| Got Plans? With Kids
With the Entertainment Guide Staff
washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, April 16, 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: I (Vicki) will show eggnormous restraint and not refer to any upcoming events as eggceptionally eggciting. You can hunt for the colorful ones yourself. (Hint: You are getting warm, really warm, almost hot, when you search with words like Carousel, and, of course, Saturday's Child and kids.) We -- Matt, Anne, Kate, Lynette, Maura and Alexa -- will roll along in the direction your questions take us.
Silver Spring, Md.: Next month a good friend of mine from Los Angeles will be visiting D.C. with his 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old nephew. I plan to take May 1 (May Day) off from work to spend with them and my 4-year-old daughter and two-year-old son. What would each of you do with one full day in D.C. with four kids? Of course if it is a nice day the kids would be happy going to the park and then getting some ice cream. But are there any special events going that day for kids? What would be your perfect Ferris Bueller type day with kids? Please everyone else in the group give me some ideas to show some Californians that D.C. is a really fun place. The Kids' Table: Hi Silver Spring. What a great question! Here's my (Lynette's) answer:
If you can get there Wednesday evening (at 7 p.m.) the Twilight Tattoo by the U.S. Army Old Guard would give them an authentic glimpse of Washington pageantry and boost to their patriotic spirit. The first stop Thursday (May 1) is definitely the National Zoo's panda exhibit. Walking all the monuments can be wearying, so why not take a tour with The D.C. Ducks at $25 for adults and $13 for kids. This 90-minute tour covers 19 historic locations on both land and water. If that hasn't totally worn your crowd out, try renting paddleboats in the Tidal Basin for a fun, end-of-the day activity.
Fairfax Station, Va.: First I'd like to thank you for this forum -- it's a great resource! My question concerns Sesame Street Place in Pennsylvania. I'm considering a trip with my almost-3-year-old and 9-month-old some time in late May or early June. Any suggestions about accommodations, specific activities, and are there in-door events in case of rain? Any advice would be appreciated. The Kids' Table: Sesame Place is an amusement park where many of the attractions are geared for kids under 7. Think of it like a really big (but not free!) playground -- your three-year-old will have fun, but will probably need parental help on activities. Many of the attractions are outdoors, but Sesame Place offers you a "sunny day guarantee," where they'll give you a free ticket to return another day if it rains for over an hour. The Sesame Place Web site offers a weekend package, which lists lodging options. It's north of Philadelphia, but not too far from Valley Forge -- with open space for kids to run around. -- Anne
Lanham, MD: I have two boys 11 & 12 years old. I NEED something to do with them different from the Dave & Buster's/Espn Zone routine. Any suggestions? The Kids' Table: Hi, Lanham. The Spy Museum is a possibility, although a pricey one these days -- admission just went up. The boys might enjoy Infinity Express at the Air and Space planetarium or check out the latest IMAX at Natural History -- Bugs! in 3D. I'm too squeemish for this last suggestion, but they just might love it. -- Maura
Washington, D.C.: Any fun Easter festivities this weekend I can take my 5-year-old nephew to? Anything on the Mall? The Kids' Table: Type Easter into our blue search box and you'll find a whole list of Easter egg hunts. And here's one just in on Capitol Hill: National Community Church is hosting a free festival at Lincoln Park (11th Street NE and East Capitol) on Saturday from 10-12:30. There'll be egg hunts, face painting and a bunny petting zoo, among other activities. -- Anne
The Kids' Table: It's Maura piping in with another suggestion for Silver Spring. A Thursday is a great day to beat the crowds at popular venues on the Mall like the Air and Space Museum and Natural History. The orchids and butterflies Nature's Jewels at Smithsonian's Arts and Industries are also sure to please.
The Kids' Table: Silver Spring, this is Matt.
You always have the Smithsonian museums. Of course, the favorites are Air and Space and Natural History. It's tough to beat dinosaur bones and space capsules.
Both places have IMAX theaters. The IMAX films are usually less than an hour, so seeing two doesn't take too long.
Air and Space has "Space Station 3D" among its films. Natural History has "Bugs!" and "T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous" in 3D during the afternoon.
Washington, DC: Hi! I'm pleased as punch to have a reason to join you all at the kids' table. Our 8 year old godson will be spending his Spring Break with us from this weekend until the next. He's already requested visits to the Natural History Museum (his favorite), Teaism (he likes the Japanese sweet green tea), and the Children's Museum (he went when he was younger). We might go to the Easter egg hunt at the Franciscan monestary and will venture out to Ballston for lunch with my husband. Someone also told me that the Botanic Gardens have an Easter Lily exhibit. And the Filmfest DC kids series and the Maryland Centennial of Flight Celebration look interesting. My questions are: Are there any other special events that might be fun? Is there anything cool to see out near Ballston or near the places we're already going? Thanks! The Kids' Table: Quite impressive, that godson of yours. A very well-informed visitor. As for the Botanic Garden, I'm not sure there will be a formal Easter lily exhibit, but you can check their site for what's in bloom. If you're lunching in Ballston, try Flat Top, where he can prepare his meal just as he likes it. A bit of a drive, but not too far, you could try Arlington National Cemetery or Mount Vernon if he can stand a history lesson during his school break. -- Maura
Washington, D.C.: I need help finding a kid-friendly restaurant that can accommodate three lovely but slightly "unmannered" girls aged 4, 9 and 10. Occasionally, my family (brother, sister-in-law, mother plus the little monsters) come to D.C. to visit and dine. There have been disastrous incidents in finer restaurants. Sometimes the food is too sophisticated for the kids, requiring extreme menu makeovers. Other times the excited little darlings spill things, drop cutlery, run around or fight over seating. Typical kid stuff. Pity the fellow diners out for an enjoyable evening. Generally the duty of finding a restaurant rests with me. I try to select places that my mother would appreciate with a little ambiance or style. Unfortunately kid-friendly and sophisticated do not mix. Have you got any recommendations? The next family dinner is set to occur soon. Any recommendations would be helpful. Sincerely, Minu Tahmassebi The Kids' Table: Washington, there are plenty of family-friendly options. Check out our dining with kids guide -- there's something for everyone. -- Maura
Bethesda, Md.: Any kid-friendly Easter brunch locations in the Washington, D.C. area? Thanks. The Kids' Table: Most restaurants figure Easter brunch is a family affair, so you have a host of options, Bethesda. Alexa has brokend down her favorite brunches by category right here. Dig in. -- Maura
Germantown, Md.: Can you recommend any fun activities in the vicinity for the coming weekend to finish off spring break?
Thanks The Kids' Table: Hi Germantown,
We're here to help but could you share a little more information? What ages and genders will you be entertaining and what are their interests (or intense disinterests, for that matter?) The more we know the more helpful we can be. Thanks.
The Kids' Table: Hello, Washington, I (Vicki) have noticed several families "enjoying" an early dinner/late lunch at outside tables. If the weather cooperates for your family's dinner date, you have far more possibilities -- make your meal early in the evening and/or early in the week, and I think almost any restaurant will be happy to put the girls' table manners to the test.
Washington, DC: My cousins (boys, ages 11 and 8) are in town this week and since my boyfriend and I are not quite capable of putting together a Passover seder ourselves, we wanted to take the boys to a restaurant for the seder. They both have done the Passover seder before and we do not want them to miss out this year. Where can we all go for a nice, but also appropriate for kids seder? The Kids' Table: Of course, everyone's welcome to the table at Felix. They are still accepting reservations at 5:30, a friendlier dinner hour for 11 and 8 to be sure. But have you called your temple or the info-treasure house that is the Jewish Referral Service (301/770-4848). The operator at the DCJCC turned me onto this network. I'm sure they can help. -- Kate
Woodbridge: Help! BIL and SIL are coming with their 4 year old on Sunday. Do you know of any fun children's activities on Easter Sunday out in the VA burbs? They are driving up from Norfolk, so I don't want to put them in the car and then the metro again. Or something! I don't do this kid thing, and I don't want to spend the entire day trapped in the house with the in-laws! The Kids' Table: Just the thing, Woodbridge. Hop to the egg hunt at the Lee-Fendall historic house in Alexandria.
Alexandria, Va.: OK, the question I know others will have. Where can we take my 3-year-old for an egg hunt? Thanks! The Kids' Table: Hi, Alexandria, if I had a 3-year-old I would have my own private hunt in my back yard or at the nearest park (imagine his -- or her -- success: nobody gets to an egg before he does and his basket runneth over with all the eggs; nobody ruins your photo-taking ops either). You could always go to a petting zoo or farm, too -- and see what the private egg-hiding opportunities are like.
The Kids' Table: Hi Silver Spring, Kate here, and I say you treat your guests to a landscape that is unique to our area. I love the rolling hills of Loudoun County and the colonial treat that is Williamsburg. But perhaps they've traveled far enough already? What about an afternoon picnic at Frying Pan Park near Herndon. There's plenty of green fields and a small but good playground. Better still a model working farm: pig (now with piglets!), sheep (and lambs!), chickens (with chicks!) All very sweet to be sure. Oxon Hill Farm is a pretty spot too.
I walked the trails at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield on Saturday. There were several families fishing for trout (permits are $7) at the reservoir but as always, a walk in the woods is free.
The Mall is pretty gorgeous. I walked the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorial last night at dusk. It's an exceptional place at any time, but these monoliths take on a new nobility when lit. The kids feel like they're up after bedtime even though its not that late.
And also, if you'd like to make the kids do some of the work, the paddle boats in the Tidal Basin are in effect again for 2003. The four-person boats rent for $16 an hour, the two-person are $8. -- Kate
Germantown, Md. again...: Thanks. The boys are 11 and 9 and we've done most of the Smithsonian museums. We were thinking about taking them to the College Park Aviation museum (this week is Paper Airplane week - which is very big with our boys). Can you recommend any other similar activities? How about other Centennial of Flight events in the area?
Thanks a bunch! The Kids' Table: Hi Germantown and thanks for chiming back in. The Aviation Museum is always a great choice (see below). You say you've done the Smithsonian museums but have you checked out the IMAX movies at National Air and Space lately? There's a trio of films about flight your boys might enjoy. It's not this weekend, but an upcoming event they might also enjoy will be the an display of a variety of aircraft and other weapons on the National Mall Friday May 2-Monday, May 5, including an Air Force F-16 "Fighting Falcon" jet, a Marine Corps AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter, a U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams Tank and a Patriot Missile launcher. There are other flight-related events coming up in May as well. Have you tried visiting the Goddard Space Flight Center visitor's center? The public tours of the facility itself were canceled after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks but you can still check out the visitor's center for free. Hope this helps. Lynette.
College Park Aviation Museum: We're gearing up for a fun spring event on April 26th! The Maryland Centennial of Flight Celebration is a cooperative effort between the College Park Aviation Museum, the National Archives in College Park and the University of Maryland. There will be free activities at all three sites, all celebrating Maryland's rich aviation heritage! There is a free shuttle bus connecting the three sites. At the Museum, we will have kids' crafts, actress Betty Geiger-Darst playing Katharine Wright (sister of Orville and Wilbur), and our Restoration Facility will be open to the public. The events take place from noon to 4 pm on Saturday, April 26th. Also, don't forget about Paper Airplane Week! It's going on now at the museum. Design a paper airplane, and fly it in Friday's Paper Airplane Derby at 2 pm. For more information call 301-864-6029. The Kids' Table: And here's what the College Park Aviation Museum has to say for itself - helpful and informative as always. Thanks, College Park!
Washington, DC: Is African-American family day only for people who are African-American or can anyone go?
The Kids' Table: Hi, Washington . . . the African American Family Celebration -- like the zoo -- is open to all.
The Kids' Table: Thanks, everyone, for another lively gathering at the Kids' Table. Have wonderful holidays -- including spring breaks -- and let's meet again in two weeks, Wednesday, April 30, at noon. And good luck finding the golden egg!
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