The Little Loop Newsletter by Clovie

Every Tuesday, Clovie's founder shares her top 5 picks for kids activities in Montgomery County and DC Northwest (plus the preamble you didn't ask for).

Hello!

Welcome to the 15th edition of The Little Loop Newsletter by Clovie, your weekly shortlist of the best kids activities across Montgomery County, MD and DC Northwest. Today's newsletter is dedicated to Brooke Eby, who passed away a few days ago from ALS. She and I went to the same high school in Montgomery County, and she so beautifully shared her ALS journey for the past 4 years with humor, positivity, and grace. Rest in peace, Brooke.

This past weekend, my family attended the sold-out Renaissance Festival near Annapolis, MD (waitlist tix available and has been successful for some). So many people. Crazy costumes. In the rain. In the mud. Pushing two strollers like they were weighted workout sleds. Oh, and none one of us wore rain boots. I ordered new shoes for the whole fam while holding an umbrella and turkey leg (because I'm dramatic like that). My friend, who also attended with her kids, and I were giving each other kudos for surviving. And I am proud that we did it! This was not for the weak, and the kids had fun. A highlight was a Renaissance person saying "Hello, my lord" to our son while he was hounding chicken nuggets. And the "treasure soap" with a rubber ducky inside. And my husband got the crowd going during the jousting. Anyways, proud of us! Now back to a calmer weekend before the end of October gets crazy.

The Little Loop TLDR: Spooky season is rolling in. Halloween Eye Spy rides on the Cabin John train, three free fall festivals in Chevy Chase, Colesville, and the Kentlands, and a puppet show at House of Sweden that makes for an easy Georgetown waterfront morning.

Growing Clovie

Two new partnerships are in the works, and I'm obsessed with both (more soon!). I've also said no to a couple that didn't feel right for you all. Keeping Clovie true to the families it's built for matters more to me than any quick win. I've watched too many brands drift from their purpose too early, and we're here for the long haul.

Just Show Up
​No tickets, no plan. Decide that morning and just go.

​Harvest Fest at Chevy Chase Lake (Chevy Chase)​
​Sat Oct 10 · 2pm to 5pm · Free​
A neighborhood fall afternoon on the lawn at Chevy Chase Lake, with pumpkin decorating, carnival games, arts and crafts, and live music, plus craft beer and wine for the grownups. It's a low-key one, so pair it with a morning train ride at Cabin John (further down), a short drive away.

​AutumnFest (Maydale Nature Classroom, Colesville)​
​Sat Oct 10 · 4pm to 7pm · Free​
Montgomery Parks' cozy fall evening in the woods, with pumpkin painting, live music, and a campfire. Bring the dog too, since there's a pup costume contest and a cutest trick show. Fall costumes are welcome for kids and pups alike. Maydale is tucked down small residential roads with a small lot, so trust your GPS and carpool if you can.

​Gaithersburg Oktoberfest (Kentlands, Gaithersburg)​
​Sun Oct 11 · Noon to 5pm · Free admission, parking, and shuttle​
The city's 33rd Oktoberfest takes over the Kentlands Village Green, Main Street, and the Arts Barn with Bavarian music and dancers. Kids get crafts, balloon twisting, bubbles, inflatables, and pumpkin painting (small fee). It draws a big crowd, so go early and use the free shuttle from 101 Orchard Ridge Drive, off Quince Orchard Road.

On the Calendar
​Book or register before leaving the house.

​Halloween Eye Spy Train (Cabin John Regional Park, Bethesda)​
​Sat Oct 10 & Sun Oct 11 · 9:30am to 4:30pm · $6, under 2 free · Buy timed tickets ahead​
For October, the miniature train station turns into Trainsylvania. Every rider gets an Eye Spy card to hunt for pumpkins, ghosts, and black cats along the tracks. Buy online to lock in your ride time, these will actually sell out. Trains don't run when the tracks are wet, so check before you head out.

​Family Day at House of Sweden (Georgetown, DC)​
​Sat Oct 10 · 10am to 2pm · Puppet show 11am & 1pm · Best for ages 4 to 10 · RSVP on Eventbrite​
Make it a Georgetown morning. Start at House of Sweden, where the embassy opens its waterfront home for crafts, story time, and fika, plus a 30-minute puppet show about Tillie Anderson, a Swedish immigrant girl who became one of the fastest cyclists in the world. Then walk it off along the Georgetown waterfront right outside, with lunch on K Street before naptime. Foggy Bottom Metro is a few blocks away, with garages and street parking nearby.

This Week's Little Loop Sponsor

​Roda Auto Repair​
Oil change overdue and zero time to sit at the dealership with a toddler? Roda comes to you. They pick up your car, take care of oil changes, maintenance, detailing, and repairs, then drop it back off, with valet free both ways. Your Saturday stays yours. Use code CLOVIE20 for 20% off your first service (up to $100).

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Find the best kids classes, camps, and party entertainment in Montgomery County & DC at cloviekids.com. Follow us on Instagram @clovie.kids.

P.S. Run a local kids business? List it free at cloviekids.com/join, or email hello@cloviekids.com to explore partnership opportunities.

Less Planning. More Playing.

Carole
Founder, Clovie