Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm and 4pm through May 26 (the show extended through Memorial Day!), 4908 Auburn Avenue in Bethesda. (Special days: Princess Parade after 4:00 show on April 28, and a Wig Out Dance Party on May 18 after 7:00pm show– Get your wildest wig or wackiest hairstyle and boogie.)
Show your Tangled-loving kids the story of Rapunzel on the live stage, with lots of interesting twists that differ from both the Disney retelling and the Brothers Grimm classic. The Imagination Stage brings to life the book by Friends creators (yup, the Chandler-Monica-Rachel Friends) David Crane and Marta Kauffman, using four accomplished actors who sing and bring the colorful characters to life.
Actor Felicia Curry, a veteran of musicals such as Les Miserables at the Signature Theatre, is receiving glowing reviews for her portayal of Rapunzel. Curry is African American, and she tells The Washington Post, “It’s not what a princess usually looks like. Or sounds like. Or acts like. That’s a really new take on it, and it’s going to be a reminder to the kids that a princess can be anybody . . . whoever your prince may be.”
Tickets are $10-22 and available online. Rapunzel is recommended for children 4 and up.
Here’s a video sneak peek of the show!
International Day of the Book Festival in Kensington
Sunday April 22nd 2012, 11am-4pm, rain or shine
Howard Avenue, Old Town Kensington, Md
This street festival celebrates reading and community. Children’s activities include storytelling, art projects, a kids’ scavenger hunt, nature discoveries, free books and more. For the adults, there is live music, author events, readings….check out the whole lineup.
Visit a National Park for Free
Save a few bucks and visit a nearby national park for free. During National Park Week, April 21-29, 397 national parks offer free admission, all week long!
Trout Fishing in America at Black Rock Center of the Arts
Saturday, April 21 at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM Trout Fishing in America, a beloved folk/rock duo in a concert for children and families, is playing BlackRock Center for the Arts‘ final family matinee concert of it’s 10th Anniversary Season. The eclectic folk/rock duo of Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet has won multiple Parents’ Choice and Indie awards and nominated for four Grammy Awards. But don’t let the whimsically-titled songs (“My Hair had a Party Last Night,” and “Hello, My Chicken Thinks He’s a Dog”) fool you: these very talented musicians have been hailed “a sublimely musical band” by the Boston Herald.
The performance is recommended for ages 4 and up.12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD. Tickets are $12. Purchase at the box office 240 -912-1058 or online at www.blackrockcenter.org
If you are the type who rushes to the hospital or house to see your family and friends’ newborns, then you really should rush with your kids to see these newborn kids (of the goat variety). We were able to pet one-day old baby goat triplets, as well as cuddle twin baby lambs. And more babies are being born at Clark’s Elioak Farm daily (check their Facebook page for birth announcements). A trip here is an idyllic spring family activity.
Clark’s Elioak Farm and the Enchanted Forest are Now Open! Open Tuesday-Sunday10 a.m to 4 p.m. through November 4, 2012. Tickets: $5.00 per person, no charge for Infants under 12 months. Show your AAA Card and pay $4.50 for all visitors entering the farm with you. Hayrides, pony rides and the cow train are each $2 extra per person.
My family and I love this place.
Read my full review, and check out more photos from our trip yesterday below.
Find-A-Church can help you locate a United Methodist Church.
Communal Passover Seder at Chabad of Silver Spring Friday, April 6, First Seder Night: services, 7:25 p.m., seder meal 7:45 p.m.
Join Chabad of Silver Spring for an enchanting Passover Seder commemorating the exodus. Discover the eternal meaning of the Haggadah, and enjoy a community Seder complete with hand-baked Matzah, Wine, and a wonderful dinner spiced with unique traditional customs. Reservations: Adults $36, Child 12 & under $20.
Annual Takoma Park Easter Egg Hunt Saturday April 7 at 11 a.m. sharp
The Recreation Department will be hosting its annual Easter Egg hunt on Saturday at Lee Jordan Field (behind Takoma Park Middle School). The hunt will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. and is for girls and boys ages 2 – 8. This event is one you won’t want to miss, so get your baskets ready. For additional information please contact Lew McAllister at (301)891-7284 or LewM@takomagov.org. FREE.
Easter Eggstravaganzas on Capitol Hill and in Ballston Saturday April 7, 2012 Ballston: 10:30 a.m. at Quincy Park, 1201 North Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia 22201 (map) Capitol Hill: 1 – 3 p.m. at Lincoln Park, East Capitol St Between 11th & 13th, Washington, DC 20003 (map)
Easter Egg Hunts
Life-size Easter Bunny
Refreshments
Face Painting
Games
Prizes
Bike Raffles
Free, no ticket or registration necessary for either event!
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Hard Rock Cafe Washington, DC Saturday, April 7, 9:00am – 10:30am
Have breakfast with the Easter Bunny! Kids can go on an egg hunt and have their faces painted, while the whole family enjoys a breakfast buffet. Tickets: Adults $14.95, Kids $10.95, Children 2 and under free. To reserve your spot, e-mail Jordan_Rosenblatt@hardrock.com or call 202-628-6583.
Breakfast with the Bunny at Rockville’s Thomas Farm Community Center Saturday, Apr. 7, 10 a.m. – Noon
Activities will include D’s Magic show, spring crafts and games, an opportunity to meet, greet and pose with the Bunny and an egg hunt. A light continental breakfast will be served. Bring your camera. Fee applies to each person attending the event. Pre-registration is required. Tickets: $10 for City Residents and $12 for non-residents.Register with the City of Rockville for course #38073
Community Second Night Seder at the Washington, DC Jewish Community Center Saturday April 7, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
An intergenerational celebration of Passover seder led by Eytan Graubart in the traditional style with lots of singing and participation. The seder will be catered by Shaul’s Kosher Catering (check out the menu, it’s incredible!) starting with the ritual foods, seder plates and wine at your table and moving to family style service for the seder meal maintaining the traditional style of Passover. With the environment and green in mind, please bring your favorite reusable kiddish cup, wine or water glass to help reduce paper waste. Tickets: $54, I have a call in to see if there is a children’s rate…will update when I hear back.
Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard April 5 – 7, 9, 14 & 15 (closed Easter Sunday). Open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. all days.
Egg hunt (they provide the basket), hayrides, photo with Country Bunny, giant slides, hay romp, bounce house/jumping castle, pedal tractors, and bunnies, lambs and chicks. Face painting and pony rides will cost you a few bucks over the cost of admission. My kids’ favorite feature however is the rubber ducky derby: you pump water like Little House on the Prairie and race rubber ducks. Somehow every time we hit Butler’s we spend eons with those ducks. PLEASE NOTE: Bunnyland Festival is weather dependent. Please call 301-972-3299 before coming out. Weather updates will also be posted on the Butler’s Orchard homepage. Tickets available on-site: $8.50/child, $6.50/adult.
Spring and Easter Celebration Festival at Ticonderoga Farms Now – April 15, 2012, Daily 10:00am—5:00pm. 26469 Ticonderoga Rd. Chantilly, Virginia (703) 327-4424. Join the Easter Bunny for some festive fun with egg hunts for candy and toy-filled eggs (golden goose eggs get you an extra prize!) on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m each day. Kids and adults can get on the slides, take a hayride, visit farm animals and roast marshmallows. Bring your camera for photo ops with the Easter Bunny. Remember to bring your own basket or bag for collecting eggs. Baskets will be available for purchase. Tickets available on-site: Weekdays $7.95, Holidays & Weekends $11.95
Spring break activities for families in the Washington, DC area are plentiful, but often hard to track down.
Rather than send you hunting through Google (who has the time?) I have compiled some solid options for you in one easy place.
Here are my top recommended weekday activities for you and your children to enjoy, whether your Spring Break is this week April 2 – 6, or next week April 9 – 13. I have broken the suggestions into four categories: free activities, practically free events (admission price less than $10), performances and special staycation treat events.
And you will be rewarded for leaving a comment with YOUR best recommendation for spring break fun with kids: All comments are entered into a drawing for TWO free tickets to see the Washington Ballet’s Alice in Wonderland at the Kennedy Center on opening night, April 11! Read on for details.
FREE ACTIVITIES
National Portrait Gallery Spring Break Special Programs Monday April 2 – Friday April 6, 1 – 4 p.m.
Experience the National Portrait Gallery’s Portrait Story program, in which young visitors, accompanied by adults, drop in to listen to a story about or written by a famous person from history. Afterward, they create a special piece of art. Children can also check out a Portrait Discovery Kit and learn about famous Americans by doing some or all of the activities included in the kit.
Free Performances on the Outdoor Stage by the Washington Monument Daily beginning at noon through April 15.
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Washington Monument grounds – Independence Avenue & Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW (map)
Spring break may have missed peak cherry blossom time, but it coincides with the ongoing National Cherry Blossom Festival. Check out the daily line-up of musical and dance performances at the Canon Performance Stage at Sylvan Theater. (And for goodness sakes, take the Metro!)
Meadowside Nature Center 40th Anniversary Celebration Friday April 6 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Explore the world of owls, hawks and eagles through raptor-themed activities, science activities (owl pellet dissection), games (kids will “migrate?!”), crafts and refreshments (owl cupcake decorating – wash your hands after the owl pellet dissection!). Visit the living resident birds of prey and meat the mascot Otus the Owl. There is a huge listing of free activities for all ages, it’s an event not to be missed!
Cabin John and Wheaton Regional Trains, Carousel at Wheaton Open for Spring Break! Saturday, March 31 through Sunday, April 8, from 10am to 6pm each day
Tickets: $1.75 per person, and a book of 10 tickets is $15.75 (buy 9, get the 10th ticket free!). Children age 2 and younger ride free with a paying adult.
The minature train at both Cabin John and Wheaton Regional Park and the Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel at Wheaton, too will be up and running during Montgomery County Public Schools’ Spring Break. They cannot run the trains when the tracks are wet, so please check their Facebook page for scheduling updates.
Clark’s Elioak Farm and the Enchanted Forest are Now Open! Open Sunday April 1 through Monday April 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday April 10 -Sunday April 15 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Tickets: $5.00 per person, no charge for Infants under 12 months. Show your AAA Card and pay $4.50 for all visitors entering the farm with you. Hayrides, pony rides and the cow train are each $2 extra per person.
My family and I love this place. Read my full review.
Claude Moore Colonial Farm is Now Open! Wednesdays – Sundays, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (April 2 – December 9) Admission: Children under 3 are free, Adults $3, Children & Seniors $2.
Children of all ages enjoy learning at the Farm. Older children imagine themselves back in time, while helping with farm chores such as carding wool, mixing Johnnycake batter, weeding in the garden, or hoeing in the fields. Toddlers take in the sights and sounds and love to splash their hands in the wash tub, watch the chickens, or gaze into the hearth fire. Children of all ages look forward to seeing the farm animals. Remember not to pet or feed the livestock!
Preschool Songs and Stories at the Arts Barn Theatre in Gaithersburg Thursday April 5 11-11:45 a.m. (as well as EVERY first and third Thursday of the month through June 2012).
Preschool Songs and Stories gives three to five year olds and their parents or guardians the opportunity to explore the arts through singing, dancing and active listening to story books. Admission is just $3 per child per session, no fee for adults. Payment may be made at the door. The Arts Barn is located at 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. For more information call 301-258-6394 or visit online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.
Paper Airplane Day at the College Park Aviation Museum Friday, April 6, 12 noon-4 pm
Build your own paper airplane and compete in our annual Paper Airplane Derby at 3 pm. Prizes will be awarded! FREE with museum admission: $2/ages 18 & under; $4/adult; $3/seniors ages 60 & up.College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park 20740, 301-864-6029.
The world premiere of Septime Webre’s ALICE (in Wonderland). Never before has The Washington Ballet combined such forces to create a new full-length ballet. From Mr. Webre’s revolutionary vision, designer Liz Vandal (Cirque du Soleil’s OVO) and composer Matthew Pierce, comes a spectacularly re-imagined take on Lewis Carroll’s classic. Enter the magical world of Alice’s misadventures, splendidly costumed and gloriously danced…an unforgettable journey down the rabbit hole and the season’s grandest production!
Leave a comment on this post with YOUR best recommendation to other parents for spring break fun and you will be entered to win TWO tickets to the April 11 opening night performance of Alice.
The winner will be randomly drawn from all entries on Thursday April 5.
Rapunzel at Imagination Stage Wednesday April 4 – Sunday May 20; various times (daily showtimes) Tickets: $10-22
Rapunzel is a typical 16-year-old girl, with a couple small exceptions: she was stolen from her real parents by a wicked witch who pretends to be her mother, and her home is a high-security tower in the middle of nowhere. Recommended for Ages 4+
Rapunzel and Tiny Tots at The Puppet Co. Tiny Tots: Bunny Business Wednesday April 4 and Saturday April 7 at 10 a.m.
Rapunzel: Thursday April 5 & Friday April 6, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m, Saturday April 7, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
A “bewitching” telling of the Grimm’s fairytale Rapunzel. The Puppet Co. uses “coloring-book” charm and the simplicity of hand puppets for this production to delight its younger audiences, aimed at PreK-Grade 4. Bunny Business features Bob Brown’s sweet, accessible puppets for ages baby – preschool.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day at Adventure Theatre at Glen Echo Tueday April 3 – Saturday April 7 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday April 9 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (closed Sunday April 8). Tickets: $18 per person.
See it before it closes on Monday April 9! If you miss it, you’ll feel worse than waking up with gum in your hair or having to watch kissing on TV. You might just have to move to Australia.
Kids Shows at Jammin’ Java at 10:30 a.m. (only $5 per person) Mondays: The Great Zucchini, Tuesdays: Ryan Buckle and Friends, Wednesdays: Rocknoceros, Thursdays: Oh Susannah!, Fridays: Banjo Man and Friends.
Also, during spring break there are two additional performances: A Rocknoceros Family Happy Hour at 7 p.m. on Friday April 6 and Saturday April 7 at 10:30 a.m. with Banjo Man and Friends (tickets are $10 for those two special events).
SPECIAL STAYCATION TREAT EVENTS
Spring Break Fun at Port Discovery April 2 – 9 with Spring Break Extended Hours! Monday – Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.Monday 4/9: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission: $13.95 per person, children under 2 are free.
Join Port Discovery this spring break for a week- long, jam packed adventure through the world of STEM! (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) featuring hands-on experiments activities and performances.
Teddy Bear Tea at Strathmore Tuesday, April 3 and Wednesday April 4, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Strathmore Mansion
Tickets: $28 per person (Stars Price $25.20). Reservations are currently OPEN. Call (301) 581-5108.
Scheduled during spring break, the Teddy Bear Tea is perfect for you, a special child in your life and his or her favorite bear. Enjoy a kid-friendly menu, story time and children’s music. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Note: vegetarian meals are not available
Spring Tea and Chocolate Workshop at Tudor Place, Especially for Children Age 5 + and Families Tuesday, April 3 and Thursday April 5, 2 – 3:30 p.m
Member Child: $20; Non-Member Child: $25; Accompanying Adult: $10. To register, contact Alexis Miller: amiller@tudorplace.org; (202) 964-0400 ext. 108.
Enjoy a festive spring tea, complete with tempting treats, and an intriguing lesson to go with it on the history of pouring tea in America. Learn first-hand how Federalists preferred their sugar, why the mistress locked the tea chest, and what not-so-nice surprises an alert servant might find among the tea leaves. Following the tea service, children will learn the basics of chocolate – where it comes from, how it’s made, and how it was appreciated – while creating their own three-dimensional chocolate eggs to take home.
Tidal Basin Paddle Boat Rentals Daily until April 27, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (on the hour) with advance registration, until 6 p.m. (last boat rental at 5 p.m.) for walk-up business. Admission: $12/hour for a 2 passenger boat, $19/hour for a 4 passenger boat.
Is there a better way to view the cherry blossoms and D.C.’s breathtaking monuments than from an iconic paddle boat? Weather permitting.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Bounce at Pump It Up! Friday April 6. Session 1: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Session 2: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m; Session 3: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Tickets: $16.65/child, $5.55/adult (all adults must have a ticket to enter). Advance tickets recommended.
Grab the kiddos and hop on down to Pump It Up for an inflatably great Easter Egg Hunt! Search for Easter Eggs hidden in and around our huge inflatable arenas. Who will find the Golden Prize eggs this year? Maybe you’ll see an Easter bunny too.
Pop In Playtime at Pump It Up Gaithersburg Monday April 2 – Friday April 6, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Monday April 9 – Friday April 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. (EXCEPT on Tuesday when the second session ends at 1 p.m. in order to prepare for Family Jump Time at 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
Admission: $11/child. Bounce house open gym heaven. Note for Pump It Up: At times, parties or special events can be scheduled that overlap with Pop In Playtime hours. Please call ahead at (301) 977-1400 to confirm Pop In Playtime availability. Children under 24 months of age (2 years) are NOT permitted in or on the equipment for any reason (even if accompanied by an adult). Children over 24 months must meet the 34” general height requirement for safety purposes. Socks are required to play on the inflatables.
Remember to leave a comment on this post with YOUR best recommendation to other parents for spring break fun and you will be entered to win TWO tickets to the April 11 opening night performance of Alice.
Hillwood Museum Fabergé Egg Family Festival Saturday March 31 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday April 1 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Children can step into Fabergé’s Workshop to decorate their own Fabergé-inspired eggs, play Russian folk games, enjoy festive folk music and storytelling, meet historic character Tsar Nicholas II and more. Details. Tickets (advance purchase recommended): $15, $12 Seniors, $10 Members and College Students, $5 children ages 6-18, free for children under age 6
Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest at Great Country Farms in Bluemont, Virginia Saturday March 31 and Sunday April 1. The farm is open daily until November 27 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Just one hour’s drive from DC (70 minutes from Silver Spring), Bluemont’s Great Country Farms is the perfect weekend roadtrip any weekend in the spring. But this weekend there are multiple Easter egg hunts and marshmallow harvesting (aka kids pick PEEPS off of trees, ha!). There will also be live family-friendly music, and as always, on-site farm animals to pet and feed, the 2800 sq ft Pumpkin Jumpin’ Pillow, hayrides, the Cow Train, Double Barrel 60’s slides, the pedal cart track, four mazes, a tractor tire climbing mountain, and rope swings. More info. Tickets: $10/child (3-10yrs) & $12/adult on Festival Weekends, $8/child (3-10yrs) & $10/adult weekdays. Children 2 years and under, Active Duty and Retired Military ID card holders, CSA members and Fan of the Farm Season Pass holders are free of charge.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Fully Charged at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore Friday March 30 – 7:30 pm, Saturday March 31 – 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm, and Sunday April 1 – 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm
My family and I have been wowed by “the greatest show on Earth” in years past. We concur that it is not only the gold standard for incredible circuses (note: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey prides itself on its humane treatment of animals), but also a family weekend outing to remember. Additionally, you can see the show at The Patriot Center in Fairfax April 4 – April 15, 2012 — a spring break treat, maybe? Tickets: $26.00/$18.00/$14.00 (Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP available).
Coming Next Week: A Parent in Silver Spring’s 2012 Ultimate Spring Break Idea List, your go-to resource of fun local outings and happenings the week our little monsters are home from school!
Children FREE at The Bach Sinfonia You Decide: Bach’s Audition at Leipzig Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 8 PM at the Cultural Arts Center at Silver Spring Montgomery College
This evening is full of history and fun! First, a free pre-concert discussion precedes this and all Bach Sinfonia performances at 7:15 PM led by Daniel Abraham. During the performance, the audience will play the role of the Leipzig Town Council and determine whether Bach deserved the award of Cantor at Leipzig through a systematic voting process using hand-held clicker polling machines (cool!). The Bach Sinfonia musicians will be joined by featured soloists Celine Ricci, soprano, Charles Humphries, countertenor, Craig Lemming, tenor, and Phillip Collister, bass. Tickets: $30 adult, $27 seniors (60 and up), $15 (ages 15 – University), FREE (ages 14 and under). Order Online at www.bachsinfonia.org or call (301) 362-6525
Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard Saturday March 31 and April 1, as well as April 5 – 7, 9, 14 & 15 (closed Easter Sunday). Open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. all days.
Egg hunt (they provide the basket), hayrides, photo with Country Bunny, giant slides, hay romp, bounce house/jumping castle, pedal tractors, and bunnies, lambs and chicks. Face painting and pony rides will cost you a few bucks over the cost of admission. My kids’ favorite feature however is the rubber ducky derby: you pump water like Little House on the Prairie and race rubber ducks. Somehow every time we hit Butler’s we spend eons with those ducks. PLEASE NOTE: Bunnyland Festival is weather dependent. Please call 301-972-3299 before coming out. Weather updates will also be posted on the Butler’s Orchard homepage. Tickets available on-site: $8.50/child, $6.50/adult.
Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm and 4pm through May 26 (the show extended through Memorial Day!), 4908 Auburn Avenue in Bethesda. (Special days: Princess Parade after 4:00 show on April 28, and a Wig Out Dance Party on May 18 after 7:00pm show– Get your wildest wig or wackiest hairstyle and boogie.)
