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Debut! Got Plans? With Kids
With KidsPost's John Kelly and the Entertainment Guide Staff
washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, April 3, 2002; 12 p.m. EST
Every other Wednesday at noon, local experts from KidsPost and washingtonpost.com share their best bets for arts and entertainment options for kids and their families. Given the number of dating questions we receive in Got Plans?, we wondered if it might be time to separate the men from the boys. We'd like to give parents, caregivers and occasional babysitters their own forum. Got plans with kids? Great. Need plans? Just ask. Our group specializes in local dining, museum, sports and recreations, day trips, children's theaters and the special events that keep life in metropolitan Washington interesting.
We're happy to answer questions, but we need to hear from you. Tell us about your favorite public swimming pool, a movie that wowed your child, a toy shop with a "do touch" policy, or a restaurant where pizza is as welcome on the floor as it is on the plate. This is an hour for kids of all ages: So if you have teenagers who need a night out without you -- or vice versa -- ask away. Together we can fill our calendars with memorable activities.
A different staffer will host each discussion, but the entire group will be sitting at the kid's table. And each week, we're going to pose a question -- we're looking to build our areas of expertise, but no one knows the entertainment needs of your childrens like you do. If you need more ideas, see KidsPost and the Entertainment Guide.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
The Kid's Table:
Welcome to Got Plans with Kids?, the local entertainment discussion for parents and caregivers looking to make the most of area arts and entertainments aimed at children. A delight to have KidsPost's John Kelly with us. Many of the Entertainment Guide team is available too: Alexa, Anne, Maura, Vicki, Lynette, and me, Kate. This week's question is "What's the most fun thing you've done locally with your child recently?" We'll post all the goodies and gift the sender of our favorite. So are you sitting comfortably? Let's begin.
Bethesda, Md.:
I'd love to get a dialogue going about great birthday party venues for kids 3-12.
The Kid's Table: Your wish is our command (how often does a parent hear that?). Anyone who has ideas for great places to party for the 3- to 12-year-old set, send them our way please.
I (Vicki) think you can take many directions depending on the number of children you're entertaining -- and their ages. But as a survivor of many a party, remember to ask other adults to accompany you (for physical and moral support); keep the party time frame short and sweet; have more activities planned than there is possibly time to do and Plans B-R -- because with kids you are need to be able to zig and zag.
To add to the conversation, here's a story on .
Washington, D.C.:
What activity would you recommend I NEVER take my child to, the all-time-most-boring and worst place you've ever been to?
The Kid's Table: John here. While working on Kid-O-Rama I took my then-6-year-old to the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria. Big mistake. The bane of any kidtrek is the guided tour that you can't escape from, and that's what they have at the GWMM. While there's some cool stuff (an elevator that travels diagonally!) you're herded around at a glacial pace by guides who appear to have been contemporaries with George himself. There's no opportunity to defect when and if your kid starts to melt down. Of course if your kid is REALLY into the history of the Freemasons this may not apply. (Ford's Theatre was kind of a bust, too.) What are other readers' Top Snoozes?
Ashburn, Va.:
I have a daughter who is about to celebrate her 12th birthday. She has MANY friends and it seems she attends an average of two birthday parties each month. Any suggestions on what we can do for her birthday?
The Kid's Table: John again. Haven't birthdays become tremendous pain-filled sacks of angst? After killing herself every year with two birthdays a month apart, my wife made a new rule: Each daughter gets a "big" party every OTHER year. We tend to do things at home, rather than going out somewhere, or inviting a "performer." (This only works when one of you is Martha Stewart, as my wife is.) But going out somewhere means never having to clean up your living room. Some ideas:
Indoor rock climbing. They'll work off that lardy cake frosting.
Paint-your-own pottery. Everyone gets a nice souvenir, better than that plastic crap that inhabits most goodie bags.
Go kart track. Not just for boys! And opportunity for very amusing video.
Twelve is a pretty pivotal age for a kid, so the stakes are going to be high. Ask her what SHE wants, then shape her possibly grandiose and unworkable idea. I wonder whether she might be at the age where getting to do something "grown-up" would be appreciated. Why not give each invitee 10 bucks and turn them loose at the mall, letting them roam as a pre-pubescent pack and then descend on the food court for cake?
Really clever, original party ideas are like hen's teeth. What have others done?
Carol Stream, Ill.:
I grew up in the D.C. area and plan on visiting in early June with my wife and 5-year-old son. What is the best resource (online or otherwise) to check activities available during my visit?
The Kid's Table: Ann here, and not to toot our own horns, Carol Stream, but we’re awfully fond of the calendar on the front of the Entertainment Guide, which has day-by-day listings of what’s going on about town, including events, kid-friendly happenings, and your "Best Bets" picks for each weekend. Look for the link on the upper right of the page.
Silver Spring, Md.
Can anyone give a review as to how well a 7-year-old boy who loves animals might like the Beatrix Potter exhibit at Natural History? I'm wondering if it's worth a day off from work in the pollen.
The Kid's Table: Hi Silver Spring. I (Maura) think your son might enjoy the Peter Rabbit exhibition at the Museum of Natural History. Potter was a woman of science as much as children's literature. Her animal illustrations are intriguing and, if he's into smaller creatures, he might like looking under the microscopes at butterflies and insects. The interactive displays might be more about geography, but tell you a little about lake country critters as well.
Washington, D.C.:
Where are the most baby-friendly bathrooms? The ones where both the mens' and ladies' rooms have changing tables?
The Kid's Table: Hello Washington, it's Alexa and this chat, I see, is going straight down the pan. This question might be best thrown out to the group because though I often cheer to see such facilities, I rarely remember where they are. I do know, however, thatCafe Deluxe has changing tools in both the men's and women's bathroom. And Nordstrom's bathrooms are pretty swish. Who can help with this one?
Alexandria, VA:
My friend from high school and her 18-month old are coming to town this weekend. I'd like to take them to the Cherry Blossom Festival, but I don't want to totally overwhelm them with the crowd. Any suggestions on fun alternatives for late 20-somethings and the baby? (Don't forget, we'll have the baby stroller).
The Kid's Table: This is John. My colleague (and co-Kid-O-Rama author) Craig Stoltz just yesterday related a cherry blossom horror story to me. On Monday he took his kids and their cousins to see the buds and ignored his own advice: Get there early. Rather than arriving at the crack of dawn, he got there late morning, by which time the Tidal Basin was a belching mass of cars stuck in blossom traffic. I don't even think they saw a single tree. (Then they went to the zoo, which of course was packed.)
So, you can do the CB Festival just get there EARLY, before it starts even. If you want nature and you have a stroller-bound kid, try Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria. You turn off the strip-hell of Route 1 and enter an actual wetland. There's a really cool boardwalk over the water and you may see a beaver! In the same vein is Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna. Of course, it's not YOU with a kid in a stroller. Your friend knew what s/he was getting into with this parenthood thing. Muscling a heavy stroller through a sweaty heaving crowd while an irate child balls his eyes out is part of the fun of being a mom or dad.
Washington, D.C.:
I have an 8-year-old and his father coming into town soon. What would be something fun to do on Friday, April 19 with two people who love animals and nature (besides the Zoo)? They've been to Natural History. I'd like to stay downtown if possible (but not mandatory). What would you suggest if the weather doesn't cooperate? I'm thinking about new millennium plants at the Botanical Gardens (what's the state of renovations there?).
The Kid's Table: Hi D.C. The U.S. Botanic Garden renovations are complete and definitely worth a visit. Two of my young cousins just explored the Garden on Monday and were thrilled to find the root beer plant. I think your 8-year old will love the walkways above the Jungle room. Enjoy.
Burke, Va.:
Help! I really want to take my kids (3 and 6) on a week's vacation somewhere close for the summer. Ideally, I'd like to rent a house or find a nice resort near the beach (any beach). I just got back from Toronto (a 12-hour drive) with the kids and the thought of any more three hours in the car together might send me to the nut house. Any suggestions of nearby places that still feel like a vacation?
The Kid's Table:
The seaside may be a little further away than you want to go (three hours, minimum) but have you considered a lakeside beach? There's Half Moon Beach near Strasburg, VA. Half Moon Beach reopens Memorial Day Weekend, May 25.
Arlington VA:
I don't take my young children (4 and 7) to fancy or hip restaurants for obvious reasons. But I would love the names of a few good local kid-friendly restaurants -- not Applebee's, Ruby-Tuesday type joints, (not that there's anything wrong with either) but places where the adults could order from a unique menu and the kids could get their hot dogs and chicken tenders. Do any such places exist?
The Kid's Table: Arlington, let me (Alexa) guide you shamelessly towards my very own piece on where to eat out with little people.
Burke, Va.:
Now that the weather is getting warmer, can you suggest some nice spots for family picnic with a 3 and 6-year-old. I love being down on the Potomac but I can't enjoy my food because I am constantly watching my very adventurous 3-year-old so she doesn't jump in the river! We often have done the fisherman's wharf (we love the messy spiced shrimp on a park bench) but I long for a quiet grassy spot to just lay on a blanket and enjoy the kids... any suggestions? D.C. and Virginia only please -- Maryland is just too far for us.
The Kid's Table: I (Vicki) am just going to be brutally honest here. You are just going to have to keep your eyes on that adorable three-year-old quite full of herself and all that she can do.
Any park with space to run (and spread out that blanket) is there for the discovery; but if you want water added, I suggest discovering two locations not that far from you (I come from Maryland to enjoy them) Burke Lake and Occoquan. Also on an adventure to Mount Vernon, there are so many lovely spots to park and bask in nature for awhile.
Worried about water and little ones myself, I was always relieved to have along someone or two not so fearful, who could supervise near-water play and not pass along to the children my nervousness.
Sterling, Va.:
I'm having a bridal shower later this month at my home and there will be several young daughters attending with their mothers. These girls will be in the 4-10-year-old range. I do not have children of my own and my townhouse isn't really "kid friendly" because there aren't any places for them to go and play. I know they won't be interested in just socializing but I want to keep them busy with an interesting and meaningful activity that isn't messy. What can you suggest?
The Kid's Table: Hi Sterling. Maura here. Why not let the girls enjoy a tea party of their own? Just set up their own table and chairs, finger sandwiches and biscuits. You can't be messy at a tea party. For an art project they could make a banner for the bride and groom. Happy hostessing.
Rockville, Md.:
Are Harry Potter-based parties out of favor? Also, what do you think of mall parties, where groups of kids (with adult supervision) go on a treasure hunt through a mall? My 11-year-old daughter attended one recently, but it sounded like more work than I would like to expend.
The Kid's Table: Hi Rockville, as you probably know, we're only on book four of the Harry Potter series, so I (Ann) think that you will likely seee some sustained Potter fervor for a while yet. Plus, it appears that book five, as well as the second movie, are slated to arrive this fall, renewing the interest in the adventures of young Harry.
As far as mall parties, while your daughter would enjoy it, it does sound like quite an effort, so perhaps you can find something just as fun but with a bit less maintenance involved?
Arlington, Va.:
Do you know of any guide to child-friendly restaurants in the area that are not fast food?
The Kid's Table: Have a lookee here.
Washington, D.C.:
I do neighborhood tours of D.C. with my friend's kids. We pick a neighborhood near a Metro stop and walk around the area within a five-block radius. Activities for the kids can include identifying houses and styles (brick, wood, design work), identifying apartment buidings, and window shopping at neighborhood stores. Cleveland Park is fabulous for this, as well as Claredon on the orange line. Another good tour with older children is to walk up Massachusetts Avenue to look at the embassies. Take along a book identifying the flags, or have them draw the country flags to identify later.
The Kid's Table: John sez: What a great idea, creating little architectural experts. You might also talk about what sort of person would live in a building like that, or what sort of work would go on there. A trip to the National Building Museum would also work with structure-savvy kids.
Upper Marlboro, Md.:
I have a 22-month-old who likes the outdoors. Any advice on what kinds of activities are out there for the younger group who just started walking and running?
The Kid's Table: Hi Upper Marlboro. Lynette here. I don't know of any organized outdoor activities for that age group but there are a couple of nice parks in your neighborhood. Have you tried Watkins Regional Park? Do any other parents have suggestions on good places to let your barely walking kids wander in the great outdoors?
Baby Friendly:
The new Ikea store at Potomac Mills has a room with a chair for nursing, a changing table, a sink for washing up afterwards, and toys to occupy your toddler. As a new, first-time mom, I was thrilled to find it!
The Kid's Table: C'est John: We were driving back from North Carolina last weekend and refueled at a truck stop. On the door to the men's room was a sticker that read "Kangaroo Baby Changing Station Inside!" I imagined all those grizzled truckers getting off the interstate to bring their dirty babies in and change 'em up. (For some reason they all looked like the biker in "Raising Arizona.")
Most Smithsonian museums have really good bathrooms and changing stations. I think it's part of the Americans With Disabilities Act, since being the parent of a poopy baby is a major disability.
Silver Spring, MD:
Do you know of any resorts or hotels, close enough to get to for a weekend away, that have kid programs so the parents can play by themselves for some of the time?
The Kid's Table: Hi Silver Spring. The first thing that comes to my (Maura's) mind is the Nemacolin Resort in Pennsylvania. Check out some of our Escapes columns for more ideas.
Fairfax, Va.:
For a birthday party for little girls maybe 6-8, The Victorian Tea Room in Manassas puts on a charming tea party! My friend hosted one for her little girl, and for an activity they decorated brightly colored straw hats with silk flowers. The proprietors are great, and the moms are sure to enjoy it too!
The Kid's Table: Sounds de-lightful.
bethesda:
Have a meeting so submitting in advance. Do you know of any places where I can take my 2 1/2 year old to see farm type animals. We go to the national zoo all the time and he loves it. But the animals he knows and sings about (Old Macdonald Had a Farm) are the cows, horses, roosters, etc. Not looking for too far away either.
Thanks
The Kid's Table: Hi Bethesda. This is Maura. For a Zoo alternative you might try the Frying Pan Farm Park (703-437-9101) in Herndon where you can see animals and plants kept in the style of a 1930s working farm. There is also the University of Maryland Agriculture School with a working farm that has open house days for families along with the dairy farm's ice cream shop.
dc:
driving into work today on 395 I noticed the ferris wheel set up by pentagon city. Do you have the details on what is going on there?
The Kid's Table: Hi, DC, Anne here. I have not found the details on this carnival, which seems to be set up behind the Residence Inns by Marriott on Army-Navy Drive. Does anyone else have info on this fair?
Reston, VA:
Parents looking for a grassy picnic spot might want to consider Lake Farifax Park in Reston. There's a stream under big trees and a lake. Just be sure to keep going past the noisy and crowded Water Mine pool park to get to the quieter parts of the park. An added bonus, the Reston Zoo, which offers hay rides and exotic animals, is right next door if the little ones get bored of the picnic.
The Kid's Table: Things are looking greener already. Thanks.
20878:
Hello fellow Rockville High School Alumni --
My wife (Britta) and don't have kids but have always found the Williamsburg area great for a quick get-aways. With Johnstown, Youngstown and, of course, Busch Gardens all together there's never a shortage of things to do. Also have to factor in other sights such as the Virgina Marine Science Center (very interactive for us big kids too!) in Norfolk, or the Hampton Air and Space Museum which is just a one hour ride from Williamsburg.
Have a good one,
Nick Monaco
The Kid's Table: John typing: It's me old racquetball pal Nick! Yeah, W'msburg is a great multi-age destination. There's Busch Gardens AND a splash park. And history too, if you like that sort of thing. (I think it's a federal law that every American family must go to Colonial Williamsburg at least once.)
Reston, Va.:
The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va., is about a four-hour drive from D.C. and has a great "Kids Club" for children over 3. Our daughter had a great time while mommy enjoyed the spa and dad played golf.
The Kid's Table: Great idea, Reston.
Chevy Chase, Md.:
Tomorrow I'm holding an impromptu birthday party for my 10-year-old daughter. My idea is: early lunch and cake at my house, drive them over to Strike to bowl a game or two, then drive back through Kenwood to see the cherry blossoms and drop them home. Maximum number of kids is six, only one parent.
It sounds good, but not the most memorable. To have the entire party at Strike is outrageously expensive. Any other suggestions? I don't want it to last more than three or fourhours.
The Kid's Table: Hi Chevy Chase, who can argue with a look at the lovely cherry blossoms? This is Ann, and a nice drive through Kenwood would probably be a fitting end to a busy afternoon. It sounds like you're looking for a way to make it a bit more personal for your daughter. Do they like crafts? Perhaps after a drive to see the blossoms, they could make their own cherry tree branches out of tissue paper, or have an opportunity to make small drawings of the blossoms (or anything else, for that matter) for your daughter, which could then be assembled into sort of a paper “quilt” that she could keep as a keepsake. Or for the bowling, you could devise wacky scoring systems to keep everyone engaged and entertained between frames. The key is to keep it original, so that the guests don’t feel like they’ve been down that road before and your daughter knows she’s getting a one-of-a-kind day.
Kensington MD:
The 12th annual Presidio Make-A-Wish Kids Triathlon will be held May 19 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park in Silver Spring. It is a "kids helping kids" fund raising event featuring a fun athletic competition which culminates in an awards ceremony, a speech from a "wish kid" and a family picnic with entertainment.
-The Biathlon is a combination run-bike-run, ages 5-8.
-The Triathlon is a combination swim-bike-run, ages 9-14.
-The Relay is 3-person event, children 9-14.
-To register, visit www.wish.org/midatlantic or contact Make-A-Wish at 301-962-6500.
The Kid's Table: Thanks for the information. This sounds like a low-impact way for kids to do a triathlon, and for a good cause.
Hyattsville, Md.:
Good Morning,
I heard about two weeks ago from my co-workers about a kind of "Taste of D.C.", but it's all Japanese. He said there will be all kinds of Japanese street foods and even origami stand for the kids. I just know it's in between these Cherry Blossom celebration weeks. I just hope I'm not too late for this. Planning to bring my nieces and nephews along. Do you know what he was talking about? If yes, time and location please. Thank you!
The Kid's Table: Hi, Hyattsville. We've definitely got the info for you. Your friend's talking about the the 41st annual Sakura Matsuri Street Festival, and it will be held noon-5 this Saturday on 12th Street NW, between Constitution and Pennsylvania avenues. In addition to sampling creations by sushi masters, I (Anne) would recommend getting a shiatsu massage at the end of the day.
Alexandria, Va.:
With summer approaching, I keep thinking of amusement parks, the pool, and all the other things I did before I spent most of last summer pregnant. My son will be a year in July -- at what point can we start taking him to playgrounds, pools, and amusement parks. I spent so much time being an aunt to my sisters older kids (in Texas now) while she was taking care of the younger ones that I have no idea what to do with a baby before they turn two! My husband and I work opposing shifts, so we are both on our own with our baby various times of the day -- we crave the social contact and Jimmy seems to like being around other kids of all ages.
The Kid's Table: Alexandria, I'm tempted to say that you as parent would be the best judge of when's the right time. I'm not sure if amusement parks have age restrictions and I'm almost certain that pools for anyone on the wrong side of potty-training are a no-no. Playgrounds, of course, are fine.
Baltimore, Md.:
Hi --
Got any good kid-party ideas, or suggestions on how to find some? I have an 8-year-old boy. We've nixed Chuckie-Cheese type venues. So what to do? My duckpin bowling suggestion gets a lukewarm response. He likes this magician-punch-and-judy-show guy, but we've already used him for parties twice. We'd be open to a plain old back-yard party if we had a good concept. Anybody have a good suggestion? Fern
The Kid's Table: Sounds like, lucky you, you have a spring/summer celebration to plan. If you want to travel with the celebrants, number is so important -- cars and seatbelts, adults to add (always good to invite to a kids' party), etc.
If you stay close to home, how 'bout taking in an Orioles game or a tour of Camden Yards . . . a good place for 8-year-old boys to dream?
Silver Spring, Md.:
Hi there,
Wow -- what a great Live Online discussion topic! I'm so happy I found you!
Now for my question: Are there any petting zoos in the area besides in Reston? Like in Silver Spring, Rockville, Olney? Thanks for your help and suggestions.
The Kid's Table: Hi Silver Spring. Maura again. I know of one other petting zoo in Leesburg called Temple Hall Farm and in Maryland you could try Cider Hill Farm in Elkridge (410-788-9595), but I'm afraid they're no closer than Reston. Any readers with ideas?
Severna Park, Md.:
I know they just had the Easter Egg roll on Monday. But for those outside Washington, how do you plan such to get admitted to this event? What is REALLY involved in attending?
The Kid's Table: Hi, Severna Park. Since you live further away, I (Anne) think the best thing would have been to try to get tickets for timed entry to the Egg Roll when the White House distributed them on March 30. They started distributing them at 8 a.m., and they were giving them away on a first-come, first-served basis, max of five tickets per person. It is possible to go the Egg Roll; I think it just requires an early morning and a lot of patience. Do other parents have suggestions/experiences on White House Egg Roll ticket procuring?
Arlington:
Hey, for Burke looking for kid-friendly restaurants with adult food: we regularly take our 5 and 8-year-olds to California Pizza Kitchen, where they have kid's meals and great selections, plus crayons to take home and an activity book while you wait. They also love to watch the fires in the pizza ovens!
The Kid's Table: Thanks Arlington.
1-year-olds:
You can certainly take 1-year-olds to the pool as long as you keep your expectations low. The wonder of swim diapers makes this possible. It took three or four short trips before my daughter, now 2, took to the water.
Happy swimming!
The Kid's Table: Splish splash.
The Kid's Table: John to Fern: A Maryland 8-year-old who doesn't like duckpin bowling? Time for a reeducation camp. You could threaten him with a tooth-themed party at the National Museum of Dentistry.
Takoma Park:
My problem: Two boys, one loves sports and being active, one wants to stay home and play with Lego. What can I do that both of them might like, or should I just lock them in their rooms and run screaming?
The Kid's Table: Hi, Takoma Park, Lynette here. It is difficult to know what to do sometimes when your children have such different personalities. Maybe now would be a good time to introduce them to the concept of taking turns. On one outing let the active son choose the activity and on the next outing let your quieter son choose (or vice versa. Maybe you could draw straws for the first turn). Make sure you get a turn as well. If nothing else, perhaps your boys will learn to tolerate (or even appreciate) each other's differences.
Arlington, Va.:
Hi! Thanks for having these chats. I have two teens that I'm taking to see the blossoms this evening. I want to take the kids for dinner after. Do you have any recommendations for restaurants around that area? Moderately priced, and not completely meat-centered, although seafood is fine. (We've done Jaleo/Cafe Atlantico and love them, but would like to try something new.) Thanks!
The Kid's Table: The Austin Grill? Andale?
Kensington, Md.:
Hi, I have two comments.
Bathrooms: Montgomery Mall has a family bathroom off the eatery. It is great. Has an adult stall and a kiddie stall, changing table and chairs.
Birthday parties: When my daughter turned 10, I took her and some friends to Benihana's for dinner. They were still young enough for the kids menu and got a fun show watching the chefs perform. The last time we went the restaurant was a bit seedy, but the girls had fun. Then they came back to the house for a sleep over. Very low stress.
The Kid's Table: Thanks Kensington.
Edgewater, Md.:
Nature- and science-loving kids might like the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center's (SERC) open house on May 5.
SERC is in Edgewater, Md., which is near Annapolis. The open house and all of the activities are free. There will be guided nature walks, canoeing, crabbing, visits to labs, crafts -- a ton of stuff.
The Kid's Table: Excellent, Edgewater.
Woodbridge:
This may be out of your league, but where is a good place to take a kid fishing. We recently moved here from Tennessee and the land of massive TVA lakes. The kids (8 and 12) love to fish and are use to catching bass.
The Kid's Table: Hi, it's John. Check out the fishing report that runs in Weekend every Friday. At some point you should take the kids out on a boat into the Chesapeake, where they can fish for all sorts of weird and delightful creatures. Closer to home is Fletcher's Boathouse in Washington, near the C&O Canal. You can get equipment and licenses there to fish in the Potomac. It's mostly stuff like shad, and you may not want to eat what you catch.
Arlington, Va.:
The most fun we have had with our 2-year-old is the merry-go-round in front of the Smithsonian on the mall. For a short attention span, one museum plus a few rides is great.
The Kid's Table: Yes, Arlington, the National Mall's carousel is always a crowd pleaser. For more carousel fun, don't forget Glen Echo and Wheaton Regional Park.
Wilmington, N.C.:
I'm bringing nine high school kids from North Carolina to D.C. for the first time and want a fun place to go to dinner Saturday where they have live music and you do not have to be 21. Any suggestions?
The Kid's Table: Hello Wilmington. Alexa here. Mimi's has singers who come table to table which might be fun. But be sure to make a reservation.
Re: Orioles Game:
Other summer ideas include minor league baseball games in the area (MUCH cheaper than an O's game, generally more kid-friendly) or a Freedom or Mystics game.
The Kid's Table: Thanks for taking a turn at bat.
Lorton, Va.:
I live in a condo complex near the Lorton Prison that doesn't have a playground. Do you know of nearby communities that have playgrounds that anyone can have access too?
For now I just take my son to an elementary school playground near his babysitter's in Springfield.
The Kid's Table: Hi Lorton, this is Ann, and while the long-term plans call for converting part of the Lorton prison to playgrounds and parks, they're not ready yet, as you know. What about taking your son to the playgrounds at the Lorton train station? You could use the opportunity to teach him about trains as well. Otherwise, maybe a visit to his future elementary school, so he can get a feel for the playground equipment there before he starts school?
Any other Lortonites that can offer playground suggestions?
Chevy Chase bowling/blossoms:
Thanks -- I just found sites with instructions for making cherry blossom paintings (I'm not crafty). Now I'm all excited!
The Kid's Table: Have a bloomin' good time!
Washington, D.C.:
I have a 16-year-old and we love to go to the movies together. Is "Panic Room" too violent?
The Kid's Table: Kate here, D.C., while you and I might find "Panic Room" slow and heavy-handed, your child might be terrified by the premise: mother and child trapped in a house with a trio of burglers, each one more violent that the next. Skip this R-rated vamp, and if you're both looking for a thrill, rent some Hitchcock. "Rear Window" might be a hit.
Party idea for 10-year-olds (boys and girls):
If it's warm and you have a back-yard, why not tie-dye? Buy a bunch of cheap tees and RIT dye and buckets. The kids'll have a ball getting messy and eveyone gets to take home their shirt.
The Kid's Table: Lovely idea, indyed! Thanks for joining us for our debut. Hope you'll come back two weeks from now for the live discussion, and in the meantime, please continue to submit your questions and use the Entertainment Guide and KidsPost. And Kensington, I hope you're out there still: We love the low-stress Beni-birthday idea, and would like to send you a little thank you. Please send me your address: kate.gibbs@washingtonpost.com. See you next time!
The Kid's Table:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
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