Need ideas for things to do in Northern Virginia with the kids? Check out these activities:
Monday April 6
Forest Fledgling: Mice are Nice
Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale 9:45-10:30 am or 11-11:45 am
Discover both the good and bad news about mice through stories, live animals, crafts, nature activities and an outdoor exploration. Prepaid reservations are required. This program is suited for children age three to five. The cost is $5 per child. To reserve, call 703-941-1065.
Tavern Toddlers
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 North Royal Street, Alexandria 10:30 am-Noon
A special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers! Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in Gadsby’s historic ballroom Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Cost is $7 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or purchase a 5 week pass for $30. Call 703.838.4242.
Mommy & Me!
Whole Foods Fair Lakes 11am-noon FREE
Join us as Miss Celia returns for her much anticipated Mommy & Me class on April Fun! The theme for this month is April Showers Bring May Flowers! The children will be making daffodils out of recycled egg cartons. Miss Celia will bring her guitar and there will be music sing-a-long and treats for the children as well. This event is FREE but we do ask that you pre-register at our Customer Service desk by calling 703-222-2058. Event is limited to 20 children.
Family Gaming Day
Shirlington Branch Library 1-4 pm FREE
Try your hand (or feet) at Wii Sports, Super Smash Bros., Dance, Dance Revolution and other games. Recommended for children 6 and older.
How To Get Outdoors and Play 101
Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale 1-2 pm
Rediscover the old-fashioned, unplugged fun of four-square, hopscotch and spud, and learn new games. This program is suited for families with children age two and older. Reservations are required. The cost is $5 per family. To reserve, call 703-941-1065.
Spring Break Movie Matinee
Ashburn Library 2 pm FREE
Bring your pillows and blankets to get comfy and watch a movie on the big screen! Don’t forget your favorite snacks! Today’s movie: Tinker Bell, Rated G, 70 minutes.
Movies on the Big Screen
Cascades Library 2 pm FREE
Bring your own popcorn & drinks! Today’s movie: The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning. Rated G, 77 minutes.
Movies on the Big Screen
Purcellville Library 2 pm FREE
Today’s movie: Kung Fu Panda (Rated PG)
Spring Break Movie Fest
Sterling Library 2pm FREE
Today’s movie: Wall-E, Rated G
Open Mic Poetry Reading
Reston Regional Library 3 pm FREE
Celebrate National Poetry Month with local area poet Mary Kipps.
Bring a poem you`ve written to read aloud, or just come to listen. Learn techniques and aids for writing poetry. Ages 8-12. Register online.
The Great Game Escape
Dolley Madison Library 4 pm FREE
Challenge your friends to some fun and brain-stretching games. Ages 6-12. Register online.
Peeps, Snores and Trills
Great Falls Library 4:30 pm FREE
Meet a toad, feed him dinner and learn more about our local amphibians. Feeding done by naturalist. Ages 6-12. Register online.
Spring Break Movie Fest
Sterling Library 6:30 pm FREE
Tonight’s movie: City of Ember, Rated PG. Recommended for ages 13 & up.
Washington National Opera Workshop
George Mason Library, Annandale 7 pm FREE
Hands-on workshop for 4 to 10 year olds and their families in which the children will learn about opera through the story of Madama Butterfly. Presented by Washington National Opera teaching artists. Register online.
Tuesday, April 7
Wake up with Wii
Arlington Central Library 10-11 am FREE
Celebrate Spring Break with some Nintendo Wii and breakfast snacks.
Tuesday Theater
Potomac Community Library, Woodbridge 11 am FREE
Bring your lunch or a snack to eat, and join the Earth-bound robot WALL∙E as he follows the space probe, EVE, to find our planet’s former inhabitants. For all ages; limit 100. Drop in; no registration is required.
Spring Break Movie Fest
Sterling Library 2pm FREE
Today’s movie: High School Musical 3, Rated G
Spring Break Movie Matinee
Ashburn Library 2 pm FREE
Bring your pillows and blankets to get comfy and watch a movie on the big screen! Don’t forget your favorite snacks! Today’s movie: Horton Hears a Who, Rated G, 86 minutes
Movies on the Big Screen
Purcellville Library 2 pm FREE
Today’s movie:Tinker Bell (Rated G)
Spring Break Movie Fest
Sterling Library 6:30 pm FREE
Tonight’s movie: Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Rated PG-13. Recommended for ages 13 & up.
Family Craft Night
Potomac Community Library, Woodbridge 7 pm FREE
Crafts for the entire family; all ages are welcome. Please pick up a free pass beginning at 6:30 p.m.; a pass will be required for each crafter attending the program. Limit 24 crafters. April is “National Garden Month” and the perfect time to celebrate the earth and its lovely trees and plants. Bring the family to make a colorful flowerpot craft and cards.
Wednesday, April 8
Magictainment
Frying Pan Farm Park, Herndon 10:30-11:15 a.m. or noon-12:45 p.m
Join Magictainment, featuring magical illusions and a whimsical clown, for a delightful and entertaining stage show in the Visitor Center. Children must be at least 3 years. Prepaid reservations are required. The cost is $4 per person. To register, call 703-437-9101.
National Library Week Celebration
Bull Run Regional Library, Manassas 10:30 am FREE
For all ages. Free tickets may be picked up, in person, beginning April 1. Funded by The Friends of the Central and Bull Run Libraries. Mr. Don, aka Don Bridges, will sing many old and new favorites.
Bunny Bonanza
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum
21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling 10 am-1 pm
Learn about responsible pet ownership from the members of local animal organizations. Live animals, hands-on activities and demonstrations. Co-Sponsored by the Department of Animal Care and Control. Bunny Bonanza is free with paid admission: $5/adult, $4/senior, $3/child ages 2-12. For more info call 571-258-3800 or visit http://www.heritagefarmmuseum.org.
Wild Things Puppet Show
Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale 10-10:45 am
Find out what the “Sticky Dilemma” is for Charlotte the Spider and the mystery behind “Tooth Truth” in these educational and entertaining puppet presentations. This program is suited for children ages 3 to 8. Prepaid reservations are required. The cost is $5 per child. To reserve, call 703-941-1065.
Early American Games – No Batteries Required!
Sully Historic Site, Chantilly 11 am-3 pm
Run off your energy playing relay games, hoop and stick, graces and tag. Learn how 18th and 19th century children enjoyed the outdoors. The cost is $2 per person. Make a take-home project for an additional $2. For information, call 703-437-1794.
Movies on the Big Screen
Cascades Library 2 pm FREE
Bring your own popcorn & drinks! Today’s movie:Kung Fu Panda, Rated PG, 88 minutes.
Movies on the Big Screen
Purcellville Library 2 pm FREE
Today’s movie: Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Rated PG)
Family Movie
Shirlington Branch Library 2-3:30 pm, 6 pm FREE
The library hosts a double feature: “Madagascar” at 2 p.m. and its sequel, Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa,” at 6 p.m.
Bug Juice and Beetle Sandwiches
Pohick Library 2:30 pm FREE
Find out why people and animals need bugs, and why exterminating insects can have unintended consequences. Presented by the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Register online.
http://host6.evanced.info/fairfaxco/evanced/eventcalendar.asp
Careers in Law Enforcement
Lorton Regional Library 4:30 pm FREE
A Fairfax County Police Department officer discusses career options in law enforcement. Age 13-18. Register online.
Swamp Serenade
Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria 7:15-8:45 pm
Listen to the frogs and toads as their courtship songs fill the wetland. The minimum age for this program is five. Families should bring a flashlight. Reservations are required. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child. To reserve, call 703-768-2525.
Thursday, April 9
Nature Playce: Story Time and Play
Hidden Oaks Nature Center 10-11 am
Listen to stories presented by a naturalist, chase soap bubbles and enjoy playing outdoors in the woodland play area especially designed to introduce young families to the joys and wonders of outdoor play. Become an official Nature Snooper. Receive a gift, the “key” to exploring nature’s wonders from Friends of Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Reservations are required. Donations are requested. This program is suited for children age 2 and older with an adult. To reserve, call 703-941-1065.
American Arts and Music
Sully Historic Site, Chantilly 11 am-3 pm
How did the Lee family and African-American slaves spend their non-working hours? Learn about music, dancing and storytelling. The cost is $2 per person. Make a take-home project for $2. For information, call 703-437-1794.
Spring Break Movie Matinee
Ashburn Library 2 pm FREE
Bring your pillows and blankets to get comfy and watch a movie on the big screen! Don’t forget your favorite snacks! Today’s movie: Kung Fu Panda, Rated PG, 92 minutes.
Movies on the Big Screen
Purcellville Library 2 pm FREE
Today’s movie: Horton Hears a Who (Rated G)
Thursday, April 9
Spring Break Movie Fest
Sterling Library 2pm FREE
Today’s movie: Kung-Fu Panda, Rated PG
Spring Break Movie Fest
Sterling Library 6:30 pm FREE
Tonight’s movie: Twilight, Rated PG-13. Recommended for ages 13 & up.
Mr. Skip – Music & Fun
Chantilly Regional Library 7 pm FREE
Music and movement for young children. All ages.
Friday, April 10
Little Acorns: Springtime Flowers
Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Anndale 9:45-10:30 am or 11-11:45 am
See if those April showers brought May flowers. Through a story, song, activities and crafts, explore wildflowers in the woods and garden. This program is suited for children age two to three. Prepaid reservations are required. The cost is $5 per child. To reserve, call 703-941-1065
Early American Textile Work
Sully Historic Site, Chantilly 11 am-3 pm
Learn how to spin, sew and dye fabrics, then take home a historic souvenir. The cost is $2 per person. Make a take-home project for an additional $2. For information, call 703-437-1794.
Backyard Animal Petting Zoo
Chinn Park Regional Library, Prince William 11 am-2 pm FREE
Pet the baby animals from the Bar C Ranch. Tickets for timed intervals available beginning Friday, April 3. or all ages.
Bunny Storytime
Purcellville Library 11:15 am FREE
For all ages.
Spring Break Movie Matinee
Ashburn Library 2 pm FREE
Bring your pillows and blankets to get comfy and watch a movie on the big screen! Don’t forget your favorite snacks! Today’s movie: Wall-E, Rated G, 98 minutes.
Movies on the Big Screen
Purcellville Library 2 pm FREE
Today’s movie: Journey to the Center of the Earth (Rated PG)
Spring Break Movie Fest
Sterling Library 2pm FREE
Today’s movie: Journey to the Center of the Earth, Rated PG. Recommended for all ages.
Friday Fun: Create a Caring Heart
Potomac Community Library, Woodbridge 2 pm FREE
Join Michele Hirata in decorating a small, wooden heart to accompany one of a kind Chemo Beanies. These are free gifts to people all over the world suffering illnesses involving hair loss. A small note telling the recipient a little about the artist will be included along with the heart pin. For ages 3 and up. Pick up a free pass at the Information Desk to participate in the program; a pass will be required for each heart made
Strategy Games
Chantilly Regional Library 2:30 pm FREE
Strategy board games for teens. Age 12-18.
Pokemon League
Patrick Henry Library 3 pm FREE
Learn and play. Age 5-18.
Riverside Campfire – Toads and Tadpoles
Riverbend Visitor Center, Great Falls 6:30-7:30 pm
Enjoy games and stories as you learn about toads, frogs and salamanders. Enjoy s’mores. Come early if you want to bring a picnic or hotdogs. Bring toasting sticks, a flashlight and a blanket. Prepaid reservations are required. The cost is $4 per person. To reserve, call 703-759-9018.
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