| Got Plans? With Kids
With the Entertainment Guide Staff
washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002; Noon EDT 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. A different staffer will host 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: October is off and running, and it's bountiful. Just glancing at this weekend alone, there's so much for families to do:
• "Bravo Brass" and "Connections: Science and Music" at the Kennedy Center.
• Kids can express themselves -- their dreams -- at Kreeger Museum's Surrealist Dreamscapes workshop.
• The Toy Invention Festival and OurStory with Barbara Papendrop at the National Museum of American History
• The Fall for the Book Festival at George Mason University
• All the fall and community festivals, including Fall for Fairfax, Mount Vernon's Fall Harvest Family Days, Taste of Bethesda, Alexandria's Arts Safari.
• And the Virginia State Fair through Sunday -- if you need one more go-round on the midway or crave a corn dog for dinner.
Or have you made plans for this weekend? Need help with another date? Kate, Lynette, Matt and I (Vicki) are at the Kids' Table -- along with all of you clever caregivers -- to fill in the blanks.
Arl, VA: You asked for feedback on good places for kids: We have been a few times to Ecco in Old Towne and found it very accomodating for our two very young ones. The food is decent Italian (too many onions for me!) and the prices are not bad. Most importantly, they really make families feel welcome! The Kids' Table: Thanks, Arlington, your comments are exactly what we need to pass along at the Kids' Table. Any other firsthand recommendations?
Alexandria, Va.: We were planning to go to the Big Apple Circus, which I loved the first and only time I went along time ago, but after seeing the ticket prices, I'm having second thoughts. Do you know of anyone who is giving away free tickets, as in a radio station for example? The Kids' Table: Big Apple Circus is playing at Dulles Town Center. Tickets cost $15 to $42, with 11 a.m. weekday matinees for $23. The circus features acts from all over the world, including the Russian Aniskin Troupe trapeze artists and Chinese slack wire balancer and clown Cong Tian. The circus is a not-for-profit organization that also sends performers to hospitals to cheer up patients and has outreach programs for blind and hearing impaired, impoverished or developmentally disabled children. Free tickets to shows are given out to organizations serving disadvantaged children through the circus's "Circus for All" program.
As to free tickets for the general public, I (Lynette) haven't been able to find any. I called the circus but so far haven't gotten any response. Are the tickets worth paying for? Well, how bad do you and the kids want to go? Is this a once-a-year (or month) treat or just something else to do? As you can see below, another reader thought the circus worth the ticket price.
Dulles, Va.: The Big Apple circus is at Dulles Town center mall. I went last year and it is a great little circus. Plenty of laughs and I had a great time. Exceeded expectations. Worth the large amount of money. Hit the Web site first -- I think it's bigapplecircus.org. [ed: It is or just click here.]
You can find a seating chart on the site. Don't buy the cheap seats. They looked really bad view.
20005: Another suggestion: Went to a birthday party for a 3-year-old at Generous George's and found it to be a good place for that age group. They made their own pizzas and then had the run of the downstairs, complete with ride-on mechanical animals like those you see at malls or shopping centers. The Kids' Table: Here's a thumbs-up from 20005 for Generous George's as a BD-party destination.
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.: Just wanted to let you know about the Taste of Georgetown this Saturday. In addition to great food and music, there will be face-painting and other activities organized by the Georgetown Montessori School. Another advantage is that it's a very pleasant, uncrowded alternative to some of the busier Taste events around D.C. The Taste of Georgetown will be held at Grace Church on Wisconsin Ave. between M and K streets noon to 4 pm this Saturday. The funds raised benefit the Georgetown Ministry Center's work with the homeless. The Kids' Table: See what I (Vicki) mean about this weekend? It's almost as though you can walk out the door and find a moon bounce or live music (and you know little ones will dance to any beat).
Silver Spring, Md.: Has anyone been to the Horizon Organic farm in Gambrills, Md.? It seems like fun but, I'm gathering from the site that each event has a separate admission price? It looks like it could be pricey -- comparable to an amusement park but, is it worth it?
Hi Silver Spring. If other readers have been to the farm and want to share their experiences, please feel free to chime in. The two-hour, $7.25 per person farm tour includes the Discovery Barn and its educational display, the historic milk-processing plant with equipment once used by the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and a visit to the barnyard animals. You can tack on a hayride for a total price of $10 or a class for a total of $12. Or you can spend four hours enjoying all of the above for a total of $15 each. Is it worth it? Again, is this something you and your kids are really interested in (organic farming, environmental issues, hayrides and animals, how the U.S. Navy feeds its midshipmen) or are you just looking for something to do? If it's just the farm aspect that appeals to you, here are some other options.
Arl, VA: I am new to this discussion and wondered if you ever come across anything that is good for very young children. We have a 7 month old and a 3 year old. Do we need to wait a few years for significant opportunities? The Kids' Table: If someone has a sure-fire winner, please, write in!
Entertainment really takes off when Arlingtonians turn three. In your 'hood, Classika Theater is performing "Peter and the Wolf." Also, A Likely Story on King Street holds regular in-store storytime. Further afield, you'll find plenty. And this Saturday, your family might enjoy Alexandria's Arts Safari.
The Kids Room at the Maryland Science Center is engineered for hands-on play for all ages: dress-up; magnets; bubbles; water; do-touch natural history. Our bars and clubs editor would be furious with me if I failed to mention the joys of the giant train engines in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. And its Lemelson Center offers a hands-on play period every Friday -- check the schedule. This Saturday, there's also a toy invention festival featuring the yo-yo! Also, now that it's getting cooler, the zoo makes a terrific afternoon. -- Kate
I'm afraid your 7-month-old may have to be content to watch the action for a little while longer.
Washington, D.C.: What events do you recommend for a 22-month-old boy this weekend? The Kids' Table: Hi, D.C., the tune "oh give me land, lots of land . . . don't fence me in" comes to mind. Take a look at this feature from The Post about farms that welcome all ages to enjoy their acres of fresh air, hayrides, petting animals, pony rides, etc. So even if you have picked a pumpkin already, it probably could use a friend or two. We really have to get our sun time in before the days are shorter and the temps drop. -- Vicki
Rockville, MD: How much interest do you think a 5-year-old will have in the Spy Museum? He loved the Spy Kids movies, so I think it'll be interesting.... but it's awfully expensive to take a crapshoot on. Whaddaya think? How's the little cafe right there? The Kids' Table: Hi Rockville. I think you can buy "Spy Kids" on DVD for the price of family admission to the new high-flash low-substance Spy Museum. I can't imagine that a 5-year-old would enjoy himself very much now -- there's too much text, too few examples that will resonate. And the special effects in the Cold War room might frighten him. (He'll think it's the coolest place on Earth when he's 10.) Happily, there are plenty of other museums that deliver a higher return for curious people. Sounds like your son might dig Saturday's Toy Invention Festival at the National Museum of American History (it's free!). Also, there are several new IMAX movies -- including one about helicopters at the Air and Space Museum. Admission hovers around 7 bucks. Here's our list of children's theaters. Perhaps he'd enjoy a live performance at Imagination Station; it's in White Flint Mall, so parking is easy. -- Kate
Waldorf, Md.: I am trying to locate a local theater that will be showing the new Veggie Tales' movie Jonah and the Whale, which is being released in theaters this weekend. My daughter and many of her friends LOVE anything Veggie Tales. Anyone know of a local theater (preferably in Southern Maryland, but we'll travel) that will be showing this movie this weekend? The Kids' Table: Hi Waldorf. If you check out the Veggie Tales Web site, there is a list of area theaters. It looks like the exact locations are still t.b.a., but check back later in the week or type "veggie tales" into one of the Entertainment section search boxes Friday a.m. and you'll be set. -- Maura
RE: farm fun: I highly recommend Butler's Orchard in Gaithersburg for fall fun - they've got pony rides, a hay ride to a pick your own pumpkin patch, as well as games and crafts (including a hay lofy for kids to jump in for free, and sand art, face painting and other activities for a fee). We've gone since my daughter was 3 1/2 - she's 8 now and already asked when we're going this year! The Kids' Table: And I, Vicki, can recommend apple picking at Butler's, in Germantown, right?
Ashburn, VA: Is anyone familiar with Joe Gibbs' sponsored Youth for Tomorrow country fair happening on Saturday? Would it be entertaining for my 16 month old? Details at www.youthfortomorrow.org The Kids' Table: I (Kate Gibbs, no relation) think you might have more fun than your 16-month-old on Saturday in Manassass at the Youth for Tomorrow campus. This fair will have plenty of Joe's new love (NASCAR) and there are children's activities: pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, planned too. But if you're happy, she's happy. Right?
Arlington, Va.: I have an announcement about a program this Friday night that may be of great interest to many parents. I will paste the information about the event below. Are there any other washingtonpost.com resources for kids that might want to use/post this information? If so, pass it along! This sounds like the kind of performance that is very much needed for children and parents today. Program information: The Kingfisher Theatre Company, under the direction of Bill George, will perform the original children's work, "The Dragons of Rizvania," on Friday night, October 4, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. at Swanson Middle School, 5800 N. Washington Blvd, Arlington VA 22205. The Dragons of Rizvania is an original dramatization of Carol Handy's beloved coming-of-age fable of Prince Kan. The prince is given the mission of ridding the kingdom of certain pesky dragons, and as he proceeds in his adventure, assigned by his parents, he is guided by a wise old man. It is wisdom he needs, for these are not ordinary dragons. At first he meets Anger, Fear, and Shame; then Illness, Pain, and Separation; and finally the most challenging of all -- Doubt, Crippling Memories and Defeat. In this play -- animated with music, mask, movement, and puppetry -- children learn of the challenge of their emotions, their feelings, the longings of the heart and the virtues required to control them. It is a wise and profound story for children. We hope that you can join us! Please call (703) 362-4105 to reserve your FREE ticket. The Kids' Table: Another suggestion for this weekend, folks. You may have to hollow out a pumpkin, list all the to-do possibilities on slips of paper, toss them in the great orange gourd and have the youngest in the family pull out the winner. Let me (Vicki) also give everyone a great resource for sharing information with us -- for finding your way around our site:
It's the help desk.
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.: I am a college student who babysits, so while I am around kids a good bit, I am pretty out of touch with ways to occupy their time outside the house. Are there any upcoming D.C. activities on Sunday afternoons that I could do with them? Pref. ones that do not need a car. Thanks!! The Kids' Table: I admire your style. How old are the kids? Movies at Union Station are right above the Red Line; movies in Bethesda are easily accessible by Metro, too. Smithsonian is free (and there's a McDonald's at the Air and Space). I bet neither you nor the kids have been to the Postal Museum. It's delightful. And of course, there's the Capital Children's Museum. It's in need of a coat of paint, but visitors under 13 don't notice (or care). They're too busy playing shop, making Mexican hot chocolate, performing "magical" science experiments. -- Kate
Solar Decathlon?: Hi, I'm interested in heading down to the Solar Decathlon on the mall on Saturday, and was considering bringing along my 8 year-old stepdaughter. Have anyone gone yet and would you recommend it for kids that young? If so, can you recommend any attractions (restaurants, museums) within walking distance that might also interest a kid with a short attention span? We'll be metroing down there so don't wander to wander too far away.... The Kids' Table: Absolutely Solar! And here's a handy Web site full of cool stuff to help prepare her for the visit. Hopefully by the time she's of age to be making decisions about electric power this will all be run-of-the-mill technology. Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., you can get a guided tour from one of the students who helped create the houses; and the winner of the entire contest will be announced at noon Saturday.
For those of you who missed it, The Solar Decathlon is a contest among 14 college teams, each of which built a solar-powered house (and all have been set up on the National Mall). The point is to create homes that are practical for today's energy-hungry world. If you're interested, here's a feature article about the contest.
As to other area attractions within walking distance of the Mall, you'll find the National Air and Space Musem and National Museum of Natural History, both of which have IMAX theaters in case you need to sit down and rest for a while. The National Museum of Natural History's Atrium Cafe can be a good place for a meal as well.
Falls Church, VA: Continuing today's Farm Theme -- we took our 17-month old son to Great Country Farms (http://www.greatcountryfarms.com/) out in Virginia a month or so ago. He's not always the adventurous type, so we were thrilled to find that he really, really enjoyed himself there! There were lots of friendly animals, a pony to ride, a playground, and he even managed to entertain himself in the berry patch for a bit while mommy & daddy picked some raspberries. The price was more than reasonable, and the owners/operators were friendly and helpful. We'll be making the trip back out there for our pumpkin this year, we're all looking forward to it! The Kids' Table: And I (Vicki) think I say this every week, but the picture opportunities are outstanding. If you forget a camera, stop and get one like mine -- the tossable, one-time use variety (I know it's loaded correctly, battery ready, compact and not-to-worry about its well-being).
Oops, Butler's IS in Germantown: I'm the poster who recommended Butler's - you're right, the apple picking and pumpkin picking are at the one and only location in Germantown (we're in NoVa, so I got my towns mixed up) Sorry! The Kids' Table: Now if you were my husband, I'd want to hear that "you're right" part again. No need to apologize; thanks for the child-tested-over-the-years recommendation. Please come back with more ideas. -- Vicki
Working in Farragut: Do you know anything about the Fall Jubilee in Old Town Manassas? What can I expect there for the kids? The Kids' Table: Hi Working. Thanks for asking. At theManassas Fall Jubilee, The Washington Post's KidsPost has a whole kids area set up with face-painting, Banjo Dan the banjo-plucking storyteller, Mr. Bump the Juggler and Sprocket the Robot, among other entertainers. The Jubilee is an old-fashioned, family-friendly town festival set up within a four-block area between West and Battle streets. (No cars allowed within the festival area.) Scout troops will also be offering activities for kids, including a bean bag toss. For $1 your kids can enjoy the moon bounce or ride the carousel. Various emergency response groups will be showing off their vehicles for kids (young and old) to check out and some of the crafters also have kids activities. -- Lynette
Bethesda, MD: I'm planning an event for about 15 kids, age about 8-13, in Montgomery County. Probably about two-thirds boys, one-third girls. Some know each other, some don't - part of the point of this is to get the kids get to know each other (it's a medical support group, but the kids are not disabled). In the past we've done laser tag & pizza, which worked out great, and bowling, which worked out so-so. The activity has to sound fun - or else the kids won't show up! Any ideas? The next event will be in mid/late October, but we have hopes of doing this quarterly throughout the year. The Kids' Table: Hello Bethesda, this is Matt. Sounds like a tough group to satisfy, but I'll give it a shot.
This is a great time of year for pumpkin patches that often include mazes, haunted barns and scarecrow making. This list has many places to go in the area, including Montgomery County.
In keeping with the laser tag, bowling sports theme, what about roller skating? There is a rink in Rockville. Many places do cater to groups, and throughout the afternoon they throw in different games for the children to play.
There is a Build a Bear Workshop in Westfield Shoppingtown on Democracy Boulevard, 301/365-8388. You can get in and out for as little as $10 to $12 a bear. You get to choose the bear, stuff it and name it. The bear is put in cardboard house. My children then enjoyed coloring it with markers.
And there are always places like Chuck E. Cheese, where the group can eat and also play games.
Good luck. I hope this helped.
Silver Spring, MD: My son's second birthday will be in December. I am looking for something better than Chuckie Cheese to take him and about 8 or 9 of his friends. It has to be indoors (Dec), serve lunch, and have something else to do like games. Thanks. The Kids' Table: Wow. I don't have 8 or 9 friends. Could you imagine letting these guys in the kitchen at Generous George's?
Have you thought about what fun they could have if you took out all the furniture in your living room and let them bump tummies and be silly?
Vermont Ave: My 5 year old daughter loves bumper cars, and so do I - any good places around MD? Oh, and Fells Point in Baltimore is having a Hispanic Festival from 11 to 7 Saturday and Sunday with lots of stuff for kids and adults. Thanks! The Kids' Table: And thank you for the tip, Vermont! I'm afraid the closest place I (Lynette) know of that has bumper cars is at the arcades in Ocean City. Let's throw this one out to the peanut gallery and maybe someone can help us with this one next time. Thanks.
The Kids' Table: Time to say bye. Thanks again for being outstanding table mates. You guys are great. Please come back at noon Wednesday, Oct. 16. We can talk about Halloween and the weird and wonderful fun for the 31st. Or we can let the conversation go wherever it takes us -- like today's trips to the farms. Don't forget to stop and smell and pick the flowers, too. Take care.
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