Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of fun activities and helpful information for everyone in the family.
Yearly Archives: 2018
Fair Season Is Here!
Prince George’s County Fair (Image: F Delventhal)
Looking for a change of scenery?
Want to get out DC’s concrete jungle for the day?
Or maybe you just want to try a fried Oreo?
All of these dreams can come true over the next few weeks at one of the many area county and state fairs.
What is a Fair?
Usually held in late summer or early fall, county and state fairs often include agricultural exhibits or competitors, carnival amusement rides, and games, displays of industrial products, automobile racing, and entertainment such as musical concerts (adapted from Wikipedia).
Maryland and Virginia Fairs
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair (Images: Catherine McEaddy)
The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair and the Arlington County Fair are held in August; The Prince George’s County Fair takes place in September. KidFriendly DC and NBCWashington have details about some of the most popular county fairs throughout Maryland and Virginia.
The DC State Fair
Interested in checking out an agricultural fair on urban turf? Then don’t miss the 9th Annual DC State Fair on September 23rd. That’s right- DC has a state fair! It may be small in comparison to Maryland or Virginia’s state fairs, but the DC State Fair definitely has the best t-shirts. Plus as a DC resident, you can enter one of the contests!
August Calendar Ideas
Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of fun activities and helpful information for everyone in the family.
Celebrating the 4th of July in DC
The 4th of July celebrates the date American colonists declared independence from Great Britain in 1776. Also called Independence Day, the 4th of July is commemorated throughout the USA with fireworks, parades, concerts, family gatherings, and cookouts.
As the nation’s capital, Washington, DC, is the perfect place to celebrate this truly American holiday. Here are just a few of the many celebrations in DC: Continue reading
Summer Fun for DC Kids 2018
Image: anokarina (Flickr)
In need of some ideas to keep the kids entertained this summer? Here’s a roundup of several great local blogs full of suggestions designed to keep whining to a minimum.
Indoorsy DC
- New to the scene, this local blog is a great source for indoor activities and events with the kids.
- Don’t miss these posts: Indoor Pools and Delaware Beaches Edition
KidFriendly DC
- Where to Play on the Weekdays and The Weekend Round-Up are updated weekly with suggestions on local events and fun places to take the kids.
- Seasonal suggestions also include the 2018 KFDC Guide to Best of Summer in DC and Live Entertainment on Stages around the DMV this Summer
Our Kids
- Don’t miss this comprehensive list of the DC area’s local seasonal activities.
- Wondering if it’s worth taking the kids to one of the many local happenings? Read the reviews before you go!
Red Tricycle
- The Family Events Calendar is a great source for events.
- This Big Awesome List of Sumer Activities helps prevent the dreaded phrase “I’m bored.”
- 6 New Smithsonian Museum Exhibits The Kids Will Love
- 30 Things to Do with Kids in DC This Summer
- Looking for some relief from the sun? Here are 7 Local Playgrounds with Tons of Shade.
- Spray, Splash, Play, Repeat: Your Summer Splash Pad Guide
And last, but not least, our very own cluster blog…
Capital City Au Pairs
- DC’s Public Libraries have lots of great summer programs for kids. Click here for more information on how to get your library card and upcoming events.
- Life in DC is a comprehensive list of all of the many blogs, people, places, and activities that make living in DC so wonderful.
- Don’t miss our monthly posts with calendar ideas and seasonal activities.
- APIA’s Pinterest boards have oodles of suggestions.
- APIA’s Camp Au Pair Pinterest boards are a treasure trove of fun activities.
July 2018 Calendar Ideas
Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of fun activities and helpful information for everyone in the family.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The Folklife Festival will take place June 27-July 1 and July 4-8.
The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an international exhibition of living cultural heritage. Attracting more than one million visitors yearly, the two-week long celebration is the largest annual cultural event in the United States.
The Festival is held outdoors on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Smithsonian museums. There is no admission charge. Visitors should dress for hot and humid weather. Parking around the Mall is extremely limited, so visitors are advised to use public transportation. L’Enfant Plaza is the closest Metro station to the Festival site. National Archives, Smithsonian, and Federal Center stations are within a half-mile. For assistance planning how to get around, visit www.goDCgo.com. For general Smithsonian visitor information, http://www.si.edu/Visit or call 202.633.1000 (voice).
Festival hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with special events taking place most evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. View the schedule here.
I highly recommend that you visit their website to plan your visit http://www.festival.si.edu/
10 Tips for Summer Safety
- Remember to bring along drinks, especially water. Try to get children to drink water every 20 minutes, when they are outside in hot weather.
- Pay attention to surfaces that can be hot against children’s skin, such as metal slides and other playground equipment in the sun.
- Safety around water is particularly important. A child can drown in just a few inches of water. Whenever you are near water you must never leave a child alone – if the phone rings, take them with you or let it ring! Always stay within arm’s reach when the children are in or near water.
- Young babies should be kept out of direct sunlight. Keep the baby in the shade or under a tree, umbrella or stroller canopy.
- Dress babies in lightweight clothing and use brimmed hats.
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, even if it appears overcast (cloudy).
- Try to keep children out of the sun in the middle of the day when the sun is strongest.
- Learn what poison ivy looks like and keep children out of it. A good rule to teach the children is “leaves of three, let it be.”
- Use insect repellent spray to keep away mosquitos and ticks. Ask your host parents before applying.
- Check for ticks when you bring children in from playing outside, especially if you’ve been in tall grass or the woods.
Photo: Scott97006 (Flickr)
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Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Photo credit: Spirit Fire (Flickr)
Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday, June 17th. Au Pair in America’s Father’s Day pinboard has loads of gift ideas your host children can make for their fathers.
Do you have Your DC Public Library Card?
The DC Public Library is the place to check out books and other materials for free for both yourself and your host kids. There are many branches located throughout the city. Also, there are more than 15 million free online movies, eBooks, music, and more available online for cardholders.
Ready to Get Started?
Free Classes for Kids and Adults
The DC Public Library offers loads of free classes for kids and adults including yoga, adult coloring, ESL conversation circles, kid crafts and many special seasonal activities. (They offer a lot more kid-friendly activities during the summer when kids are on vacation.) Check out the library event calendar for classes throughout the city. And don’t forget- they’re free!
ESL Conversation Circles*
- Mt. Pleasant Library’s “Let’s Speak English”: Join the Conversation Circle held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8 pm to improve your English and chat with new people.
- Georgetown Library’s English Conversation Group: The Washington English Center offers free English Conversation Classes to adults by on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 noon.
Library Branches Located Near Our Cluster Area
Cleveland Park Library Upcoming Events
Georgetown Library Upcoming Events
Lamond-Riggs Library Upcoming Events
Mt. Pleasant Library Upcoming Events
Petworth Library Upcoming Events
Shepherd Park Library Upcoming Events
Takoma Park Library Upcoming Events
Tenley-Friendship Library Upcoming Events
West End Library Upcoming Events