What To Do With Kids In Washington, DC?

Every week, the National Children's Museum scouts the best family friendly activities in the Washington, DC region just for you!

The National Children’s Museum is scheduled to open in 2013 at National Harbor, but you can visit us every day at the Launch Zone at National Harbor! Here's what's happening this weekend:

Insect Mania!

Saturday, September 4

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

If you like Cirque du Soleil’s show “OVO,” you’ll love this hands-on journey into the creepy, crawly world of insects. Unearth the ecosystems where insects live and learn about their complex bodies during NCM’s Insect Mania!

Don’t miss the Launch Zone’s newest showcase exploring Palestinian culture through images and narratives highlighting children in the city of Nablus. The exhibit is presented in partnership with Tomorrow’s Youth Organization (TYO), which provides enrichment programs to kids and families in Nablus. Through a small exhibit and hands- on exploration of a cultural discovery box, visitors will discover traditional Palestinian foods, how TYO students play, and express their own thoughts about play.

While we build our new home at National Harbor, here are a few more of our favorite places for families to visit for the week of August 30, 2010.

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
Offers more than 1,400 acres of tidal freshwater wetlands, forests, meadows, and is home to many birds, fish, reptiles, and mammals.

Activities: On August 31, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary will present Garden Club. All ages are welcome to explore, help tend, and learn about the BayScape Garden and the Butterfly Garden. Participants need to bring work gloves, lunch or a snack, a refillable water bottle, hat and sun screen, and clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Registration is not required.

5702 Plummer Lane
Lothian, MD 20711
T 410.741.9330
W www.jugbay.org

Puppet Co. Playhouse
Creates puppet theatre as an art form synthesizing the visual and performing arts.

Activities: Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs is now playing at the Puppet Co. Playhouse. This interactive, 40-minute production tells the classic fairytale from the perspective of a rapping Big Bad Wolf. Recommended for Pre-K through 6th grade, tickets cost $10 and online registration is suggested.

Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, MD 20812
T 301.634.5380
W www.thepuppetco.org 

Old Town Farmers’ Market
One of the nation’s oldest farmers’ markets, located on King Street in Old Town Alexandria.

Activities: Open every Saturday morning from 5:30 to 10:30 a.m., the bustling Farmers’ Market has been held in the same plaza since 1753. The Market sells fruits and vegetables from regional farms, baked goods, flowers, and handmade crafts.

Market Square/City Hall
301 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
T 703.883.4686
W www.alexandriava.gov/FarmersMarket

Accokeek Foundation
A 200-acre National Park on the Potomac River in Accokeek, Md. that serves as an outdoor classroom for educational programs, research, and agricultural and conservation projects.

Activities: Regular attractions include the National Colonial Farm, the Ecosystem Farm, and Piscataway Park. There are also opportunities for visitors to learn about Maryland history, agriculture, and gardening, and enjoy wildlife, hiking trails, and fishing.

3400 Bryan Point Road
Accokeek, MD 20607
T 301.283.2113
W www.accokeek.org

Cleveland Park Library
Library located in Northwest Washington, DC, several blocks from the Cleveland Park Metro station.

Activities: Every Wednesday at 10 a.m., Cleveland Park Library presents Terrific Twos. This engaging story time is presented to keep two-year-olds interested. Registration is not required for this free program.

3310 Connecticut Ave., NW
 Washington, DC 20008
T 202.282.3080
W www.dclibrary.org

Rock Creek Nature Center and Planetarium
Large National Park with an educational center and planetarium serving as an astronomy laboratory.

Activities: Every Wednesday at 4 p.m., Young Planetarium at Rock Creek Park presents a show on the identification of major constellations. The show is free and appropriate for ages 5 to 7. The nearby Nature Center offers wildlife and forest exhibits, a library, a Discovery Room for hands-on activities, and a real observational beehive.

5200 Glover Road
Washington, DC 20015
T 292.895.6000
W www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm

National Geographic Museum
Past and current expeditions, adventures, and scientific research come to life in a variety of exhibits.

Activities: Through October, families can explore the Rare exhibit. This gallery presents compelling photographs of endangered species against a dramatic solid black background. The exhibit and Museum are free and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1145 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20036
T 202.857.7588
W http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/locations/center/museum/

Albert Einstein Planetarium
Situated in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Planetarium uses state-of-the-art instruments and equipment.

Activities: The Planetarium invites families to a free showing of One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure. Follow Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zu, a Muppet from Zhima Jie, the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. This 20-minute show is presented every Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Sixth Street and Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20560
T 202.633.1000
W www.nasm.si.edu/visit/theaters/planetarium

Rock Creek Park’s Old Stone House
The oldest known private home in the nation’s capital, built in the 18th century.

Activities: Families can learn about Colonial times by visiting the house and gardens and talking to the National Park Rangers on duty. Open seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m.

3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW
Washington, DC 20008
T 202.895.6070
W www.nps.gov/rocr

Oxon Hill Farm
A working Maryland farm that provides a variety of recreational activities to the public.

Activities: Oxon Hill Farm invites families to take a self-guided tour of the farm and visit farm animal favorites. The website offers several activity sheets to be printed out before a trip to the farm for an especially engaging visit. The Farm is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.

6411 Oxon Hill Road
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
T 301.839.1177
W www.nps.gov/oxhi/index.htm