|
Aladdin's Lamp
2499 N. Harrison Street
Arlington VA 22207
703-241-8283
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Aladdin's Lamp is quietly located on the lower level of the Lee Harrison Street Shopping Center. A popular attraction for years, the store shingle was first hung in Falls Church for 12 years. After the move, loyal customers still came calling. The store offers a great storytime, author visits and even a great nook with lots of toys for your little one. The store's selection will woo you. It is a little hard to find but worth the trip. Noteworthy, storytime with Miss Jenny on Friday's. Plus Aladdin's Lamp is located in the same shopping center that is home to Taqueria el Poblano Mexican restaurant and Pie-Tazzo, an awesome pizza joint. Ahh, the perfect outing.
Alexandria County Library
Check website for library locations
Alexandria VA
www.alexandria.lib.va.us/
Local libraries are a wonderful way to share the gift of reading with your little one. Where else can you check out and road test 20+ books before you make them apart of your little ones library. Libraries can offer a tremendous savings to families. In addition to the standard fair, all of the local libraries that I have researched offer storytimes, movies and more. Check the website for locations, hours of operations, monthly events and storytimes. Noteworthy, many of the local storytimes offer a "pajama party". All this and the cost is FREE!
Arlington County Library
Check website for library locations
Arlington County VA
LINK
Local libraries are a wonderful way to share the gift of reading with your little one. Where else can you check out and road test 20+ books before you make them apart of your little ones library. Libraries can offer a tremendous savings to families. In addition to the standard fair, all of the local libraries that I have researched offer storytimes, movies and more. Check the website for locations, hours of operations, monthly events and storytimes. Noteworthy, many of the local storytimes offer a "pajama party". All this and the cost is FREE!
Barnes & Noble
Check website for DC Metro locations
www.barnesandnoble.com
Barnes & Noble continues to be a perennial favorite for the young and old. Each store boasts a welcoming offering of magazines, endless shelves of books, a large children's section complete with a train table and even a coffee bar with Wi-Fi . I have found that almost every Barnes and Noble offers a storytime during the week as well as on weekends. In addition to Junior's storytime, they also offer book clubs that promise spirited dialogue in a cozy environment. Noteworthy, I was impressed to see a nice selection of Melissa and Doug puzzles in the children's section. Better yet, the prices were better than Pottery Barn Kids.
BookBonds
On the web
www.bookbonds.com
BookBonds offers interactive sessions in which parents and children read, play, and sing with literacy as the focus. Each one hour class focuses on a different literacy-related theme and all classes begin with a short read aloud by the instructor and end with a "Baby Book Club" where parents and children have time to read together. BookBonds is located in Northern Virginia. Classes are offered throughout Metro DC based on demand. Classes begin July 2008.
Borders
Check website for DC Metro locations
www.bordersstores.com
Borders Books is a great destination for your little one as well as yourself. The children's section in the Tyson's Corner Store takes up most of the second floor. They have a huge selection of books, stuffed animals and puzzles. All of the local Borders Books stores provide storytimes during the week as well as on some weekend nights. Tyson's Corner also hosts Mr. Knick-Knack on Saturday mornings. As expected, Borders offers a coffee bar, a wide array of books on every topic and, as mentioned, a generous kid's corner.
DC Public Library
Local libraries are a wonderful way to share the gift of reading with your little one. Where else can you check out and road test 20+ books before you make them apart of your little ones library. Libraries can offer a tremendous savings to families. In addition to the standard fair, all of the local libraries that I have researched offer storytimes, movies and more. Check the website for locations, hours of operations, monthly events and storytimes. Noteworthy, many of the local storytimes offer a "pajama party". All this and the cost is FREE!
Fairfax County - Library
Check website for library locations
Fairfax County VA
LINK
Local libraries are a wonderful way to share the gift of reading with your little one. Where else can you check out and road test 20+ books before you make them apart of your little ones library. Libraries can offer a tremendous savings to families. In addition to the standard fair, all of the local libraries that I have researched offer storytimes, movies and more. Check the website for locations, hours of operations, monthly events and storytimes. Noteworthy, many of the local storytimes offer a "pajama party". All this and the cost is FREE!
|
Jammin Java
231 Maple Avenue
Vienna VA 22180
703-255-1566
www.jamminjava.com
Like most hidden gems in Northern VA, this unexpected surprise is found in a strip mall in Vienna. This musically inclined destination has broken through the glass ceiling of java house entertainment. Noted as one of the 5 best spots to see live music in the Metro DC Area, the location is daytime perfect for kids and a rare suburban treat for an adult evening with some of the areas best bands. The food, coffee and hour appropriate cocktails are wonderful. The venue hosts all the most popular kids’ bands in the area and holds an impressive line up of "adult friendly" local talent. Come early, the house fills up fast.
Kinder Haus Toys
4524 Lee Highway
Arlington VA 22207
703-522-2047
www.kinderhaus.com/imagine.html
Kinder Haus Toys is an old-fashioned store that stands for service, selection, and style. The array of high quality children's products includes toys, books, hobbies, crafts, clothes, shoes, and sporting goods. The toys are, for the most part, powered by imagination -- not batteries. Many are made out of wood. Many are educational as well as fun. The store carries a diverse toy lines inlcuding Haba, Small World, Woodkins, Melissa and Doug, Nilo, Selecta, and RC2. They also carry great plush lines such as Gund and Manhattan, doll lines like Corolle and Madame Alexander. The wonderful and life-like Folkmanis Puppets are not to be missed. Kinder Haus offers a storytime on Monday and Friday at 10:30am.
Kreeger Museum
2401 Foxhall Road
Washington DC 20007
202-337-3050
www.kreegermuseum.org/
Kreeger is a private non-profit mainstream museum that offers that offers works by Monet, Rodin, Picasso and more. For younger kiddies, try the Saturday workshops for children ages 8-12. In addition, Storytime at the Kreeger is offered every second Thursday and third Tuesday of the month, for children ages three to five. Special storytimes can also be reserved each month for preschools, play and day care groups.
Montgomery County Library
Check website for library locations
Montgomery County MD
www.countylibrary.org/
Local libraries are a wonderful way to share the gift of reading with your little one. Where else can you check out and road test 20+ books before you make them apart of your little ones library. Libraries can offer a tremendous savings to families. In addition to the standard fair, all of the local libraries that I have researched offer storytimes, movies and more. Check the website for locations, hours of operations, monthly events and storytimes. Noteworthy, many of the local storytimes offer a "pajama party". All this and the cost is FREE!
Politics & Prose
5015 Connecticut Avenue
Washington DC 20008
202-364-1919
www.politics-prose.com
The quintessential DC book store. Unlike some national chains, P&P boasts a hometown experience that can be felt throughout this lively book store located in the heart of DC. Local owners, who started Politics and Prose some 25 years ago, can still be seen working the floor and getting to know their well read and politically savvy DC customer base. The offering includes a gracious and relaxing coffee bar, an almost infinite amount of books and a thoughtful children's section. Check the website for a current list of activities, storytimes and author visits. Noteworthy, Politics and Prose also offers kiddies activities that take place in some local venues such as the Air and Space Museum.
Pottery Barn Kids
Check website for DC Metro locations
www.potterybarnkids.com/
Pottery Barn kids offers free sing-a-longs and storytimes, check the website for details on location and time. In addition, the Pottery Barn Kids website offers room planners, activity guides, even ideas for volunteering.
Prince George County Library
Check website for library locations
Prince George County MD
www.prge.lib.md.us/
Local libraries are a wonderful way to share the gift of reading with your little one. Where else can you check out and road test 20+ books before you make them apart of your little ones library. Libraries can offer a tremendous savings to families. In addition to the standard fair, all of the local libraries that I have researched offer storytimes, movies and more. Check the website for locations, hours of operations, monthly events and storytimes. Noteworthy, many of the local storytimes offer a "pajama party". All this and the cost is FREE!
Prince William County Library
Check website for library locations
Prince William County VA
LINK
Local libraries are a wonderful way to share the gift of reading with your little one. Where else can you check out and road test 20+ books before you make them apart of your little ones library. Libraries can offer a tremendous savings to families. In addition to the standard fair, all of the local libraries that I have researched offer storytimes, movies and more. Check the website for locations, hours of operations, monthly events and storytimes. Noteworthy, many of the local storytimes offer a "pajama party". All this and the cost is FREE!
Tree Top Kids
Check website for DC Metro locations
www.treetopkids.com/
For those who haven't discovered the phenomenon that is Tree Top Kids, read on. This is a diverse store that carries toys, high-end clothes, books and unique one-of-kind items that your kids will adore. In addition to the trendy wares, Tree Top also hosts an incredible line-up of local performers and special guests. The Great Zucchini, Mr. Knick-Knack, Rocknoceros, Santa and even President Bush have all made in-store appearances. While ownership changed hands in 2003, the same excellent level of customer service and commitment to quality goods has remained. A loyal customer base has enabled this fledgling chain to continue to expand. Check the website to see the most updated listing of store locations and events.
|
categories 
