Wee Wonders at the National Children's Museum -- November Events

The Wee Wonders program at the National Children's Museum (NCM) Launch Zone continues in November!

You can practically create your own preschool for your toddler with the help of the National Children's Museum and their Wee Wonders program. Each month, the NCM is offering programs on a different theme for children ages 2-3. According to the NCM, "these fun, fast-paced learning events typically include stories, games, art, music, experiments, drama, and movement around a different theme."

Please note: each month the same program is offered multiple times. But knowing how much my own son loved repetition as a toddler, you may want to visit more than once a month!

November 3, 10, and 17 from 10am - 11:15am
Wee Wonders' Fall at the Farm

It's harvest time at the pretend NCM farm! Little farmers will tend to pretend animals and crops and celebrate nature's autumn surprises. Explore apples, pumpkins, and farm animals.

Additional Details:

National Children's Museum Launch Zone
112 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD 20745

Limit two children per adult; all non-infant children with an adult must pay and must participate; additional siblings are not permitted.

Fee: $10 per child. Pre-registration and advance payment (by check or credit card only) is required by the Friday prior to the event.

Please call 202-675-4120 or email RSVP@ncm.museum to register.

Website: http://www.ncm.museum/

For more information about visiting National Harbor and The Launch Zone, please check out my previous post. For the full schedule of Wee Wonders programming, check out this post.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Publick Playhouse: Buy Tickets Now for Upcoming Shows

The Prince George's Publick Playhouse for the Performing Arts is a true gem! They have several wonderful shows coming up. Because the Publick Playhouse is a favorite for local preschool and elementary school groups, it's never too early to buy your tickets: Call the box office today at 301-277-1710. There is a $3 service fee per order so order tickets for several shows at once to save on additional fees.


Seussical -- almost sold out!
Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28, 12:15am and 12 Noon
Recommended for grades Pre-K through 4
$6 per person

The Cat in the Hat is the host and emcee (and all-around mischief maker) in this romp through Seuss classics. Adapted from the Broadway version, Theatreworks USA's show presents Dr. Seuss's best-loved stories in a musical caper.


The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon
Wednesday, November 4, 10:15am and 12 Noon
Recommended for grades Pre-K through 3
$6 per person

Enchantment Theatre's production of this beloved story will take you on a wild ride as Harold jets to Mars, joins a circus, and meets a king in an enchanted garden.


Mooseltoe
Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2, 10:15am and 12 Noon
Recommended for all ages
$6 per person

Loveable, 12-foot-tall, costumed characters sing and dance through the story of Mooseltoe's plan to fly with Santa's reindeer.


Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration
Tuesday, December 10, 10:15-11:30am
Recommended for all ages
$5 per person

The African Heritage Dancers and Drummers will lead a pre-Kwanzaa lecture/demonstration featuring the history of Kwanzaa, dancing and drumming.


The Shoemaker and the Elves
Tuesday, December 15, 10:15am and 12 Noon
Recommended for grades K through 5
$6 per person

A heartwarming, holiday musical! Theatre IV puts a yuletide spin on this classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Delight in the magical story of a poor shoemaker and the magical elves who show him the true meaning of Christmas.


Season's Greetings
Thursday, December 17, 10:15am and 12 Noon
Recommended for grades Pre-K through 5
$6 per person

Celebrate the holiday season with this fun-filled magic show presented by Theatreworks USA. This spectacular performance features a magic elf, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, upbeat music, toy soldiers, and magically appearing white doves--all set in a winter wonderland.


Additional Information:

Prince George's Public Playhouse
5445 Landover Road
Cheverly, MD 20784
Box Office 301-277-1710; TTY 301-277-0312


Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Halloween Activities: Cheverly

As always, the Cheverly is planning some great Halloween fun! Here's the schedule of events.


Special Halloween Playgroup sponsored by CPRC
Friday, October 30th, 9:30am-11:30am
Community Center gym

Kids can put on their Halloween costumes for this special Halloween playgroup. Bring something yummy to share.


Halloween Parade and Party sponsored by the Cheverly Recreation Council
Saturday, October 31, 3:45-6pm

The annual parade and party sponsored by the Cheverly Recreation Council is tons of fun for kids and parents alike. Kids (and adults!) can put on their costumes and meet at Gast Park around 3:30pm. The parade begins (never promptly!) at 3:45 and proceeds down Park Way then up Forest Road to the Town Hall for some fun activities from 4:00-6:00pm. This year the Recreation Council will be serving dinner so the kids aren't trick or treating on an empty stomach.

This annual event is enjoyed by kids of all ages but is a must for kids who are too young to go out trick-or-treating later in the evening. Personally, I think it would be a blast if town residents lined the parade route to cheer on the Cheverly ghosts and goblins (or, more likely, the Cheverly princesses, animals, fire fighters and Thomas the Trains)!


Trick-or-Treating
Saturday, October 31, 6pm-8pm

Trick-or-Treating will take place in Cheverly from 6-8pm on Saturday, October 31. Children up to age 13 or 8th grade are welcome to participate. Residents who want kids to come to their homes will turn on their porch lights. Please do not visit homes without lights on.



Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Halloween Activities: National Building Museum and Madame Tussauds

Many of the museums in DC are getting into the spirit of Halloween. Here are two fun-sounding events for older kids.

Haunted Halloween at the National Building Museum
Saturday, October 24, 10am-Noon and 2pm-4pm
$10 members/$15 non-members (adults are free)

Celebrate the spirit of Halloween as you build and design your very own haunted house. Fun for the whole family, the festivities include crafts, treats, and ghosts stories (more silly than spooky!) about the Museum. Ages 6+. Pre-registration required by Friday October 23.

Spooky Move Nights at Madame Tussauds
October 29 and October 30, 5:30pm-9pm
$10 per person (this special deal gets you admission to the museum and the movie!)

Children and families are invited to explore Madame Tussauds and enjoy a special sceening of The Addams Family (October 29) and Monster House (October 30). Children (and adults!) are encouraged to wear their costumes. Concessions and other ghoulish treats will be available for children and children-at-heart. Arrive early because visitors will also be able to explore the attraction and take photos with all of its historical and pop-culture wax figures. The movies will begin promptly at 7:00pm.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Halloween Activities: Prince George's County Community Centers

Did you know that almost every community center in Prince George's County is offering free (or very cheap) Halloween activities for families and children? It's true!

Click here for a full list of almost 40 events taking place at 21 community centers throughout Prince George's County. There are events for young children, teens, seniors and families. Just a bit of caution, though, don't take your kids to every one of these events or your holiday shopping budget may go to paying the dentist instead!

(Psst! Don't forget to enter my giveaway for 4 tickets to Boo at the Zoo!)

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Halloween Activities: Prince George's County

Welcome to another day featuring wonderful halloween activites in the area! Today I'm focusing on some of the many fantastic events happening in Prince George's County. (Don't forget to enter yesterday's giveaway for 4 tickets to Boo at the Zoo!)

Witches, Wizards and Wands at the National Children's Museum
Friday, October 23 and Friday, October 30, 3pm-5pm
Free!

Enter an imaginary world of witches, wizards, and most importantly, magic wands! Come to the NCM Launch Zone for special programming where kids ages 12 and under can make cool props to turn themselves into magical people. Activities will vary each week. Read more about why we love the National Children's Museum and National Harbor here.

The Great Jack 'o Lantern Campfire
Saturday, October 24, 7pm
Marietta House Museum, 5626 Bell Station Road, Glenn Dale
$2 per person

Enjoy the warmth of a fall campfire as we roast marshmallows and listen to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Afterwards, kids can go on a pumpkin hunt to search for hidden jack-o’-lanterns. Find all the pumpkins and win a prize! Popcorn and hot cider provided.


Hands-On History: Edgar Allan Poe's Apprentice
Friday, October 30, 10am
Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park
$15 resident of Prince George's or Montgomery Counties, $18 non-resident

Children ages 10-14 will spend their day off from school engaged in writing, crafts and other activities inspired by author Edgar Allan Poe, who was born 200 years ago. This is a 5 hour program. Advance registration required by October 23.


Halloween Harvest at Watkins Nature Center
Saturday, October 31, 12-3pm
$3 per person, ages 2 and up (reservations not required)

Enjoy a special event featuring fall and Halloween themed crafts, animal and puppet shows. Costumes are optional.

Harvest Festival at Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex
Saturday, October 31, 1-4 pm
$7 ages 3 and older, free ages 2 and under

Enjoy an afternoon of harvest fun, filled with food, games, arts & craft activities, a hayride, ponies and a pumpkin patch. All ages welcome.

Flight Night at the College Park Aviation Museum
Saturday, October 31, 7-9pm
$4 per person

Wear your costumer and join in the Halloween fun at the annual Flight Night. Activities include arts, crafts, hayrides and spooky fun for kids of all ages! Read more about why we love the College Park Aviation Museum here.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Hallowen Activities: Boo at the Zoo Giveaway

Updated: Congratulations to Margaret and her hockey player son, Vincent, who won the tickets! Enjoy Boo at the Zoo.


Can you believe that Halloween is less than two weeks away? Do you have your costume picked out? Do your children know what they're going as? If your family is anything like my family was growing up, you have one kid who has had their costume planned for month, another kid who rejects every possible suggestion with tears and tantrums, and another kid who will throw on some ripped clothes and fake blood on the 31st and call it a costume! I'll let you decide which of those was me as a child. But, for a hint, you should know that I've been planning Lucas's costume for more than a month!

There are dozens of excellent events taking place in Prince George's County and the DC-area now through October 31 and I'm kicking off a week of Halloween related posts. I'm starting with a bang--and a giveaway--by highlighting Boo at the Zoo!

Don’t miss your chance to go trick-or-treating at the home of DC’s creepiest and cuddliest creatures! The 11th annual Boo at the Zoo will take place October 23-25, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

With enhanced eerie lighting and 47 stations serving up a variety of candy, healthy, and organic goodies, this popular family Halloween party features talks about tarantulas, cockroaches, and scorpions, and playful demonstrations of lions and tigers using their predatory skills.

Boo at the Zoo is already sold out for Saturday night, but Friday and Sunday night tickets are still available! Tickets are $15 for Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) members and $25 for nonmembers. Proceeds support animal care, conservation science, education, and sustainability at the Zoo. For more information and tickets, click here.

Giveaway! Win four tickets to Boo at the Zoo on Sunday, October 25! Simply leave a comment below telling me what you (or your child!) is dressing up as for Halloween this year.

The contest will close at 9pm on Thursday, October 22, and the winner will be notified via e-mail on Friday, October 23. You must include your e-mail either in the comment or on the comment form to be eligible to win. Good luck!

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Free Open House and Family Arts Day at Joe's Movement Emporium: Sunday, October 18

Photos via http://joesmovement.org

Joe's Movement Emporium is a wonderful community resource located in Mt. Rainier, MD.

"Using the arts as a tool for building communities, Joe's works to provide social opportunities and teach life skills to local youth as well as promote family involvement in neighborhood restoration."

This weekend Joe's Movement Emporium will celebrate the grand opening of their new 3,200 sq. ft. performance theatre and the successful completion of their $3 million capital campaign to transform a warehouse facility in into a thriving performing arts center and educational resource. If you've never been to Joe's, this Sunday is the perfect time to visit and check them out!

Open House & Family Arts Day at Joe's Movement Emporium
Sunday, October 18, 12pm-4pm
Free!
Featuring performances, workshops and hands-on arts experiences for the entire family!

Additional Information:

Joe's Movement Emporium
3309 Bunker Hill Road
Mount Rainier, MD 20712

Phone: 301-699-1819
Website: http://joesmovement.org/

Click here for directions.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Watkins Nature Center

I've written before about our love of Watkins Park. Now, however, the carousel and miniature train are closed for the season and it is getting a bit too chilly to hang out at the playground or enjoy a picnic. But that doesn't mean that Watkins Park doesn't have great activities to offer you and your family! In fact, the Watkins Nature Center might just be the perfect place to visit if you're looking for a fun and easy indoor activity!

Lucas and I visited the Nature Center last week and he had a blast looking at the snakes, turtles, reptiles and owls. He even put on a little puppet show for me. Outside you can see several large birds of prey and look for frogs in the ponds. Visiting the Nature Center during regular hours is free!

If you're looking for a more structured activity, the Nature Center offers plenty of those as well at very reasonable prices. Here are some programs taking place through November. Please note that advanced registration is required for all of these programs.

Friday, October 16, 11am-12pm (SMARTLink #146193)
Campfire! Ages 2 and up will enjoy roasting marshmallows, hearing stories and seeing a live animal show. Parents/chaperons must also register.
$2 resident of Montgomery or Prince George's County, $3 non-resident

Saturday, October 24, 10-11am (SMARTLink #146180)
Nature Craft: Ages 2-10 will enjoy a story, meet a live animal and make a craft
$2 resident of Montgomery or Prince George's County, $3 non-resident

Friday, October 30, 10-11am (SMARTLink #146211)
Live Animal Show: Ages 2 and up will meet some of the center's animals up close. Parents/chaperons must also register for this program.
$1 resident of Montgomery or Prince George's County, $2 non-resident

Friday, November 6, 10-11am (SMARTLink #146190)
Small Fry Club: Ages 2-4 will enjoy stories, crafts, games and hikes around the theme of Down on the Farm.
$3 resident of Montgomery or Prince George's County, $4 non-resident

Saturday, November 7, 10-11am (SMARTLink #146173)
Family Discovery Hike: Ages 4 and up can join a naturalist and enjoy a seasonal hike while looking for wildlife and plant life. Parents/chaperons must also register for this program.
$1 resident of Montgomery or Prince George's County, $2 non-resident

Saturday, November 21, 10-11am (SMARTLink #146186)
Creature Feature: Raptors: Ages 2 and up will meet and learn about various birds of prey, including hawks and owls. Parents/chaperons must also register for this program.
$1 resident of Montgomery or Prince George's County, $2 non-resident

Wednesday, November 25, 1-2pm (SMARTLink #146184)
Puppet Show: Ages 2-10 can enjoy a seasonal themed puppet show and meet a live animal
$2 resident of Montgomery or Prince George's County, $3 non-resident

Saturday, November 28, 10-11am (SMARTLink #146212)
Live Animal Show: Ages 2 and up will meet some of the center's animals up close. Parents/chaperons must also register for this program.
$1 resident of Montgomery or Prince George's County, $2 non-resident

Additional Information:

Watkins Nature Center
301 Watkins Park Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

http://www.pgparks.com/
301-218-6702

Regular Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:30 am-5 pm; Sundays & Holidays: 11 am-4 pm

Visiting the center is free. Most programs cost a small fee and require advance registration.

To register for programs requiring advanced registration, you must have a SMARTLink account. There is no fee to set up the account but proof of residency and age verification is required. (This means a birth certificate for children.) You can set up an account at most MNCPPC public facilities such as community centers, sports center and the nature center.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Learn the Thriller Dance and Be Part of "Thrill the World 2009"

Have you heard about Thrill the World? It's an annual worldwide simultaneous dance of Michael Jackson's “Thriller.” This year, of course, it's an extra-special tribute to Michael Jackson and organizers have a goal of 270,000 participants worldwide in order to break the current Guinness World Record for Largest Simultaneous Dance.

Some local organizations are getting in on the fun to teach you and your family the dance.

Dance lessons in Cheverly:

October 9, 16 and 23
7-8pm for children ages 5-14
8-9pm for anyone over 14
Cheverly United Methodist Church, 3rd Floor
$30 per person, or $50 for families
Additional details here.

Thanks to ChvChick for the scoop!

Dance lessons in Mt. Rainier:

Joe's Movement Emporium
3309 Bunker Hill Road, Mount Rainier
Sunday, October 18 at 12:30pm-2:30pm
All ages and experiences welcome.
Free!
Additional details here.

Can't get to a rehearsal? Download the dance moves and practice at home!


After you master the moves, you and your zombies can join others in the DC-area for the official, local dance event at Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 24. There will be a final rehearsal at Freedom Plaza that morning at 11:30am. Registration begins at 4pm. The event is free but donations to the Paralyzed Veterans of America Spinal Research Foundation are encouraged. The official performance will take place at 8:30pm.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Local Fire Stations Celebrate National Fire Prevention Week with Open Houses

The lovely and amazing Jessica McFadden of A Parent in Silver Spring had an article in the Washington Post this weekend about open houses at fire stations around the area. Jessica writes, "The activities vary from station to station. Handouts such as plastic fireman hats, hot dogs and popcorn, hugs from such costumed characters as Sparky the Fire Dog or Terry the Traumasaurus and a jump in a moon bounce are all common features at the open houses."

According to the article, here are the upcoming open houses at Prince George's County fire stations:

Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department Open House Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 6200 Belcrest Rd. 301-927-5770. http://www.hvfd.com/

Morningside Volunteer Fire Department Open House & Recruitment Drive Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 6200 Suitland Rd. 301-736-4343. http://www.morningsidevfd.com/

Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department Annual Open House Oct. 18 from 1 to 5 p.m. Station 31, 4911 Prince Georges Ave. 301-883-7731. http://www.beltsvillevfd.com/

But National Fire Prevention Week isn't just about letting your kids see a firetruck up close or getting to spray a fire hose: Don't forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and talk with your kids about what your family would do if there was a fire. Here are some good resources.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Wee Wonders at the National Children's Museum--October Events

The Wee Wonders program at the National Children's Museum (NCM) Launch Zone continues in October!

You can practically create your own preschool for your toddler with the help of the National Children's Museum and their Wee Wonders program. Each month, the NCM is offering programs on a different theme for children ages 2-3. According to the NCM, "these fun, fast-paced learning events typically include stories, games, art, music, experiments, drama, and movement around a different theme."

Please note: each month the same program is offered multiple times. But knowing how much my own son loved repetition as a toddler, you may want to visit more than once a month!

Wee Wonders' Sense-ational!


October 6, 13, and 20 from 10am-11:15am

Children will begin to understand how their bodies work by investigating their five fabulous senses. Explore smells, textures, sounds, sights, and tastes with your toddler.

Additional Details:

National Children's Museum Launch Zone
112 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD 20745

Limit two children per adult; all non-infant children with an adult must pay and must participate; additional siblings are not permitted.

Fee: $10 per child. Pre-registration and advance payment (by check or credit card only) is required by the Friday prior to the event.

Please call 202-675-4120 or email RSVP@ncm.museum to register.

Website: http://www.ncm.museum/

For more information about visiting National Harbor and The Launch Zone, please check out my previous post. For the full schedule of Wee Wonders programming, check out this post.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!