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: Come in! Come in! We’re so happy to see you. Pretend we’re having a party. Pretend there are goodies – at least 12 kinds of pretty cookies – at the Kids’ Table. Pretend the Kids’ Table is decorated in shimmering, twisting streams of silver and gold stars. Pretend. It’s what I (Vicki) may be asking my family to do this holiday season. So, be honest; is it working for you??

Working for you (for real!) at the Kids’ Table are Matt, Kate, Lynette, Maura, Alexa and Anne. We’ll go shopping with you if you want – a few of our favorites that make it easy when you’re clueless about kids: Once Upon a Time, Tree Top Toys, Child’s Play, and Imaginarium and Why Not?. We’ll search for Scrooge among the Nutcrackers . . . and Kwanzaa and First Night celebrations are just around the calendar corner. So, where are we going today?

Temple Hills, MD: I am having a slumber for my son this weekend. Can you suggest some places I can take the children? Right now I plan to take them to see Treasure Planet and the Christmas Light display - Walkins Park.

The Kids' Table: T. H., I'm not trying to cop out, but I think you've planned a winning party. "Treasure Planet" is as much fun for you to watch as it will be for your son and his friends -- you'll love the hidden jokes and the details, your child will dig the adventure and the robot with the fart-y voice. Have you two read "Treasure Island" yet? It's a good one for "out loud" at bedtime. Perhaps a nice present/stocking stuffer. Is the AMC Academy closest to you?
The lights show at Watkins Park will dazzle them too -- more than 500,000 I'm told -- but who counted? -- Kate

Rockville, Md.: For those looking for places to eat downtown with kids, I just wanted to recommend a child-friendly but funky restaurant in Adams Morgan: The Diner on 18th Street. It's on the east side of 18th, just south of Columbia Road.

They offer a great kid's menu, ranging from the usual hot-dog and grilled-cheese options to slightly more sophisticated offerings such as penne noodles in butter sauce or roasted tomato marninara sauce. For moms and dads, there is a nice selection of updated comfort foods, and great breakfasts for all 24 hours a day.

They also have high chairs and booster seats, spill-proof plastic cups with tops and straws, and crayons. The only thing missing is baby changing stations in the restrooms.

Their menu says The Diner also offers "Big Screen Kid's Movies" at 4 p.m. every Tuesday, with free cookies and drinks. "Stuart Little 2" was listed on a poster as a recent offering.

The staff has been very friendly, helpful, and very welcoming to our 2-year-old when we have dined there on several occasions recently, and the food is great. And it's a nice change of pace from the usual suspects in the 'burbs.

The Kids' Table: Hi, Rockville . . . thanks for your firsthand and recent feedback. Note the Diner's open whenever tummies growl.

Arlington, Va.: Last year around the holidays, the Washington Post in an article published a listing of neighborhoods in the D.C. metro area that were known for their holiday lights displays (on individual homes.) Any chance of having that neighborhood list of holiday light displays published again?

The Kids' Table: Hi, Arlington, this is Anne. The Post didn't publish the whole list this year, but one story did pay special attention to Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood. In your neighborhood, you might also want to try checking out homes in the Arlington Heights neighborhood, between Glebe Road and Fillmore Street/Walter Reed Drive and Route 50 and Columbia Pike. They are having their annual neighborhood decorating contest again this year. Try Sixth Street, between Fillmore and Glebe; and Irving Street between Second and Sixth streets.

DC Suburbs: I took my daughter to the National Gallery this weekend just in time for a Stories in Art program with craft project. It was great and I was wondering if other museums offer these kinds of activities on a regular basis and how I can find out about them. Thanks.

The Kids' Table: Hi DCS, most museums offer similar programs for kids and families, including all of the Smithsonian Museums (ImaginAsia at the Freer and Sackler is one of the most popular), the National Building Museum and the Corcoran. Some are very popular and require reservations in advance. Your best bet -- other than checking out each Cafe Deluxe on Elm Street in Bethesda. There are always plenty of children in there and I'm certain it'll be decked out for Christmas. Even if it's not, Elm Street itself is very twinkly. Alexandria might be a bit far for you to go, but I was noticing that the Evening Star on Mount Vernon Avenue is very pretty this year. And then you could head along afterward for an ice cream at the Sundae Times or frozen custard and a Rudolf cookie at the Dreamery. Another idea: The Pavilion Cafe in the Sculpture Garden, where she can watch the ice skaters. It's a pleasant, casual place, and they often have a band of carolers singing in there at this time of year. -- Alexa

The Kids' Table: Let there be light. Here's that link for the Bright Nights in a neighborhood story.

Silver Spring, Md.: Do you know of a movie theatre in the Maryland/D.C./Virginia area that hosts a "baby night" during which parents with babies are welcome to bring the tykes along to the theatre? I know theatres in other areas of the country do this and thought I read an article in the Post a few years ago about one in this area. However, at the time, we had no need for this so I did not pay too much attention to the specifics. I am kicking myself for not clipping the article now that we have a baby who is a bit young to leave with a sitter. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

The Kids' Table: Hey, Silver Spring, I (Anne) can't find that story you're talking about. I have heard that movie theaters in other parts of the country do that, but around here, I mostly hear people in theaters saying "Shhhhh!" Doesn't seem like they'd be happy to have a crying baby there. Do other readers know about a D.C.-area baby night?

Chevy Chase, Md.: My preschool-aged nephew, who is a huge of GODZILLA, is coming to visit this weekend. I'm taking him and his cousins to the Smithsonian, to see dinosaurs, but they are lame Godzilla substitutes. What else can we do together so that there are some actual Godzilla-themed activities during his visit?

The Kids' Table: If it's not terribly freezing out, you can go see real gorillas at the great ape house at the National Zoo. Or monkey around at the fantastic Cabin John playground. And if you're chilly down on the Mall for the dinosaurs, the best place to warm up is the jungle-lite U.S. Botanic Garden -- they have a Candyland style garden set up now for the holidays. -- Anne

Alexandria, Va.: I know this is last-minute, but where can I go this weekend for brunch with Santa? Is anyone doing this?

Thanks so much!

The Kids' Table: The nicest priced one I've found is this Saturday's breakfast with Santa at Kid Zone in Bethesda -- it's $10 per child, $4 for you. Countless hotels offer opportunities to dine with the Big Man in the Red Suit, but the buffets like the pricetags are lavish. The Kennedy Center's brunch is sold out, as is every one at every area Ritz Carlton (the Rolls Royce of Santa brunches). But hope is not lost: I highly recommend waiting until Friday morning and reviewing the "Special Events" listings in Weekend's "Saturday's Child" section. Good luck! -- Kate

Downtown, D.C.: Are there any places serving meals with Santa (or elves or Rudolph, etc) in the remaining days? I'd like to take my toddler to breakfast or lunch, a la Disney's character meals.

The Kids' Table: Looks like you and Alexandria (see above) need to get the Weekend section hot off the press.

Washington D.C.: I have a 2-year-old boy, and because we're Jewish we don't celebrate Christmas. Any thoughts about great places to go ON Christmas or on New Year's Day that will be open? He loves the model train at Union Station, D.C. Childrens' Museum, bookstores, the zoo. I'd love to be somewhere with enough space he can run around, but if the weather is bad we'll want to be indoors and I'm not sure if any museums or malls are open on Christmas itself (or even Dec. 24), or New Year's Day.

The Kids' Table: Hi Washington. I'm afraid that most museums, the zoo and bookstores will all be closed Christmas Day. Union Station will still be open Dec. 25 as will National Airport, should he favor watching planes over trains. Again most museums and malls are closed Jan. 1, but the National Zoo is open. -- Maura

Bethesda, Md., mom: Every year on my daughter's birthday I take her to do something special after school. Two years ago we went to see the "Grinch" movie and last year we went ice skating. Her 8th birthday is this Friday -- any ideas for a special mom/daughter outing?

The Kids' Table: Has she ever been to see the Nutcracker, a story where a girl is the star? This is Anne, and I still remember my mom taking me and an elementary school friend to see it, then stopping for massive ice cream sundaes on the way home. There's lots of area productions. I'd try the Maryland Youth Ballet, for I've seen their young students in rehearsal, some of them about the same age as your daughter. Here's some other theater performances that are suited for kids. And, have you seen this story about out-of-the ordinary birthday outings?

Brightwood: Um, I think that was Godzilla, not gorilla!

Now, for my question: I have no children. I have no experience with children. I'm having dinner on Friday with friends who are bringing their 4 year old. Anyhow, we're planning on going to Colorado Kitchen.

What do you think? Is this an ok place for a 4 year old? Will he enjoy the food? I've eaten there before, and I have seen other children in there, and he's good at sitting, but I wonder what the opinion of someone more experienced with children might be.

The Kids' Table: I think as long as you're planning to eat when this child is used to eating (likely earlier than you normally do) there is plenty for this tot to eat and watch at Colorado Kitchen. The staff is warm, the view into the kitchen is fun and the menu is full of kid-friendly (mother-approved) items like roast chicken, mashed potatoes and warm biscuits. Let him eat three biscuits if that's what keeps him content. -- Kate

Virginia: Can you recommend a good place in downtown DCfor a casual dinner with kids 4-6? Some are a little picky, so 'kid-friendly' menu choices would be appreciated.
Thanks for your help!

The Kids' Table: Virginia, not sure where you'll be, but near MCI Center you've got Austin Grill and Fuddrucker's and near Metro Center there's ESPN Zone. More near Cathedral, than downtown, Cafe Deluxe, Cactus Cantina and 2 Amys are also good bets. -- Maura

Arlington, Va.: Do you know what happened to the two Dunkin Donuts stores in Arlington? Two are mysteriously closed.

The Kids' Table: This is sad news, Arlington. However, all is not lost. The Dunkin Donuts store at 3100 Columbia Pike in Arlington is still open 24 hours a day. A quick review of the phone book reveals that Arlington does suffer from a shortage of donut shops. Shops like Brooklyn Bagel Bakery offers some fine pastries, brownies and other sweet treats as well as bagels, but no donuts. Your only other real donut option is a trip to the Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop in Alexandria. Thanks, Lynette

RE: Ellipse Dinner: Hi,
I wrote in a few weeks ago, asking where to bring the kids to eat before the tree lighting (we made it out, snow and all!)

Anyway, one of your chatters recommended the Exchange. I just want to say thanks! Food was good, and location couldn't have been better!

Thanks Again!

The Kids' Table: Great to hear. Glad you enjoyed your evening. -- Maura

Silver Spring, MD: What is a good day-trip in MD or VA for a 4-year-old that would have a holiday atmosphere?

The Kids' Table: Hello Silver Spring,

If I remember correctly, 4 is a great age for the holidays.

If you're interested in some time with Santa, a brunch with the big guy is Sunday from 11:30 to 2:30 at Roof Terrace Restaurant at the Kennedy Center. It's $9.95 for the children's buffet. A regular brunch menu is available for adults. Reservations are recommended, so call 202/416-8555.

If you don't mind traveling north to Baltimore, Port Discovery has some holiday-related activities. Holiday Card Decorating is Dec. 21-24 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. And at the same time on Dec. 21-Dec. 30, you can make Peppermint Stick Stars. Plus the place has plenty of other things going on to occupy your child. If you need more information, call 410/727-8120.

Good luck and happy holidays! Matt

The Kids' Table: Thanks for joining us at our lovely holiday party at the Kids’ Table. (I’ll be cleaning up the chat now; we were a bit messy today – that’s what happens when you have too many sugarplums before lunch.)

Enjoy the holidays and make many happy memories that last lifetimes. See you at the Kids’ Table Wednesday, Jan. 8.

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