5 Things for Families

Some claim that January is a major letdown after all of the hullabaloo that comes with the holidays. Well, by the looks of what’s in the works over the next few days, Richmond says, “pish-posh!” to such nonsense. We’ve got dinosaurs, fairy tales, latkes–you know, all the stuff you and your family look for in a weekend.

January 15, 2014; 6:43 AM • by Valerie Catrow

1. Be the Dinosaur

Interact with a 9-foot tall, animatronic triceratops! Play around in a safari Jeep! Explore the lost world of the “terrible lizards” as you walk in their giant footsteps! Watch your kids lose their damn minds because OMG DINOSAURS!

• Runs January 16th through May 11th • open 9:30 AM — 5:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday and 11:30 AM — 5:00 PM on Sunday
• Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad Street
• $11-$16 (see website for admission packages)

2. Preschool Storytime: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

A reading of Goldilocks and the Three Bears followed by the chance to retell the story by making your own pop-up book? Guys, do our four-year-olds even realize how good they’ve got it?

• Friday, January 17th • 10:30 AM
• East End Library, 1200 N. 25th Street
• Free!

3. RVA on Ice (final weekend!)

It’s looking to be clear and in the 30s and 40s this weekend–the perfect weather to enjoy this Richmond wintertime favorite before it closes up shop until November. Head over on Saturday afternoon between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM and the little ones can also take part in a free arts and crafts session with the good people of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities Department.

• Open through Monday, January 20th • hours vary (see website for details)
• Corner of Broad and 6th Streets
• General admission and skate rental for adults are $5 each; free admission and $3 skate rentals for kids 10 and under

4. 60 Films/60 Days: Addams Family Values

In what they’re calling “a movie-a-day extravaganza”, the folks at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts are jazzing up their Hollywood Costume exhibit by hosting screenings of films featuring some of Hollywood’s most recognizable costumes. This weekend they’ll be showing the beloved classic Addams Family Values. Yeah, that’s right, I called it a classic. And anyone who’s seen this example of cinematic wonder will agree with me:

FYI: The film is rated PG-13, so it’s probably best for teens…or maybe a tween with an advanced/dark sense of humor.

• Saturday, January 18th • 1:30 PM
• Reynolds Lecture Hall at the VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard
• $5 (free for children under 6)

5. Jewish Food Festival

This two-day festival will give you and your family the chance to try some fine, kosher cuisine including matzah ball soup, latkes, shwarma, and falafel. Get it to-go or stick around for music from the likes of JJ Caplan and the Soul Seekers, Klezm’Or’Ami’m, and…wait for it…the four-year-old students of the Jewish Community Center Preschool.

• Sunday, January 19th and Monday, January 20th • 11:30 AM — 7:30 PM both days
• Weinstein Jewish Community Center, 5403 Monument Avenue
• Dishes in the $3 — $12 range

And don’t forget that Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national Day of Service. Check out some ideas for how to honor Dr. King with your kids.

Photo by: FiDalwood

January 15, 2014 6:43 AM 0