Fun Things To Do With Kids: Washington, DC

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

2010-07-16T19:16:40-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2010-07-01T16:34:19-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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 5 Free Things to Do with Kids In Washington, DC, This Father's Day Weekend 2010

2010-06-17T23:25:43-04:00

Happy Father's Day, dads! Check out these 5 free things to do with your kids in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia this special weekend.

FREE: Father's Day Open House at Friendship Firehouse - Alexandria, VA
Friday, June 18: 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday, June 19: 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, June 20: 1 pm - 4 pm

Go on a special tour of Friendship Firehouse Museum in Alexandria, Virginia, where every dad gets to be an honorary Chief of the Friendship Fire company Bucket Brigade. He and his kids get to ring the fire bell, receive a certificate and get a picture taken with the Friendship fire engine. Admission is free.

Friendship Firehouse is located at 107 S. Alfred St, Alexandria, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Herndon Rocks! Friday Night Live - Herndon, VA
Friday, June 18: 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm

This Friday night, bring your kids and lawn chairs to go see Dr. FU, a rock cover band. Admission is free.

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

FREE: Become a Pilot: Family Day at National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - Chantilly, VA
Saturday, June 19: 10 am - 3 pm

During Family Day this Saturday, you and your family can check out over 50 vintage, recreational, military and homebuilt aircraft; talk to pilots to learn more about skills needed to fly and test your piloting skills in flight simulators. The museum also has story time and hands-on activities for kids. Admission to the museum is free, but parking is $15 per car.

National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located at 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Festa Italiana - Washington, DC
Sunday, June 20: 11:30 am - 5:30 pm

Come join the 12th annual Italian street festival this Sunday in Washington, DC. This festival is presented by the Italian Cultural Society and the Holy Rosary Church. Enjoy live music, learn Italian folk dance, learn to cook Italian dishes in cooking lessons, eat delicious dishes created by Italian chefs, get free travel information for Molise, check out a display of famous Italian cars (Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati) and enter for a chance to win a trip for two to Italy. Activities for kids include arts, crafts, a magic show, a juggling lesson and performance by a family circus. See schedule of events. Admission is free.

Festa Italiana is held at 3rd and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC (map it).

FREE: Revels Sunfest - Silver Spring, MD
Sunday, June 20: 1 pm - 5 pm

Attend this multi-cultural performing arts festival to celebrate the Summer Solstice. Check out solstice celebrations from around the world, such as Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Nepal, Peru, South Africa and West Africa. Parade, Raising the Sun ceremony, dance performances and arts and crafts for kids. Admission is free.

Revels Sunfest is held in downtown Silver Spring, on Ellsworth St, between Fenton Ave and Georgia Ave (map it).

Kids Night Out at JW Tumbles of Alexandria, Virginia, This Friday

2010-06-17T22:49:58-04:00

Take your partner out for a nice pre-Father's day date this Friday night!

You can drop off your kids (ages 3 to 7 and potty trained) at JW Tumbles in Alexandria, Virginia from 4 to 8 pm. Activities for your kids include relay races, gym games, arts and crafts, a pizza party and a G-rated movie.

Member fees are $35 for the first child, 10% off for the second child and free for the third child. Non-member fees are $40 for the first child, 10% off for the second child and free for the third child.

Space is limited, so call 703-212-9430 or email alexandria@jwtumbles.com to reserve your spot. Include the names of your kids in your email or message.

JW Tumbles of Alexandria is located at 3223-B Duke St, Upper Level, Alexandria, Virginia (map it).

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

2010-06-11T22:17:57-04:00

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

2010-06-09T09:25:17-04:00

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

2010-06-03T08:00:00-04:00

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 Giveaway: Free Tickets to See Farmer Jason at Jammin' Java: June 26, 2010

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What do you do when you're in a band and your daughters miss you when you're away on tours? Write songs for them, of course! And before you know it, your album becomes a top family album and wins awards. Okay, so maybe this is not your story, but that's the story of Jason Ringenberg's from Jason and the Scorchers, also known as Farmer Jason.

Farmer Jason combines rock and country music with lyrics about ecology, nature and lessons that little kids like to sing along to. He has 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. Listen to his music.

He will be performing at Jammin' Java in Vienna on Saturday, June 26th, at 10:30 am. Tickets are only $8 per person or free if you're under 12 months old. Get your tickets online.

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

Enter for a chance to win two tickets to see Farmer Jason!
To enter for a chance to win two tickets to see Farmer Jason at Jammin' Java on June 26th, just add your comment to this post or email me at funthingstodowithkids@gmail.com by Saturday, June 12th. One winner will be selected randomly by June 15th. No purchase necessary to enter or to win. This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 years and older, void where prohibited. See official rules.

Update: Congratulations to Jared S. for winning the two tickets!

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

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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.