School’s out Friday and the weekend is upon us! Fab ideas abound: From a Candyland Dance Party in Hyattsville to an African American STEAM Portrait Workshop in Laurel to Unshrink My Heart in Brentwood to a Teddy Bear’s Picnic in College Park…And that’s not all! Scroll down to “Adulting” section below to check out all of the great, local events going on for adults around our area. Lucky, lucky ducks!
And while you’re at it, get the scoop on the artist behind the beautiful piece above: Sean Hennessey is a fantastic, local artist who works primarily in glass with combinations of paint, video, concrete and light. He co-founded The Otis Street Arts Project, a small art center in Mt. Rainier, MD. I had a chance to check out his see his work during one of the Gateway Open Studios Tours and was really entranced with his work, especially his illuminated panels. Great detail, use of color and curious, intriguing images. You can check out Sean’s work here and here. Or you can go visit him and his work at Otis Street Arts Project. Enjoy and support our awesome local arts community!
FRIDAY
Toddler Time @ Art Works Now
Open studio time for toddlers and their accompanying adults. Join us as we make DIY stress balls: Under adult supervision toddlers will create stress balls by filling deflated balloons with various items with different textures (rice, flour, beans). Teacher will help decorate stress balls with sharpies.
When: 10am-12pm
Where: Art Works Now, 3711 Rhode Island Ave, Mt. Rainier
Cost: $9
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 fun video of a past collabo! Thirsty? Order the kid-friendly “Berry Nice.” 👍
When: 10 am
Where: The Waterhole, 4004 34th St., Mt. Rainier
Cost: Free (Heads-up: Waterhole’s menu is delish, highly recommend indulging!)
** Yes, we love The Waterhole in Mt. Rainier. And we wrote all about it!
Rollingcrest’s Indoor Splash Playground!
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Great for kids of all ages! Specialized water play area with slides and spray features, family pool with water slides and spray features, a vending area and shower /changing facilities with lockers (lockers are available but require you to bring your own lock). While parts of the facility are dated, kids always have a blast.
When: 12-8:45pm
Where: Rollingcrest Chillum Splash Pool, 6122 Sargent Road, Chillum
Admission: 2 & under are free! Ages 3-17: $5. Adults:$6
STEM-tastic!
Join us as we use Strawbees and books to explore the world of science and math. Fun, hands-on activities and good friends. Ages 5-12 years old.
When: 2-4pm
Where: Hyattsville Public Library,6530 Adelphi Rd, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
African-American STEAM: Portrait Workshop
Kids create portraits of famous African-Americans after learning about art concepts, the basic structure of the face, and viewing portraits by famous artists. Ages 5-12 years old. Registration is required. Limit 15.
When: 2-3pm
Where: Laurel Public Library, 507 7th Street, Laurel
Cost: Free!
Super Saver Ice Skating!
Huge indoor ice skating rink with a warming hut and a snack bar – what else do you need?!
When: 3:15-5:15pm (public session)
Where: Herbert Wells Ice Rink, 5211 Campus Drive, College Park
Cost: $4 (skate rental included)!
Open Gym at PG Sports & Learning Complex 
If you haven’t checked this place out yet with your energetic 1-12 year old(s), then let this be the day! This place is really great. HUGE. Two climbing walls. Two foam pits. Tons of equipment for curious ones to explore and blow off some steam. Very clean. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Parents are required to be on the floor with the children (Maximum 3 children to 1 adult). When: 4:30-5:30pm
Where: 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover
Cost: $7 per child.
SATURDAY
Black History Month Ready 2 Read Storytime
Join us for a special storytime featuring stories and songs by and about African Americans. Ages 0-5.
When: 10:30-11am
Where: Bladensburg Public Library, 4820 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg
Cost: Free!
DIY Valentine’s Day Kids Activity
Bring the kids for some fun Valentine’s Day art activities! Kids can create a keepsake to give to family or friends. We provide the activity and supplies. Space is limited so get there early.
When: 12-2pm
Where: Mall at Prince Georges, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
Campfires & Marshmallows!
Enjoy nature tales and roasted marshmallows. Bring hot dogs if you like. Patrons will be notified of weather-related cancellations. Register here. Ages 2-99!
When: 1-2pm
Where: Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Bladensburg
Cost: $5 per person.
Open Gym at PG Sports & Learning Complex
See above for description. Hours for Saturday noted below.
When: 1:30-2:30pm
Where: 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover
Cost: $7 per child.
Young People of the Civil Rights Movement
Smithsonian Discovery Theater introduces us to young heroes and calls us to join them in changing the world. Meet Ernest Green of the Little Rock Nine, the first student to graduate from an integrated high school; Claudette Colvin, the 15-year old who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus; and Ruby Bridges, who won equal rights before she could read. Moving archival musical recordings accent these scenes of struggle and hope. All ages.
When: 2pm
Where: Public Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd, Cheverly
Cost: $5/person
Unshrink My Heart
The DIY arts and crafts icon from the 80’s is back! And nothing says “love” like a hand-made pre-shrunk Valentine. Families are invited to create beautiful jewelry, key chains, and other Valentine’s Day gifts for their loved ones.
When: 2-4pm
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave, Brentwood
Cost: Free! (First 2 sheets of Shrinky Dinks free, 50 cents each additional.)
Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Celebrate a Valentine themed Teddy Bears’ picnic with your favorite stuffed animal. Stories, singing, making valentines, picnic and parade.
When: 3-4pm
Where: College Park United Methodist Church, 9601 Rhode Island Ave, College Park
Cost: Free!
Candyland Parent & Child Dance Party
Candyland-themed dance party! Kid-friendly music, dancing and fun! Refreshments and fun photos, too. Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the evening. Tickets are $5 per person. (Tip: We went to a similar-type parent-kiddo dance party last year at the Hyattsville Municipal Building & it was so much fun! Well done and well worth the money. Would rec for 1-6 y/o). Space limited; make reservations here.
When: 5-7pm
Where: Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin St.
Cost: $5
SUNDAY
Smaland at College Park’s Ikea
| Credit: Ikea |
Free, 1 hour, supervised, enclosed, safe & clean play area near the entrance. Enjoy some shopping or just relax/eat/peoplewatch at the restaurant upstairs while your young one(s) has a blast at Smaland. Children must be potty trained and be 37” to 54” tall (so children typically b/w ages of 3-6). Tips: (1) Best to arrive earlier on in the day as day progresses, so do the entrances lines; & (2) Join Ikea Family & kids get extra 30 minutes to play (depending on capacity) & you get free coffee!
When: 10:30am – 7pm
Where: 10100 Baltimore Avenue, College Park
Admission: Free!
Ice Skating Fundraiser for Hyattsville Elementary School 
Join students, parents, and community members of Hyattsville Elementary School (HES) for this Ice Skating fundraiser! All money from pre-sales and onsite concessions will help provide classroom supplies for creative learning activities. **For HES PTA to get a percentage of ticket sales, you MUST buy your tickets in advance here!
When: 2-4pm
Where: Herbert Wells Ice Skating Rink, College Park
Cost: $6 gets you entrance and skates rental!
FRIDAY
Chocolate Cities & Sacred Cows Exhibition Opening
Complimentary drinks and music by DJ underdog of Okayafrica.
When: 6-9pm
Where: Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center, 4519 Rhode Island Ave, North Brentwood
Cost: Free!
NextLOOK: Happenstance Theatre: Threshold
Using spatial dynamics,movement and physical theatre, text, live sound, theatrical clown and improvisational play, Threshold explores moments of transition, from the simplicity of entering and exiting a space, to the profound transition from innocence to experience.
When: 7-9pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mt. Rainier
Cost: Free ($15 suggested donation)
SATURDAY
Numi Yoga – Community Vinyasa
Free community vinyasa class at College Park’s hip, new yoga spot! Register now!
When: 2-3pm
Where: Numi Yoga, 4513 College Ave, College Park
Cost: Free! Sign up here.
Sip and Dip DIY Valentine Rosette Party
What does LOVE meant to you? For us it means DIY, cause we LOVE to create. Why not spend this Valentine’s evening hanging out with fellow crafters while we teach you how to make upcycled fabric rosette heart signs. Enjoy some wine, bring your BFF, your sweetie, your neighbor, your boss. The choice is yours but no matter what your will LOVE your handmade upcycled creation.
When: 7-9pm
Where: Tanglewood Works, 5132 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville
Cost: $45
** Check out our Tanglewood Works review
SUNDAY
Health & Wellness: Spread the Love!
Celebrate American Heart Month this February, and take part in a fun and healthy, heart-pumping exercise that will leave you feeling energized and refreshed! Ages 13+.
When: 9-10:30am
Where: Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Bladensburg Rd, Bladensburg
Cost: Free!
Art of the Airport Tower
Exhibition is composed of 50 large scale photographs by Smithsonian photographer Carolyn J. Russo and explores the forms and functions of the airport traffic control towers in the US and abroad. Through March 10th.
When: 10am-5pm
Where: College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park
Cost: $5 adults/ $2 children (2-17)
Sew with Your Sweetheart – Date Night Class
Looking for something unique to do for Valentine’s Day or Date Night? Bring your sweetheart — your spouse, partner, friend, or treat yo’ self — for a fun & unique sewing experience. Beginners and kids ages 13 & up are welcome. Each student will make a standard bed pillowcase. Supplies are not included. Please see the list below for required materials.
When: 1pm
Where: Three Little Birds Sewing Co.,Hyattsville
Cost: $35
Romance on the Silk Road
An intimate evening of ancient and contemporary dances of Love and Desire from cultures of the Silk Road. Persian, Tajik, Azeri, Uzbek, Uyghur, Georgian, Arabic and more! Guests can enjoy a delicious dessert bar and a live auction of Silk Road treasures.
When: 7-9pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mt. Rainier
Cost: $20 advance; $25 at door
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