FAMILY FUN
Family Fun Out of the Cold
5 Places for Indoor Learning and Play
BY HEATHER M. ROSS
Bowlero Bethesda
5353 Westbard Ave., Bethesda | Monday through
Thursday, 4-11 p.m., Friday, 2 p.m to midnight,
Saturday, noon to midnight, Sunday, noon
to 10 p.m.

There’s something for every member of the
family at Bowlero with food, cocktails, fun
lighting and pop music. This bowling alley
has 34 lanes and an arcade stocked with
popular titles like “Mario Kart”, “Pac-Man”
and “Jurassic Park Arcade.” When it comes
to food, the alley has you covered with the
6-pound “Behemoth Burger,” lane-side
wings, veggie spring rolls, pizza and more.

Reserve your lane online at bowlmor.com.

ClimbZone of Laurel
13200 Mid Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 130, Laurel |
Monday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through
10 Washington FAMILY JANUARY 2023
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The ClimbZone in Laurel, Maryland is a
massive indoor climbing arena with 75
different themed walls for daring kids to
conquer. All climbing walls at ClimbZone
are individually themed with hand-painted
art to admire and inspire. The Climb-
Zone also features a GameZone with
classic arcade games so you and your
family can bond like it’s the 90s again.

climbzone.us/laurel Encore Stage & Studio
3701 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, VA | Show
times vary
Encore Stage & Studio is theatre by kids,
for kids. Encore’s mission is to inspire
kids to develop their creativity, empathy
and confidence as they create meaning-
ful connections with peers and enrich
their communities. These cold-weather
months can make kids feel trapped and
gloomy, but theatre is a healthy escape, and
with eight fully-staged professional pro-
ductions a year, Encore is the place to
do it. Even if your little one has stage
fright, there’s a lot they can learn just
from watching other kids their age
perform. To catch a show, check the
Coming Soon/Now Playing tabs online.

encorestageva.org Shadowland Laser Adventures
– Gaithersburg
624 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg |
Monday, noon to 6 p.m., Wednesday, noon to 7
p.m., Thursday, noon to 6 p.m., Friday and Sat-
urday, noon to 10 p.m., Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.

Explore a multi-level carpeted arena
with walkways, alleys, bridges and tow-
ers as misty fog fills the air. Upbeat music,
colored lights and darting laser beams
heighten this one-of-a-kind laser-tag expe-
rience. Shadowland Adventures features
special powers, spells and viruses spread
by “GEMs.” Each adventure is different,
so the fun is limitless. Shadowland also
has locations in Columbia and Springfield/
Alexandria. shadowlandadventures.com
National Air and Space Museum
Sixth Street and Independence Ave. SW, Wash-
ington, D.C. | Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m.

to 5:30 p.m.

Explore outer space, meet the minds that
took humans to the skies and beyond
and the tech that made the moon landing
possible. Little astronauts, future engineers
and curious kids alike can learn to reach
for the stars with this educational
adventure. Reserve at airandspace.si.edu. 2
INDOOR CAMPING: RICHVINTAGE / E+ / GETTY IMAGES PLUS;
SNOWFLAKES: INVINCIBLE_BULLDOG / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
D uring the chilliest months of the
year, families everywhere are spend-
ing more time indoors—but that
doesn’t mean an end to family fun! In the
D.C. area, there’s a little bit of every kind of
fun, including educational, interactive and
playful indoor spaces. Here are five fami-
ly-centric spots in the DMV that will keep
your kids making memories all winter long.




Parent-and-Me
DIY Sock Snowmen
Learn basic sewing for this festive
winter craft
STORY AND PHOTOS BY HEATHER M. ROSS
Making a snowman is a highlight of the winter season, however, in lieu
of snow, rice will do. Here’s how you and your child can make a friendly
seasonal decoration or holiday gift for grandparents in seven simple steps.

STEP 1: The base
Start out by opening your white tube sock and pouring in two-thirds of a cup of rice. Gently shake
the sock until you have the rice at the bottom. Then, pinch the sock above the rice and twist the
upper portion slightly to hold the ball shape in place. Use a rubber band around the bottom of the
twisted portion of the sock.

Tip: This is a great time to teach your child about measuring!
STEP 2: The middle
While we used rice for the bottom portion, you’ll want to use cotton for the middle and top. This
is so your snowman will be bottom-heavy and less likely to tip over. Stuff this middle section with
cotton until it is only slightly less plump than the bottom portion. Repeat the rubber band process.

Tip: Using thin rubber bands will make it easier to hide them between segments.

STEP 3: The top
Repeat Step 2 for the third and final segment of your snowman’s body. Fold the leftover sock over
the top rubber band to form the hat.

STEP 4: The eyes
Using the needle and thread, attach two black buttons on the top segment for eyes. For a basic
hand-sewing tutorial, visit thesprucecrafts.comlearn-stitches-and-hand-sewing-projects-2978472.

Tip: If you cannot attach the buttons by sewing, superglue will also work, but strong adhesives should
only be used by adults.

NEEDLE: ROBYNMAC; THREAD: PREZENT;
SNOWFLAKE;IRINA OSTAPENKO/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
STEP 5: The torso
Attach three buttons to the abdomen of your snowman in a vertical line. Try to line up the but-
tons to be directly between where the eyes on the top portion are attached.

Tip: If you’re having trouble keeping the buttons in a straight line, you can use a ruler and
lightly dot along the edge with a permanent marker. Then, use the dotted line as a guide for
securing your buttons.

What you’ll need:
White tube socks
Buttons Sewing needle
White thread
Felt fabric
Scissors Measuring cup
Rice Cotton
Rubber bands
STEP 6: The scarf
Cut an inch-wide strip of felt fabric to be one foot long. Feather the ends with your scissors. Then,
fold the strip in half so both ends of the fabric are touching. Wrap the strip around the “neck” of
your snowman and pull the feathered ends through the loop formed by folding. Pull gently until
the scarf is snug and completely covering the joint where the top and middle segments meet.

STEP 7: The hat
You already formed the base of the hat by folding over the top portion of the sock. Take
some time to adjust it so that the eyes are properly exposed. Secure the hat in place
with the white thread. If you have remaining buttons, you can use them to decorate the brim of
the hat for added cuteness!
Congratulations! You now have your snowman. Place him on the mantle, the counter or table
to show off your teamwork and creativity! 1
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