When it is too hot or too cold or too rainy for the kids to play outside, here are some places to go and things  to do with kids in our cluster area. Aupairs should  check with their  host  families before taking the kids anywhere. Some of these locations charge:

Chinquapia Recreation Area at  3210 King St (near TC Williams High School) There is an indoor  pool, a playgroup/room for the under 5 crowd, and lots  of summer camps to choose from.

Gymboree at 318 South Pickett.

JWTumbles at 3223 Duke St #B (Giant Shopping Center on the second floor).

Mt Vernon Recreation Center Ice Skating at 2017 Belle View. Call for more information at 703-768-3224.

Beginning July 25- classic films will be shown on the National Mall, between 8th and 14th Streets,  beginning at dusk, around 8:30-9pm. Free!  Bring a blanket and enjoy. Films play except in extreme weather. For more information call 1-877-262-5866.

July 25-” In the Heat of the Night”; August 1-“One Flew Over the Cookoo’s Nest: August 8- “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”; August 15-“Cool Hand Luke”.

Take Metro to Archives/Navy Memorial, Smithsonian or L’Enfant Plaza Stations.

When it’s too hot  to take  the kids  outside, here are some things to do indoors:

String Painting- cut string into various lengths. Dip the string lengths into bowls of children’s paints and then let each fall onto a piece of paper ( allow a portion of the string to hang off of the paper).  Fold the paper in half, with string and paint on the inside; the pull the strin g out  while  the paper is held shut with one  hand.

Food Jewelry- string macaroni, Cheerios, noodles, or straws on string. You can make necklaces, bracelets, anklets or even belts.

Make Blueberry Cobbler:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 1/2 stick of butter into a 3 quart casserole baking dish. Mix 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder with 1 cup flour and 1 cup of milk. Pour this over the butter; do not mix. Pour 1 pint of blueberries(rinsed and drained)  on  top. Bake  at 350 degrees for one hour. Serve with or without ice cream!

The United States AirForce Band and especially “Airmen of Note” will be performing  American jazz at TC Williams High School on King St on Weds, July 20 at 8pm, and again on Weds, July 27 at 8pm this time in tribute  to American musician Stan Kenton.

On Weds evening, August 3, Bishop Ireton High School on Duke St. will be hosting the Concert Band and “Singing Sergeants” at 8pm. The subject of this concert will be “Childhood Memories”.

All concerts are free. For more information,  see www.usafbank.af.mil.

Outdoor Film Festival this weekend at Waterfront Park, Prince St. Beginning  at dusk, “Avatar” will be shown on  Friday,  July 15, and on Saturday at  dusk, “Mamma Mia’ will be shown. Bring blankets and/or lawn chairs. Food is available. Take  the King St Trolley downtown or call 703-746-DASH  for bus transportation  information.

On  Saturday, July 9 The Dalai Lama will be taking part in “A Talk About
World Peace” from 9:30am-1:30pm on the West Lawn of the Capital. Lawn seating only available. Gates open at 7am. Take Metro and use either the Union Station or Capital South stations.

Alexandria will be celebrating its birthday as well as the 235th birthday of the US  on Saturday,  July 9 at Oronoco Park along  the Waterfront from 4pm-10pm. There will be  all kinds of events  for kids  and aupairs  as well, culminating in a performance of the City’s symphony orchestra and fireworks!