This Weekend's Events - Feb 2-3

Every Thursday I will endeavor to list as many family-friendly happenings in the area for the coming weekend. Please come back and post comments if you attend any of these events.

Maryland

• Creature Feature, Reptiles - Sat., Upper Marlboro, Watkins Nature Center, 10am, Kids 2+
• Groundhog Day Celebration - Sat., Boyds, Black Hill Visitor Center, 11am, Kids 1+
• Frederick's First Saturdays, Fire in Ice - Sat., 5-9pm, Downtown Frederick, http://www.visitfrederick.org/calendar/view/3827
• The Wizard of Oz - Baltimore, Port Discovery Children's Museum, http://baltimore.org/events/id/4934
• Planet Earth - Shallow Seas 4D Experience - National Aquarium Baltimore, http://www.aqua.org/visit/baltimore/calendar/showtime-4d-planet-earth-shallow-seas?EventID=%7b53142DB6-88C4-40A0-B531-BC3F8A649893%7d
• Free Family Sundays at Baltimore Museum of Art - 2-5pm, http://artbma.org/families/sundays.html
• Ice Skating at Rockville Town Square - http://rockvilletownsquare.com/at-the-square/ice-rink/
• Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring - http://www.silverspringiceskating.com/

Virginia

• Groundhog Day Celebration - Annandale, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 1:45pm, Kids 4+
• Sleeping Beauty: The Broken Spell  - Sat., Lorton, Workhouse Arts Center, 1pm, http://workhousearts.org/events/performing-arts/sleeping-beauty-broken-spell
•  Black History Children's Party - Sun., Alexandria Black History Museum, 2pm, http://culturekingdomkids.com/upcoming-events/

Washington DC

• Crepe Day - Sat., Hillwood Estate Museum & Gardens, 10-1pm, http://www.francedc.org/Events/?id=110
• Mid-Winter Family Festival - Noon - 4pm, Textile Museum, http://textilemuseum.org/
• Washington Auto Show - Washington Convention Center - http://washingtonautoshow.com/
• ImaginAsia Family Program - Arthur M Sackler Gallery, http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-events/imaginasia-family-program,1245813.html
• Ice Skating in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden - http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm
• Ice Skating at Washington Harbour - http://thewashingtonharbour.com/skating/
• Ice Skating at Pentagon Row - http://www.pentagonrowskating.com/

The Mooseum at the King Barn Dairy

A visit to the King Barn Dairy in Germantown is a nice way to spend an hour with the little ones (it really doesn't take much longer than that and the older kids may find it boring). The King Barn is the only building on the original farm site that has been preserved by the county. The rest of the farm has been transformed into the South Germantown Recreational Park.

Learn about the dairy industry in Maryland, view photos and videos of dairy families in the county, see a collection of milk bottles, cans and related equipment from dairies and creameries and learn how to milk a cow. There are true-to-life replicas of the milking cows and a huge one of a bull. They sure are a lot bigger up close!

The Children's Room has story-telling, puppets and craft activities for pre-school and lower grade elementary age children. Outside there is a playground and benches for visitors to enjoy.

Special events are held in the summer months with live animals and demonstrations of milk-related activities such as milking, churning butter, making ice-cream and cheese.

The Mooseum is free and it's employees are all volunteers. They are closed for the season now but will re-open the first Saturday in May, 2013.

http://www.mooseum.com/

Kid's View: "I thought it was fun. I liked milking the cow and the crafts that I made there were cool.  The other stuff was kinda boring but I didn't mind. Out front they had a cage with chickens and a couple of them laid eggs while we were there and one of them was blue!."

 

This Weekend's Events - Jan 26-27

Every Thursday I will endeavor to list as many family-friendly happenings in the area for the coming weekend. Please come back and post comments if you attend any of these events.

Maryland

• Australia Day - National Aquarium, Baltimore, Sat., 10-2pm, http://aqua.org/visit/baltimore/calendar/australia-day
• Family Scavenger Hunt - Boyds, Black Hill Visitor Center, Sat., 1-3pm, http://parkpass.org/Activities/ActivitiesDetails.asp?ProcessWait=N&aid=76296&From=fas
• Maryland Polar Bear Plunge - Sat., Annapolis, Sandy Point State Park, 8am-4pm, http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/PolarBearPlunge.htm
• World of Pets Expo & Educational Experience - Maryland State Fairgrounds, http://www.worldofpets.org/ 
• Animal Show - Upper Marlboro, Watkins Nature Center, Sat., 10am, kids 2+, http://www.pgparks.com/page51503.aspx
• Diane Macklin, Storyteller - National Children's Museum, National Harbour, Sat., http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-events/diane-macklin,1246499.html
• Old MacDonald's Farm - The Puppet Company Playhouse, Glen Echo, http://www.thepuppetco.org/
• Wake Up Brother Bear - Imagination Stage, Bethesda, Kids 1-5, http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/performing-arts/wake-up-brother-bear,1237501.html
• Planet Earth - Shallow Seas 4D Experience - National Aquarium Baltimore, http://www.aqua.org/visit/baltimore/calendar/showtime-4d-planet-earth-shallow-seas?EventID=%7b53142DB6-88C4-40A0-B531-BC3F8A649893%7d
• Free Family Sundays at Baltimore Museum of Art - 2-5pm, http://artbma.org/families/sundays.html
• Ice Skating at Rockville Town Square - http://rockvilletownsquare.com/at-the-square/ice-rink/
• Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring - http://www.silverspringiceskating.com/

Virginia

• Australia Day Celebration - Annandale, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Sat., Kids 4+, http://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/rev1_descripresult.asp?descrip=Australia+Day+Celebration+++++++++++++++&category=9999&desckeyword=Australia+Day&age=9999&match=matchall&Submit=Search
• Chinese New Year Festival - Falls Church, Sat., http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/Chinese-New-Year-In-Falls-Church-Virginia.htm
• Alice in Wonderland Tea Party -  Annandale, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Sun., 2pm, Kids 3+, http://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/rev1_descripresult.asp?descrip=Alice+in+Wonderland+Tea+Party+++++++++++&category=9999&desckeyword=Alice+in+Wonderland+Tea+Party&age=9999&match=matchall&Submit=Search
• Sugarloaf Crafts Festival - Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/Sugarloafcrafts.htm

Washington DC

• Ice Skating in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden - http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm
• Ice Skating at Washington Harbour - http://thewashingtonharbour.com/skating/
• Ice Skating at Pentagon Row - http://www.pentagonrowskating.com/

This Weekend's Events - Jan 19-20

Every Thursday I will endeavor to list as many family-friendly happenings in the area for the coming weekend. Please come back and post comments if you attend any of these events.

Maryland

• Animal Homes Hike - Sat, Meadowside Nature Center, kids 3-12 http://parkpass.org/Activities/ActivitiesCourseDetails.asp?cid=233801
• Life Under Ice - Sat, Boyds, Black Hill Visitor Center, Kids 7+, 1pm
• Nature Craft - Sat., Watkins Nature Center, upper Marlboro, Kids 2-10, 10am
• Winnie the Pooh - Adventure Theatre, Glen Echo, http://adventuretheatre-mtc.org/seeashow/professional/nowshowing.html
• Dragon Scales & Tales - Baltimore, Walters Art Museum, http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-events/dragon-scales-and-tales,1221342.html
• MLK Celebration - National Children's Museum, National Harbour, http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-events/dr.-martin-luther-king-jr.-celebration,1246498.html
• Planet Earth - Shallow Seas 4D Experience - National Aquarium Baltimore, http://www.aqua.org/visit/baltimore/calendar/showtime-4d-planet-earth-shallow-seas?EventID=%7b53142DB6-88C4-40A0-B531-BC3F8A649893%7d
• Trains of Christmas - Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, http://www.roundhouse.org/events.shtml
• Free Family Sundays at Baltimore Museum of Art - 2-5pm, http://artbma.org/families/sundays.html
• Ice Skating at Rockville Town Square - http://rockvilletownsquare.com/at-the-square/ice-rink/
• Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring - http://www.silverspringiceskating.com/

Virginia

• I'm a Little Princess - Sat, Leesburg, Douglass Community Center, Kids 2-8, 12-3pm
• Mount Vernon Inauguration Activities  - Alexandria, http://www.mountvernon.org/calendar/view/2013-01-17/6495
• Mill Races - Sat., Chantilly, Ellanor C Lawrence Park,  Kids 8+, 10am
• Children's Theater Festival - Sat., Arlington, Spectrum Theatre, http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/childrens-theater-festival,1247194.html#

Washington DC

• MLK Day of Service - Sat., DC Armory, Kids 12+, 9-4:45pm, (2.5 hour shifts), pack care kits for our troops
• NSO Teddy Bear Concert - Sat., Kennedy Center, Kids 3-5, 11am and 1:30pm
• Out of Many - Multicultural Festival  - Sat., American Indian Museum, 10:30-5pm
• Fascination with Flight - Sun., National geographic Museum, 1pm
• Kids Farm - National Zoo, http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/childrens-theater-festival,1247194.html#
• Ice Skating in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden - http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm
• Ice Skating at Washington Harbour - http://thewashingtonharbour.com/skating/
• Ice Skating at Pentagon Row - http://www.pentagonrowskating.com/

This Weekend's Events - Jan 12-13

Every Thursday I will endeavor to list as many family-friendly happenings in the area for the coming weekend. Please come back and post comments if you attend any of these events.

Maryland

• Planet Earth - Shallow Seas 4D Experience - National Aquarium Baltimore, http://www.aqua.org/visit/baltimore/calendar/showtime-4d-planet-earth-shallow-seas?EventID=%7b53142DB6-88C4-40A0-B531-BC3F8A649893%7d
• Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella - Olney Theatre Center, http://olneytheatre.org/shows-a-events/cinderella
• Trains of Christmas - Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, http://www.roundhouse.org/events.shtml
• Bach to Rock Battle of the Bands - Sat/Elementary Schools, Sun/Middle Schools, Fillmore, Silver Springhttp://www.b2rmusic.com/
• Free Family Sundays at Baltimore Museum of Art - 2-5pm, http://artbma.org/families/sundays.html
• Sunday Family Dance - Glen Echo Town Hall, http://fsgw.org/myorgnet/public.php?Org=fsgw&ProgramID=7&NoTitle=1
• Wheaton Winter Ice Show -  Wheaton Ice Arena, Sat, 6:15-8:15pm, Free
• Ice Skating at Rockville Town Square - http://rockvilletownsquare.com/at-the-square/ice-rink/
• Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring - http://www.silverspringiceskating.com/

Virginia

• Angelina Ballerina - The Musical  - Jan 12, The Alden Theatre, McLean, http://aldentheatre.org/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2013/01/12/792/132/angelina-ballerina-the-musical
• Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage - Jan 12, Synetic Family Theatre, Arlington, http://eventful.com/arlington_va/events/cowardly-christopher-fi-/E0-001-033074269-9@2013011211
• Claude Moore Colonial Farm - http://1771.org/
• Snowglobe Workshop - Alexandria, http://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/rev1_quickresult.asp?subject=Family+Fun%3ASnow+Globe+Workshop++++++++++&facility2=M290&age=9999&day=Sat&view_records=SEARCH+SCHEDULE
• Oasis in Space - Arlington Planetarium, http://apsva.us/planetarium
• Pooh Bear's Friend's Tea Party - Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale, http://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/rev1_quickresult.asp?subject=Pooh+Bear%27s+Friends%27+Tea+Party++++++++++&facility2=M308&age=9999&day=9999&view_records=SEARCH+SCHEDULE

Washington DC

• Farm to Table Family Day - Sat, 11:30-3pm, includes Scavenger Hunt, Portrait Gallery, http://www.si.edu/Events/Calendar/?trumbaEmbed=eventid%3D102679501%26view%3Devent%26-childview%3D
• Ice Skating in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden - http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm
• Ice Skating at Washington Harbour - http://thewashingtonharbour.com/skating/
• Ice Skating at Pentagon Row - http://www.pentagonrowskating.com/

This Weekend's Events - Jan 5-6

Every Thursday I will endeavor to list as many family-friendly happenings in the area for the coming weekend. Please come back and post comments if you attend any of these events.

Maryland

• Ice! at Gaylord National - National Harbor, Oxon Hill, http://nationalharbor.com/event/ice-at-gaylord-national/
• The Polar Express 4D Experience - National Aquarium Baltimore, http://www.aqua.org/visit/baltimore/calendar/showtime-4d-polar-express
• Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella - Olney Theatre Center, http://olneytheatre.org/shows-a-events/cinderella
• Seussical - Imagination Stage, http://imaginationstage.org/shows-a-tickets/shows-playing-now
• Ice Skating at Rockville Town Square - http://rockvilletownsquare.com/at-the-square/ice-rink/
• Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring - http://www.silverspringiceskating.com/
• Cartoon Fest - Jan 5, http://www.weinbergcenter.org/1504/cartoon-fest/ 
• Model Train Open House - Jan 6, http://fcsme.com/PDF/FLYER_201213.pdf

Virginia

• Geology Rocks! - Annandale, http://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/rev1_coursedetail.asp?category2=STEW&subject=&facility2=&age=9999&day=9999&Submit2=Search&LOC=M308&TRM=13WI&CDE=3081859401

Washington DC

• Ice Skating in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden - http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm
• Ice Skating at Washington Harbour - http://thewashingtonharbour.com/skating/
• Ice Skating at Pentagon Row - http://www.pentagonrowskating.com/
• Schoolhouse Rock, 40th Anniversary Sing-a-long - Jan 6, Millenium Stage, http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=56802&source_type=B

National Geographic Museum

Happy New Year!!!

Another Groupon purchased months ago with time running out and I didn't even check to see what the current exhibit was or if it would even be something the kids would be interested in, but we HAD to go because I didn't want the deal to go to waste.

Our first visit was to see the TerraCotta Warriors from China. It was a planned trip and we waited in line for about an hour out in the cold (with coffee and hot chocolate) to get in, but it was worth it. It was an amazing exhibit, albeit very crowded. On this visit, finding out online just minutes before arriving that the current exhibit was on 1001 Muslim Inventions and Birds of Paradise, the husbands' and the kids' levels of enthusiasm dropped a notch or two. The 1001 Inventions exhibit started with a short film with Ben Kingsley, serving as an introduction to Muslim contributions to the world. After the film, we went into the display area, which although it was interesting for the adults (and surprisingly the husbands), I think the kids got bored with all the reading after a while. The next exhibit was Birds of Paradise, which initially brings to mind the flowers, but is actually about 39 species of birds found in New Guinea. There were short films, photographs, and interactive displays which we liked very much.

This is a small museum located in DC, but not on the National Mall. It's not one of the free museums but still worth the visit if you're interested in whatever travelling exhibit they have on display. (I recommend you checking online before your visit). It's reasonably priced at $8/adults and $5/kids or include the current 3D movie for just a couple bucks more or you can catch a deal on Groupon or Living Social when it comes around. I don't recommend the museum for small children unless it's an exhibit that is geared towards them as they may lose interest quickly and get bored. The museum is convenient to 2 metro lines Farragut North (red line) and Farragut West (blue/orange lines), or you can drive around and try to find street parking.

http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/locations/center/museum/

Kid's View: "I actually like this museum. This was my second time going. I really liked the Birds of Paradise exhibit because it had interactive things and the birds were cool The 1001 Inventions part had too much reading but I liked the movie and the part where it showed English to Arabic translations. The last time I came here it was to see the TerraCotta Warriors exhibit which was really cool and even cooler because I got to see them again when we went to China on vacation last summer."