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FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS & FREE FOOD GUIDE




***All content and photos on this site are intellectual property of The Playful Parent and protected by the DMCA.***
FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS & FREE FOOD GUIDE
***All content and photos on this site are intellectual property of The Playful Parent and protected by the DMCA.***
ARCADE WEDNESDAY AMF
Date: Wednesday’s
Time: All Day
Location: AMF Waldorf
Details: 2X THE ARCADE PLAY EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Get DOUBLE the arcade play with half-price games! Make your arcade credits go further and enjoy 50% more fun with discounts on EVERY game in our state-of-the-art arcade. Spend less and play more—all day, every Wednesday!
Event Type: Family Fun
Age Group: All Ages
Cost:
INDOOR PLAYGROUND IDEAS
Date: OPEN DAILY
Time: ALL DAY
Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGH OUT SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Details: SEE INDOOR PLAY GUIDE LINK
Event Type: INDOOR PLAY
Age Group: All Ages
Cost: VARIES
Registration: Drop-In
SANTAS WONDERLAND- BASS PRO SHOP
Date: November 17, 2018- December 24, 2018
Time: All Day
Location: Bass Pro Shop- Arundel Mills Mall
Details: Have your photo taken with Santa and get a FREE 4×6 print-off, participate in FREE activities such as crafts, toy testing, writing letters to Santa and more.
Event Type: Holiday Family
Age Group: All Ages
Cost: FREE
Little Jumpers
Date : Most M/W/F (Always check Pump It Up site first)
Time : 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Pump It Up Waldorf
Details : This special open jump is for our guests aged 1-6 years old only. If you’re worried about older kids running around the smaller ones, this is the perfect time for your little jumpers. Our designated toddler area is for 1yrs-3yrs only. 2 yrs-6yrs are allowed to jump on the inflatables. Daycares are more than welcome to participate in Little Jumpers. We ask that if you are going to bring more than 5 participants that you call ahead to let us know.
Cost: $5.00 per child
Information: https://www.pumpitupparty.com/waldorf-md/calendar/
***ALWAYS CHECK THE SCHEDULE OR CALL FIRST TO MAKE SURE LITTLE JUMPERS IS STILL ON THE CALENDAR. ***
HOME SCHOOL STEM
Date: First Wednesday of the Month
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Charles County Public Library – Potomac Branch
Details: Once a month we will have a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activity for early elementary age homeschool students. Join us for fun, learning, and socializing.
Event Type: School Age
Age Group: 5-9
Registration: Online
CCPL CALENDAR LINK
SOLOMON ISLAND 34TH CHRISTMAS WALK
Dates/Time:
Details: See Flyer
Event Type:Winter Festivities
Age Group: All Ages
Cost: FREE
CHRISTMAS DOLLS AND TRAINS EXHIBIT AT ST CLEMENTS
Date: December 1-January 1 (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.
LEISURE (CHILDREN’S) POOL HOURS
Weekend Hours: Saturday 12:00pm – 9:00pm, Sunday 8:00am – 8:00pm
Weekly hours: Monday – Friday 12:00pm – 9:00pm, Saturday 12:00pm – 9:00pm, Sunday 8:00am – 8:00pm
Location: Edward T Hall Aquatic Center, Prince Frederick, MD
Details: Enjoy this special children’s pool that features a zero depth entry up to 3 feet depth heated pool with slides, climbing features, and water drop buckets.
**Leisure pool will close from 4:00pm – 7:00pm for swim lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays**
Website: http://www.co.cal.md.us/index.aspx?nid=397
Playful Parent Guide:https://theplayfulparent.org/2017/01/22/edward-t-hall-aquatic-center-our-little-trip-to-paradise/
HOME SCHOOL STEM
Date: First Thursday of the Month
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Charles County Public Library – Potomac Branch
Details: Once a month we will have a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activity for early elementary age homeschool students. Join us for fun, learning, and socializing.
Event Type: School Age
Age Group: 5-9
Registration: Online
CCPL CALENDAR LINK
HOME SCHOOL STEM
Date: First Thursday of the Month
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Charles County Public Library – Potomac Branch
Details: Once a month we will have a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activity for early elementary age homeschool students. Join us for fun, learning, and socializing.
Event Type: School Age
Age Group: 5-9
Registration: Online
CCPL CALENDAR LINK
REINDEER LEGO WORKSHOP – VIP MONTHLY MINI BUILD
Date: December 4-5, 2018
Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: LEGO STORE- Arundel Mills Mall & Westfield Annapolis Mall
Details: Come build this LEGO® Reindeer Sleigh model and take it home for FREE after!
Please note that you are registering for a building event. Guests must participate in the event to receive the free set. Guests will not be permitted to collect the set and immediately leave and may not pick the set up at a later date or time.
Quantities are limited to approximately 120 per store per night and time reservations are on a first come first serve basis. Models are not for sale and cannot be purchased. One registration with a maximum of 4 children per household. One free set per child. Due to safety restrictions, this event is open to children ages 6-14 only.
Event Type: Holiday Fun
Age Group: 6-14
Cost: FREE
SANTA VISITS NICOLLETTIS
Date: December 5, 2018
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Nicollettis – California, MD
Details: Santa will be visiting Nicolletti’s Pizza Wednesday December 5th from 4pm to 8pm. Bring the family out for dinner and to get your picture taken by Beth Graeme.
Event Type: Winter Festivities
Age Group: All Ages
Cost: FREE EVENT (Food is $)
LIGHTS ON THE BAY
Date: November 17, 2018 – January 1, 2019 (5pm – 10pm) *Including holidays*
Place: Sandy Point State Park
Price: $15 Per Car
Information: Head to Sandy Point State Park from November 19th to January 1st. Not only will you see Christmas lights, but 3D glasses are available to make your experience even more amazing.
WINTER FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT WATKINS REGIONAL PARK
Date: November 23, 2018-January 1, 2019 (5-9:30 pm)
Place: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Price: Tickets range from $5 per car or van to $30 per bus, see website for details.
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.
ZOO LIGHTS
Date: November 23, 2018 to January 1 (except Dec. 24, 25 and 31) 5-9 PM
Place: Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC
Price: Free admission
Information: Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights a part of their annual holiday tradition. A free event, ZooLights includes live music performances, tasty winter treats, and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. More than 500,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland complete with a dazzling light show set to music!
41TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT THE MORMON TEMPLE
Date: November 29, 2018 – January 1, 2019
Place: Washington, D.C., Temple, 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, Maryland
Price: Free
Information: The Festival of Lights is one of the D.C. area’s great community traditions. Beginning December 1st, the Festival features free performances nightly in the comfortable, state-of-the-art theater located in the Visitors’ Center. A different performing artist or group is showcased each night, including bell ensembles, choirs, orchestras, and more! Each performance is presented twice nightly.
CHRISTMAS TREE OF LIFE
Date: December 5, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Charles
Join the Charles Regional Medical Center Foundation in illuminating the ceremonial Christmas Tree of Life and luminaries in the healing garden to honor those, living or deceased, who have touched your life. The Foundation acknowledges the names of all donors and their honorees in a commemorative program and invites the community to attend the holiday illumination ceremony on Wednesday, December 5 at 5:30pm in the Healing Garden on the grounds of the Medical Center. Following the ceremony, guests will enjoy a dessert reception and festive holiday music. For more information or to purchase a light, luminary or angel please visit www.crmcfoundation.org or call 301-609-4132.
BULL RUN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Date: November 21, 2018 -January 6, 2019 *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121
Price: $20-$25 Depending on what night you go.
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).
BROOKESIDE GARDENS GARDEN OF LIGHTS
Date: November 16, 2018 – January 1 *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, Maryland
Price: $25 per vehicle Sun.-Thurs.; $30 per vehicle Fri.-Sat.
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 22, 2018 -January 1, 2019 Wednesday thru Sunday (6 PM-10PM)
Place: Symphony Woods at Merriweather Park, Columbia, Maryland
Price: Wed.-Fri. and Sun. $20, Sat. $25 (cash only)
Information: The Symphony of Lights is a time-honored Howard County holiday tradition. This family-oriented spectacular is a dazzling display of more than 100 larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations, made up of more than 250,000 bulbs. Proceeds from the event benefit Howard County General Hospital. Lots of new elements this year to include: new course design, new displays, 100% LED lighting, laser show.
Date: 1ST & 3RD SATURDAYS
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:45 PM
Location: James E.Richmond Science Center
Description: James E. Richmond Science Center previews a full dome show every 1ST & 3RD Saturday.
Doors Open» 6:00 p.m.
Fulldome Show» 6:45 p.m.
Exploration Stations» 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Doors Open» 9:00 a.m.
Fulldome Shows» 9:30 a.m. | 10:45 a.m. | 12:00 p.m.
Exploration Stations» 9:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Event Type: Family
Age Group(s): All Ages
Cost: Tickets $8 per person (Ages 4-Up), 3 & under free
Registration: Purchase tickets online
AWARD WINNING ANNMARIE GARDENS IN LIGHTS
Date: November 30, 2018 – January 1, 2019 Nightly (6-9 PM ) *Closed 12/3, 12/4, 12/24, 12/25*Place: Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Solomons
Price: $7 for ages 3 and over, FREE for kids 2 and under.
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.
See Full Schedule for specials and entertaining events:
YOUTH DROP IN – PARKS AND REC SCHEDULE
Details: Open style sports and semi-organized games. Registration form with parental consent required each school year. Sign-in by youth required each day of participation. Dates and times subject to change. Contact the center for schedule changes.
Age 8-10 Wade M/W Dec 3-Jun 12 4:00-5:30p
Age 8-13 Somers M/W Dec 3-Jun 12 4:00-6:00p
Stoddert M/W Dec 3-Jun 12 4:00-6:00p
Hanson M/W Dec 3-Jun 12 4:00-6:00p
Henson M/W Dec 3-Jun 12 4:00-6:00p
Smallwood M/W Dec 3-Jun 12 4:00-6:00p
Age 11-14 Davis M/W Dec 3-Jun 12 4:00-5:30p
Wade Tu/Th Dec 4-Jun 13 4:00-6:00p
Age 14-17 Wade M Dec 3-Jun 10 7:00-9:00p
Davis Tu/Th Dec 4-Jun 13 4:00-6:00p
Piccowaxen Tu/Th Dec 4-Jun 13 4:00-6:00p
Smallwood Tu/Th Dec 4-Jun 13 4:00-6:00p
Stoddert Tu/Th Dec 4-Jun 13 4:00-6:00p
Hanson Tu Dec 4-Jun 11 4:00-6:00p
Somers Tu Dec 4-Jun 11 4:00-6:00p
Henson Th Dec 6-Jun 13 4:00-6:00p
Age 8-13 Girls Mattawoman M/W Dec 3-Jun 12 4:00-6:00p
Age 14-17 Girls Mattawoman Tu/Th Dec 4-Jun 13 4:00-6:00p
Somers Th Dec 6-Jun 13 4:00-6:00p
Cost: $3 Drop-In (RECPASS)
FREE PERFORMANCES EVERYDAY- KENNEDY CENTER
Date: Monday – Friday
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Kennedy Center- Millenium Stage
Details: See link for schedule of performances. Different musicians, actors, singers and dances each night.
Event Type: Performance/Concert
Age Group: All Ages
Cost: FREE
Registration: No Ticket RequiredMILLENIUM STAGE EVENT LINK
DIY SCARVES
Date: 12/5/18
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Charles County Public Library- Potomac Branch
Event Type: Library
Age Group: 6 -14
Cost: FREE
The Playful Parent was created by Kristy a mother of two energetic boys. She has a Bachelors degree with a interest in Secondary 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 site 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***