Washingtonpost.com: Live Online

Every other Wednesday at noon, local experts from washingtonpost.com share their best bets for arts and entertainment options for kids and their families. Our group specializes in local dining, museum, sports and recreations, day trips, children's theaters and the special events that keep life in metropolitan Washington interesting.

We're happy to answer questions, but we need to hear from you too. Tell us about your favorite public swimming pool, a movie that wowed your family, a toy shop with a "do touch" policy, or a restaurant where pizza is as welcome on the floor as it is on the plate. This is an hour for kids of all ages: So if you have teenagers who need a night out without you -- or vice versa -- ask away. Together we can fill our calendars with memorable activities.

The transcript follows.

Our "With Kids" editor hosts each discussion, but the entire group will be sitting at the kids' table. If you need more ideas, see KidsPost and the Entertainment Guide.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

The Kids' Table: Welcome back to the Kids’ Table and happy 2003!

For those of you just joining our gang, it’s where “as a village” we search for answers to that big question little people ask (no, not “Where do babies come from?”). It’s the one disguised as a declarative sentence: There’s nothing to do.

Before you suggest making porcupines out of the forest of petrified pine needles in the living room, let’s ask our events experts Kate and Anne “what’s happening?” Maura can take us inside museums, Lynette to the great outdoors and, of course, Alexa to a restaurant for crayons and dinner at 5.

Do we bundle up and go outdoors? Or where are your favorite indoor spots to take the chill out of winter. Let's share. -- Vicki

Bethesda, Md.: A neat place for dessert and light meal is at Cosi. My daughter really liked making Smores and Smmm'oreos there. They bring out all the ingredients, sticks and a small sterno like stove She loved it. Go the Cosi Web site to find one near you.

The Kids' Table: That's such a great idea, Bethesda. Yes, hands-on is the thing. Also in that vein, though not dessert, is Generous George's where kids can make their own pizzas. Has anyone else come across a similar idea? -- Alexa.

Silver Spring, Maryland: 1. My two year old son and almost three year old daughter really enjoyed the College Park Aviation museum this summer. Are there any fun events taking place there this winter? 2. For kids who love music and to dance what's the best traveling live show to attend? Of course like most kids their age they love the Wiggles. Are they coming back to the area?

The Kids' Table: Hi Silver Spring, Lynette here. 1. The College Park Aviation Museum has a variety of programs your kids might enjoy. On Saturday, Jan. 25, check out John Hadfield's Science Show at 11 a.m. or 1 or 3 p.m. Call 301-864-6029 for $5 tickets which must be purchased in advance. The show presents a mixture of music, magic and even some science for young minds to enjoy. Or check out the museum's Peter Pan Club, 10:30 a.m. to noon every second and fourth Thursday (that's tomorrow and the 23rd of this month). Pre-schoolers can enjoy stories and activities all with an aviation theme. You will have to pay museum admission ($4 adults, $2 children) to attend.
2. As for the Wiggles, the information I have right now is that they will be touring the West Coast through the first of March. They may come through here later in the year but I don't have any firm dates on performances in this area. In the meantime, your kids might enjoy Jeffrey Siegel's Music for the Young and Young at Heart at George Mason University's Center for the Arts in Fairfax at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. Tickets may be a little pricey ($25) for families, but this program of classical music is designed specifically to introduce children to classical music. The performance will include works like "Flight of the Bumblebee," "The Bear Dance" and Mozart's "Variations on 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.'"

montgomery village mom: Hi kids table,
I am throwing my first kids birthday party for my soon to be three year old. In the past we have just done family. She's very excited and I want to make sure I do this right. We have invited 4 of her friends (one has already declined) and we plan to have an hour and half party on a Saturday from 10-11:30 with a few activities (coloring and story time) and cake and ice cream with a few other snacks. We will open presents and at departure we have little goodie bags (with a Bob the Builder theme coloring book and stickers). Can anyone reassure me that this is okay? Also just for future reference any suggestions for other places (not chuck e cheese) to have winter birthday parties for the younger set (toddlers)?

The Kids' Table: MVM, you sounds like you've got everything under control: small group, a very reasonable amount of time, sweet party favors. Vicki wondered if you might feel even more at ease with an additional activity or two as you never know, blowing out the candles and eating cake could take fifteen minutes or just two. Perhaps you need to keep the dressing up box handy or the model farm. Three year olds love to play with new toys (read: other people's). Alexa knows first hand that asking wee people to sit as an audience while someone else opens presents leads to mayhem, and everyone will understand why. Treat the occasion like a play group and you'll be just fine. Honestly, this sounds like fun. For future reference here are a few suggestions. I'm with you on the Chuck E Cheese thing. -- Kate

Washington, D.C.: I want to start to take advantage of the Smithsonian Museums with my 2 year old. Natural History has a wonderful exhibit for little ones and we've been to air and space. Any other suggestions?

The Kids' Table: The Capital Children's Museum is an easy bet, even for a 2-year-old. Little ones might also enjoy the sights of the Botanic Garden. -- Maura

Alexandria, VA: My 11 year old brother will be visiting from California early next month. He's into video games, tv and making bodily function sounds. Where can I take him where he will have a good time?

The Kids' Table: Hi Alexandria, I (Lynette) can heartily recommend the Maryland Science Center's Grossology exhibit. It's just a quick drive or train ride to Baltimore's Inner Harbor and your brother will love it. I went there this weekend and it was great. You can check out the inside of a giant nose (don't get sneezed on) or see the heat waves coming off your own body. You can create an artificial belch (and see why they happen) and other bodily noises. Smell things, touch things, get inside things -- this is definitely a hands-on exhibit. Later you can grab a seafood lunch or dinner at Phillips, the Rusty Scupper, Victor's Cafe or any of a number of other restaurants within easy walking distance (assuming you aren't completely grossed out and still have an appetite).
Closer to home your brother might enjoy the Spy Museum's multimedia exhibits and James Bond atmosphere. The National Air and Space Museum might catch his interest as well. Hope this helps.

Oak Hill, Va.: Hi kids table -- love the chats. They are always such a wealth of information, especially now that it is too cold outside most days for my 2-year-old girl.

We had a great time this weekend at the "childrens museum" Explore & Moore in Woodbridge. There was a shadow room, a bubble room, dress up clothes, a beauty parlor and doctors office and the big hit -- a big sandbox of small pebbles instead of sand which didn't stick to everything! I understand that there is a similar place in Columbis -- how does it compare?

Also, for anyone traveling to Philly, check out the Please Touch museum (downtown by the Art museum). All sorts of pint-size activities including a mini grocery store where kids can load up a cart with food and then scan it and ring it up. Tons of fun for the whole family!

The Kids' Table: Thanks for the update, Oak Hill. Glad you enjoyed Explore and Moore. And yes, you can check out Exploraworld in Columbia. Also keep in mind the Discovery Creek Children's Center. -- Maura

Montgomery Village Mom: For the person asking about the Smithsonian and kids. They have a great Web site that may be helpful.
http://www.si.edu/kids/

The Kids' Table: Thanks for that, mvm.

Takoma Park, Md.: My daughter (4-1/2, but very grown up and well behaved) loves dance of all kinds. Is there a place where she can see flamenco? Also, does anyone in the area teach folk dancing to small children? Thank you.

The Kids' Table: Sounds like you should call the Musical Theatre Center in Rockville and get more information about classes, and you should call Dance Place (near Catholic U) too. Both studios hold classes, and DP, especially, hosts a myriad family-friendly performances.

As for flamenco, the most regular performances in town are held in Latin restaurants and bars, the majority of which I would not recommend for your daughter -- most of the shows start well after 9 p.m. so your daughter may just be too little. There is a regular 8 p.m. show on Tuesday at Jaleo in Bethesda. But it's very small, just one dancer, one guitartist who wander through the restaurant. It is intended for diners.

Could you wait four months? Come Cinco de Mayo, you two can gorge on free family-friendly performances sponsored by GALA Hispanic Theatre and the Capital Children Museum to name two. In the meantime, review the list of shows on www.dcflamenco.com and you can decide for yourself if one of the earlier shows might be appropriate. And here is a list of flamenco teachers, perhaps one might let you two attend 10 minutes of a class? -- Kate

Train Mom in Silver Spring: Been meaning to submit this. In Nov., my train-crazy son was invited to a birthday party at Ken-Gar Park in Kensington. [Ken-Gar Palisades Park 4140 Wexford Drive, Kensington, MD.] Because the leaves were not on the trees, you could easily see the trains as they went by on the hill right above the park. Perfect for my son and the other kids as well. The whistle would steal their attention from whatever they were doing and they'd gleefully look over at the train going by.

The playground is very nice and there's a nice community center there that you can rent as well.

The Kids' Table: Thanks for the tip, Train Mom. Community centers are a good place to hold birthday parties. Also, train lovers, the Great Scale Model Train Show will be held at the Maryland Fairgrounds in Timonium on the weekend of Jan. 25-26, and kids 12 and under are admitted free. -- Anne

Montgomery Village Mom: Thanks so much for reassuring me on the b-day! I will plan a few more activities. As for places to go with music for little ones that love to dance, how about the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center. Some of the shows are fun for kids and it's free!

The Kids' Table: Indeed, the Millennium Stage has a free performance every day of the year in the main hall of the Kennedy Center at 6 p.m. There's Russian storytelling on the 15th, and in conjunction with the Ken Cen's movie music festival, the center is screening Buster Keaton's "Steamboat Bill, Jr." with live accompaniment on the 24th. Look at the complete schedule. -- Kate

DC: Would you or fellow chatters have recommendations for close-by vacation spots for kids (11 and 13 year old boys, in my case)?

We're thinking ahead to spring and summer break and would like to try something different from the beach.

Thank you!

The Kids' Table: Lucky for you, D.C., our resident travel expert, Ben, is nearby and quick to remind me (Vicki) of an excellent archive of options for your kind of travel. Start planning.

Grossology GONE!: Rats! It sounded great for my 8-yr old son, so I went to the web, and they listed the dates as from October to January 5!

Any information as to where it may be touring?

The Kids' Table: Aaaagh! You're right and I'm so sorry. I (Lynette) just called the museum to make sure and Jan. 5 was the last day. It was a great exhibit for kids. Maybe they'll bring it back. For Alexandria's 11-year-old brother, he might also enjoy the Capital Children's Museum, which is offering kids the opportunity to make their own animated Valentine Feb. 2 and 9, as well as programs on how films create special effects (that's Feb. 11 and 13). Admission is $7 per person. All is not completely lost for Grossology fans, however. The exhibit kicks off at the Virginia Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach Jan. 25 through April 27 and visits the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond Sept. 27 to Jan. 4, 2004. If you're really interested in the subject and can't make the drive (or just don't want to wait three weeks), the exhibit is based on the books of northern California science teacher Sylvia Branzei. The books include "Grossology," "Animal Grossology," "Grossology Begins at Home" and "Hands-on Grossology."

Garrett Park again: Just saw your make-you-own pizza question.
I believe the Armands on Seminary Road in Silver Spring has make-you-own pizza for kids on Wed. nights, for $3.75.

The Kids' Table: Passing this along. Thanks.

Garrett Park: Just got back from England where we visited my husband's family. Did an overnight in London where we rode the tube, those nifty Rolls-Royce type taxis, visited the Imperial War Museum (free, tho it appeals more to older kids) and our highlight was 11th row seats for the sold-out "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." If any of your readers make it out to London in the next year, the show is terrific & worth seeing. Even tho it was 2 & 1/2 hours, my 6-year old daughter was not bored for a minute.

We're heading out ice skating this weekend, and I'm not sure if your readers know, but the Wells Rink on Calvert Rd(?) near UM in College Park lets kids in for free Sunday nights from 7-9. Rentals still cost ya tho.

The Kids' Table: Thanks for all these lovely suggestions. Readers, here are some more ice-skating options.

Washington, D.C.: I desperately need help with birthday party ideas for a seven-year-old girl. We live in a small apartment so need to take the party to a location that offers a fun diversion. We have already done the zoo, duckpin bowling, dollhouse museum, and she does not want an indoor swimming party. Any other ideas? Thank you!!

The Kids' Table: Maybe your daughter would like a "spa day" anywhere along the avenue (manicures and smoothies) with a friend, or lunch at Mimi's in Dupont (the staff sings as they serve). Make your own pizza at Generous George's is fun, but that may be too far away. The classic '70s Japanese steakhouse where they cook it in front of you is often a big hit with that age group too. There's a Benihana tucked inside the Georgetown Park mall. I remember loving a large Chinese "banquet" -- Tony Cheng's might be fun for mongolian barbecue -- and you could all shop for chopsticks beforehand.

If your girl's on the adventurous-side, perhaps rock climbing or ice skating or one of these options. -- Kate

The Kids' Table: Thanks for all your questions and good ideas to keep us warm and active. How do you feel about homework? I (Vicki) see that everyone is nodding “Yes, bring it on.” That's the spirit.

While we may be popping mini marshmallows into hot chocolate these days, we also need to sign up soon for camp programs – or our kids we’ll miss the opportunity to toast the big ones (marshmallows, that is) at campfires this summer.

So . . . what are the great camping opportunities (with and without bears) in the D.C. area? Of course, ideas don't have to be wild. Camp ideas can also be as civilized as days spent on the Shakespeare Theatre stage. What sayest ye?

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