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Memberships
Memberships motivate adventure! With a membership card burning a hole in your pocket, you’re more likely to make a plan, find the time and make adventure a priority. Memberships also allow your family to explore some of the most interesting places in a more intimate way. When you are not trying to see (or do) it all in one day, you’ll have a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. Memberships to museums, zoos, aquariums, gyms, theatres and science centers are great options! Get good deals on some of our favorite DC area memberships:
The National Aquarium lets you get up close and personal with aquatic life unlike any other place in the DC area! Purchasing a National Aquarium membership supports aquatic education and conservation. More Info Here
The Maryland Zoo allows close-up views to many animals including African elephants, southern white rhinoceros, lionhead rabbits and many more! Purchasing a Zoo membership supports animals and the Zoo’s efforts to ensure that the opportunity to enjoy wildlife and wild places will be here for future generations. More Info Here
The National Zoo in DC (Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute) will send you on a fun-filled family adventure to see animals from all over the world. A gift membership will help the National Zoo continue its commitment to be the best in animal care, conservation, education and sustainability. More Info Here
KID Museum is a STEAM wonderland! Their programming includes robotics, engineering, woodworking, design, textiles, animation, 3-D printing, electronics, coding and smart technology. More Info Here
Once a vibrant plantation in the 18th century, Mount Vernon is now one of the nation’s most visited historic sites. Combining an authentically interpreted 18th-century home, lush gardens and grounds, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and first-rate dining and shopping, the estate is an incomparable national treasure. More Info Here
The Maryland Science Center, located in the Baltimore Inner Harbor, is 3 stories of fascinating exhibits and science encounters plus a planetarium and IMAX Theater! Membership includes many benefits such as discounts, VIP events, free admission to the Science Center and more! More Info Here
The mission of the Spy Museum is to educate the public about espionage and intelligence in an engaging way and to provide a context that fosters understanding of their important role in and impact on current and historic events. More Info Here
Exposing children to live theatre at a young age improves performance, creativity, empathy, cultural relativity, patience, morals, communication and imagination. The Adventure Theatre MTC productions, a combination of classic and contemporary children’s stories, are entertaining and fun for children AND parents. We are constantly impressed by the production value of these performances! More Info Here
An annual National Parks pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks and national wildlife refuges, as well as national forests and grasslands, and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. More Info Here
Full steam Adventures await families at the Strasburg Railroad! Just over 2 hours from Washington DC, the Strasburg Railroad offers family fun along with the history, science and technology of steam engines. Located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the Strasburg Railroad is located near several family adventures including the Amish Village and Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. More Info Here
Experiences
Experiences are the gifts that keep on giving! Kids learn about themselves and their world through their experiences. These life lessons and memories mean more and have a longer lasting impact than the toys wrapped with pretty bows. Adventure experiences include tours, classes, sports, physical activities, camping, overnights and more. There are so many fun things to do in the DC Area, so don’t forget to check the blog for recent adventure reviews!
Kicks Karate keeps the whole family active all year long! There are martial arts classes available for everyone ages 3 to adult; the children’s classes work on on building confidence, practicing self-control, and increased focus and concentration skills! More Info Here
ZAVAZONE is a multi-attraction indoor experience that allows families to spend time together, have fun, and get in shape while doing it. You’ll have way too much fun to mind the exhaustion. That’s what Fun in Motion® is all about! More Info Here
A gift card to Go Ape! Rockville would be perfect for anyone 10 years or older who loves the outdoors and a fun challenge! This 2-3 hour journey through the treetops includes zip lines, obstacle courses and Tarzan swings.More Info Here
Whether you ski often or have never been, trekking out to a ski resort with children can be a big undertaking. Inside Ski takes some of the work out of this family activity by providing a year-round opportunity to practice and train without the drive, lift tickets, rentals, or cold weather. More Info Here
Give the gift of adventure on the high seas with a ride on the Boomerang Pirate Ship located on the Georgetown Waterfront! This exciting, hour-long, interactive boat ride would be a great family outing with kids of all ages, and makes a great experience gift! More Info Here
Give your whole family the gift of water safety this holiday season with lessons at British Swim School, a year-round swim program that starts by teaching children how to save themselves in the water and then moves on to teach them how to swim. More Info Here
STEAM Gifts
Let’s be honest, we love watching kids unwrap presents and toys don’t count if they are educational! There are some classic STEAM toys like Magnatiles, LEGOS and Raspberry Pi. We hope you will like these new classics as much as we do.
littleBits is a system of electronic building blocks that snap together to turn ideas into inventions More Info Here
KinderLab Robotics has KIBO, an educational robot for 4- to 7-year-olds. They can build, program, decorate, and bring their own robots to life! More Info Here
Children use the Bloxels game board and blocks to create their own 13-bit layouts, characters, and art for their game. When the layout and characters are complete, children can turn their creations into a digital game using the Bloxels app. More Info Here
With the 3Doodler Start Kit, kids create bugs of their own using the 3D Printing Pen and DoodleMolds® to create legs and body that attach to the HEXBUG® micro robotic motors. More Info Here
The Creative Cafe Barista Bar from Roseart lets kids make lattes with creative designs. Kids can watch milk be frothed, mix and measure ingredients, and practice their art skills with stencil designs to top off their lattes! More Info Here
Itty Bitty Buggy by Microduino STEM maker kit can be used to make 4 pre-programmed projects or to create a custom build and programming project. Enter our GIVEAWAY for a chance to WIN an Itty Bitty Buggy! More Info Here
Experience the power of gravity with GraviTrax, the epic marble run toy. This interactive track system provides endless activities and challenges for any STEM enthusiast. More Info Here
MindWare is the award-winning creator, manufacturer and distributor of Brainy Toys for Kids of All Ages. The diverse product line includes educational toys, games, brainteasers, creative play activities, building sets, coloring books and more. Enter our GIVEAWAY for a chance to WIN a Q-BA-MAZE 2.0 More Info Here
Moxie & Stars scours the web to find empowering clothing, books & gear for girls AND have their own line of fierce t-shirts. Every single product highlights Courage, Adventure, Strength, Smarts, STEM, or the outdoors. More Info Here
Horizon Group USA is the leading supplier of Craft Components and Activity Kits with brands that are recognized and trusted for delivering high quality and innovation at an exceptional value and artistic exploration for children. The STEAM Kits from Horizon are no exception with kits created by Discovery, YOUniverse and Think Box. More Info Here
Bob the Train has come to life with an array of preschool toys featuring learning activities inspired by the YouTube animated series! Bob and his friends entertain and teach children valuable lessons about life through playful adventures, educational songs, and reinvented nursery rhymes. More Info Here
Disney Princess lovers will love the Disney Princess comics collection and poseable dolls. The Disney Princess comic strip series from Joe Books features 5 Disney Princesses in humorous, everyday situations that kids love. More Info Here
Small Gifts
When it comes to advent calendars, stockings and gift exchanges it can be hard to find quality gifts. We have our classic, go-to choices like Jeff & Paige cds, animal & dinosaur figures and small LEGO kits. This year we are excited to add a few new gifts to the list!
Create stop-motion animation with Stikbots using the free app on any iOS or Android device. Kids can create, animate and share their own scenes and stories. More Info Here
Treasure X is the popular treasure hunt that has kids ripping, digging & fizzing their way on the quest for real gold-dipped treasure! With 24 treasure hunters and 32 treasures to collect there are big adventures in these small packages. More Info Here
Subscriptions
Subscriptions are a great way to introduce little ones to new things! The variety of content lets them explore different topics with very little commitment. Subscriptions often offer a mix of subjects which have allowed us to discover some hidden interests in our children. As parents we are busy enough. There is not usually time to look up new and exciting projects or content to share with our little ones. Leave that to the professional curators of fun and check out some fun STEAM subscriptions for families.
CuriosityStream has over 1,800 on-demand award-winning science, technology, history, and nature documentaries that showcase life on our planet and beyond. More Info Here
When it comes to STEAM fun at home KiwiCo has you covered! The hands-on projects that arrive in the mail are designed to help kids develop into fearless innovators. KiwiCo’s mission is to provide the next generation of innovators with the tools and a foundation to become creative problem solvers and critical thinkers. More Info Here
JAM is a website dedicated to courses and online education for children! The courses were developed by accomplished professionals within their fields who lead the courses and provide prompts, techniques, and instructions to help kids accomplish their goals. More Info Here
MakeCrate is a subscription service that provides all inclusive kits with video tutorials which show kids step-by-step instructions for completing coding and electronic projects. MakeCrate believes in the power of coding for all kids and is dedicated to making coding accessible for all! More Info Here
Traditions
Make family time a priority this Holiday Season and start a new tradition. Don’t forget to check our Adventure Calendar for Holiday Events happing around the DC area.
Move over, Elf on the Shelf: Reindeer In Here is here! A new holiday tradition is here that gives children a opportunity to learn about themselves, selflessness and wishing others well. More Info Here
Make holiday shopping an adventure with the Christkindlmarkt at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. This one-of-a-kind family event brings the spirit of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania alive with the season. More Info Here