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Things to Do in Washington, DC This Weekend: Theater, Science, Sports

Get acquainted with the instruments at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Photo courtesy of Capital City Symphony
Get acquainted with the instruments at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Photo courtesy of Capital City Symphony
2/19/20 - By James Smith

Theater, music, STEM or sports ... chances are whatever your kids are into they will find a great thing to do (or two) in the Washington DC area this weekend. Enjoy ballet at the National Theatre, robotics in Baltimore,  museum fun in DC, or perhaps discover a bit of our natural world in Wheaton, Maryland.

Whatever you do this weekend, know that your friends at Mommy Poppins DC will be with you throughout 2020 with updates on the best family happenings in the capital area. Check our events calendar for the most up-to-date happenings in DC and beyond, and remember to sign up for our FREE newsletters to receive posts such as this right to your inbox.

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Delight in the artistry of Swan Lake. Photo courtesy of the National Theatre
Delight in the artistry of Swan Lake. Photo courtesy of the National Theatre

Things to Do in Washington, DC All Weekend

Imagination Stage's Mouse on the Move

Bethesda, MD
Nellie and Amelia are two adventurous mice ready to explore the world beyond their little mousehole. They decide to go to the moon since it is cat-free and made entirely of delicious, mouth-watering cheese (so they have heard). In this interactive play, the audience becomes part of the story through multi-sensory activities. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring Month

Wheaton, MD
February is Maple Sugaring Month at Brookside Nature Center. Every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, families can watch the whole sugaring process from start to finish. Kids can see sap drip from trees and even taste it. READ MORE

The Snowy Day at Adventure Theatre

Glen Echo, MD
Follow the adventures of Peter and his friend Archie around the neighborhood in four of Ezra Jack Keats’ beloved tales, The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie, Goggles!, and A Letter to Amy. READ MORE

Swan Lake

Washington, DC
Aspring ballerinas or dance lovers in the family? Catch a special performance of Swan Lake, as legendary Russian prima ballerina Irina Kolesnikova makes her United States debut, following acclaimed performances in London, Sydney, Johannesburg, and Paris.  READ MORE

The Toxic Avenger: The Musical

Silver Spring, MD
Rorschach Theatre’s first musical follows Melvin Ferd the Third, who is dumped into a vat of radioactive toxic waste, only to re-emerge as The Toxic Avenger, a superhero determined to clean up America. READ MORE
Enjoy open play at the National Museum of Natural History. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Institution/National Museum of Natural History
Enjoy open play at the National Museum of Natural History. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Institution/National Museum of Natural History

Things to Do in Washington, DC, Saturday, February 22

Glitter Rock Painting

Bethesda, MD
Unleash your inner artist for a bright and colorful, glittering rock painting time. Make one as a gift or to place in a park as a treasure for someone to find. READ MORE

Real World Robotics

Baltimore, MD - FREE
Create robotic models inspired by real-life robotic technologies. Learn about gear ratio, sensors, simple machines, and programming as you build alarm devices, earthquake detectors, robotic arms, and more.  READ MORE

Mr. Jon & Friends Children's Music Concert

Takoma Park, MD
Mr. Jon & Friends perform energetic music that is all about fun, dancing, and laughter for the entire family. The group has won a Parents’ Choice Award and attracted loyal audiences across the DC area. READ MORE

Play Date at National Museum of Natural History

Washington, DC - FREE
This Saturday is all about prehistoric creatures of the Cretaceous ocean. Families can listen to a story, look at select pieces from the museum's specimen collection, measure themselves in relation to a mosasaur (a very large marine reptile), and help create a Cretaceous ocean mural. READ MORE

Instrument Petting Zoo

Washington, DC - FREE
Join members of Capital City Symphony for an instrument petting zoo that allows young children to see instruments up close, meet musicians, hear the instruments played, and even give the instruments a try. It’s a great way to introduce young children to the joy of music-making. READ MORE

Science Saturday at National Law Enforcement Museum

Washington, DC - FREE with museum admission
On the fourth Saturday of every month the National Law Enforcement Museum offers a fun-filled afternoon of STEAM activities for “scientists” of all ages. Visitors experiment alongside educators, participating in hands-on activities focused on themes that explore the intersection of science and law enforcement. READ MORE
Kids can have fun while they learn the fundamentals. Photo courtesy of Super Soccer Stars
Kids can have fun while they learn the fundamentals. Photo courtesy of Super Soccer Stars

Things to Do in Washington, DC, Sunday, February 23

Sunday Fun Day at Imagination Stage - CANCELED

Bethesda, MD
Imagination Stage brings your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, music, movement, and visual art. READ MORE

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About the Author

James Smith
James Stephen Smith is a seasoned journalist who transitioned from reporting at Newsday to a more relaxed life as a father and director of media relations at St. John's University. He manages the university’s messaging while also contributing to Mommy Poppins, a site he discovered after his third daughter was born in 2011. Fun fact: James nearly made it on Jeopardy but missed a Final Jeopardy question on art history—only to watch a colleague nail it and become a two-time champion.
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