ArtStarts Art Classes

Telegraph Station will now be hosting ArtStarts, a unique art program for children ages 2-5. These classes provide the opportunity for exploration, discovery, self-expression, and positive social interaction. Children will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of art materials such as paint,  clay, markers, crayons, and paper, while also engaging in stories, songs, and movement.

Beginning February 1st, ArtStarts will meet from 10:30-11:15 on Wednesdays at Telegraph Station located at 5735 Telegraph Road Alexandria, VA 22303. The current schedule is as follows:

February 1st, 8th, 22nd

March 7th and 14th,

April 11th, 18th, and 25th.

 

To register, email Nicole  at ArtStartsonthePike@gmail.com and include your child’s name, age and date(s) for which you wish to register. Class fee is $15 per session via PayPal. Visit ArtStartsonthePike.com for class information and schedule updates.

 

Fun Holiday Lights in Arlington, Alexandria, & Falls church

My daughter is mildly obsessed with Christmas lights, and I must admit that I am an enabler.  I’m a white light and garland kind of girl, but there is something fun about an absolutely tacky house.  It is dark so early these days that we are often in the car after the sun sets, and I’m constantly pointing out houses for her to check out.  I just love the intake of breath at each and every house.

Although she likes any kind of light display, I wanted to really blow her mind.  I asked our MOMS Club chat if they knew of any local displays that went overboard (in a good way).  I had some great responses.  The first that we checked out was 1610 N Abingdon St in Arlington.  It is fantastic!  You have to get out of the car to get the full effect.  There is a train set on the porch, a Santa and reindeer on the roof, and a tree with candy canes for the kids in the yard- plus tons more.  Totally over the top, but tasteful (a difficult combination).

Another mom posted about  Holly’s Tacky Christmas Lights.  Holly Zell, the creator of the site, takes pictures of the tackiest light displays in the area, primarily focusing on Fairfax County.   Check it out to see tons of addresses.

Here are some other “tacky” treats in the area- let me know if you know of any others!

 

• 1713 N. Quebec St, Arlington
• 5604 Hereford Ct, Alexandria
• 5601 Hereford Ct, Alexandria
• 8505 N Roosevelt St, Falls Church
• 510 East Broad St, Falls Church

 

Get Out and Stay Out with Kids in DC Metro- December 13th – 16th

Tuesday, December 13th    “Eat the World” Fundraiser

11am – 9pm @ Sâuçá Restaurant, Arlington

Barcroft, Campbell, Claremont & Randolph Elementary School PTAs have joined forces with the new Columbia Pike restaurant Sâuçá to benefit all four schools.  Order lunch or dinner, eat-in or take-out and 15% of profits will go to support the PTAs.  If you haven’t tried out the this restaurant, you should.  The food is delicious!

Wednesday, December 14th    Holiday Shopping Happy Hour!

5pm – 7pm @ Telegraph Station, Alexandria

Shop winter items from designer brands like Baby Gap, Catimini, Gymboree, Hanna Andersson, Janie and Jack, Mini Boden, and more! All holiday and winter attire will be 20% off!  After you shop, enjoy a relaxed bite to eat or grab a drink.

Thursday, December 15th    Winter Open House

4pm – 7pm @ Central Library, Arlington

Central Library will hold a Winter Open House for kids and families in the Youth Services area.  They will have winter-themed crafts available in the children’s room, refreshments in the Rabbit Hole, and the librarians will share a winter story and song every half hour.

Friday, December 16th    Tiny Tots

10am – 10:45am @ Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington

Tiny Tot programs provide an opportunity to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each fun and educational program will engage your child with hands-on learning, and may include a variety of activities like songs, crafts, finger plays and mini-hikes.

 

This Weekend with Kids in DC Metro: November 19th & 20th

Here’s what happening this weekend!

Children’s Class: Thanksgiving Candy Craft

10-11:30am @ Sugar Cube, Alexandria

Kids ages 6-8 will make gumdrop turkeys and chocolate-dipped pilgrim hats for the Thanksgiving holiday. Perfect as place settings or as little gifts.

Civil War Family Day

11am – 4pm @ National Postal Museum , Washington, DC

Sort mail in a Railway Post Office train car (a Civil War-era innovation), learn about Confederate postage, find out how Abraham Lincoln corresponded, and write to current American military personnel. Explore the Mail Call exhibit and learn more about Civil War postal history and philately.

Sort mail in a railway post office train car, find out how Abraham Lincoln corresponded and write to current American military personnel.

Family Gaming–Shirlington 

2pm @ Shirlington Branch Library, Arlington

Have family game time at the library! Try board games, card games and a host of video games. Call 703-228-6545 for more information.

Giving Thanks Tea

2pm – 5pm @ The Grille at Morrison House, Alexandria

Mrs. B teaches children proper etiquette through a themed afternoon tea. For November, the theme is giving thanks and Julie Marks’s “Thanks for Thanksgiving” will be read. There will also be a dress up time with antique aprons and crafts. Of course, there will be plenty of finger foods and tea.

What’s it All About, Maestra?

2:30pm & 4:30pm @ Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC

Capital City Symphony presents a family concert, with Guest Artist Oran Sandel.  It includes the popular Instrument Petting Zoo!

Snakes Alive

4pm – 5pm @ Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington

Families, with children ages 4 and up. Register children and adults; an accompanying adult must attend. Find out everything you wanted to know about these amazing and often misunderstood creatures. You’ll have a chance to meet several up close and personal! For more information call 703-228-6535.

Campfire: American Indian Heritage Month

6pm – 7:15pm @ Long Branch Nature Center

The whole family is invited to join us for lots of old-fashioned fun. Celebrate American Indian Heritage Month by learning about the culture of some of the previous residents of Virgina. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities, which may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs, and of course treats like s’mores. For more information call 703-228-6535.

 

Children’s Clothing Swap

Calvary Untied Methodist Church is hosting their annual Children’s Clothing Swap.  The swap will be held Saturday, November 19th from 10am to 2pm,  Whether or not you have items to swap, come and check out the clothing that the children in our community have outgrown.  Everyone is welcome!

All remaining items will be donated.  Summer items will go to Arts for Humanity in Honduras, and winter items will be donated to Joplin, Missouri.  Please note, they do not have the funds to ship the items to Joplin so all donations are welcome.

Children’s Clothing Swap

Calvary United Methodist Church

2315 South Grant Street, Arlington, Va. 22202

 

Get Out and Stay Out with Kids in DC Metro: November 15th – 18th

Is everyone out there as busy as I am?  There’s always rom for some fun- here are some ideas to get you out of the house!

Tuesday, November 15th    Recess at the Rink

9:20am – 10:50am @ Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Arlington

This special public skating session is a great opportunity for young children to get acclimated tothe rink before summer skating camps and lessons!  An instructor will be available throughout the session to assist skaters as needed.  Kids can play hockey with foam hockey pucks, mini-nets, and mini-sticks, use buckets, and write on the ice with special markers!  All young skaters must wear gloves. Helmets are recommended. Adults not required to be on ice with children, but they do skate for free with children.  Beanie Babies, buckets, ice markers, and foam hockey pucks will be provided for kids to play with while skating! Plus free hot drinks!*  Kids ages 2 to 8 skate for $7.  Parents and caregivers skate free with child!  Includes skate rental for all! Limit one adult per child.

Wednesday, November 16th   Kids Club

10:30am @ Aurora Hills Branch Library, Arlington

Come and listen to stories by Dav Pilkey and Mo Willems! There will be an egg toss and children will go home with balloon animals created by Antoine from the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs department. For more information, call 703-228-5715.

Wednesday, November 16th    Special Drop-In Holiday Storytime “Off Campus”

10:30am @ Giant Supermarket, Arlington

A special holiday storytime. Drop-in, no registration. Daycare classes are welcomed to attend. At the new Giant supermarket off Columbia Pike, 2501 9th Rd. S. For more information, call 703-228-7761.

Wednesday, November 16th    Fairies, Fables and Funny Folktales

4pm @ Columbia Pike Branch Library, Arlington

Storytime includes multicultural folktales, puppetry, readers’ theater and crafts. A drop-in program for grades K-5. No registration required. For more information, call 703-228-7761.

Wednesday, November 16th    Wild Ones: On the Turkey Trail

4pm – 5pm @ Gulf Branch Nature Center, Arlington

Your child is invited to join our exciting nature club which meets twice a month. Choose just a few programs or attend them all! Gobble gobble? Trace the tracks of the turkey as we trail this big bird through the woods. Learn to tell a Tom from a Hen, where they can be seen in our area, and more! For more information: 703-228-3403. Ages 6 – 10.

Thursday, November 17th    Nature Detectives- Turkeys

10am @ Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria

Learn about these impressive birds through an activity, and a craft. Reservations required

Friday, November 18th    ‘Tis the Season

7:30pm @ David M. Brown Planetarium, Arlington

This annual holiday favorite, where you learn how people throughout time dealt with the shortened days of winter.  The show equates the darkness of the winter solstice with the multi-cultural practice of using festive lights to celebrate the holiday season.

 

The Rough-Faced Girl

Synetic Theater’s newest Family Theater show, The Rough-Faced Girl  opens this weekend.  The Rough-Faced Girl is a Cinderella story told through the eyes of a Native American girl cast off by her family.  Through a blend of music, dance, acrobatics, and Native American storytelling traditions, this show helps young theater goers celebrate Native American History Month and understand that beauty lies within.

The official opening performance is this Sunday at 11am , and they are offering you a discount to that show of 50% off for Go Out and Play readers- use the code: GOOUT.  Tickets are regularly price $12, so the price will only be $6!  There will also be complimentary snacks and drinks at the opening performance with a post-show discussion with the actors and director.  The show is appropriate for ages 2 and up.

Click here for tickets for Sunday’s show.

 

Get Out and Stay Out with Kids in DC Metro: November 8th – 11th

It’s going to be a great week, weather-wise, so be sure to spend some time outside!  Check out The Meanest Momma’s reviews of local parks.  She reviews based on shade, equipment, bathrooms, etc- all things that parents want to know!

Tuesday, November 8th    Family Storytime

6:30pm @ Central Library Youth Services “Rabbit Hole” Room, Arlington

No registration required. First come, first served until capacity is reached. Call 703-228-5946 for more information.  All ages welcome.

Wednesday, November 9th    Fairies, Fables and Funny Folktales

4pm @ Columbia Pike Branch Library, Arlington

Storytime includes multicultural folktales, puppetry, readers’ theater and crafts. A drop-in program for grades K-5. No registration required. For more information, call 703-228-7761.

Wednesday, November 9th    Stroller Happy Hour

3pm – 5pm@ Twisted Vines Bistro, Arlington

Bring the little ones to a kid-friendly meet & greet with other Arlington parents. Snacks will be provided for the kids… great happy hour specials for the kids at heart.

Wednesday, November 9th    Wild Ones: Candle Making
3:30pm – 5pm @ Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington
 You’ll light up with this craft, by making your own candles. We’ll try our hands at some new and old ways to make these luminaries. For more information call 703-228-6535. Ages 6 – 10.    $5 fee due upon registration.  Program # 612921-C

Friday, November 11th    Tiny Tot

10am @ Gulf Branch Nature Center

Tiny Tot programs  are 45 minutes long and provide an opportunity to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each fun and educational program will engage your child with hands-on learning, and may include a variety of activities like songs, crafts, finger plays and mini-hikes.  Each program has a theme, but themes are not published ahead of time so that we flexibility in exploring and incorporating all of the amazing and changeable aspects of the park and its wildlife into our programs.  Adults must remain during the entire program. $5 per child due at registration.   Ages: 18 – 35 months with adult.

Thursday, November 10th    Who Stole my Acorns?

10:30am & 3:30pm @ Gulf Branch Nature Center, Arlington

How can there be new Oak trees with Squirrel and Chipmunk and Blue Jay around?  You’ll discover how the animals and plants work together to make the beautiful Gulf Branch forest. This highly interactive program may include stories, songs, crafts and mini-hikes. Ages: 3 – 5 years.  Parents are invited to stay and observe, or those with younger siblings may visit the rest of the building during the program. Parents must remain on-site. $5 per child due at registration.

Thursday, November 10th    Operation Christmas Child Packing Party

6:30 – 8:30pm @ Fellowship Hall at Mt. Olivet Church, Arlington

Join Chick-fil-A for a community Shoe Box Packing Party for Operation Christmas Child. Bring your empty box and the items that you would like to pack it with and be part of the packing fun!  There will be music, refreshments and a special appearance by the ‘Eat Mor Chikin’ Santa Cow.  Everyone donating a packed box that evening will receive a special offer from Chick-fil-A at Ballston Common that evening. You can visit the Operation Christmas Child website to learn how to pack a box and what types of items to include.

Friday, November 11th     529.Kids.Consign at Telegraph Station

10am – 1pm @ Telegraph Station, Alexandria

Shop from designer brands: Baby Gap, Catimini, Gymboree, Hannah Andersson, Hartstrings, Janie and Jack, Mini Boden, and maternity fall pieces from A Pea in the Pod, Isabella Oliver, Lucky Brand, Michael Stars, Olian and more. Telegraph Station is kid friendly with toys, so kids are encouraged to come.

 

This Weekend with Kids in DC Metro: October 29th & 30th

 

Winter weather this weekend!

 

Saturday, October 29th

 

 

 

Healthy Kids Fun Run

 

8am – 3pm @ Pentagon North Parking lot, Arlington

 

The annual Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run will be held in the Pentagon North Parking Lot. Children ages 5-12 will participate in the one-mile just-for-fun event.  All participants receive a t-shirt, medal and snacks at the finish line.

 

 

 

 

 

AUMC Kid’s Stuff Consignment Sale

 

9am – 1pm @ Annadale United Methodist Church, Annadale

 

Great way to save money and buy second hand clothing, furniture, gear, books,

 

games and toys.

 

 

 

Falloween

 

10am – 2pm @ Market Common Clarendon

 

Bring the whole family out for a day of fall fun at Market Common Clarendon! Enjoy a petting zoo, free face painting, DJ music, sidewalk chalking, fun photo ops (1 free photo per family), a variety of live entertainment, plus trick-or-treating at participating retailers. People and pets in costume are invited to join in the FALLoween Parade at 11:30am, led by The Jokesters. Each attendee can also take a complimentary mini-pumpkin home! No registration necessary. FALLoween is on rain or shine, and all the activities are free.

 

 

 

 

 

DCJCC Literary Festival   

 

10am @ Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center’s Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts, Washington, DC

 

The program is part of the Sugarman Family Children’s Book Award and includes a morning of crafts, folktales and fun with author Vicki Weber. Her book, It’s Too Crowded in Here! is a collection of Jewish folktales and midrashic stories, enlivened by colorful illustrations. Great to read aloud or act out, the stories also provide a rich yet light-hearted resource for exploring key values such as self-respect, compassion, appreciation, tolerance and thankfulness. Tickets are $10 per family, and include a copy of the book.

 

 

 

Haunted Halloween Pop Ups

 

10am – 12pm @ National Building Museum, Washington, DC

 

Celebrate the spirit of Halloween as you design your very own pop-up haunted house. Learn the pop-up architecture technique from guest artist Carol Barton. Decorate a spooky haunted house scene to take place on your window sill. Fun for the whole family, the festivities include crafts, treats, and ghosts stories (more silly than spooky!) about the Museum.  Prepaid registration required. Ages six and up. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Adult tickets are FREE.

 

 

 

Halloween Trick-or-Treat
11am – 5pm @ Pentagon Row, Arlington
Center-wide Halloween trick-or-treating for all of the local little ghouls and goblins. Participating merchants will have a sign on their door designating them as a trick-or-treat location. Rain or shine.

 

 

 

Trick or Treat with the Boo-tiques

 

11am – 6pm @ Old Town Alexandria Boutique, Alexandria

 

Bring your ghosts and goblins for a day of trick or treat in the Old Town Boutique District.  All of the participating OTBD stores will offer treats. Some may also offer family friendly tricks. Halloween costumes are encouraged. Tricks and treats will be available during store hours.

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween Costume Parade and Craft Activities

 

12pm – 2pm @ Marine Corps Museum, Alexandria

 

Try out your child’s Halloween costume early at our Halloween event featuring fun activities including a costume parade for ages 1-10.   There is an owl demonstration, puppet show, arts and crafts, and more family fun!

 

 

 

Change My World Now Bus Tour

 

1pm & 3pm @ Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, Arlington

 

Cassandra’s Angel Bus Tour Is Coming to DC.  Meet and greet award-winning author and globally acclaimed children’s advocate, Gina Otto. Gina Otto’s children’s book “Cassandra’s Angel” is launching with a national bus tour designed to reach and inspire children in local communities and across the country. “Cassandra’s Angel” was written with the intention of igniting and empowering today’s youth. Via this bus tour and musical performances, the story comes vivdily to life for audiences to experience firsthand tale’s underlying message and engage a national dialogue about tolerance, compassion and respect.
 

15th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade   

 

2pm @ Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria

 

The parade begins at 2 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte and continues down to the Mount Vernon Recreational Center play fields at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. Children, pets, and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb. To register your stroller or pet, just look for the signs and registration desks on Mt. Vernon at E. Bellefonte beginning at 1:30 p.m.  There is no registration required for children and families that march in the parade.

 

 

 

Air & Scare
2pm – 8pm @ Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly

 

Discover the spooky side of air and space at the Udvar-Hazy Center’s seventh annual Air & Scare! Arrive in costume for safe indoor trick-or-treating. Participate in creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities. Bring the tiniest visitors by the Tot Zone to play dress-up and hear a story. Don’t forget to stop by the face painting station or pose for a photo with your favorite Star Wars character! FREE admission; parking $15 until 7pm.

 

 

 

Marvelous Mice Campfires

 

6pm – 7:15pm @ Gulf Branch Nature Center, Arlington

 

The whole family is invited to the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities, which may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, treats like s’mores. $5 fee per person and $20 max per family due at registration.  Program # 612851-G

 

 

 

Halloween Skate Party!
6:30pm – 8:30pm @ Thomas Jefferson Community Center, Arlington

 

Join ghosts, goblins, Lady Gaga and others at TJ’s Halloween Skate Party.  Come in your favorite costume or have one of their face painters help you. Enjoy skating, carnival games, music, prizes, arts, crafts…we even have a pre-school play area.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, October 30th

 

 

 

ZooBoo

 

10am – 4pm @ Reston Zoo, Vienna

 

Designed for a younger audience, ZooBoo offers a day of scare-free fun!
Join the safe zoo neighborhood of Halloween entertainment, with kid-friendly fun around every corner.  There is a Trick or Treat Trail, with treats, toys and treasures for children of all ages.  There is also a Halloween hay maze, a creepy crawly critter touch station with giant bugs, slugs, and tarantulas to gentle turtles and toads, festive faces face painting, and pumpkin pickup tractor rides.  Due to inclement weather, ZooBoo will be closed on Saturday, October 29th.

 

 

 

Family Fun Sunday: Halloween Fun 

 

1pm – 5pm @ Hillwood Estates, Washington, DC

 

Come in costume and join the Halloween celebration! In Mrs. Post’s time, the estate was decked out for Halloween with whimsically adorned pumpkins. Join them in their unique tradition of decorating miniature pumpkins with hats, wigs and other creative trimmings. At 2 and 3:30 pm listen to Spooky Tales from the Pet Cemetery told by storyteller Marianne Meyers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Trick or Treat with your Kids in Arlington

Ready to head out with your kids and load up on the loot?  My husband says that Halloween is when when he learned about taxes.  His dad took a portion of his candy, and called it the candy tax.  I am so using that this year!

Trick or treating traditionally take place after sundown on Halloween night.  There is no official time mandated by the city or county in Arlington as there is in many areas in the country.

You don’t have a neighborhood ideal for trick or treating?  Head to the mall-  Ballston Common mall.  From 5pm – 7pm, stop by the food court to pick up your free Halloween trick-or-treating bag, and get a list of participating stores for trick-or-treating.  Then, visit the retailers for treats.  Last year there was also face painting, balloon sculptures, and much more located throughout the mall.

Another indoor option is Fashion Centre Pentagon City.   Look for the Jack-O-Lantern on participating retailer storefronts.

Many people also head to other neighborhoods for trick or treating.  If trick or treating is not widespread in your neighborhood, ask friends if you can go with them.

Happy Halloween!