CALENDAR
MONDAY 17
Dr. Seuss Ballet
The Metropolitan Ballet Ensemble
brings the whimsical world of Dr.

Seuss to life through dance. Stories
include classics like “The Cat in the
Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham” and
“One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue
Fish.” Ages 4 and up.

Arts on the Green, Gaithersbug, MD at
11 a.m. $10 for children 6 and under,
$12+ gaithersburgmd.gov
WOW IN THE WORLD POP-UP PARTY
Feb. 29 | $28-$48 | 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Mindy Thomas, host of the
popular children’s podcast
“Wow in the World,” joins
forces with indie band The
Pop Ups for an interactive
stage show combining
STEM-themed games
with silly sketches. Ages
5-12. The Music Center at
Strathmore, North Bethesda,
MD. strathmore.org
TUESDAY 18
Preschool Science Morning
Science books and hands-on
activities will get your little one
excited for STEM. Registration
required. Ages 3-5.

Kingstowne Library, Alexandria,
VA at 10:30 a.m. FREE
librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov THURSDAY 20
Reading to Dogs
School-age children can practice
their reading skills and increase
their confidence by reading aloud
to a therapy dog. Registration
required. Ages 6-12.

Patrick Henry Library, Vienna, VA
at 4:15 p.m. FREE librarycalendar.

fairfaxcounty.gov FRIDAY 21
LEGO Play
Open-ended LEGO play means
your child can build whatever they
can imagine. All they need to bring
is their creativity to this drop-in
activity. Ages 5 and up.

Olney Library, Olney, MD at 3:30 p.m.

FREE mcpl.libnet.info
SATURDAY 22
Nailed it! Valentine’s Treats
Like a tasty challenge? Showcase
your baking and cookie decorating
skills at this delicious Families
Unplugged event. Ages 5 and up.

Walter Reed Community Center,
Arlington, VA at 10 a.m. $8 for
residents, $9.20 for non-residents.

parks.arlingtonva.us/events Invoke Concerts for Kids
This “not classical ... but not not
classical” string quartet performs
two interactive shows for children.

The first is a sensory-friendly
performance that welcomes
movement and reactions of all
types. The second performance
explores the storytelling qualities of
music, different string instruments
and mixing compositions to create
new sounds. Ages 6 and up.

The Mansion at Strathmore,
North Bethesda, MD at 10:15 a.m.

& 11:30 a.m. $12. strathmore.org
SUNDAY 23
Electronics: Bedroom Doorbell
Ding dong! Kids can build a doorbell
to hang from their bedroom door
as they learn how electricity and
circuits work. This hour-long
workshop is for kindergarteners
through 2nd graders.

Kid Museum, Bethesda, MD at
10:30 a.m. $20 (+$12 museum
admission) for nonmembers, $18 for
members. kid-museum.org
Agents of Discovery
Offering an educational twist
on mobile gaming, this activity
challenges participants to
complete activities around
the park while learning about
nature, animals and more. Bring
a mobile device to download the
app. Children under 12 must be
accompanies by an adult.

Potomac Overlook Regional Park,
Arlington, VA at 2 p.m. FREE
novaparks.com MONDAY 24
Learn to Code
Kids of all ages are invited to learn
how to code at this monthly get-
together. Bring your own laptop or
use one of the library’s to access the
website code.org and get assistance
from staff and volunteers. Ages 5-18.

Twinbrook Library, Rockville, MD at
5 p.m. FREE mcpl.libnet.info
10 Washington FAMILY FEBRUARY 2020
TUESDAY 25
Pokémon Club
Bring your Pokémon cards to trade
or play and get ready to catch
them all! Ages 6-12.

Kings Park Library, Burke, VA at
6:30 p.m. FREE. librarycalendar.

fairfaxcounty.gov WEDNESDAY 26
Artists and Inventors Club
Anything is possible when you
combine imagination and STEAM
skills. This activity lets kids explore
their creativity with provided
supplies. Ages 6-12.

George Mason Regional Library,
Annandale, VA at 4:30 p.m. FREE
librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov THURSDAY 27
Chinese Class for Beginners
Elementary school-aged children
can learn Mandarin at this
weekly class that covers basic
vocabulary, sentence structure and
conversational practice. Ages 5-10.

Little Falls Library, Bethesda, MD at
4 p.m. FREE mcpl.libnet.info
FRIDAY 28
The Art of Cupcakes
A frosting-filled way to spend
an early release afternoon,
this cupcake class will review
decorating techniques for
aspiring bakers and creative
kids. Bring a bottle of water and
a take-home container for your
treats. Ages 8-12.

Casey Community Center,
Gaithersburg, MD at 1 p.m. $59.

apm.activecommunities.com/ gaithersburgmd
Care of Magical Creatures
Calling all witches and wizards!
Design a nature wand, find your
patronus and learn about magical
creatures of the forest at this Harry
Potter-themed event. (Costumes
are encouraged!) Includes a short
hike to search for fantastic beasts,
weather permitted. Ages 4 and up.

Locust Grove Nature Center,
Bethesda, MD at 4:30 p.m. $7.

apm.activecommunities.com/ montgomerycounty
SATURDAY 29
28th Annual
Feel the Heritage Festival
Celebrate the last day of Black
History Month with live music,
dancing, a cook-off competition
and activities for the kids. Shop
a wide-range of goods from local
vendors and explore photos and
artifacts in the Hall of History.

Charles Drew Community Center,
Arlington, VA at 1 p.m. FREE parks.

arlingtonva.us 2nd Annual
Princess Breakfast
Dress in your fairy-tale finest and
enjoy food, crafts and games fit for
a princess. Coffee will be provided
for adults. Register by February
24. Ages 3-14.

Claude Moore Recreation and
Community Center, Sterling, VA at
10:30 a.m. $8. loudoun.gov ■



Love Capital
9 Valentine’s Day events for kids, families and couples
BY PJ FEINSTEIN
Love is in the air … and at the zoo, museums and so many other places around D.C.

Here are some lovely ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day right here in the DMV.

Kids Families
Parents Signed, sealed,
delivered! Your kids
can express their love
by designing handmade
cards and mailing them
from the museum’s
very own SpongeBob
SquarePants USPS
mailbox. Feb. 8 and
9 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. FREE. Smithsonian
National Postal Museum, Washington, D.C.

Take a spin around the dance floor with
your loved ones at this daytime family
dance party. There’ll be disco balls, lights
and kid-friendly music at a kid-friendly
volume. Recommended for ages 8 and under.

Feb. 16 from 2-4:30 p.m. $12 in advance, $15
at the door. Black Cat, Washington, D.C.

blackcatdc.com Eight performers share true stories
about the pleasures and perils of
romance, from break-ups and make-ups
to dating and marriage — and everything
in between. Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. $30-$40.

Lincoln Theatre, Washington, D.C.

storydistrict.org Valentine’s Day
Card Workshop
postalmuseum.si.edu Hearts and Hugs
Memories with Mom
Table for three, please! Enjoy a delicious
meal with your child and their American
Girl doll and make memories as you spend
an evening together. Ticket includes a
goodie bag with a craft and doll tote.

Recommended for ages 8 and up. Feb. 14
from 5-6 p.m. $28 per person. American
Girl Store, Tyson’s Corner Center,
Washington, D.C. americangirl.com
Teddy Bear Tea Party
Bring your favorite teddy bear or plush toy
for an afternoon of stories, special crafts and
treats. Dress to impress your fuzzy friends
in your tea-time best. Feb. 15 from 2-4 p.m.

$18 for one child and one adult. $10 for
each additional child. Registration required.

Herndon Community Center, Herndon, VA.

fxva.com Rumpus Room
Valentine’s Day Dance
Valentine’s Day
Handi-Hour Pop-Up
Craft your heart out at this annual event
and skip the store-bought valentines! Paper,
scissors, stickers, glue and other supplies will
be provided, with drinks and snacks available
to purchase. Feb. 14 from 5-7 p.m. FREE.

Registration recommended. Smithsonian
American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.

americanart.si.edu Chocolate Truffle
Making Classes
Prepare tasty truffles under the guidance
of the head chocolatiers at SPAGnVOLA,
a local chocolate shop. As you handcraft
your heavenly dessert, you’ll learn
from the experts how cacao grows and
a bit of chocolate
history. Feb. 8, 9, 15
and 16 from 11 a.m.–
1 p.m. $60. Registration
required. The Watergate
Hotel, Washington, D.C.

thewatergatehotel.com Story District’s
Sucker for Love
Couples’ Cooking Class
Why make reservations when you can
learn how to make a meal that’s every
bit as delicious? The menu for this
hands-on class includes a salad, crab-stuffed
salmon and flourless chocolate cake.

Feb. 14 from 7-9 p.m. $150 per couple.

Tastemakers, Washington, D.C.

tastemakersdc.com Woo at the Zoo
Let’s talk about sex …
in the animal kingdom!
Learn all about animal
mating and dating in a
hilariously raunchy hour-
long presentation, then
hit the dance floor at the
zoo’s throwback ’80s
prom. Ticket includes one
drink and complimentary
desserts. Feb. 14 from
7-10 p.m. $50 for FONZ
members, $60 for nonmembers. Smithsonian’s
National Zoo, Washington, D.C.

nationalzoo.si.edu ■
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