Kids' Weekend Guide: December 1st-3rd

Get Yr Gingerbread House Workshop on this weekend!

This weekend’s lineup includes magical Tree Lightings along Route One, a Santa Fly-in, Gingerbread House Workshop, Festival of Lights, Sensory Santa and more! Check it out here!

And…Thank YOU so much for reading & supporting Route One Fun! I’m super-duper thrilled to share that I just hit my goal of reaching 1,000 Facebook followers before the end of the year; a whole month ahead of time! Thank you all so much for helping to spread the good word about Route One Fun! 😊 👏 😊 👏 😊

FRIDAY

Storytime PopUp! @ The Waterhole
Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays and more at this innovation collaboration between PGCMLS & Mt. Rainier’s fabulous organic juice & smoothie joint, The Waterhole. Best for 0-5 years old. Curious? Click here for my review of The Waterhole!
When: 10am
Where: The Waterhole, 4004 34th St., Mt. Rainier
Cost: Free (Heads-up: Waterhole’s menu is delish, highly recommend indulging!)

Rockin’ to Rhythm

Calling all Preschoolers and Toddlers! Bust a move and shake your sillies out at the Rockin’ 2 Rhythm Storytime!

When: 10:30am

Where: Laurel Library, Laurel

Cost: Free!

Holiday Tree Lighting
Join friends & neighbors for this holiday tree lighting! Program will include holiday music and a visit from Santa. Refreshments will be served.
When: 7pm
Where: Magruder Park Recreation Center, 3911 Hamilton Street, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!

Holiday Tree Lighting – Greenbelt
Holiday lights will adorn the tree in the traditional spirit of the Festival of Lights season. A musical performance by the Greenbelt Concert Band Brass Choir will herald Santa’s grand entrance to help light the tree. Complimentary cookies and hot chocolate will be provided by the Recreation Department. Immediately following the tree lighting, please come inside the Old Greenbelt Theatre and enjoy “How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966).
When: December 1st, 7 pm
Where: Roosevelt Center, Greenbelt
Cost: Free!

Sensory Santa, PGCPS Sings & Holiday Fun at MPG!

SATURDAY

Breakfast & Lunch with Santa – Hyattsville
You are cordially invited to have breakfast or lunch with Santa! Santa photos available for $3.00. Reservations are required. To do so, click here.
When: 9 am for breakfast / noon for lunch
Where: City Municipal Bldg, 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville
Cost: $5 p/p for lunch or dinner; children 2 & under are free!

Gingerbread House Workshop
Hands-on workshop where you and your child can put together a wooden gingerbread house that will last year after year. No frosting required! Once the gingerbread house is built, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. Tips: Register (behind link) & arrive at beginning, i.e. near 9am as supplies do run out. Also, this workshop involves lots of hammering (read: loud) so sensitive ears prepare!
When: 9am-12pm
Where: Local Home Depot, including Hyattsville & College Park
Admission: Free!

Toddler Time @ Art Works Now
Open studio time for toddlers and their accompanying adults. Even the youngest children can explore a variety of age-appropriate art materials in a safe, fun environment. What to expect? Read my review of Toddler Time at Art Works Now.
When: 10am-12pm
Where: Art Works Now, 4800 Rhode Island Ave, Hyattsville
Cost: $5

Page 115: Playing with Words (Ages 5-12)

Dive into the world of books and movement! Join us for a Greenbelt-based workshop series designed to engage participants of all ages with literature, dance, and innovative storytelling!

When: 10:30-11:30am

Where: Greenbelt Library, Greenbelt

Cost: Free!

Santa Fly-In

Watch Santa fly into the College Park Airport in a helicopter and have your picture taken. Holiday arts and crafts throughout the museum.
When: 12 – 4 pm
Where: College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl Frank Scott Drive, College Park

Cost: $5 (includes museum admission)

Watkins Festival of Lights
This spectacular holiday drive-through event features over one million twinkling lights, wonderful themed displays, & one of the tallest tree displays in the state! Don’t forget to bring canned goods/non-perishable items for donation to local food banks. Cash only.
When: 5-9:30pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $10/car

University Park Tree Lighting
Come join the community for the annual University Park Tree Lighting!!
When: 6-7pm
Where: University Park (Town tree – intersection of Queens Chapel & Sheridan Street)
Cost: Free!

Need weekday plans? Check out Route One Fun’s Weekday Activities Guide!

SUNDAY

Santa Cares – Sensory Santa
Santa Cares is a sensory-friendly opportunity for children with all spectrums of special needs to enjoy the time-honored tradition of the Santa Photo Experience with their family in a calming environment prior to public hours. RSVP (behind link) in advance by reserving one ticket per group. Photo packages are available for purchase during the event.When: 10-11:30am
Where: Mall at Prince George’s, 3500 East West Highway, Hyattsville
Cost: Free to visit (pictures additional)

Model Rocket Launches
Like to build model rockets, but don’t have a launch pad? Now you do! Anyone can bring a model to fly at the Goddard Visitor Center rocket launches; there are no costs or fees to participate. Rockets, motors and supplies are available for purchase at the nearby Goddard Gift Shop (and many hobby shops or toy stores) and you can even get rocket construction and launch tips from our on-site experts on launch day!
When: 1 pm
Where: NASA Goddard Visitor Center, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt
Admission: Free!

ICYMI – Have you seen these posts? Check ’em out!

Always call or check the event website before heading out;

Event information is subject to change or weather cancellation.