There are so many things to do this Labor Day weekend in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Check out our top 10 things to do with kids below, with eight of the events free for kids! Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend.

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival. Photo from GreenbeltLaborDay.com.

FREE: Greenbelt Labor Day Festival – Bel Air, MD
Friday, September 3: 10 am – 11 pm
Saturday, September 4: 8 am – 11 pm
Sunday, September 5: 9 am – 11 pm
Monday, September 6: 9 am – 6 pm (parade from 10 am to 12 pm)

A fun festival for the entire family! Go on amusement rides, play carnival games, enjoy live bands and entertainment, enjoy food and refreshments, check out art exhibits, see Greenbelt Idols competition, enjoy a children’s pet show and more. Labor Day Parade will be held on Monday, September 6th. See the full festival schedule.

Free admissions, tickets are needed for carnival games and rides. Discounted tickets for carnival rides are available at the Greenbelt Consumer Co-op Supermarket Pharmacy until Friday, September 3rd. Discounted tickets are $10 for unlimited rides on Saturday or Sunday (50% savings!).

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival will be held at the Roosevelt Center, located at 101 Centerway, Greenbelt, Maryland (map it). More on parking and free shuttle buses.

Maryland State Fair - Timonium, MD
Friday, August 27 – Monday, September 6: 10 am – 10 pm

State fair time! Carnival rides, games, food stands, thousands of home arts and agricultural exhibits, thoroughbred horse racing, jousting tournament, cow milking clinic, US Navy simulators and more. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 and older), $3 for kids ages 6 to 11 and free kids for under 6. Rides are $1 per ticket and each ride uses between 1 and 6 tickets. See the full schedule.

The Maryland State Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Rd, Timonium, Maryland (map it). More on directions to the fair.

Maryland Renaissance Festival, Annapolis, Maryland. Photo from RennFest.com.

FREE for Little Kids: Maryland Renaissance Festival – Annapolis, MD
Saturday, September 4 – Monday, September 6: 10 am – 7 pm

It’s all about magic! This weekend is Magic Weekend at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, the second largest renaissance fair in the country. Free admissions for kids under the age of 11. Check out special performances featuring sleight of hand, card tricks and large illusions. See full entertainment schedule and map of the village. Admission fees: $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (62+), $8 for kids (7 – 15) and free for kids 6 and under.

Maryland Renaissance Festival will be held at 1821 Crownsville Rd, Annapolis, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Irish Music and Dance Showcase – Glen Echo, MD
Saturday, September 4: 1 pm – 5 pm
Sunday, September 5: 12 pm – 2 pm
Monday, September 6: 1 pm – 5 pm

This showcase is brought to you by the Glen Echo Park Partnership and the Irish Inn at Glen Echo. Enjoy Irish music and dancing, featuring the area’s finest performers. See full schedule of performers. Free admissions.

Irish Music and Dance Showcase will be held at the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park, located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, Maryland (map it).

FREE for Kids: Abbey Road on the River (Beatles-Inspired Music Festival) – National Harbor, MD
Thursday, September 2: 4 pm – 10:15 pm
Friday, September 3: 2 pm – 1:30 am
Saturday, September 4: 11 am – 1:50 am
Sunday, September 5: 10:30 am – 2 am
Monday, September 6: 12 pm – 4 pm

Fun music festival honoring the music and legend of The Beatles. Lasting the entire Labor Day weekend, this festival features over 50 bands that celebrate the music of The Beatles. See full schedule of entertainment. Admission fees: $20 to $70 per day per person, depending on your seating area. Free for anyone under the age of 21, when accompanied by an adult with a full-price ticket. Get your tickets online.

Abbey on the Road will be held at Gaylord National Hotel, located at 201 Waterfront St, National Harbor, Maryland (map it). See festival map.

FREE for Toddlers: SARC Family Fun Day Balloon Festival – Bel Air, MD
Saturday, September 4: 12 pm – 6 pm

Activities for kids include horse rides, fainting goats, moon bounces, face painting and pony races. Family-friendly entertainers include Urban Pirates, Alex and The Kaleidoscope Band and Kinetic Youth Academy’s Tumbling Show. Other activities include search dog demonstration and the Maryland Zoo animal presentations. Admissions are $5 per person and free for kids 5 and under. Proceeds benefit SARC. Get your tickets online.

SARC Family Fun Day Balloon Festival will be held at located at 608 N. Tollgate Rd, Bel Air, Maryland (map it).

NSO Labor Day Concert at the Capitol, Washington, DC. Photo from Kennedy-Center.org.

FREE: National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day Capitol Concert – Washington, DC
Sunday, September 5: 8 pm

Enjoy NSO performance this Sunday at the West Lawn of the US Capitol. If not raining, there will be a dress rehearsal at 3:30 pm. Gates open to the public at 3:15 pm. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Call 202-416-8114 after 2:30 pm on Sunday to confirm. Free admissions.

US Capitol is located at the far eastern end of the National Mall beyond the Capitol Reflecting Pool (map it). More on directions.

FREE for kids: Herndon Labor Day Jazz and Wine Festival – Herndon, VA
Monday, September 6: 12 pm – 6 pm

Enjoy great music, check out crafts, munch on yummy food and check out twelve wineries. Admission fees: $8 for designated drivers, $15 for unlimited wine tasting and commemorative glass, $15 micro-brew tasting and commemorative glass and free for kids under the age of 12.

Herndon Labor Day Jazz and Wine Festival will be held at Herndon Town Green, located at 777 Lynn St, Herndon, Virginia (map it).

Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Image from GaithersburgMD.gov.

FREE: Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade – Gaithersburg, MD
Monday, September 6: 1 pm – 3 pm

See fire engines, high school marching bands, large balloons, horses, clowns and more at Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade. Rain or shine. Gaithersburg Labor Day parade will be held on the streets of Old Towne Gaithersburg. See parade routes.

Free parking is available in the Old Town garage, located at Old Towne and South Summit Avenues (map it). A shuttle bus is also available starting at 12 pm at Lakeforest Shopping Center.

Tot Day at The Maryland Zoo – Baltimore, MD
Monday, September 6: 10 am – 2 pm

Say hello to zoo animals in Baltimore and enjoy fun activities with your kids. Puppet shows, craft time, story time, hands-on activities to learn about animals and more. Free with admission to the zoo. Admission fees: $14 for adults, $10 for kids ages 2 to 11, $12 for seniors (65+) and free for kids under 2.

The Maryland Zoo is located in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland (map it). Free parking at the zoo.

Sesame Street Live! Elmo's Healthy Heroes

Who’s your kid’s favorite Sesame Street character? Let me guess, Elmo? Well then, better get ready for Sesame Street Live! since Elmo and friends will be visiting Baltimore in a few weeks.

What?
Elmo’s Healthy Heroes
When Super Grover loses his superness, Sesame Street needs a hero! Never fear, Elmo and his team of Healthy Heroes are here. Teaching lessons of healthy habits through song and dance, Elmo, Abby Cadabby and your favorite Sesame Street friends will explore exercise, nutrition, sleep/energy and hygiene – all in a quest to put the “super” back in Super Grover. It’s Elmo’s Healthy Heroes to the rescue!

When?
Thursday, September 9: 7 pm
Friday, September 10: 10:30 am and 7 pm
Saturday, September 11: 10:30 am, 2 pm and 5:30 pm
Sunday, September 12: 1 pm and 4:30 pm

Where?
1st Mariner Area is located at 201 W Baltimore St, Baltimore, Maryland (map it). More on directions and parking.

How much?
Tickets range from $13 to $40, depending on show time and seating area. You can also get a Sunny Seats package for $67, which includes a VIP seat and a pre-show meet & greet photo opportunity with two Sesame Street Live friends. Get your tickets online.

Who doesn’t like stuffed animals? Soft and furry, they’re perfect as sleep toys and guests for tea parties!

So today, our fun deal is from Build-A-Bear. Check out their collection of furry friends, from soft teddy bears to pandas and from gorillas to penguins.

I like giving Build-A-Bear furry friends as presents for distant friends and relatives since we can record a personal message in the stuffed animals. It’s a nice surprise for the recipient to hear our message when they play with their new stuffed animal.

Have fun picking out a furry friend!

Fun Deal
$10 OFF at Build-A-Bear Workshop® on orders $40 or more, use coupon code BABW10 at check out.
Click here to save now!

(By the way, the links above will take you to BuildABear.com. If you make a purchase on BuildABear.com from the links above, I get a little something from them. Yes, I need the little something to maintain this fun blog. Thanks for your support!)

If you have been thinking about enrolling your kids in a music class, musiKids Bethesda is holding a free open house today, September 1st. No need to sign up, just swing on by.

Image from musiKids.com.

Open house is from 10 am to 12 pm and free demo classes are at 10:15 am and 11:15 am.

Kids learn fundamental music skills in a fun and creative way at musiKids. Classes are small and relaxed, taught by musical professionals who understand kids. Programs encourage interaction between teachers and students. Their classes are geared for both babies and little kids, from 3 months to 6 years.

musiKids Bethesda is located at 4900 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland (map it).

Justin Roberts - © Todd Rosenberg 2010

So excited! Justin Roberts, one of our favorite kids’ singer will be performing in Washington, DC. My family saw his performance at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Virginia, last year and we had such a blast.

If you have not heard of him before, Justin Roberts’ songs consist of fun lyrics and high-energy music that kids love to dance to and parents also enjoy. His performance is always lively. Check out a video below for a song from his latest album, Jungle Gym.

He will be performing at National Geographic Live! (Grosvenor Auditorium), located at 1600 M Street, NW, Washington, DC (map it). There are two show times available: 12 pm and 3 pm. Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for kids under the age of 12. Get your tickets online.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! in Bristow, Virginia

I never got why my daughter likes Yo Gabba Gabba!, but I went ahead and got our family tickets anyway to a Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! show this past weekend at Jiffy Lube Life in Bristow, Virginia. I also got her a pink Foofa dress to wear to the show, thanks to a mom whom I found on Etsy. I’m glad we went; it was one fun show!

The show opened with DJ Lance Rock opening his boom box, just like the TV show, and introduced all of the Yo Gabba Gabba! friends. They danced to and sang their popular songs, such as Party in My Tummy and I Like to Dance. Both parents and kids got into the show and danced along to the songs. Our favorite part was Party in My Tummy, when the cheese, carrots, beans and other food characters went down the slide to join the party.

Biz Markie at Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! in Northern Virginia

The loudest cheer came from the parents when Biz Markie came out to do Biz’s Beat of the Day. Several kids got to do the beat with him, too. So cute!

Besides Biz Markie, the Virginia show had indie-rock Steel Train as the music special guest and Tony Perkins with his son Connor as the dancy dance special guests.

Our family had a fun time at the show. Thanks Yo Gabba Gabba! for coming to Washington, DC!

Check out more pictures on our Facebook page.

PS: Thank you again to Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Virginia, for the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! ticket giveaway!

Baby Loves Disco at 9:30 Club in Washington, DC

My family had such a fun time at Baby Loves Disco last time they visited Washington, DC. If you missed it, fret not! Baby Loves Disco is coming back to Washington, DC, metro in September. See more details below.

When?
Saturday, September 11, 2010, from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Where?
Mall of Columbia, Lord & Taylor court. The mall is located at 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Maryland (map it).

What?
Dancing to the 70′s tune, kids’ crafts, face painting, kid-friendly snacks and more! Check out my review when Baby Loves Disco was at 9:30 Club in Washington, DC.

How much?
FREE admissions with wristbands. Get your free wristbands at H&M locations at the Mall of Columbia. Maximum 4 wristbands per person. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. See details on the Mall of Columbia website.

What a busy week! We had a birthday party at an awesome kids’ venue (review next week!) and this weekend is booked solid already. Can’t wait for Labor Day weekend to finally relax. Enough about my ranting, here are top 10 things to do with kids this weekend in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland.

Curious George Live!

Curious George Live – Fairfax, VA
Friday, August 27: 7 pm
Saturday, August 28: 11 am and 3 pm
Sunday, August 29: 1 pm and 5 pm

A live stage musical, Curious George Live! will delight the entire family! Curious George swings and flips his way through a fun-filled story that takes the audience from home to Rome. Tickets range from $20.60 to $84.05, depending on show time and your seat. Get your tickets online.

Curious George Live! will be showing at Patriot Center, located on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax, Virginia (map it).

Banjo Man – Vienna, VA
Friday, August 27: 10:30 am – 11:30 am

The Banjo Man performs folk and bluegrass-inspired children’s songs accompanied by his 5-string banjo. An entertaining show for young children. Tickets are $5 per person. Get your ticket at the door.

The Banjo Man will be performing at Jammin’ Java, located at 227 Maple E Ave, Vienna, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Outdoor Screening of Wizard of Oz – Gaithersburg, MD
Friday, August 27: 8 pm

Enjoy an outdoor screening of Wizard of Oz for a family fun night in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Free admissions. Donations of nonperishable food items for local food banks are appreciated. Call 301-258-6350 before you go in case movie is cancelled or rescheduled due to weather.

Movie will be shown at Malcolm King Park, located at 1200 W Side Dr, Gaithersburg, Maryland (map it).

Maryland State Fair in Timonium, Maryland. Photo from MarylandStateFair.com.

Maryland State Fair - Timonium, MD
Friday, August 27 – Monday, September 6: 10 am – 10 pm

State fair time! Carnival rides, games, food stands, thousands of home arts and agricultural exhibits, thoroughbred horse racing, jousting tournament, cow milking clinic, US Navy simulators and more. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 and older), $3 for kids ages 6 to 11 and free kids for under 6. Rides are $1 per ticket and each ride uses between 1 and 6 tickets. See the full schedule.

You can also purchase concert tickets to see Gretchen Wilson on August 27th, Bret Michaels on September 1st and Justin Bieber on September 5th. No surprise, the Justin Bieber concert is sold out. You can still get tickets to see Gretchen Wilson and Bret Michaels. Bring blankets for the concert!

The Maryland State Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Road, Timonium, Maryland (map it). More on directions to the fair.

Reston Restaurant Week – Reston, VA
Friday, August 20 – Sunday, August 29

Enjoy prix-fixe menus at Reston Town Center restaurants, including Mon Ami Gabi, Uncle Julio’s and Market Street Bar & Grill. Then throw some pennies and make your wish at the fountain and enjoy a leisurely stroll to check out the local stores. See menu of participating restaurants.

Reston Town Center is located at 11900 Market St, Reston, Virginia (map it).

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! in New York. Photo from YoGabbaGabbaLive.com.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! – Bristow, VA
Saturday, August 28: 2 pm – 3 pm and 6 pm – 7 pm

DJ Lance Rock, Muno, Foofa, Toodee, Brobee, and Plex will be in town, along with Biz Markie as a special guest. They’ll also have surprise guests for the dancy dance and super music friend, how fun! Tickets range from $48.60 to $69.50, depending on your seat. You can also get a party package for VIP access, such as a silly party with the Gabba gang and Biz’s Beat of the Day, for $135.50. Get your tickets online.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! will be performing at Jiffy Lube Live (formerly Nissan Pavilion), located at 7800 Cellar Door Dr, Bristow, Virginia (map it).

FREE: International Children’s Festival Preview – Fairfax, VA
Saturday, August 28: 6 pm – 8:30 pm

Enjoy a preview of International Children’s Festival coming up at Wolf Trap, including performances by International Dance School, Juventud Boliviana, Nomad Dancers and Phooljharis (Sparklers). Free admissions.

International Children’s Festival Preview will be held at Grand Plaza of Fairfax Corner, located at 11900 Palace Way, Fairfax, Virginia (map it).

Storm Center Newseum Family Day. Photo from Newseum.com.

FREE for Kids: Storm Center Newseum Family Day – Washington, DC
Saturday, August 28: 11 am – 5 pm

Be a weather reporter for the day, learn how meteorologists predict the weather, participate in News Hound Scavenger Hunt and listen to meteorologist Bob Ryan discusses the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, during Storm Center Newseum Family Day. Besides the Storm Center, see the Berlin Wall gallery, check out 4-D theater, see interactive exhibits, play in the interactive newsroom and step out to the Family Terrace to enjoy a panoramic view of Washington, DC. Free admissions for kids up to age 18, with up to 10 free kids with each paid adult admission at $19.95. If you can’t visit the Newseum this weekend, they’ll have the free admissions for kids until September 6th! Get your tickets online.

Newseum is located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC (map it).

FREE for kids: Maryland Renaissance Festival – Annapolis, MD
Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29: 10 am – 7 pm

The Maryland Renaissance Festival is the second largest renaissance fair in the country. This weekend is Children’s Weekend at the fair! Free admissions for kids under the age of 11. Visit King Henry VIII and interact with villagers of Revel Grove. Enjoy entertainment from a strolling magician, mingle with a mime and more. See full entertainment schedule and map of the village.

Maryland Renaissance Festival will be held at 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Movies on the Potomac – National Harbor, MD
Sunday, August 29: Sunset

Watch Spider-Man on the plaza’s big screen this Sunday night. Bring lawn chairs! Outside food and coolers with alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Free admissions.

Movies on the Potomac event will be held in National Harbor, Maryland (map it).

I asked my daughter what she wanted to be for Halloween and she exclaimed,”Cinderella!”

So I went on a hunt for a pretty Cinderella Halloween costume, which took me about two minutes since a timely Disney email arrived in my inbox for their latest Halloween costumes. Perfect! Thanks, Disney, I don’t have to go to the mall now.

And thanks, Disney, for today’s fun deal!

Fun Deal
Ship your entire order for only $5 when you spend $89 or more at DisneyStore.com. Use coupon code SHIPTODAY. Save now! Don’t forget coupon code SHIPTODAY.

(By the way, the links above will take you to DisneyStore.com. If you make a purchase on DisneyStore.com, I get a little something from them. Yes, I need the little something to maintain this fun blog. Thanks for your support!)

Baby Loves Disco at 9:30 Club in Washington DC

We just got home from Baby Loves Disco at 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. My husband and I could not stop laughing over the fact that we just took our toddler to the 9:30 Club. We all had a great time!

9:30 Club bouncer checking kids in for Baby Loves Disco in Washington DC

It was definitely a different scene than what the 9:30 Club staff is used to, I’m sure. Before we entered the club, the bouncer gave our daughter a tag to wear and me a mini tag with a number that matched our daughter’s tag (a staff member checked our mini tag to make sure that it matched our daughter’s tag when we left the venue). There was a stroller parking area, diaper changing stations, a chill-out room to get away from the crowd (somewhat, I guess, since that chill-out room was pretty crowded), animal crackers and juice at the bar, Baby Loves Disco onesies for sale and parents with their babies in baby carriers on the dance floor.

The DJ on stage played popular 70′s tunes and led kids to dance. On the dance floor, they had mini hula hoops, scarves and a bubble machine that delighted both the kids and parents.

Besides dancing, they also had crafts and other kids’ activities, such as making sock puppets and cereal bracelets, face painting, nail painting, balloon animals and temporary tattoos. Princess Tiana also made my daughter a little princess. There were kid-friendly snacks on the bar, including baby carrots, grapes, crackers, cheese, animal crackers, water and juice.

Check out some pictures on our Facebook page. We hope Baby Loves Disco comes back to DC soon!