Celebrate the Dentzel Carousel at Glen Echo Park   Happy Weekend! Link up to ideas galore for local fun: * Best Outdoors in the DC Area * The Great Indoors * Local Hikes with Kids * Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums * Baltimore with Kids * Bike Rides * Paddling Options * Stunning Spaces * Peaceful Places Bon Jour, Georgetown! Where: Book Hill Neighborhood | Georgetown, DC When: Friday & Saturday, 10am – 5pm | Sunday, 12-5pm Admission: Free The Georgetown French Market returns to the Book Hill area of the neighborhood, bringing the signature European open air market back for its 21st year.  More than 40 Georgetown boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, galleries, and more will be featured. But it’s not all about the shopping!  There will also be strolling mimes, hands-on activities, live music, plus French cuisine from Georgetown cafes and restaurants. Visit the website to see the schedule of events and list of participating shops. Family ‘Hoppy’ Hour with King Bullfrog Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC When: Friday, 5-7pm Admission: Kick off the weekend with a family-friendly evening filled with live music for all ages! This concert will be outdoors (weather permitting), perfect for little ones to run, dance, laugh, and play to the beat of their favorite songs. Beer, wine, and cheese & pepperoni pizza will be available for purchase. Earth Day Movie Night: Elemental Where: The Yards | Capitol Riverfront, DC When: Friday, 8-10pm Admission: Free (or suggested $5 donation) Elements are what makes the earth, earth! Join The Yards for a screening of Pixar’s Elemental on The Sundeck. See how much the elements have in common with an adventure through Element City to celebrate Earth Day. Make it a picnic under the stars — stop by one of the restaurants and pick up dinner to-go to enjoy on The Sundeck. Don’t forget your blankets and chairs! For dessert, enjoy a sweet treat with Ice Cream Jubilee’s onsite scoops and deluxe topping bar. Caps vs. Rangers Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC When: Friday, 7pm & Sunday, 8pm Admission: Ticket prices vary (look for more options) Caps are playing Game 3 of this Play Off round at home — and hopefully there will be a Game 4, too.  Make a longer outing of it in Penn Quarter and get a bite to eat at one of the family-friendly restaurants in the area.  And maybe pop in to the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum which are right across th estreet from Capitol One Arena and open until 7pm. We’ve Got Spirit, Yes We Do Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC When: Friday, 7:30pm Admission: Tickets start at $10 Cheer on our local women’s pro soccer team on Friday evening as the Washington Spirit host Orlando Pride. Enjoy some amazing soccer play while supporting our home team and women in sports. Plan for a pre-match meal nearby — see some recs for family-friendly spots to eat in that area. Carousel Day Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm Admission: Free (carousel rides cost a fee) This annual tradition is one of Glen Echo Park’s most popular festivals,  celebrating the beautiful historic Dentzel Carousel spinning for 103 years!  Along with rides on the beloved merry-go-round, guests of all ages can enjoy loads of fun activities: music and dance performances, arts & crafts, artist studios and galleries, and much more. See the day’s full details here. Go, Terps! Where: University of Maryland | College Park, MD When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm Admission: Free The annual Maryland Day celebration in College Park gets a giant thumbs-up from me, and not just because it’s my alma mater. This is a fantastic event for families — and we know from experience. Every year, the University hosts a huge open house for, well, everybody. There will be hundreds of family-friendly activities for varying ages, including learning games; a sports and rec area; musical performances; arts & crafts; farm animal visits; fossil digs; insect and instrument petting zoos; and TONS more. It’s spread out all over campus — and it’s a huge campus, so be prepared for lots of walking (worth every step!) and be sure to bring a stroller for little ones. Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD When: Friday, 7pm | Saturday & Sunday, 11am & 2pm Admission: $25 (look for discount) Journey into the Appalachian Mountains in this award-winning musical that deftly weaves four traditional tales and original music into a keepsake quilt of mountain lore and wisdom for the whole family. Jack who lands himself a job despite his foolishness. “Catskins” is a spunky Appalachian Cinderella. “The Enchanted Tree” is a beauty-and-the-beast love story between a lost girl and a frightening crow. And in a zany, sung-through “Sow and Her Three Pigs” plucky Nancy the pig outsmarts the hungry fox. This play with music incorporates singing, mountain dances, music, and puppets to create a highly theatrical storytelling style. Saturday Morning Live!: Off the Page Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC When: Saturday, 9:30am & 11am Admission: Free The National Theatre’s free program presents shows for children on select Saturday mornings, from interactive performances, puppets, dance, and music – all designed to light up imaginations and celebrate a world of wonder. This month celebrates the magic of books… they can transport us to new worlds; illustrations and entire adventures can lift right off the page. When an imaginative young child dives into a book, the stories come to life around them. Through dance, music, puppetry, and vibrant imagery, this world premiere production will literally unfold before your eyes! Garden Fair & Plant Sale Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm Admission: Free Join Friends of the National Arboretum for the annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale.  Celebrate spring with a fantastic array of plants, expert gardening advice, dozens of local vendors, and free outdoor activities for all ages.  Be sure to explore the vast grounds while you’re there, and don’t miss the gorgeous azalea bloom! Go here for scenes from a past bloom. And read more about the Arb  — it’s one of my very favorite spots in DC — here, here, and here. Do the Loop Where: Around Northwest DC When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm Admission: Free Enjoy a day of free indoor and outdoor arts programming in collaboration with several wonderful museums and other places in DC, including Dumbarton Oaks, the Katzen Museum, Jackson Art Center, Kreeger Museum and galleries on Georgetown’s Book Hill. Each organization has their own exciting activities including performances, art openings, food trucks, and more. Visit the website for the full schedule and details. No tickets or reservations needed. Spring Festival Where: South Mountain Creamery | Middletown, MD When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm Admission: Free This annual festival is super fun and a great opportunity to experience the farm and creamery. There’s a petting zoo for the kids, hay rides for everyone, live music, corn hole, civil war reenactments, and fun farm demos, like ice cream churning and bee keeping. Shop the Farmer’s Market, plus additional food and snacks from vendors will be available for purchase. Book It in DC Where: Bookstores in the DC area When: Saturday Admission: Free Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day, and several local book shops are celebrating with special activities. East City Bookshop on Capitol Hill will have  in-store flash sales, activities for all ages, giveaways, and more. Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle will be offering Blind Date with a Book — receive a surprise book for every $75 you spend at the bookstore — and hiding golden 20% off tickets in the store. And some other local indie stores to shop:  Capitol Hill Books, Solid State Books, Politics and Prose, Loyalty Bookstores, and Busboys and Poets. NoVa Bookstore Crawl Where: Bookstores Around Northern Virginia When: Saturday Admission: Free To celebrate Independent Bookstore Day beyond the District, join the NoVa Bookstore Crawl. Fifteen independent bookstores across Northern Virginia, Frederick, MD, and Wardensville, WV are partnering on a special Passport program. Book lovers can explore more of the region’s growing bookstore scene and enjoy special festivities at most of the shops. Garden Fair & Plant Sale Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm Admission: Free Join Friends of the National Arboretum for the annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale. Celebrate spring with a fantastic array of plants, expert gardening advice, dozens of local vendors, and free outdoor activities for all ages.  Be sure to explore the vast grounds while you’re there, and don’t miss the gorgeous azalea bloom! Go here for scenes from a past bloom. And read more about the Arb  — it’s one of my very favorite spots in DC — here, here, and here. Art Cart: Cherry Blossoms You Can Wear Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm Admission: Free In celebration of spring, join the Hirshhorn for a blossom-inspired Art Cart. Take a close look at artist Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Two Circles, and explore nature-inspired books and materials to make our own blossom-inspired artworks. Find the Art Cart on the Plaza, and pick up your blooming materials. Mmmm…Chocolate Where: La Maison Française | Foxhall, DC When: Saturday, 10am – 5:30pm Admission: $24/ages 12+ (free for kids under 12) The DC Chocolate Festival is a celebration of artisan and fine chocolate from the Mid-Atlantic and beyond! The event brings together over 30 chocolate vendors and thousands of chocolate lovers for a day of tasting, talking, and learning. The session looks like the better pick for families & kids, with hot chocolate making demo and tasting (though the whole event is family-friendly). STAR Fest Where: MLK Library | Penn Quarter, DC When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm Admission: Free DC Public Library’s Books from Birth program, which gives all DC children a free book a month from birth to age 5, presents this free family festival at the wonderful MLK Memorial Library. The event features sing stations, imaginative play experiences, story times, interactive writing/scribbling activities, and much more. Read more about Books from Birth here and MLK Library here. Alice in Wonderland Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1pm Admission: $15 This brand new adaptation based on the beloved children’s novel by Lewis Carroll will take the audience on a delightful journey into wonderland using rod puppets. This one-of-a-kind performance blends music and humor to create a new version of a familiar story. Recommended for ages 4+. Islander: A New Musical Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD When: Through April 28 Admission: $55-91 (look for discount) Islander tells a modern myth featuring two actors who use live mixing and looping technology to create a sonic landscape as dramatic as the Scottish coastline. Eilidh is the only child on Kinnan Island, where most of the dwindling population has moved to the “Big Land.” The government has proposed to resettle the rest, and the town must vote soon on whether or not to accept the offer. But the day after a baby whale beaches itself, Eilidh discovers a young girl named Arran along the shore, who seems straight out of Scottish folklore. As the two form a friendship, Islander takes audiences on a magical journey to transcend loss, recover hope, and find community. Rated G for all families. Brick Fest Live Where: PG Sports & Learning Complex | Landover, MD When: Saturday & Sunday Admission: $20-40 (look for discount) The nation’s largest LEGO Fan Festival brings together enthusiasts from across the country to showcase their amazing brick constructions, from tiny intricate works to elaborate, towering creations. Hundreds of exhibitors will be there to display their designs, along with vendors selling all things LEGO. Other activities will include live interactive stage shows, LEGO building, life-style models, games, and photo ops. Sensory Day Where: Old Firehouse | McLean, VA When: Saturday, 1-4pm Admission: Free Challenge your Senses at the Old Firehouse! This unique and fun event, supporting Autism Awareness Month, will provide ALL who attend a sensory exploration through taste, smell, sound, sight and touch. This event is free and open to ALL. Hill Family Biking: Anniversary Ride! Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC When: Saturday, 4-7pm Admission: Free Join a Hill Family Biking to celebrate its 1-year anniversary with a 4.5 mile ride along the new Potomac Ave and 19th St bike lanes and a block party in front of Maury Elementary. All are welcome at the block party whether or not you participate in the ride to enjoy music, face painting, food trucks, a kids’ bike course, chalk art, and special guest appearances. Think of the block party as a mini Open Streets with participation from organizations like WABA, Girls in Gear, DC Public Library, Throne Labs (yes, a working bathroom on site!), goDCgo, Capital Bikeshare and more! The ride start in the Maury Elementary Parking Lot on 12th Pl NE and ends at the block party on the 200 block of 13th St NE. Good Morning, El Salvador | Buenos Días, El Salvador Where: Takoma Park Maryland Library When: Saturday, 11am Admission: Free Enjoy a trilingual play in Nawat, español, and English, featuring puppets and live music! And a celebration of Día: Children’s Day/Book Day! Yek Peyna Guxgatan is a heartwarming story about a Salvadoran-American grandchild visiting their grandmother in El Salvador for the first time, and discovering their Indigenous history and language through song. Porchfest Where: Around Petworth, DC When: Saturday, 2-8pm Admission: Free Get the best seats in the house (or on the sidewalk) as the front porches around Petworth are transformed into intimate performance spaces to be enjoyed by anyone who happens to stroll by. Featuring dozens of bands, the event celebrate the arts and the community. Performances will beon porches 2-6pm and on a main stage 6-8pm.  Access a schedule and map of porch locations here. DC United vs Seattle Sounders FC Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC When: Saturday, 7:30pm Admission: Tickets start at $27 (look for deal) DC United is playing at home on Saturday evening, hosting Seattle. The club is partnering with Audi of America for Sustainability Night to support and encourage environmentally friendly practices and more sustainable lifestyles. Fans will also have the opportunity to learn more and connect with nonprofit organizations focused on sustainable efforts in our community. As always, I recommend taking public transportation to the Navy Yard neighborhood and walking to Audi Field from there. You can grab a bite to eat before — see some kid-friendly recommendations in the area. Family Funday with The Great Zucchini Where: Hook Hall | Petworth, DC When: April 28, 10:30am Admission: $5 Select Sundays at Hook Hall are all about FAMILY FUN! Bring the kiddos for entertainment in late April as The Great Zucchini, the DMV’s funniest and most magical entertainer, performs a magic show where every child is a star! Coffee and hot drinks available for purchase for the parents. ***MORE GOOD STUFF*** * There’s a new giveaway for a chance to win tickets to Adventure Theatre’s new show Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales! * The National Children’s Chorus is holding auditions for Fall 2024. * Washington Post picks 5 of the best new food halls in the DC area. * Very excited about this store opening in DC soon! In the meantime, coveting this pretty blouse. * Insight for booking a National Park trip this summer. * This patio chair looks so cozy. * And more ideas for small outdoor spaces. * Play room goals.