Sasha, at one year old, holding a giant cockroach at the NMNH Insect Zoo

One of my New Year’s blogging resolutions was to re-organize a bit. I devote so much of this space to posting about special, timely events that I often neglect writing about the “tried and true,” those mainstay DC attractions that are  go-to pursuits for families. They’re mentioned now and then as recommendations for weekday or weekend activities, as well as in round-ups of indoor and outdoor ideas, but it’s not often that one gets a dedicated post with tips and insights garnered from my own adventures with my kids. This is somewhat ironic, since many of those places and activities are our trustiest, things we’ve been experiencing for years and enjoy on a regular basis — you’d think I’d have an overload of rambling posts about them.

So, with January nearly over, it’s about time I paid heed to that resolution and began documenting the tried and true as what I’ll call “The Permanent Collection”.  And what better way to start than with one of our absolute favorite places, the National Museum of Natural History. Or, as my kids like to call it, the Dinosaur Museum.

Hence, the "Dino Museum" nickname

One of the most popular of all the Smithsonian venues, the National Museum of Natural History never fails to thrill the kids. I can’t even count the number of times we’ve toured the exhibits; Owen is like my own personal docent when we visit, guiding us through the displays, naming every creature, and handling interactives like a pro. But the museum is a big place, and it’s practically impossible to see everything in one day, so we usually pick two or three exhibits/activities to explore (or re-explore, in our case), the following being our favorites. (Of course, if I am missing something really good, please let me know in the comments section!)

The  Elephant in the Room
You can’t talk about the Natural History Museum without mentioning the African elephant exhibit smack in the middle of the grand Rotunda. Even though they’ve seen it countless times, my kids still stand below, mouths agape, as they take in its enormity. They also like to press buttons on a surrounding display panel to hear its wild calls.

The Dinosaurs
The lure of this collection is pretty obvious: What kid isn’t fascinated by the giant skeletal models of prehistoric beasts? And, like most museum exhibits, it gets better for the kids all the time. As Owen has gotten older, he’s become interested in smaller displays, like maps that show where different species lived and cases full of real fossils. And we always stop by the FossiLab to watch paleontologists at work through glass walls.

Enthralled by walking stick in the Insect Zoo

Insect Zoo & Butterfly Pavillion
With interactive exhibits, live creatures on display, and opportunities to hold some of them, it may just be my kids’ favorite part of the museum – both were handling giant caterpillars, cockroaches, and beetles before they could even talk. At various times throughout the day, museum volunteers bring out all kinds of creepy crawlies that guests can view up close and hold.  And, depending on timing, you may be able to watch a tarantula feeding, too. For exhibits that aren’t alive, but still fun, kids can check out the “house” in the southwest corner to find out where different insects might make their home in your abode or try to match up bugs with their contributions to the human world on an interactive panel nearby. They can also crawl through a termite tunnel and examine scads of live insect species in terrariums.  Right next door, is the Butterfly Pavillion, where guests can walk among nearly 50 different species of butterflies as well as exotic plants.  It’s one of the few exhibits that requires a fee — $6/adults, $5/children 2-12, $5.50/seniors.

Sant Ocean Hall
My kids are mesmerized by the aquariums full of colorful fish, underwater scenes projected on the walls, the whale and skeleton suspended overhead, and the giant squid stretched out inside a display case in the center of the hall. Located on the first floor on the opposite side of the Rotunda from the entrance, this exhibit is a must-tour for anyone, young or old, with an interest in oceans and marine life.

Hall of Mammals

Hall of Mammals
This popular exhibit on the main floor is a very cool   showcase of animal species — and masterful taxidermy. The mammals have been preserved so well they look real; even their stances and expressions recall scenes from the jungle, out of the ocean, or off the African plains. Just beyond the wildlife display is a theater where guests can watch a short film about mammal evolution and get a photo op next to the bronze sculpture of Harriet the chimp.

Johnson IMAX Theater
Many of the films playing at the museum are perfect for young movie-goers. with interesting subjects relating to nature, relatively short run times (an hour or less), and the 3D aspect of “being there”. See the current schedule here, and read a review of Born to Be Wild 3D here.

Discovery Room
Kids can enjoy fun, interesting activities here, like dressing up in costumes from different cultures and examining fossils and minerals up close. However, the hours are limited, and I find it’s often closed or very crowded when we are there.  If you want to include it in your visit, it’s open during these hours:  Tuesday-Thursday,12-2:30pm.; Friday 10:30am-2:30pm; Saturday and Sunday 10:30am-3:30pm; closed Mondays.

Hall of Geology, Gems & Minerals
While this isn’t a usual stop for us at the museum – my kids go for the less subtle exhibits right now – I know it’s very popular with many folks, so it’s still worth a mention. And given Sasha’s penchant for sparkly things, it’s likely to become a favorite soon.

If you plan to go:
- The National Museum of Natural History is located at 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW. The closest Metro station is Smithsonian on the Blue/Orange line.

- If you drive, parking is available on nearby streets, or in parking garages across Constitution.

- There are two entrances, on the National Mall side and on Constitution Avenue.  The latter is stroller-friendly with a ramp and automatic doors.

- Admission to the museum is free, but fees are required for the Butterfly Pavillion ($6/adults, $5/children 2-12, $5.50/seniors) and IMAX movies ($9/ticket).

- There is café located on the ground floor that sells sandwiches, salads, coffee and treats.

- Beware the museum shop if you leave via the Constitution exit. Small toys and other neat items are on open display, practically calling your child’s name. (We had a near accidental shoplifting incident because of it!)

Crossing a high footbridge at Living Classrooms in Glen Echo Park

Who would ever guess that near-60-degree nice days in DC would be a regular occurrence in the middle of winter?  This is exactly why this weekend round-up is steeped with recommendations that take place indoors, despite at least one of those glorious days on the way.  If you want to get out and seize it — because who knows when Snowmageddon II could hit? — scroll right down to the end of the list for a link to a wealth of outdoor ideas.  Otherwise, read on to explore all of your options for family fun, from the Auto Show and the Monster Jam, to Chinese Lunar New Year and birthday celebrations, to a puppet festival and puppet shows, and even more possibilities in between.  Happy Weekend!

Auto Focus – The 2012 Washington Auto Show begins today and runs through next weekend. If there’s any “grown-up” event that is equally fun for all ages, this is it. And I know from firsthand experience; our family went to the show last year and practically had to drag the kids out when it was finally time to go. It’s like a Truck Touch, but with autombiles — more than 700 of them! — on display for guests to check out. And especially for kids will be Playland, an area filled with games, toys, videos, and cuddly mascots, including some from the PBS show SuperWhy! This all takes place at the Washington Convention Center. Tickets are $12/adults, $5/ages 6-12, free for 5 and under. Hours are 12-10pm Friday, 10am-10pm Saturday, and 10am-7pm Sunday. See this post for even more details.

Year of the Dragon  – Usher in the lunar year 4017 on Sunday at the Chinese New Year Parade.  Festivities kick off at 6^th & I Streets NW at 2pm and will wind through the streets of Chinatown celebrating Chinese culture in a brilliant procession that includes traditional dance, music, and, of course, the iconic dragons. The parade is expected to last about two and a half hours, and spectating is free. View the route here to stake out your curbside spot.

Build-a-Saurus at Lowe’s – It’s another Build and Learn Clinic at the home improvement store on Saturday. Lowe’s hosts free bimonthly workshops for kids, and during this session guests can build a wooden dino, then choose the stickers to make it a cartoon or a realistic dinosaur. The store will provide all the materials, along with goggles, an apron, and other goodies to take home. We haven’t yet been, but a friend went to the last one and gave it a great review.  Go here to find your local Lowe’s and register for the workshop.

Monster Jam – If you hear a rumble echoing around the city this weekend, chances are it’s coming from the Verizon Center where 12-foot-tall, 10-thousand-pound monster trucks will be wowing crowds with big stunts, power races, and wheelie contests (can you imagine one of those things popping a wheelie?!). There are shows Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Tickets are $60/VIP seats, $25/Gold Circle seats, and Mid-Level are $20/adults, $10/kids 2-12, kids under 2 are free.   There is also a pit party on Saturday from 11am – 12:30pm, where guests can meet drivers, check out cars up close, and more. According to the website, pit passes are generally available for free at Advance Auto Parts retailers while supplies last. They are also available for purchase at the Verizon Center the day of the show when accompanied by the appropriate event ticket.

Show Time - Sit back, relax, and enjoy the shows at local theaters. The Snowy Day is at Adventure Theatre, Peter and the Wolf and Tiny Tots are at The Puppet Co., and Mouse on the Move is at Imagination Stage. You can find details on all of these productions in this post about winter entertainment.

Living Classrooms – Whether you’re at Glen Echo Park to catch a show or just looking for a little nature fun for the kids, Living Classrooms, located just off the path that leads from the park to the parking lot is worth checking out.  We’ve passed by numerous times, but never actually visited until last weekend, after we found out the show we were supposed to see was canceled. What a neat discovery — the small building contained a giant ant hill that kids cold crawl through, a high foot bridge to cross and a tree to slide down, various critters and creatures observe, and more. One of the highlights was a an animal encounter with a rosy boa and a chance to pet the snake.  There’s also an art room that’s open to the outdoors — a great place to draw inspiration from nature when weather permits.  It’s all open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 3pm both days.  Admission is $5/person, free for children under 2.

Happy Birthday, Renwick! – Celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the opening of the Renwick Gallery. Enjoy live music, hands-on activities, a docent led touch table, craft activities, mini scavenger hunts through the galleries, and, of course, cake! This all takes place on Saturday from 11am – 2pm. Admission is free.

Happy 25^th, IKEA Woodbridge – Everyone’s favorite DIY furniture and everything else store is celebrating 25 years at the Northern Virginia location with goodies for customers — four days of savings, giveaways, design workshops, and family fun! Be the first 100 in line on Saturday and Sunday and win an IKEA gift card worth anywhere from $5-$250.   Also among the festivities: live entertainment, including a string quartet, pianist, and opera singer from the Opera Performance Group from the college of William and Mary; fun events for the kids, including face painting each day from 12-2pm; and on Sunday, Radio Disney will be there from 1-3pm with non-stop music, games and giveaways.

See Us Fly: The Wright Brothers – On Saturday at 11:30am and 1pm, the National Air & Space Museum presents a puppet performance about Orville and Wilbur Wright and their journey into the history books. This is the story of two very determined brothers who beat the odds to create the world’s first self-propelled flying machine. Rainbow Puppet Productions will perform two 40-minute performances. Recommended for ages 4-8. Admission is free.

The Artist in You – The National Children Museum’s Launch Zone welcomes kids to discover their inner-artists — the only supply needed is their creativity! They can learn about artists such as Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, and Alexander Calder and have the chance to create their own artistic masterpieces using marbles, construction paper, and more interesting textiles. Drop in on Saturday from 11am – 4pm. Admission is free.

Puppet Festival – The McClean Community Center’s Alden Theatre is hosting a day dedicated to puppetry on Saturday.  Guests can enjoy two puppet shows starting at 1:30pm, then make their own puppets at puppet creation stations.  Admission is $10, children 2 and under are free.  Purchase tickets through the Alden Theatre website.

Stories in Art – Henri Matisse is the featured artist once again at the National Gallry of Art’s drop in program this Sunday.  Kids ages 4-7 can learn about him through storytelling, discussion, and an art project. Sessions are at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am, and will continue until all spaces are filled. Admission is free. Read a KFDC review of the Stories in Art program here.

Outward Bound – Near sixty-degree days in the middle of winter seem to be the new normal in Washington. And you will not hear a single complaint about it from me. Get out and enjoy the unseasonably awesome weather while you can; Snowmageddon 2012 could be right around the corner. For ideas on where to seize the sunny days, see this post about the best places in the DC area to enjoy a beautiful day outdoors with the kids.

O finally gets to takes the wheel at the 2011 Washington Auto Show

The 2012 Washington Auto Show begins this Friday, January 27, and runs through Sunday, February 5.  And before you dismiss this information, thinking you can’t bring your kids to this “grown-up” event, keep an open mind and read on.

Beep, beep... outta my way!

Sure, the show is intended for adults to see all kinds of makes and models of cars, but if there’s any “grown-up” event that is equally fun for all ages, the Washington Auto Show is it. I know this from firsthand experience; our family went to the show last year and practically had to drag them out of there when it was finally time to go.

It’s like a Truck Touch, but with autombiles — more than 700 of them! — on display for guests to check out.  This means you and the kids can take the wheel, inspect dashboard details up close, be backseat drivers, go on a pretend road trip, and maybe even find your family’s next ride. At the event last January, Owen and Sasha had a blast crawling into the front seats of all kind of vehicles, pretending to take us ‘rents for a drive, and pushing all the buttons we don’t let them play with in our car.

But checking out the cars is just the main part of the event.  On weekends and weeknights, kids can also enjoy Playland, a special area filled with games, toys, videos, and cuddly mascots, including some from the PBS show SuperWhy! Last year, there were also fun interactive shows for kids, that included magic tricks and a dance contest, which (I can’t help but boast) Owen won.

Super fun with SuperWhy!

These characters will also be making special appearances throughout the Auto Show, along with several other celebrities who adults will be excited meet, Washington Capitals and Redskins players among them. And this weekend, guests can enjoy Lion & Dragon Dancers to celebrate the Chinese New Year. See the website for the full schedule of performances and celebrity appearances.

Wait, there’s even more!  Guests will have Ride N’Drive Opportunities to test out select cars (passengers must be at least 8 years old), plus chances to win prizes in contests and giveaways.

The way I’m pushing this event, you’d think that I was getting paid to promote it, but I can assure you that’s not the case. It’s simply a really fun time, so I wanted to share the details.

This all takes place at Washington Convention Center January 27 – February 5.  Tickets are $12/adults, $5/ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and under.   The Convention Center is located at 801 Mount Vernon Place NW.  Go here for parking and Metro information.

The next session, focusing on Site Design, will take place on Saturday, February 4 from 1-3pm at the District Architecture Center.  Here’s a description of the class:

Architectural Ideas for buildings often start with understanding the program of the building, site location & environmental factors. Through a series of sketches, students will learn how to measure and document a building site, develop a design concept and program, and analyze the relationship between the building surroundings and interior spaces.  Participants will complete a Design Concept Sketch/Plan and a Massing model.

Registration is $10, and space is limited, so be sure to reserve a spot soon!  Register online here.

My favorite six-year-old

I have to start this weekend round-up with a special shout-out. It was six years ago yesterday that my  favorite little man arrived, and life became a fantastic adventure I never could have imagined prior to becoming a parent. My tiny baby, who was less than six pounds upon his early arrival and fit snugly in the crook of my arm, now reads, writes, runs fast, jokes around, expresses his dreams.  When I take a moment (when I have a moment) to digest it all, it’s pretty darn astounding. And I couldn’t be prouder of the boy he’s become. Happy Birthday, my sweet O.

And with my sentimental moment indulged, let’s talk about the weekend.  Museums programs and special events, children’s theatre, a clothing swap, and hoops action are among my recommendations for family fun. And with dreary weather in the forecast, the indoor list makes the round-up, too.  Happy Weekend!

Spy Fest 2012 – Is your child the next 007? Find out at the International Spy Museum on Sunday from 11am – 2:30pm. Recommended for ages 7 and up, the event will include mini missions, tradecraft demos, and a chance for guests to try their spy skills. Tickets are $10, and advance registration is required. Go here to sign up!

Celebrate Africa! – Kids of all ages are invited to the Textile Museum’s 3^rd Annual Mid-Winter Festival celebrating the art and culture of Africa.  On Saturday from 12-4pm guests can enjoy dress-up, storytelling, dancing, crafts, and more.  Try on contemporary clothing and accessories inspired by cultures of Central Africa, then pose for a professional photographer and walk away with your picture. Hand-sew a Kuba-inspired textile. Enjoy snacks of cassava chips and South African red tea while master drummer Joseph Ngwa leads traditional drumming and dance, and master storyteller Baba-C entrances listeners with interactive storytelling. Visitors will also entered to win great prizes.  Admission to the event is free.

Happy Lunar New Year!  - Usher in the Lunar New Year a little early at Rockville Town Center with a day full of lively festivities, including a parade hosted by VisArts, street performers, live music, martial artists, lion dancers, an 18-person golden dragon, VisArts exhibitions, vendors, crafts, and more! It’s all free and happening on Saturday from 11am – 4pm.

Multi-Prints Family Day – Press, stamp, and rub to make an artistic impression during this printmaking family day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.  On Saturday from 11:30am – 3pm, artists from George Mason University will demonstrate a variety of printing techniques to kids of all ages, who can then visit our workshop tables to create a print of their own to take home! This free event will take place in the Kogod Courtyard of the museum located at 8^th & F Streets, NW.

Farm to Table Family Day – The Kogod Courtyard is going to be a busy place this weekend.  Head there on Sunday as the National Portrait Gallery celebrates the arrival of the recently commissioned portrait of chef, author, and restaurant owner Alice Waters by artist Dave Woody. Enjoy live music, learn about the “farm to table” movement, and participate in hands-on activities. The free event takes place from 11:30am – 3pm.

Swap ‘Til You Drop – Or for a few hours, anyway. Saturday is World Swap Day and peace. love. swap. – The Original Maternity, Baby Kid Clothing & Gear Swap is celebrating with a swap event on Saturday at Jonah’s Treehouse in Glover Park.  Pass on your old clothes and gear and score some (sorta) new stuff!  Item drop-off is from 5-6pm, and the swapping is from 6:30-7:30pm. Admission is $5 if you register in advance, $7 at the door. Go here for more information and to register online

Rubber Ducky, You’re the One – The National Children’s Museum is hosting a joint birthday party for Ernie and his best pal, Rubber Ducky, at the Launch Zone on Saturday. From 11am – 4pm, children can take part in “Percussion Playtime” to celebrate Ernie’s love of playing the drums and make bubble art to celebrate Ernie and Rubber Ducky’s favorite pastime. No R.S.V.P. is required for this party, just drop in for a splish-splashin’ good time!

Wizards vs. Celtics – How about some hoops action on Sunday afternoon? Never mind that it’s not a winning season for the Wizards so far; the games are still exciting and a fun time for all ages. Our family caught the match-up against Toronto a couple of weeks ago – Sasha’s first basketball game, and the Wizard’s first W this season – and we all had a blast. Along with the on-court thrills, kids will love the games, entertainment, and giveaways during time-outs and halftime. Game time on Sunday is 1pm, and tickets start at $10.

Art History 101 – The drop-in program a the National Gallery begins  its Artful Conversations series and continues Stories in Art this weekend.  On Saturday, kids ages 8-11 and an accompanying adult, can attend the former to learn about a work of art and participate in a related poetry-writing activity. Sessions are at 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 10:00 a.m., and will continue until all spaces are filled. On Sunday, kids ages 4-7 can again learn about Henri Matisse through storytelling, discussion, and an art project. Sessions are at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am, and will continue until all spaces are filled. Read a KFDC review of the program here.

Stage Time – There’s a variety of entertainment to be enjoyed in local theatres this weekend.  The Snowy Day opens at Adventure Theatre, a rousing tale about the War of 1812 is the free show at Saturday Morning at the National, Peter and the Wolf and Tiny Tots are at The Puppet Co., and Mouse on the Move is at Imagination Stage. Find details on all of these productions in this post about winter entertainment.

The “In” Crowd – Looks like it’s going to be a good weekend to hang indoors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get out of the house. For sheltered adventures around town, check out this list.

As you’re probably aware, I occasionally dedicate posts to listing deals I think might be of interest to readers. The thing is, there are always great offers available, I just don’t have the time to mention them all. So, I came up with a way to make it easy for you to scan them — by compiling links to local deal sites all on one KFDC page. Whether you’re looking for discounts that benefit your whole family, seeking a deal for a date night, or just want to treat yourself for less, there’s a good chance you’ll find it — and then some — among these websites offering savings on local…well, everything. (Plus a few offering travel deals for when you need an escape from the local.)

I’ll still post an occasional heads-up on can’t-miss deals, but you can bookmark this page to check during the interim.

Happy Savings!

The MLK Memorial

Kids and many parents have the day off tomorrow in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.  If you’re looking for activities to observe the holiday, here are a few ideas.

Visit Memorials – If you’re up and at ‘em early enough, there will be a wreathing ceremony at the MLK Memorial at 8am that is free and open to the public.  If you can’t wrangle the kids (and yourself) in time, visit the attraction on the Tidal Basin later in the day. From there, you can head to the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King gave his famous “I Have a Deam” speech.

To the Mountaintops – The National Museum of American History is honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. with a stirring and inspirational tribute. Actor Xavier Carnegie presents selections from some of Dr. King’s most powerful and compelling speeches and sermons in a combination of live performance, historic photographs, and audio recordings. Free presentations will take place at 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm, and 4pm in the museum’s Flag Hall, 2nd floor.

NCM Honors MLK- In recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the National Children’s Museum Launch Zone is hosting a program honoring his life and accomplishments. Make your own I Have A Dream…Catcher and participate in their “Valentines for Veterans” service project in recognition of Dr. King’s commitment to service. Drop in from 11am – 2pm for this free event.

I Have a Dream at Port Discovery – Usually closed on Mondays, the popular interactive children’s museum in Baltimore is open for a day full of special activities to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King.  All of the regular exhibits will be available to visitors, too. Hours are 9:30am – 5pm. Admission is $13.95/ages 2 and up, children under 2 are free.

Let Freedom Ring! – The Kennedy Center and Georgetown present this free concert featuring Bobby McFerrin (of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” fame) as part of the Millennium Stage series. Free tickets are required and will be distributed two (2) per person in line in the Hall of Nations beginning at 4pm. Tickets are reserved seats. The concert begins at 6pm.

A few months ago I posted about Art After School, a unique weekly art program for kids ages 6-11 that took place at Comet Ping Pong in October/November 2011.  That four-session “sneak peek” of the program proved to be a big success. Now, Art After School is primed and ready to go for an exciting, 8-class session this winter involving Valentines for monsters, mini water worlds, shadow machines, maps, mobiles, monuments and more.

Led by DC-based artist and creative camp director Marissa Long, Art After School is a fun and engaging, artistic after-school activity that stimulates imagination and prompts independent thinking. Rather than focusing on pre-prescribed or “how to” artistic activities, AAS invites youth of all skill levels and interests to imagine and create with a variety of accessible materials. This first 2012 series of Art After School is offered in partnership with award-winning Comet Ping Pong, who are recognized not only as one of Washington, DC’s most beloved restaurants, but also as one of its biggest supporters of art, music, and DC schools. Check out makeslashbelieve.blogspot.com for more information about previous and upcoming art programs led by Marissa.

The two-hour weekly classes of the winter session begin February 6 and will run through April 9 (except for the two Monday DCPS holidays), taking place in the back room at Comet Ping Pong located at 5037 Connecticut Avenue NW. The session costs $245. Space is limited, so register soon by emailing ArtAfterSchoolDC@gmail.com.

Here is the schedule for the upcoming session:

Enjoying the outdoors from a warm, comfy place at Watkins Nature Center.

Our museums will be full of special events this weekend — good timing, as a blast of chilly weather is on its way (to be followed by a heat wave, I’m sure).  For some off the Mall activities, there’s a health & fitness expo, several children’s theatre shows, a building workshop,  free fun at CHAW, and plenty of mainstay pursuits all around the DC-metro. Happy Weekend!

Art Class at the National Gallery – One of my favorite museum programs for kids begins this weekend and will offer weekly classes throughout the winter. This Sunday, you can drop in for Stories in Art, a workshop designed for kids ages 4-7, to learn about Henri Matisse through storytelling, discussion, and an art project. The hour-long classes are free, and no registration is required, but there is a limit to the number of children in each class. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am on Sundays, and will continue until all spaces are filled in each of the four time slots at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. There is also a Family Workshop for kids ages 8-11 that is already full (but you can get on the waitlist here.) See this post for more information about both, as well as Artful Conversations, a class for older children that will take place starting next week.

Build & Grow at Lowe’s – Kids can be the kings (& queens) of their castles at the home improvement store this weekend. Lowe’s hosts free bimonthly workshops for kids, and the first of 2012 is this Saturday at 10am. During this session, the store will provide castle building kits and guidance on putting it together, along with other to take home. Go here to find your local Lowe’s and register for the workshop.

In Theatres Near You – Local stages will be full of kids’ entertainment this weekend.  Catch Encore Stage & Studio’s Darius the Dragon & Rap-Punzel (read the KFDC review) before curtains close on Sunday. See a performance at Glen Echo — Peter & the Wolf is at The Puppet Co. and The Snowy Day at Adventure Theatre. Enjoy a Teddy Bear Concert at the Kennedy Center.  Get more details about these shows and more in this post about winter entertainment.

Native Storytelling Festival – The weekend-long festival at the National Museum of the American Indian sounds like a special treat for Twihards, and a fun, fascinating activity for non-fans, too. Celebrating the exhibit Behind the Scenes: The Real Story of the Quileute Wolves, Chris Morganroth, a Quileute elder, will tell traditional stories geared towards kids and families. He’ll also give an introduction to Quileute culture and discuss how the tribe is presented in the popular Twilight books and movies.  Along with storytelling, there will be pow wow dances, drumming, and a totem pole unveiling.  While you’re at the museum, be sure to check out imagiNATIONS, the family activity center full of interactive fun for kids.

To the Mountaintops – All weekend long, the National Museum of American History will honor Martin Luther King, Jr. with a stirring and inspirational tribute. Actor Xavier Carnegie presents selections from some of Dr. King’s most powerful and compelling speeches and sermons in a combination of live performance, historic photographs, and audio recordings. Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the multitude of others who struggled and sacrificed so that this nation might become a more perfect union. The free presentation will take place Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm, and 4pm in the museum’s Flag Hall, 2nd floor.

NCM Honors MLK- In recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the National Children’s Museum Launch Zone is hosting a program honoring his life and accomplishments. Make your own I Have A Dream…Catcher and participate in their “Valentines for Veterans” service project in recognition of Dr. King’s commitment to service. Drop in from 11am – 4pm for this free event.

Health & Fitness Expo – NBC’s annual exposition will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Washington Convention Center.  There will be free health screenings, exercise and dance demos, opportunities to test out new sports, meet and greets with a couple of The Biggest Loser winners, giveaways, plus activities especially for kids.  Young guests can be a meteorologist, test their skills at a Bike Safety Pavilion, score a goal at a soccer area, reach for the top of a climbing wall, show off some dance moves, learn some yoga, and more.  Admission to the expo is free, and it’s open both Saturday and Sunday from 9am – 5pm. The Convention Center is located at 901 Mount Vernon Place, NW, and the expo takes place in halls B & C. Metered street parking and garages are nearby, and you can take the Metro’s yellow line to the Mount Vernon/th St-Convention Center station.

Stories and Art at the Portrait Gallery –  On Saturday from 2-4pm, children ages 5 and up, with an accompanying adult, can explore portraiture in depth at the National Portrait Gallery. Participants will take a brief guided tour of the exhibition Seeing Gertrude Stein: Five Stories, listen to a children’s story or short gallery talk, then create a piece of art using some of the same materials or concepts. The session is free, but registration is required. On Sunday, drop in for Portrait Story Days from 2-5pm for a story about Gertrude Stein and a related art project (no registration necessary).

CHAW Gratis  – The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is continuing it 40^th anniversary celebration with freebies galore.  In the family-friendly vein this weekend, there is a mural painting recommended for ages 5-12 from 10am-12pm on Saturday – sign up online. There are also two concerts the whole brood can enjoy, the All Points West Chamber Music Ensemble at 11am and Bokamoso Youth in Performance at 6pm.  More details for all three activities are available on the CHAW website.

The Wright Stuff – It’s Super Science Saturday, the monthly program at the Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Dulles.  There will be demonstrations and hands-on activities that immerse children in science and technology topics related to aviation and space exploration. January’s theme is From the Wright Brothers to the Right Stuff.

Fee-Free at National Parks – In honor of MLK Day, all National Parks that usually charge entrance fees will waive admission from Saturday through Monday.  It might be on the chilly side for a hike, but perhaps perfect for a scenic drive through Shenandoah or the George Washington National Forest.

Get Back to Nature – For some outdoor-inspired fun in the comfort of a warm place, head to nature center. See furry, feathery, and scaly critters and learn about their natural habitats in the environments surrounding them. In DC head to Rock Creek Nature Center. In Maryland, check out Watkins Nature Center, Meadowside Nature Center, or Brookside Nature Center. In Virginia, try Huntley Meadows,  Long Branch Nature Center, or Riverbend Nature Center.

The Great Indoors – For a lengthy list of ideas for fun out of the cold, this post is full of recommendations for indoor fun.

Bundle Up and Get Out – It may be chilly, but the sun will be shining. Don some extra layers, a warm hat, and gloves, and check out this post with numerous recs for outdoor activities with kids.

Something about seeing kids perform on stage really seems to resonate with kids watching them. At least this was the case with Owen at Encore Stage & Studio’s latest production, Darius the Dragon & Rap-Punzel, running at Artisphere’s Spectrum Theatre through January 15.  The two-play production is performed entirely by youth actors — quite impressively, at that — just as Encore’s “Theatre by Kids, For Kids” slogan promises.

Owen and I had a chance to see the performances this past weekend, and he was not only thoroughly engrossed in the shows, but also quite interested to know more about the actors themselves, like who played which characters and how old they were, something he’s never asked to do for adult-acted shows. It was clear this youth theatre experience was special for him.  Compared to the older actors he’s used to seeing, these were his peers, people he could somewhat relate to.

But it wasn’t just the kids in the audience who were entertained  by the shows; it was obvious the adults enjoyed them, too. Along with appreciating the talent of such a young cast, there are underlying messages about environmental issues and a fun, hip twist on a classic fairytale, elements that appeal to adult sensibilities.

Dragon meets 21st-century world

As for the production, it begins with Darius the Dragon, a one-hour play about time-warped medieval dragon whose cave in a 21st-century city park is about to be bulldozed. He befriends Jenny, who introduces him to her friends, and with their help, he crusades to stop the construction and save their park/his home. Darius and Jenny have a great rapport, and the police chief and mayor (Darius’ adversaries-turned-supporters) are quite an amusing duo. The rest of the cast does an excellent job of creating the city setting by wearing cars to create traffic and playing a choreographed basketball game.

Rapping vegetables in Rap-punzel

Rap-punzel begins after a 15-minute intermission, and it takes no time at all to get into the groove of the show, and I mean that literally.  As the cast presents the classic story of the girl with the long hair raised by a witch in a high tower as her parents’ remittance for stealing from her garden, all of the dialogue is rapped.  And it’s executed with such perfect rhythm and rhyme, I found myself bobbing my head along to it and saw Owen doing some small hip hop moves in his seat. This 30-minute rendition on a tale we all know well was, perhaps, the most creative I’ve ever seen — and heard.

The cast of kids took their bows to very enthusiastic applause. And they made their way from the stage to the lobby, where kids who saw the show lined up to get their autographs — no doubt, a thrill for both audience and actors.

Darius the Dragon & Rap-Punzel is on stage at Artisphere’s Spectrum Theatre, located at 1611 N. Kent Street in Arlington, for one more weekend.  There are performances on Friday (1/13) at 7:30pm, Saturday (1/14) at 11am and 3pm, and Sunday (1/15) at 3pm. Tickets are $12/adults, $10/kids and can be purchased online. The production is recommended for ages 4 and older.  Six-year-old Owen gave it two thumbs up!