The Playful Parent was created in 2016 as a blog to share the joys and craziness of parenting. The founder of The Playful Parent is a full time domestic energizer and has a Bachelors from Marymount University and a Masters in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.
BOTANICAL GARDENS HOLIDAY DISPLAY
Date: November 24, 2021– January 2, 2022 *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: US Botanical Garden- Washington, DC
Price: FREE
Information: The United States Botanic Garden will feature an outdoor holiday display in 2021. Festive adornments, winterberries, lighted trees and shrubs, and conifers and greenery on display. Don’t miss the popular train display!
B&O RAILROAD HOLIDAY TRAIN RIDES
Date: November 19, 2021– December 31, 2021 *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: B&O Railroad in Baltimore, MD
Price: $ Price Depends on adventure
Information: Nothing is more magical than a holiday train ride. Weather you take an adventure on the Polar Express or visit during the Holiday train display you are sure have a memorable time.
MAJESTIC LAND SCHEDULE
Date/Time:
Location: St. Charles Towne Center- Waldorf, MD (Lower Level)
Details: Visit the kingdom of family fun. Majesticland is a safe, fun, and a uniquely different one-stop-shop of family entertainment that offers a world of new excitement and creates memories to last a lifetime. Geared towards children 12-years-old and under, our family entertainment center offers a variety of entertainment activities that will have your little ones never wanting to leave! Featuring indoor play area for young kids and arcade type games for older kids.
ST CLEMENETS CHRISTMAS DOLLS AND TRAINS EXHIBIT
Date: December 1, 2021– January 3, 2022 (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: St. Clements Island Museum, 38370 Point Breeze Road, Coltons Point, MD
Price: $3 Adults/ $1.50 Children 6 – 18, FREE Children 5 and under.
Information: Exhibits will feature special doll collections from the Black-eyed Susan and Southern Maryland Doll Clubs. Dolls will be arranged to depict Christmas scenes and vignettes of Chesapeake coastal living in the early 20th century.
CHARLES COUNTY INDOOR POOL SCHEDULE
Dates/Time: Open Swim Hours:
Details: Both the Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center, North Point and Lackey Indoor Pool are currently open to the public with open swim hours. Visit http://bit.ly/3ptgLVa for more information and to plan your visit today!
The Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center and Lackey Indoor Pool are currently open with the following policies in place:
SIX FLAGS HOLIDAY IN THE PARK
Date: November 20, 2021- January 2, 2022
Place: 13710 Central Ave, Upper Marlboro, MD
Price: Park Admission
Information: This dazzling, winter spectacular will make your holiday shine with more than a million glittering lights, holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, visits with Santa and theme park rides! PLAYFUL PARENT GUIDE
Date: December 1-31, 2021
Time: During library hours
Location : CCPL Waldorf West Branch
Details: Winter Wreath Take and Make craft.
Registration: Required
Cost: FREE
INDOOR MINIATURE GOLF SCHEDULE
Hours:
Location: Scary Strokes- Technology Dr. Waldorf, MD
Details: Our center provides entertainment at affordable prices for the entire family. Play a round of indoor miniature golf under our blacklights and immerse yourself in an experience unlike you’ve never played before. Lots of fun arcade games available as well.
MOVIE ON THE POTOMAC
Date: Sundays
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: National Harbor Lawn
Details: Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet on the Plaza’s big screen for a *FREE* evening of fun for all ages!
HOLIDAY MOVIES
SUNDAYS, 2 — 4PM
November 14: The Muppet Christmas Carol
November 21: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
November 28: A Christmas Story*
December 5: The Year Without a Santa Claus*
December 12: Elf*
December 19: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation*
December 26: Polar Express*
January 2: It’s a Wonderful Life
* Are part of Gaylord National’s I Love Christmas Movies™ Experience
FAMILY SKATE – ST MARYS
Date: Sunday’s
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Leonard Hall Recreation Center
Details: Come join us for Family Skate at Leonard Hall Recreation Center on Sunday’s from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Click on the calendar icon below and select the day(s) you wish to attend on the calendar. Fees: $5.00 – Admission; $2.50 – Skate Rental. Fees are per person, please select your fees after adding to cart. If you are renting skates, you will need to check the box next to Skate Rental on the fee screen. Family Skate is currently available to St. Mary’s County residents only. Face masks are required to be worn throughout the facility and while engaging in skating on the arena floor.
ELF THE MUSICAL
Dates : Nov 12-Dec 12
Time: 3:30 & 8:00 PM
Details:Its finally here!!! Elf is the holiday musical event that the whole family can enjoy.
Tickets can be purchased on our website at:
https://www.simpletix.com/e/elf-the-musical-tickets-76293
For our evening performances we recommend arriving to the theater around 7, and around 2:30 for matinee performances.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NTP will be following CDC and Maryland Department of Health (MDH) guidance for performances. for further info on our current covid safety protocols please go to the main page of our website at:
not-shows.org
ANNMARIE GARDENS IN LIGHTS
Date: November 26, 2021– January 1, 2022 (5-9 PM ) *closed Nov 29 & 30 and Dec 6, 7, 24, 25*
Place: Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Solomons
Price: ADVANCE TIMED-ENTRY TICKETS REQUIRED for everyone! Annmarie Members: FREE (must reserve tickets); Non-members: $10/12 (depending on night); Ages 2 & under: FREE; SNAP card holders, call 410-326-4640 to reserve your reduced price tickets
Information: Walk through the wooded path and enjoy lighted vignettes of famous people, places and works of art. Look for hidden treasures in the trees and green shamrocks in each vignette.
ENCHANT DC
Date: November 26, 2021 – January 2, 2022 (5PM – 9PM) *Closed Christmas*
Place: National Park – Washington, DC
Price: Admission $
Information: Unwrap new traditions and make memories big and small as you wind your way through a luminescent land of beautiful arches, larger-than-life sculptures and decadent delights. Welcome to Enchant. Where magical memories are made.
WINTERFEST- KINGS DOMINION
Date: November 20, 2021- January 9, 2022
Place: 13710 Central Ave, Upper Marlboro, MD
Price: Park Admission
Information: This dazzling, winter spectacular will make your holiday shine with more than a million glittering lights, holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, visits with Santa and theme park rides! PLAYFUL PARENT GUIDE
MONTPELIER FARMS- CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM
Date: November 26, 2021 – December 19, 2021 (Weekend Only)
Place: Montpelier Farms- 1720 Crain Hwy. Upper Marlboro, MD
Price: $8 per person
Information: Glide through the woods and cornfields on a peaceful Wagon Ride while enjoying our delightful trimmings, lights and holiday decorations (unlimited rides)! A blazing bonfire is available all evening to roast s’mores and to warm your tootsies & footsies! Receive one FREE steaming cup of hot chocolate, coffee or hot apple cider, as well as a complimentary candy cane for everyone! Enjoy a different Holiday Movie Screening each night. Ho, Ho, Ho! Bring your cameras for FREE pictures with “Santa”!
BROOKESIDE GARDENS GARDEN OF LIGHTS
Date: November 19, 2021– January 2, 2022 *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, Maryland
Price: $10 per person/ Ages 3 and under FREE
Information: Walk thru this beautiful display of holiday lights that features more than a million colorful lights. Following your walk among the lights, warm up inside the Conservatory and enjoy a colorful display of holiday poinsettias, flowering plants and evergreens.
SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS
Date: November 25, 2021- January 2, 2022
Place: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD
Price: The price is $20 per vehicle, except for walk-thru nights
Information: The Symphony of Lights has been a time-honored Howard County holiday tradition enjoyed by many for over 25 years. Set in historic Merriweather Post Pavilion and made up of more than 300,000 bulbs, this family-oriented spectacular is a dazzling display of larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations. With the addition of new lights (and a 150 foot screen!), your time through our refreshed course guarantees a night to remember.
WINTER FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT WATKINS REGIONAL PARK
Date: November 26, 2021- January 2, 2022
Place: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Price: $8 Per Car Advanced Purchase/$10 Per Car On-site (Free admission November 29 & December 25 in appreciation to the residents of Prince George’s County for their year-round support of the Department of Parks and Recreation programs! Make a difference this season! Please bring canned goods for donation to local Food Banks.)
Information: Join in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Watkins Park’s Winter Festival of Lights by driving thru a spectacular holiday display of more than one million lights and one of the tallest tree displays in Maryland. Participants are encouraged to bring a canned or nonperishable good to be donated to a local food bank.
HUGHESVILLE- SCHEDULE LINK
The volunteers at Hughesville Fire and EMS are gearing up for the holiday season and are excited to announce the upcoming Santa Run schedule. Santa can’t wait to see everyone in our community! November 26, 2021- December 2, 2021.
LIGHTS ON THE BAY
Date: November 24, 2021– January 1, 2022 (5pm – 10pm) *Including holidays*
Place: Sandy Point State Park
Price: $20 Per Car
Information: Head to Sandy Point State Park from November 24th to January 1st. Not only will you see Christmas lights, but 3D glasses are available for purchase to make your experience even more amazing.
SANTA RUN SCHEDULE – MECHANICSVILLE VFD
Dates: December 2-17, 2021
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Your home
Details: The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad will be bringing Santa Claus into your Neighborhood through the dates of December 2 to December 17. Santa will be riding on a big red firetruck sleigh! An Ambulance will occasionally lead, playing Christmas songs on their PA system. Santa Runs will begin between 5:30 – 6:30 PM and may last up until 9:00 PM. Their crews will cover the streets listed on their site.
FESTIVE FIREWORKS
Date: Saturday’s November 13 – December 18, 2021
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: National Harbor
Details: Visit National Harbor for a spectacular fireworks display every Saturday night Nov-Dec 18th.
BULL RUN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Date: November 11, 2021 to January 2, 2022 *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121
Price: $30-$40 Depending on what night you go. Take advantage of the discount for purchasing online. For more savings take advantage of our Early Bird savings by using promo code EARLY21 on November 11-19 for an additional $10 off. Use promo code LIGHT21 for an additional $5 off Monday-Thursday on November 22-December 16 and December 27-30
Information: Every year from Thanksgiving until just after New Year’s Day, you can experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car; turn out your headlights and just follow the magical glow. After viewing the lights, bring your family and friends to the holiday village to enjoy rides, refreshments, and of course, photos with Santa Claus (holiday village open select nights). The festival happens annually at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Virginia. Monday – Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday – Sunday and Holidays 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Holidays include November 23, December 24, 25, 31, and January 1).
Date: November 26, 2021- December 19, 2021
Times: Sunday Matinee 3:00 PM/Friday & Saturday Evening 7:00 PM
Location: Port Tobacco Players Theater
Details: Enjoy a holiday show at the local theater in downtown La Plata
Cost: $
Registration: Order tickets in advanced they sell out fast
The Playful Parent was created by Kristy a mother of three energetic boys. She has a Bachelors degree with a interest in Education and Masters in Clinical Community Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. “I believe that children learn through play! I love to do fun things with my children and hope that sharing our adventures provides other families with inspiration and resources that lead to quality time together and a love for learning!” This non profit 501c3 organization was started so parents would have a family friendly place to come to, feel supported and leave with information that is useful. This site is kept advertisement and influence free in order to keep the page from clutter and bias opinion. Your support, feedback, likes and comments are essential; this site was designed to connect the community. The Playful Parent offers resources such as guides, calendars and ideas for making learning fun. In addition, TPP is present in the community and hosts a handful of events to support SOMD in raising healthy families.
***Home Page/Cover Photo Credit to MARIZABETH PHOTOGRAPHY***
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