Best "Kid" Activities in the Washington DC Area

As a mother, and more importantly -- a stay at home one, I'm constantly looking for things to do with my kids. Just getting out of the house is a hassle, BUT, staying home with them all day would drive me up the wall & I'd be trying to sell various body parts of theirs and mine on ebay!

We add to this page often, so check back frequently! Please feel free to post your own comments about various locations we haven't added, or what you think of the place that's been listed!

• Xtreme Acrobat & Cheer
• Sculpture Garden Ice Skating
• Building Museum

Xtreme Acrobat & Cheer Gym - This has an open gym several times during the week, this means that instead of being a full time member, I can pay per use for each of my kids. They charge approx. $5 per visit. This is a great place for "out of sync" children, who need a lot of "rough", and "energetic" play. Rope swings, trampolines, and monkey bars. Perhaps you've got an aspiring ballet dancer, or a cheerleader on your hands! Xtreme Acro also offers scheduled classes for various age groups, from tumbling, to acrobatics, to cheerleading.

They are located in the Rockville Area, and their hours for open play are: Mon thru Fridays noon till 1pm, and Monday mornings 9.30am - 10.30am, and Wednesday's 1.30pm-2.30pm. (This schedule may change, so please check their website directly)! Many of our moms schedule weekly play dates here, so check out our group for details on the calendar! On Tuesday mornings they have a special for moms - from 9am till noon it's $30 and as long as your kid is potty trained.

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The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden ice-skating rink is open mid-November through mid-March, weather permitting. (Hurry up and get down there!!!)

View magnificent works of sculpture while skating in the open air and enjoying music from the state-of-the-art sound system. For a list of all KIDS EVENTS at NGA please click here for the calendar!

Ice-Skating Rink Hours mid-November through mid-March, weather permitting

• Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
• Friday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
• Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

Admission (two-hour sessions, beginning on the hour) $7.00 adults $6.00 seniors (age 50 and over) $6.00 students (with valid ID) $6.00 children (age 12 and under) $195.00 season pass

Skate and Locker Rentals Skate rental: $3.00 (ID required) Locker rental: $.50 ($5.00 deposit required)

The Pavilion Café Serves freshly made wraps, sandwiches, gourmet pizzas and salads. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, wine, and beer are also available.

For reservations, general information and opening announcements call (202) 289-3360.

Sculpture Garden Hours

• Monday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Beginning mid–November through mid-March 2007

• Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday, 10:00a.m.–11:00 p.m.
• Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
• Pavilion Café Hours Monday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

The National Gallery of Art, is located on the National Mall between 3rd and 7th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW. Washington, DC 20565. Telephone - 202-842-6880. Admission is always FREE.

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National Building Museum

• For Hours/Directions: http://www.nbm.org/Info/visit.html#hours
• Info: http://www.nbm.org/Exhibits/current/building_zone.html

Welcome to the Building Zone, a hands-on introduction to the building arts designed especially for the Museum's youngest visitors, ages two to six. In this new exhibition, children can:

• • Build a tower or brick wall.
• • Curl up with an architecture picture book in the Book Nook.
• • Drive bulldozers and other construction play trucks in theConstruction Zone.
• • Imagine being a craftsperson complete with a hard hat, tool belt,and goggles.
• • Explore in a playhouse.

The space is further enlivened by a child-scale mural of cities and neighborhoods designed and painted by artist Sarah L. Smith. They also have a great coffee shop inside for moms to gather and have a cup of java while the kiddies play together!

Why Play at the National Building Museum? Just as a building's foundation lays the groundwork for a structure,child-initiated play lays a foundation for learning. Through imaginative play, children learn to interact with others, to recognize and solve problems, and to gain confidence.

Play helps children make sense of their physical and social worlds and their place within them.

Please remember: • This gallery is designed for children ages 2-6. • An adult must accompany children at all times. • No food or drink is permitted in the gallery. • Maximum capacity is 25 visitors. • Photography is permitted.