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A planetarium program marking the transit of Venus. Howard B. Owens Science Center 9601 Greenbelt Rd., Lanham, MD | 301-918-8750

At the Discovery Theater. Discovery Theater 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC | 202-633-8700

Imagine a street festival that cultivates children's creativity. Under one tent they can draw with pastels. Under another they can plant a flower. Yet another tent houses cookie decorating. During this day-long festival, kid-friendly arts organizations, including Adventure Theatre, Be With Me Playseum and Imagination Stage, will offer hands-on activities while musical groups Rockin' Railroad and Rocknoceros perform. Norfolk and Auburn Avenues Norfolk and Auburn Avenues, Bethesda, MD | 301-215-6660

Saturday mornings aren't for cartoons, they are for free shows at the National Theatre! Every weekend, performers showcasing everything from opera to traditional Indian dancing in a way that the youngest audience will enjoy. The summer season kicks off with a klutzy juggler. National Theatre 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC | 202-628-6161

Any youngster into princesses will probably tell you they need a pretty dress, a crown, a carriage and a castle. Children are encouraged to dress up in their royal finery for this day of crown making and horse-drawn carriage riding. The parade will travel from Winmill Carriage Museum to the Governor's Mansion, which, while not a castle, is regal enough for the suburbs. Morven Park 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg, VA | 703-777-2414

National Children's Museum Launch Zone 112 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD | 301-686-0225

Author and historian Eric Rutkow discusses his book about the nation's trees and how they made our growth possible. U.S. National Arboretum 3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC | 202-245-2726

For 50 years, McLean Project for the Arts has cultivated local work through classes, exhibits and other events, so it is no surprise that for its anniversary they celebrate in a big, inclusive way. Abrakadoodle, a group that hosts art programs and classes for kids, will have activities--and everyone can help decorate an extra-large birthday banner. McLean Central Park 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean, VA | 703-790-1953

At the Puppet Co. Playhouse. The Puppet Company Playhouse 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD | 301-634-5380

Washingtonians of all ages should know jazz music, what makes it special and its history. After all, this was the home of the great Duke Ellington and jazz is a very American sound. As part of the DC Jazz Festival, Phillips Collection will open its doors for two free days of music. Highlights include a performance by Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington with the Capitol Jazz Project (June 2 at 2 p.m.) and a talk with jazz pianist Kenny Barron about his life as an artist (June 3 at 4 p.m.). There will also be storytelling, face painting, and the chance to see and touch instruments up close at an instrument petting zoo. Phillips Collection 1600 21st St. NW, Washington, DC | 202-387-2151

Monkeys go wild: shopping, baking and jumping on beds. At the Adventure Theatre MTC. Adventure Theatre 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD | 301-634-2270

Math can be a tough sell for kids, but once they're able to see its application beyond the calculator, there's a whole new world of possibilities. Aimed at older elementary school and middle school students, MathAlive! uses interactive workstations and consoles to show how the fields of action sports, video games, entertainment, fashion and music all rely on numbers. S. Dillon Ripley Center - Smithsonian Institution 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC | 202-633-1000

Green Spring Gardens 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA | 703-941-7987

The show blends magic and education. Washingtonian Center Rio Boulevard and Washingtonian Boulevard, Gaithersburg, MD

Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas, VA | 703-367-7872

The guitarist performs original and traditional children's songs. Virginia Gateway 7500 Iron Bar Ln., Gainesville, VA

Meadowside Nature Center 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD | 301-924-4141

The magician presents a colorful and hands-on show for preschool and kindergarten-aged children. Downtown Silver Spring 916 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, MD

The roots rock band performs kid-friendly tunes. Jammin' Java 227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna, VA | 703-255-1566

Kids learn about the solar system with Dr. Canterbury Osmand and his robot assistant, Sparko. Presented by Pointless Theatre Company. National Theatre 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC | 202-628-6161

Featuring the wines of Italy's Orsolani, with winemaker Gian Luigi Orsolani. Geranio Ristorante 722 King St., Alexandria, VA | 703-255-5425

The interactive show teaches children about science. Rockville Town Square Maryland Avenue and E. Middle Lane, Rockville, MD

The show blends magic and education. Downtown Silver Spring 916 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, MD

The traveling children's theater company performs. Washingtonian Center Rio Boulevard and Washingtonian Boulevard, Gaithersburg, MD

Goodman-Wood celebrates the launch of her latest CD, "Gravity Vacation" with a concert of indie, jazz and classical music. Jammin' Java 227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna, VA | $10

The Goodlife Theater Company stages a musical about a band of pirates who take take on a monster landfill. National Theatre 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC | 202-628-6161

Maybe it is the wheels that are as big as they are. Or it might be all the levers, knobs and buttons. Perhaps it is the whirling lights. But one thing is for sure, no matter what the reason, kids love trucks. DC government agencies will display nearly 30 vehicles that perform a variety of tasks that keep our city operating. RFK Stadium 2400 East Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC

The group sings about values, being a good citizen and crazy dancing. Rockville Town Square Maryland Avenue and E. Middle Lane, Rockville, MD

The traveling children's theater company performs. Downtown Silver Spring 916 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, MD

The interactive show teaches children about science. Virginia Gateway 7500 Iron Bar Ln., Gainesville, VA

The fairy tale is retold in this interactive performance by Creative Opera Ensemble. National Theatre 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC | 202-628-6161

The show blends equal parts magic and comedy. Rockville Town Square Maryland Avenue and E. Middle Lane, Rockville, MD

Susan McNelis performs original and traditional children's songs. Downtown Silver Spring 916 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, MD

The group highlights environmental education and respect for wildlife. Washingtonian Center Rio Boulevard and Washingtonian Boulevard, Gaithersburg, MD

The group specializes in blending Latin and Afro-Caribbean music with jazz, rock and pop. At the Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods. Wolf Trap - Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA | 703-255-1868

Jonas beats on found objects to create unique tunes. At the Discovery Theater. Discovery Theater 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC | 202-633-8700

Students perform traditional steps to Celtic music. At the Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods. Wolf Trap - Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA | 703-255-1868

Workers at the aquarium must have been on the good list because they got two new water-loving friends: Jimmy and Teddy. See loggerhead sea turtles before they leave the District in the fall. National Aquarium - Washington 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC

Jonas beats on found objects to create unique tunes. Jammin' Java 227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna, VA | 703-255-1566

Joe Jamaldinian uses ideas from the audience to create a story staring Penguin Bob, a children's book character. National Theatre 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC | 202-628-6161

The Grammy-nominated duo performs country music for kids. At the Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods. Wolf Trap - Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA | 703-255-1868

Parade music from a piano? Classical tunes from 12 feet of metal tubing? How about a guitar that can speak different languages? For this five-concert series, the Conservatory is taking common instruments and showing kids how varied and wonderful they can be. The series kicks off with pianists Maribeth and Bradford Gowen performing picnic and parade music. Best for age 4 and older. Glen Echo Park 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD | 301-320-2770

Studio 3 Theatre for Young Audiences is latest children's theater company to mount the tale of a long-haired girl stuck up in a tower. This staging features a two-headed monster and a conniving baker. Workhouse Arts Center 9601 Ox Rd., Lorton, VA | 703-495-0001

Walters Art Museum 600 North Charles St., Baltimore, MD | 410-547-9000

Dinosaur puppets the size of people dance around on stage in this interactive show. At the Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods. Wolf Trap - Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA | 703-255-1868

Live reptiles are showcased to teach children facts about the cold-blooded creatures. Rockville Town Square Maryland Avenue and E. Middle Lane, Rockville, MD

George the Giant Tortoise goes on adventures and teaches kids about his friends in the Galapagos. At the Discovery Theater. Discovery Theater 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC | 202-633-8700

Actors with various levels of hearing use American Sign Language, mime, poetry and song to celebrate deaf culture. National Theatre 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC | 202-628-6161

Mitchell, her husband and their daughter perform folk music. At the Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods. Wolf Trap - Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA | 703-255-1868

The exhibit examines how the samurai went from being a feudal military class to serving as a vehicle for building bridges with the West. National Geographic Museum 1145 17th St. NW, Washington, DC | 202-857-7588