FRIDAY
Mt. Rainier Nature Center
Check out some hands-on exhibits, live animals, educational displays, a play area and more at this fun, free, petite, local site. For a sneak peek, read about our time here! (Tip: Build in some time to check out The Waterhole in Mt. Rainier. Great, local organic juice spot. Kid-friendly, too!)
When: 9am-5pm
Where: Mt. Rainier Nature & Recreation Center, 4701 31st Place, Mt. Rainier
Cost: Free!
Check out this new music class for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and the grownups who love them! Little ones love playing along in class and caregivers love being a part of their children’s growth into confident music-makers! Register for a free demo class!
When: 9:30-10:15am
Where: University Christian Church, 6800 Adelphi Rd, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
Check out this new-to-you STEM-inspired playroom, teaching the kiddos about life in 1800s Laurel. Curious? Read my review of Diven’s Den! (And head to Sip at C Street for delish Ceremony coffee when in the area!)
When: 10am-2pm
Where: Laurel Historical Society, 817 Main Street, Laurel
Cost: Free!
Gametime @ Board & Brew
Board & Brew is a fun place to check out with your 4+year-old crowd. Why? Read my review here. With over 500 board games including Operation, Perfection, Hungry Hippos, Stratego, etc., you’ll easily have a good time! Speaking of eating up, they also have a good menu of kid-friendly options. And for my fellow coffee afficionados, their coffee is top notch – so you’ll be sure to get a tasty, quality brew while you’re there!
When: Opens at 7 am
Where: 8150 Baltimore Ave, College Park
Cost: (Before 4pm) $2.50 p/p for games + the cost of whatever you may order from menu.
Super Saver Ice Skating!
Huge indoor ice skating rink with a warming hut and a snack bar – what else do you need?!
When: 3:15-5:15 (public session)
Where: Herbert Wells Ice Rink, 5211 Campus Drive, College Park
Cost: $4 (skate rental included)!
SATURDAY
Dash through the snow in our hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a model sleigh pulled by a reindeer. Once your sleigh is complete, you and your musher can decorate it with paint and stickers and put imagination to work towing gifts around town.
Let the kiddos burn off some energy at this huge indoor playground! Check out what to see and do from our time at Hyper Kidz Playground!
When: 9am-8pm
Where: Hyper Kidz, Columbia
Cost: $14 ages 1-2; $16 ages 3-13 (mention “Route One Fun” at register for $2/off ticket!)
Toddler Time @ Art Works Now
Open studio time for toddlers and their accompanying adults. Even the youngest children can explore a variety of age-appropriate art materials in a safe, fun environment. What to expect? Read my review of Toddler Time at Art Works Now.
When: 10am-12pm
Where: Art Works Now, 4800 Rhode Island Ave, Hyattsville
Cost: $5
Cost: Free! RSVP.
New class! Kiddos 2-6 will love this open play date filled with movement, music and fun (taught by Kendra and Marcel, 2 instructors at Joe’s who are SOOOO good with kids and who the kiddos love!)
When: 11:15am-12:45pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, Mt. Rainier
Cost: $10 drop-in.
Great for kids of all ages! Specialized water play area with slides and spray features, family pool with water slides and spray features, a vending area and shower /changing facilities with lockers (lockers are available but require you to bring your own lock). While parts of the facility are dated, kids always have a blast.
When: Hours vary. Call to confirm: 301-853-2005
Where: Rollingcrest Chillum Splash Pool, 6122 Sargent Road, Chillum
Cost: 2 & under are free! Ages 3-17: $5. Adults:$6
Huge indoor ice skating rink with a warming hut and a snack bar – what else do you need?!
When: 2:30-4:30pm
Where: Herbert Wells Ice Rink, 5211 Campus Drive, College Park
Cost: $4 (skate rental included)!
Festival of Lights
Bring a little twinkle to your holidays at this spectacular drive-through event featuring dazzling displays with more than 2.5 million lights throughout the park!
When: Now through January 1, 2019; 5-9:30pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $10/car; $20 mini-bus
SUNDAY
Smaland at College Park’s Ikea
Kids play in indoor playground while yo enjoy some shopping or just relax/eat/peoplewatch at the restaurant upstairs. Kiddos must be potty trained and be 37” to 54” tall (so children typically b/w ages of 3-6). Tips: (1) Best to arrive earlier on in the day as day progresses, so do the entrances lines; & (2) Join Ikea Family & kids get extra 30 minutes to play (depending on capacity) & you get free mildly-decent coffee!
When: 10:30am – 7pm
Where: 10100 Baltimore Avenue, College Park
Admission: Free!
The Nutcracker (Ages 3+)
Enjoy watching ballet dancers performing to this beautiful and familiar music in a casual setting.
When: 3-4pm
Where: College Park Arts Exchange, 4711 Knox Rd, College Park
Cost: Free – donations welcome!
Nutterween!
Zombie Nutcracker anyone? 😉 In this (slightly) deranged (new) annual aerial tradition, UpSpring explores what would happen if the Nutcracker took place on Halloween. Zombies, snow ghosts, and sea monsters dance and dangle from the ceiling. (If you haven’t seen UpSpring aerial performances before, THEY’RE AMAZING! Like a local Cirque!)
When: 6pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, Mount Rainier
Cost: $17 adults; $12 students and seniors (DISCOUNT: Thursday only, purchase ticket(s) using code “GONUTS” for $10 tickets to Sunday’s show!)
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