For your kids, January can be a month where they’re left wondering what happened to all the fun of the holiday season.
To keep their spirits high and kick their 2020 off right, here is a handful of events they’ll enjoy, time and time again throughout the month of January.
Cupcake Decorating with your Little Chef
Thursday, Jan. 2, 10:30 a.m.
Let your little chef make a beautiful mess while learning to decorate cupcakes; it’s their own kid-friendly form of edible art. Your little one will get an apron and chef’s hat to wear while choosing different colors of frosting and various edible toppings for their cupcake. Plus, they can eat it too! This is a weekly event at this location; future times and dates may vary throughout the month. // Once Upon a Dream: 527 Maple Ave. E., Suite 200, Vienna; $10 per child
Winter Break Family Craft Night
Thursday, Jan. 2, 6-8:30 p.m.
AR Workshop is ready to welcome you and the kids for a family craft night, a great way to finish up the much-needed break from school over the holidays. Families can choose from one of the location’s wood projects, including a framed sign, a centerpiece box, a bottle opener box, a Lazy Susan, a wood photo frame or a pedestal tray. Families will get to customize the product with colors, designs, patterns and materials, and take it home to hang up and commemorate the memories. This is not a weekly event, but the location hosts several family-friendly and kid-friendly events throughout the month. // AR Workshop Loudoun: 1601 Village Market Blvd. SE, Suite 116, Leesburg; $60-$90
Friday Mornings with Rocknoceros
Friday, Jan. 3, 10:30 a.m.
This local kid-focused band has been around for over a decade, and they continue to share their funny and catchy tunes with local children every week. Come out to Jammin Java to meet Marc “Boogie Woogie Bennie,” David “Coach” and Patrick “Williebob,” and hear them jam out to songs that will have you tapping your foot and your kids dancing all morning long. This is a weekly performance, although times and dates are subject to change. // Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna; $5 per child
Mini Hockey Game Build at Home Depot
Saturday, Jan. 4, 9 a.m.-noon
DIY projects don’t always have to come from a Pinterest post or involve something edible. Instead, let your child learn to to sand, nail, paint and more at your local Home Depot, where with the help of you and store associates, they will create a mini hockey game craft made with wood, and get to take home their creation to play with for days to come. Plus, each child receives a free certificate of achievement, a workshop apron and a commemorative pin. This is a monthly event. Crafts, locations, dates and times may vary. // Home Depot locations across the region; free
Ice Skating at Loudoun Ice Centre
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2:40-4:20 p.m.
Just because the holiday season is over doesn’t mean winter activities can’t still be fun for the whole family. If you didn’t make it to an outdoor skating rink this year (or you did, and your kids fell in love with it), head to Loudoun Ice Centre for its public skate session. You and the kids can try your hand at taking laps while staying upright and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate to finish up a great weekend afternoon. Public skating is scheduled every day of the week, and times vary. // Loudoun Ice Centre: 22149 Davis Drive, Suite 155, Sterling; $11 (includes skate rental)
Family Learn the Ropes
Saturday, Jan. 4, 4 p.m.
Maybe you made a family New Year’s resolution to be more active or spend more time together … or maybe you just made a mental note of it. Regardless, you can do both every Friday at Vertical Indoor Climbing and Fitness Center. Children 5 years and older and family members are welcome to learn how to properly climb and make your way to the top of the rock. It takes strength, muscle and skill, but learning to persevere and work hard together is priceless. Plus, you get to physically reach new heights in 2020. // Vertical Rock Indoor Climbing and Fitness Center: 10225 Nokesville Road, Manassas; free for members, $35 for non-members
Gymnastics Open Gym for Preschool and Homeschool
Monday, Jan. 6, 10-11:30 a.m.
Have a little one who loves to climb, jump, flip and dance? Head to the open gym at HOPE Gymnastics Academy and they can move around to their heart’s content while getting in exercise and burning off energy. These open gym hours are only for preschool-aged children and home-schooled children, but they are welcome with a parent to try safely try out what they like (maybe they’ll want to take lessons), practice their own made-up routine or just have a new space to play. Open gym is offered almost every day at this location, times and dates vary. // HOPE Gymnastics Academy: 44670 Cape Court, Suite 120, Ashburn; $8-$8.50
Teen Gaming Hour
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 5-6 p.m.
For your older kids who are looking to socialize and play fun video games, head to the Ashburn Library for Teen Gaming Hour. Favorites like Fortnite, Mariokart and more are offered to middle school- and high school-aged students, and you never know what friends they’ll make by bonding over one of their favorite pastimes. This event is held on the second Wednesday of every month. // Ashburn Library: 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn; free
Ultimate Archery
Friday, Jan. 10, 5-9 p.m.
Channel your inner Katniss Everdeen and head to Ultimate Archery, where families will learn to point and shoot soft arrows through several challenges, and battle to the end through a heart-pumping, fun and unique workout. Open to ages 8 and older, the gym helps lead family members and friends through multiple games, allowing everyone to get the chance to play in a way that suits them best (fast and chaotic, or calm and strategic?). You might be surprised just how much fun you have, and the kids could be asking to come back again next week too. // Ultimate Archery: 22370 Davis Drive, Suite 150, Sterling; $28 per person
Campfire Fridays
Friday, Jan. 10, 6-7:30 p.m.
Fun for the whole family is a wonderful way to continue bonding after the holiday season, and you can do so at Hidden Pond Nature Center’s Campfire Fridays. Gather ’round to enjoy the heat of the flames on a winter evening, listen to a short lecture on a different topic in a different area of the park each time, have a meet and greet with local species, and toast marshmallows for sweet and sticky s’mores. // Hidden Pond Nature Center: 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield; $10 per person
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