Family fun in MD and Beyond

Great Falls, MD/VA

2012-01-20T13:18:00.003-05:00

Great Falls can be accessed on both the Maryland side and the Virginia side. We visited the falls on the Maryland side (officially called the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal) and had a great time. This was a family-friendly outing, and we were fortunate to have good weather.

It costs $5 for a private vehicle, regardless of the number of people in the car, and parking is plentiful. There is a small snack bar that offers cold drinks and some ice cream treats and some water fountains to refill water bottles (there are also restroom facilities on-site). The visitor’s center features a museum about the history of the canal, and all of the rangers of the park are incredibly knowledgeable and ready to help.

The best part about this park is probably how stroller friendly it is as we were able to keep our toddler in his stroller while we walked on the paths. The park is mostly centered on the canal and offers miles of trails up and down the canal. There is also a path (about 1 mile) that leads to a falls overlook (also stroller-friendly). There are plenty of other hikes in the area for those looking for a bit more of a challenge.

The visitor center also sells tickets for the canal boat which costs $8.00 for adults (ages 15-61), $6.00 for seniors (ages 62 and over), and $5.00 for children (ages 4-14). Children aged three and under ride free. The boat rides were closed for the season so we were unable to take advantage of this opportunity.

This park was full of kayakers, runners, families, rock climbers, and others and made for a wonderful Sunday outing.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm

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Kiddie Crusoe, Timonium, Maryland

2011-12-28T11:10:00.006-05:00

Kiddie Crusoe is a fantastic combination play area located in Timonium, Maryland. The largest focus is on three main rooms which include a large wooden climbing apparatus, several inflatable jumping toys and slides, and a small town designed for an active imagination. The place was clean and well staffed, the equipment was in good condition, and there was plenty of room to run without feeling crowded. The place is geared towards children 3-12 and is probably most fun for those aged 3-8 years old.

The small town contains stores such as a gas station, barn, fire department, supermarket, classroom, theater room, etc. and offers a variety of imaginative play costumes to allow for role play. The inflatable room has some jumping equipment for younger children, slides for slightly larger children, and an inflatable two person basketball hoop which is perfect for a shootout. The climbing equipment is solid wood and has several slides of varying heights for different aged children. There are bridges and tunnels to run and climb through, as well as a few different swings for older and younger kids. There are also several small rock walls

designed for the little climbing enthusiasts.

Also on the premises was two small rooms for athletics and gaming. One room had a basketball hoop up and the other had a Mario themed painting on the wall with a big TV and a Wii set up to play video games. Kiddie Crusoe also offers weekly classes in creative movement, art, and a variety of other learning groups. Additionally, there is a beautifully maintained cafe which offered both healthy and snack foods for kids and families to eat. Kiddie Crusoe was a great place for our kids to play and

we look forward to going back again soon.

Hours of Operation:

Monday: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Tuesday: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Wednesday: 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00am to 8:00pm

Sunday: 11:00am to 6:00pm

Cost:

$12 dollars per child aged 1-12

Adults are free with paid child admission

Website: www.kiddiecrusoe.com

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National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC

2011-12-26T16:27:00.005-05:00

Located on the mall in Washington DC, the Air and Space Museum has been a favorite of mine for years. They have several changing exhibits, but they also have many permanent exhibits as well. The exhibit hall features include:
Explore the Universe (Herschel Telescope)
Looking at Earth (Lockheed U-2)
How Things Fly (great interactives for kids)
Early Flight (features the 1909 Wright Military Flyer)
Jet Aviation
Golden Age of Flight
Exploring the Moon (Apollo Lunar Module)
Moving Beyond Earth
Space Race (Missile Pit)
Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater
Milestones of Flight (which includes a piece of Moon Rock)

Gift Shop
America by Air (Boeing 747 Nose of plane and tour)
Flight Simulators

The museum is very large and will take several hours to see everything. Children as young as 3 can start to appreciate the exhibits, but I would say that 5 and up is the ideal age range. The museum is completely free, and is located in easy walking distance of several other great museums and national monuments. There are also several metro stations located nearby so that you can conveniently get to and from the museum very easily. Parking on the streets are very limited and garages will be expensive. There are many food vendors that sell snacks and there are a plethora of restaurants in the surrounding areas as well that cater to a variety of different dietary needs.

Free admission
Hours: 10am-5:30pm
Website: http://www.nasm.si.edu/

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Newseum, Washington DC

2011-08-09T11:42:00.016-04:00

EXTRA, EXTRA, Read all about it! Newseum is a big hit in our nation's capital! From the moment you arrive at the Newseum, you are greeted by amazing exhibits. Every morning, along the outside of the museum, they have someone who posts the front page of a newspaper from each of the 50 states in America. Once you go inside, you are greeted by six floors of amazing current and historical news exhibits. News tickers continuously scroll up to the second information, news choppers are suspended overhead, and the museum provides a 3 minute introductory movie to tell guests what they will see.

On the concourse level is sections of the Berlin Wall and exhibit, changing exhibits, a comic hall, eatery, and a sports history theater. Level one has the Newseum store, the great hall of news, a 4-D news movie experience (3D movie with shaking chairs), and a really cool exhibit on Pulitzer Prize photos. Each one has an explanation that allows you to get a good grasp of the situation in the photo. Level two has an interactive newsroom and an ethics center, and level three has exhibits on world news, a tv studio, an internet, TV, and radio section, and a journalists memorial as well. On the fourth floor, is the big screen theater, a really cool first amendment gallery, five freedoms walkway, and the 9/11 exhibit which has the radio tower from on top of the World Trade Center. One of my favorite parts of the museum was on the 5th floor near the big screen theater and Great Books exhibits. News History had newspapers dating back 500 years with significant historical events. Hundreds of Newspapers were labeled and on display. The top floor was an observation spot and a great temporary exhibit on Katrina.

I loved spending time in this museum because it made history come to life, showed various ways that news is made, written, and the spins that are put on things. Throughout the exhibit, there were different questions being asked of visitors, which were thought invoking and fascinating. This museum is geared towards people starting from age 12 and up.

Pricing:
Children 6 and under are free
7-18 years old: $13
19-64 years old: $22
65+: $18

Hours:9am-5pm
Website: http://www.newseum.org/
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Monster Mini Golf, Jessup, MD

2011-08-04T15:43:00.016-04:00

For a long time now, there has not been a decent mini golf place to go to in the Silver Spring area. Most are serviceable, but lack the appeal of the mini golf places that line the streets of beach towns. However, Jessup, MD (30 min from Silver Spring) is home to Monster Mini Golf, a totally cosmic, glow in the dark, indoor putting experience. We went during the day and it was very uncrowded, cool, and clean. The course is well maintained, has a variety of obstacles, and does not have a back at the end of each hole (which while narrow, was smartly built for wheel chair accessibility, yay!).

Each of the holes was fun, not too spooky, and challenging, providing us with about an hour of fun for the course (with no traffic). In addition to the mini golf, they also have a small arcade with prizes to be won. This place is perfect for kids 5 years old and up, assuming that the monsters are not too scary for them (there are fake monsters, but nothing that moves or jumps out at anyone). For mini golf, it is mildly pricey at 8 dollars per person for adults and 7 dollars each for kids, but it is indoors, and very well maintained. They also have great hours and offer several different discount deals (found on their website) such as Tuesday 12 dollar couple night, Pajama Thursday, etc... Definitely planning to go back soon!

Cost:
Adults $8
Kids $7

SUMMER BUSINESS HOURS:
Monday - Thursday: 12pm - 9pm Friday: 12pm - 10pm
Saturday: 12pm - 10pm
Sunday: 12pm to 8pm

Website: http://www.monsterminigolf.com/fran-md-columbia/index.html
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Ocean Dunes Waterpark, Arlington, VA

2011-07-31T15:01:00.010-04:00

Absolute perfection was achieved this week when we took a drive to Arlington, VA. for a visit to Ocean Dunes Waterpark. Located only 40 minutes from Silver Spring at Upton Hill Regional Park, we had a great time playing at this wonderful and splash-filled place. The most fun was had on the climbing aparatus which resembled something you would find at a regular park, except that it had water spouts, pipes, and slides to make it even more fun. Every few minutes, a large bell would go off and a big bucket of water would pour down the roof and shower the kids. The water got them wet but was not overpowering. This great park also had two big waterslides for kids that are older, a lap pool for adults, a pool with ramp entry that does not exceed 3 feet of water, and a baby pool which had many water toys to play with. Both kids (2 and 4 years old) had a great time at the park. Additionally, compared to other water parks, the prices were very affordable and they had staff at every part of the water. When it seemed like there was some sort of emergency, 5 lifeguards darted over immediately to check on the situation. Nothing was wrong and everyone was fine, but upon returning, the lifeguard told me that they are very cautious and take every situation seriously, which was really nice to see. My son also fell over and got a small scrape and the people in the first aid room were really nice and friendly to him. They also have a large snack area next to the pool area. This water park is just a part of several activities on the premises as they also have biking trails, a mini golf course, and batting cages. We can't wait to go back soon!!!

Pricing:
Ranges from $5(after 4pm)-$12(unlimited water park and mini golf) dollars per person depending on what you want to do and what time you go. This is a seasonal activity as it is an outdoor water park. Season passes can be purchased for a discounted price.

WATERPARK HOURS
May 28 – 30
Memorial Day Weekend: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
June 1 – June 16
Monday – Friday: Closed
Weekends: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
June 17 – August 2
Daily: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
July 4: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
August 22 – September 2
Monday – Friday: 11:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays: 11:00 PM – 7:00 PM
September 3 – September 5
Labor Day Weekend: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Mini Golf & Batting Cage Hours

March 12 – April 24
Monday – Friday: 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
April 25 – June 16
Monday – Thursday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Fridays: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
July 4th: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
June 17 – September 5
Monday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
September 6 – October 30
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday & Holidays: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Website: http://www.oceanduneswaterpark.com/
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Bowie Baysox, MD

2011-07-31T14:46:00.002-04:00

Not all baseball stadiums are created equal! It's hard to decide which age is appropriate to take children to a baseball game. After all, they are expensive and the idea of a child sitting still for 3 hours is just ludicrous. However, minor league baseball games are a great starting point as there is more space to get up and move around, the tickets are usually less expensive, and there are more kid friendly activities taking place. The Bowie Baysox stadium has a big open area for kids to stand to try to catch foul balls, a kids play area complete with merry-go-round, and inflatable games, etc.. Minor league players tend to be more friendly and willing to sign autographs before and after the game, and they really try to get kids involved. We spent 14 dollars per ticket and sat 3 rows off the field next to the dugout, and it is so much more exciting to be so close to the players. They also do several contests throughout the game including races, throwing t-shirts into the crowd, and staff that dance on top of the dugout. Bowie is a great place to take young ones to for a first game.

Website: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t418
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Go Kart Track, Bladensburg, MD

2011-07-18T15:41:00.007-04:00

If you are feeling the need for speed, dart down to the Go Kart Track in Bladensburg, MD. Located right near College Park, this small place is simple, but satisfies the urge to fly around a race track. We got there right when it opened and had almost the whole track to ourselves. While the facilities themselves were definitely not modern, the go karts were in good condition and seemed well maintained. The employees were also friendly, stopping to take our picture when we were all done (upon our request). The track is small, and there is a shaded area with benches to watch the racers when you are done racing. The cost of racing is 6 dollars for 6 laps which goes by very quickly. However, most other go kart places are more expensive anyway, so this is an easier way to monitor how much you spend. They have both, single and tandem karts and if you get a tandem kart, you only pay for the driver. You must be 54 inches tall and 8 years old to drive a Go Kart, but kids as young as 3 years old can be a passenger in the tandem kart. This place is also located within a few minutes of the College Park Aviation Museum which makes for a good pair of inexpensive activities for the day with kids.

Cost:
$6 for six laps
Hours:

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY > 11AM TO 9 PM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ONLY

MARCH AND APRIL >> 2PM TO 9PM MONDAY THRU FRIDAY

11AM TO 10PM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

MAY THRU SEPTEMBER > 11AM TO 11PM 7 DAYS A WEEK

OCTOBER THRU DECEMBER > 11AM TO 9PM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ONLY

Website: http://www.gokarttrack.com/

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Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD

2011-07-18T15:06:00.010-04:00

Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a beautiful stadium to take in a game with friends and family. Ranked by Forbes.com as the 5^th best stadium in all of major league baseball, Camden Yards seats roughly 45,000 people and provides both open and shaded seats. Tickets range in price, but remain very affordable for a major league baseball team. Competing in the toughest division in all of baseball, the Orioles also play many of their games against top talent from major cities on the east coast. This stadium is only 20 years old and many stadiums since then have been built based off of the model that was used to make Camden Yards one of the first modern stadiums to be built with a vintage look. Night games are especially fun to take in as the Baltimore city skyline can be seen when looking out into the outfield.

Pricing: Tickets range from $

Website: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=bal

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Centennial Park, Ellicott City, MD

2011-07-11T20:10:00.002-04:00

Centennial Park is centrally located between Silver Spring and Baltimore and provides a beautiful park for a variety of outdoor activities. The lake has trout and bass to fish for, several playgrounds located throughout the park, and several sports courts, including basketball and volleyball. Additionally, they have a fantastic boating area where canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats can be rented for under $10 per hour. However, be cautious in getting there right at opening time as the boat house is run by teenagers and they showed up 15 minutes late on multiple occasions. The lake and the entire park is well maintained, and has fantastic concrete paths for walking or biking. There are many beautiful places to have a lakeside picnic and the people are very friendly. We look forward to going back to this park soon!!!
Website: http://www.co.ho.md.us/rap/rap_hocoparkscentennial.htm#anch6527

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Butlers Orchard, Germantown, MD

2011-06-30T16:08:00.021-04:00

Today was the perfect day to trek out to Butlers Orchard in Germantown, MD. This farm is open, and most busy during the summer months, but if you call ahead, they will let you know which times of day are less crowded and which fruits or vegetables are available for picking based on the season. They have a big parking lot in the fields, and staff members use hayride tractors to bring people back and forth from the fields every ten minutes. The tractor ride and the actual picking was great fun for all of us as looking for the best berries was a great challenge. You can bring your own baskets or purchase buckets when you arrive at the farm. Depending on the season, picking options include strawberries, sweet peas, blueberries, cherries, flowers, blackberries, red raspberries, apples, and pumpkins.
When not picking fruits or vegetables, they also have a small playground area which has a wooden train, and wooden boat. My son also really loved going on the large slides that were built into the hill near the playground. They keep a bin of burlap sacks that kids can take to the top of the slide and use to slide down. Be sure to check the website or call ahead as the hours vary depending on the day and season. All and all, this was a very inexpensive and fun trip as the prices for fruit were slightly less than in the stores and allowed us to enjoy a warm day outside.

Website: http://www.butlersorchard.com/

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Imagination Stage, Bethesda, MD

2011-06-24T14:06:00.005-04:00

Imagination Stage is a little theater nestled in the heart of Bethesda. Tickets are easy to purchase online and the lines at the pickup counter were very manageable. The website does a good job of stating appropriate ages for each show and the actors kept my four year old's attention for the full hour and a half show. The actors move through the theater and are very animated. There are no bad seats in the house and tickets are affordable, ranging from $10-$22. They also have an intermission for a 2 minute stretch break so the kids don't get restless. In addition to the plays that are performed, they also have Sunday Fun-Day which is $10 for interactive lessons and themed play based on a variety of different books. The book varies each week and can be found on their website. However, the interactive lessons are much shorter sessions and seemed rushed. There is metered parking both on the street and in a parking garage 2 blocks away.

http://imaginationstage.org/
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Claude Moore Colonial Farm, McLean, VA

2011-06-23T20:31:00.004-04:00

Claude Moore Colonial Farm is located in Virginia very close to CIA headquarters. (Just make sure you don't accidentally turn in the wrong place). The farm is preserved to look like it did back in 1771. It has
a small smattering of animals including geese, pigs, and cattle. There is also a small barn where tobacco is cured. (Don't worry, the tobacco fields are so far removed from modern day cigarettes no kids will make
the connection unless you tell them).
The highlight of the farm of course is the house where modern day actors live in a recreated 1771 lifestyle. They prepare and eat authentic meals, wear period clothing, use period correct dishes and utensils, and have chickens and roosters running around. They're happy to talk to visitors and will also introduce your children to some of the period games they have. the farm is fairly small so it won't take you too long to see the whole thing, and they also have special events which you can find out about on their website at www.1771.org

Picture from: http://globallearning.pwnet.org/HSS/HSS.VUS.2.php
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Reston Zoo, Reston, Virginia

2011-06-22T10:26:00.022-04:00

A couple of Sundays ago we went with a friend and his kids to the Reston Zoo. However, the word "zoo" is a little misleading. While the Reston Zoo does have animals to look at, but that is only one of the highlights. Almost all of the animals are free-range and you can pet, feed, and take pictures with them as well. A Buffalo even licked my son with its long black tongue. Prices vary depending on what you decide to do, but entry fees range from $9-$12 dollars, with additional fees for feeding the animals. A wagon ride is included in the price of admission and is the best way to meet a lot of the animals. Want to pet a camel? or feed that buffalo? Hop on the wagon! There is very little shelter, so remember to bring hats, appropriate shoes, lots of water and sunscreen.
When you have all your feed and you're ready to go meet the animals, the first place you're most likely to go is the barn with the sheep, goats, and lambs. Give the kids a cup of feed and let them have fun with the animals. This is a great learning opportunity for the kids on sharing the feed, how animals eat, not to be afraid of domestic farm animals, and how to ration the feed so they don't run out. The reptile house also excites with an anaconda the size of a car, and several other less-than-cute, and not-so-cuddly, but very interesting reptiles. Then head over to the kangaroo pens, chicken coops, and rooster area.
After that, head over to the waiting area for the wagon ride. This is one of the few areas with shade, so it provided a nice break in the heat. When on the wagon, you can feed and pet all the animals except the zebras. The wagon ride takes you around the animal park to see all the animals, stopping here and there so you can take pictures and pet and feed the animals (they come right up to you - they're expecting you to feed them, so they are very friendly). If you don't have any food left, don't worry, just stick out your hand to pet them and they'll come over because that's what they've come to expect, and they'll lick your hand - just don't freak out over the size of those tongues!! After the wagon ride, we strolled around a bit; my son fed the Egyptian geese (very friendly) but not the Canadian geese (very unfriendly), fed some rabbits in cages, looked at some chicks hatching, and some tortoises stomping around.
The Reston Zoo is a nice way to spend some family time, and for a mid-range priced activity it offers a lot for the money. For more information, including hours, which vary by season, how to purchase a season pass or book a group or birthday party, visit www.restonzoo.com .

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Pine Lake in Wheaton, Maryland

2011-06-12T18:48:00.010-04:00

Pine lake is a cute little lake, located right behind the Wheaton Ice Rink. It is not well marked, and therefore not overly populated, but this lake is just big enough to come and enjoy nature in a relaxed environment. Every year the lake is stocked with trout for fishing, but there are also many little sunfish for the little anglers as well. We started taking our 4 year old and he has caught several little fish with great delight. Additionally, he enjoys walking on the path around the lake, as well as seeing the turtles and frogs that peak above water level. There are also several spots for picnicking and shaded benches along the way. If you are looking for a peaceful and serene nature spot, this is quite enjoyable. (picture is from M-NCPPC website)
Website:http://www.montgomeryparks.org/park_of_the_day/oct/parkday_oct10.shtm
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Wheaton Ice Rink in Silver Spring, Maryland

2011-01-17T20:46:00.009-05:00

Wheaton Ice Rink is a well maintained ice skating rink on the boarder of Silver Spring and Wheaton. The staff is very attentive and were on the ice at all times making sure that everyone was skating safely. The ice rink is also used for skating lessons and hockey games, so there are a large set of bleachers for parents to sit and watch (and if you get the right spot, you can sit right under the heating vent). We did not find this out until afterwards, but for younger children, they have cones that they can give to the children to hold on to so that they can start learning to skate. Our sons also really enjoyed watching the Zamboni being driven around to make the ice shiny and smooth again. If you check the schedule online, there are various different scheduled times built in for different activities, so check before you go. They have scheduled times for cheaper skating, figure skaters, family skating, etc…. Overall, we were very happy with our time on the ice and would recommend going back to this rink in the future. Prices vary depending on the scheduled time and the age of the individual.

Website: http://www.montgomeryparks.org/enterprise/ice/wheaton/index.shtm
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Great Kids Village in Silver Spring, Maryland

2010-08-18T09:24:00.014-04:00

Looking to beat the heat, I took my son to Great Kids Village in Silver Spring. My wife had been to the Columbia, Maryland location and said that while expensive (15 dollars for the first child), the place had a great deal of rooms and activities for the kids (including a real and full sized fire truck). I was excited to try their new location because of so many wonderful looking pictures on their website. However, while the Columbia location is great (according to second hand reports), I was disappointed with most aspects of the Silver Spring location.
The location of Great Kids Village is not in the best of areas in Silver Spring, and when looking for the building, I found it by the address on the door instead of by a sign (There was no sign and the emptiness in the window made it look like an abandoned warehouse). Then we went in and in fact, it was not far off from an empty warehouse. I was disappointed to learn that it was one big room with a bunch of stage 2 children’s’ toys (which we could play with at the displays in Toys R Us for free). Apparently this is why it is five dollars cheaper at the Silver Spring location, but I was unimpressed nonetheless. I asked the lady where the toys from the website were and she said that those were in the Columbia location. The website should have delineated which activities or lack thereof was in each location. Additionally, I had called several times to see if the place was open and got only an answering machine. When I got into the place and asked the lady near the desk, she said that they don’t even have a phone at the location, which scared me for safety reasons.

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Cabin John Regional Park in Rockville, Maryland

2010-08-15T08:32:00.008-04:00

Cabin John is a great hidden treasure. Its entrance is off of Tuckerman and one may think that it is just going to be a small little play area with a slide and swing set. However, when you drive into the parking lot, you see a huge variety of play equipment that is shaded by beautiful trees. The park can seem overwhelming if you go alone with your kids because each play area is different so you may spend a lot of time exploring. Not only will your child have fun, but you will get your exercise as well! If you are going with several children, you may need more than one set of eyes if your children are playing in different areas. That is the only difficulty with the park.

There is so much to play with, but it is spread out over a large area, so go with a few friends! The equipment ranges for different ability levels, however it is not handicap accessible. There are small stationary trains and climbing areas for wabbly toddlers and steep slides and a climbing wall for the more adventurous.

Another treat of the park is that it is surrounded by a ride on train that the children will love. It is just a short walk through a path to get to the train station so you can buy your ticket. The park has a public restroom and water fountain in the center of the park. One could easily spend several hours at the park, take a break for the train and then find one of the many picnic benches to enjoy lunch. The park also has baseball, soccer, and tennis courts/fields, an indoor ice skating rink, nature center, hiking, and camping grounds.

Website: http://www.montgomeryparks.org/facilities/regional_parks/cabinjohn/

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White Oak Duckpin Lanes in Silver Spring, Maryland

2010-08-15T08:02:00.009-04:00

White Oak Duckpin Lanes is a fun little bowling alley that is very child friendly for kids of all ages. Unlike 10 pin bowling, the duckpins and duckpin balls are much smaller which make it easier for younger children to pick up and control. This alley has many lanes and the option for regular duckpin bowling or duckpin bowling with bumpers. It is a relatively inexpensive but fun day out with the children and the alley is open 7 days per week. Additionally, the alley also hosts birthday parties in a small party room, has an arcade, a restaurant, leagues for all ages, and cosmic bowling on Saturday nights.

Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9:00am-11:00pm
Friday 9:00am-12:00am
Saturday 9:00am-1:00am
[Cosmic Bowling starts at 10:30pm on Sat-1:00]
Sunday 10:00am-11:00pm

Website: http://www.whiteoaklanes.com/

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Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, Maryland

2010-08-13T15:27:00.005-04:00

The Maryland Science Center, located in downtown Baltimore has many different types of exhibits spread through its expansive 3 level building. The entry level is home to Newton’s alley, Dinosaur mysteries, Terralink, Fossils, Beakers Café, and the Science store. Our son enjoyed thrashing through the dinosaur hall and then moving into Newton’s alley where he got to experiment with all sorts of physical science activities including touching a “cloud” and trying to pick his own weight up in a chair. The science store also had a huge selection of toys and games to play with.

When we went to the second floor, we got to experience areas such as Our place in space, Spacelink, Cells, Bodylink, Your body, and the Wonder warehouse. In the wonder warehouse we saw and partook in exhibits such as moving a flashlight in a dark room and seeing the light pattern videotaped and creating flying crafts and seeing if they would in fact take off. We also walked around and learned about which sort of things take place in the human body. The different sounds were fascinating and fun!

On the third level was a huge interactive kids room that is specifically geared towards children from birth-8 years old. This room was the most fun for my son as he got to play in the water area (squirting water and filling up tubs, sailing a boat down the current, and connecting water pipes to redirect water). He also had fun shooting messages through a tube over his head, and building with pipes. There was also a big boat in a loft area and a really cool video screen under the boat where you can lay down and navigate your way through the ocean on a tv screen. Also on this level were the Science arcade, a blue crab exhibit, and an energy efficient car room. In this room he got the chance to build a model car on interactive touch computer screens.

Each level really had wonderful and interactive exhibits for kids and adults to play with and learn from. The museum also has an IMAX theater and frequently plays fascinating movies for an additional cost. I would say the best ages to take kids to this museum range from 3-14 years old. I saw just as many adults interacting with exhibits as the kids and we were thrilled that we got to go. This museum is also right on the harbor so it makes it easy to spend a day having fun walking around the city and seeing other activities as well.

Website: http://www.mdsci.org/

Pricing:

Adults: $ 14.95

Children: $11.95

(teachers are free with pay stub or I.D.)

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The Track in Gaithersburg, Maryland

2010-08-08T15:50:00.018-04:00

Racing fans, START YOUR ENGINES!!!! Today we went to "The Track" in Gaithersburg to experience a large radio control and slot car racing track. What sold me on going was a racer that was practicing at a nearby field at the beginning of the summer. He said that he goes to "The Track" all the time and that most of the people are incredibly friendly. Looking back on this experience, we had such a wonderful time at this big racetrack and the kids were entertained for several hours.

We got there at about 12:40 (40 minutes after it opened) and started by looking through the store section of the building. There were many cars and car parts in all of the glass cases which my son really enjoyed. After that we walked through a studio/garage area where many different people were working on building and fixing their cars. We found it fascinating to see all of the people working on different elements of their cars and all of the pieces that went into these great machines. The people working on cars ranged in their knowledge and experience level and most were very friendly and/or open to being asked questions. However, I caution that the lady that answers the phone is not so friendly, but don't be dissuaded by her as most of the other people in the building were very nice.

One gentleman in particular (dubbed "The Trackmaster") was incredibly friendly and shared his knowledge with us about the hobby. He said that some of the people really get the idea that it is important to get the kids out to "The Track" because it is a hobby that is meant for them. He said that he hopes that within the next year they will start renting out cars to younger kids so that they can have a chance to race as well as making it open for birthday parties. I believe they also have a camp for racers. Anyone who either buys a car (they are pricey) or builds their own can come and use this track for a fee (15 dollars for the whole day), but watching is totally free and really enjoyable. While many of the guys race their cars in tournaments and are at a very competitive level, others were novices as well, having only just started but enjoying the hobby nonetheless.

Once the track was set up (usually around 1:30pm), we took a seat on the chairs outside of the track and watched as the racers took their places on the pedestal over the track and began racing. Our kids had a great time watching cars zip by, doing the jumps, and crashing into each other. In another part of the studio was a separate smaller track for little cars that we also got to look at. One man was racing a car on that track and told us that the cars were moving at 100 mph. This track is ok for kids to bring their own little cars and push them around on.

All in all we had such a wonderful experience. However, I caution that you should call first to see if they are expecting to be racing that day or you could end up just touring the place quickly. Also, even if they don't have races going on, they seemed pretty comfortable with letting us use the little cars that we brought onto the small track. However, children are not allowed to go on the bigger track (and are only allowed to watch) unless they are racing a car fit for the track. The directions on the website are clear, but the place is not well marked so keep your eyes peeled and expect to have to U-turn when you notice the addresses and then skip right past it. While this place is not geared toward children, I definitely recommend that everyone race down and check this place out as it was good for a rainy day for kids ages 3-12 to watch for a little while. I would say your child would probably have to be around 7 or 8 (minimum) to do their own racing.

Hours:
Sunday and Monday 12-6pm
Tuesday- Friday 12-9pm
Saturday: 10am-9pm (or later)
Phone: (301) 417-9630
Website: http://rctrack.com/index.html
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Noyes Library for Young Children, Kensington, MD

2010-07-29T23:38:00.010-04:00

The Noyes Library is a charming one room library created to introduce the library experience to young children, ranging from babies to preschoolers. The library's books are divided into children friendly topics- such as "going to school," "sports and activities," "potty-training," etc. which help children and parents find books that best suite the child's interests and/or life stages. There are chairs and benches available for children to sit on as they read books, as well as hands-on toys available for free play. Children can enjoy playing with trains, cars, trucks and blocks on the train table, or playing with dolls and animal figures on their barn table. There are magnet boards with letters that children can use to acquaint themselves with the alphabet, and a table set aside for coloring.
I particularly like bringing my kids to this library because of its intimate, child-focused environment and find that my children enjoy it more than other larger libraries. I have also found that watching my children play with the different toys provides me with great opportunity to introduce new books related to their play.
The library is only opened Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays from 9 am- 5 pm.
http://www.librarything.com/venue/311/Noyes-Library-for-Young-Children-Montgomery-County-Public-Libraries-MD-
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Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlsboro, MD

2010-07-29T01:00:00.019-04:00

Watkins Regional Park is a great place to go with children from ages 1.5 yr old and up. The park is located just 30 minutes outside of Silver Spring, Maryland, and features the "Old Maryland Farm," a small farm that consists of bunny rabbits, chickens and peacocks(that you can feed), ducks, sheep, llamas, cows and horses. They have pony rides available for $3/ride on certain days of the week, and hayrides for $1/person for groups of 15 or more. The farm is nicely maintained, beautifully gardened, and is a fantastic spot to take young children who are learning about animals and want to get close to them.
     Summer Features: Right next to the farm, the park offers 10-minute antique train rides ($1.75) that run around the farm and through the woods; miniature Golf($3.75/person); a carousel($1.75).
     Also near the farm, the park has a large fantastic playground that my young son can play at for hours and a nature center that has scheduled programs and events.
     One small suggestion: the farm is a 3 minute walk from the parking lot- down a winding path. If you have a toddler who is not the best walker yet, I suggest taking a stroller so that you don't end up carrying him. The farm itself is small enough that your toddler can probably do without one, but that path is where both my children and my friend's children had a difficult time.
     Between the farm and the playground, my children can easily stay for a good 3 hours. I usually bring lunch to eat at one of their pavilions.
Website: http://www.pgparks.com/Things_To_Do/Nature/Watkins_Regional_Park.htm
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Nasa Goddard Visitor Center in Greenbelt, MD

2010-07-19T14:03:00.016-04:00

Is your child interested in rockets and outer space but you don't have time to make a big trip to the National Air and Space Museum? Then the visitor center at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, is the perfect place for you. Intended for people of all ages, the visitor center provides a stimulating and educational 'planetary science' experience but in a smaller and more convenient location than the larger museums in DC.

The center has a variety of exhibits discussing Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary science, engineering, communication, and technology development. Although most exhibits require reading, some exhibits have educational videos running with cartoon characters explaining space travel and air pressure. The most child-friendly part of the center is their Gemini space capsule model. My 2 year old son particularly enjoys climbing into the model, wearing a toy astronaut helmet and pretending to fly to the moon. The center also has a toy chest with space puzzles, toy rockets, and astronaut puppets for the children to enjoy.

Additionally, the center has an outdoor "Rocket Garden" where children can enjoy running around and touching the large rocket models and playing on the grassy lawn. There are also outdoor picnic tables available.

But I would have to say the coolest part of the center is their "Science on a Sphere." This attention-grabbing visualization system uses computers and video projectors to project informative movies on the outside of a suspended, 6-foot diameter, white sphere. Like the center, the shows are free. And they are constantly looped throughout the day.

When my family visits the center, we find that we are entertained for 2 hours- and admission is free so we have no problems going back often. The museum is best geared toward children 2+ and would be enjoyable by anyone who likes learning more about NASA.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/visitor/home/index.html

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Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

2010-06-23T21:56:00.024-04:00

We took a trip to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore last summer. A small zoo covered in shade and a free tram to take you from the entrance/parking to the main area with the animals (why can't the National Zoo have one?). Though small, it offered a lot in the way of different types of exhibits and experiences. You can feed a giraffe, ride a camel ride (offered last summer - not sure about 2010), see cheetahs and monkeys through a wall of Plexiglass, experience a wonderful exhibit of life on the Chesapeake Bay, exploring the woods and caves, and more. They had lots of picnic tables and the bathrooms had a/c and were clean! As of June 30, 2010, they will also have a train running at the zoo.

Extra costs beyond the cost of admission tickets - tickets for the Jones Falls Zephyr train will be $2 for members and $3 for non-members. I didn't see on the website anything about the camel rides, but they were $5 per person last year. You did have to pay to feed the giraffes - I believe it was $2.50 per stem of leaves. Zoo is open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Parking is free! (Don't worry, parking lot is small and right next to the zoo, very easy walk, and no hills). http://www.marylandzoo.org/
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Leesburg Animal Park in Leesburg, Virginia

2010-06-02T19:19:00.010-04:00

After going to Clarks Elioak Farm in Ellicott City and having such a good time interacting with the animals, we thought we would try Leesburg Animal Park. The website was incredibly well maintained and made it seem like quite a nice place. There were several nice things about this park and several things that we were unhappy with.

The park had a wider variety of animals to see (tortoise, camel, monkeys, etc.) and feed than in other places we went to which was nice. Also, there was a lot of land to roam around, a big pond, a playground area, and a moon bounce on the premises. Additionally, they also had a big sand box with some digging tools, a shaded area to rest, pony rides, and wagon rides. Of all of the things that we saw, we actually enjoyed seeing the monkeys swinging in their cage and feeding the different animals the most.

However, we found the price to be very expensive compared to other places with similar programs. At 10 dollars per adult and 8 dollars per child, we expected to see a wider variety of animals, get more feed for the money, and have a bit more interaction with the animals. Also, the pens that the animals were in were very small and crowded and for a little kid, it was hard to see much more than a mouth between wooden beams in many cases. We also did not enjoy the fact that for a normal sized cup of feed for the animals, they charged an additional 10 dollars. In addition to the already steep entry fee and the additional charge for the large bucket of feed, they also charged for the hay rides and pony rides.

In terms of the staff, they were very young, and other than in the box office and by the ponies, I did not see a single staff person on the premises. If you are planning a trip out to Leesburg in the near future and you have the extra money to spend, it is not a terrible place to go. However, there is definitely room for growth at this place. On the positive side, it is located 5 minutes from the Leesburg Premium Outlets which provides great shopping and a second activity in the area. If you go in the summer bring lots of water as it gets very hot. Also, they have a festival in the fall time called Pumpkinville which has hay mazes, hill slides, zip lines, and several other activities.

Website: http://www.leesburganimalpark.com/
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Hadley's Park and Potomac, Maryland

2010-06-02T16:50:00.010-04:00

Hadley's Park is a wonderful playground that is great for children of all ages. There are numerous different climbing apparatuses to play on and the park was designed so that children with varying abilities can enjoy the equipment. One of the most wonderful features of the park is that almost every climbing structure has at least one ramp for wheel chair accessibility and that the entire playground is built on rubber mats for child safety.

Additionally, the playground has features such as a shaded gazebo, miniature climbing wall, and a large baseball field. The equipment is also well spaced out and many children bring bikes to ride on the rubber matting. We spent about 2 hours at the park playing on the equipment and watching a little league game that was taking place.

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Port Discovery in Maryland

2010-04-18T17:50:00.009-04:00

Port Discovery is ranked as one of the top children's museums in the country with good reason. The exhibits are quite wonderful. We went on a Sunday afternoon and were pleasantly surprised that the museum was not packed. There was plenty of room to roam around, and all of the floors were stroller accessible (elevator).

The three story climbing apparatus is centrally located at the middle of the museum and has climbing tunnels that let you out on each floor. This part of the museum was doable with our three year old as long as I followed behind. However children a few years older were able to make their way through the climbing maze quite well. The slides and tunnels were easy to navigate.

Our children also enjoyed cooking in the diner, shopping in the super market, and crossing the Nile in the Egypt room. One of the rooms that we spent the most time at was the water works room. The museum provides rain coats for children as they go in and there are many different water activities to experiment with. Some of the activities included shooting water guns at musical instruments to make a water band, a huge river with flowing water and all sorts of machines squirting water around and funneling it through to the bottom, and even an area with water pipes that you can move and connect to each other before the water pours out.

While it is a bit pricey ($12.95 per person ages 2-102), the museum is surely worth visiting every once in a while. Also, if you live near Baltimore and plan on going frequently, the family membership is quite affordable. The one complaint is that some of the things in the museum were broken. However, most of the museum was in great shape and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable about where programs were located. Additionally, the administration that runs the museum is quite caring and helpful too. The museum is constantly changing programs, so definitely call or check the website before going to see which exhibits are currently running. The museum is great for kids ages 3-10, with 5-8 being the most optimum ages.

Website: http://portdiscovery.org/#home
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Meadowside Nature Center, Rockville, MD

2010-04-11T20:47:00.011-04:00

Located in Rockville, Maryland, this quaint little nature center provided us with a fun day in a small nature setting. They frequently have nature related events (including a reptile festival the day we went) that are geared toward young children. There are several small rooms in the nature center such as "The Legacy of the Land" room which shows examples of Maryland's natural environment, "Life in a Log Cabin", an entire indoor forest and cave, as well as a "Curiosity Corner" room with plush animals, fish tanks, frogs, and nature books. There were plenty of places to sit down and read stories about animals indigenous to Maryland.

Outside, there were large bird cages, and bee and butterfly gardens which my 3 year old enjoyed immensely. There are also a variety of different nature paths that are open for hiking. The paths were well shaded and we were able to enjoy a scenic walk through the forest. You can call in advance or check the website in advance to find out when the nature center runs their special events. This place is best for children ages 3-7 years of age and will probably provide 1-3 hours of entertainment.

Hours: Sun-Mon Closed; Tue-Sat 9am–5pm

5100 Meadowside Lane
Rockville, MD 20855-1812
(301) 924-4141

Website: www.meadowsidenature.org
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Clemyjontri Park, McLean, VA

2010-03-07T18:21:00.009-05:00

WOW!!! At the first sign of 60 degrees outside, we broke out of our indoor activity slumber and burst onto the scenes at Clemyjontri Park in McLean, Virginia. Only 25 minutes from Silver Spring, MD., this park is an amazing way to spend time outside. The park is completely handicap accessible, and the entire park is on rubber mats which makes it safe and fun for kids of all ages. Not only was it safe, but the park was also huge and provided tons of options for our kids to play on.

The park had racetracks flowing through all of the different climbing apparatuses and kids were running around everywhere with many choices of places to jump and play. Our oldest son enjoyed climbing on the fire truck, running on the race track, and climbing on the rock wall. Additionally, there were monkey bars, swings, and tons of ramps that made it easy to get from one part of the climbing to another.

Another amazing part of this park was that they had a huge maze for kids to run through that was around 4 feet tall. It provided the kids with a lot of fun, but parents could stand on the outside of the maze and watch their children running through the different obstacles. There were also stations with information to learn from so that the children could also take something educational away from their day at the park. The only negatives to Clemyjontri were that there were so many people running around everywhere which made it a bit tough to keep an eye on your children and the parking lot on the premises was small for the facilities. However, if you drive one block past the park, there is a large overflow lot with plenty of parking. We absolutely look forward to going back to this park in the future.

Website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri/playground.htm
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The Garden State Discovery Museum in New Jersey

2010-02-11T21:16:00.009-05:00

During the winter break, we spent a couple of days in South Jersey visiting my in-laws. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Garden State Discovery Museum which is located in Cherry Hill, NJ. This makes it a good stop on the way up to Philly and New York.

The museum is divided into different zones, such as a construction zone and a medical zone. Kids have the chance to perform different tasks related to the zone. For example in the grocery store zone, there is the chance to weigh different fruits and vegetables and to serve customers. The theater zone allows children to dress up in costumes and perform on stage, while there is the weather forecast zone where kids can actually stand in front of the camera and give the day's forecast. There is also an area set up as a diner with a kids size counter for serving all kinds of fake burgers etc.

The main zones are suitable for kids of all ages, but there is also a special zone for the youngest visitors which is kind of like a miniature version of the whole museum. Our two year old lurrved the whole place, including the zone for the younger kids. For families with multiple kids this is also a great place as there is something for kids of all ages to do here. In addition there is something for every kind of kid, whether your child is the active sort who wants to run around and climb on everything or if your child prefers to work on one activity for a long time.

The museum kept us busy for a whole morning and we could have spent much more time there had lunch time and nap time not come around so quickly. The museum is quite pricey but all in all represents a great day out for the whole family.

http://www.discoverymuseum.com/
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College Park Aviation Museum in Maryland

2010-01-18T16:19:00.013-05:00

Today we met up with friends and took a trip to the College Park Aviation Museum, the oldest continuously running airport in the world. The staff was friendly and gave us a map of the museum that showed all of the “kid friendly” areas in the museum, of which there were many. When we first walked into the exhibit, my son loved looking at the different planes and seeing some planes on the ground while others were suspended in mid-air. There were many electronic displays that explained a breakdown of different parts of the history of flight and a breakdown of the importance of each part of the airplanes. An animatronic Wilbur Wright gave an explanation of a Hangar.

Activities included, a flight simulator, exhibits showing air flow, flight stamps, model plane creating, flying a plane in a wind tunnel and much, much more. There were also several different types of propellers that children could move and interact with as well. Additionally, the museum frequently hosts different aviation events such as building Lego planes which will take place next week. My son particularly enjoyed getting to sit inside one of the planes and pretending to fly all over the museum.

We also got a chance to go outside to a fenced in area that had about 15 wooden planes that children could sit in and drive around in. The fenced in area is right through a glass door in the gift shop and is easy to miss, so keep an eye out for it. There were manual planes that either had foot pedals to ride like a bike or kids could sit in them and be pushed around. As you look through the fence, the runway is right outside with all of the planes lined up. This museum kept us entertained for 2 hours and cost us less than five dollars per person. We had a blast and time “flew” by. This museum is best geared toward children 2-8 but would be enjoyable by anyone that enjoys airplanes and/or history in Maryland.

Website: http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com

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Chesapeake Children's Museum in Annapolis, MD

2010-01-17T19:19:00.013-05:00

We ventured out to the Chesapeake Children's Museum today with a bunch of friends, not knowing what to expect. We ended up having a great time. Upon arrival, we were worried based on the appearance of the dilapidated house, but we were pleasantly surprised when we walked in. There were several different rooms that had various important elements that were linked to the Chesapeake bay.
The main room had a 10 foot boat for children to board and "sail" which was parked right near a small wooden dock. There were also many fish tanks that had various animals that can be found in or near the Chesapeake bay. The staff was friendly and we were given permission to take a corn snake out of the cage and hold him, pick up turtles from a small indoor "pond", and look at different types of frogs and geckos. The room also had a train table and tons of different blocks for kids to build various types of structures.
Some of the other rooms included a doctors office with a real (but old) dental chair, a bunch of X-rays, and some microscopes. Literally "stuffed" in the closet was "Stuffee", a 7 foot man who unzips to spill out his various cotton organs. There was also a small kitchen and shopping area, and two different arts and crafts areas that used recycled materials to provide the children a fun way to do projects while saving the environment.
The basement also offered another area to do arts and crafts as well as several bunnies that could be taken out of their cage, and a music area with a piano, bongos, and some other types of drums. While our visit unfortunately was hampered by rain, there are also outdoors nature walks as well as an underground railroad walk that we were told is very educational. Along the nature walk, several different types of wildlife are frequently seen in the surrounding areas. Despite not being the newest or fanciest of attractions, at 3 dollars per person, and after spending several hours having fun with our friends, we are definitely planning a trip back when the weather warms up.

Website: http://www.theccm.org
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Playseum in Bethesda, Maryland

2009-12-30T14:44:00.003-05:00

The Playseum is a wonderful new place that just opened up in Bethesda, Maryland. In only a short amount of time, the word has gotten out about this place and every room had tons of children engaged in wonderful activities. The Playseum is a great place to take children ranging from 1-8 years old. The owner was friendly and accommodating in making sure that all of the customers were happy and in the hour and a half that we were there, I did not hear a single child crying. Additionally, there were so many different rooms, toys, and crafts to interact with that children never seemed to be fighting over one particular toy.

The list of rooms included a small radio studio set up by WTOP so that children can be weathermen, a science room (with different activities led by staff), a construction/building room, a creation room with all sorts of art supplies, a kitchen for cooking, a Safeway sponsored grocery store, an animal room, and much, much, more. My 3 year old son enjoyed getting to hold a bunny rabbit, make his own bouncy ball in the science room with staff members teaching a class, and using the pulley system to lift blocks to the ceiling in the bucket that he had filled up.

Another area where he had fun included the music area where a group of children were playing different instruments. One girl was on the piano, my son picked up the guitar, and another girl was playing with the cymbals to form an incredibly cute little band. He also had fun in the puppet show booth, the costume area, and at the train table as well.

This place was affordable at only five dollars per person, and while we had to get home after playing for an hour and a half, we could have spent 3-4 hours there. Also, one of the most important aspects of making any place successful is having a friendly and knowledgeable staff. All of the staff members were smiling, patient, friendly, and outgoing with both the children and the adults. My only complaint is that the place is very small and narrow. The hallways were very crowded and it would be helpful if there were chairs in each room for parents to sit. However, due to the size of the place, there wouldn't have been a place to put them. Additionally, it was slightly aggravating that there was only metered parking one block away. With that said though, we are definitely planning to come back soon.

http://www.playseum.com/
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Explore and More in Gettysburg, PA.

2009-12-28T21:43:00.005-05:00

We happened across, what I think, is a best kept secret. It's a place called Explore and More in Gettysburg, PA. Before you gasp, for those of you who live near Silver Spring, MD, it's only 1 1/2 hours away - just long enough for the kids to watch a movie in full on the DVD player. We came across it on a weekend away last summer. It's a lovely little rowhouse that two former preschool teachers transformed into a children's place. It's inexpensive and rarely crowded. Sometimes they are busy with field trips or birthday parties. But you can always call ahead and check on the day you want to go and if none of the above are happening, you practically have the place to yourself! The place is small enough that the children can roam from 1st floor to 2nd floor and back, doing science experiments, creating in the art room, constructing in the building room, being inside a bubble (always a favorite), searching for fossils...there is even a housekeeping area set up with a Civil War time period. There is no fear of losing them or having to follow them every second because of the size and layout of the place. After 3 hours (or more!), they are moaning NOT to go home and need to stay longer. They also have a wonderful big backyard with a huge sandbox and other activities (my husband couldn't stop playing with the digger!). Bring your own snacks or lunch and enjoy eating in the backyard. Metered parking is on the street, never had a problem getting a spot. We love it and the kids do too (even my 11 year old)! http://www.exploreandmore.com/ .
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Sharps Farm in Brookeville Maryland

2009-12-21T21:40:00.005-05:00

Sharp’s Farm may not be well known, but it has a lot to offer. Located in Brookville, Maryland, it is only a few minutes past Olney. While it may not look fancy when you first get there, it has many educational programs involving agriculture, pilgrim life, animals and an array of nature related activities.

I participated in the Pilgrim history with my class. In order to learn about the Native Americans and Pilgrims, they set up a variety of stations for us to participate in. We learned about the lives of the Pilgrims and Native Americans and the students loved seeing them act in character. After the Thanksgiving stations, we had the option of a hayride or to pick corn. We chose to pick corn; however, the hayride is a popular choice as long as the weather permits.

Sharp’s Farm has seasonal hours, so be sure to check the website before going. I highly recommend picking an activity that your family will be interested in. It is great for group activities or for individual families, so gather some friends and enjoy an inexpensive, but educational experience! This farm is geared towards children of elementary school age but can be enjoyed by children slightly younger as well.

http://www.sharpfarm.com

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Shenandoah in Virginia

2009-10-12T20:57:00.005-04:00

We stayed at the Big Meadows Lodge in Shenandoah during the beginning of September. The drive is about 2 hours and the vacation offers a variety of relaxing and fun activities for the family. Even the drive is scenic as your car winds up the mountains to your destination. There are a few other lodging areas that you can stay at in the Shenandoah, I can only comment on the Big Meadows.
The Big Meadows offers a few different room options, all pretty basic - no heating/ac but the community lodge area is enjoyable and is always open for families to gather, play games, etc. Things to do in Shenandoah are primarily hikes and nature walks. The hikes and nature walks aren't great for small children, but we managed and were able to take our kids to a waterfall and to the top of a few short peaks. About 45 minutes from the park are a variety of activities for kids of all ages in Luray Caverns. Luray Caverns is beautiful (not cheap) and offers a self-guided tour that is fun for almost all ages. Next to Luray is an automotive museum (free if you have your Luray ticket) and a large Garden Maze which was also a fun time. Luray seems to offer a few other sites but we didn't have time to explore them.

Overall, I would recommend Shenandoah for longer periods with older kids and shorter periods with younger kids. Older kids will have more tolerance for all that nature has to offer.
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Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

2009-09-29T22:09:00.005-04:00

The most important battle of the Civil War took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, a tiny town about 75 miles from Washington, DC. The battlefields at Gettysburg are surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of monuments which help bring history to life for children and their parents. A must see are some of the unexploded ordinances lodged in buildings within Gettysburg. Each regiment that fought in Gettysburg has a marker at their base location; and it is a great treat to see where our ancestors fought. All of the Civil War’s greats have monuments here such as General Lee, President Abraham Lincoln, General Abner Doubleday (for the baseball fans), General Custard, and many more! Families can spend a few hours at this historical site, but several days could be spent learning about the intimate details of what really took place in our history.

Once at Gettysburg, you can tour yourself, get on a tour bus, or hire a private guide to drive your car and give you a personal tour of the battlefield. Before doing any of the above, the first stop needs to be the new visitor’s center. This is where you can pick up maps, hire the guides, get bus tickets, visit the museum, and just stretch your legs from the 90 minute drive. The self-guided tour is for those with an unlimited amount of time, but you’ll miss out on a lot of the little details that make Gettysburg worth the trip. The official tour bus is about $28 a person, and takes you on a specific route. You cannot skip stops, or stay longer in a place if you want; you are on the tour bus’ schedule. This is a good idea if you’re traveling solo and just want to get the Gettysburg experience quickly.

My recommendation is for the private tour guide. Make sure you hire an official guide from the visitors’ center ticket booth. It is $55 dollars for a two-hour-tour (if you are two or more, it is cost effective too). He will drive you to all of the important spots, so you don’t have to worry about one-way streets, oncoming traffic, as you are trying to see all of the sights. He drives while explaining the history of each location, and its importance during the battle. You can also have your guide look up where your family’s regiment fought, and he’ll take you to their markers (great for pictures). Even if your family didn’t fight, you can request that he take you to other famous individual locations, like Lee’s headquarters, Doubleday’s location, etc. Be sure that you take his advice and get out of the car every once in a while. The Virginia state monument is beautiful, as is the view from Little Round Top (possibly the most important site of the entire battle).

The tour ends where it began, at the visitor’s center. Use this time again to see the museum, watch the video, or just stretch your legs one more time before the drive home.

Website: http://www.gettysburg.com/
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Sesame Place in Pennsylvania

2009-09-06T20:32:00.006-04:00

We went to Sesame Place in the beginning of September 2008 and in the beginning of June 2009. Both times were a blast - for both the adults and the kids. In 2008, we went with our 3 year old and 1 year old and basically our 3 year old had a blast and our 1 year old didn't have too much to do, but it was still fun for him. This past June, both our 4 year old and 2 year old had a blast. The parade was really fun! They got to high five some of the Sesame Street characters and a 2 year old who was with us got to dance with some of the characters during the parade.

Aside from the parade, there are shows - The Elmo Show, Big Bird Show, etc. where children get to sit in the audience and watch their favorite characters perform as if they are on TV. In addition to the shows and parade, there are rides in water (where you can get a little wet or soaking wet) and on land, as well as places where you can climb on nets, a carousel, and some rides for younger kids (around age 2 years). The rides in the park are fun for children as well as adults.

Both years, we chose to go on Sundays either after the school year has begun (beginning Sept.) or before the school year has ended (beginning June). We did this to try and avoid the insane summer crowds on Sundays. Also, both times we were part of a group that either we or others organized. The group rate is significantly cheaper than buying tickets at full price. A group is 15 or more people who pay in advance to go on the same date (although they do not have to arrive together in any way or even know one another). For every 9 people you have in your group, you get a free ticket. If you do not want to eat the park food and would like to eat a picnic lunch/dinner, then I recommend that you leave a cooler in your car and park in one of the preferred parking lots near the entrance which are also near picnic tables. Big coolers are not allowed in the park (only small ones are okay).

Lastly, we wore clothes that we would wear to go on the water rides (e.g. swim suits, etc.) and went on the water rides first before lunch. That way, during lunch your clothes have a chance to dry or you could change your clothes then for dry rides, shows, and the parade and not have to carry clothes, towels, etc. with you in the park. Enjoy!
The website is: http://www.sesameplace.com.
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South of the Border in South Carolina

2009-09-05T21:14:00.002-04:00

On the way to Florida there is an area called "south of the border". There are souvenir shops /bathrooms/hotels and other attractions to spend time at. There is an arcade for kids as well as a merry-go-round . In the store called the "antique shop and hats around the world" there are riding toys and there are also statues of animals for the kids to look at and take pictures on. Additionally, there was an amusement park right next door with rides like the pirate ship, Ferris wheel, mini golf etc. A lot of people stop here when they drive by and there a lot of signs so you really cant miss it! Also there is a big sombrero that you can ride in to go to the top of a tower (200 feet they said). They call this place, America’s favorite highway oasis!
Website: http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/
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Brookside Gardens in Maryland

2009-08-30T17:32:00.004-04:00

Brookside Gardens has a scenic nature garden with wide paths that are stroller accessible and offers a beautiful place to walk with children. Kids are fascinated by the colorful flowers, the wide open places to run, and the wildlife. There is a gazebo which is on a small lake filled with fish, turtles, and other creatures as well. There is also a butterfly garden, greenhouse, a formal garden (which is great for taking pictures), and a nature center . This botanical garden is free and is good for children of all ages.
Brookside Gardens frequently offers classes and has special events such as the festival of lights (Winter) which shows the park at night with small lights hanging throughout the park. During the winter, they also set up a big model train set near the butterfly house that is fun for younger kids. The only down side to this wonderful place is that you may not eat in the gardens. However, you can eat out in front of the visitors center on a small plot of grass. Brookside Gardens may not be appreciated by younger children, but there are many open spaces to run around.
(note: For young Children, a stroller is a good idea)
Website: http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/
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Wheaton Regional Park in Maryland

2009-08-26T19:17:00.005-04:00

Wheaton Regional Park is a great place to go with children from ages 1.5-10 years old. The park is located just outside of Silver Spring, Maryland, and offers many different slides, swings, and things to climb on. However, what really makes this place fun is the merry-go-round ($1.75 per ride) and the 15 minute train ride($1.75 per ride). The train is not only fun because of it being on a train (who doesn't love trains!), but also fun because the route through the woods is scenic and makes the children have a greater appreciation for nature. This park also offers many gazebo's with areas to grill and spend time with family and friends.

Website: http://www.montgomeryparks.org/enterprise/park_facilities/trains/wheaton.shtm
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Waterville Valley New Hampshire

2009-08-24T22:31:00.002-04:00

Waterville Valley is one of my favorite places in New Hampshire...its about 2 hours from boston and has all sorts of fun family activities year round. I originally went up to Waterville Valley to ski and absolutely love it! Then in the spring and summer went back to hike and camp. There are several hiking options...some much harder than others. Right in the ski resort town is a snowboarding mountain that is used for mountain biking in the summer. You and your bike can ride up the lift and then you bike down the mountain. I dont mountain bike so we took the lift ride up and hiked down (which plenty of people do). It was an easy hike (all downhill of course!) and a lot of fun. My one recommendation would be to wait until mid summer when the snow has had time to thoroughly melt AND the ground has had time to dry. Although playing in the mud was pretty fun too...

The area has a TON of affordable hotel options too. Ive stayed in the waterville valley townsquare condos, which when divided among 6 people was extremely reasonable. And Ive stayed in the Black Bear Lodge right down the road. Most places offer great weekend packages that include ice skating, use of the fitness center, a free lift ticket, canoeing, paddle boating...all sorts of fun stuff. Come on the right weekend and they might have a chili cook off or some other festival going on.

http://www.waterville.com
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Flume Gorge in New Hampshire

2009-08-24T22:19:00.002-04:00

Flume Gorge is a part of Franconia State Park in NH. It is a fairly easy hike, with clearly marked trails...some parts with handrails, steps, and even paved paths. There are incredible photo ops of waterfalls and covered bridges (which are very famous up here in New England although I have yet to really understand why!) I think there is also a bus that will take you to the top if you dont want to hike (or have little kids). We actually got there a little late, around 3pm on a Saturday and thought we'd be too late, but the park was still open and we had plenty of time to wander around. It actually worked out perfectly because the place is apparently extremely crowded on the weekends. It seemed we got there when most people were heading home for the day. The one down side is you do have to pay for tickets...although Im always happy to support state parts so I didnt mind too much. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children and kids 5 and under are free. For more info: http://www.visitnh.gov/flume/index.htm
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Mt. Washington in New Hampshire

2009-08-24T15:36:00.004-04:00

In the year 2005 BK (before kids), My wife and I took a road trip up to New Hampshire. While we were up there, we got a chance to drive up Mt. Washington. Mt. Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 ft (1,917 m). The mountain has beautiful views and is known for having erratic weather. While we took the car tour which can be fun for young children, there are also many trails to hike along the way for older children. The car tour comes with a CD to listen to, which guides you through the history of this wonderfully scenic experience.

The one thing that bothered me as a person who fears heights is the fact that there is no guard rail when driving. The ride up the mountain was very pleasant and there were several scenic stop-offs that overlooked many beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. However, being so close to the edge of the mountain on the way down was a bit nerve racking. However, if you do not mind being so high up without a guardrail this was an incredibly scenic and peaceful experience. Next time you are in the New Hampshire area, I highly recommend this beautiful mountain.
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Sandy Point State Park in Maryland

2009-08-23T15:51:00.004-04:00

I decided I couldn't let the summer pass without taking my 2 year old son to the beach. I did some quick research, and picked the beach that seemed closest to DC, called Sandy Point State Park, in Annapolis (which of course means it's not too far from Baltimore either). The entrance fee is $4.00 for state residents, and children that come in car seats are admitted free (at least that's what the nice woman at the gate said, I'm not sure if there's an actual age limit). The beach was very clean, inhabited almost entirely by families and had 2 lifeguards per tower, and there were at least 2 towers. The beach was not rocky, the sand was great to play with using buckets and shovels and the water, while murky, seemed reasonably clean. The beach has a fantastic view of the Bridge that leads from Annapolis to eastern Maryland. There were also clean bathrooms with showers and a concession stand that also rented/sold(?) beach supplies. And there was a park with a large jungle gym. I highly recommend.

Read more about Sandy Point State Park here.
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The National Zoo in Washington DC

2009-08-23T14:28:00.003-04:00

The National Zoo is a fantastic place to visit with children of all ages all the way through adulthood. It is a very large zoo that has many great exhibits that are both indoors and outdoors. They also constantly look for ways to improve the zoo and make it an experience that will be remembered for years to come. One of the parts that we particularly enjoyed was the petting zoo area. The animals were docile and it was nice to have a section in the zoo that was dedicated to allowing the children to get up close and personal with the animals. Be sure to enjoy your lunch in the shaded picnic areas and bring good shoes as it is a very large and hilly zoo.

The zoo is free and is conveniently located near the Cleveland Park metro station. There is parking on the streets if you have patience and are willing to walk a few blocks, or you can park at the zoo. Parking at the Zoo is $10 for the first hour, $15 for two to three hours, and $20 for more than three hours. If you are a FONZ member, you do not have to pay for parking.

Website: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm
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South Germantown Splash Park in Maryland

2009-08-23T13:29:00.004-04:00

This splash park is good for kids that can walk-8 years old. Its benefit is that it is not a huge park so the kids are easily accounted for. However, it does get incredibly crowded. The park has a small cave that has a waterfall covering the entrance, circular fountains shooting up from the ground that drain after they hit the ground, big plastic animals that spit water, and small buckets that dump water on you (0nly in certain areas). The staff was friendly, helpful, and accommodating when we had any questions or concerns. There are also several tables with umbrellas set up inside this play area so that you can bring lunch, eat, and then go back and play (no standing water means no 30 minute wait time to get back into the water :)).
One of the reasons that we loved this place is because there is no standing water anywhere in the park so there is no risk of drowning. It also costs only $4.50 per person so it is relatively inexpensive. Our son had a great time standing on the streams of water coming out of the ground, jumping in and out of the cave, and splashing at the water that shot out of the frogs mouth. Additionally, this water park is also located right next to a mini golf as well as a really nice park with great equipment for children to run and play on.

Website: http://www.montgomeryparks.org/facilities/south_germantown/splash_announce.shtm
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Jump Zone, Columbia, MD

2009-08-23T13:19:00.003-04:00

Jump Zone is in Columbia, MD and is filled with 7 huge (about 25 feet) inflatables which have slides, wall climbs and small obstacle course type things to do. Check online ahead of time as this place has strange times due to being rented out for parties. This place also has times when it is restricted only to kids under 5 years old so that they don't get trampled by older kids. I recommend this place if your child is at least 3 years old as my 2.5 year old was just barely able to do it and the other children get very wild. This place was a lot of fun and my son is still talking about it, but it can be a dangerous place as the kids bounce into each other and could smack heads. The best ages for this place are probably 5-10 years of age. The cost is $7.00 per child, but adults do not have to pay for themselves, and parents can go on the inflatables to help their younger children (2-4).
Website: www.jumpzoneparty.com
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National Building Musuem in Washington DC

2009-08-23T13:02:00.002-04:00

The building museum was an average destination in terms of comparison to other places that we went this summer. It has a special room called the building zone which is geared towards children ages 2-6 years old and is free. They also have programs that run on different days for a fee (check their calendar for list of activities. This place was a watered down version of Storyville in Baltimore but was good for children who like to build with blocks, or play with trains. This is also a good alternative if you live in DC and do not want to drive into Baltimore. There also might be a wait list when you get there because they only allow a certain number of children in at a time. However, they put blocks out in the lobby for children to play with while the parents waited in line.
Website: www.NBM.org
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Clarks Eliok Farm in Maryland

2009-08-23T12:39:00.008-04:00

Clarks Eliok Farm was fantastic for kids aged 1.5-6 years old. It's best attribute is the petting zoo. Children can pet and feed goats, horses, and chickens as well as seeing pigs and rabbits. Some parts of the petting zoo allow you to go into the pen and walk around with the billy goats. The animals are friendly and allow you to come right up to them without fear.
They also have a tree maze which has some enchanted character statues such as Jack and the bean stalk. The maze is hard to navigate with a stroller, but is doable. There is also a small jungle gym and a few other enchanted forest characters. Additionally, they had a shaded gazebo filled with toys so that the kids could play while the adults ate lunch. My son had a blast playing with the tug boat, the trucks, and the other toys at the table.
Several Enchanted Forrest characters were located throughout the grounds and getting to see the smile on my son's face as he slid down the slide belonging to the little old lady who lived in the shoe was priceless. He also enjoyed posing like Peter Pan in the room that was decorated like Never Neverland. It takes about 30-35 minutes to get to from Silver Spring, MD and is located in Ellicott City which is on the way to Baltimore. The best advice is to go on a day that is not too hot as there is a lot of walking, but this is a fantastic place to take kids and is near enough to Historic Ellicott City that you can also stop off and do some antiquing.
Website: http://www.clarklandfarm.com
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BCPL Storyville (Rosedale) in Maryland

2009-08-23T12:22:00.007-04:00

Storyville in Baltimore county public library (Rosedale Library) was a fantastic place to take children ages 6 months-5 years old and was absolutely FREE. Kids over the age of 5 are not admitted to this place. This place is small enough that you can sit and watch your child, but don't have to chase them. Additionally, they have a restriction on the number of children (I think 50 kids at one time) that are allowed in the room at once so that it is not too crowded and stays enjoyable. They use a sign in sheet and if you have to wait to go in, you also get a vibrating buzzer that will go off when it is your turn to enter. They had a person in the room sanitizing the toys throughout the day to make sure that everything was clean and that everything stayed in very good condition. The staff also walked through putting things away so that it remained orderly.
Storyville has many small rooms that are set up like small work spaces for the kids to play in. The rooms include the construction zone, supermarket, mail room, a kitchen, a tree house loft, a theatre, and many other rooms. Our kids enjoyed a puppet show that other children put on, and loved putting the mail back in the mail room (each room had a mailbox with a number so that kids could deliver the "mail"). Our 4 month old enjoyed sitting with my wife in the separate room for children that are not yet walking. They had many Bumbo chairs to sit in, mirrored cirlces on the floor for children to look at themselves in, and many other small things that made the gated in (white picket fence) area fun and safe for our baby. Our 2.5 year old played for hours with the trains, the canoe, the supermarket, and a variety of other rooms, and could have played for longer had we not had to drive back from Baltimore. This place is about 50 minutes from Silver Spring, MD and a great destination for fun.
Website: www.bcplstoryville.org
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Let the blogging begin

2009-08-23T12:18:00.003-04:00

I have created this website as a way to share ideas about fun things to do with children of all ages all along the east coast. Please email me if you have any questions, comments, or if you want to post fun trips that you went on. Additionally, I try to ask everyone in my pictures if they mind that I post the picture on the blog, but for larger crowd pictures where people are not really identifiable I can't ask everyone. If you notice yourself or someone that you know of in one of the pics, and don't want the picture up, just send me an email to the address listed at the top of the blog and I will take it down. I hope that this can be built up to a hub of knowledge of fun places to go with children all along the east coast!

-Brett