| Got Plans? With Kids
With the Entertainment Guide Staff
washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, June 12, 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: How good of you to come. This is Kate, and I'll be this week's host. Are you wondering how you'll keep the kids busy and cool for the next ten weeks? I think between you and Anne, Lynette, Matt, Vicki, Alexa, Maura and me, we can, in the spirit of newlywed Paul McCartney, work it out. My pick for this weekend: If you've not registered your favorite 6-14 year olds for Youth Sports Day, hop to it -- as soon as our hour is up. Mayor Williams is keen to drum up support for D.C.'s bid for the 2012 Olympics. His office has organized 19 sports clinics from baseball to yachting at top notch facilities like Camden Yards and Annapolis Harbor. Registration is mandatory, but we've got all the details. There are plenty of Father's Day ideas in our Summer Guide too. So, who's brave enough to go first?
Collegeville, PA: We're bringing our 10-year-old son to DC for his first visit starting tomorrow(6/13) through Sunday (6/16). Are there any special events planned for Flag Day that might be of interest? The Kids' Table: The most family-friendly Flag Day activity will actually take place the following day at the National Museum of American History, home of the original Stars and Stripes. This is Kate and I recommend that you save your visit to the NMAH for Saturday afternoon.
Arlington, VA: Hi All, My wife and I are sharing a home with a young militarist. Our son, age 7, loves everything to do with the military and enjoys the various museums, ceremonies and presentations. Do you have recommendations on the best things for kids to do to see the best side of our armed forces? Thanks,
The Kids' Table: Hi Arlington, Lynette here. You're in luck. This area is filled with military history. Try Fort Washington Park in Prince George's County, Md., or Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site just down the road in Alexandria. The U.S. Army holds a sunset drill (called a tattoo) every Wednesday in front of the White House on the Ellipse. For an outdoor look at Civil War events, Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville is just one of many areas that offer battlefield tours. Your young militarist can also try a week-long camp at Morven Park Estate, re-enacting either the Revolutionary or Civil wars.
Arlington: Not a very lively chat today. What is the best place to take my three cousins (all girls) to dinner in Northern VA or DC? Ages 11, 9, 4. The Kids' Table: I (Alexa) bet three girls might like Two Amys. It's pizza and nice and kid-friendly. Or the South Austin Grill (pronounced girl?). Those are places I'd certainly go.
Garrett Park: I'll touch on a couple subjects, some from the last chat. A new splashpark and two mini-golf courses have opened at the S. Germantown Recreational Park, near Rte. 118 and Clopper Rd. Sesame Place costs as much as something like King's Dominion or 6 Flags. Is it really worth it? So do what we did 2 years ago, driving the same distance: Take the kids to Idlewild Park in W. Pennsylvania, about 40 miles SE of Pittsburgh. Old-fashioned but still fun, woodsy, smaller lines. A story-book village too. Back then only $17 per person tho the cost would be higher now. And you can bring in your own picnic, though the food prices are not as bad as Six Flags'. We liked Idlewild more than Dutch Wonderland and Williams Grove, which are also smaller, old-fashioned amusement parks. This summer we hope to journey up to Lakemont & DelGrossos' Parks outside Altoona. If you have kids under 7, why shell out $30 & wait in very long lines at the huge theme parks when they can't even ride half the rides? Putt Putt in Rockville has a special Sat. & Sun. if you pay before 1pm: all-you-can-golf, a hot dog, a soda & 40 game tokens for only $8. And you can find a 2-games-for-1 coupon at whiteoaklanes.com for duckpins in White Oak M-Sat. before 6. Duckpins lanes are also in Glenmont, College Park, Bowie, Suitland and Frederick. Great place for birthday parties. Enjoy! The Kids' Table: Thanks for the ideas on charms of smaller parks, GP. As a Lancaster, Pa., native, I (Anne) think you're right on with that assessment of Dutch Wonderland. And even HersheyPark and Dorney Park's admissions can average around $30/person.
Rockville, Md.: Great tip on the Lake Needwood boat ride -- lots of fun for only one dollar! Here's my question for this week -- how scary is the "Star Wars" movie? I have a fairly unsophisticated (read: we don't watch a lot of TV) 4-and-a-half-year-old who's begging to see the movie but I just feel weird about taking him. The Kids' Table: Hello Rockville. This is Matt, and I have daughters 10 and 7. I'm often shocked at the movies they tell me their friends have seen.
There's no need to feel "weird" about not taking him -- "Just Say No!" The film is rated PG. And our own Family Filmgoer says: "Kids younger than 8 may be unsettled by the death of Anakin's mother, by the spiny, snarling monsters that the Jedi face in a 'Gladiator'-style confrontation and by the sight of Anakin being seriously injured in a lightsaber duel."
I took my daughters to see "Spider-Man," and they even got a bit scared of the Green Goblin.
This summer actually has plenty of offerings for children. The animated "Lilo & Stitch" opens June 21 (also PG), "Hey, Arnold" comes the next week followed by "The Powerpuff Girls," "Stuart Little 2," "The Country Bears" and "Spy Kids 2."
So, I'd suggest waiting for another film and rent the old "Star Wars" films if he hasn't seen them yet. Monsters are a lot tamer on a 25-inch TV set than on a 40-foot screen with digital sound. Good luck.
DC: What are some fun pools I can take my 4 year-old daughter to. Are the local county pools my best option? Along that line, what's a good place for swimming lines for her? The Kids' Table: Hi, D.C. This is Kate. Good public pools are great, does that make sense? I truly believe that access to a swimming pool makes summer in this city much more bearable. The pool in midtown D.C. at 23rd and N is in good condition and I'd recommend it. If you're looking to spend the day together and play on slides and inner tubes, then I'd suggest you try what I consider to be the best value family water park: Water Mine in Fairfax. But don't take my word for it; here's a roundup from Weekend.
College Park Aviation Museum: Hi there! We've heard about your chat from a couple of our visitors (it was how they found us!), and I hope you don't mind some self-promotion. We're excited to hear about all of these terrific programs. We have a terrific kid-oriented summer coming up, with regular weekly events: Every Tuesday, we have a program called "Fun in Flight." This is a crafts program, from noon to 4 pm, on a drop in basis. It is $2 in addition to regular museum admission ($2/kids, $3/seniors. $4/adults). On Fridays, we will alternate between Zing Wing Fridays and Hollywood Flyers, Jr. Zing Wing Fridays involve decorating a a styrofoam glider, and will take place on June 21, July 5, July 19, August 2, August 16 and August 30. Hollywood Flyers, Jr. is our children's movie series. It takes place on June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9, and August 23. The movies start at 2 pm. Feel free to call the museum for information. The College Park Aviation Museum's number is 301/864-6029. Thanks for the opportunity to share our summer programs! The Kids' Table: Hello, College Park Aviation Museum. This is Anne. Thanks very much for writing to us! We're glad to know how other people hear of us, too.
Rockville, MD: My son's 2 year-old birthday party is coming up. Do you have any good place to entertain kids from 1 year old to 5 years old and their parents too? Thanks. The Kids' Table: Happy birthday to you (it's just as much your birthday in my [Vicki's] opinion). You don't say how many celebrants will be sharing cake with your son; but since it's a summer party and your dealing with a bit of an age-span, I'd suggest the nearby park with playground of your choice or a nearby petting zoo (don't forget our National Zoo as a treat for all ages).
One destination to consider is Glen Echo Park; it offers Adventure Theatre and Puppet Co. Playhouse, the Discovery Creek Children's Museum and a carousel.
If possible, you just may want to entertain with picnic, sandbox, wading pool and games in your own back yard.
But let's see if our company at the table can share ideas.
Alexandria, VA: My 5 year-old loves trains. Any place we can go (for a day trip) and get a train ride? I'm thinking in terms of old fashioned steam engines, etc. Thanks! The Kids' Table: Hi, Alexandria. I (Anne) think you may want to get tickets for the Thomas the Tank Engine exhibit at Baltimore's B&B Railroad Museum starting June 22. Tickets are $14 each. For a longer day trip than Baltimore, consider the Strasburg Railroad in Lancaster County, Pa. Going Out Guru Fritz has also ridden behind the steam engine and he highly recommends it.
Garrett Park: Me again - forgot to add that if you want to take a pontoon boat ride on one of the lakes in the local park system, please call first. They're a bargain, but they sometimes break down; for instance, the one at Black Hill Lake in Germantown broke down recently. Besides Lake Needwood, there are pontoon boat rides at Seneca Creek State Park, Jug Bay/Patuxent River Park in Upper Marboro, Piney Run Park in Howard County, and a few parks in N VA. The Kids' Table: Oh, Garrett Park, you are a darling. Calling ahead is a must, especially if you want to avoid a disappointed ride home.
Kensington: I don't see a link on your webpage to the archived transcripts of "Got Plans with Kids". Could you please add that? Thanks! The Kids' Table: Thank you, Kensington, for your interest and your gentle reminder to me (Vicki) to give the Got Plans With Kids archive link a prominent home or two on our Entertainment site.
McLean, VA: Where should I take my brother and his 3 young children (8,7 and 6) for a fun, outdoors adventure this weekend? The Kids' Table: Matt, here. If you're willing to go into the District, a sure thing is always the National Zoo. It can be hilly, so you might want to bring a wagon. There are plenty of places to eat and drink, but water bottles are always a good idea. The zoo is free, but there is a fee for parking. It's also Metro accessible.
Great Falls Park right in McLean is part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and has 15 miles of trails for hiking and exploring. Bring a picnic along.
And there's a water park at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville that also has miniature golf.
The Kids' Table: Thanks very much. See you on June 26th!
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