The Creative Difference offers weekly camps during June and August 2014 for ages 3 to 5 (Preschool Camps) and 3 to 10 (PK-Elementary). They'll have exciting and original hands-on, open-ended creative activities, dramatic play, LEGO free-building, and plenty of outside time! Summer themes include Up-cycled Art, Camp Craft Classics, LEGO Robotics and more.
See a FULL LISTING of camps here!
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For the purpose of this family-friendly article, we only included only Rated G and Rated PG productions. We also included National Harbor, MD for its proximity to Northern VA. May 2014 May 2: "Planes" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA May 9: "ET" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA May 16: "Despicable Me 2" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA May 17: "Frozen" Cinema Del Ray, Alexandria, VA May 18: "Cars" and "Planes" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA May 23: "Little Rascals" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA May 25: "The Incredibles" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA May 30: "Monsters University" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA June 2014 June 1: "A League of Their Own" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA June 1: "Finding Nemo" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD June 8: "The Incredibles" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD June 8: "Wizard of Oz" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA June 15: "Father of the Bride" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD June 21: "Despicable Me 2" Cinema Del Ray, Alexandria, VA June 22: "Mary Poppins" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA June 22: "The Parent Trap" (1998) Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD June 29: "The Princess Diaries" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD June 29: "Up" at Lake Anne Plaza, Reston, VA July 2014 July 4: "The Rookie" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA July 6: "Up" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA July 6: "Freaky Friday" (2003) Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD July 8: "Frozen" at South Riding Center (42420 Unicorn Drive, South Riding, VA) July 13: "Freaky Friday" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA July 13: "The Wizard of Oz" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD July 16: "Despicable Me 2" at South Riding Town Green (43055 Center St, South Riding, VA) July 18: "Despicable Me 2" Alexandria Waterfront (Old Town Alexandria) July 19: "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" Cinema Del Ray, Alexandria, VA July 20: "Despicable Me 2" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA July 20: "Willy Wonka" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD July 22: "The Lego Movie" at South Riding Center July 27: "Annie" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD July 30: "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" at South Riding Town Green August 2014 August 3: "Goonies" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA August 3: "Singing in the Rain" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD August 5: "The Lorax" at South Riding Center August 8: "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" (original) Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA August 8: "Brave" Arlington County Fair Outdoor Family Movie August 9: "Despicable Me 2" at Starlight Cinema, Centreville, VA August 10: "Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA August 13: "The Nut Job" at South Riding Town Green August 16: "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" at Starlight Cinema, Centreville, VA August 16: "The Lego Movie" Cinema Del Ray, Alexandria, VA August 17: "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" Stonebridge at Potomac TC, Woodbridge, VA August 19: "Monsters University" at South Riding Center August 22: "Frozen Sing a Long" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA August 23: "Frozen" at Starlight Cinema, Centreville, VA August 24: "Frozen" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA August 27: "Finding Nemo" at South Riding Town Green August 29: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA August 30: "The Lego Movie" at Starlight Cinema, Centreville, VA September 2014 September 7: "The Lego Movie" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA September 7: "Finding Neverland" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD September 14: "Muppets Most Wanted" Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA September 14: "Peter Pan" (animated) Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD September 21: "Double Feature: Monsters, Inc/ Monsters U" Stonebridge at PTC, Woodbridge September 21: "Peter Pan" (2003) Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD September 28: "Hook" Movies on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD Please check back often! Many outdoor movie series have not announced their summer schedule yet. New additions will be added to this list continuously. If you know of a free, public, outdoor and family-friendly movie in the Northern VA region that is not on the list, please email us at info@gokidtrips.com. We will add it as soon as possible.
USA Science and Engineering Festival Walter E. Washington Convention Center April 26 & 27, 2014 9am-6pm Free of charge! http://www.usasciencefestival.org The USA Science and Engineering Festival is the largest celebration of STEM in the nation and will feature over 3,000 hands-on activities, 150 stage shows (with science celebrities like Bill Nye, Dr. Michio Kaku, Danica McKellar), a Book Fair, Career/College Fair, a family concert with They Might Be Giants and much more.
The Festival is FREE and open to the public event and will take place this coming weekend (4/26-4/27) at the Washington DC Convention Center. There is also a "Sneak Peek Friday" for schools, homeschoolers and military families on the 25th. There is still time to register for this. We attended the Festival in 2012, and it was amazing. Please note that the festival is very, very large. There is no way that a person could see everything. It is best to be organized and plan ahead of time. There are more than 3000 fun, hands-on activities for all ages, and you can create your personal list of must-see exhibits here. Plus, the Festival boasts over 150 stage shows, including music, magic, comedy and more (create your personal Stage Show Schedule here). High school students can check out the Career Pavilion and College Fair, and everyone will also love the book fair with twenty-five featured authors. The Festival is appropriate for people of all ages- from toddlers to grandparents. There is something for all curious minds to learn and discover. We highly recommend this amazing event! by Jay WilliamsonChesapeake Bay Maritime Museum http://www.cbmm.org St. Michaels, Maryland $15.00 Adults (ages 17-61) $12.00 Seniors over 62 & Students age 17+ with college ID $6.00 Kids (ages 6-17) Under 6 is free! Open year round, check website for times. Winter is over, warmer weather is here, and the water beckons. Did the cold winter make you a pale version of your parenting self? Do you need to get outside? Do you need to get away? We understand. Unfortunately you might not have the time or money to schedule a lengthy trip, which is why the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is so ideal. In the spring or fall, the museum is a manageable two hour drive from Northern Virginia, but be mindful of bridge traffic in the summer. The waterside museum offers wonderful scenery, plenty of space to run, and boats to climb on and in. While there are a wide variety of exhibits, our boys especially enjoy climbing to the top of the Hooper Strait Lighthouse to see views of St. Michael’s harbor and the boatyard, climbing into the oyster harvesting skipjack the E.C. Collier, and learning about the bay. The museum offers boat rides (additional charges) that, circumstances permitting, may include chances to steer. In addition, they offer a variety of educational programs and special events – such as Tall Ships in May, the Antique and Classic Boat Festival in June and an Oyster Fest in October. There is a gazebo in the middle of the boat yard and several other places to enjoy a low-key picnic lunch. Alternatively, the shops, restaurants, and ice-cream stores of St. Michaels are just a short, dock-walk from the museum (http://www.stmichaelsmd.org/). If you need a chance to get away, rediscover the sun, and family members’ sunny dispositions then consider the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum as a perfect day trip. The Jungle Book at Adventure Theatre-MTC is a pure delight for the senses. The show tells the classic story of young Mowgli, the man-cub based on the stories by Rudyard Kipling and director Shirley Serotsky adapts the fable in this exciting, engaging performance for families. Orphaned in the jungle as an infant and adopted by a wolf pack, young Mowgli the man-cub is taught the Laws of the Jungle by Baloo, the bear, and Bagheera, the panther. As Mowgli discovers himself and his place as a human, the jungle’s greatest menace, the Bengal Tiger Shere Khan, prepares to finish the kill he abandoned years ago. (Official Press Release) We were thoroughly impressed by the animated, entertaining cast that constantly had the audience laughing and interested. The set was colorful, sound effects were authentic, and the costumes were great. I enjoyed the talented, multi-ethnic cast and crew and found the overall story to be very well told. My kids loved the humor of the silly monkeys, lovable Mowgli, wise wolves, the vibrant Baloo the bear and enticing Kaa the snake. Although Shere Khan is killed at the end by a stampede, it is appropriately done for young audiences. All the audience hears is stomping and then Shere Khan's hat is left on the stage to symbolize his dead body. To be honest, the fact that he was actually killed went over my 4 year old's head. I would recommend this show for ages 4 and up, but we did see some younger toddlers in the audience that seemed to be engaged throughout the entire 55 minute performance. Parents know their children best. Show details: The Jungle Book April 4-May 25, 2014 www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org Tickets are $19 each, with group and field trip rates available. (Children under the age of 1 are free.) ***All performances will take place at Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD, 20812 in the historic Glen Echo Park. Photos by Bruce Douglas
by Denise SternThe great thing about the Warrenton Aquatic & Recreation Facility (WARF) is that even though it is a facility run by the town of Warrenton, you do not have to be a resident to use the pools. A 1 day pass for a child (up to 17) is $5.50 and for adults is $7.50. Children 2 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. WARF boasts a "lazy river" but while we found it lots of fun, it was not very lazy! Keep close to kids who are not strong swimmers as the water is almost 4 feet, and the current is quite strong. There are also no tubes provided. The toddler pool area has zero depth entry and never gets higher than about 1.5 inches in any area. It has slides and fun features like little waterfalls where the big pool overflows into the play pool. We really liked it because the smaller children could easily take breaks from the action if needed. The large waterslide is for kids 48 inches and up, but if your child is under the height requirement and wants to try the big slide, she or he can take a quick swimming test in front of a lifeguard. Once they pass they are allowed to ride the slide. The outdoor Claude Moore Fun for All Playground, located just outside the aquatic center, is of course a big hit for all sizes. In addition to the rock wall, swings and slides there are plenty of shaded benches for families to rest and see almost everywhere. The playground itself is right next to a beautiful lake as well. WARF is a great place for active family fun in Northern VA! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Denise Stern is a mom of three children under six and the CEO and President of Let Mommy Sleep, the premier baby nurse agency in Washington DC, offering overnight newborn care and education for parents. Mr. Knick Knack! has led the family music scene in the Washington DC area for over 15 years, melting hearts with his infectious original songs focusing on the fundamentals of family, love, and overcoming fear. As a solo artist, he has performed thousands of shows in the DC area dominating the regions family music venues including Tysons Corner Center, Reston Town Center, and Market Common Clarendon in Arlington.
In 2013, the Mr. Knick Knack family grew to include electric guitarist and back-up vocalist, John Eggers, and became Mr. Knick Knack! and the Bric-a-Brac Band!. Their debut album “Rocket Ride to the Little House” is pre-released in the DC Metro area and is set to be released nationally Spring 2014. Mr. Knick Knack! and the Bric-a-Brac Band’s CD delivers catchy lyrics about mom, love, and family with rocking music that any parent would be happy to play over and over. He can be found performing weekly in Reston, Arlington, and Tysons Corner, as well as many other locations in the DC area. For more details visit: www.mrknickknack.com by Micaela My kids are probably the biggest Wild Kratts fans around. They are obsessed with the entertaining show and constantly quizzing me with their amazing animal fact trivia. We were so happy today when PBS KIDS announced a brand new app called WILD KRATTS World Adventure. This is a must have-app for fans of the popular PBS KIDS series, WILD KRATTS, World Adventure brings animal science to life! Through 30 levels of game play, WILD KRATTS World Adventure helps build key skills and encourages science inquiry. With the app, children ages 4 to 8 can tilt and tap their way through games that help them learn how different animals live and adapt to their habitats. Additional features include: * Over 60 stickers and “Wow facts” * Kids can take their own creature power “selfies” * An Orangutan creature power game that lets kids tilt their device back and forth to imitate the swing of the Orangutan. * A Woodpecker creature power game that lets kids imitate the strong beak of the woodpecker by tapping on trees to listen and find beetles. * A Dolphin creature power suit game that lets kids swim and jump with dolphins as they tilt their device to clean up trash in the ocean. I reviewed the app with my 4 year old, and we are excited to unlock more levels to gain more facts and stickers. I do wish that the stickers did not need to be unlocked as it is very boring to make a picture with one sticker. I am also not sure how difficult the games become as the levels increase. Younger kids may need guidance and assistance. If your child loves the Wild Kratts like mine does, he or she will enjoy this educational app that combines fun with learning. Click through the gallery below to see some screenshots of the app: We received a free app to download for review. All opinions are my own.
Now that Spring is FINALLY HERE, it's time to take advantage of one of my favorite places for a weekend trip…Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA. I love the easy drive to Williamsburg and highly suggest leaving Northern VA very early, spending the day at this beautiful theme park and spending the night at one of the great nearby hotels. But, this little getaway doesn't need to break the bank. Take advantage of some of these great deals to save on the fun: * Spring Bounce Ticket – Valid for unlimited visits to Busch Gardens® and Colonial Williamsburg for up to 7 consecutive days from date of first use, thru April 27, 2014. This online only offer must be purchased by April 24. Visit the buschgardens.com/va ticket page for details. * Spring Tour Special – Book now and save 25% on select tours experienced between April 4 and May 26. Tours included in this promotion are the Family Fun, Landscape Life, Ultimate Busch Gardens Insider, Roller Coaster Insider, Ultimate Animal Insider, Animals Up Close, Clydesdales & Collies Up Close, Wolf Training and Birds of Prey tours * Meal Deal – Make mealtime a breeze and get your lunch and dinner all in one delicious package for only $24. Add a souvenir cup for only $5 extra and get $.99 refills for the entire year. * Free 2-Park Preschool Pass – Visit www.buschgardens.com/bgwpreschoolpass before May 31 to register for a free 2-Park Preschool Pass for children ages 3-5. Proof of the child’s age is required at the time the passes are redeemed and the passes must be redeemed at either park by May 31, 2014. Children ages 2 and younger receive complimentary admission and do not need to register. See http://www.buschgardens.com/bgwpreschoolpass for complete details. * Wendy’s Single-Day Ticket deal – Visit participating Wendy’s restaurants in Virginia and North Carolina for $5 off a single-day ticket to Busch Gardens. Triple the discount to $15 by entering the promo code found on the Wendy’s in-store coupon online at www.buschgardens.com/va. * Pampers Kids Free Promotion – Back again for 2014, get one free child’s single-day admission to Busch Gardens through the Pampers Gifts to Grow rewards program at www.pampers.com. Enter the Busch Gardens promotional code provided by the rewards program and receive one free child’s admission with the purchase of one regularly priced adult single-day ticket. The child’s ticket is valid for children up to age 9, and the purchase must be made online using the promotional code provided at www.pampers.com. * Spring Vacation Packages- Whether you’re coming for a weekend or during spring break week, a vacation in Williamsburg will put some spring in your step. Click here to review Busch Gardens’ best Springtacular vacation package that includes a Busch Gardens Fun Card, your choice of hotel accommodations, a free dining voucher and a Quick Queue pass. * Buy an Annual Pass- Purchase a 1-Park Annual Pass for just $10 per month on EZpay (or a one-time $120 payment) and watch the savings add up. Annual Pass members receive free parking, in-park discounts on food and merchandise and reduced pricing on single-day tickets for friends and family. In-park discounts and other perks of being a member, including invitations to exclusive events like ride nights and appreciation weekends, discounts on single-day Christmas Town™ tickets and unlimited admission to Howl-O-Scream®, makes owning an Annual Pass a no brainer for people who enjoy the park. Pass members who sign up for email through buschgardens.com/emailva will receive updates on the latest park news, exclusive email-only offers, invitations to exclusive events and other information that will help you make the most of your membership. I am an official blogger with Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA. My family receives free passes, tickets, perks, and invites to media events in exchange for sharing this information and posting reviews and articles of the parks.
For the first time EVER, beloved local children's musician Mr. Knick Knack will be performing in a FULL BAND show. The show will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at iconic Old Town Theater in Alexandria, VA. This breathtaking venue is newly renovated back to it's circa 1914 state. Plus, Old Town Alexandria offers tons of family fun, shops, restaurants, and a beautiful waterfront to enjoy before or after the show. Got a little wiggler who wants to dance along? Don't worry…Mr. Knick Knack encourages it, and with general admission, you don't have to worry about your child staying in a seat. Join Mr. Knick and the full band for this completely new experience! Tickets on sale now! Show details: Mr. Knick Knack Full Band Show Saturday, April 5th, 2014 at 11:00am Place: Old Town Theater 815 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314 $8/per person Tickets: http://www.theoldtowntheater.com/calendar.html |
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