Three of our DC/Maryland clusters did a tour inside of the Washington Monument for their May cluster meeting. This was our first Washington Monument tour since before the pandemic! We were very happy to have a great turnout and gorgeous weather.
Tag Archives: washington
National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual event that celebrates springtime in Washington, DC as well as the 1912 gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. This year’s festival will be MARCH 20-APRIL 17! This year the events are back in-person.
The predicted peak blooming period of the cherry blossoms for this year is MARCH 22-25.
Here are some of the highlights:
Blossom Kite Festival – Saturday, March 26, 2022 – (Christine’s cluster will be participating in the Kite Festival for our March Cluster meeting. Check Facebook and WhatsApp for details.)
Washington Monument Grounds (Smithsonian Metro)
10 am-4:30 pm
Petalpalooza Festival & Fireworks – Saturday, April 16, 2022
Capitol Riverfront at the Yards (Navy Yards-Ballpark Metro)
1-9 pm, Fireworks around 8:30 pm
Cherry Blossom Parade – Saturday, April 9, 2022
Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets, NW
10 am-12 pm
The one-mile length of the Parade route is accessible from multiple Metro stations. Spectators who are standing along the free & accessible portions of the route from 9th to 15th Streets should utilize the following Metro stops:
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- To stand on the north side of Constitution Avenue – Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow lines), Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange/Silver lines) or Metro Center (Blue/Orange/Red/Silver lines)
- To stand on the south side of Constitution Avenue – L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Green/Orange/Silver/Yellow lines) or Smithsonian (Blue/Orange lines)
There are many more great events, visit the festival website for more information.
Helpful links:
Cherry Blossom Festival Website
National Park Service Bloom Watch
Metro Website (use the trip planner feature on this website to find the metro options, taking the metro is much better than driving for the festival events)
Photo & Video: National Cherry Blossom Festival
Do You Have Your DC 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*
- Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Library’s English Conversation Circle: A drop-in group for adult speakers of other languages to improve their oral skills in English and gain more confidence in speaking is held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 am.
- 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 pm and Tuesdays from 7 to 8:45 pm.
- Tenley-Friendship Library’s Conversation Circles: Volunteers from the Washington English Center facilitate practice sessions on Saturdays at 10 am.
Library Branches Located Near Our Cluster Area
Chevy Chase Library Upcoming Events
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
*Please note that DC Public Library classes are for fun and do not count towards an au pair’s academic class requirement.
Winter Fun for DC Kids
Designed by Teksomolika / Freepik
Brr! In need of some ideas to keep the kids entertained this winter? Here’s a roundup of several great local blogs full of suggestions for spending the day exploring DC both before and after the holidays.
Indoorsy DC
- This local blog is a great source for indoor activities and events with the kids with posts on visiting Mount Vernon and the National Postal Museum and Badlands.
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 include The 2018 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season in DC, Where to Enjoy Live Entertainment with Kids this Winter, The 2018 KFDC Holiday Gift Guide
- The Great Indoors will help you entertain the kids when it’s too cold to play outside.
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.
- Looking to have your picture taken with Santa?
- Early sunsets mean there’s even more time to see the best holiday lights.
And last, but not least…
Capital City Au Pairs
- Life in DC is a comprehensive list of all of the many blogs, people, places, and activities that make living in DC so wonderful.
- DC Winter Lights will get you exploring DC at night.
- Want to entertain the kids at home? Don’t miss our monthly posts with calendar ideas and seasonal activities.
Celebrate Labor Day
This year, we will celebrate Labor Day on Monday, September 3rd. Labor Day Weekend is a new holiday for many au pairs. Here is a brief history of this American holiday (from Holiday Insights), ideas of ways to celebrate with your host children, and DC-area events.
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.
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/
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
*Please note that DC Public Library classes are for fun and do not count towards an au pair’s academic class requirement.
2018 Summer Day Camps
Does it seem like the days are getting longer, but the hours are getting shorter?
Too much to do and never enough time to do it all? Continue reading