| Got Plans? With Kids
With the Entertainment Guide Staff
washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, April 2, 2003; Noon ET 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: Oh dear, I (Vicki) have lost my lovely introduction (sent it out, but it's not appearing on the site). Just got back from a road trip to the lovely Kenwood neighborhood and can tell you that the trees are about five days aways from breathtaking. Can anyone report on the Tidal Basin blossoms? But for now, we (Kate, Anne, Matt, Lynette, Maura and Alexa) are here to follow your lead.
Germantown, Md.: Any new events coming in the area for a 1 1/2 year old and a 2 1/2 year old? The Kids' Table: Hey Germantown, Anne here. If you're game to head downtown this weekend, you'll be rewarded with the Cherry Blossom parade and street festival Saturday. In bad weather, head to the National Building Museum Sunday to watch model airplanes take flight. Near you, we suggest the Gaithersburg Arts Barn or your local library. Both offer lots of programs designed for toddlers.
Falls Church, Va.: Many thanks to the Vienna chatter for the Pa. Dutch farm Web site. It has great links to the farms' own Web sites, including pictures of choretime and in some cases online availability. Within minutes, we were booked on a farm with lots of animals (eggs to gather, goats to milk, sheep to feed, etc.) and a swimming pond on the dates we wanted, only two hours away. The Kids' Table: Hey Falls Church, we're glad to hear you found what you needed and our thanks also to the Vienna chatter for sharing. For those who missed our last chat, Falls Church wants to visit a working farm where their family can stay with the farming family and share in the chores. Vienna offered this Web site, which offers a variety of ways to visit and learn about the farming lifestyle as practiced in Lancaster, PA. Cheers all around, Lynette.
College Park Aviation Museum: The College Park Aviation Museum is having a very busy month! April 14-18 is Paper Airplane Week, and will end with our 3rd annual Paper Airplane Derby, which will give budding airplane designers the chance to try out their creations. On April 26th, we are hosting Maryland Centennial of Flight Celebration in conjunction with the University of Maryland -- College Park and National Archives II in College Park. All events are free and family-oriented, and there will be a free shuttle connecting our sites. Admission to the museum is free that day. At the museum we will have kids' crafts, actress Betty Geiger-Darst playing Katharine Wright, Dr. John Anderson talking about "The Race for the First Flight: Langley and the Wright Brothers," and our Restoration Facility will be open for tours. We are expecting a fun, fun day celebrating the Centennial of Flight and Maryland's aviation heritage! The Kids' Table: Hi College Park and thanks, as always, for sharing. Here is the link to our record for the Aviation Museum. In high school my (Lynette) physics teacher required the class to design paper airplanes according to aerodynamic principles and then held a big fly-off. I don't remember the principles anymore but I do remember enjoying the assignment. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for the derby. Thanks.
Manassas, Va.: We've found a real hidden treasure for kids. We have taken the grandkids (3, 4, 5, 6, and 11) to two lunch shows at the Riverside Dinner Theater in Fredericksburg, VA; Babes in Toyland and Pinocchio. The kids loved both and the lunch is geared toward their tastes. The price is only $12.00 for lunch & the show. The next show is Alice in Wonderland and the kids are already wondering when we are going. The Kids' Table: Thanks for the idea, Manassas. The number there is 540-370-4300. For kids entertainment of this ilk closer to Washington, try West End Dinner Theatre's children's shows, where there's no dinner, just theater. -- Anne
Washington, D.C.: I heard an ad for a pet show this weekend on the radio and wanted to bring my 4 year old. Do you know anything about the
show, and is it geared to someone that young? Please help, she loves doggies!
The Kids' Table: Hi, Washington, here's the information from our site on the Super Pet Expo. I (Vicki) think you can have a grand time -- she's young enough not to want to take them all home (be warned, you will see sweet gals and guys looking for a loving family to call their own). Just watch her carefully around all those dogs that may not be accustomed to friendly little fingers poking at their eyes or grabbing hold of an irresistible tail.
Fairfax, VA: This weekend: Just wanted you to know that kids under 10 are free this Friday at the weekend long Super Pet Expo at the Dulles Expo Center. Dog agility shows, petting zoos, reptiles, big cats, and tons of pets and fun. Visit www.superpetexpo.com for more info...Thanks! The Kids' Table: Here's more on the show. And by all means come with a soft heart -- adoptions and a pal for life are possible.
Hyattsville, Md.: Are there any other places in the Washington area, besides Silver Stars Gymnastics (Wheaton MD), where infants and toddlers can go during the week? I find that most activities occur on the weekends and I need weekday activities. The Kids' Table: Hi Hyattsville, Have you tried your area YMCA? The Bethesda-Chevy Chase YMCA offers various tumbling, movement and gymnastics classes for toddlers on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. They have aquatics and other activities as well, if you're interested in something besides just gymnastics. This feature highlights the kinds of activities available at Gymboree locations throughout Washington. And this Web site lists a number of gymnastics programs in your area. If one or more of these work for you, please let us know. Other area parents and kids are looking for similar opportunities. Thanks, Lynette.
Northern Virginia: Hello - Need suggestions on best place to purchase a birthday cake for my preschooler's birthday. She wants a cinderella or other princess type cake. The local Harris Teeter doesn't do this type cake. I am thinking I need a good bakery. Any suggestions, Thanks in advance. The Kids' Table: I think the Costco at Pentagon City does this kind of thing. And I must say I've had their sheet cake and it's fab. -- Alexa
Arlington, Va.: Hi, my three-year-old would like a "princess" room. Can you recommend any local artists who paint murals, etc. on children's rooms? Any help will be great. Thanks! The Kids' Table: Hi Arlington, this is Kate. I have no doubt that there are many artists who would be delighted to accept such a commission. What's most important is whether the artist's vision matches yours. I encourage you to call local design companies. They can mail you samples of their work.
I've recently seen a beautiful bedroom mural, one that welcomed twin baby girls. If you e-mail me (kate.gibbs@washingtonpost.com), I can put you in touch with the artist. I don't want to post his number publically before I get his okay. Also I'm not sure what a job like this might cost. Can anyone else help us out?
National Museum of American History: Just wanted to let all the chatters know about a free event for children and adults of all ages this Saturday at the American History Museum. Author Gabrielle Tayac will read from her new children's book, "Meet Naiche," about the experiences of a local Native American boy. Naiche's dad will then lead a family workshop of Piscataway Indian tales, drumming, and dancing activities. Programs take place at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm and are free, though reservations are recommended--just e-mail ourstory-si.edu. Thanks! The Kids' Table: Hi, NMAH. I'm starting to feel a bit like a talk show host, welcoming celebs to promote their new movie. In lieu of rolling a clip, let's show our listing for this event, here.
Murals: I know you can go to Home Depot/Lowes and they have murals that you can do yourself. Also, you can check online for murals that you may order. The Kids' Table: Thanks for the tip. Vicki has seen some wonderful wallpapers, too.
Washington, D.C.: Any suggestions for acting classes for pre-schoolers? (age 4) Metro-accessible is a plus. Thanks! The Kids' Table: Hi Washington, accessibility may be your biggest issue. McClean Community Center in Virginia (no Metro) has a "Tots on Stage" program for ages 4-5. The current class ends April 22. They cost $64 for 8 lessons for non-residents ($56 for area residents). Also, the Young Artists Theater at Cherry Tree Center in West Laurel, Md., (again, no Metro) has acting classes for children ages 3 and older that cost between $95 and $185. Let's ask our other chatters if they've had experience with this and what they've found as well. Chatters?
Hyattsville, Md.: Thanks Lynette! I will try those and let you know what i find out.
The Kids' Table: You're quite welcome, Hyattsville. Please do let us know your experiences. There are lots of other parents out there with the same questions. Thanks.
Hyattsville, Md.: Hey Washington, DC: the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) prints a guide that shows many activities (icluding acting) for various age groups. I don't know how close you are to MD or if there is a similar guide for DC, but some activities are not too far away from DC. I believe they post activities on their website too. The Kids' Table: See, our chatters really do know everything. Thanks, Hyattsville. Here's one list of things to do from Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and here's the link to Washington's parks and recreation department.
Washington,DC: re: tumbling classes
Check out the PG Sports and Learning Complex right next to Redskins Stadium in Landover, Md...they have classes during the week and the staff is great. The baby classes are led by the manager, Ms. Patty, and she's WONDERFUL...my daughter started at 1 1/2 and is still there now at 5. The Kids' Table: And thanks to you too, D.C. Here's our link to the Learning Complex. Whew. And I think we're out of time. Thanks for everyone chiming in today. It's been fun. Lynette.
The Kids' Table: Now that the chat is over, I (Vicki) am sending you out to play -- or at least an "airing," as my Scottish aunt would say. See you at the Sakura Matsuri Street Festival this weekend (how nice -- Japan as close as 12 Street and Pennsylvania Avenue)? And please come back to the Kids' Table in two weeks, April 16; we're sure to have an eggceptionally eggciting time. P.S. This is the spring ahead weekend; time to change your clocks and the batteries in your smoke detectors.
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