| Got Plans? With Kids
With the Entertainment Guide Staff
washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, July 24, 2002; Noon EDT Every other Wednesday at noon, local experts from washingtonpost.com share their best bets for arts and entertainment options for kids and their families. 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 too. Tell us about your favorite public swimming pool, a movie that wowed your family, 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. Submit your questions either before or during the discussion. A different staffer will host each discussion, but the entire group will be sitting at the kids' table. If you need more ideas, see KidsPost and the Entertainment Guide. 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 Kids' Table: Just about now you should discover that you have more of Washington -- the streets and the attractions -- to yourself. The tourists that arrived by the carloads about the same time as the cherry blossoms are now on their way home to spend the rest of the summer in their own back yards. Lucky us, our back yard takes in two states and the nation's capital. We have plenty of room to play; for example, here are just a few of our county fairs to visit for music and amusement, corn dogs, cotton candy and a chance to win that priceless trinket or stuffed something. Need pitching practice? No problem. Step right up, folks . . . toss a question and possibly dunk our experts at the Kids' Table: Anne, Kate, Maura, Alexa, Matt, Lynette and Vicki.
Washington, D.C.: My teenage cousins are coming to spend the evening with me in the city. What would you recommend for dinner and entertainment for a 13- and 15-year-old who would prefer shopping or people watching over sightseeing/museums? The Kids' Table: Hi D.C., this is Kate, and your cousins might dig Georgetown or Old Town. The former might really be a hit if they're into clothes. They might get a kick out of wandering through the shops in your company (not mum's) even if they're earning a babysitter's wage. Georgetown Park shopping mall has a few accessories spots that could suit a teen's budget and there's Wet Seal and Abercrombie on Wisconsin Avenue, too. For dinner, cop a window booth at Johnny Rockets on M Street. The terrific pizzas at Prospects on Prospect would be a more adult thrill. Walk them by the university campus for serious Teen People watching.
If you'd prefer a change of scenery (and one with fewer price tags), try Old Town. Wander the galleries in the Torpedo Factory, have an ice cream (Alexa prefers Pop's), catch a concert along the waterfront.
Mitchellville, MD: How is Luray Caverns for a day trip? Is it worth the admission price or too commercialized? Son is 10 1/2 years old. Also, how long does the tour last. Are there other caverns in the area offering tours? What about hiking/walking at Skyline Drive afterwards - are waterfalls accessible to see without a major trek? Any thoughts or info would be greatly appreciated!! Karen The Kids' Table: Hi Karen, the Luray Caverns are highly commercialized, but they are also large and impressive. Guided tours begin every 20 minutes throughout the day. Whether they're worth the admission price ($16 for adults, $7 for ages 7-13) depends on personal taste and budget. About an hour closer to home for you, though, are the Crystal Grottoes about a mile and a half outside Boonsboro, Md. They're only $8.50 for adults and $4.50 for kids under 12. I (Lynette) haven't been to these myself, but as they're less well-known they might also be more "natural." If you go, let us hear about your experience.
As to hiking the waterfalls along Skyline Drive, a friend and I did this just this past weekend. The falls are wonderful, but it is a bit of a trek to get there and back. The only people younger than 20-something I saw on the trail were infants getting a free ride on their parents' backs.
Arlington, VA: I have friends with a one year old son. LOVE spending time with them and cannot get enough with of boy. He is unbelievably cute, smart, friendly, curious, etc. and I, of course, am completely unbiased. Here's the problem: I want to have lots more hang out time outside of their house doing all sorts of fun activities, but I, being single and childless, can't think of great places to go that would be age appropriate. We went to the zoo and he loved it. He loved people watching and chasing pidgeon; the rest of the animals were ok too. Any suggestions? The Kids' Table: Hello Arlington. Here's what I (Alexa) suggest. Why not organize a picnic on a blanket somewhere like Frying Pan Park -- a sweet little petting farm out near Dulles. Horses, sheep, pigs, peacocks, goats etc. You know the kind of thing. Or do the same kind of thing at a neighborhood playground. And don't forget Reston Zoo.
Getting to Bethany Beach: Hi GoGs: Thanks, as always, for your help. Want to take my kids to Bethany Beach for the weekend, but I don't drive. Is it possible to take a bus there (or combination of train and bus, or whatever)? My local searches haven't come up with anything. Thanks so much! The Kids' Table: Hi, GtBB. Great question. There is a Carolina Trailways bus stop in Bethany Beach, although when I (Anne) called Carolina Trailways (800/231-2222), the recording only had info on buses to Rehoboth. The bus leaves from D.C., and roundtrip tickets are $73 Monday-Thursday and $77 Friday-Sunday. I imagine you'd need a car to get around the town once you get there, anyway -- if you have several kids going, perhaps it would be cheaper to [invite a driver] and rent a car. For more info, see the Bethany Beach/Fenwick Island Chamber of Commerce site, or call them at 800/962-SURF.
Washington, DC or Landover, MD: Are there any places in the D.C or MD areas that children with diabetes and/or ADHD (disabilities) can go and have a nice time with their parents? Or have any other activities that they can participate in without other children looking at them (as being different). I have that problem sometimes, when my child can not do the same as other children, but he is trying. The Kids' Table: Hi Washington . . . This is a problem close to home for me (Vicki), I have walked in your mocassins with my son -- somewhere (depending on who's doing the testing, time of day and fullness of the moon -- it seems) between learning disabled and mildly mentally retarded.
I don't know how old your son is, but I like that he's participating and trying. I'd offer him plenty of opportunities to find his strengths, especially in individual activities (miniature golf, duckpin bowling, swimming, drum school[?!]). More than likely, a team effort might set him up for hurt. But he'd probably thrive taking in a puppet show or movie with his peers.
Truth is, kids can be (okay, often are) cruel. And they have to learn to be sensitive -- but it takes time and patience -- especially when they don't "see" the handicap (a wheelchair, for instance). And they -- even "grown ups" -- are going to stare.
You probably need to assure your son that the children who are cruel just haven't grown up enough to know to be caring and kind. Didn't Thumper's mother say, "If you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all"? She probably also said, "It's not polite to stare."
As long as your son senses that you're not embarrassed about him, and what he can and can't do -- and learns some appropriate responses to stares and remarks -- you should be able to keep his self esteem in tact.
This is such a worthwhile question. I hope other answers can be found at the Kids' Table???
G-town: I'm wondering if you know of any vocal programs for kids in the D.C. area that are low cost. I know a really talented teenageer that isn't using her voice outside of school because she can't afford lessons or dues for more expensive programs. I'd love to help her out -- give her ideas on where she can learn more about her voice and possibly audition... The Kids' Table: Hi G-town. I'm afraid I have no easy answer. Theaters like the Kennedy Center and Arena Stage have outreach programs, but I didn't see anything about vocal programs. You might try a local university with a strong music program, such as Catholic University. Its Institute of Musical Arts may have something or a grad student might be intersted in vocal coaching for a lower cost. I know the Peabody in Baltimore used to have competitions for younger folk, but I'm not sure of eligibility. You might want to check that out. Any posters out there with more ideas? - Maura
Alexandria, VA: Forgive me if you've covered this before... August looms long ahead of me, with my 3 y.o.'s preschool closed for 2 weeks before Labor Day. My question: What's the final word on Sesame Place? Worth the long drive? Or am I having Disney dilusions? Thanks much. The Kids' Table: Hi Alexandria, I (Lynette) think you can't miss with Sesame Place, a theme park where your 3-year-old can visit Bert and Ernie's home and meet the Cookie Monster (my personal favorite). Many of the attractions are designed for just that age group, including Big Bird's Court and Oscar's Obstacle course. I think you'll find it more interactive and more inclusive of the youngest folks than any of the Disney parks I have visited. But I'd also like to hear from other parents on what their experiences have been.
Germantown, MD: Hi guys! I'm looking for some fun ethnic festivals, preferably in MD. Any ideas on Italian, Jewish, Ukranian, etc.? Thanks! The Kids' Table: Hi, Germantown. Baltimore hosts many ethnic festivals, particularly some citing the traditions you mention. Did you know you can type what you're looking for into the blue search box on the top left of the Entertainment Guide? I (Anne) typed in "festival" and here's what I found. August alone has an American Indian festival, the Kunta Kinte Festival, an Irish festival and a German festival. The Ukrainian one you seek comes in early September.
College Park: Hi Kids Table,
Love the chats! Just wanted to put in a plug for 2 cheap and fun places for kids. Greenbelt Lake has a wonderful path around it. Kids can enjoy riding their bikes, or walking around. There is also new playground equipment that has recently been installed. And of course, ducks to feed and picnic areas.
Also, cannot say enough about Watkins Regional Park. Not only is there an antique carousel, and miniature train -- with almost no line! There's also a wonderful farm, with horse rides on Sundays. Beautiful playground equipment, and a brand new nature center -- free admission -- with owls, rabbits, turtles, and other rescued critters for kids to enjoy.
Thanks for the opportunity to brag about the fun things in Prince George's County. The Kids' Table: Thank you, College Park, we want more of the same from all our other activity-rich counties. Who has emus?
Del Ray, VA: For the talented teenage singer -- you might try calling a few of the choir directors in the area to see if they have suggestions. There are the big ones -- Choral Arts Society, etc., but if they don't respond try to call some of the community choirs and talk to their directors. There is a Georgetown Community Chorale that is headed by a very nice woman (or at least used to be) named Elaine Rendler. She teaches at George Mason and may be able to steer someone in the right direction. The Kids' Table: Thanks, Del Ray, you make my (Vicki's) heart sing!
Arlington Va: Any idea when the new American Indian museum is set to open and what it's going to be like? My son is really into Native American history and culture and we just visited the Field Museum in Chicago which had a cool collection, so I'm hoping D.C.'s will be good too. Also will it be free or charge an admission fee. Going to Chicago we came to truly appeciate all the free cultural options we have here because EVERYTHING costs there. The Kids' Table: Hi Arlington. The National Museum of the American Indian is scheduled to open on the National Mall in 2004. I, like your son, am very excited. Expect far more than what the Field Museum had to offer. You can visit the Welcome Center on the site of the new museum anytime. If you get the chance, a trip to the Smithsonian NMAI's Heye Center in downtown Manhattan might be the best sneak peek of all. Oh yes, the museum will be free. - Maura
Dupont: I'm looking for good weekend activities for a two-year-old. With the recent heat wave, outdoor activities are probably not a good option and I'm blanking on indoor activities, other than the acquarium (which we have yet to do). Thanks in advance! The Kids' Table: Hi Dupont. By all means, try a trip to our national aquarium. Another option is Air and Space or watching the planes taking off from inside Reagan National. And if your child is more into trains, maybe the train station or the B&0 Railroad Museum.
The Kids' Table: You guys have nothing to worry about. You're fair-ready. Now for inspiration, have some major fun with our minor-league teams. And see you again at the Kids' Table, at noon Aug. 7. We'll meet over blueberry lemonade.
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