You probably knew that this past Wednesday was Earth Day, but did you know it’s also National Park Week? While it would be more exciting to explore our country’s amazing national parks in person, there are plenty of virtual park adventures to experience from the comfort of home. And you’ll be saving money on airline tickets!
Here are six more ways to have some family fun at home this weekend:
Shop Small
Many of your favorite local brands and boutiques that have had to shut their doors during the coronavirus crisis are joining forces for Small Business Saturday. Show your support by making an online purchase on Saturday, April 25 or by leaving online reviews for the shops you can’t wait to visit in person again once this is all over. Find the list of participating retailers at DC Shop Small.
Make Way for Ducklings
Later this year, Adventure Theatre MTC will premiere a new musical adaptation of the classic children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey. But this weekend they’re offering a sneak peek of the production with a digital presentation of the script. Catch it Sunday, April 25, from 2-3 p.m. on Facebook.
Explore Your Kitchen
Restaurants are take-out only now, but you can help your kids explore the world of food right in your own kitchen. Kalamata’s Kitchen, in partnership with Chobani, is offering a free at-home Kitchen Exploration Passport packed with culinary challenges, such as drawing a picture of a cookbook dish, having a spice-smelling test and writing a letter to a favorite restaurant. Finish the passport and receive a free gift! Learn more at Kalamata’s Kitchen.
Listen to Some Feel-Good Music
Remember Raffi? Well, he’s back … as a special guest on a new children’s album, “I am Kind,” from newcomer Lindsay Munroe. In fact, keen listeners will even recognize some of Raffi’s classics such as “The More We Get Together” that Munroe covered at his own suggestion. Visit lindsaymunroemusic.com to download the digital album and to find colorful and kid-friendly activity guides for each song.
Follow “Hansel and Gretel”
The Puppet Co. will stream a performance of “Hansel and Gretel,” recorded last year in front of a live audience. This is a great way to introduce young children to puppet theater. Watch as brother and sister journey through the woods on Sunday, April 26, at 4 p.m. on Facebook.
Visit a Zoo
Scuttle and Buttercup are two trumpeter swans who are nesting, and The Maryland Zoo has a special egg watch cam as the world awaits this pair’s fifth clutch of eggs. (By the way, did you know that baby swans are called cygnets?) After virtually visiting the zoo in Baltimore, head to DC’s National Zoo for the always-popular Giant Panda cam and a Cheetah Cub cam that’s keeping an eye on new mom Echo and her four cubs, born on April 8.
