Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing arts
OK, so it’s not a playground, but isn’t nature the world’s playground? When a friend asked if we wanted to go to a show at Wolf Trap I immediately jumped on the chance to see Saul Paul! Initially, I thought it was an adult show and afterward ended in a rap tutorial. I was super excited and was going to bring my kids anyway because I’m basically a full time mom with no camp option, so they go where I go! However, my friend crushed my rap dreams and told me it was a kid program at the Children’s Theater in the Woods.
My family has lived in Maryland (from Georgia) since 2011. I LOVE living here mostly because Maryland is such a small state that everything is relatively close! You can be in a number of states/nation’s capital/amazing attractions in a few hours (which to me is a day trip)! On my son’s first birthday he received a book; Washington DC With Kids! I slowly have made it my mission to check off every place in this book and Wolf Trap was one of them, so we got to check another page!
Saul Paul was really good! He makes original music by recording each piece of music for a song live on stage and looping them together, like Ed Sheeran! He also had a dance team and got the “older” generation involved with songs and dances like the Macarena! He was really great about including the audience and even both of my timid (in front of a crowd) kids went on stage to do the Fortnite dances. Let it be noted that we don’t know how to play Fortnite, but we know (and are quite good at) the dances like the Floss and those other ones! Saul Paul is known for his “music with a message” all about positivism.
Wolf Trap is the only national park dedicated to the performing arts. The Children’s Theater in the Woods is a smaller section of the Wolf Trap Park. They have accessible seating in the middle of the amphitheater. The theater is a bit of a walk from the parking lot, but it is a beautiful walk down a paved path lined with flowers and gardens! There is accessible parking, bathrooms and sign language interpretation can be arranged! Click here for all of the details about organizing appropriate accommodations for your family!
There is something for everyone here! Families can stop at the ranger booth to pick up a Junior Ranger pack to earn badges! They also have healthy lifestyle programs as well as a Flat Stanley/Flat Ranger to be sent around the world! To print your own and read about Flat Stanley click here! All programs are free except the Children’s Theater in the Woods.
NPS photo credit
We will definitely be back, maybe spend a day there for the children’s activities and end with a concert on the lawn! It’s a bit of a drive for us, but lunch (and a flight) at Vanish Farmwoods Brewery did make it better…they have a playground, ice cream truck and face painting among other activities!
