| Got Plans? With Kids
With the Entertainment Guide Staff
washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, May 28, 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: How does that song go? "Gray skies are going to clear up . . . put on a happy face. Spread sunshine all over the place . . . just put on a rain slicker and puddle stompers." And dont forget an umbrella and a couple of old towels if you take in a free performance of "Hamlet" at Carter Barron -- and a shower curtain liner to put under the picnic blanket for your lawn concert at Wolf Trap. Maybe to spite the soggy land and dreary weather, summer events keep pouring in. Bookmark that link right now to keep up with all the new arrivals, or hover in the summer guide to pick your own farms, beaches, ice cream destinations, etc. We (Matt, Maura, Alexa, Kate, Anne, Lynette and I Vicki) are here to give your boats direction as you row gently down the stream.
Potomac, Md.: I recall an article in the Weekend section last summer (or perhaps the summer before) about "Treasure Boxes" in parks. It was an idea from England...something about there being "treasure boxes" at specific hidden locations (in a certain tree stump or whatever)and the kids would find the box and open it to find a unique "stamp" inside...and you tried to collect many different stamps. Plus there would also be a a clue to locate another box. Does anybody know anything about this? My kids at the time were too young ..so I didn't pay close enough attention to the article..but I'm interested now in finding out more details. I hope you can help! One other question: any nearby corn mazes for this summer? My kids LOVE these. Thanks for your thoughts! The Kids' Table: Hi Potomac. Lynette here. You're thinking of a wonderful story by Caroline Kettlewell called Thinking Inside the Box. It shares the outdoor sport of letterboxing which has been recently transplanted here from the United Kingdom. The sport is a great combination of outdoor ramble and treasure hunt. Definitely a must-do once the weather clears up. And here is a list of area corn mazes. It sounds like you've got great plans for this summer. Let us know how it goes once you've been on a ramble or two.
Bethesda, Md.: I'm looking for rainy-day activities for a 5- year-old girl. In particular, places we can take her where she can get some exercise. We are running out of ideas! Thanks! The Kids' Table: Hi Bethesda. We feel your rainy day blues. Here's a Weekend feature on Gymboree classes. There's one at Concord School at 7210 Hidden Creek Rd. in Bethesda. Phone 877-496-5327. They have classes for infants through 5-year-olds. Another option is a class at your local YMCA. Or (and I, Lynette, have to admit that my mother would shudder at this suggestion) why not go on outdoors and embrace the rain? Stuff yourself and your young'un into your oldest, ready-to-throw-out-anyway clothes (or get some from the local thrift store) and go play in the rain. Bake mud pies. Build a mud fort and throw sloppy mud balls at each other (be sure to check for rocks first). Find a really, really wet spot and play slip and slide. A soccer game on a muddy field is a joy indeed when you don't care what you look like at the end. Hot baths and soup for everyone when it's done! Enjoy!
Arlington, Va.: Hi There! My aunt and uncle are bringing their 2 kids (5 year old girl, 2.5 year old boy) to DC this weekend and asked for a recommendation for a child-friendly and adult-friendly brunch. This is probably the one area of DC dining I would not be familiar with. Any suggestions? Thanks! The Kids' Table: Arlington, Cafe Deluxe Chef Geoff's and the Daily Grill are good brunchy places that are welcoming to kids. And I'd bet most hotel restaurants expect to have children about. Have a look at this Brunch Guide, see if anything sounds good to you. -- Alexa
Silver Spring, Md.: What's the buzz on "Finding Nemo?" My two-year old has been saying for two weeks that he wants to go see it. Isn't that amazing. I don't think he could name all of his grandparents, but thanks to the power of Disney he knows all about "Finding Nemo." So rather than fight the power that is the Mouse I will succumb to it. Indeed, bow down to it. Now tell me where can pay homage and see 'Emo as my son calls it? By the way I was just kidding my son knows all of his grandparents very well. They are the people that buy him lots of Disney stuff and god willing will one day take him to meet the Mouse in person. By the way thanks for the D.C. Ducks tip a few weeks ago. It was cool. The kids had lots of fun. The Kids' Table: Hi Silver Spring and you're right. The Mouse is a mighty entity indeed! Here's what Washington Post reviewer Desson Howe had to say about Finding Nemo in the Weekend section's summer movie guide. The film actually opens this Friday. Kate (who has actually seen the film) and I (Lynette) put our heads together to answer this question. The story is about an overprotective father trying to rescue his overly-independent son who has been kidnapped by scuba divers and dumped into an aquarium. The opening scene is said to be fairly intense -- only Nemo and his father survive a shark attack on a small family of fish. From there it evolves into a story about dealing with your fears, learning to trust and building family relationships. The early buzz is that while this probably isn't Pixar's best film ever, it's still pretty good. Hope this helps. (And we're glad you had fun with D.C. Ducks. If we could just get the sun to come back out more people might like to take a tour with them as well.) Thanks.
Kate says: Lynette is correct. The central theme of "Finding Nemo" is about family members learning to trust each other. The opening sequence explains how the father comes to be over-protective: "Off camera" a toothy barracuda eats his wife and all but one of the eggs. There are menacing sharks who turn out to be misunderstood. That said, "Finding Nemo" also addresses acceptance (Nemo has an underdeveloped "lucky fin") and conservation (keep the ocean clean, don't over fish). It's funny and as inventive as any of the Pixar movies; plenty of jokes for adults. Ellen DeGeneres is wonderfully dizzy as Dory, a fish with no long-term memory. In fact, the best jokes draw from classic borscht-belt and animal instinct. It's more entertaining, more thrilling than "A Bug's Life," and most importantly, at last night's screening, there were no tears, no parent had to leave the theater, some children sat on laps during the scarier scenes, and there was much giggling.
Arlington, Va.: Hi - My 3 year old daughter loves to do arts and crafts. We often take her to paint pottery, but are looking for other types of arts and craft outings. Any suggestions? The Kids' Table: Hi Arlington,
Are you willing to head up to the Baltimore area?
Port Discovery is near the Inner Harbor. Its Web site claims: "Education and entertainment are joined in wondrous hands-on activities that run non-stop daily."
I was there a few years ago when my daughters were 5 and 8, and they really enjoyed it. My favorite activity was making gum.
Before Baltimore, at the Arundel Mills Mall, is Crayola Works, the "creativity studio." Children can do things for free, but you can also pay a fee to do one of nine activities. The list this month includes Model Magic Creations, My Bug House, Paint a Football, Paint a Football Bank, Stylin' Soccer Ball, Teddy Bear Treasure Chest and Tye-Dyed Bandanas.
My daughters also enjoyed the place. And the mall has restaurants and a movie theater if you want to make a day of it.
Good luck -- Matt
Mission Viejo, Calif.: I have two teenage girls, 15 and 17. We will be in DC for a week in late June 21st through 28th. We are planning to see Chicago at the National Theatre, but I'm looking for other things that they might like to do.
Any help would be appreciated, as teens are a little tough to figure out sometimes! The Kids' Table: Well, there's always plenty to do, but you're in luck that your visit will coincide with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which starts June 25 (if the record says otherwise, we're fixing it). A once-a-year opportunity, this year's program features arts, crafts and music, music, music from Scotland, Mali and Appalachia (the birthplace of country music). I'm as excited for this year's lineup as I've ever been. The Spy Museum or Sir Edmund Hillary at National Geographic might also be hits. And you could always investigate the National Museum of Women in the Arts or the "Changing Face of Power" show about women in the Senate at Arts and Industries. Hope you enjoy it all. -- Maura
Rain dilemma: Tomorrow I'm meeting a friend of mine from the west coast that I only see about once a year. We had planned to meet at the National Zoo but it looks like that may be rained out. Any recommendations for a Metro-accessible indoor location that would be fun for a 16-month-old? Thanks! The Kids' Table: Dilemma, no worries. Friends in town last week spent a rainy day with their 16-month-old at Air and Space and Natural History. She loved the wide-open spaces of the former and the monumental elephant of the latter. But I am betting some readers out there have their own recent rainy day experiences to share. -- Maura
Nani, Tex.: Rainy day fun - my grandgirls love playing with all the costume jewelry I've saved from the 50s thru the present. "Nani, may we play with your jewels?" They drape themselves from head to toe with the stuff, some of which is ridicuously gaudy, and admire themselves in my full length mirror. Remember those awful huge medallions, mood rings and plastic love beads from the 70s? They love it all - the tackier the better! Sometimes they go outside with their umbrellas and recreate the Gene Kelley song and dance routine from Singin In the Rain. The Kids' Table: What a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion. For those who aren't lucky enough to have your jewels, here are some thrift shops where you can pick up old baubles or games to play on a rainy day.
WDC: Springfield Days is this weekend. Have you ever been? If so, do you suggest we make the trip down 395 with the kids? The Kids' Table: Hi WDC. We couldn't find anyone in the office who's actually attended this festival, which runs Thursday (tomorrow) through Sunday. SpongeBob SquarePants leads the 10 a.m. Saturday parade down Hanover Avenue. Then you can spend the day enjoying the carnival (10 a.m. to midnight) games and rides. There are also community service displays, entertainment by talented local residents and an art show. More activities take place around Lake Accotink, where a fireworks display ends the day. If you wait until Sunday, there's also a cardboard boat race at 2 p.m. on Lake Accotink. Is it worth the drive? Well, how much do you and your family enjoy community festivals? Hope this helps.
Alexandria Va.: My twins, age 2 1/2 are really into fire engines. Where is there a firehouse where the firefighters can let them play or touch fire engines? The Kids' Table: Hi, Alexandria. There are firehouse museums in Ellicot City and Alexandria, but I am not sure they showcase modern fire equipment. You might want to stop by your local firehouse and ask when they have an open house. Most seem too and they'd probably appreciate the interest.
And keep in mind, the Alexandria Firehouse Festival takes place later this summer. Good luck. -- Maura
Bethesda, Md.: I have a recommendation. The IMAX film "Pulse: a STOMP Odyssey" at the Natural History Museum. We went this weekend, and our 5-year-old has been dancing and drumming on anything she can find ever since. She loved it! The Kids' Table: Hi Bethesda, I haven't seen it yet, but it's great to hear the recommendation. Personally, I never could see enough of To Fly as a kid and I think the IMAX flicks around town are a great bet. -- Maura
Gaith, Md.: Our house is going on the market this weekend, with an open house Sunday. Where can I take the kids (5 and 1) on a rainy afternoon? Someplace in Gaithersburg, Rockville, or near Tysons Corner would be good. (My husband's out of town, so I'll be handling the boys alone.) The Kids' Table: Vicki suggests the Rainforest Cafe at Tysons Corner Mall -- between travel and eating time, you could easily kill part of an afternoon, and stay dry. I'm thinking back to our early questioner ... if you find a matinee of "Finding Nemo," that's another kid-friendly option. -- Anne
Treasure Boxes: What the person is thinking of is Letterboxing - the website is Letterboxing.com I think. I haven't looked at it for a while. But, my parents and brothers family all enjoy the hobby. I've done it once with my 5 year old over on Roosevelt Island and it was fun - something that takes a bit of planning but is a different activity for a day. The Kids' Table: Hi Treasure Boxes and thanks for chiming in. I (Lynette) think the Web site is actually http://www.letterboxing.org/ and here's a link to it. It provides clues and tips for getting started. You need a small notebook, a waterproof container and a stamp and ink set (a stamp you made yourself is preferred). All in all it sounds like a great way to spend a day. Thanks.
Fairfax, VA: For rainy days or any days, up to maybe age 10, I can't recommend Explore and Moore in Woodbridge, enough! Quite a surprise - very low key - in an old house - and most of the activity rooms are 'found' or recycled stuff, so the ethic is great. There's a bubble room, flash-shadow room, costume and puppet, animation, beauty salon (great 1950's pink poodle style), pebble box, paleontology dig, space capsule, electronics table (un-wired - old machines with lots of needle-nose pliers...tear 'em apart!) - But the room the kids like most is "Doctor" - real chair, lamp, X-rays, uniforms, casts and crutches, instruments, scales, eye charts...couldn't get my two nine year old girls (who think they're TOO cool) outta there! 703-492-2222, Occoquan Rd just south of Old Bridge (look close!). The Kids' Table: Yes, Fairfax and here's more on Explore and Moore. -- Maura
Garrett Park: Garrett Park here. Just a reminder of some good rainy day activities for families. Duckpins are great, our daughter started playing when she was 3. If you're a stay-at-home Mom, games are much cheaper M-F before 5pm. The smaller duckpin balls are perfect for little hands, not like the 10-16 lb tenpin balls. There are duckpin lanes in White Oak Shopping Center (check their website for a 2-for-1 coupon), on Rte 1 in College Park, in Bowie, in Frederick, in Thurmont, in Walkersville & in Suitland. For now Falls Church has their vintage lanes, but I heard unfortunately they're closing down in the next few months.
Duckpin lanes also host birthday parties, incl. food, for ~$12 pp. Roller-skating is also a lot of fun for the 5 & older set. Most let you bring your own roller blades, if they're in good condition. Teens take over the Fri & Sat. night sessions, but you'll find younger kids Sat & Sun. afternoons, and some even younger kids Sat. mornings (some places let you push around a stroller). Most rinks have an adults-only weeknight which is great for excercise.
Rinks are also a good, not-expensive place to host a birthday party. You can find roller rinks in Rockville, Seabrook, Franconia/Springfield, Clinton, Odenton, Crofton, Suitland, Chantilly & Manassas. And many places have indoor ice skating (Cabin John & Wheaton Parks, ARC in Rockville, Laurel, College Park). I recently took my daughter to Made-By-You pottery in Rockville (locations also in VA, in Bethesda & Cleveland Park) & we had a great time. Unpainted pottery pieces start around $10, and they have birthday party packages as well as Girl Scout badge programs. The Kids' Table: Hi Garrett Park. What great suggestions. We can tell you've had lots of experience keeping your little ones entertained. Good for you and thanks for sharing. What other suggestions do our chatters have for each other? Thanks.
HELP! Free Friday Jazz: Last week the going out gurus said the National Sculpture Gardens free jazz on friday started this week, but I can't find info about it anywhere. Is this really starting already? Is there somewhere else for picnicing and Jazz yet? The Kids' Table: No sweat: The series begins this Friday and extends through Labor Day, enjoy live jazz music performed by an eclectic mix of top Washington-area artists, either outdoors in front of the fountain or in the Pavilion Cafι at the National Gallery of Art. Sculpture Garden hours are extended to 9:00 p.m. on "Jazz in the Garde" evenings. Picnickers are welcome to bring blankets; however, alcoholic beverages and coolers are not permitted. During jazz concerts, tapas and refreshments are offered in the Pavilion Cafι or from carts located on the two patios. Admission to the Sculpture Garden and jazz performances is free of charge. -- Kate
The Kids' Table: I (Vicki) remember the words to that song: "Gray skies are going to clear up, put on a happy face; wipe off the clouds and cheer up, put on a happy face; spread sunshine all over the place - and put on a happy face." Thanks for brightening our day by spending some time with us. Please join us again in two weeks, June 11, at noon. Sounds like a sunny day to me!
Automatically Update Page | Get New Responses | Submit Question
© Copyright 2003 The Washington Post Company | 
