National Gallery of Art Children's Education Center

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The children's lessons are only available on week-ends, in a classroom tucked into the southeast corner of the building.   When we went they had a Jackson Pollack lesson involving swirling a paint covered marble over a paper taped to the bottom of a Tupperware bin.  Brilliant, and Shea loved it!  The lessons rotate, with an Einstein exhibit opening in the coming weeks.

Big Bear Cafe, Bloomingdale NW

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This is another place to eat that possible would not be considered kid-friendly for any particular reason, but it is certainly not kid-unfriendly.  There is ample outdoor seating surrounded by an amazing array of flowers.  The food and coffee are top notch, the staff is friendly, and the Petworth Splash Park is not too far so you could make a morning out of that or any of the other myriad of DC kid-friendly activities.

Online Learning Games from Fisher-Price – For Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Online Learning Games from Fisher-Price – For Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers:

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We have been playing the infant games since 6 months old. At the worst, the games will entertain your little one while you catch your breath or take a break over a cup of coffee - at it's best their may be some retention of the vocabulary, letters and numbers the games purport to reinforce. I suppose that fluctuates from kid to kid, but ours was really excited about playing and would have fun imitating the animal noises. Our favorites are: The ABC's Zoo Learning Game(infant version), Laugh and Learn Animal Fun Game and The Musical Instruments Game - Join the Jam!(toddler game). Now that she is a little older the Thomas & Friends Engine Wash and Thomas Crane Game both went over pretty well.

Curious George Discovery Beach Game

This game is simple enough to allow our 2 year play along.  Her willingness to follow  the rules fluctuates from day to day.  Yesterday she had some friends over and we had a bonafide fair game which was fun and educational for everyone.  The game consists of picking a card that tells you what to look for on "the beach", then you spin the spinner which tells you which of the panels you are allowed to choose between to look under.  Then you open up the panels and look for  your buried treasure.  Simple and perfect for 2 and up.