For the first time ever, I’m expanding on the tried-and-true, DC-inspired KFDC gift guide with collections of ideas curated for specific groups of giftees.  This one is for the teens, who can be kind of tough to shop for since they tend to be more selective about their stuff (mine are, anyway). But these ideas, hopefully, will be helpful as they come from both my experience with two teenage kids and actual input from the teens themselves. Happy Gifting!   * * *    Wearables  What they wear is a top priority for many teens, though they can be picky about what ..read more

Imagination Stage has been a beloved and trusted theatre for 43 years! Their fall classes provide an ideal setting for nurturing creativity, exploring the arts, and making new friends and great memories.  Registration is now open for 6- and 10-week classes as well as one-day workshops in acting, musical theatre, performance, dance, and filmmaking for ages 1-18. They are conveniently located in Bethesda, just minutes from the Metro. The skilled and fun-loving teaching artists are dedicated to the Imagination Stage mission of empowering all young people to discover their voice and identity ..read more

  You may have heard of Young Artists of America before. They’ve been voted as a top summer camp by Washington City Paper and Bethesda Magazine readers for many years in a row. Their productions have won Regional Emmys, and their year-round programming was named “Best Youth Music Program” (Bethesda Magazine’s Best of Bethesda 2020) and “Best Performing Arts Education for Young Artists” (MD Theater Guide 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards). With the pandemic, they have been pivoting quickly, thinking creatively with safety first – offering virtual classes as well as fully-staged digital musical ..read more

  The National Children’s Chorus Academy based in Washington, DC, provides children ages 5 to 17 the opportunity to learn and grow in an extraordinary online musical environment this spring. The country’s leading music educators work with students in small groups weekly to develop their vocal and musicianship skills from the most basic concepts through the college level. Tone quality, breath support and musical expression are cultivated within the individual singers, while working together as an ensemble culminates in an exciting array of virtual performances, presenting world ..read more

  On September 28, Young Playwrights’ Theater (YPT) launches its Digital Playwriting Program, after-school virtual playwriting classes for young people. The Digital Playwriting Program is open to students in grades 3 – 12, who are interested in learning how to express themselves through playwriting and storytelling. YPT playwrights learn to create bold characters, imaginative settings, and thrilling action in their very own play with live instruction from a YPT Teaching Artist through video conference. YPT is dedicated to providing accessible programming to all young people. Students and ..read more

[Note: This is a sponsored guest post by Jr. Wizards Basketball Camps.] The Washington Wizards have announced their official Jr. Wizards Basketball Camp dates! If you have a young one interested in crafting their skills or a beginner who wants to learn more about the game of basketball, registration is open now here. And you can learn more about the camp below! 11 Great Things To Know About Jr. Wizards Basketball Camps 1. There is a Jr. Wizards Basketball Camp during spring break, and 12 camps during the summer. The spring break camp runs from April 6 – 10 in Sterling, VA. There are 12 cam ..read more

[This is a sponsored guest post contributed by International School of Music.] Does your child love to sing or pretend to play a guitar? Are they the next Mozart or Justin Bieber? If your kid loves music — or maybe you want to introduce them to it in a fun way — there is a school whose specialty is just that! International School of Music, with two locations in Bethesda and Potomac, is the premier provider of music lessons in all instruments and voice to students of all ages and levels. They bring together a community of dedicated, experienced, world-class faculty that offers personalized less ..read more

Photo courtesy of Imagination Stage [Note: This review is by KFDC contributor Emily Moise, who saw a performance of Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth with her 3-year-old daughter.] Come for the Adidas sweat suit-clad, hip-hopping rabbit, stay for the life lessons. I had no idea what to expect at Imagination Stage’s Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth; I had only skimmed the Nigerian folktale (which has an entirely different ending) and the brief show description online (which doesn’t do it justice!). But a special opening night showing, where many kids were likely out past their ..read more

[Note: This is a sponsored guest post contributed by Ingrid Sanden, Co-Founder of Boolean Girl.] Boolean Girl Camps have been recognized multiple times as a “Best Camp” by local and regional media outlets and, more importantly, by our campers. Here, girls entering Grades 3-8 develop new friendships and have fun as they learn about computer science and engineering in a welcoming, play-based environment with a series of unique projects and creative challenges. Camps and classes are designed using a holistic approach to learning, with a goal to blend play and programming through hands-on instr ..read more

This post is sponsored by the Washington Waldorf School, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think will be of interest to KFDC readers ..read more