Beltway Bambinos

(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children

Send your kids to Camp KidJam this summer

Camp KidJam is for rising 2nd- 5th graders created to encourage growth for kids in
their relationship with God and one another. Camp KidJam is excited to partner with
National Community Church for a unique Day Camp Experience. We’re bringing all of
the creative, engaging elements of CKJ to DC in July!

There will be compelling Bible stories, impactful small groups, fun track activities,
crazy team cheers, and of course, unforgettable games.

Learn more here!

Dates: July 25-28, 2023

Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Location: National Community Church, 700 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

Cost: $250.00 per person

Includes: Programming, activities, supplies, and t-shirt
Does Not Include: Meals and transportation

Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

Playing all weekend long: Hadestown at the National Theatre
It is an incredible show!!

Friday
5:00pm-7:00pm: Poster Making at The Loft Collective
Bring your positive messages and a spirit of inclusivity and joy to support and celebrate Takoma Park’s LGBTQ+ community! Community events will take place on Sunday, June 11, 10a-2p (more info on Takoma Pride Day here). Poster making is a family event is open to all ages. This event is FREE, but please register so that we know how many to expect.

Saturday

9:30am AND 11:00am: Saturday Morning Live! at The National: VIORE: An Adaptation Story by Regan Linton
Once upon a time, the letters V, I, O, R, and E were living their best lives – happy, active, and joyful. But one day, things began to change and the letters transformed. It’s an engaging story of adaptation and how we can all change and grow to become happy, active, and joyful in a whole new way. 

10:00am-1:00pm: Art Cart at Hirshhorn
Make some noise for a sound inspired Art Cart. Join us at this week’s Art Cart to investigate and play with sound. Then, make your own sound inspired collage. Find the Art Cart on the Third Level and pick up noise-making materials.

11:00am-2:00pm: Pride at Bark in Boro Park
All are welcome, especially those without a pet at home! Looking for a new leash on life?  Paw by Paw Dog Training will host two hour-long training workshops from 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM and 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.  Pre-register to participate here. Bone Appetit! A dog (& human!) treat bar will serve pastries, coffee and puppuccinos from Bluestone Lane, as well as milk bones, chews and treats. Get your furry friend glammed with live tag engraving on-site. Need some puppy therapy? Wolf Trap Animal Rescue will bring a group of puppies to snuggle as they share more about animal rescue & adoption.  A kids’ craft and activation area will be set up for little ones to enjoy throughout the festivities.

2:00pm-9:00pm: Pride on the Pier
The Washington Blade in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf are excited to announce the 4th Annual Pride on the Pier celebration during DC Pride in June 2023. Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Southwest waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment. The District Pier will offer a DJ, dancing and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.

3:00pm-7:30pm: Pride Parade
Celebrate with the LGBTQ+ community and its allies at the historic Capital Pride Parade! This beloved tradition honors our history and acknowledges the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC, while respecting the origins and importance of taking to the streets in the fight for equality. Be prepared to experience one of the largest Pride Parades to ever take place in the Nation’s Capital.

7:00pm: Youth Soccer Night at the Spirit Game
Versus Angel City

Sunday

11:00am-2:00pm: Takoma Pride Day
Celebrating LGBTQ+ community during Takoma Pride Day. This year’s theme is Protect Trans Rights. With significant legislation across the country attacking the trans community, the intention is to send messages of equality, acceptance, and action. 

12:00pm-10:00pm: Pride Festival
Join the LGBTQ+ community on America’s Mainstreet, historic Pennsylvania Avenue, for the Capital Pride Festival. Enjoy a full day of entertainment on three stages, food, drink, and advocacy with over 300 exhibitors. The Festival is the largest annual event in the national capital region and continues to be free to the public.

More posts:
Overnight trips for the family
Beach and State park
Day destinations (less than 2 hours away)
Trails, marshes & gardens
Outdoor fun
15 ways to get outdoors
Adult getaways

DC Scavenger: The National Mall

When many think of the nation’s capital city, the National Mall is undoubtedly one of the first areas that comes to mind. The landscaped strip spanning from the US Capitol to the iconic Lincoln Memorial is a national treasure trove chock-full of monuments, memorials, museums, and art installations that help make up the fabric of the capital city and country. It’s been estimated that more than 24 million people visit the National Mall each year: that’s more visitors than the Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon national parks combined.

In this second guest blog post of her DC Scavenger series, local author JoAnn Hill takes us on an active pursuit throughout this national treasure. Below are 4 of 23 clues featured in the National Mall chapter of DC Scavenger. This time no photos are included. Take your Bambinos on a hunt and let us know in the comments if you had luck finding the 4 clues below! Check out JoAnn’s book DC Scavenger to solve and discover more clues and sites around the National Mall and throughout the entire city.

JoAnn Hill is the author of Secret Washington, DC: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure and DC Scavenger, which goes beyond the typical guidebook; it’s an interactive treasure map spanning seventeen distinct neighborhoods throughout the District. If you think you know everything there is to know about DC―even the most weird, wonderful, and obscure parts of it―get ready to embark on an adventurous discovery of DC’s most cherished gems.

National Mall Clue #1
The House that Roy built may trip you out,
Looks to be moving, may cause you to doubt,
Black edges and colors of yellow and red,
This optical illusion may mess with your head.

National Mall Clue #2
Garden named for a gal, a nice reprieve,
Ripley, believe it, you won’t want to leave.
Amble on through, this fountain’s at its core,
Revel in the flowers and plants galore.

National Mall Clue #3
A more recent addition to the Mall,
Tribute to Black life, history, and all.
Learn of stories, culture, present and past,
Museum so huge, walk slowly, not fast.

National Mall Clue #4
A rare tribute here to the women’s role,
Risking their lives when the war took a toll,
We honor these women who gave their all,
Find this touching statue near the famed wall.

6 immersive exhibits for families in and around Washington, DC

The Dr. Seuss Experience

The Dr. Seuss Experience is a sensory spectacle that takes each guest on an awe-inspiring journey through nine different Dr. Seuss books, allowing each visitor a chance to step into the pages of each of the books and interact with its iconic characters!
Where: 7852U Tysons Corner Center, Tysons, VA 22102
When: Open Wednesday through Sunday, sessions available every half hour
Duration: Around 60 minutes
Admission: General Admission Adult (13+) $34.00, General Admission Child (1-12) for $29.00, additional add-on options available. Free entry for infants under the age of 12 months.

Van Gogh Exhibition: The Immersive Experience: Have you ever dreamt of stepping into a painting? Take an educational and awe-inspiring journey into the incomparable universe of Van Gogh. Explore his life and work as never before through cutting-edge 360-degree digital projections, a one-of-a-kind VR experience, and a uniquely atmospheric light and sound show. Make your own paintings and have them projected on the walls in an experience loved by grown ups and kids alike!
Where: 524 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
When: Open every day apart from Tuesday, with time slots available every half hour
Duration: The visit will take around 60 to 75 minutes
Admission: Adult ticket $44.90, Child ticket $26.90, Family Bundle (4+ tickets, max. 2 adults) $28.90, additional VIP experiences available. Free entry for children under 4 years old.

Dinos Alive: The Immersive Experience: Prepare to be transported back in time for an adventure of a lifetime where you’ll meet over 80 animated life sized recreations of some of the largest land animals to have ever set foot on our planet. Check out the “Budding Experts” experience, where you can tap into your inner paleontologists, color dinosaur species and watch their creations come to life on screen! 
Where: 524 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
When: Open Wednesday through Sunday, sessions available every half hour
Duration: The visit will take approx. 45–75 minutes
Admission: General Admission $25.40, VIP Admission (VR Experience included) $35.90, Family Bundle (4+ tickets, max. 2 adults) $21.60, additional add-on Kid Dinos Costumes available. Kids 3 and younger enter for free.

Dinos Alive: The Immersive Experience:

Jurassic Encounter: Join for an outdoor Dinosaur Walk-Thru Adventure! It’s a perfect outing for ALL Dino Enthusiasts – Young and Old! with over 45+ life-size animatronics and static dinosaurs. Meet our large and in charge T-Rex, our mighty Triceratops and her young, plus dozens of other species!
Where: 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121
When: May 4-14
Duration: The Pace of the JURASSIC ENCOUNTER Experience is up to you! Guests can spend an hour to all day! The suggested time is an hour to and hour and a half.
Admission: Weekday single admission ticket $15 and 4 admission ticket bundle $49.99.

Candytopia: Virginia’s most delicious museum, made up of your favorite treats! If you’ve ever dreamed of nibbling your way through Candyland or scoring a Golden Ticket, you’ve come to the right place. Explore the sprawling sanctuary of confectionary bliss, with over a dozen carefully curated and crafted rooms and enviornments.
Where: 7871 Tysons Corner Center, Tysons, VA 22101
When: Through the end of May
Duration: About 60 minutes
Admission: Adult $30, Kids 4-12 $23 and kids under age 3 free.

PIXELBLOOM: Timeless Butterflies at ARTECHOUSE: You are invited to step into a virtual world of cherry blossoms, discovering the ephemeral beauty of butterflies and thrilling exuberance of nature. A kaleidoscope of butterflies are awoken from their winter slumber and pixels burst into full bloom all in celebration of the coming of spring. Leveraging custom technologies, ARTECHOUSE Studio reimagines the potential of nature, both digital and organic in design, expanding on the world of PIXELBLOOM to create a one-of-a-kind family-friendly journey.
Where: 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
When: Through June 11
Duration: The experience is up to you! Guests can spend an hour to all day.
Admission: General admission $25, children ages 4-15 $17, Children under 4 Free, Students & Seniors (65+) $20, Military & First Responders $20 and Weekday Family Pack $75 for 2 adults, 2 children.

Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

Happy holidays to those who celebrate; it’s a busy weekend with Passover & Easter! Easter egg hunts and festivals can be found here for those looking for more hunts.

We’ve got a great list of 16+ ways to spend Spring Break. If you are staying local and need some ideas check out this post.

Friday
6:30pm-11:30pm: Drive in at Union Market: Wall-E
Let’s roll down the windows, feel that warm breeze and turn up the radio because the 11th Annual Drive-In at Union Market is back. A DC “must-do,” the series of eight movies launches April 7, and will continue on the first and third Friday of every month through July 21st.

Saturday
10:30am-12:30pm: Bunny Hop Parade
Put on your spring bonnet or bunny ears and join us to gather eggs, make crafts, play games, do yoga with Kaydee Dahlin, take selfies with the Bunny, and enjoy treats at Stead Park, 1625 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.

12:00pm-8:00pm: DC Beer Fest
DC’s largest beer festival, featuring over 80 breweries, food trucks, bands, dueling pianos, and much more, throughout Nats Park.

1:00 to 3:00pm: Free the Trees in Westmoreland Park
Join Little Falls Watershed Alliance this Saturday to help save trees!  You will be removing non-native invasives vines, shrubs and ground covers that are crowding out the native plants that our native birds and butterflies need to survive.  This is a great activity for kids ages 8 and up as well as for adults. Kids under 14 must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

1:00pm-9:00pm: Petalpalooza at Capitol Riverfront at The Yards
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is taking over 400,000 square feet of the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood with a full day of live music and engaging activities! This day-long, all-ages celebration brings art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a cashless beverage garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, roaming entertainers, and more, all along the banks of the Anacostia River. The evening is capped by the dazzling choreographed Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show set to music from 8:30 – 8:45 PM. The fireworks display may be viewed from all locations throughout the event as well as from Anacostia Park across the River.

1:00pm & 4:00pm: Hula-Hoopin Queen at Imagination Stage
Kameeka is confident that today she will finally beat her rival, Jamara, and become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street in Harlem. But she has to prepare for Miz Adeline’s birthday party, and almost ruins the day. Until Miz Adeline confesses that she’s also got the itch–the hula-hoopin’ itch! Her fingers start snappin’. Her hips start swingin’. Soon everyone’s hips are swinging as the party spills out onto the street.

Sunday
River Island and RiverRun are two exhibits and festivals happening at The Kennedy Center. River Island is an immersive environment created by award-winning author and illustrator Edwin Fontánez, visitors can enter the lush landscapes of Puerto Rico, an island with more than 220 rivers. River Island features a bilingual play space for children and a fanciful recreation of a traditional dwelling perfect for a photo op.RiverRun will carve an artistic path through the stages, grand halls, and terraces of the Kennedy Center as well as the studios and green spaces of the REACH—which links the Center to its own river, the Potomac.

Easter egg hunts in and around Washington, DC

March 25- April 8 from 10:00am-5:00pm: Great Country Farms Egg Hunt & Marshmallow Harvest
(18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA 20135)
After a long cold winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm!   The Easter Bunny has hidden some eggs  filled with treats to enchant the children, and we need your to help us find them! Be sure to get advance tickets as our Egg Hunts Sell out every year! Come see our spring chicks and baby animals, take a wagon ride, and rejoice that it is spring! Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is a $7.50 add-on per child with your paid farm admission.

April 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15 & 16 from 9:00am-6:00pm: Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard
(22200 Davis Mill Road Germantown MD 20876)
Enjoy a hayride down the Bunny Trail, race the Rubber Duck Derby, hunt for colorful eggs, exchange eggs for a goodie basket to take home, visit with the farm’s very own Country Bunny, ride pedal tractors, play in Hayromp and Playground, hop in inflatables, ride the giant slides, see bunnies, lambs and chicks, get your face painted and ride a pony.

March 25-26, Apr 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 & 9 : Easter Egg Hunt at Green Meadows Petting Farm
(10102 Fingerboard Rd. Ijamsville, MD 21754)
There will be two weekends of Easter egg hunts! No pre-registration is available. Purchase your admission to the farm/hunts when you arrive.  Hunts will be happening all day, between 10:30am and 3:30pm. Egg hunt areas are sectioned off according to ages 1-3 & 4-12.

April 1 & 8 (Various times): The Lee-Fendall House 20th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
(614 Oronoco Street Alexandria, VA)
Find Easter eggs hidden in the Lee-Fendall garden. Sessions also include crafts, games, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

April 1-9 (Various times): Egg Hunt at Clark’s Elioak Farm
(10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042)
They will host small, frequent egg hunts for children in different age groups (ages 1-3 and 4-6) throughout the days. The petting farm, rides and play areas are open for you to enjoy. When you are ready to participate in the egg hunt, come to the egg hunt area and your child will line up with other children and pick up eggs.  The eggs will then be turned in for a goodie bag. The first egg hunt each time will be for the 1-3 year olds.  

April 1 from 12:00pm-3:00pm: Eggstravaganza
For more than 20 years, National Community Church has hosted the Easter Eggstravaganza with no other reason than to be a blessing to families in the neighborhood and to put a smile on the faces of kids. 

Easter basket gift ideas!

Check out these EventBrite events for more hunts in and near Washington, DC

Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

Our annual summer camp guide was published this week and although it is February camps are filling up!

Before long, the ice rinks will close, so head to the rink this weekend.

We will post a separate President’s Day/DCPS mid-February break post tomorrow!

There are several events to celebrate Mardi Gras in DC, if you aren’t in New Orleans!

The Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival is a performing arts festival that presents work that impacts our society, culture, and world by informing, inspiring, educating, and entertaining which lasts from February 18-March 26. INTERSECTIONS is about presenting excellent art that inspires a connected community, engages artists and audiences alike, and creates a vibrant neighborhood, city, and world. We are interested in unique perspectives and art that connect us to the many facets of our humanity. The Atlas Intersections Festival presents artists that look to explore the ideas and issues of our time through their work.

Mardi Gras Weekend on Barracks Row 8th Street has a Sidewalk Parade, Friday, Feb 17th at 6:00 pm and Saturday, Feb 18th at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm. Enjoy spirited sidewalk parades featuring live music, beads and fun.

Weekend of Love Pop-Up takes place on Saturday, February 18, 12 pm to 8 pm and Sunday, February 19, 12 pm to 6 pm at The Shops at Wisconsin Place. 15+ artisans and makers will converge at The Shops at Wisconsin Place for a weekend in February. Bring your friends, your date, your “galentine,” your daughter, or your lover, and pop in for a fun-filled afternoon of browsing, mingling, eating, and drinking. Complimentary wine; food for purchase. The event is free, and all are welcome. 

The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen hits the stage this weekend at Imagination Stage. Kameeka is confident that today she will finally beat her rival, Jamara, and become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street in Harlem. But she has to prepare for Miz Adeline’s birthday party, and almost ruins the day. Until Miz Adeline confesses that she’s also got the itch–the hula-hoopin’ itch! Her fingers start snappin’. Her hips start swingin’. Soon everyone’s hips are swinging as the party spills out onto the street.

Saturday

10:00am: Back to the Future at the Avalon
Enjoy a weekend family matinee!

10:00am-1:00pm: Black History Family Day at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
Bring the whole family for a self-guided exploration of Montgomery County’s Black history at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Drop by the Visitor Center to pick up take-home activities (for ages 5-12) and trail maps to explore the Underground Railroad Experience Trail on their own. Free and family friendly; check in at the Visitor Center. Take-home activities available while supplies last. No advanced registration required.

12:00pm-5:00pm: Family Day at the DAR Museum
Join us for a Presidents Day weekend activities at the DAR Museum. There will be coloring and other activities suitable for kids of all ages!

2:00pm-4:00pm: WOW Wheelz at The Lane
The ultimate kids driving experience. Featuring Go-Karts, Trucks, and Bumper Cars.

3:00pm-7:00pm: Mardi Gras at The Wharf
The Wharf celebrates Mardi Gras with a free community-wide extravaganza featuring a lively parade down Wharf Street, a dance party with live music on District Pier, and a special fireworks finale.

Sunday

11:00am AND 3:00pm: Laurie Berkner Band
The “Queen of Kids’ Music” returns to the Gordon stage for an unforgettable experience that will inspire a lifelong love of music and create lasting memories with the whole FAMILY! Laurie’s instinctive understanding of children’s natural rhythms and energy keeps kids enraptured and brings parents and caregivers happily along for the ride.

Date Night
New Jack City at National Theatre

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