Washington, D.C

7 Kid-Friendly Summer Experiences to Visit in the DC-Area

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2024

7 Kid-Friendly Summer Experiences to Visit in the DC-Area

Photograph courtesy of Kids World.

Looking for some fun activities to do with kids and teenagers during summer vacation? The entire family can head to pop-up activations, kid-friendly festivals, and an all-day arcade at a museum.

Kids World

July 27-28

Franklin Park

Take your kiddos to Franklin Park this weekend for an immersive pop-up packed with hands-on activities, installations, and games. Kids and teens can participate in art projects like face painting, coloring, and beading; work out with super heroes Wonder Woman and Spiderman; watch a teddy bear parade, and more (free).

LuminoCity’s Dino Safari Festival

through August 4

Westfield Montgomery Mall

Children can stroll through a dinosaur-themed light sculpture festival this summer. State-of-the-art animatronics are paired with light art to present a display of more than 70 life-size mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and other prehistoric creatures. In addition to the Ice Age attractions, kids can ride a carousel, play in a bounce house, and go on a scavenger hunt for fossils ($20+ for adults, free for children under 3).

Live From the Lawn

through August 21

Gudelsky Gazebo at Strathmore

Summer is in full swing, bringing outdoor concerts to parks and yards across town. The Strathmore’s live music series features 11 family-friendly blues, go-go, and bluegrass concerts on Wednesdays through August 21, and kids concerts on Thursdays through August 1. Upcoming Cool Concerts for Kids headliners include Marsha and the Positrons—a indie band that plays songs about science—and a hip-hop youth dance party led by Fyütch (free).

Pixar Putt

through September 2

Wharf

Practice your mini-golf swing alongside Pixar characters at the Wharf’s family-friendly summer pop-up. The putt-putt course extends through 18 interactive holes inspired by Disney and Pixar movies such as Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., and Turning Red ($32.50 for adults, $30 for children).

“Placita Mágica” exhibit

through January 3, 2025

National Children’s Museum

This summer National Children’s Museum opened the museum’s 50th anniversary exhibition, “Placita Mágica.” The exhibit explores traditional Mexican culture through sensory and playful science, technology, math, and art experiences. Youngsters can build objects, create papel picado designs, and play in a ball maze ($19 for adults, free for children under 1).

SAAM Arcade

July 27

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Calling all gamers to the Smithsonian: The SAAM Arcade returns to DC this weekend. Video game enthusiasts of all ages can play classic arcade games as well as a selection of games from independent developers, all while enjoying live performances from the Triforce Quartet. Also, kids and teens can take a break from the game controllers to participate in a scavenger hunt throughout the museum (free).

Peach Fuzztival

July 27-28, August 3-4

Great Country Farms

Go peach-picking with your little ones at Great Country Farms. The entire family can participate in a peach-eating contest, a peach-pit spitting contest, bingo, water games, live music, and more; there’s peach hard cider for adults, too ($14 for adults, $12 for children, peaches are sold separately).

Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.

Source link

Washington, D.C

San Francisco Ballet cancels upcoming performances at Kennedy Center

Published

11 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

San Francisco Ballet cancels upcoming performances at Kennedy Center

Sunday, March 1, 2026 6:36AM

SF Ballet cancels upcoming performances at Kennedy Center

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The San Francisco Ballet board has voted to cancel its upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center.

The company is scheduled for a four-day run in Washington D.C. in May.

Petition urges SF Ballet to cancel Kennedy Center tour stop as company opens 2026 season

Last year, Pres. Donald Trump overhauled the Kennedy Center’s board, including naming himself the chairman.

That led several artists to cancel scheduled performances.

A statement from SF Ballet says the group “looks forward to performing for Washington, D.C. audiences in the future.”

Source link

Washington, D.C

97-year-old World War II veteran honored virtually at home

Published

23 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

97-year-old World War II veteran honored virtually at home

At 97, Veteran Harley Wero wasn’t up for a trip to the nation’s capital, so volunteers from the Western North Dakota honor flight brought the trip to him. Wero, his wife Muriel and their daughter Jennifer got to experience Washington, DC, without ever leaving their home.

Web Editor : Sydney Ross

Posted 2026-02-28T15:57:08-0500 – Updated 2026-02-28T15:59:05-0500

Source link

Washington, D.C

DC Public Health to begin daily testing of Potomac, Anacostia rivers for E. coli

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

DC Public Health to begin daily testing of Potomac, Anacostia rivers for E. coli

WASHINGTON – Beginning on Monday, the D.C. Department of Health will be conducting daily tests for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.

It comes more than five weeks after the Potomac interceptor collapse sent millions of gallons of sewage into the river.

The testing will also coincide with an important safety advisory being lifted.

Why it matters:

Director of the D.C. Department of Health, Dr. Ayanna Bennett, says they will begin daily testing for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers on Monday, along with help from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Currently, D.C. is only testing weekly.

“We feel really secure that the initial sewage is not a threat to people, it’s passed through some time ago, but we do want to get more information about what the long term condition of the river is gonna be and how we should look at it going forward.”

Big picture view:

Monday is also an important day because it’s when the District is expected to lift its advisory that recommends against recreational activities on the Potomac — we’re talking boating, fishing, walking pets by the water.

It’s important to note, however, that D.C.’s advisory pertains to its portion of the Potomac, and it has no bearing on advisories issued by officials in Maryland or Virginia.

Still, this is being treated by many as a hopeful sign.

What they’re saying:

But significant concerns absolutely remain for residents.

“I’ve had tons of messages from people saying they’re not going to let their kids row crew, they’re not going to go to sailing schools. We catch three million tons of blue cats out of the Potomac River. That season starts next week, and they’re not gonna be able to bring those blue cats to market,” said Dean Naujoks with the Potomac Riverkeepers.

“You knew years ago that parts of this Potomac Interceptor were corroded and vulnerable, especially where it broke, in Cabin John, our neighborhood,” one resident said, speaking at a public meeting in Bethesda on Thursday.

“I know there are small business owners here. Who’s accounting for all of our losses that we’re getting due to your sewer blowing up?” another resident asked.

Officials with D.C. Water, which is a public utility, have been running daily tests and will continue to do so as well.

NewsWashington, D.C.Top Stories

Source link