| Got Plans? With Kids
With the Entertainment Guide Staff
washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, July 10, 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: You'll start seeing them soon if not already -- those "back to school" signs and ads, encouraging you to decorate your dorm room and pick out your backpack and lunch box. Well, we're here (Kate, Anne, Alexa, Maura, Matt, Lynette and Vicki) to tell you there are still plenty of summer diems to carpe. Tell us your good ideas to seize the summertime and we'll tell you ours. That's fair.
Silver Spring, Md.: The Post lists an event at Carter Barron tomorrow -- Bea and the Bug -- but gives little explanation of what the show is all about. Any further details? What are the appropriate ages? Thanks!! The Kids' Table: Hello Silver Spring. It's Vicki. This free event is one of those "one size fits all" and uses multimedia and a lot of interaction with the audience to focus on history. For more information, here are our details, but do visit the Web site. Be warned. Do not swat at your computer screen, that flying bug may be one of the stars.
Washington, DC: Something for the family this weekend, the Bobby Mitchell Hall of Fame Classic out at Lansdowne Resort from 8:30am until 2pm. Perfect place for your kids to see some of the nation's biggest sports heroes, pro football and basketball Hall of Famers like Oscar Robertson, Art Shell and Bill Russell. It's a benefit for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, $5 to get in, children 11 and younger get in free. Plus, for an additional charge, they're having a closest to the pin contest and someone will walk away with a car... The Kids' Table: Thanks, Washington, for sharing an inspiring (in so many ways) event.
DC: I'm a longtime Got Plans? reader, but since I've got my 6-year-old niece and 4-year-old nephew coming into town this weekend, I'm thankful for this forum. Anyhoo, is there anything dinosaur-related in town? The boy has recently discovered them and my sister's sent me on a mission.
And anything for the girl who's pretty much into everything [except dinos]? thanks! The Kids' Table: Hi D.C., for dinos, there's no better stop than the National Museum of Natural History. Their recently restored triceratops and other dinosaurs are on view along with a 3-D movie, "T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous." There's also an exhibit on the books and mini-series "Dinotopia." Sounds a little commercialized to me, but if he's a fan.... As for your neice, nearby she might enjoy the presidency and first ladies exhibitions at American History. The National Building Museum lets kids build their own train cars this Saturday and there's always the zoo. Have fun. - Maura
Washington, DC: This is a follow up to a question I submitted about activities in the area for teenagers. Can you also recommend restaurants that a 15 year old boy whose diet consists mostly of pizza might enjoy? We'd like to share our love of food with him but don't want to torture him with restaurants he might find weird or stuffy. The Kids' Table: Hi, this is Anne, and I'm reading your question to mean that you're looking for a restaurant that might move the 15-year-old to the edge of his comfort zone, something different but not too different. We're thinking that if he likes pizza, he might try 2 Amys in Cleveland Park for a slightly more stylized take on the standard pie. Right across the street from 2 Amys is Flat Top Grill, a select-your-own stir-fry bar. Flat Top is the more intimate, polished version of another watch-'em-cook-your-food chain, Mongolian Grill. I was just at the one in Bethesda this weekend, where the staff all seemed to be 15 years old, or thereabouts. And the teens charged with cooking our food at the circular grill appeared to be acting our their rock-and-roll drummer fantasies with metal spatulas. Quite a show. I think your teen could fit right in.
Vienna, VA: My son is wearing extra large in Gymboree. I'm looking for small stores with good quality clothes at reasonable price. Any suggestions? The Kids' Table: Hi, Vienna. Here's our list of kids clothing stores, sorted by our favorites at the top. You can also sort this list to find stores near you by changing the drop-down menu on the right to your neighborhood. Any others have recommendations?
Washington, DC: I am dating a man recently divorced with a 6-year-son. His son is a bit head strong and his father is cautious to introduce new activities so each weekend we end up doing the same thing and eating at the same restaurant. I cared deeply for both father and son and want to ease them into some fun educational-interactive-low threat weekend activities. What can you suggest? Oh yeah, attention threashhold for both fellows is about 3 hours max. - I hope you don't say the answer is find another date! Thanks. The Kids' Table: Kate here and the last thing you need to find is another date. You need a cache of inexpensive, nearby activities. A 6-year-old might love exploring some of the terrific nearby parks like the National Arboretum and the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, but these aren't so great when it's 90 degrees outside. Here is our list of favorite area swimming pools.
If "educational" is a prerequisite, consider ImaginAsia. This is a free workshop held at the Sackler-Freer galleries on the Mall. Adult supervision is required. Wander through the galleries on a treasure hunt and return to the education center and make something to take home; the activities are directly related to the ever-changing exhibits. Call ahead.
A walk through Chinatown might be fun too -- especially if it ends with dumplings. I recommend Hunan Chinatown. Truly picky eaters might prefer chicken from Capital-Q.
Mount Vernon is not free, but this little boy might get a kick out of the model farm. There's an 18th-century-style fair coming up in September -- and all sorts of county fairs too. Good luck!
Washington, D.C.: My family is coming to town and I'm looking for nice, non-chain restaurants where my 5-year-old niece will be welcome. Any suggestions? Preferably in D.C. or Arlington/Alexandria. They prefer seafood/steaks over ethnic restaurants. The Kids' Table: Washington, it's Alexa. Do they like pizza, I wonder? Two Amys is a good bet. Otherwise, and I realize it is a chain, I've taken a small boy I know to Legal Sea Foods and they are pleasant with offerings of crayons etc. See here for more ideas.
Montgomery Village, Maryland: I have a two and 1/2 year old and a 4 month old. For a simple summertime activity, my two year old and I love making popsicles. We have been using juice or lemonade and pospicle molds. I also may attempt to make one with pudding soon but don't know the exact directions. Anyway it's easy and fun to do and eat! The Kids' Table: A lemonade popsicle sounds pretty good right about now, Montgomery Village -- and I (Vicki) just finished a homemade smoothie (another fun and easy-to-make treat) not that long ago. Here's my basic recipe: In a blender, mush together a frozen banana, a handful of frozen red or green seedless grapes, fresh or frozen stawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, a few tablespoons of vanilla- or fruit-flavored yogurt and a generous splash of juice. Can't guarantee what the color will be, but it will be ready-right-away, yummy, refreshing and (shhhhh) healthy.
Bethesda, MD: Thanks so much for this chat - it is such a great resource. I'm writing because I want to follow up on something that had come up a couple of weeks ago. One of your guests (I believe it was Ray Williams of the Sackler/Freer) mentioned a program at the Sackler where storytellers would be using a series of large murals now on display to tell the tale of "The Adventures of Hamza" the figure in the murals who had adventures with dragons and genies and so on. I was wondering whether this program was limited to the duration of the Folk Festival - or if it will continue beyond. And if it continues beyond, how long with the Sackler have this program? The Kids' Table: Hi Bethesda. Glad you enjoyed our discussion with Ray Williams. The storytelling seems to have been tied directly to the Folklife Festival (now over), but there are more activities for families related to the Sackler's exhibition "The Adventures of Hamza." Check out their Imaginasia schedule for more details and do sign up in advance. - Maura
Vienna, VA: For the mom in Vienna looking for children's clothing, please tell her to try the Red Apple in Oakton (in the Giant shopping center). I didn't see it on your list, but I have been shopping there since my now 14 year old twins were 2, and continue to shop there for my 4 1/2 year old now. The Kids' Table: Thanks, Vienna, for being such a good neighbor.
Rockville, Md.: My 14-year-old son loves skateboarding. Can you tell me other places he can skate in the area besides in Rockville or Gaithersburg? The Kids' Table: Hi Rockville, Lynette here. There is, of course, the Ocean City Skate Park Ocean City Skate Park but closer to home why not try the Western Maryland Rail Trail? It runs parallel to the Potomac between Fort Frederick State Park and Hancock, Maryland.
College Park Aviation Museum: Hi Guys! I'm just letting you know about the next couple of events at the College Park Aviation Museum. On Friday, we are showing Fly Boy. This is a movie about a boy and his grandfather flying an old biplane one last time. It is rated PG. We will show it at 2 pm and (as we always do with movies) serve free popcorn and lemonade! On Tuesday, we are having Fun in Flight. That's a craft activity from noon - 4 pm. We are open 7 days a week, from 10 am to 5 pm. Call 301-864-6029 for more info. Hope to see you here! The Kids' Table: A shameless plug, but we agree. The College Park Aviation Museum is a great find.
Montgomery Village, Maryland: Do you know when the Renaissance Festival will be? The one I am interested in is in Maryland but I believe Virginia has one too. Thanks! The Kids' Table: Hi, Montgomery Village. Lynette, here. The Maryland Renaissance Festival takes place in Annapolis Aug. 24 to Oct. 20. I'm afraid Virginia's Renaissance Fair took place May 4, but you can always catch it next year.
Washington, DC: My husband's teenage son from out of town will be visiting us next week. Any suggestions on activities around town or in the suburbs that a 15 year old boy would enjoy? He's been to most of the standard museums and monuments on previous trips. The Kids' Table: I think just about anyone gets a thrill from the adventure of the IMAX movie "Everest" at the Natural History Museum -- it's a good excuse to visit the Mall again and duck into any new exhibits he hasn't seen. If he's a sports fan, you could get tickets to an Orioles game next week. Or, he might enjoy the ESPNzone restaurant, where you can play virtual skateboarding, hockey and football games. And if he'll be here through July 19 of next week, don't miss the opening of the International Spy Museum. - Maura
Arlington, VA: Suggestions on tourist activities for a 14-year-old boy? The Kids' Table: How about the Spy Museum? I think kids of all ages are excited for that. It opens July 19, downtown at 9th and E, complete with Enigma machines, lipstick pistols and buttonhole cameras. - Maura
NW, DC: Six Flag America - good time or giant rip off for a family of 5? The Kids' Table: This is Matt, Northwest, and I was last at Six Flags two years ago with my then 8-year-old daughter. I'm a fan of amusement parks, and we had a good time.
The bottom line is that amusement park admission prices aren't cheap anymore. It doesn't matter how many rides you get on. Plus you have to pay to park. I was recently at Hersheypark on a crowded Saturday and rode about 7 rides. Our wait for the new Soaker Coaster was more than 2 hours (and it really wasn't worth it).
There always seems to be half-price coupons available for Six Flags in this area. And the water park is included in the admission. Food isn't cheap, so you might pack a cooler and meet back at the car for lunch. And water bottles and snacks are always good to carry around.
I don't know the ages of your children, but they have a Looney Tunes area for smaller children. And they have plenty of rides for those older. I thought Superman was a great coaster, and I enjoyed the Mind Eraser. Bat Wing was new this past year.
I wasn't able to ride Two Face or Joker's Jinx because at the time, my daughter didn't reach the the height requirements.
In summary, I think Six Flags has done a good job improving the park during the past few years. I went during the week so the lines weren't bad. I'd suggest going when it opens and hitting the popular rides like Superman and Bat Wing first before the lines get too long.
Here are some Six Flags tips from this year's amusement park roundup in Weekend.
If you do go, please report back and let us know how things turned out.
Silver Spring MD: With regard to the dinosaur movie at the Nat Hist museum, I would just say that it was too scary for my five year old boy, so be forewarned. The Kids' Table: Thanks, Silver Spring, for the feedback. As parents eager to have our children experience all the richness this community offers, we always have to be sensitive to our little ones' sensitivity, age and feedback, too. At least Jane Horwitz, the Family Filmgoer, is there to help with the Big Screen.
Silver Spring, MD: Tough situation for us this weekend: I have two sons, 13 & 9 AND my parents are visiting PLUS my dad can't walk too much. Where can we visit to avoid staying at home and staring at each other? Thanks. The Kids' Table: Hi Silver Spring, this is Kate. What about going to check out the new Egyptian art show "The Quest for Immortality" -- looks like it's got enough sinister objects to engross (if not gross out) your boys. I've called the National Gallery of Art's special needs line (202/842-6690) and they can provide a wheelchair if your Dad is willing to accept one. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come first-serve basis. I would strongly recommend going as soon as the gallery opens, 10 a.m. on Saturday and 11 on Sunday.
Also, what about having a long lunch somewhere like Bethesda Crab House --thems that don't like whacking for food can have crab cakes. Regional/Chesapeake Bay seafood always makes visitors feel like they've really traveled. If you're game for the drive, head down to the Maine Avenue waterfront and bring back a bag of steamed crustaceans to eat at home -- always less expensive.
The Kids' Table: Thank you, one and all for being so good at the Kids' Table. You're excused to go out and carpe summer diem. Of course, seize the perfect lunch box, too, if you see it. And please join us again at the Kids' Table in two weeks -- noon, July 24. That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.
Stay tuned to Live Online:
Tim Page: Classical Music Forum at 2 p.m. EDT Did you know that you can follow more than one Live Online discussion at the same time? Just open another browser window and toggle back and forth between discussions! And, if you miss one, catch up with the Live Online transcripts. Keep up with the latest in news, sports, politics and entertainment with washingtonpost.com e-mail newsletters. NEW! Personalize your Post with mywashingtonpost.com. Get customized news, traffic, weather and more. That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion. Stay tuned to Live Online: Stephen Barr: Federal Diary at Noon EDT
Got Plans? With Kids at Noon EDT
Author on "The Perfect Store: Inside eBay" at 1 p.m. EDT
Dirda on Books at 1 p.m. EDT
Tim Page: Classical Music Forum at 2 p.m. EDT Did you know that you can follow more than one Live Online discussion at the same time? Just open another browser window and toggle back and forth between discussions! And, if you miss one, catch up with the Live Online transcripts. Keep up with the latest in news, sports, politics and entertainment with washingtonpost.com e-mail newsletters. NEW! Personalize your Post with mywashingtonpost.com. Get customized news, traffic, weather and more.
| |
© Copyright 2002 The Washington Post Company | 
