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Celebrate Three Kings Day at GALA Theatre with live music, gifts, and a parade. Photo courtesy of the theater
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in DC in January 2026, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
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Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens is one of several light shows open between Christmas and New Year's. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery Parks
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Ring in the new year at First Night Alexandria. Photo by Geoff Livingston via Flickr 2.0
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Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights event
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Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page
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Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with a lively parade in late February. Photo courtesy of dcparade.com
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The Sculpture Garden Ice Rink at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art is always popular. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
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Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
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The National Museum of the American Indian's imagiNATIONS Activity Center is full of interactive activities for kids. Photo by the author
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Learn the art of blacksmithing at Lawless Forge in Sterling, VA. Photo courtesy of the venue
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Dave & Buster's is fun for all ages! Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
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You're never too old for a foam pit! Photo courtesy of Sky Zone
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Go on a safari at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of Visit Virginia
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It doesn't get much better than a delicious slice of pizza! Photo courtesy of Stracci Pizza
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Enjoy Art in Bloom during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo by Elvert Barnes via FLickr 2.0
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Season's Greenings at US Botanic Garden
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Season's Greenings at US Botanic Garden
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Storytime at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
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Watkins Regional Park Festival of Lights
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Season's Greenings at US Botanic Garden
United States Botanic Garden - 10:00 AM Pick
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Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
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Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (at National Theatre)
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Season's Greenings at US Botanic Garden
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Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
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Season's Greenings at US Botanic Garden
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Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience (at Rhode Island Center)
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Great Big Game Show | DC
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National Children's Museum - 9:30 AM
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Fall Crafts for Toddlers: Acorn Painting

9/23/14 - By Ally Noel

You may have heard of marble painting before. This unique spin on it is perfect for fall and brings a little nature into play. It's a fun activity to make some beautifully abstract prints and easy enough to do with a toddler or preschooler. The only ones who won't like it will be the squirrels.

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Materials Acorns or nuts in shell Shallow box or baking tray Paint Paper 1. A fun way to start this project is to go on an acorn scavenger hunt in a local park to collect the nuts. We took time to notice the changing seasons and the shapes and colors outdoors. If you can't find acorns, you could also used walnuts in the shell or experiment with other nuts. 2. Place a piece of paper at the bottom of a shallow box or on a cookie sheet. 3. Dip each acorn into a blob of paint, drop the nuts into the box and "shake shake shake" the nuts around the box. You can repeat with more paint and acorns, or remove the paper and start again. The best part is that the box keeps the mess contained so there's practically no clean up. We used our acorn print to make birthday cards for our friends!

Show us what you make. Share it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag @mommypoppins so we can see your creations too!

Kids' work is to play. WeeWork is a Mommy Poppins series offering an easy daily activity for grown-ups and children to do together, making kids' work an important part of your day. We aim to inspire together time, creativity and fun using only your imagination and things around the house. You can see all our WeeWork activity posts here.

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