Washingtonpost.com: Live Online

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.

Our "With Kids" editor hosts 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: Welcome, everybody, to the Kids' Table. It won't be long now and -- <"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/entertainment/new_features/restaurants/picnics.htm">picnic in hand -- we'll be trading our table in for a blanket on <"http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=entertainment%2Fsearch&sort=name&type=sportslocation&cw1=22&neighborhood=&x=17&y=10">a cushion of grass. It's scheduled, it's official: Spring arrives tomorrow at 8 p.m. Celebrate at a new-for-you park. Doesn't <"http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=entertainment/profile&id=1027999&typeId=6">Fort Washington sound interesting? Check up on an old favorite -- what's not to like about <"http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=entertainment/profile&id=1026145&typeId=6">Burke Lake?

With our harsh winter and harsher headlines, this may be the best year of all to bask in the beauty of the area's famous <"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/entertainment/new_features/holidays03/cherryblossom.html">cherry blossoms. Fly a kite on Saturday or just duck as others try.

Before moving over and giving you a chance to have a say, I (Vicki) have to make sure that you see last Friday's Saturday's Child, a feature on<"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20479-2003Mar13.html">Gymboree. It does seems to be an opportunity for our youngest and newest on their feet to romp and stomp -- and celebrate a birthday, too. But we (Alexa, Kate, Anne, Maura, Lynette and Matt) are here to go where your questions take us. Where is that?

Annapolis, Md.: This is an off-beat question.

My son recently went to one of these murder mystery parties, and now he wants to put one on for his birthday. Can you tell me how to get a murder mystery kit?

Thanks.

The Kids' Table: Hi Annapolis, This is a great question. You don't mention how old your son is, but here are a variety of links appropriate to various ages: Try Tailor Made Mysteries or Haley Productions or How to Host a Teen Mystery. You can download Tailor Made's kits for $29 or (for a somewhat heftier fee) have a mystery produced for you by Haley Productions. The teen mystery site offers instructions for murder mystery games that your kids can play for around $30. Hope this helps. Thanks, Lynette.

Bethesda, Md. Dad: The Cherry Blossom Festival starts soon, even though there will be no blossoms until after the festival. What are some neat festival-related things to do with kids (7 and 9) over the next couple of weekends that don't involve looking at the bare trees?

The Kids' Table: Dear Dad,

Here are a few suggestions that don't require looking at bare trees.

The annual Smithsonian Kite Festival is Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the National Mall.

The Festival of Origami Architecture is 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the National Building Museum. Crafts include creating paper buildings and making objects with colored paper.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade begins 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 5. It runs on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th streets. That evening at 7, the Parade of Lighted Boats can be seen from East Potomac Park or from the southwest waterfront.

And the Capital Children's Museum allows children to make paper Cherry Blossoms from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22-23, March 25-30 and April 5-6.

Check out our Cherry Blossom Guide for more ideas. -- Matt

Garrett Park: Took my 6-year old daughter to Made By You in Rockville - we both worked on a plate for 90 minutes and really enjoyed it. Painting and firing are included in the cost of the item (making it easier to estimate a final cost since some local clay studios separate the cost of the item from how much studio time you buy for painting).
The studio has stencils and stamps you can use to paint on designs.
The cheapest items are $10, we picked a $20 plate, but it was $16 after we used a 25% off coupon in the Entertainment 2003 Book, if any of your readers has that. You pick up your finished item 4 days later.

They have birthday parties starting at $9 a person, and Girl Scout badge-earning sessions for $10-15 a person.

The shopping strip where the Rockville Made By You is will be torn down later this year and I forgot to ask where (and if!) they will re-locate. There's also a MBY in Bethesda & Cleveland or Woodley Park.

The website is www.madebyyou.com.

I wish they had these kind of places when I was a kid!

The Kids' Table: Thanks, Garrett Park, for the info. With Mother's Day and Father's Day on the horizon, Made by You provides wonderful opportunities to present something special to grandparents, aunts and uncles, too.

Burke, Va.: We'd like to go to the Kite Festival on Saturday. I'm wondering if it will be cancelled if the guy with the tractor is still out there on Saturday. Thoughts?

The Kids' Table: The breaking news, Burke, is that he has surrendered. The Mall is ours again. See you at the Kite Festival. -- Vicki

Upper Marlboro: Are there any local dance clubs for teens under 21?
I 've heard of one in Ocean City but I wanted to know if there was one in the Washington area. I have to teens, 13 and 16.
Sandy

The Kids' Table: Outside of dances sponsored by community centers and schools, there are few formal "dance club" options for teens, fewer still for people as young as 13. Our Bars & Clubs expert, Fritz Hahn recently recommended The Planet Club in Chantilly. It's a 16-20 dance club but it's a long drive from Upper M. The cost of renting a disco ball or buying a black light bulb, a handful of mixed CDs (like the "Now" series) and some sodas might be an easier option. And your kids would be as close as the basement. -- Kate

Reston, VA: I have a seven month old son. Do you know any good places in the area I can take him for fun weekend outings? We have spent many weekends in the crowded malls. But winter is finally over, it's time for some outdoor fun.

The Kids' Table: With spring and blossoms on the way, any of these gardens will stimulate the senses. And near you, I'd recommend a visit to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.

Falls Church, Va.: I'd like to take my 5 and 6-year olds to a farm for a few days this summer, preferably one with chickens, pigs, and cows, where they eat with the family. We don't have any friends or relatives with such a spread. Any ideas for leads where we could stay?

The Kids' Table: Hi Falls Church, there are lots of farms in the area that welcome visitors, or they will once the weather warms up. Many allow you to pick your own fruits and vegetables as well. Unfortunately, most of them are currently closed for the season (they start re-opening in April) so I (Lynette) haven't been able to get much information about overnight stays. One possible option is Great Country Farms, which welcomes tours and mentions educational opportunities on their Web site. They'll reopen in April. Larriland Farm will let you pick your own crops, but doesn't mention anything about overnight visitors. They reopen in May. These are both large farms and it sounds like you may be interested in a more personalized experience. Have any of our other chatters tried this? Please let us know your experiences and how you arranged this. Also, this is a list of organic family-owned farms in Virginia. I don't know if any of them accept visitors, but certainly it would be a place to start. Hope this helps. And please let us know your experience. I'm sure there are other people in the area who might like to try this or something similar.

arlington, VA: Technical issue with on-line chat, really:

There is an ad on the left of the screen that is covering about 1/4 of the text. And the ad pops up in my screen as I scroll down to try to read around it.

I've logged on three times and the same problem (yet different product advertised) is there.

BTW: Love the Kid's Table and always check in for fun stuff to do. THANKS

The Kids' Table: Oh, dear, Arlington. It's my mistake. I (Vicki) blew out the page (excuse my technical terms) with my incomplete urls -- also, please excuse the technical problems. I promise to fix all in the transcript. (It's a bit of a hassle to fix during a chat; believe me, far more serious problems can result.)

The Kids' Table: Dance club searcher, forgive me: here's the link to Planet Club.

Also, Polly Esther's in Rockville has on a blue moon hosted an under-21s disco party. There was an incident at one such teen event last year that warranted police intervention -- the details escape me, I'm afraid. -- Kate

Rockville, Md.: This isn't really a Got Plans?, but my husband and I are thinking about starting to try to concieve, and I have heard of pre-conception classes but can't seem to find any. Can you post this to see if anyone knows of any pre-conception classes?

The Kids' Table: Consider it posted, Rockville. This Google search return will keep you busy, too.

Arlington, VA: Hi - Do you know a good place to take children 3-7 for an afternoon tea party?

The Kids' Table: Do you literally mean tea, I wonder. I'm sending you this link of all proper teas, though the spots may not be all children-friendly. Otherwise, what about an ice cream parlor? Let's ask the folks at home for their suggestions, too. -- Alexa

The Kids' Table: Sorry, Rockville, that search return went aglay. But if at first you don't succeed, try try again: Here's a specific link to the Maternity Center's free class.

Garrett Park: London Tea House on Bethesda Ave. hosted our Brownies troop (ages 6-7) for a group tea, plenty of food & unlimited tea, tax & tip for $15 a person. Staff was really nice too.

Most hotel teas are $20 & up, not including tax & tip.

Also, Retro Tea in Old Town Bowie has $10 teas geared towards kids, and they host small bithday parties.

The Kids' Table: Thanks, Garrett Park, for your cup of tea.

montgomery village mom: As we start thinking about outdoor activities, I am on my annual search for toddler friendly outdoor playgrounds maybe with a little more interesting stuff than your normal neighborhood playgrounds. Anybody have any ideas? I have a three year old and a one year old.

The Kids' Table: Hi Montgomery Village Mom. Interesting outdoor activities could include a visit to Burke Lake Park where your kids can ride a miniature train or play on the carousel. Or, have you considered an early trip to the beach? Today aside, things really are warming up. Pull on the sweatshirts and go fly your kites on the beach. Closer to home, here's a list of Montgomery County nature centers that might make for a more interesting outing. Cabin John Regional Park has mazes, play houses and Cinderella's pumpkin carriage for kids to play on. Hadley's Playground is designed to accessible to everyone of every ability, has a castle and pirate ship (among other things). Do our readers have other suggestions as well? Thanks, Lynette.

montgomery village mom: The maternity center in Bethesda MD holds a free preconception class.

The Kids' Table: Thanks, montgomery village mom, I think I was just an answer or two ahead of you this time. You're good! -- Vicki

Arlington: I am trying to plan ahead. My husband and I want to go to the beach with our 3 year old. We have never been to any of the beaches on the eastern shore. Can you give us advice for the best beach to go to? Nothing too commercial, but somplace with resturants and maybe some children entertainment.

The Kids' Table: We recommend Bethany Beach as a definitely family-friendly, if a bit expensive beach town. Other suggestions, readers?

montgomery village mom: Also the George Washington Medical Center offers a very intensive preconception program. Here's a link
http://www.integrativemedicinedc.com/p465.html

The Kids' Table: Okay, now you're ahead of me.

Arlington: For beach-going with toddlers, Chincoteague, Va. is good, with ponies and pony-related stuff--and no boardwalk, but plenty of ice cream, etc.

The Kids' Table: Wonderful idea, Arlington! Here's more info on Chincoteague.

The Kids' Table: I'm so glad I'm not the only one thinking about beaches -- they're a great destination early spring and late fall. But if you still need a dose of winter, take in the World Figure Skating Championships; practices are at the Washington Convention Center.

Thanks for spending this time with us and please come back again, April 2 -- no fooling!

Now, I'll go clean up my messy links . . .

vienna VA: In response to the question on staying at a farm. We did this in Pennsylvania Dutch Country and had a great time. You can check out options at http://www.800padutch.com/mem-farm.shtml

The Kids' Table: This bit of advice from Vienna just had to go through. Thank you!

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