Route 1 Kids Weekend Guide June 10-12

Consider joining the March for Our Lives in DC this weekend to call for gun laws to prevent more tragedies like the shooting in Uvalde.

I’m a teacher. When the Sandy Hook massacre happened in 2012, I cleared out a storage closet in my classroom and tried to calculate how many of my 10th graders could fit inside. I thought that surely that horrific day would lead to meaningful changes to our gun laws to prevent future tragedies. I was wrong.

When the Majorie Stoneman Douglas shooting happened in 2018, I sat through an active shooter training in which teachers were advised to bring items from home, such as hammers and crowbars, to keep in our classrooms and to use as weapons if needed. I thought that things would finally change. I was wrong again.

And here we are again. When the Uvalde shooting happened, I wondered what to say to my first grader as I sent him off to school. Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children in our country, deaths that are entirely preventable. How do we prepare our children to live in a world in which schools are unsafe and our politicians are unwilling to take action to protect them?

You came here for a fun weekend guide, and there is definitely plenty of fun to be had around Route One this weekend. There is live music, yoga in the park, and celebrations of Pride Month all around. But I hope in the midst of that fun, you’ll consider taking action to end gun violence in our country. On Friday, you can join Tired Parents to make posters, and on Saturday, you can head to DC for the March for Our Lives. Let’s make our voices heard to finally stop these tragedies.

FRIDAY

Hyattsville Library Ready 2 Read Storytime (ages 3-5)
Bring your preschooler and enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and more at the new Hyattsville Library. The story time will be held outdoors, but be sure to stop inside to see the new space while you’re there.
When: 10:30-11 am
Where: Hyattsville Library
Cost: FREE!

Mormon Temple Open House (all ages)
The Mormon Temple, which always reminds me of the Disney castle at the start of the movies, is open to the public for the first time in 50 years. During the open house, people of all ages, faiths, and no faith are welcome to take a tour of this beautiful and iconic building.
When: Limited tickets available 8:30 am to 9 pm
Where: Mormon Temple, Kensington
Cost: FREE! (register in advance)

Bear Square Summer Concert Series – Lenny Burridge (all ages)
The splash pad at Bear Square is officially on and ready for splashing, and Friday is the perfect time to cool off while listening to some live music. Lenny Burridge will entertain the crowd with his medley of rock, folk, jazz, country and blues.
When: 5 pm
Where: Bear Square, Riverdale Park
Cost: FREE!

March for Our Lives Poster Making (all ages)
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, outraged and heartbroken about the state of gun violence in this country, Tired Parents invites you to channel those feelings into action by making posters at Art Works Now. The posters can be taken to the March for Our Lives on Saturday, or displayed in your windows.
When: 6-7:30 pm
Where: Art Works Now, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE!

Friday Night Live in College Park (all ages)
The City of College Park is hosting a series of concerts this summer and you are invited! Stop by the plaza at the new City Hall building for live music, food, beer, and entertainment. Kids can enjoy children’s performers, activities and arts and crafts. Parking will be free at the Downtown College Park parking garage at the corner of Yale and Knox. Local food and beer will be available for purchase. This week’s theme is College Park PRIDE. And, mark your calendar for other Friday Night Live events on July 15, August 12, and September 9.
When: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: 7401 Baltimore Avenue, College Park
Cost: FREE!

Seán Heely and Beth Patterson at Maryland Meadworks (all ages)
Seán Heely and Beth Patterson bring a high-energy repertoire to the table, largely consisting of Scottish and Irish tunes and songs. Join them for a glass of mead this Friday. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
When: 7-10 pm
Where: Maryland Meadworks
Cost: FREE! (tipping encouraged)

SATURDAY

Watkins Youth Birding Club (ages 10-17)
Calling all young wildlife enthusiasts who enjoy hiking and the outdoors to join the Watkins Youth Birding Club. Led by a Naturalist you will learn skills like using binoculars and scope, learn how to recognize and identify birds and start a ”Life List”. Bring binoculars if you have them.  This program will meet in front of the Nature Center and take place outdoors.  Please dress appropriately for the weather.
When: 8 to 10 am
Where: Watkins Nature Center
Cost: FREE! (register in advance)

Hollywood Farmer’s Market (all ages)
You’ll find a great variety of farm-fresh veggies, fruits, meats, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, hot foods, honey, coffee, and plants, plus live music every Saturday. The market happens rain or shine in the parking lot of MOM’s in College Park.
When: 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Hollywood Shopping Plaza, near MOM’s
Cost: FREE!

Yoga in the Parks at Lake Artemesia (ages 13+)
Yoga in the Parks is a FREE yoga program where classes take place in the beautiful outdoors. Enjoy the peace and serenity of a yoga class in one of our many scenic parks! Classes are scheduled for one hour and are designed for all fitness levels. Yoga is an excellent form of exercise regardless of your age or practice level. It combines body movement, breathing, and mental relaxation while relieving stress. Learn basic moves to strengthen your body and increase your flexibility.
When: 9:15-10:15 am
Where: Lake Artemesia, Berwyn Heights
Cost: FREE! (register in advance) 

Live Jazz at Vigilante (all ages)
Stop by Vigilante in Hyattsville for a mid-day coffee and jazz on your way to or from the other great events around Route One. While you’re there, grab some Tin Lizzie coffee to take come (my favorite).
When: 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Vigilante Coffee, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE!

Story Strolls at Montpelier (ages 2-5)
Families follow a path of pages as they read stories that foster confidence, encourage self-care, and make teamwork fun. This month, the story will be Call Me Tree/Llamame Arbol, written and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzales.  This brightly illustrated book encourages children to grow from the inside out, like a tree, and become comfortable with themselves, their relationships, and the natural world.
When: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Montpelier House Museum, Laurel
Cost: FREE!

Hyattsville Library Spanish-English Ready 2 Read Storytime (ages 3-5)
Bring the tots for stories, fingerplays, and songs in Spanish and English for ages 3-5.
When: 12:30-1 pm
Where: Hyattsville Library
Cost: FREE!

March for Our Lives DC (all ages)
The first March for Our Lives was organized in the wake of the mass shooting at Majorie Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Tragically, in the four years since, our country has seen continued mass shootings. Join the movement to end gun violence this weekend in downtown DC. Groups from Hyattsville and surrounding communities organized by Tired Parents will be meeting at the West Hyattsville Metro Station to travel to the March together. Email tiredparentshville@gmail.com to connect with the group. While the March is for all ages, it may be best suited for tweens, teens, and adults as it will likely be crowded and loud.
When: 12 pm to 2 pm
Where: Washington Monument, 2 15TH St NW DC
Cost: FREE!

Capital Pride Parade (all ages)
Join the LGBTQ+ community for the return of the historic Capital Pride Parade. A modified parade route will honor the history and evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC. Be prepared to experience one of the largest Pride Parades to ever take place in the United States Capital. The celebration begins with a block party with food trucks and music beginning at noon at 17th Street between P and Church Streets, followed by the parade starting at 3 pm. A family-friendly zone will be set up at Stead Field (1625 P St NW). The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System will be participating in the parade.
When: 12 pm for the block party and 3 pm for the parade
Where: Stead Field, 1625 P St NW
Cost: FREE!

Mormon Temple Open House (all ages)
The Mormon Temple, which always reminds me of the Disney castle at the start of the movies, is open to the public for the first time in 50 years. During the open house, people of all ages, faiths, and no faith are welcome to take a tour of this beautiful and iconic building.
When: Limited tickets available 8:30 am to 9 pm
Where: Mormon Temple, Kensington
Cost: FREE! (register in advance) 

SUNDAY

Greenbelt Farmer’s Market (all ages)
The Greenbelt Farmers Market is brings a fantastic mix of local vendors to Roosevelt Center in Old Greenbelt, including produce, pasture-raised meats, sustainable seafood, soaps, ice cream, breads and baked goods, mushrooms, flowers, bedding plants, vegetable and herb plant starts, honey, coffee, wine, beer, baked desserts, and prepared entrees and sides, both frozen and hot.
When: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Roosevelt Center, Old Greenbelt
Cost: FREE!

Spirit of Summer: Be Steadwell (all ages)
Joe’s Movement Emporium begins their Spirit of Summer Series with Be Steadwell, a queer pop singalong event.
When: 6-7:30 pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, Mt. Rainier
Cost: Pay what you wish

Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor (all ages)
Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the restaurants at National Harbor, and meet at The Plaza’s big screen for a free screening of Hotel Transylvania 3. National Harbor will be featuring family movies every Sunday for the rest of the spring and summer, plus date night movies for grown-ups on Thursdays.
When: 6 pm
Where: The Plaza at National Harbor
Cost: FREE!