Category Archives: Del Ray Baby Activity

Jul 16, 2013

Not Just Del Ray Baby

I was talking with a great mom friend today that’s I’ve know since my youngest was a wee one and getting her thoughts on how our babies are growing and becoming full grown kids. Del Ray Baby’s blog and Facebook page have never been just about babies. My own kids are now 6 and 8 and I feel like I’ve always covered topics for families. I’m sure your babies are growing too! Considering this, do we need a re-brand? I love Del Ray Baby and don’t want to lose that but are we more than that to you? My friend suggested Del Ray Families because it really is all about the entire family. Thought I’d branch out and ask a few more friends ; ) What do you think?

Jun 05, 2013

First Thursday – Dog Days of Summer

UPDATE

After being postposed on June 6th and 13th, it looks like third time is a charm and First Thursday will happen on June 20th!

Today is Del Ray’s First Thursday. Come out from 6-9pm along Mount Vernon Avenue and join friends and neighbors for lots of fun! Businesses will be open late and there will be fun activities for people and dogs.

The business association hasn’t released much information about the evening but here’s what I’ve gathered that local businesses will be doing:

Del Ray Variety store will have Alexandria Police K-9 Unit demonstrations in their parking lot. Our premier sponsor The Little Gym of Alexandria at Van Dorn will also outside w/ interactive activities for the kids! The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will be ccollecting pet supply donations in the store.
The Animal Welfare League will be set up at Mt. Vernon and E. Oxford Avenues with staff and adoptable animals. Pet photographer Jeanne Taylor will be taking pictures of dogs outside of A Show of Hands that will be available for sale.
Want to take a break and get a tasty bite to eat that kids and adults will love? Cheesetique will have live jazz all night.
Upcycle Creative Reuse Center is moving to Del Ray at 1712 Mt. Vernon Ave.! Stop by and make an UpCycled dog toy for your special pooch. They are also collecting towels, blankets, bath mats and more for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
Free face painting at Bellies and Babies
Homeward Trails & Operation Paws for homes will be along the 2500 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue in front of the Mt. Vernon Community School at ‘Rescue Row’ with dogs that are up for adoption.
The Little Free Library stewards and friends will be at Bean Creative helping out the Alexandria Library folks with a readaloud of Martha Speaks, which will be available in the LFL at the corner of Windsor and Dewitt afterwards

Apr 28, 2013

First Thursday is back!

I’m so excited that the nice weather is back and our first First Thursday On The Avenue is this coming Thursday with the fun theme of “Cirque Du Del Ray”

The fun begins at 6:00 pm

Kicking off the First Thursday series with the Health and Wellness themed Cirque Du Del Ray! Come join the fun at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Oxford Street in a healthy carnival atmosphere where kids and their parents can participate in a variety of activities:

Tentative Schedule of Events in Farmer’s Market Lot (Mount Vernon & East Oxford)

6:00pm – Family Pictionary – “Healthy Foods” Osteopath Dr. Jennifer Lee & “Healthy KOZ”: 2 teams of 5 kids each will compete for a prize!

6:20pm – Little Gym of Alexandria in Van Dorn: activities for kids from 6 and up

7:00pm – Crossfit kids (wear sneakers) – Mount Vernon Community School

7:15pm – Barre Body – Studio Body Logic

7:30pm – Family Yoga (bring a mat) & Pilates Boot Camp (bring a mat) – Mind the Mat & Dragon Pilates

8:00pm – “Let’s Move” Del Ray Hula Hoop Party – DRBA

8:30pm – Closing Meditation (bring a mat) – Yoga & Daily Life Meditation

AND throughout the night, bring your bicycles for Velocity’s BIKE RODEO in the parking lot next to Del Ray Variety at 203 E Custis! Their staff will check out your bike and get it ready for a fun summer!

Check out last year’s Flash Mob!

Mar 22, 2013

Del Ray Variety is ultra kid friendly!

I knew from following Del Ray Variety on Facebook that they were going to be carrying toys in their store but after stopping in for a quick shopping trip on their first day open, I’m blown away but what a great resource this will be for parents! Not only do they carry the typical baby care items, but they also have multiple isles of toys, crafts, stickers and candy. My kids have been begging us all week to take them down the avenue after school to pick up a ‘special’ treat. We told them that we would go on Friday. So today, we can take them to the new variety store and let them pick from the ‘penny candy’ selection. I also snagged a couple of things for crafting with the kids over the weekend, including yarn and sheets of felt. I found shoe laces for my son’s tennis shoes and was thrilled to see that they carry a nice selection of standard and mylar balloons, something that I’ve really missed having on the avenue since Artfully Paper left the neighborhood.

Next weekend Del Ray Variety will have a grand opening celebration on Saturday, March 30th from 10am-12pm. As part of the festivities they will have facepainting, food, giveaways and lots of fun!

Regular hours will be:
Mon – Sat: 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Sun: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Del Ray Variety is located at 203 E Custis Ave., Alexandria

Mar 03, 2013

A Toast to Fashion – A perfect girl’s night out!

I know you’re like me and you could use a night out with your girl friends! Come join the The Junior Friends of The Campagna Center at the 14th Annual Toast to Fashion, which will take place on Thursday, March 14th from 6:30 -10 pm at Belle Haven Country Club. This annual event combines a fashion show, marketplace, raffle, and cocktail reception. For the third year, ABC-7/WJLA’s Britt McHenry will serve as emcee. Proceeds from this event help support programs of The Campagna Center

Participating vendors: Arbonne, Bronzed Berry, The Hat Lady, J. Ryan Jewelry, Pink and Brown, Queen Bee Designs, Rachelle Celine, Scout Bag and Bins, Shop Mamie, Skinfinity, Stella & Dot, The Lucky Knot, Toka & Chris, Top It Off, Villa de Alpacas Farm, Whyte House Monograms, Belt It
Participating Shops & Boutiques: Bishop Boutique, Bloomers, Brooks Brothers, 529 Kids Consign, Gossip on 23rd, Gossypia, J.McLaughlin, J.Ryan Jewelry, Kiskadee, Monday’s Child, Periwinkle, Pink and Brown, Purple Goose, Queen Bee Designs, Shop Mamie, Stella & Dot, Toka & Chris, The Lucky Knot, The Pink Palm, The Shoe Hive, 3 Sisters, Top it Off, Zoe Boutique
Event Details: March 14, 2013 6:30-10 Belle Haven Country Club 6023 Fort Hunt Road Alexandria, VA 22307 Tickets can be purchased at
www.CampagnaCenter.org

About The Campagna Center
For nearly 70 years, The Campagna Center has been committed to fostering a positive environment for Alexandria’s children and families. The early childhood programs serve some of the neediest children in the community and help ensure they are prepared for school. In addition, the Center operates after school programs for elementary students where tutoring and enrichment experiences reinforce academic and social skills needed for success in school and life. Vital youth development programs are also provided at T.C. Williams through Building Better Futures and the Center supports adult/family literacy through the New Neighbors program.

Breaking News- A little bird has swooped down and shared some GREAT news! Kiskadee cares!! Kiskadee supports the Campagna Center and the Junior Friend’s Efforts, and they would like to support our Toast to Fashion Event. That’s why if you stop into Kiskadee between now and March 14th, the day of the event, they will offer 15% off apparel and shoes (in stock and full priced merchandise), as well as give back an additional 15% of the purchases to the Campagna Center! Perfect time to fly in and grab your Toast to Fashion outfit!

Feb 12, 2013

Alexandria Spring Break Camps 2013

Spring Break is right around the corner (commence the happy dance) so we’ve put together a list of camps for kids as young as 3 to enjoy here in Alexandria

Alexandria Soccer Association Spring Break Camp

March 25-29, 2013
Lee Rec. Center
Half Day (Ages 5-6)-$135
Full Day (Ages 7-11)- $215

Metropolitan Fine Arts Center: Alexandria Studios Spring Break Camp 2013

MARCH 25-29, 2013
8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
$300.00 per child.
Ages 5-12 yrs

Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theater Spring Break Camp at Heritage Presbyterian Church

March 25-29, 2013, 9 am to 5 pm
Ages 5-13

Campagna Kids Spring Gap Camp

To enroll your child in the Campagna Kids program you must be a resident of Alexandria, and/or your child must be enrolled in the Alexandria City Public School system.

Baroody Camps Spring Break Camp

Alexandria Country Day School
Dates: 3/25 – 3/29
Ages: K through 6th
Cost: $279

City of Alexandria Parks & Recreation has multiple Spring Break Camps

Bunny Hop Ballet Camp
Ages 3-5
Instructor Tiny Dancers. Min 4/Max 10.
M-F 10am-12pm 3/25-3/29 $210 Lee Rec. Center

Virginia Fishing Spring Break
Ages 8-14
Camper Pick up: Chinquapin 3210 King St
Mon- Fri 9am return to Chinquapin at 4pm
M-Th 9am-4pm 3/25-3/29 $440 Chinquapin Rec. Center

Name That Artist
Ages 6-12
Instructor Abrakadoodle
M-F 9am-12pm 3/25-3/29 $195 Nannie J. Lee Rec. Center
House of Hoops Basketball Camp
Ages 5-14
Instructor The House of Hoops
M-F 9am-4pm 3/25-3/29 5 $200 CH
M-F 9am-4pm 4/1-4/5 5 $200 CH

Tiny Tots Tennis Spring Break
Ages 4-5
Instructor Mel Labat – Tennis on the Move. Min 10/Max 20.
M-F 9am-1pm 3/25-3/29 5 $200 Chinquapin Rec. Center

Spring Break Tennis Camp
Ages 6-12
Instructor Mel Labat – Tennis on the Move
M-F 9am-12pm 3/25-3/29 5 $220 Chinquapin Rec. Center
M-F 9am-4pm 3/25-3/29 5 $290 Chinquapin Rec. Center

UK Sports Week Spring Break Camp
Ages 6-14
M-F 9am-12pm 3/25-3/29 5 $125 Four Mile Run
M-F 9am-3pm 3/25-3/29 5 $175 Four Mile Run

Challenger Sports British Soccer
www.challengersports.com
First Kids, Ages 2-3
M-F 10:45-11:45am 3/25-3/29 5 $82 Chinquapin Rec. Center
Mini Soccer, Ages 4-5
M-F 9-10:30am 3/25-3/29 5 $99 Chinquapin Rec. Center
Half Day, Ages 6 – 16
M-F 9am-12pm 3/25-3/29 5 $127 Chinquapin Rec. Center
Full Day, Ages 6 – 16
M-F 9am-4pm 3/25-3/29 5 $178 Chinquapin Rec. Center

Computer Technology for the Creative Teen Camp
Ages 11-15
Instructor Andy Livingston
M-F 8:30am-12pm 3/25-3/29 5 $195

Spring Break Nature Camp – “Messing with Bigfoot!”
Ages 7-10
M-F 9 am-3 pm 3/25-3/29 5 $285 Buddy Ford Nature Center

Jan 28, 2013

Things to Do with Young Children in Alexandria When It’s Cold

It’s now the coldest part of the year and the kids are going crazy being in the house so much.

Here are some are some ideas of places to go in Alexandria to let the kids play and get their crazies out!

There are 8 recreation centers throughout the city. The hours and facilities vary. The Charles Houston Recreation Center is a newer facility on Wythe St. Not only does it have a game area and basketball court that older kids will enjoy, it has a soft play room for kids that are toddler age. We did a post last year with more information about the facility. For kids between the ages of 2 and 5, there’s a soft play room at the Chinquapin Recreation Center. Call before you go though, because they do rent out this facility. It’s $4 per 1/2 hour. This recreation center also has an indoor swimming pool with a zero entry that makes it perfect for families. Several of the recreation centers also have regular play groups. Check out the city’s Winter Program Guide to see classes that will be offered by the city.

The YMCA on Monroe Ave. is also another nice option for an indoor swimming pool. They even offer baby sitting for members.

Landmark Mall has ‘The Woodlands’. This small indoor play area is not enclosed but it’s usually fairly empty so it’s easy to keep an eye on your kids. I would recommend this for kids up to 4 years old. The mall also has a kid sized train that kids enjoy riding for $4 per ride.

There are several kids gyms here also. There’s a brand new The Little Gym of Alexandria that just opened up at Van Dorn and offers classes for kids as young as 4 months up to 12 years. JW Tumbles, Gymboree both have regular classes and weekly open play hours where you can bring kids in to play

Hop on Play has a play room that you can bring the kids to or even drop off while you run take care of errands. You can read more about their facility on our recent blog post.

Buddie Ford Nature Center is a small educational facility on the west side of Alexandria with lots of room for the kids to roam around and enjoy the mounted animals, see live turtles, snakes, toads, salamanders and aquariums. The facility is rarely crowded during the week so it’s nice to not have to worry about crowds.

Local Motion studio has regular dance and movement classes for kids but they occasionally open up their studio for ‘Open Play’ days. Follow them on Facebook to see when their next ‘Open Play’ will be.

The city’s four library’s offer story time and special programs throughout the week. We keep the schedule for the Del Ray’s Duncan branch posted on our Del Ray Baby community calendar but you can find the list of all the programs on a monthly calendar for each branch conveniently listed on ‘Upcoming Events’ on the main library webpage.

Hooray for Books! has regular story times on Friday and Saturday and frequently has special events where they have parties, characters or authors at their store.

I’m sure this only covers a small portion of all that’s available! Feel free to share other great cold weather spots in the comments or on our Facebook page. We’ll try to do another update this Winter.

Jan 16, 2013

Alexandria City “Day of Service”

This Saturday the City of Alexandria will celebrate the presidential inauguration with a day of service for our children. Alexandria City Public Schools, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority and Volunteer Alexandria have organized an event designed to engage youth in creating a 30-page storybook, which will then be signed by the nation’s first family.

The day of service is an effort to teach Alexandria’s children the importance of giving back.

The events will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat. Jan. 19th at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center, Charles Barrett Recreation Center and the T.C. Williams satellite office at Landmark Mall.

Activities include games, reading, dancing, discussing “service,” coloring and making a storyboard.

This is a bit last minute but I just found out about this great event today! I can’t think of how many times I’ve had questions about the city’s rec. programs and organized sports leagues. Tomorrow there will be an opportunity to visit and view what programs and camps are being offered in the City of Alexandria for youth, teens, adults and seniors for the upcoming year.

Jan 02, 2013

Alexandria City Winter 2013 Recreation Program Guide now available

Wondering what the kids can do all winter so they don’t drive everyone crazy?

The city of Alexandria has released the 2013 Recreation Program Guide that has lots of great recreation classes and youth sports programs listed.

Classes for kids this winter include:

Art, Chess, Kids Play, Soccer, Gymnastics, Basketball, Music, Martial Arts, Dance and Swimming

Did I miss something? I probably did! There are so many great classes you can sign up for on the city’s website!

You can pick up a copy of the guide at any of the city’s recreation centers or request one online. You can also browse classes online and filter by activity, age or location.

*UPDATE*

After being postposed on June 6th and 13th, it looks like third time is a charm and First Thursday will happen on June 20th!

Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theater Spring Break Camp at Heritage Presbyterian Church

Art, Chess, Kids Play, Soccer, Gymnastics, Basketball, Music, Martial Arts, Dance and Swimming

UPDATE