Pre-peak… full bloom expected this weekend!   Happy Weekend! Go-to KFDC posts full of ideas for ongoing fun: * Best Outdoors in the DC Area * Local Hikes with Kids * The Great Indoors * Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums * Kid-Friendly Dining * Indoor Action * Baltimore with Kids * Peaceful Plac es * Stunning Spaces Peak Time in DC Where: Tidal Basin, DC When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Free DC’s famous cherry trees are expected to be at peak bloom this weekend!  And viewing them may just be the top thing to do during the season — and lots of people agree. The scenery really can’t get more iconic DC than the flowering trees around the Tidal Basin at their peak pink and white brilliance with our grand memorials in the background. However, viewing the famous blooms can be a bit challenging without being aware of a few things, so be sure to check out these KFDC tips before you go to see them (and they include alternative places to see cherry blossoms if you don’t want to deal with Tidal Basin crowds). There are also lots of events and activities to celebrate the season, some listed in this round-up, but see even more here. Earth to Space Festival Family Weekend Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by activity For three weeks this spring, Earth to Space: Arts Breaking the Sky will fill the Kennedy Center with musicians and astronauts, poets and researchers, visual artists and engineers, actors and environmentalists, architects and astronomers, dancers and scientists, filmmakers and space designers. Saturday & Sunday are a Family Weekend when there will be extra fun for kids, including art activities in the Moonshot studio, a NASA info table, a martian spacesuit design workshop, and more free fun.  Plus there will be an NSO Family Concert: Earth to Space on Sunday at 1pm ($25). Get in the Spirit! Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC When: Friday, 8pm Admission: Tickets start at $28 The Washington Spirit host Bay FC under the lights on Friday evening, and the rematch of the NWSL quarter-finals is sure to be exciting! Concessions are available on the concourse, but you can also plan to grab a pre-game bite to eat in the Navy Yard area — find firsthand recommendations for family-friendly places to go. Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster  Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC When: Fri, 7pm | Sat, 11:30am & 1:30pm | Sun, 1:30pm & 4pm Admission: $25.30 (find discount) Take kids to this new show based on Mo Willems’ book…  Leonardo is a terrible monster. He tries so hard to be scary, but he just… isn’t. Then Leonardo finds Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the world. Will Leonardo finally get to scare the tuna salad out of someone? Or will it be the start of an unlikely friendship? Watch what happens when a terrible, not-so-scary monster meets the most scaredy-cat kid. The Circus is Coming to Town Where: Eagle Bank Arena | Fairfax, VA When: Through April 6 Admission: Start at $20 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey returns with a reimagined edition of The Greatest Show On Earth. This iconic production brings together 75 performers from 18 different nationalities, showcasing over 50 exhilarating circus acts in a fast-paced, action-packed, two-hour show. Blossom Kite Festival Where: Washington Monument Grounds | National Mall, DC When: Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm Admission: Free The sight of thousands of kites in all colors, shapes, and sizes soaring around the Washington Monument truly is a sight to behold. The sails you see flying at the Kite Festival each spring range from simple to pretty darn creative. Dragons, sharks, butterflies, giant soccer balls, even some that look like big, beautiful origami works way outnumber your basic diamond. And anyone can go fly their kites so bring one along! Be aware that it will likely be crowded. Metro highly recommended over driving. Allergic to Car Care? Pop-Up Where: Union Market | Northeast DC When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm Admission: Free Join Roda, the conceirge car care service, at Union Market for a hands-on car care event designed to help drivers shake off the season’s sneezes and keep their vehicles running smoothly. Stop by for a cabin air filter replacement, tire pressure check, or fluid top-off. Chat with Roda’s top techs and discover how their hundreds of services can make car maintenance effortless. Build your own allergy survival kit. Enjoy family -friendly beats from a live DJ and photo ops, too. Open Studio: Imaginary Worlds Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm Admission: Free At this week’s session of the Hirshhorn’s Saturday series, drop in to compare and contrast how artists Joseph Cornell and OSGEMEOS—twin Brazilian artists Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo create imaginary worlds with found objects. Experiment with assemblage, using everyday objects to create your own world in a box. Family Day: Japanese Fashion Where: GWU & Textile Museum | Foggy Bottom, DC When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm Admission: Free Celebrate culture, craft, and cherry blossom season with a special family day dedicated to art you can wear! People across time and cultures have expressed themselves through clothing and other adornments. This day of family-friendly art activities is inspired by beautiful kimonos, capes, robes and tunics on view in the museum’s centennial exhibition Intrinsic Beauty: Celebrating the Art of Textiles. There will be a special focus on Japan with demonstrations of traditional dance and music, as well as “kirigami” crafts. See more about the Textile Museum here. Drop in Arts & Crafts Where: Anacostia Community Museum | Anacostia, DC When: Saturday, 12-2pm Admission: Free Join the museum for arts & crafts for visitors of all ages. During this drop-in session, decorate flat wooden eggs, create bookmarks, paper animal art, and other activities. Be sure to leave time for exploring the current exhibition, A Bold and Beautiful Vision. Make It Wow! Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD When: Saturday, 1pm Admission: $30-130 Hosted by Mindy Thomas of the Wow in the World podcast and Carly Q. Ciarrocchi of Who, When, Wow: Mystery Edition, Make it Wow! is a fast-paced, science-packed, laughter-inducing, interactive live game show where real kids are the stars! Make it Wow! features two teams of Wowzer contestants who — with the help of the live audience — will wow the world with their own inventions that they make live on stage. More Show Time Where: Around the DC area When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by show There’s much more entertainment on local stages this weekend. Here’s where you can catch it (and you can find show details and any discount links here): * Mother Goose at Imagination Stage (all ages) * Sister Act at Ford’s Theatre (age 12+) * A Room in the Castle at Folger Shakespeare Theatre (teens & older) * The Age of Innocence at Arena Stage (teens & older) * In the Heights at Signature Theatre (age 8+) * Waitress at Olney Theatre (teens & older) The Nats are Back! Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC When: Saturday, 4:05pm & Sunday, 1:35pm Admission: Tickets start at $17 It’s the Nats first weekend at home this season! Catch a game on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and check out tips for spending less on a day at the ballpark (it can get pricey with kids). Be sure to note the ballpark rules for bringing bags (Prohibited Items section)  and that Kids Run the Bases after Sunday games doesn’t start for a few more weeks. But the playground will be open, and there is always fun happening along with the on-field action. PS: Go ahead and sign up for the Jr. Nationals Kids Club  – it’s so worth it! Read about that here. Bloomaroo Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC When: Saturday, 4-8pm Admission: Free The Wharf’s annual Bloomaroo is a free spring extravaganza featuring a full day of cherry-blossom themed art, music, fireworks, and family-friendly fun along the waterfront! Decorate koi kites, create haikus, do some karaoke, enjoy ballon art, sample matcha tea, and more.  There will also be beer gardens on District pier, s’mores at the firepit, and live music. It’ll all be capped off with a blossom fireworks finale. United vs Columbus Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC When: Saturday, 7:30pm Admission: Tickets start at DC United is playing at home on Saturday evening, hosting Columbus. There is also a baseball game on Saturday, so be aware that the area will be busy. I recommend taking public transportation, and trying to grab a pre-match bite while the baseball game is still going on — see some recommendations for family-friendly places to go. Wizards Cherry Blossom Night Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC When: Saturday, 7pm Admission: $38-193 Whoop it up at a special cherry blossom-themed basketball game! See the Wizards take on the Nets as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Purchase tickets through this link to get a cherry blossom Hawaiian shirt. A portion of proceeds also supports year-round care for the iconic trees through the Trust for the National Mall. Sakura Sunday Where: National Harbor | Oxon Run, MD When: Sunday, 11am – 6pm Admission: Free Join National Harbor for their annual Sakura Sunday Festival. The celebration will feature a wide array of free cultural activities including an artisanal Japanese marketplace, cultural performances, culinary delights, and more! Read more about all there is to do at National Harbor here. Spring Fair Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC When: Sunday, 11am – 4pm Admission: Free Head to an unexpected place for some spring shopping! Congressional Cemetery is hosting a marketplace featuring eco-friendly products, sustainable gifts, handmade crafts, and wholesome eco-treats. Find everything from upcycled treasures and organic goods to environmentally conscious creations. The Spring Fair is a celebration of community and a commitment to promoting sustainable living and preserving our natural heritage. See some beautiful blooming magnolias and a few charry blossoms, too. Read more about the historic cemetery in this KFDC post. Blossom Bash Where: Tysons Corner Center | Tysons, VA When: Sunday, 11am – 3pm Admission: Free Tysons is celebrating the season with a festival on the Plaza, featuring a variety of cherry blossom-themed activities and attractions. Families can enjoy kid-friendly activities such as face painting, glitter tattoos, and enjoy live music. Local artists will create live cherry blossom-themed chalk art, including a contest for participants, along with art exhibits on display. The Virginia LOVE letters sign provides a perfect photo opportunity and decorations. And retailers and restarants will offer special merchandise and food for the occasion. Young People’s Concert: Magic Pearl Where: NOVA Community College | Alexandria, VA When: Sunday, 2pm Admission: Free This year’s Young People’s Concert by the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will feature Christopher Vu’s Magic Pearl, a dynamic shadow puppet play with live music. The classic Chinese folktale is brought to life with shadow puppetry, using a variety of techniques including overhead projectors, flat-press puppets, and handheld lights and screens. The show is equal parts live concert and mixed media theatrical performance, perfect for all families. Following the program, children are invited to a “musical petting zoo” to try the band’s instruments for themselves! Caps vs Sabres Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC When: Sunday, 3pm Admission: Look for tickets here The Caps are playing the Sabres at home this weekend, and the game is sure to be extra exciting as the Ovechkin goal watch continues and he gets closer to breaking the all-time goal scoring record. Hence, the games is sold out, but you can get resale tickets here.  Make a longer outing of it in Penn Quarter and go to the American Art Museum for their festival and/or plan on dinner in the neighborhood after the game — this post has recs for kid-friendly places to go. PS: There’s also a 50th anniversary retro corduroy hat giveaway at the game. Take a Swing Where: Parks in Northern Virginia When: Throughout the weekend Admission:Varies Batter up! And tee up! Batting cages and mini golf courses are opening at several NoVa Parks. At Cameron Run, Upton Hill, and Occoquan Regional Parks, choose slow pitch softball or take a crack at baseballs featuring a variety of tough speeds.  And you can putt around at Cameron Run, Upton Hill, Pohick Bay, and Algonkian Regional Parks. Celebrate Women’s History Where: Around DC When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by activity Women’s History Month is winding down, but there still lots of great ways to celebrate it around DC, with something for all ages. See some exhibits, tour local landmarks, enjoy live entertainment… all of it showcasing women and their accomplishments. This post has details on where you can do that this weekend — and anytime! ***MORE GOOD STUFF*** * Easter events around the area are starting soon! * You can still shop e some KFDC picks from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale running through March 31. * Kids are invited to apply to the annual Acton Children’s Business Fair taking place on May 10. * Burnside Farms just announced that their Festival of Spring opens April 4, and tickets are now on sale. * Warmer weather makes it a good time to (re)share these 10 lawn games. * I recently made the cottage cheese bagels that are all over IG lately (my feed, anyway), and they turned out really good! * So many cute, well-made, inexpensive pieces in this spring/summer collection of kids clothes. * This new colorway of my fave everyday sneakers is so pretty and spring-y. * 40 years of buzzer beaters. * How to Cosplay as a Parent ...read more read less