DC’s Best Kid-Friendly Way to Experience Art & Culture this Summer
Burning Man at the Renwick:
No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man brings some of the best of Burning Man in from the desert. The exhibit takes over the entire Renwick and includes several interactive exhibits and many awe-inspiring works of art that tower nearly to the ceiling. Kids are mesmerized by larger-than-life glowing mushrooms they activate with their feet, beautiful projections on the ceiling that change in time to music while they lounge on beanbags, and a replica temple where they can write (or draw) their hopes and wishes. Burning Man closes in phases and the first exhibitions will close on September 16th so catch it before it leaves.
Fun House:
Every year the National Building Museum brings a large-scale installation to the museum for their Summer Block Party. This year’s Fun House is their biggest and best installation yet. Fun House takes over the entire atrium of the museum and includes elements from projects the firm Snarkitechture has installed all over the world over the past ten years. A smaller version of 2015’s popular exhibit The Beach is present in the form of a “backyard” pool and hot tub, along with a living room filled with nothing but enormous cushions, fun-house mirrors, and furniture that appears to slope and break. It’s only here until September 3rd so catch it before its too late.
Artechouse:
Artechouse is a first-of-its kind exhibition space in DC that explores the intersection of art and technology. Fractal Worlds is Artchouse’s first exhibit to feature virtual-reality stations. All exhibits at Artechouse stretch the limits of what art and can be and children always love being able interact with the art around them in new and unexpected ways. See Fractal Worlds before it closes on September 3rd.
Cirque du Soleil Crystal:
Cirque du Soleil isn’t just for grown-ups. The magical worlds created on stage in Cirque du Soleil performances stretch the imaginations of everyone no matter how old (or young). Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal is headed to Baltimore’s Royal Farm Arena for four days only from July 5th — 8th . This iteration of Cirque du Soleil is performed on ice with a soundtrack that includes Beyoncé and U2 as well as a multitude of tricks on the ice that must be seen to be believed.
Theatre:
DC is home to some fantastic children’s theater. Two of the best places to see theatre designed just for children are Imagination Stage and Adventure Theater MTC. This summer, Imagination Stage brings Charlie Brown and friends to live in their production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. With live music and Broadway-quality singing, it is a great way for the whole family to see these classic characters brought to life. Adventure Theatre is showing Tinker Bell, which tells the story of the spunky fairy’s adventures with Peter Pan from her perspective. For the very young, check out Paper Dreams, a dream-like play designed just for kids five and under and the Puppet Co. Theatre’s always surprising take on classic fairy tales, with Snow White and Seven Dwarves playing this summer.
Being young is no excuse not to be cultured!