FAMILY EVENTS: March 15 - 31, 2010

(past events)
Corbian- A Glow in the Dark Adventure
Friday, March 19, 10am & 12pm
Saturday, March 20, 11am & 3pm
Ages 7 and up
Olney Theatre Center, Olney, MD
http://www.olneytheatre.org/educationfamilies/forfamilies.asp
Corbian is a neon ballet in which the audience takes a journey with Darwin, a dinosaur built by the hands of a great artist. Watch as he stumbles over joy, creativity, fear, danger, victory and most importantly, love.

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Spring Eggstravanza & Puppet Show
Saturday, March 20
1pm-2pm
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hiddenoaks/
Come to Hidden Oaks Nature Center from 1 to 2 p.m. to celebrate the first day of spring with a puppet show, stories and crafts highlighting the awakening of many of the woodland creatures and the blooming of the new season. Discover the natural and cultural history of eggs. This activity is recommended for children four years and up. The fee is $5 per child. To make a reservation, call 703-941-1065.

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Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 20 1pm-3pm
Sully Historic Site
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully/
From 1 to 3 p.m. at Sully Historic Site children three to seven years old are invited to bring their baskets and hunt for Easter eggs and participate in an egg roll as children may have done at the Capitol during the presidency of James Madison. Baby animals also will be available to visit. The kids will create an Easter craft to take home and enjoy yummy treats. The egg hunts will start at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. The fee is $5 per child. The rain date is Saturday, March 27. To make a reservation, call 703-437-1794.

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Easter Eggstravaganza
Saturday, March 20
12:45 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. for children four years and under
2:15 p.m. hunt for youngsters, age five to seven years
Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp/
Welcome spring with an egg hunt and an introduction to friendly farm animals at Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center. Make your reservation for noon, 12:45 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. for children four years and under. Please specify a second choice when you reserve. There will be a 2:15 p.m. hunt for youngsters, age five to seven years. A rain date is set for Sunday, March 21. The cost is $6 per child. To make a reservation, call 703-437-9101.

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Crustacean Invasion
Thursday, March 25
4:30pm - 6:30pm
Hidden Pond Nature Center
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hiddenpond/


Come to Hidden Pond Nature Center from 4:30 to 6 p.m. to hear about the Crustacean Invasion. The lobster, crab and shrimp are three of the most well known types, but there are more. Learn what they are made of, what they need to survive and where you might find them. Yes, even in your own backyard. Popcorn shrimp will be served as a program ending treat. To make a reservation, call 703-451-9588 to register. $5/person

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Riverside Campfire: Spring Has Sprung
Friday, March 26
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Riverbend Park
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/Riverbend/


Families explore why animals are now waking from hibernation and returning from migration at Riverbend Park from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy games and activities. S’mores will be provided. Come early if you want to bring a picnic or hotdogs to toast. Bring you own toasting sticks, blanket and flashlight. The fee is $4 per person. To make a reservation, call 703-759-9018.

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The National Cherry Blossom Festival® Family Day & Opening Ceremony Presented with the National Building Museum
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Family Day, 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Opening Ceremony, 4:00 - 5:30 pm
National Building Museum, Washington D.C.
401 F Street, NW
Take Metro to Judiciary Sq Station, Red Line
http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=896


Opening day marks the beginning of the two-week long celebration of the cherry blossoms and the commencement of spring in Washington, DC.


For the fifth year in a row, free Family Day festivities will be presented jointly by the Festival and the National Building Museum in anticipation of thousands of families from around the region and nation that will attend.


The National Building Museum offers three engaging Japanese-inspired activities. At Animals Around Town, explore the significance of animals in Japanese and D.C. architecture and make reliefs for homes by picking out animal “protectors” to carve into self-hardening clay. BRIDGing Communities has attendees construct a Japanese-style garden bridge using basic craft materials while celebrating the relationship between the U.S. and Japan. Learn about traditional Japanese theater in the Kyogen Theater Stage Design area, where kids design their own stage sets and place sample characters inside, re-enacting a favorite story.


For more information, e-mail ncbf@downtowndc.org.


The Opening Ceremony will be held at the National Building Museum following the family activities from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. Also open to the general public a showcase of world-class entertainment representative of Japanese and Western cultures.

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Dinosaur Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 27
1:30pm - 2:30pm, or 3pm - 4pm
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hiddenoaks/


Bring the three to six year olds to Hidden Oaks Nature Center from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. or 3 to 4 p.m. to enjoy a dinosaur-themed outdoor egg hunt. Visit dinosaur land in Nature Playce and make a dinosaur craft to take home. The fee is $6 per child. To make a reservation, call 703-941-1065.

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Dog Hike
Sunday, March 28
10am-11:30am
Ellanor C. Lawrence Park
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ecl/


Explore different trails through Ellanor C. Lawrence Park from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with a naturalist and her dog. Learn the responsibilities of a dog walker in the park and the outdoor dangers to your dog. This activity is recommended for hikers eight years and up. Finish with Dog Ice Cream. Retractable leashes are not allowed. Owners must bring waste bags. The fee is $3 per dog per family. To make a reservation, call 703-631-0013.

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