Because Maryland, D.C. and Virginia all issued stay-at-home orders on Monday, we know where we’ll be hanging out this weekend. So how can we make the weekend feel different than the five days before it? By having more family fun!
Mark Your Calendars
Meet a Pliosaur
Screen time is OK if it’s educational, right? In this 30-minute interactive webinar, a paleontologist from the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History will talk about pliosaurs—basically, ancient sea monsters—and take questions from students. Friday, April 3, from 1-1:30 p.m. | FREE
Experience Live Theater…
…on YouTube, that is. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musicals will be available for free on the new YouTube channel, The Shows Must Go On, starting with “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Each performance will be available for 48 hours. Friday, April 3, at 2 p.m. | FREE
Rise, Rhyme & Read
Culture Queen, Busboys and Poets’ Children’s Cultural Literacy Ambassador-in-Residence (whew, what a title!), entertains kids on Facebook Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Activities may include fun physical exercises, daily positive affirmations and story time with songs and movement. Friday, April 3, from 6-6:30 p.m. | FREE
Catch Some Magic
Prepare to be amazed as Magic Evan brings his entertaining children’s show to a Zoom account near you. This virtual magic show, hosted by Kidville, is a fun way to end the weekend. Sunday, April 4, from 6-6:45 p.m. | $10 per family
Some More Ideas…
Root for the Home Team
Feeling bummed because Opening Day at National Park was supposed to be this week? Us, too. While baseball isn’t coming back any time soon, there are still ways to get your Washington Nationals fix. The defending World Series champions are offering free baseball-themed educational activities for kids in grades 1-6. Parents, check out Sean Doolittle’s reading recommendations for you, too.
Decorate Your Front Door
Some neighborhoods are spreading joy by hanging drawings of rainbows in their windows or coordinating teddy bear hunts. Another way to inspire a smile from social-distancing walkers? This DIY colorful yarn wreath from our crafty friend Lindsay Ponta of Shrimp Salad Circus.
Exfoliate (Seriously!)
Made with ingredients like cinnamon, pineapple, vanilla and honey, these DIY lip scrubs from our sister publication, Baltimore Style, sound good enough to eat. And chances are, you already have the ingredients in your kitchen! Enlist your kids to help whip up a few batches.
For more ideas, check out last weekend’s family fun guide!
