Celebrate National Carousel Day in Prince George's County!

Photo courtesy of National Harbor

Overlooking the Potomac River at National Harbor

Did you know that Thursday, July 25, is National Carousel Day? Aren't we lucky to have two awesome carousels to choose from here in Prince George's County, MD?!

National Harbor opened their new carousel and children's play area earlier this summer. We had a chance to visit on opening weekend and really loved it! It's so fun to ride the carousel and look out over the water.

Starting at 10am on Thursday, National Carousel Day, National Harbor will have stilt walkers, face painting, balloon artists, unicyclists all along the water from the carousel to the Plaza. Plus, one of our favorite children's bands, Milkshake, will be performing!


Carousel passes are usually $3 per ride or $5 all day, but on Thursday, you can ride all day for $3 with a purchase from a National Harbor retailer. (I hear Ben & Jerry's, CakeLove or the Peeps Store calling your name!!).

Our other favorite carousel in Prince George's County is the Chesapeake Carousel at Watkin's Park. It's $1.50 per person per ride.

Happy National Carousel Day in Prince George's County!


Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

ICE! and Christmas on the Potomac

Filling up on Ogre pops and Ogre milk with other bloggers and their families before getting started!

Have you been to ICE! yet? Thanks to this little 'ole blog, our family had the incredible opportunity to attend for free this year and we had a BLAST! In past years we've participated in different aspects of Christmas on the Potomac, but we hadn't ever been to ICE! Now that we have experienced ICE! I can promise it won't be our last time!

It's not too late for you to make Christmas on the Potomac a new family tradition, too! It continues through January 6!

As you may have heard, it's really, really cold inside ICE! -- 9 degrees to be exact. We bundled up in our warmest clothes and happily donned the bright blue loaner parkas but were still just a bit chilly. Actually, Abel passed on the parka touting the cold rating of his winter coat. Um, he regretted that decision!

The sculptures themselves were truly incredible. The kids (as a 6 and 2yo are wont to do) were trying to race to the next thing and so I had to keep up with them, but I could have lingered a lot longer to really take in and appreciate the sculptures. In fact, I recommended ICE! to friends with an 18mo but suggested they get a sitter and make it a date night.

Nathaniel LOVES Puss in Boots so this was his favorite! I mean look at those details -- incredible, right?

We all gave the ice slides a go. I, however, was really, really bad at it! I guess I assumed since it was ice I'd slide right down and so I didn't really get my legs up in the air (as instructed!) so I kind of scooted down. Abel got a good laugh at that one!

By the last room, the boys were cold and ready to be done. But I could have spent a lot of time here. This nativity scene was truly breath taking!

One of my favorite parts of the Gaylord is just being at National Harbor. After ICE! we (literally in this case!) rolled around the grounds for a bit!

Then we went back inside, met Gingy and decorated a gingerbread train!

Then rolled around a little more!

By then Nathaniel was pooped. Plus, he's kind of terrified of costumed people (including Santa!) so Lucas and I had some bonding time with the character meet and greet. Lucas is just the perfect age for this -- his smile got bigger and bigger with each character!

ICE! -- definitely a new holiday tradition for our family!

I was provided free tickets for my family to attend these events but all opinions are my own! ICE! and Christmas on the Potomac are open until January 6, 2013.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Where to Buy Local this Holiday Season

Illustration by Ray Vella via

Are you thinking of buying local this holiday season? Here are three awesome opportunities to support local Prince George's County enterprises!



Community Forklift

Community Forklift is celebrating Green Friday and Small Business Saturday with a store wide sale, free workshops, hot cider and cookies! November 23-25all regularly-priced items at the Forklift and in the Salvage Arts Department are 20% off!! What a perfect opportunity to find something special for that impossible-to-buy for person on your list! Or, purchase what you need to make your dreams of a DYI Holiday come true!


Franklin's Restaurant Brewery and General Store

Franklin's is celebrating Small Business Saturday and their 20th Anniversary on Saturday, November 24 by having a Sooper Dooper Saturday Sale and Celebration. EVERYTHING in the General Store will be 20% off from 10am until 10pm. This is one of our absolute favorite places to find cool and unique gifts for everyone on our list!


Cheverly Community Market 

The Cheverly Community Market will host an extra-special Holiday Market on Saturday, December 8 from 9am until 1pm. Their Thanksgiving Market was jam packed with incredible local vendors and artisans and the Holiday Market is sure to be even better. What a great opportunity to talk with and meet the farmers, producers, bakers and artists behind special gifts for your loved ones.

How, when and where are you buying local this holiday season?

 

 



Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Dreaming of Christmas on the Potomac

On Saturday we got a little reprieve from the heat with temps in the 70s but I still shook my head at the women I saw wearing jeans and sweaters. What? Did they think it was winter?

But then I stepped into my own winter wonderland at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor when I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview of Christmas on the Potomac 2012!

Just a small part of the Winter Wonderland the folks at Gaylord created for us!

We're longtime fans of Christmas on the Potomac. Three years ago, we visited for the indoor snowfall, light display and train. Last year, I took Lucas on a special daytime "date" to meet and greet the DreamWorks' characters and do a scavenger hunt.

But this year I definitely want to do it up big and go to ICE! Shrek the Halls. I've heard so many reports from friends about how awesome it is and this year they're doing it even bigger and even better. This year's theme Shrek the Halls (who doesn't love that adorable ogre?) will be constructed of 2 MILLION pounds of ice.



Not to mention, beyond ICE! they're bringing back all the incredible Christmas decor, train, gingerbread decorating, fountain show, indoor snow (for real! It's magical!!) and more.

And as easy as it is for us to get to National Harbor, I'll tell you what I'm really dreaming about: enjoying the hotel package as a special get-away for the four of us. (Yeah, I'll keep on dreaming that dream....who knows, maybe it will come true someday!!!!)

I know it's hard to start thinking about Christmas when you've just started your back to school shopping, but for you planners or bargain-hunters, there's a great deal going on right now. Tickets for ICE! are already on sale and there are great early bird specials going on. Won't it be nice, come December, to have one thing checked off your list already?

And the awesome thing for us locals is that we can so easily visit during a non-peak date -- missing out on the massive crowds and getting an awesome discount!

Okay, now I'm off to keep on dreaming about all that ice...maybe it will cool me down today!


Disclaimer: I was invited to a special sneak-preview of Christmas on the Potomac and enjoyed a winter wonderland and yummy treats plus two gingerbread-making kids for my kids. However, I was not required to blog about it and was not compensated in any way. All opinions are my own.

 
Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Free Comic Book Day!

I had never read a comic book in my life until my husband stopped by Big Planet Comics in College Park, MD, about two years ago. If I recall, he was looking for the new comic his friend illustrated, but instead he came home with a stack of comic books that were perfect for then four-year-old Lucas.

Friends, it was amazing. Our little ball of energy who NEVER had even one minute to sit and page through a book on his own was suddenly sitting for 10-15 minute stretches pouring over his new comic books.

Wow!

Since then I have definitely read my share of comics as bed time stories!

And tomorrow, May 5, is Free Comic Book Day! Yes, comic book stores across the country, including our favorite, Big Planet Comics, will be giving away free comics to anyone who stops by the store!

But! Wait! There's more!

Capitalizing on the timing of the release of the Avengers movie and Free Comic Book day, Disney is offering a free comics app! The app is free but several comics are for purchase. But there are lots of free comics under the DigiFree section! I just downloaded it, which unfortunately means Lucas will be trying to steal my phone even more than ever!

Are you as clueless about comics as I was a few years ago? Here's a great article that recommends comics based on books or shows your kids (or you!) already enjoy.

Happy Free Comic Book Day!


Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

See the Notre Dame Marching Band on Friday, November 11

Notre Dame is traveling to Maryland to take on the Terps on Saturday, November 12, at FedEx Field. Their redound marching band, Band of the Fighting Irish, is making the trek as well and they'll be practicing at Bishop McNamara High School's Tyoka Jackson Field on Friday, November 11th from 10:15 AM to 11:45 AM. This is an open, full dress rehearsal and it is free and open to the public!

This is a great opportunity for Notre Dame fans, musicians or burgeoning musicians to see one of the best college marching bands in the nation* perform up close and personal!

Bishop McNamara High School
6800 Marlboro Pike
Forestville, MD 20747


*Not to be confused with the best college marching bands in the nation, OSU's The Best Damn Band In The Land and Penn State's The Blue Band. (Ugh. I wrote this prior to the scandal coming to light and can't even stomach promoting the school's band right now.)

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Jump Off! this weekend

Regular readers of this blog won't be surprised to know that my two absolute most favorite places for children in Prince George's County are Watkins Park and the National Children's Museum Launch Zone.


So can you imagine my excitement that the Launch Zone is hosting an event at Watkins Park?! It doesn't get any better than that, my friends!

Here is the scoop!

                  

The National Children's Museum will present the fourth annual Jump Off! at Watkins Regional Park on October 22, from noon until 4pm. This event is designed to inspire children to be physically active while having fun.

The afternoon will feature free, outdoor exhibition performances by nationally renowned Double Dutch jump rope teams along with numerous family friendly activities. Highlights include:

·         Stellar performances and workshops by Jump Off! veterans the Greenbelt S.I.T.Y. (Sensational, Inspiring, Talented, Youthful) Stars, Kangaroo Kids, and Youth Sports Jump Rope FX;
·         Special guest appearances by The Washington Mystics representatives, with an inflatable basketball challenge, and the WPGC 95.5 street team (1-2 p.m.) who will provide music and live entertainment, as well as giveaways and promos;
·         Frisbee decorating (while supplies last) and parachute play with NCM staff.

In addition, the Museum is welcoming six community exhibitors to Jump Off! Community exhibitors include:

• The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, bringing coloring books and handouts;
• RJ Smiles Inc., providing arts and crafts activities;
• Echoes of Nature, with animal artifacts and pelts, and a finger puppet craft;
• Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, giving away pens, pencils, and bookmarks;
• X-Treme Teens, in their Tahoe truck with handouts and interactive fun;
• M.O.M.I.E.’s TLC, hosting hands-on activities.

This year, Jump Off! turns into a festival with food vendors, hula-hooping, face painting, and all-day music, in addition to the community exhibitors and performances on the main stage. Also, don’t miss out on Watkins Regional Park’s Fall into Fun event from 1 to 4 p.m! Take a train ride around the park as you enjoy the fall foliage, or get into the seasonal spirit with a hayride and a trip to the Nature Center for fall-themed arts and crafts. 

Where:                
Watkins Regional Park
301 Watkins Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD


Details:

Free parking is available at Watkins Regional Park. All Jump Off! events are free of charge. There is a $5 admission fee for the Watkins Regional Park Fall into Fun event. For additional information or for a schedule of upcoming NCM programs, visit www.ncm.museum.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Free Admission to Museums on Saturday!

This Saturday, September 24, is the annual Smithsonian magazine museum day! Of course we all know that the Smithsonian museums are free every day of the year, but on this particular day, many other museums are also offering free admission. You simply have to request a free ticket (limit 2 per household) here and then use that ticket on Saturday.

Here are several of the wonderful local museums that are participating but you can find the entire list here.

Prince George's County: 

College Park Aviation Museum
Montpelier Mansion
Radio & Television Museum 

Riversdale House Museum

Baltimore: 

American Visionary Art Museum

B&O Railroad Museum 

Baltimore Museum of Art 

Baltimore Museum of Industry 

Baltimore Streetcar Museum

Solomons: 

Calvert Marine Museum

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Port Towns Day, Saturday, September 17

It's the 15th Annual Port Towns Day this Saturday, September 17, from noon until 8pm at Bladensburg Waterfront Park!

We love the Bladensburg Waterfront Park and Port Towns Day is always a lot of fun. This year there are TONS of great activities throughout the day.

There will be great music, Anacostia boat rides very 30 minutes, crafts, games, face painting and even a free mobile roller skate van -- with youth and adult sizes!

Find all the details here.


 
Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Make a kite for the windy days ahead!

So in case you haven't heard, we're expecting a few gusts of wind this weekend.

Oh, you've heard? Yeah, her name is Irene.

I'm obviously not recommending you take your kid on a kite flying adventure during the middle of a hurricane, but maybe you can take advantage of some lingering wind next week to take your new kite out for a spin.

Oh, you don't have a new kite? Well, then, my friend, head on over to the College Park Aviation Museum on Saturday at 1pm to build and decorate your own kite!

The workshop is $8 per participant but that also includes museum admission.

You do need to pre-register so call them today: 301-864-6029.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Ahhhh...SHARKS!

Whale shark compared to the size of an average human. Image from Wikipedia

One of Lucas's favorite beach activities is hunting for shark teeth. And while I'm sad to say that due to an extremely tight budget we aren't going to the beach this year, he can still hunt for shark teeth thanks to the National Children's Museum Launch Zone!

Monday, August 8, kicks off their "Ahhh...SHARKS!" program where they will celebrate all things shark! Kids can hunt for shark teeth on a "beach," see and touch real shark jaws and other artifacts and make a craft.

The FREE event (no registration required!) takes place August 8, 9 and 10 from 11am-4pm and Saturday, August 13, from 11am-6pm.

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

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Summer Outdoor Movies at the College Park Aviation Museum

The College Park Aviation Museum is hosting free (with museum admission) summer outdoor movies this year. How fun!

They kick-off this Friday, July 29 at 9pm with Despicable Me. The museum doors re-open at 7pm when there will be fun, hands-on activities, sno cones and popcorn. Then, the movie begins promptly at 9pm (when, hopefully, it will be a tad bit cooler!).

The series continues on August 19 with How to Train Your Dragon.

Museum admission is (as usual) $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for kids and free for those under 2.

College Park Aviation Museum
1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive
College Park 20740


Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Dive-In Movie @ Ellen Linson Swimming Pool

Cool off on a hot summer night and watch a movie at the same time! How fun!

This Saturday, July 30 from 8-11pm you and your family can watch "Life's a Picnic with Yogi Bear!" while splashing or floating in the Ellen Linson Pool!

Here are the details:

Ellen Linson Swimming Pool
5211 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park

$4 for ages 17 and under, $5 ages 18 and up


Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Get Up & Go at the National Children's Museum

It seems like my major focus of these dog days of summer is wearing my boys out! They are both high energy and if I don't keep them active then they'll keep themselves active by (literally!) jumping on the furniture and up the walls!

I can't wait to take them to Get Up & Go at the National Children's Museum Launch Zone. This free event (and no registration required--woohoo!) will feature all kinds of activities to keep your kids moving--from spoon and "egg" (curious to find out why they have that in quotes!) relays to dancing, Simon Says and jumping jack contests throughout the day. Really, is there anything cuter than a group of kids doing jumping jacks?

There will also be plenty of tips on healthy living.

Get Up & Go will take place July 25, 27 and 27, and August 1, 3 and 5 from 11am-4pm and on July 30 and August 6 from 11am-6pm.

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



Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Kids Bowl Free All Summer!

AMF Bowling Centers across the country are offering free bowling for kids all summer long! Sounds like a great way to enjoy a too-steamy-to-go-outside or rainy summer day! I signed up and am getting my coupons via e-mail every Sunday!

Click here to find your closest AMF bowling center and register your kids. You'll receive your first coupons via e-mail within 24 hours and additional weekly coupons every Sunday.

Lots of Prince George's County locations are participating, including: Hyattsville, College Park, Temple Hills and Laurel.



Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Backyard Campout at the National Children's Museum

Photo via REI

Lucas and Abel, along with a friend, enjoyed their first back-yard campout last week and loved it. I expect lots more camping (both of the backyard and actual forest variety!) in our future.

I can't wait to take Lucas and Nathaniel to the National Children's Museum Launch Zone's latest hands-on experience for kids: Backyard Campout! They've teamed up with REI to help kids learn all about camping--from checking out camping equipment, crawling into and through tents to exploring deer and bear tracks thanks to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

This FREE event takes place July 11, 13, 15, 18, 20 and 22 from 11am-4pm and on July 16 and 23 from 11am-6pm.

No registration is necessary.

Are you going on your own outdoor adventure? Head over to REI and download a free Kids' Adventure Journal for some sneaky learning!


National Chlidren's Museum Launch Zone
112 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745
Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Dive-In Movie at the Glenn Dale Splash Park

Cool off on a hot summer evening by relaxing in the Glenn Dale Splash Park and watching "Rango" on a big screen!

It's a Dive-In Movie!

Friday, July 8, at 7pm
Glenn Dale Splash Park
11901 Glenn Dale Blvd.
Glenn Dale, MD

$5 per adult, $4 per child


Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

$1 Movies at Regal Cinemas

Select Regal Cinemas are offering $1 G and PG films on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am this summer. The best part of these shows (other than only costing $1!) is that the theater is full of kids so you don't have to worry if yours is a little noisy.

The only participating theatre in Prince George's County this summer is Bowie Stadium 14, 15200 Major Landsdowne Blvd., Bowie, MD.

Click here for the full list of patricipating theatres.

Here's the schedule at Bowie:

7/5 & 7/6
BARNYARD

CHRONICLES OF NARNIA

7/12 &7/13

MARMADUKE

YOGI BEAR

7/19 & 7/20

RAMONA & BEEZUS

SHREK FOREVER AFTER

 

7/26 & 7/27

ALPHA AND OMEGA

KARATE KID

 

8/2 & 8/3

NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS

TALE OF DESPEREAUX

 

8/9 & 8/10

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

OPEN SEASON 3

 

8/16 & 8/17

CLOUDY W/ MEATBALLS

PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Free Thursday Concerts at Watkins Regional Park

There are so many reasons to visit Watkins Park this summer! On Thursday evenings, go for the free summer concerts! All performances take place on the "Green" -- bring your own blanket! -- from 7pm-8:30pm.

Here's the schedule:

June 30 - STORM Reggae Band

July 7 - Comfort Zone

July 14 - Shakespeare in the Park - "As You Like It"

July 21 - 8 Ohms Band

July 28 - Teri S

August 4 - Junkyard Saints

On the Green
Watkins Regional Park
301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro



Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Free Sunday Concerts at Bladensburg Waterfront Park

Again this summer there are FREE concerts and performances every Sunday at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Shows are from 6pm-7:30pm. Here's the schedule:

June 26 - Blue Sky Puppet Theatre & Mr. D's Magic Show

July 10 - Kukuwa African Dance Company

July 17 - Electro Koustic (modern & jazz)

July 24 - Mambo Combo (Latin)

July 31 - Mr. Marcus Young (Jazz & R&B)

August 7 - Heda Rose (Hip=Hop, Reggae & Go Go)

August 14 - Oasis/Island Sounds (Steel Drum, Reggae, Calypso, Soca & African Music)


Bladensburg Waterfront Park
4601 Annapolis Road
Bladensburg

View a full schedule of free summer concerts and performances in Prince George's County here.


Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!