Marvel fans, assemble for this live, legendary battle to defend the universe from evil. The Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man join forces with Doctor Strange, master of the mystic arts, in a race against time to recover the Wand of Watoomb before it falls into Loki’s hands in this all-new, spectacular arena production.
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By Amy SuskiOver the many years we've been visiting Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, the attraction map has become somewhat of a growth chart for my 3 kids. In the early years they happily toddled around the Forest of Fun, visited the horses, got their swim diapers wet in the fountains, circumnavigated the park on the Busch Gardens Railway, and then passed out from exhaustion in their strollers by 2:00.
By Amy SuskiTremblant is best known as a great Canadian ski resort, but it has SO much to offer in the summer too. Once the ice and snow have gone, the street cafes open up, mountain wildflowers begin to bloom, and outdoor festivals abound. My favorite things about a summertime Tremblant trip:
by Chelsea After two-and-a-half years where I rarely had time to take my children to a park during the day — and I also had a large garden that made it easy to play outside at home — I now find myself in an entirely new situation. For the next few months, at least, we’re living in an an apartment in downtown Copenhagen where I can’t just send the kids out back to get a dose of fresh air and open space. I also have far more flexibility in my schedule (and far less stress in my life, but more about that later). So outings to the playground, or legeplads in Danish, have become almost a daily occurrence around these parts. Our leisurely tour of Copenhagen’s parks and playgrounds have rekindled my great love affair with the Danish legeplads, and here’s why: 1) Thanks to a more relaxed parenting atmosphere and a less litigious society, Danish playgrounds are designed first and foremost to be fun and challenging for kids. They aren’t as wrapped up in concerns about what could go wrong and who could get sued over it. Design seems to focus more on what the park can inspire kids to do and how it can motivate kids to engage with the equipment, rather than being preoccupied with how safe every step will be. If you think this sounds like a recipe for playground accidents, you may be right. I haven’t seen the statistics on Danish playground injuries, and I have to admit that some of the slides here are shockingly steep. But I do know that this article from The Atlantic in 2014 reminded me of how much I like and embrace the idea that playing should, at least some of the time, be challenging, independent and a carry a small degree of risk. M&M’S Opera in the Outfield on Saturday, May 16 at Nationals Park is a great FREE night out for families. This year's family-friendly production of Cinderella is a perfect choice for younger audiences, since the story is already familiar. Plus, it’s a comedy – you may think that opera is always tragic and everybody dies at the end, but thats not the case with Cinderella! Underneath the colorful comedy, the story's messages about love and forgiveness teach a great lesson.
In addition to the spectacular simulcast at 7:00 p.m., there will be a variety of fun “pre-ball” events geared towards children, including:
And for parents who want to grab a beer and lounge on the outfield grass at Nationals Park and listen to beautiful music as the sun goes down – well, M&M’s Opera in the Outfield is your best chance to do just that! Whether you are music lover, aspiring princess, or a baseball fan, it's sure to be a night to remember. For more information visit the Washington National Opera at OperaintheOutfield.org. Gates open at 5 p.m. M&M's Opera in the Outfield will take place rain or shine. Just remember – outfield seating goes fast, so make sure to arrive early to get a wristband for field access. Travel Tip: On Saturday, parking is FREE at Metro Park and Ride lots. Alternatively, $10 parking is available in Lots B and C at Nationals Park. by Amy Suski Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey LEGENDS, is a new circus spectacular that brings circus favorites such as the magnificent Asian elephants, acrobats, big-cats, high-flying trapeze acts, and motorcycle daredevils with mythical wonders such as the Pegasus and the Unicorn. You can experience the excitement of LEGENDS at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore from March 25 - April 5 or at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA, April 8 - April 19, 2015. Enter below to win a family 4-pack of tickets to the April 8 opening night of LEGENDS at the Patriot Center! Entries accepted until midnight on March 29, 2015. Contest rules: You must be at least 18 years old to enter. One winner will be selected at random and will have 4 tickets made available in his or her name for pick-up at the Patriot Center Will Call booth the day of the performance. This prize is not transferrable and has had no cash value. This giveaway is being offered by Kid Trips, LLC. Feld Entertainment is neither a sponsor nor endorser of this promotion. Ticket information: All seats are reserved. LEGENDS Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, via www.ticketmaster.com, and the Verizon Center or Patriot Center box office. For group rates and information, call 202-661-5061. Prices: $75 Front Row, $55 VIP, $30.00, $20.00 & $15.00. To find out more about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS, visit Ringling.com.
by Micaela WilliamsonChocolate Lovers Festival
February 7 & 8, 2015 Fairfax, VA The Chocolate Lovers Festival in the City of Fairfax keeps getting better each year. The two-day festival includes the Taste of Chocolate, the Chocolate Challenge, a Sweet History Walking Tour, the ever-popular Kiwanis Chocolate Chip Pancake Breakfast, open houses at historic buildings and much more. View the entire schedule online here. Be My VALentine Fest at the Village at Leesburg February 13, 2015 Leesburg, VA Come celebrate VALentines Day with the Village at Leesburg! Bring your sweetheart and enjoy evening horse drawn carriage rides, strolling musicians, VALentines characters and more! Chocolate Festival February 14, 2015 Herndon, VA This event includes great food (chocolate) and fun for the whole family. There will be games, activities, entertainment, face pairing, inflatables, a silent auction and more. All proceeds benefit Help Hungry Kids Valentine's Tea and Garden Valentines at Green Spring Gardens February 14, 2015 Alexandria, VA Register online for one of these fun events. The Valentine's Tea and Dance includes dancing, sampling of different teas, sweets, and a valentine craft. At Garden Sprout: Garden Valentines, explore our glasshouse to spot Valentine hearts in nature. Create a Valentine from pressed flowers for a favorite person. Sample the first strawberries of the season and learn the Native American story behind this Valentine berry. Afternoon Tea at Oatlands Historic House and Gardens February 14, 2015 Leesburg, VA Afternoon tea at the Oatlands is an iconic tradition. Dine on assorted sandwiches, scones with preserves & cream and delicious sweets in the historic Carriage House. Then take advantage of a discounted rate to tour the mansion. (Reservations required.) Valentine's Card Crafts at the American Girl Doll Store February 14, 2015 Tysons Corner, VA Inspire your girl to give something extra-special to her Valentine: a cute handmade card and matching envelope! She’ll use stickers and decorative paper to make a one-of-a-kind card, then add a sweet message on the inside. Free! Valentine's Day Campfire (Daytime) February 14, 2015 Black Hill Nature Center Boyds, MD Head to the Visitor Center to enjoy a cozy fire, activities, hot cocoa, and nature crafts to give that you can make for someone you love. Drop in anytime during program hours. No registration required. Fee is $2 per person Family Fun Cooking Class Valentine's Day Treats February 14, 2015 Sur La Table Alexandria, VA Get the family together to make decadent sweet treats like Valentine Kiss Cookies, Pink Chocolate-Dipped Krispy Pops and Heart Shaped Chocolate Cupcakes. SteveSongs Valentine's Day Concert Jammin' Java Vienna, VA Come jam with the award-winning SteveSongs, one of the most popular and fun children's artists in the nation. Plus, Jammin' Java is a special place to enjoy a sweet treat and for parents to sip on a specialty coffee drink. Two shows: 10:30 and 12:30 PM. Tickets available online. ImaginAsia: Love in Every Language February 14 & 15, 2015 Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Washington DC View a digital slideshow of images of love in Asian art from the Freer|Sackler collections. In the classroom, use prints that say “love” in more than a dozen Asian languages and create a Valentine’s Day card to take home, Also, learn how to fold heart-shaped origami. All ages welcome. Portrait Story Days: Abigail Adams and Valentines February 14 & 15, 2015 National Portrait Gallery Washington DC Drop in to hear a special story about First Lady Abigail Adams and create a Valentine’s card for someone special. The story will be read at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Chocolate Tour of Washington DC (ongoing, Saturday's and Sundays) Georgetown, Washington DC Come join your expert tour guide for a delightful stroll through some of the Washington's most decadent dessert boutiques and chocolatiers in the charming neighborhood of Georgetown. Tour includes stops and tastings at Sprinkles, Godiva, Thomas Sweet, Olivia Macaron, Dean & Deluca and Pie Sisters. Save up to 60% off by using this current Groupon. Do you know of a local family-friendly Valentine's Day event to add? Please email us at info@gokidtrips.com, and we will consider it for publication. By Amy Suski 1 Help Others: More than just a day off from school, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an opportunity for families to honor the legacy of MLK by taking on a project during National Day of Service. Fun projects for kids include cleaning up local parks, bagging meals for shelters, and making cards for seniors. Find local service projects at www.nationalservice.gov, volunteermatch.org, Allforgood.org, Volunteerfairfax.org, www.montgomeryserves.org, www.volunteerhoward.org. 2 Visit the Memorial: Even if you're not up early enough for Monday morning's wreath-laying ceremony at 8:00-9:00 a.m., it is still a great weekend to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the downtown mall. National Park Service rangers will be on hand throughout the weekend to talk about MLK's legacy. www.nps.gov 3 Join a Parade: The Anacostia Peace Walk and Parade features the Ballou Marching Band and representatives from the community. The Peace Walk starts Monday at 11:30 a.m. and the Parade starts at noon. For route information see www.mlkholidaydc.org. The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King March and Celebration in Leesburg gathers Monday at the Leesburg Courthouse at 10:00 a.m. and begins at 10:30 a.m. For more info see www.facebook.com/MLKMarchLeesburg 4 Attend a Celebration: The Smithsonian Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Program will be held Friday, January 16, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the American Indian Museum. This year the theme of the celebration will be "The Beloved Community." Visit www.anacostia.si.edu for more information. Arlington's Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held January 18 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Washington-Lee High School. The program includes speakers and performances by the Saint Augustine Choir and The Dance Institute of Washington. www.arlington.us. Reston's 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration spans the entire weekend with events geared towards all ages including service projects, concerts, speeches, a student art display, commemorative march, and children's activities at locations throughout Reston. Some of the children's activities require registration. For more information click here. Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park Annual King Day Celebration will be held on Monday at the Hylton Memorial Chapel, 14640 Potomac Mills Road, in Woodbridge. The event includes a student oratorical contest, writing contest, and performances by the Martin Luther King Community Choir. www.pwcacdst.org 5 See a Play: Theatre IV's "I Have a Dream" depicts the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The theatrical production is appropriate for both kids and adults. The Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. Admission $10-$15. www.mcleancenter.org Photo courtesy of www.nationalservice.gov
by Micaela WilliamsonSituated in the northern portion of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, the City of Winchester is a destination for all seasons. Winchester hosts its signature, huge Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in the spring and a festive Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in December. But, throughout the year the city is rich in history, shopping, dining and plenty of attractions for the whole family. What to see: Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum 19 W. Cork St. Winchester, VA 22601 This discovery museum for all children is packed with tons of hands-on exhibits focusing on the arts, science, pretend play, math, engineering, history and more. The museum also hosts lots of special programs and events for families too. Parents are encouraged to learn, create and explore alongside their children. Don't miss signature exhibits like creating tracks in Roller Coaster Alley, pretending to be an EMT in the life-sized ambulance, stepping inside a Powhatan home on the Moccasin Trail, getting a bird's eye view of the city from the Observation Deck and much, much more!
Where to eat and shop: The downtown mall or Loudoun Street Mall in Old Town Winchester is packed with many great restaurants and shops. Its an attraction within itself. No matter what your taste is, there is cuisine for everyone. This is hands-down the best place to stay in Old Town Winchester. Is location is walking distance to the downtown area pedestrian mall and many attractions. Plus, the luscious, Roman spa-like indoor pool is a favorite for families. On-site dining includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Dancing Goat restaurant and if you can slip away, the cocktail menu at the gorgeous Half Note Lounge is to die for! Choose between standard king and queen rooms or posh suites for an unforgettable stay.
For more suggestions of family-friendly fun in the Shenandoah Valley Region, check out the Shenandoah Valley Kids Trail. Disclosure: I was invited on a media trip with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Shenandoah Valley Kids' Trail and experienced many of these attractions for free. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own, and I adore Old Town Winchester as a great place for family fun. by Micaela WilliamsonGet ready for fall family fun at Pumpkin Village Fall Festival (formerly Pumpkinville) at the Leesburg Animal Park now open daily from September 20th-November 4th, 2014. This not to be missed event has something for the whole family including: • Giant Hill Slides • Hay Wagon Rides • Moon Bounces • Pet & Feed LIVE Animals • Free Apple & Cider Snack • Free Mini-Pumpkin to take home • Kid's Maze•Miniature "Pumpkin Village" • Spider Web Crawl • Giant Pumpkin Bounce • Pirate Play Ship • Pony Rides* • Live Entertainment, Face Painting, and camel rides on weekends Plus, save off weekday admission with this coupon! |
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