Whoa, it’s the last weekend February! Did you remember to take down your Christmas lights? Please, please, do, if you haven’t already done so. I can still see one of my neighbors’ blue and red lights. Seriously? Please take those lights down. Thanks for letting me rant about that … here are this weekend’s top ten things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland.

George Washington Mount Vernon's Estate. Image from MountVernon.org.

Black History Month – Mount Vernon, VA
Friday, February 25 – Sunday, February 27: 9 am – 4 pm

Learn about the lives and contributions of the slaves who built the plantation home of George Washington in observance of Black History Month. Daily highlights by Mount Vernon interpreters begin at 10 am, daily wreathlaying occurs at 12 pm, daily tour starts at 1 pm. Admission fees: $15 for adults, $7 for kids ages 6 to 11 and free for kids 5 and under.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate is located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia (map it).

More fun things to do with kids>>

We finally made it to one of the open play times at Wee Play in Herndon, Virginia, a few weeks ago! Since they’ll have another open play time this weekend, I thought you may be interested in our experience and seeing some pictures on our Facebook page.

Wee Play, Herndon, Virginia

When we went there, it was packed! They have an area just for active play, an area with tables for arts and crafts, an area for floor play and another area with bins full of toys.

It definitely kept my daughter busy. In the active play area, she jumped on a trampoline, went down a mini roller coaster (no, it does not go upside down) and for some reason, she had her heart set on this expanding sphere. After that, we sat down to do some arts and crafts, where she did some painting and counting shells. I think she enjoyed counting the shells the most since counting is her new thing now; everything has to be counted, including every bite she takes at dinner time … oh, my!

Go check out Wee Play this weekend if you can. Open play time is on Saturday, February 26th, from 8:30 am to 10 am. Cost is $10 per child and infant siblings are free. This place is recommended for kids ages 5 and under.

Wee Play is located at 441A Carlisle Drive, Herndon, Virginia (map it).

I’ve been watching the weather like a hawk today. Funny how snow dictates your schedule once your kid is in school! Let’s hope that the snow (or lack of) will not hamper your activities with the kids this weekend. Check out top ten things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland this weekend!

David M. Brown Planetarium. Image from APSVA.us.

In My Backyard at the David M. Brown Planetarium – Arlington, VA
Friday, January 21 and Saturday, January 22: 7:30 pm
Sunday, January 23: 1:30 pm and 3 pm

Your kids will learn about nature as the seasons change. Discover the night sky and learn about the stars, planets and the moon as the sun goes down. Sing along, clap along and recite a poem during the show! Recommended for kids ages 4 to 6. Admission fees: $3 for adults, $2 for seniors (62+) and $2 for kids 12 and under. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and bring exact change. Doors open 15 minutes prior to show time.

The David M. Brown Planetarium is located at 1426 N. Quincy St, Arlington, Virginia (map it).

More fun things to do with kids >>

I received a request from one of our readers to list things to do with kids on Christmas day in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland. There aren’t many places open on Christmas Day, so I included events for the day before Christmas, too. Have a wonderful Christmas weekend!

The water-skiing Santa, National Harbor, Maryland. Photo from WaterskiingSanta.com.

FREE: The Water-Skiing Santa and His Kneeboarding Reindeer – National Harbor, MD
Friday, December 24: 1 pm

See Santa and his friends like you’ve never seen them before! Santa will be water skiing, his reindeer will be kneeboarding, the grinch will be jet skiing, Frosty the Snowman will be in a dinghy and more. Best viewing area is in National Harbor, Maryland, next to the Wilson Bridge.

See a map of National Harbor.

Open Play Time at JW Tumbles Playzone – Arlington, VA
Friday, December 24: 9:30 am – 3 pm

Bounce, climb and play at JW Tumbles in Arlington, Virginia! Admission fees: $6 for currently enrolled members, $8 for members who are not enrolled in any classes and $10 for non-members. Siblings get 50% off.

JW Tumbles of Arlington is located at Lee Harrison Shopping Center, 2499 N. Harrison St, Arlington, Virginia (map it).

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival – Gaithersburg, MD
Friday, December 24: 6 pm – 10 pm

See more than 380 illuminated vignettes and 65 animated displays this Christmas eve! This drive is 3.5 miles long, through beautiful Seneca Creek State Park. Check out various themes throughout the drive, including North Pole, Toyland and Penguin Cove. Admission fees: $15 per car, $20 for 15 – 19 passenger limos and vans, $30 for 20-passenger vans and $70 for buses. They accept cash only, so don’t forget to stop by the ATM before you go!

Seneca Creek State Park is located at 11950 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, Maryland (map it).

ICE! Exhibit at Gaylord National, National Harbor, MD

ICE! featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas – National Harbor, MD
Friday, December 24: 10 am – 10 pm
Saturday, December 25: 9 am – 10 pm

Visit this 15,000-square-foot indoor winter wonderland at Gaylord National Hotel! This year, ICE! features How the Grinch Stole Christmas. See holiday scenes, Christmas icons and more ice sculpture maintained in a nine-degree facility. Dress warm, it’ll be 9 degrees in there! Winter coats will be provided. Weekend admissions: $29 for adults, $23 for seniors (62+), $18 for kids 4 to 12 and free for kids 3 and under. See my review of ICE! and get your tickets online.

Gaylord National Hotel is located at 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, Maryland (map it).

Bull Run Festival of Lights – Centreville, VA
Friday, December 24 – Saturday, December 25: 5:30 pm – 10 pm

Check out Christmas lights from the comfort of your car. New this year is Santa’s Enchanted Lights, where you’ll see over 40,000 animated lights set to music. See the video below for a preview! Admission fees: $20 per car or van (1 – 14 people), $30 per van (15 – 34 people) and $55 per bus (35 or more people).

Bull Run Regional Park is located at 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, Virginia (map it).

All Around Ralph's World. Poster from RalphsWorld.com.

Yeah, Ralph’s World is back! We had a blast last time Ralph was in town. This Saturday, check out Ralph and band at Jammin’ Java in Vienna.

With songs that delight both kids and parents, Ralph puts on a fun musical show for the family. Sing along and dance to his tunes that range from crunchy rock to cowboy country. See my post on Ralph’s World’s concert at Jammin’ Java from earlier this year.

What?
Ralph’s World concert.

Where?
Jammin’ Java is located at 227 Maple Ave East in Vienna, Virginia (map it).

When?
Saturday, November 20 at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. Show normally lasts for an hour.

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