Zpizza Announces New Program For Kids Called zKids

January 8th, 2010

Perfect for playgroups and kids who like pizza, Zpizza is starting a new program just for kids called zKids! Here’s how it works:

zKids get an age-appropriate tour of the restaurant, learn about the
importance of eating healthy, and then each child gets to make their
own mini-pizza (and eat it of course)!

zKids is perfect for play groups, mom’s clubs, school field trips, birthdays, or
just for something fun to do with your kids!

WHERE: Zpizza Alexandria, Richmond Highway,
Springfield & Lorton.

WHEN: Times vary by location. Space is limited to
15 participants and reservations are required.
(minimum 6 people)

COST: $5 per person

For more information, reservations, or to schedule your own group, please
contact Chris Handlon at chandlon@zpizza.com

Kid Drop Zone Going Out Of Business

November 16th, 2009

Kid Drop Zone will be shutting down on November 23, 2009, according to an email sent by the owners. KDZ was a themed indoor play area where parents could drop off their kids, or stay and play with them. They also hosted birthday parties.

Kid Drop Zone was a popular activity on Kidburst. With 35 parent ratings and 8 parent reviews, it seemed to get noticed from local parents in Northern Virginia. But, apparently, it wasn’t popular enough to stay in business.

The parent feedback was both positive and negative. Some parents cited safety concerns and high prices, and these could have been part of the reasons KDZ didn’t make it. There were also positive reviews about the management and staff. Parents seem to like the idea of having a place to drop in with kids, even leave them alone for a couple hours, but making it a viable business is another story.

Pumpkin Shortage

October 8th, 2009

From Cox Farms media:

SHORTAGE OF PUMPKINS THREATENS HALLOWEEN ART

October 8, 2009 (CENTREVILLE, Va.) — Michelangelo had the Sistine Chapel, and in some ways that was easier than the seasonal canvas Cox Farms resident Master Pumpkin Carver Roger Holtorf has to use. He fears a country-wide pumpkin shortage will threaten his Halloween art.

“My crop of pumpkins is down 70 percent from last year,” said Holtorf, citing disease, insects and animal pests. Holtorf has a small patch of pumpkins, but his crop problems mirror similar problems on larger scale pumpkin farms. New England pumpkin growers suffered due to relentless rain in June and July, causing loss and forcing new plantings. The result is that the pumpkin harvest may be delayed by two weeks, or the pumpkins might not be big enough or orange enough by Halloween.

“We are concerned here at Cox Farms,” said Eric Cox, co-owner of Cox Farms, the site of the DC area’s largest Fall Festival including the famous Pumpkin Madness Weekend, where leftover pumpkins are smashed and hurled in various ways. Cox has a great network of suppliers built up over thirty-seven years in the pumpkin business. However the shortage is hitting home. “We barely have enough pumpkins right now to get through Columbus Day,” he said. “We hope the situation improves. But unfortunately the Washington DC area can expect a shortage of pumpkins – and higher prices – this Halloween.”

Master Carvers Roger Holtorf and Patrick Logue team up to carve their art at Cox Farms Fall Festival
Cox Farms usually offers a small patch pumpkin to every visitor leaving their famous Fall Festival. Cox isn’t sure how much longer they will be able to do that. “Small ‘patch pumpkins’ are especially scarce this year. Once we run out, we’ll have to start offering visitors a gourd instead of a patch pumpkin,” he added.

Still, the show will go on. Holtorf, along with fellow pumpkin carver, Patrick Logue, are scheduled to appear at Cox Farms Fall Festival, October 17 and October 25, 2-5 p.m., and also October 18 and October 24 at Cox Farms Vienna Market, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

“Having Master Pumpkin Carvers Roger and Patrick at the Fall Festival adds another level of entertainment,” said Cox. “People are fascinated with the intricate detail of each pumpkin that is carved right before their eyes. It is an amazing seasonal art that, even in a year when pumpkins are scarce, we still want to showcase at our Fall Festival for everyone to enjoy.”

The Fall Festival runs thru November 8, 2009. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. now – Nov. 1, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nov. 2-8. Admission is $15 on weekends and Columbus Day; $9 on weekdays. Children under 2 years of age are free. To receive special member offers, make group reservations and view full festival information, visit www.coxfarms.com.

Cox Farms, founded in 1972 by Eric Cox and his wife Gina Richard, is family-owned and operated. Located on 120 acres in Centreville in Fairfax County, the Cox-Richard family has been serving and entertaining the DC metro area for generations.

Wee Wonders at the National Children’s Museum

September 1st, 2009

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join the National Children’s Museum for Wee Wonders at the NCM Launch Zone at National Harbor! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Greetings! Attention, Parents of TODDLERS! Parents and caregivers of children ages 2-3 are invited to participate in NCM’s special Wee Wonders programs this fall. These fun, fast-paced learning events typically include stories, games, art, music, experiments, drama, and movement around a different theme on select Tuesdays each month. Check out the schedule below and reserve your spot today!

Tuesday, September 15, 22, and 29 from 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Wee Wonders’ Remarkable Rivers With a beautiful view of the Potomac, the Launch Zone is the perfect spot to introduce your wee ones to everything fun about rivers! Explore river animals, fish, boats, and the properties of water alongside your young child in this exciting program. Tuesday, October 6, 13, and 20 from 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Wee Wonders’ Sense-ational! Children will begin to understand how their bodies work by investigating their five fabulous senses. Explore smells, textures, sounds, sights, and tastes with your toddler. Tuesday, November 3, 10, and 17 from 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Wee Wonders’ Fall at the Farm It’s harvest time at the pretend NCM farm! Little farmers will tend to pretend animals and crops and celebrate nature’s autumn surprises. Explore apples, pumpkins, and farm animals. Tuesday, December 1, 8, and 15 from 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Wee Wonders’ Winter Wonderland Discover what happens during the winter including winter weather, ice and snow, and how different animals adapt to the changing season. Limit two children per adult; all non-infant children with an adult must pay and must participate; additional siblings are not permitted. Fee: $10 per child. Pre-registration and advance payment (by check or credit card only) is required by the Friday prior to the event. Please call 202-675-4120 or email RSVP@ncm.museum to register. The Launch Zone is located at: 112 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD 20745

Contact Information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ email: info@ncm.museum web: http://ncm.museum ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Great Zucchini & Barry the Magician’s 2nd Avalon Promo

August 18th, 2009

The Great Zucchini and Barry the Magician are performing Saturday, August 29th 10:00am at The Avalon Theatre – Get your tickets early for the show of the summer.

Check out this promotional video for the event!

Kidburst Comes To Maryland

August 17th, 2009

We recently added a Maryland section to the website to help parents in Rockville, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Germantown, and surrounding areas find activities for their kids. As we expand our coverage in Maryland, send us your tips for great kids activities. Where should Kidburst go next?

Redskins Training Camp 2009

July 31st, 2009

The Washington Redskins opened their 2009 Training Camp on Thursday, July 30 at Redskins Park in Ashburn. Eight practices will be open to the public, capped by Fan Appreciation Day, which will feature an intra-squad scrimmage, on Saturday, Aug. 8. The intra-squad scrimmage begins with individual drills at 1:20 p.m. The scrimmage begins at 2 p.m.

Parking lots will open approximately 90 minutes prior to the scheduled start of practice and gates will open approximately one hour prior to the start of each practice. Last year’s Fan Appreciation Day drew more than 28,000 spectators. All practices are open to the public free of charge.

See Redskins.com for all the details.

Fourth of July Activities

July 2nd, 2009

Still not sure what to do this weekend?  Try these kid friendly 4th of July events around Northern Virginia.

4th of July at Great Meadow
The celebration features a high goal Arena Polo Match honoring the wounded Warriors program, model rockets, face painting, petting zoos, a rain machine, pony rides, music, puppet shows, craft and food vendors, and fireworks. Time: 4pm-9:30pm Cost: General Admission Vehicle Passes $20 in advance; $40 at the gate

National Independence Day Parade
The parade consists of over 60 units including national personalities, designed floats, national marching bands, giant helium balloons, favorite costumed characters, and unique specialty groups. It is a patriotic, flag-waving, red-white-and-blue celebration of America’s birthday. Along Constitution Avenue, NW from 7th Street to 17th Street. The parade starts at 11:45am.

Capital 4th Concert
Features performances by some of the country’s best-known and award-winning musical artists, including host Jimmy Smits and Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, plus Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch! The National Symphony Orchestra performs under the direction of America’s premier pops conductor, Erich Kunzel. The show is capped off by a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with live canon fire provided by the United States Army Salute Battery. A spectacular fireworks display begins at 9pm. The concert is held on the West Lawn of the US Capitol Concert 8pm; Fireworks 9pm

Fairfax Independence Day
The city’s two-hour parade winds through the historic downtown area beginning at 10am, with 200 parade units, including guest bands from across the nation as well as floats, clowns, and local businesses and organizations. Spend the remainder of the day at the Old Fashioned Fireman’s Day festival and the Evening Show – musical entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display. The parade runs along University Drive through the Fairfax Historic District. Time: Parade 10am-12n; Fireman’s Day 12:30pm; Evening Show 7pm-10:30pm

Local Bloggers Come To Kidburst

June 22nd, 2009

There are a lot of great parent bloggers living in Northern Virginia, with the same interests, concerns, and experiences as you. Kidburst added a new Local Blogger section to highlight the best bloggers from our area. Read posts from Reston Mom, Codename Pinkerbelle, Mother Rising, and more.

Cast Your Vote

June 19th, 2009

We’re trying to find out the best of everything for kids in Northern Virginia, so we’ve added a new feature called Parent Polls. Cast your vote today for the best museum, best toy store, best birthday party place, best place to live, with many more polls to come.

Keep Those Tips Coming

June 11th, 2009

Thank you parents!   We have received three hot tips this week about kids activities.   Based on your feedback, we have added Tiny Toes Dance Academy, Sky Meadows State Park, and Regal’s Free Family Film Festival to Kidburst.  Keep those tips coming.

Find Local Restaurant Coupons

June 8th, 2009

Kidburst has partnered with CouponClipper to provide discounts at your favorite restaurants. Tell them Kidburst sent you!

Find coupons to your favorite NoVA restaurants like Manhattan Pizzeria and Mezza Grill in Ashburn, Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe in Arlington, or Anthony’s Restaurant in Falls Church.

CouponClipper.com is the best source for local coupons. Coupon Clipper contains over 50,000 free coupons available to print and use today! Save on Restaurants, Health and Beauty, Medical & Dental, Retail, Home Improvement, Professional Services, Automotive Services and much more! Join the community to begin saving right now. Connect with other consumers who share your interests through business reviews and ratings.

Kidburst Adds Local Events

June 2nd, 2009

We launched a new feature today that lists kids events near where you live.  For example, see events near Ashburn, events near Reston, or events near Springfield.  For now, we show events happening this week, but soon we will allow you to pick the time period and give more search options.

Events by Eventful

Kidburst News Blog

June 2nd, 2009

Welcome to the Kidburst News Blog!  This is where we’ll let you know about new features and content on our site.  Remember, your feedback is always welcome as we want to make Kidburst the most useful resource for kids activities in Northern Virginia.