Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, Virginia (map it).

Leesburg Animal Park in Leesburg, VA
See giant tortoises, gibbons, llamas, antelope and more at Leesburg Animal Park. The park also offer pony rides, hand-feeding lory parrots and wagon rides.

Open daily from March to September, 10 am to 3 pm during the week and 10 am to 5 pm on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Admission fees: $9.95 for adults and $7.95 for kids. 

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

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, MD
Visit cheetahs, chimpanzees, polar bears, giraffes, crocodiles, snakes, Arctic foxes and more at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Maryland.

Open daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission fees (Web special): $14 for adults (12 - 64), $12 for seniors (65+), $10 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for kids under 2. 

The Maryland Zoo is located at 876 Mansion House Drive, Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland, get directions.

National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD
National Aquarium in Baltimore is home to 16,500 specimens and more than 660 species of animals. See mammals, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and amphibians. Check out the dolphin show while you're there.

Open daily at 9 am, see visiting hours. Admission fees: $24.95 for adults (12 - 59), $23.95 for seniors (60+), $19.95 for kids ages 3 to 11 and free for kids under 3. 

Baltimore Aquarium is located at 501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland, see directions.

National Aquarium in Washington, DC
Visit more than 250 species at the National Aquarium in Washington, DC, such as giant pacific octopus, northern snakehead, snapping turtles, alligators and more.

Open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Admission fees: $9 for adults (12 - 59), $8 for seniors (60+), $8 for military personnel, $4 for kids ages 3 to 11 and free for kids under 3. 

National Aquarium is located at 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, see directions.

FREE - The National Zoo in Washington, DC
The National Zoo has approximately 2,00 animals, with about one-fifth of the 400 species are endangered or threatened. See pandas, tigers, lions, elephants, hippos, gorillas, zebras, komodo dragons and more.

Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm from April to October, and from 10 am to 4:30 pm from November to March. 

The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, see directions.

Platinum Alpacas Farm in Brandy Station, VA
Platinum Alpaca Farm is normally open by appointment only, but they can also do special tours of the farm. Visitors can buy clothes made from alpacas and fine quality natural yarn. Call 540-825-2055 for more information.

Platinum Alpacas Farm is located at 10623 Gravel Road, Brandy Station, Virginia (map it).

Reston Zoo in Reston, VA
In the middle of suburban Northern Virginia, Reston Zoo hosts spider monkeys, zebras, camels, an alligator, red kangaroos and more. Feed farm animals, ride a pony, and go on a wagon ride to see the animals. Read review of Reston Zoo.

Open daily starting at 9 am from mid-March to late November, see operating hours. Admission fees: $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (65+), $9 for kids ages 2 to 12 and free for kids under 2. 

Reston Zoo is located at 1228 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna, Virginia (map it).

FREE - The Salisbury Zoo in Salisbury, MD
Check out jaguars, bison, llamas, alligators, spider monkeys, bald eagle and more animals at the Salisbury Zoo in Maryland.

Open daily starting at 9 am. Free admissions.

The Salisbury Zoo is located at 755 South Park Drive, Salisbury, Maryland (map it).

Top 5 Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: March 26 - 28, 2010

Say hello to cherry blossoms, clowns and Easter bunny! Check out top five things to do with your kids in Washington, DC, metro this weekend, March 26 - 28, 2010.

1. FREE - The National Cherry Blossom Festival: Family Day and Opening Ceremony, Washington, DC
Saturday, March 27: 10 am - 3:30 pm (Family Day) and 4 - 5:30 pm (Opening Ceremony

Take your kids to Family Day at the Cherry Blossom festival to see performances and participate in fun Japanese-inspired and eco-friendly activities. Among the performers are Nen Daiko, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s Teen Arts Performers, Despicable Me minions, Culture Shock and Future Shock dance teams, Bach to Rock Music School and The Washington Ballet School of Ballet.

Japanese-inspired activities for kids include making a hanging koi fish, designing a Japanese stage set and trying on traditional Japanese clothing. Eco-friendly activities include creating an eco-vase, planting a flower in a biodegradable pot and creating a cherry blossom tree from tissue paper.

The Opening Ceremony starts at 4 pm in the Great Hall of the National Building Museum. Both Family Day and Opening Ceremony are free.

The National Building Museum is located at 401 F St, NW, Washington, DC (map it).   

2. Big Apple Circus, Dulles, VA
Friday, March 26: 11 am - 12:50 pm and 7 pm - 8:50 pm
Saturday, March 27: 12:30 - 2:20 pm and 4:30 - 6:20 pm

Join Bello for a fun time at the circus! See an aerialist rising through the air on shimmering ribbons, a juggling artiste from Spain, a trapeze artist from Russia, equestrians with galloping horses and a pack of whacky dogs rescued from shelters. Shows last for 1 hour and 50 minutes, including intermission. 

Tickets are from $15 to $52 per person, depending on your seats. Go to BigAppleCircus.org/youthDL.aspx to save up to 30% on select performances.

Find the Big Apple Big Top at 21100 Dulles Town Center Circle in Sterling, Virginia (map it).

3. Easter Egg Hunt at Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA
Saturday, March 27: 12 - 4 pm

Bring your pretty spring basket and get ready for a fun Easter egg hunt at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Virginia! Besides the hunt, enjoy other entertainment for kids, such as unlimited rides on a jumbo slide, jump climb & slide, rock climbing wall, obstacle courses and face painting. Bring your own snacks or buy from food vendors. Rain or shine. 

$12 per child at the gate or $10 when you buy your tickets in advance - call 703-777-1368 or buy your tickets online. Parents and kids older than 7 who are not participating in the hunt are free.

Ida Lee Park is located at 60 Ida Lee Drive Northwest in Leesburg, Virginia (map it). 

4. Bunnyland at Butler's Orchard, Germantown, MD
Saturday, March 27: 9 am - 3 pm
Sunday, March 28: 9 am - 3 pm

Take a hayride down the Bunny Trail, ride the pedal tractors, check out rubber duck derby, go Easter egg hunting, swoosh down giant slides, get your face painted, ride a pony, visit bunnies, lambs and chicks. Food vendors offer hot dogs, veggie pitas, soup, popcorn, cookies and more. $8 for adults and $6 for adults.

Butler's Orchar is located at 22200 Davis Mill Road in Germantown, Maryland (map it).

5. FREE - Take a Stroll at Old Town Alexandria, VA
Take a leisurely stroll at Old Town Alexandria in Virginia this weekend. Start with brunch at Bread & Chocolate on King Street between Washington Street and Asaph Street, swing by the fountain in front of the city hall, then head down to the water front to watch a street performer and relax on a bench. Grab some ice cream at either Pop's Old Fashion Ice Cream or The Scoop Grill or Ice Cream, both are on King Street. If you're too tired to walk back to your car, ride the free King Street Trolley.

Street parking and garage parking are available throughout Old Town Alexandria. Find more places to go and parking lots by using this interactive map of the city.

Pump Up Your Kid's Birthday Party at Pump It Up in Leesburg, Virginia

My daughter and I went to her classmate's birthday party this past weekend at Pump It Up in Leesburg, Virginia. She and her friends bounced, climbed up and went down the slides and went through obstacle courses there pretty much non-stop. I joined in on the fun, of course!

There were two birthday parties when we were there, but we didn't see the other party at all until the end. The facility had two rooms of giant indoor inflatables, so the two parties were rotated between the two rooms.

The party started in the lobby area, where we dropped off our presents and watched a safety video. After that, the kids lined up to make a choo choo train and went in the first party room.

There were three inflatables in the first room: a moon bounce, inflatable slides and an inflatable obstacle course. Staff was there on the floor, but not on the inflatables. Since our party consisted of mostly young toddlers, us parents took turn monitoring the kids at the top of the slides so they didn't tumble on each other while going down the slides.

After about 30 or 40 minutes, we switched to the second party room. Similar to the first room, the second room also had a moon bounce, inflatable slides and an inflatable obstacle course. The moon bounce was bigger and the obstacle course was more challenging. Our toddlers were not able to climb up some parts of the obstacle course by themselves, so many of the parents joined in on the fun and helped the kids go through the obstacle course.

Next up is snack time! We all went into a party room with two long benches that looked like they could seat 40 to 50 kids. The kids enjoyed their cake and ice cream before heading home.

Overall, I was impressed with how organized the staff were. They kept the party on schedule and they were courteous. Even a little thing such as having the shoe cubby rolled from the first party room to the second party room was helpful.

The facility is also clean and well kept. The two rooms are air-conditioned, just what you need when you have about 20 kids bouncing around non-stop. Parking is easy and free. Bonus: Pump It Up is located about five minutes away from Leesburg Outlet Premium Corner, so if your kids are old enough to be dropped off, take a break and go shopping.

AT A GLANCE

Location
73 Lawson Road SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 443-1400

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Birthday Parties
Pump It Up has several party packages for you to choose from. They start from $195 to $295 for 25 kids. Parties include full color invitations, complimentary paper products, party set up and clean up. You can also pay more to have their staff take care of the food, drinks, ice cream cake, goody bags and balloons.

Pop-In Play Time
They also have pop-in play time for $10 per child. Call (703) 443-1400 for their latest schedule. It's a great way to see if you want to host your kid's birthday party there or if you want to sign your kid up for a class there.

Blast Off with a Fun Birthday Party for Your Kids!

My daughter went to a birthday party at Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Virginia, last month, and she had such a blast! Since it was a toddler's birthday party, the theme was a mixed up zoo, where the kids learned about different types of animals. 

For older kids, Curiosity Zone has more birthday party themes, such as Blast & Bubble, Artsy Potions, Spa Science and Slime Time. Activities may include making a geyser, a volcano and a bubbling mud pot, as well as mixing up their own slime formula.

Birthday parties last for 90 minutes, including time for snacks and refreshments. There is a party room set up with a long table and chairs next to the science lab, where the kids can enjoy their treats and mix their own drink concoctions using beakers and test tubes. 

The door to the party room has a biometric lock; how cool is that? Your kid will feel extra special - only the birthday kid can open the door to the party room with his or her thumb print!

Each birthday party includes:

• Hands-on activities and experiments in a kid-sized science lab
• Fun experiments with a giant shadow wall
• Themed invitations
• Balloons and table settings
• Drinks that the kids make themselves using beakers and test tubes
• Goody beakers: a mini science kit that includes a large beaker with a test tube, pipette and experiment directions and other take-homes from the party depending on the theme
• 20% off additional goody bag items from Curiosity Zone's toy store
• A Curiosity Zone t-shirt for the birthday kid

You can hold your kid's birthday party at one of the following times (gotta love the many options for the weekend!):

• Saturday: 10:30, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 and 6:30
• Sunday: 12:30, 2;30 and 4:30

To make it even easier for moms and dads to plan for the party, MaggieMoo's ice cream is located right next door. Just order some ice cream or an ice cream cake ahead of time and they'll deliver those yummy treats to the party. There is also a pizza place next door for snacks. If you prefer something other than pizza, there are other restaurants and a Safeway in the same shopping center. So take your pick on snacks for the party. 

To host a party at Curiosity Zone, it'll cost $295 for up to 15 kids. Adults are free to join in on the fun! Additional kids are $15 each. To make sure that each kid gets enough attention to enjoy the party, there is a maximum of 20 kids for the party.

Curiosity Zone won Nickelodeon's 2008 ParentsConnect.com Parents' Picks Award for Best Indoor Playspace/Partyspace for big kids.

FUN & SAVE ALERT! Save 10% on birthday parties at Curiosity Zone with this special coupon code: funthings2010. Just enter that coupon code in the comment section when you register online. If you prefer to register on the phone (703-723-9949), just quote the coupon code to the staff member. Coupon is valid until December 31, 2010.