Kids and the Park

Glen Echo has always been an enchanting place for children. Activities for kids include puppet shows, children's theater, exploring nature, making crafts, romping in the playground and of course, riding the famous Dentzel Carousel.

Carousel Schedule

One of the greater Washington area's true treasures, the historic Glen Echo Park Dentzel carousel is in its 88th year. The carousel will open for the season on Saturday, April 26 with our Family Day Celebration. Carousel tickets are $1.00 each and all riders require a ticket. Please join us for a ride on this historic treasure!

April 26 through June 29: Wednesday & Thursday - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday - Noon to 6:00 p.m.

July 2 through August 31: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday - Noon to 6:00 p.m.

September 6 though 28: Saturday & Sunday - Noon to 6:00 p.m.

Camps at the Park

Spring, summer, and even winter camps for children and teens are offered by the resident groups listed on this page and by other resident groups at the Park. In addition, the Glen Echo Park Partnership partners with other organizations and individual instructors to bring more exciting camps to the Park, including: Mystery Academy magic camps, the “Ghanu the Good News Turtle” series, arts and crafts camps presented by VisArts Center and the Corcoran, Irish dance camps with the Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance, calligraphy and wearable art, clay animation, cartooning and more.

Programs for Children

Drawing, Painting and Crafts

The Young Creative Spirit is the children's art residency at Glen Echo Park. Coordinated by artists/instructors Katherine T. Andrle and Cathie Nelsen, the center's goal is to serve the community by providing art instruction to children, and to broaden their appreciation of the world by giving them an outlet for creative expression. The program encourages children to trust their own interpretations and uses a wide variety of media to expand their experience. Serving ages 5 through 12.
Phone: 301.980.1538 and 301.229.5282. Web site: www.youngcreativespirit.org
Take a class or camp

The Corcoran's Continuing Education program provides students of all skill levels the opportunity to explore their interests in studio art ranging from drawing and painting to graphic and jewelry design. Each semester offers a new range of courses to entice novice and advanced students alike. Students at the College's new CE satellite location at Glen Echo Park will enjoy all the resources available to the other students at the Downtown and Georgetown Campuses including access to the College's library and opportunities to visit the Corcoran Gallery of Art's outstanding collection.
Web site: www.corcoran.edu/ce
Take a class.

Clay Animation offers classes and camps for the future movie maker.
Web site: www.www.claymovie.com
Take a class or camp.

Parent and child classes in arts and crafts and textiles.
Take a class or camp.

Environmental Education Programs

Discovery Creek Children's Museum is located in the former Stables building at Glen Echo Park. Environment, history, and the arts are brought to life in a variety of innovative educational programs and exhibitions designed for children up to age 12. Focusing on a mission to help all children experience, appreciate and become stewards of the natural environment, Discovery Creek offers exhibitions, student and teacher programs, weekend family programs, birthday parties, and seasonal camps.
Phone: 202.337.5111. Web site: www.discoverycreek.org
Take a class or camp

Puppetry

The Puppet Co. Playhouse is one of the few puppet theaters in the United States built from the ground up specifically for puppetry. The new facility, finished in 2003, was designed for the greatest sensory experience for viewers of all ages, and seats up to 250 people. The Puppet Co. presents a selection of performances from their repertory of over twenty different productions and also hosts' shows by visiting production companies. They present a total of about 475 performances annually, and are one of the few year-round puppet theaters on the East Coast. They have been cited in both local and national media for the unique nature of their programs, and the artistic excellence of their presentations.
Phone: 301.320.6668. Web site: www.thepuppetco.org
Take a class

Theater

Adventure Theatre, founded in 1951, is the Washington area's longest running children's theater. We are committed to using theatrical arts to entertain, educate and enrich the lives of children and their families by providing fully staged live productions of fables, fairy tales, popular stories, musicals and children's classics. Performances are appropriate for children four and up. We also offer classes and workshops in all phases of the dramatic arts. The theater is located in the Arcade building.
Phone: 301.634.2270. Web site: www.adventuretheatre.org
Take a class or camp

Writing

The Writer's Center was founded in 1976 and has become one of the leading independent literary centers in the United States. It is an open membership organization of 2,500 writers, editors, students, small-press publishers and other artists. The goal is to promote the art of writing and to build a community of writers, workshop leaders, publishers and audiences for contemporary writing. They offer workshops year-round for writers of all ages and abilities in fiction, feature writing, essay, memoir, poetry, playwriting and screenwriting, and business writing. The Partnership is pleased to welcome the Writer's Center to the Park. To register for classes please visit their website directly.
Web site: www.writer.org
Take a class.

Dance and Movement Classes

Music Together classes build on your child's natural enthusiasm for music and movement. They help you provide your child with the basic musical skills needed to enjoy participating in school and mucical activities, and to formally study an instrument should he or she choose to do so. Moreover, the development of musical skills significantly benefits a child's physical, emotional and intellectual development.
Take a class.

Yoga for strength, relaxation and fun! Parent and child classes are now offered. Hoola Hooping is back. Hoop for fun and fitness.
Take a class.

Monthly social family dances are offered for children and families.
Visit our calendar page.

Music

Learn to play Rock guitar and hone your skills.
Take a class