Dear Dr. Debbie,
Our family has wide age gaps between the children. Inevitably a family outing is a disappointment for somebody – including me. The toddler can’t keep still. The five-year-old twins ask a million questions. The fifth grader isn’t satisfied unless it’s an in-depth behind-the-scenes tour.
What do you recommend?
Herding Cats
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Dear H.C.,
The key to a family outing is to consider the needs of all of its members. Your herd needs: movement (and respect for naptime), an engaging tour guide, and deep enrichment. And you, as the herder, need to satisfy all these needs to feel the outing has been successful.
Your question is timely. This coming weekend there will be over 60 family-friendly events at locations throughout Anne Arundel County for the annual celebration of the state’s official birthday. Admission to each event is only $1 per person or free. Find the complete list of Maryland Day Weekend events here www.marylandday.org.
All Three Days:
Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks is waiving parking/entrance fees to: Down’s Park and Ft. Smallwood Park in Pasadena (playgrounds, trails, beaches and a little history), Kinder Farm Park in Severna Park (large playground, hiking trail, farm animals), Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis (playground, trails, art gallery), and Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Lothian (nature play space, boardwalk trail, downloadable guided tour, informational signage). The parks are open from dawn until dusk.
Saturday and Sunday:
Chesapeake Children’s Museum in Annapolis welcomes visitors of all ages to explore the park and the exhibits inside for just $1 from 10 am to 4 pm. On Saturday at 2 pm meet a waterman from 1870 along the East Trail by the creek. On Sunday at 2 pm Vince Leggett, Admiral of the Chesapeake, presents a Bay seafood cooking demonstration. Advance registration is appreciated. These events are tied to a new outdoor exhibit about the history of Black Watermen.
Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park invites children to make a crab key chain from 10 am to 2 pm (while supplies last). The center has galleries, theaters, workshops and classes to consider while you’re there.
Parking is challenging but not impossible in downtown Annapolis, so if you bring along a stroller for your little one you can catch the 10 am flag raising by the US Navy League Cadets of the Training Ship Mercedes and the Star Spangled Banner sung by the Meade High School Vocal Ensemble at Susan Campbell Park at Annapolis City Dock.
The MLK Parade comes down West Street to Main Street to City Dock, led by the Annapolis Drum and Bugle Corps, starting at 12 noon, followed by the African Diaspora Festival with vendors and live music at Susan Campbell Park until 8 pm.
The Northern Arundel Cultural Preservation Society will present activities at the Lloyd Keaser Community Center in Brooklyn featuring the history of truck farmers, traditional children’s games, and a horseback ride for the children! Well, maybe your tot would briefly pose for a picture.
Three county libraries are participating with special programs. Maryland City at Russett Library is hosting a story time from 10:30 to 11 am geared toward preschoolers featuring Maryland writers and authors plus a live performance of songs. Discoveries: the Library at the Mall is presenting “What Maryland Ate from Plate to Plate” from 2 to 3 pm with self-guided stations to take you on a timeline from Indigenous People to today. The Busch Annapolis Library on West Street celebrates childhood games and toys from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm from colonial times to the present and future!
From 1-4 pm Hancock’s Resolution in Pasadena invites visitors to explore a developing display about the Indigenous People who first discovered the resources of the Chesapeake Bay and Bodkin Creek thousands of years ago. Those old enough to manage needle and thread can add stitches to a story quilt. All can enjoy the sweet sounds of the dulcimer in a concert by the Overtones in the Barn Visitor Center. Master Gardeners are happy to answer questions as they prepare the new gardens.
ArtFest is an open house at Maryland Hall in Annapolis from 1-4 pm with dance performances from ballet to belly dancing, artists in action (pottery, glass woodturning, jewelry), and craft activities for children. Naptown Jazz Kids perform at 1 pm. Visitors are welcome to contribute to a collaborative community arts project focused on Harriet Tubman (context provided by the Banneker Douglass Museum).
Ask your fifth grader to help choose the sites and events that would be most appealing to the family. Pack a lunch, water, and snacks, and plan your day around the little one’s nap – which may be accomplished, at least in part, while traveling from one site to another. This is the perfect opportunity to try out a few venues to visit on more family outings to come!
Dr. Debbie
Deborah Wood, Ph.D. is a child development specialist and founding director of Chesapeake Children’s Museum. She will be presenting Zoom workshops for parents on Mondays 7-9 pm, March 27: Ages and Stages 0-5-years, April 24: Good-for-You Food Fun.
The museum is open with online reservations or call: 410-990-1993.
Read more of Dr. Wood’s Good Parenting columns by clicking here.
