Route 1 Kids Weekend Guide May 13-15

Travel to Bulgaria and other countries in Europe without even taking out your passport at this weekend’s EU Open House.

There’s so much to enjoy around Route One this weekend. Tots have not one but two storytime options this Friday morning, and College Park’s Friday Night Live concert series kicks off that evening with fun for the whole family. On Saturday, Route One families can stay close to home at the Mount Rainier Day Festival or travel around the world by visiting the EU Embassy open houses in D.C. And on Sunday, enjoy the outdoors with strawberry picking at Miller Farms or a pontoon boat tour at Bladensburg Waterfront Park.

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!

Puppet Friends in Storyland at Watkins Nature Center (ages 2-3)
Enjoy a nature story and craft with Randy Raccoon, Tammy Turtle and a park naturalist. Be sure to check out the Wizard of Oz themed playground or Old Maryland Farm while you’re there.
When: 10-10:45 am
Where: Watkins Nature Center, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $10 (register in advance)

Bladensburg Waterfront Park Pontoon Boat Tours (all ages)
Take a guided tour of the beautiful Anacostia River. You might spot turtles, herons, eagles and other wildlife on the trip. Call ahead to confirm availability – 301-779-0371. You can also rent kayaks, canoes, and bikes to explore on your own.
When: Friday 12 pm, Saturday and Sunday 3 pm
Where: Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Cost: $3/person

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. And, mark your calendar for other Friday Night Live events on June 10, July 15, August 12, and September 9.
When: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: 7401 Baltimore Avenue, College Park
Cost: FREE!

King Lear by Maryland Shakespeare Players (ages 12+)
The Maryland Shakespeare Players Spring presents King Lear this weekend. This tragedy is too dark for the little ones, but teens and adults will enjoy pondering themes of justice, power, and truth in this story of a king who loses it all. The play is free, but seats are on a first-come first-serve basis. The Maryland Shakespeare Players is a fully student-run club dedicated to bringing Shakespeare to the University of Maryland, College Park community.
When: Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm
Where: The Clarice at University of Maryland
Cost: FREE!

SATURDAY

Watkins Youth Birding Club (ages 10-17)
Young wildlife enthusiasts who enjoy hiking and the outdoors can join the Watkins Youth Birding Club, where a naturalist will teach them skills like using binoculars and scope, recognizing and identifying birds, and starting a ”Life List.” Bring binoculars if you have them, and meet in front of the Nature Center.
When: 8 to 10 am
Where: Watkins Nature Center
Cost: FREE! (register in advance)

Mount Rainier Day Festival (all ages)
Check out downtown Mount Rainier at this family festival featuring a parade, music and entertainment, vendors, and activities for the kids.
When: 10 am for the parade
Where: Kaywood Theater, Varnum Street, Mount Rainier
Cost: FREE!

A Mother’s Love 5K (all ages)
Community Youth Advance provides youth development and academic enrichment programs for Prince George’s County kids, and their family 5K Walk/Run and Yoga Lesson this weekend will help support those programs.
When: 8 am to 12 pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $30/adult and $5/ages 5-17

Spring Harvest (ages 2+)
Wondering how to use those spring fruits and veggies? Stop by the Get Fit Mobile unit for new recipes to enjoy and fun activities to try. Learn to plant fresh vegetables and get some free planting supplies to start your own garden.
When: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: Ellen E. Linson Splash Park, College Park
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!

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!

EU Open House Day (all ages)
Celebrate Europe Day with the European embassies in D.C. The embassies will open their doors so that Americans can catch a glimpse of the cultures that make up the European Union. Enjoy a freshly baked Belgian waffle or some Italian pizza and coffee, sip wine from Bulgaria and Croatia, or dance to the music at the embassies of the Netherlands and Romania. You don’t even need a passport to experience a bit of Europe near Route One!
When: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Various European embassies in downtown D.C.
Cost: FREE!

SUNDAY

Strawberry Picking at Miller Farms (all ages)
Get down and dirty at Miller Farms in Clinton, where you can walk the rows and pick your own ripe, juicy strawberries. Strawberry picking is easy and fun for kids, and when you’re done, you can reward your hard work with a donut from their bakery or some flowers from the greenhouse. If you’re not sure what to do with all the fresh, local strawberries you bring home, try the yummiest strawberry shortcake recipe from my favorite baking blog, Sally’s Baking Addiction.
When: Friday 8 am to 2 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 5 pm
Where: Miller Farms, Clinton
Cost: $3.99 a pound (picking containers provided)

Blossoms of Guyana Charity Bike Ride and 5K Walk (all ages)
Join Blossoms of Guyana for their first annual charity Bike Ride and 5K Walk. Money raised will benefit education in the country of Guyana. Choose from a 5-mile or 10-mile bike ride or a 5K walk through the scenic park. Water and refreshments will be provided at the end of the event.
When: Registration begins at 8 am and the first event begins at 9 am
Where: Indian Creek Trail starting at Wells Ice Rink, College Park

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 101 Dalmatians (1996). 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!