Jhoon Rhee Indoor Playground in Falls Church, VA!

Today we checked the Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do Studio in Falls Church, VA. Once a week they open the studio to children under the age of five to enjoy the padded gym floor and padded building blocks. My boys had a blast playing with the balls and large shapes they could stack and jump on. They can run around without fear of being hurt if they happen to fall down.

When we went there were only a few moms and dads with kids so the kids had the run of the studio. The studio does put a cap at 30 people per session this includes both parents and children. There is a fee per child and they ask that you either call or sign up online ahead of time to ensure your spot. Walk ins are welcomed but there is no guarantee that space will be available. When you pay in person make sure you have cash because they don't accept credit cards unless you reserve your spot online. No snacks are allowed on the mats but you can sit in the chairs and have the kids eat their snack. Restrooms are right there next to the play area. The restrooms were clean and had a large baby changing table. The supervisor does ask that any poopy diapers be put out in the outside trash can near the studio.

My kids had fun running around, listening to music and playing with the other kids. If you live in Fairfax County near the Falls Church area you should check out the studio on those days that the weather won't allow you to be outside. Just follow the signs to the studio as it is tucked back in between Baskin Robbins and another store.

Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore, MD!

Normally I wouldn't do a review for a Maryland park or venue but this place was pretty awesome. Yesterday we took the boys to Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore, MD. I had heard good things about the museum and decided to take the kids since it was cold and windy outside.

When we walked in my oldest was in awe. The children's museum is three levels of  interactive exhibits, mystery adventures, water exhibit,  tot trails and a three story  urban tree house. There is something for every age and size. The museum is recommended for children under 10 years of age. The museum is very open so you can keep track of the kids while they are on different levels. They have a wristband system so your child can't leave the museum with anyone but one of his/her parents. Also employees are available on every level equipped with radio equipment to help locate a lost parent or child.

The pictures don't do the museum justice because there is so much the kids can do including playing grocery store, working on a farm, playing diner, story time and currently on the third level they have a Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit.

I would highly recommend checking out the Port Discovery Children's Museum. It was great for burning off some energy and the kids could be hands on with every exhibit. There were clean restrooms everywhere, strollers can easily maneuver the museum, an elevator for those who can't do stairs, a place to put your jackets and lockers to stow away stuff that you don't want to carry. Also if you park in the garage next to the museum Port Discovery validates your parking. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours there because there is so much for the kids to do!

Play N' Learn Playground Superstore Free Play Days in Chantilly, VA!

Today we checked out the Play N' Learn Playground Superstore Free Play Days in Chantilly, VA! We had heard about the stores Free Play Days from a great Mommy website called SuperNOVAMommy. The Play N' Learn Showroom is tucked back in an industrial park off Route 50 and Stonecroft Blvd. They sell wood playsets, netted trampolines, basketball hoops, and game tables.

The Play N' Learn Free Play Days offer parents and kids a way to get out of the weather while playing on playground equipment in the showroom from 10- 1 on Monday and Thursdays. They also have netted trampolines and basketball hoops for the kids to test out. The showroom flooring is just carpet over concrete so just be aware if the kids fall they might hurt themselves. There are super clean restrooms and water fountains. It was very popular when we went and from what I understand they don't put a cap on attendance and the play time is for the 6 and under crowd.

I talked with one of the sales reps and she told me that if you are a customer of Play N' Learn you can come and play any day as a bonus for buying their product. If you live in the area you should go check out the Free Play Days at Play N' Learn Playground Superstore!

Jumping Jack Sports in Ashburn, VA!

Today we checked out Jumping Jack Sports in Ashburn, VA! Since we couldn't be outside today we decided to hit up this local favorite in Ashburn. Jumping Jack Sports is located in the same strip mall as the Sports Bounce of Loudoun. Remember to wear your socks  as shoes are not allowed on the inflatables.

My boys had a blast running through the inflatable obstacle course, climbing the rock wall and jumping in the bounce house. My littlest guy wasn't left out either, there were plenty of ride on toys and balls for him to kick around. During the open play session they had a monitor person not just watching the kids but helping them over the tougher parts of the obstacle course. He even took my youngest son down the big slide and from then on I couldn't get him out.

The open play sessions change from week to week so it's best to check their website for dates and times. In addition to open play, Jumping Jack Sports offers sports classes for children and  for a fee you can hold your child's birthday party here. Restrooms were available and clean. No snacks are allowed inside the building so the play area was very clean.

Even though the open play session was only an hour and a half the kids were pooped out once we got home and took a long nap. If it's yucky outside come check out Jumping Jack Sports in Ashburn.

Sterling Community Center Tot Drop-In in Sterling, VA

The Sterling Community Center offers  a great tot drop-in program to escape the cold weather. The kids get to run around playing with balls, riding toys, slides and much more.

The tot drop-in is open on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The drop in is for children 5 and under and free. The cost for adults is $2.50 and you can also purchase a Drop-In activities Card so you won't have to worry about bringing cash with you. If the mornings aren't good for you they do offer an afternoon Tot-Drop In on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m.

My kids always have a great time going especially when their friends join us! It's a clean and safe environment for both kids and parents. This is just the start of the indoor reviews I will be doing over the winter months. If you have any favorite places feel free to share and I will go and review each venue.

Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington, VA!

Today we checked out Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington, VA! Located in Arlington County this 70-acre park has a lot too offer everyone. The park is located in the suburbs of North Arlington amongst marvelous single family homes.

Once you pull into the park you'll see a small playground and picnic shelter with clean restrooms. The kids had a great time playing on the equipment that look liked a wooden fort. The equipment was completely in the shade and had a small fence to guard them from the parking lot. Picnic tables were located under the picnic shelter and right next to the playground also completely in the shade.

Once the kids got tired of the playground we headed towards the Nature Center which is located down a small access road through the trees. The Nature Center is closed on Mondays but open Tuesday through Sunday except for holidays.

The Nature Center has many different animals including a hive of bees, snakes, turtles and more snakes! In the upper level you'll find their new program "Energerium" educational information on energy basics and conservation efforts. On the lower level you'll find the "Kids Cave" with educational information on bats and other animals you can find in the park.

Once the kids saw all they could in the Nature Center we headed out towards the parks vegetable garden. Here you cross over a Koi pond to enter the garden. They had many plants growing including herbs, pumpkins, squash and strawberries. Several park employees were tending the garden and showed the kids several herbs to smell and taste. My son got a kick out of the pumpkin patch and spotting the newly grown pumpkins getting ready for harvest in a few weeks.

After the garden we headed out towards the trails to walk around some. The kids got sidetracked by a shaded bench in front a bush that had many butterflies coming to the flowers. Here we ended up eating lunch and just hanging out watching the bees and butterflies go after the nectar.

By this time the kids got tired so we headed back to the parking lot. Next time we come to the park we are gonna have to check out all the trails that are located through out the park. We saw many people jogging and walking dogs through the trails.

This is a great park with lots of shade and fun things for the kids to get into in Arlington, VA!

Claude Moore Community Center in Sterling, VA!

We are frequent visitors of the Claude Moore Community Center in Sterling, VA! Claude Moore Community Center offers a gym, basketball courts, elevated jogging track, drop-in child care, rock wall, classes, indoor competitive lap pool, and leisure pool. During the winter time they open the indoor basketball courts to little ones and give them balls to run around the gym and play.

They have an awesome zero entry pool with a jungle gym in the middle of the pool for the younger kids. Claude Moore also offers an indoor three story water slide, lazy river and whirlpool. This facility has similiar features as Cub Run RECenter in Chantilly and the Freedom Fitness and Aquatic Center in Manassas.

The pool is fully staffed with trained lifeguards and swim instructors if you choose to join a swim class. The pools also offer life vests for the kids to rent if needed. Locker Rooms are available including a family locker room with showers. A fee schedule is posted on their website with certain packages available based on your needs.

My kids love this pool and I know when I take them here they are safe and the locker rooms are clean.

Smithsonian's Natural History Museum in Washington D.C.

Last month we took the kids to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. The national museum is free for everyone and a great place for the kids to see dinosaurs or great replicas of wildlife. My oldest especially enjoyed the dinosaur and ocean exhibit. If the Butterfly exhibit is still running you should go and check it out. You walk through a small enclosure filled with butterflies flying around and snacking on pieces of fruit. My oldest thought this was so neat and when you walk out an attendant is there to make sure you don't leave with any butterflies.

Parking is a little tricky. You can park around the Smithsonians for free if you are lucky enough to find a spot. Or you can park in one of the many parking garages around the museums. We ended up parking under the Ronald Reagan Building and walking over to the museum. The car stayed nice and cool underground and the price wasn't too outrageous.  Inside the museum they don't allow snacking or drinks but they do have a nice cafe to grab a bite to eat. Caution: Around lunch time the cafe is very busy!

A great place to take the kids and the older they are the more they enjoy all the exhibits!

Hidden Oak Nature Center in Annandale, VA!

Hidden Oaks Nature Center is located in Annandale, Virginia off of Route 495 in Fairfax County. The nature center has 1/3 mile of clearly marked trails to take the kids on. Small informative signs are located through the trials for the kids to read.

Inside the nature center there is no shortage of things for the kids to do. A few reptiles and amphibians are featured in exhibits for the kids to view. One exhibit features costumes so the kids can dress up like their favorite animal. After the nature center you can walk down to the play equipment and picnic tables to eat some lunch. The play equipment wasn't in the best shape but my kids didn't care.

If you live in the area this is a great place to take the kids to learn about nature and burn off some energy.

Next stop.....Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA!

National Air And Space Museum -Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is part of the National Air and Space Museum and located in Dulles, VA just off Route 28 in Fairfax County. It can be found right next door to Dulles International Airport. It has an extensive collection of aircraft and a large exhibit of space elements including the space shuttle, Enterprise.

The museum is a great place to take the family. The kids can walk from plane to plane from the ground or stroll around the observation decks to check out the planes hanging from the ceiling. They offer several IMAX movies and simulators that get you right into the action. Once you have checked out all the planes you can take an elevator up to the Observation tower and see the planes taking off and landing at Dulles Airport. After 4:00 p.m. there is no $15 parking fee and great place for the kids to burn off some energy before dinnertime.