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Things to Do in DC This Weekend: Science, Dinosaurs, Children's Theater

Treat your toddler to a morning of learning. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
Treat your toddler to a morning of learning. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
1/1/20 - By James Smith

Happy New Year, DC. You've survived the gift-giving rush, Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, and now can focus ahead to a bright 2020.

This weekend you can usher in the new year with science adventures in Washington, DC and Baltimore, dinosaur discovery in Laurel, even some toddler time at the Smithsonian Early Education Center. And that's just the beginning: Enjoy children's theater in DC, ice skating at a local rink, and more.

Why not check out some final holiday happenings at the Botanic Garden Conservatory before the seasonal run ends. Whatever you do, know your friends at Mommy Poppins DC will be with you all through 2020.

Need more inspiration? See our guide to the best winter break activities with kids in the DC area before they head back to school. And remember, our events calendar is loaded with fun, family events through January and beyond. Sign up for our FREE newsletters to receive posts such as this right to your inbox.

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Enjoy a lap or two around the rink. Photo courtesy of Washington Harbour Ice Rink
Enjoy a lap or two around the rink. Photo courtesy of Washington Harbour Ice Rink

Things to Do With Kids in DC All Weekend

Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History

Washington, DC - FREE
This 1,700-square-foot exhibit gives kids ages 0-6 a hands-on experience with elements taken from the adult exhibits, providing a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity. It features plenty of interactive elements, including a construction area, a climbing structure, a soft-play area for crawlers, a pretend farm and kitchen with play food and accessories, a mini portrait gallery, and more.  READ MORE

Play, Work, Build at the National Building Museum

Washington, DC
Play, Work, Build is an interactive area where children and adults can put their hands to work using a variety of construction toys and tools. READ MORE

Season's Greenings: America's Gardens!

Washington, DC - FREE
Explore botanic gardens from Hawaii to Maine in this year's Season's Greenings holiday show. Plant-based re-creations of conservatories, fountains, and sculptures will fill the model train room. These will include iconic gardens scenes like Brooklyn Botanic Garden's vibrant red Japanese torii gate, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens' flamingo topiaries, Missouri Botanical Garden's famous Climatron conservatory, and Huntsville Botanical Garden's Rocket Garden featuring NASA space nodes and rockets. READ MORE

The Washington Harbour Ice Rink

Washington, DC
Head to DC's largest outdoor ice rink to enjoy scenic views of the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center, Key Bridge, and historic Georgetown while you glide around the ice. Twinkling snowflakes and decorations light up the rink at night. Penguins for beginner skaters are available for an additional fee. READ MORE

Toddler Trailblazers at Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center

Washington, DC
SEEC workshops offer hands-on experiences that introduce young children to concepts in playful ways designed to support a child’s development. READ MORE

AURORA: The Spirit of the Northern Lights

Washington, DC
Visitors can discover the magic of the aurora as they journey to the northern lights at ArtecHouse. Inspired by nature and powered by creative technology, this immersive installation transforms kids and adults to a place where the aurora borealis is within reach and winter powers can be found by those who seek them. READ MORE

Festival of Light at Maryland Science Center

Baltimore
No, it's not a holiday festival. Instead, kids can create some brightness in the darkest time of the year by manipulating the properties of light with musuem educators. READ MORE

Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! (The Musical!)

Washington, DC
Based on the best-selling Pigeon picture books by author Mo Willems, the musical comedy Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus stars an innovative mix of actors, puppets, songs, and feathers. Best for ages 5 and older. READ MORE

Things to Do in DC With Kids, Saturday, January 4

Dinosaur Park Open House

Laurel, MD - FREE
Enjoy fun for all ages during Dinosaur Park Open House where visitors can see a rare deposit of fossils from the Cretaceous period. Paleontologists and educators showcase dinosaur fossils, casts, and models, while participants are invited to search for new fossils, weather permitting. There's also a dinosaur-themed playground open daily. READ MORE
Delight in the antics of The Great Zucchini. Photo courtesy of The Great Zucchini
Delight in the antics of The Great Zucchini. Photo courtesy of The Great Zucchini

Things to Do in DC With Kids, Sunday, January 5

Family Fun: The Great Zucchini

Washington, DC
The Great Zucchini, Washington's funniest and most magical preschool and kindergarten entertainer, performs a colorful magic show, where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh.  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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Read more articles by James Smith.