Route 1 Kids Weekend Guide May 6-8

Support University Park Elementary School, get some exercise, and check out the blossoms at this weekend’s Azalea Classic Race.

Here’s a tip: what Route One moms really want for Mother’s Day is some time to themselves. Luckily, Route One Fun has all the dads and other parenting partners covered with a full schedule of activities to keep the kids busy while mom relaxes. On Friday, grab some last minute Mother’s Day gifts at Flower Mart or sing songs by the campfire at Watkins Regional Park. On Saturday, get everyone tired out at the Azalea Classic or on a wetlands bike tour at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, then grab some lunch at a festival in Greenbelt, Bowie, or Laurel. And on Sunday, make mom a fairy garden or take in a movie with her under the stars at National Harbor. (Moms, go ahead and forward this post straight onto whomever is handling the plans for this weekend while you take a much-deserved break!)

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!

Washington National Cathedral Flower Mart (all ages)
Flower Mart is the annual fundraiser for the Cathedral’s gardens and grounds. Grab some spring plants for your garden or do some last-minute Mother’s Day shopping at over 65 boutique booths. The kids will love riding on the antique carousel, which dates from around 1890. There will also be live entertainment, food, and a children’s area with games and carnival rides.
When: Friday 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Washington National Cathedral, NW DC
Cost: FREE!

First Friday Campfire at Watkins Nature Center (ages 2+)
Enjoy nature tales and roasted marshmallows over a community campfire! Bring hot dogs if you like. Start new friendships and make family memories.
When: 7-8:30 pm
Where: Watkins Nature Center, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $4 per person (register in advance)

“Love You, Mom” at RollingCrest-Chillum (ages 10-17)
Teens aren’t always great about expressing their love for their mothers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. Gently nudge them toward this event so they can create a special gift for the mama in their life for Mother’s Day.
When: 7-10 pm
Where: RollingCrest-Chillum Community Center
Cost: FREE!

Rise and Fly Soccer (ages 10-17)
Teens and tweens can enjoy a game of 4-on-4 outdoor soccer under the stars (and parking lot lights)! Losers sit out, winners will play again.
When: 7-10 pm
Where: Langley Park Community Center
Cost: FREE!

May Jam Session with Ellington Carthan Trio at Brentwood Arts Exchange (all ages)
The Brentwood Arts Exchange House Band presents their monthly Jazz and Pop Jam Session. Join as a listener or drop in to play with the band!
When: 7-9 pm
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange
Cost: $10 (drop-in musicians are free)

SATURDAY

University Park Elementary Azalea Classic (all ages)
The Azalea Classic encompasses three events: a 5K race, a 1 Mile race and a 1K race, all run on the beautiful streets of University Park. The funds raised will benefit the elementary school PTA, which will use the money to support students and teachers at this local school. Get some exercise with the family while supporting local kids and taking in some pretty spring scenery. As a bonus, all participants will get a race t-shirt to commemorate the event.
When: 8-11 am
Where: University Park Elementary School
Cost: $15-30 (register in advance)

Farmer for a Day (ages 7+)
Try your hand at being a farmer! Help the farm staff with feeding and chores around the farm. Get an up-close experience with the animals and discover what it is like to work on a farm.
When: 9-11 am
Where: Old Maryland Farm at Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $8 (register in advance)

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!

Laurel Main Street Festival (all ages)
Enjoy a day in lovely downtown Laurel. This festival features vendors, arts and crafts, food, kids activities, and two band stages on the quaint Main Street of a historic Route One town.
When: 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Main Street, Laurel
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!

Queen Bee Tea at Montpelier (all ages)
Take a special woman – your Queen Bee – to tea! Your fee includes finger sandwiches, pastries, scones and your choice of quality loose leaf tea. Choose from two seatings, 11 am and 2 pm. For more information or to register, call 301-377-7817.
When: 11 am and 2 pm
Where: Montpelier House Museum
Cost: $27 (register in advance)

The Power of She Symposium (ages 12+)
Mental health challenges among girls and young women are real and widespread. This summit will empower, engage, and encourage teen girls while giving parents tools to embrace and understand their daughters as they embark on their adolescent journeys. Teen girls can participate in workshops about makeup and beauty, hair, and dating, while parents can attend workshops on mental health challenges for teen girls and keeping teens safe on the internet. A light lunch will be provided along with lunchtime STEAM activities.
When: 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Kentland Community Center, Landover
Cost: $5 (register in advance)

Visit the Dinosaur Park in Laurel (all ages)
Dinosaur Park is a 41-acre park in Laurel featuring a rare deposit of fossils from the Cretaceous Period. On the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, budding archaeologists of all ages are invited to join paleontologists and volunteers on-site to interpret fossil deposits.
When: 12 to 4 pm
Where: Laurel Dinosaur Park
Cost: FREE!

Black Aviators Tour (ages 12+)
This tour highlights just some of history’s Black Aviators, from the legendary Eugene Bullard to local aviator Gus McLeod, and their impacts on aviation. We will also dig deeper into the story of nearby Columbia Air Center, which was the first licensed airfield owned and operated by black aviators in the country. The tour last about 45 minutes.
When: 1-2 pm
Where: College Park Aviation Museum
Cost: Free with museum admission

Guided Archeology Walk at Mount Calvert Museum (ages 8+)
Join archaeologists to walk the grounds of Mount Calvert and learn about the countless people who have lived here for more than 10,000 years. Excavations have revealed traces of ancient native villages, a colonial port town, and an antebellum plantation built using enslaved labor. The 1.5 mile path is over level terrain and is appropriate for most fitness levels.
When: 1-2:30 pm
Where: Mount Calvert Museum, Upper Marlboro
Cost: FREE!

Wetland Bike Tour (ages 8+)
Enjoy a guided bicycle tour down the Anacostia River Trail. Stop at various points to learn about the amazing wetland habitats that surround the river. Registration includes free bike and helmet use, or feel free to bring your own! Registration required.
When: 1-3 pm
Where: Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Cost: FREE! (register in advance)

Greenbelt Green Man Festival (all ages)
Check out this fun and funky festival celebrating the natural world. Join the open drum circle, listen to live music, create a fairy garden to take home, make a mosaic, or learn about worm composting. There will also be vendors and food to enjoy.
When: Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
When: Roosevelt Center, Greenbelt
Cost: FREE!

LemonFest in Bowie (all ages)
When life gives you lemons, pucker up and head out to the Lemon Festival, where everything lemony is celebrated. Celebrate spring with live music, art exhibits, vendors, food, and more in downtown Bowie.
When: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Bowie Town Center
Cost: FREE!

SUNDAY

Mother’s Day Brunch at Maryland Meadworks (all ages)
Bring your favorite moms for brunch at this Hyattsville mead house. Shortcake Bakery is cooking up some delicious quiches, patties, turkey and smoked gouda croissant sandwiches, plus linzer cookies and other sweets for desert and meadmosas to drink. Plenty of indoor seating is available if it is a little chilly.
When: 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Maryland Mead Works, Hyattsville

Black Aviators Tour (ages 12+)
This tour highlights some of history’s Black Aviators, from the legendary Eugene Bullard to local aviator Gus McLeod, and their impacts on aviation. We will also dig deeper into the story of nearby Columbia Air Center, which was the first licensed airfield owned and operated by black aviators in the country. The tour last about 45 minutes to an hour.
When: 1-2 pm
Where: College Park Aviation Museum
Cost: Free with museum admission

Mother’s Day Tour of Riversdale House (all ages)
Celebrate mom, grandma, or another special lady with a free tour of this beautiful historic home. You’ll hear about some of the mothers who lived and labored at Riversdale, take a stroll through the garden, and stop in the open hearth kitchen where Kitchen Guild members will be preparing Mother’s Day specialties.
When: 12 pm, 1:30 pm, or 3 pm
Where: Riversdale House, Riverdale
Cost: Free with paid admission

Lacrosse 101 (ages 5-14)
Did you know lacrosse is the official team sport of the state of Maryland? Your beginner and intermediate level players can learn the basics including stick skills and offensive and defensive positioning. Athletic wear and tennis shoes are required. A limited amount of lacrosse helmets and sticks are available to borrow, but you can bring your own.
When: 2-3 pm
Where: Woodmore Town Center Park, Lanham
Cost: FREE! (register in advance)

Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor (all ages)
Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious restaurants at National Harbor, and meet at The Plaza’s big screen for a free screening of Babe. 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!

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As always, please call ahead to confirm the event’s status before heading out, especially when inclement weather is in the forecast!