“Soundsuit” is part of the current “Over, Under, Next: Experiments in Mixed Media” exhibit at the Hirshhorn

Tuesday - Let the kids bounce, climb, swing, tumble, and slide at the PG Sports & Learning Complex Gymnastics Center. The hour-long open play session begins at 11:30am, and admission is $6/child. (This also takes place on Wednesday at the same time.)

Wednesday - Have a wild time at the National Zoo — visit the animals,ride the Speedwell Conservation Carousel, play in the Giant Pizza Playground. And be sure to check the schedule of daily programs for special activities. Zoo grounds are open 6am – 8pm, exhibit buildings 10am – 6pm. Admission is free, though parking is $16 for the first three hours for non-members. Look for street parking nearby to curb the cost or take Metro — both the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park stations are a short walk away.

Thursday - Take a hike at Turkey Run Park. Located right off the GW Parkway near 495, it contains nearly 700 acres of woods, easy trails that ramble along the Potomac, streams that flow down from the woods to the river, great views from the shoreline, and a variety of wildlife (though sightings aren’t guaranteed). Hours are 6am -10pm. Admission is free.

Friday - Make a splash at Yards Park. The fountains and wading pool are open again after being closed for renovations for several months. Bring along food for an al fresco riverside picnic or pick up sandwiches at nearby Potbelly. If you can’t make it during the day, go for the Friday Night Concert series from 6:30-8:30pm.

Truck Touch
Where: RFK Lot 7
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free
The Truck Touch event that easily takes the title as Mac Daddy of them all is happening this Saturday. The DC Department of Public Works welcomes guests to climb aboard and explore all kinds of cool vehicles. There will also be opportunities to test ride Segways, test drive hybrids and electric cars, and sit on mounted police horses. Even more, over in adjacent Lot 6, Mayor Gray’s official Summer Kick Off will offer fun activities for the whole family. Read more about it and see images from last year in this post from earlier this week.

Be a Pilot Family Day
Where: National Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Join the Air & Space Museum for the ninth annual Become a Pilot Day! You’ll see nearly 50 visiting vintage, recreational, and home-built aircraft — plus special attraction Solar Impulse — at an outdoor display for one day only, and enjoy indoor presentations and activities for all ages.

Astronomy Festival
Where: National Mall
When: Friday, 5-11pm
Admission: Free
Go stargazing on the Mall as Hofstra University presents an astronomical extravaganza featuring optical and radio telescope observations, exhibits, hands-on activities, a multimedia presentation, and a chance to mingle with real astronomers. Starting at 5pm., visitors will be able to view sunspots with the help of specially filtered telescopes and the Moon. After dusk and until 11pm, telescopes will provide close-up views of the first-quarter Moon, Saturn with its beautiful rings, Venus, Mercury, colorful double stars, and star clusters that sparkle like diamonds on black velvet. This will all take place by the Washington Monument at 15th Street and Constitution Ave.

Summer Time
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Seize the season with a host of activities that only occur this time of year. Enjoy an open air concert at one of several series in the area. Go berry picking. Stay cool under the sun at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. Ride mini-trains and carousels at local parks. And much, much more. Find details on all these summer pursuits here.

Father’s Day at Mount Vernon
Where: Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
When: Saturday & Sunday, 8am – 5pm
Admission: $15/adult, $7/ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under
Spend the day with the Father of our Country! This weekend, guests can enjoy a meet-and-greet and photo ops with “General Washington” as well as a special “Father to the First Family” program. After, head to George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill, located three miles from the estate on Route 235 South – entrance is included in admission to Mount Vernon.

Best in Shows
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Here’s where the shows are this weekend: Be among the first audiences to see Bathtub Pirates at The Puppet Co. Or head there early for Tiny Tots, puppets show performances especially for little ones. Encore Stage & Studio presents Sleeping Beauty for the second and final weekend. Talented actors from the Maryland Historical Society will tell the brave story of Sgt. Maj. Christian Fleetwood, the first African American awarded the Medal of Honor at this week’s Saturday Morning at the National. Elska is playing the 10:30am show on Saturday at Jammin’ Java.

Juneteenth
Where: Watkins Regional Park
When: Saturday,11:30am – 5pm
Admission: Free, but some activities require a small fee
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The celebration at Watkins offers a great lineup of culturally inspired  dance and musical performances , plus family activities. Face painting, the interactive playground, the animals at the Old Maryland Farm, miniature train and Carousel rides, and mini-golf will all be available, those requiring a fee at discounted prices. There will also be several vendors selling a variety of food.

Father’s Day Fish-n-Putt
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $8/child, $10/adult
The farms’ annual Father’s Day Putt Putt and Fish-a-Rama Competition provides just the right amount of fun and challenge for Dad’s big day. Competitors for Saturday’s Putt Putt Golf Championship are welcome to arrive early to warm up for the 11am Tee Time. Sunday features the catch and release fishing contests. The pond is stocked with catfish, bass, and blue gill and no licenses are required. Prizes are on the line for the largest fish hooked and the most fish caught during the power hour. Bring your own pole and gear to fish (no drag hooks). GCF has worms for purchase in the country store. The amusement continues on the five-acre farm-style playground featuring the Giant Jumping Pillow, Triple Threat slide, corn bin, animal barnyard and more.

Crystal Car
Where: Crystal City
When: Sunday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
Tune up your ride and bring the family to the starting line in Crystal City for the first annual Fathers Day Auto Festival. The Crystal City BID in partnership with Vornado/Charles E. Smith, the 23rd Street Business Association, and the Washington Wine Academy, is launching Crystal Car on Sunday. The festival plans to showcase a variety of automobile categories, including innovative electric vehicles, area sports car auto clubs, classic muscle cars, and more. One of the many attractions of Crystal Car will be the electrical vehicle collection, which also features Vornado/Charles E. Smith’s new charging stations and Vornado’s Chevrolet Volt fleet. The Washington Wine Academy will host a cash beer garden to further enhance the experience and celebrate Father’s Day in style. The festival will be located within the Courtyard at 2121 Crystal Drive in Arlington; the parking lot at 220 20th Street S., and the parking lot behind Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant at 555 23rd Street S.

Food for Thought Celebration
Where: U.S. Botanic Garden
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Where does our food come from? Why are we drawn to certain flavors and seasonings? Contemplate these and other food questions during the USBG’s festival Food for Thought: A Celebration! Offered in conjunction with their annual terrace show, this year’s festival will feature food-related activities for all ages: Explore the flavors of Africa with Chef Tania Mercer, learn about food pollinators and the BIG BUGS created by artist David Rogers, discover the secrets of salad gardening with Master Gardener Jon Traunfeld, assist USBG Plant Health Care Specialist Jim Willmott in protecting the plants from pesky pests with an insect release, and much more.

Community Forklift Half-birthday
Where: Community Forklift Warehouse
When: Saturday, 9:30am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Community Forklift, the DC area’s thrift store for home improvement supplies, is turning 7½ years old, and they’re celebrating with a half-birthday party halfway through June. Help them blow out the candles on their cake, and celebrate Father’s Day a day early. Festivities will include reuse crafts and activities for kids, live music from local bands, half-price discounts on modern and vintage building materials throughout the store, and yummy food and free lemonade. Guests can also participate in free do-it-yourself workshops to inspire you to complete the half-finished projects around your house. The Community Forklift warehouse is located at 4671 Tanglewood Drive in Edmonston, Md.

Wheat Harvest
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $3/adult, $2/child
Experience life in colonial times at Claude Moore’s annual event: Help the Farm family harvest their wheat and rye crops, important staples of colonial living. Watch as they carefully cut the grains and join in to help bind and stack the crops. Then help make bread on an open hearth, made from those very same grains. Before you go, get a little more background about the farm in this post about our first experience there.

International Delivery: Postcard Making Workshop
Where: Transformer
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: Free
Transformer invites DC children ages 5-10 to participate in International Delivery – Capital Sister Cities Children’s Postcard Exchange, a fun & creative workshop for children in Washington, DC to work with DC artists in making handmade postcards for children in Beijing. All materials will be provided, and the workshops are free-of-charge.

Kids dig Truck Touch: Taking the wheel of a backhoe last year

Little girl, big ride

Now in its 6th year, the free, citywide event hosted by the DC Department of Public Works will take place this Saturday, June 15, from 9am – 2pm. RFK’s Lot 7 will be full of all kinds of DC government vehicles, and they will be open for guests of all ages to climb aboard, explore, and pretend they rule the road. A firetruck; police car; back hoe, excavator, and other construction vehicles; dump truck; snow plow; garbage truck; and a street cleaner are among the cool rides that will be there. There will also be Segways to test ride (kids, too!), hybrid and electric cars to test drive, mounted police horses to sit upon, and, if last year’s festivities repeat, a helicopter take-off to view. Plus, Public Works staff will be there to present demos and talk about the vehicles.

Kid on Segway – watch out!

Possibly her favorite part of the day

Even more, this will all take place while Mayor Vincent Gray’s official summer kick-off is happening in the adjacent Lot 6. That part will offer activities for youth of all ages, as well as family services and information from 9am – 5pm.

And did I mention that all of this is FREE? Well, everything but the concessions that will be available for purchase. If I remember correctly from last year, food trucks will be parked in the lot along with the DC government fleet.

What: Sixth Annual City-Wide Truck Touch and Summer Kick Off Event

When: Saturday, June 15, 9am – 5pm (Truck Touch portion ends at 2pm)

Where: RFK Stadium, Lot 6 & 7; 2400 East Capitol Street, NE

Fly to Neverland at Imagination Stage this summer

Saturday Morning at the National
Where: National Theatre
When: Thru July 27
Tickets: Free
The free theatre program runs on select Saturdays through July with performances at 9:30am and 11:30am. Musicals, plays, storytelling, and comedy shows are all part of the live entertainment line-up. See the complete schedule of performances here. Tickets are distributed day of performances on a first-come, first-served basis. Everyone must be in line to receive a ticket.

Sleeping Beauty
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre
When: Thru June 16
Tickets: $12/adults, $10/children
Encore Stage & Studio presents its newest “by kids for kids production: When Briar Rose is born, the King and Queen throw a celebration to welcome their newborn daughter. The whole kingdom is invited, save for one truly wicked witch. In revenge, Evilina casts a sleeping spell on the young Princess; a spell that can only be broken by true love’s kiss. Encore invites you to fall in love again with Sleeping Beauty, an amusing and playful presentation of the well-known fairytale. Special pre-performance music provided by Prelude Youth Orchestra on June 8 & 9 at the 3:00 pm performances. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Running time is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Bathtub Pirates
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: June 13-30
Tickets: $10
Captain Blackbeard, one of the Carolinas most infamous pirates, is without his ship. So a child’s bathtub will have to do. His motley crew outfits the bathtub with rudder, sail and a Jolly Roger pirate flag. This fanciful production comes from guest artists, Grey Seal Puppets, and has won one of the highest honors in puppetry, the UNIMA Citation for Excellence. Recommended for PreK – Grade 4. Running time is 45 minutes.

Tiny Tots
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: Most Wednesdays, Saturdays, & Sundays at 10am
Tickets: $5
The series presents puppet shows designed for the youngest theater patrons (ages 0-4). They are shorter, the lights stay on, and the doors stay open. They have an arsenal of shows that they switch up every performance, so be sure to check the schedule to see what’s playing when you go.

Tot Rock
Where: Jammin’ Java
When: Ongoing
Tickets: $5/weekdays, $10/weekends
Tot Rock is Jammin’ Java’s super-popular kids music concert series, providing wholesome family entertainment at one of the DC Metro area’s finest music clubs. Local acts perform every Thursday and Friday, and touring performers drop by on many weekends. Check the calendar often to see when your favorite act is performing, and for other calendar updates.

Dr. Seuss’s A Cat in the Hat
Where: Adventure Theatre
When: June 21 – September 2
Tickets: $19
From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that the cat in the hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met.  With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he is certainly fun to play with. And he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. But what will mom find when she gets home…?

Puppets Take Strathmore
Where: Strathmore
When: June 22 – August 17
Tickets: Prices vary by performance
This summer, Strathmore will be invaded by “things on strings” for the campus-wide summer festival Puppets Take Strathmore, exploring contemporary American puppetry. The festival includes performances, workshops, and the fine art exhibition No Strings Attached, with activities for adults and for kids. Highlights of the festival include the DC debut of Blair Thomas & Co.’s acclaimed Hard Headed Heart and a Puppet Slam for avant garde East Coast puppet companies to showcase new, shortform puppet performances. The festival also features numerous unique elements to No Strings Attached, including puppets from Heather Henson’s IBEX (daughter of Muppets creator Jim Henson) and The Ballard Museum of Puppetry, as well as vintage puppets, film screenings, photography, representative sculpture and puppets of all shapes, sizes and modes of animation. 

NSO KinderKonzert: Peter & the Wolf
Where: Kennedy Center
When: June 22
Tickets: $18
Those wonderful wind instruments give voice to a little boy named Peter and a wolf on the prowl in Prokofiev’s beloved musical tale. A woodwind quintet of NSO musicians–Alice Weinreb, flute; Nicholas Stovall, oboe; Loren Kitt, clarinet; Truman Harris, bassoon; and Laurel Ohlson, horn–introduces young audiences to the storytelling magic of music in this family favorite. For age 4 and up. Go early for the Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo.” Starting one hour before each Kinderkonzert, this hands-on activity in the Kennedy Center Hall of States gives children a chance to get up close with the instruments they’ll see played on stage–from violins and trumpets to oboes and flutes. A project of the Women’s Committee for the NSO.

National Festival Orchestra: Peter and the Wolf
Where: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, U of Md
When: July 23
Tickets: Free
In this family-friendly performance, members of the National Orchestral Institute play Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and give their own imaginative musical interpretations of beloved children’s books. The National Orchestral Institute and Festival (NOI) brings together talented young musicians at the beginning of their careers for a month of professional development and music-making. Chosen by a rigorous, cross-country audition process, NOI participants quickly coalesce into dynamic ensembles that perform adventuresome programming.

Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
Where: Wolf Trap
When: June 25 – August 10
Admission: $10
From late June through early August, Wolf Trap presents Children’s Theater-in-the-Woods, over 70 family-friendly performances at 10:30am Tuesdays through Saturdays. Amidst 117 rolling wooded acres and nestled in a shady grove, the stage is set for lively adventures in music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and theater. All of the productions are recommended for children between Kindergarten and 6th grade. The full schedule of shows is available of the Wolf Trap website. And you can read a KFDC review of the series from a previous summer here.

Peter Pan and Wendy
Where: Imagination Stage
When: June 26 – August 11
Tickets: Start at $12
Bethesda becomes Neverland this summer, as Imagination Stage presents Peter Pan and Wendy, a swashbuckling adventure with audience participation. In this version of the classic tale of the boy who refuses to grow up, the character of Wendy takes on a more prominent role, as she, too, is having trouble coming to terms with pending adulthood and accepting life’s responsibilities. Wendy wants to play, and Peter Pan is delighted to whisk her away to the magical island of Neverland where children stay children forever. With the help of Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily, and mermaids, Peter and Wendy battle the dreaded, but rather funny, Captain Hook.

Tot Rock: Jammin’ at the Smithsonian – Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
Where: Discovery Theatre
When: June 27-28
Tickets: $3-8
Lucky Diaz, Alisha Gaddis, and company rock out with “contemporary family music all dressed up in the ’50s,” says USA Today, which named the LA-based band a best new artist in kids’ music. The Chicago Tribune applauded their “indie pop-rock for seriously groovin’ families.” Recommended for ages 2-6.

Dinosaur Babies
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: July 5-28
Tickets: $10
This DinoRock musical fossil fantasy opens in the bedroom of a little boy named Nelson: “I saw that scary movie about dinosaurs and now I have nightmares.” Nelson is afraid to go to sleep, but with the encouragement of the Dream Weavers (Ingrid Crepeau, Michele Valeri and Steve Little) he does. Together the Dream Weavers and those cute little dinosaur babies help Nelson to conquer his fears and sleep well. Recommended for PreK-Grade 4. Running time is 45 minutes.

Mouse on the Move
Where: Imagination Stage
When: July 6-28
Tickets: $10-12
Mouse on the Move follows two adventurous mice who are ready to explore the world beyond their little mouse-hole. They decide to visit the moon, since it is reportedly made of delicious, mouth-watering cheese. Ages 1-5.

All The Way Live! with Paige Hernandez & Baye Harrell
Where: Discovery Theatre
When: July 9-12
Tickets: $3-8
Anything can come to life with a simple beat, a rhythm and a rhyme. Watch as world renowned hip hop performers collaborate on the spot to “remix” everything from folktales to classical art.  Watch as the remix unfolds through dance, poetry, improv and rapping. In this interactive show, everything is “all the way live” and history is revived through hip hop lenses.

Backyard Theatre For Children
Where: Strathmore
When: July 11 – August 1
Tickets: $8/ages 3 and up
A quartet of kid-friendly performances on Strathmore’s tented Backyard Theater Stage will keep kids excited, engaged and moving this summer. Infectious riffs from kindie rock band Milkshake and the ’80s influenced Pop Ups will have whole families singing along to their concerts. Backyard Theater favorite Taikoza returns to showcase the thundering power of Taiko drums and Japanese dance, while DC-based Urban Artistry will teach hip hop dance basics for rambunctious youngsters bursting with energy to pop, lock, and breakdance.

Video Games Live: Bonus Round!
Where: Wolf Trap
When: July 13
Tickets: $22-55
Power up for a spectacular ALL NEW fusion of live music and cutting-edge visuals from some of the world’s most popular video games such as Pokemon, Super Smash Bros., Skyrim, Journey, Street Fighter II, Earthworm Jim, Donkey Kong Country, Chrono Cross and many more, shown on HUGE screens in-house and on the lawn. Created, produced and hosted by world renowned game industry veteran Tommy Tallarico, top orchestras and choirs from across the globe perform along with exclusive synchronized video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, well known internet solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive entertainment experience.

Science Spectacular with Eric Energy
Where: Discovery Theatre
When: July 16-19
Tickets: $3-8
Get ready to “wow” your kids with a science spectacular!  Eric Energy is a wacky scientist and he will perform visual science experiments that deal with topics like the weather and matter.  Kids will be seeing things like vortex fog rings, bubbling potions and more.  This is an interactive show so volunteers will be needed! Recommended for ages 5-12.

The Magical Worlds of Jack Julius
Where: Discovery Theatre
When: July 23-26
Tickets: $3-8
Come see the unique, magical world of Jack Julius as he presents his own style of magic, mime, comedy, and illusion.  You will be amazed as you watch magic and art come to life.  As always, there’s tons of audience participation – so get ready to be part of the show! Recommended for ages 5-12.

Playing by Air
Where: Publick Playhouse
When: July 23-24
Tickets: $8 by 6/15, $10 after 6/15
The award winning performers of Playing By Air share their sense of playfulness and breathtaking circus feats in this production filled with music, juggling and more…more…

Circus!
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: August 2
Tickets: $10
In grand circus tradition, the “Grandest Show on Strings” features a collection of clowns, death-defying acrobats, and an amazing menagerie of fauna from the farthest reaches of the globe.  Performed by Christopher and MayField Piper, many of the acts were built more than 50 years ago by Christopher’s parents for “Len Piper’s International Marionette Circus.” Recommended for PreK-Adult. Running time is 40 minutes.

Sing-A-Long Sound of Music
Where: Wolf Trap
When: August 31
Tickets: $20-38
A few of your favorite things are back! Quickly becoming a Wolf Trap tradition, this Oscar-winning movie will be shown on HUGE screens in-house and on the lawn, accompanied by an audience sing-a-long. It all kicks off with a vocal warm-up and an introduction to using complimentary goodie bags containing a treasure trove of Sound of Music props that ensure a fun, interactive experience. Be sure to dress in your Sound of Music best – the sing-a-long is paired with an unforgettable costume contest.

Serving up big sandwiches at Tiny’s Diner in Port Discovery

Tuesday - Venture up to Baltimore for a day full of play at Port Discovery. Along with many levels full of awesome hands-on exhibits, there are a couple of special programs to take advantage of: Tremendous Tots Tuesday presents Drum Jam, a play session with instruments, from 1-3pm and Circle Time, an interactive storytime, at 11:30am. It’s also Thrifty Tuesday when admission is just $8 from 1-4:30pm ($13.95 all other times). Hours at the children’s museum are 10am – 5pm this time of year.

Wednesday - Hike among the woods and wetlands of Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria. Turtles, frogs, and birds are among the wildlife you could see. Stop by the nature center for even more exhibits and animal encounters. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, and admission is free. You can read more about it among the big list of outdoor recommendations.

Thursday - See a performance of Magpie’s Living Planet at the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly, Md. Little ones can sing and dance along with Magpie, learn some sign language, and discover differences in animals around the world. Showtimes are 9:30am and 11:30am, and tickets are $3/children, $4/adults. For reservations and information, call 301-277-1710.

Friday - Go strawberry picking! The fruits are still ripe and ready for gathering at many area farms — this post has a list of them. And I always recommend calling ahead to confirm the patches are open for pick-your-own that day.