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!

It's the 12th edition of The Little Loop Newsletter by Clovie. Thank you for being part of the Little Loop. Let's find your weekend.

My husband told me that I "share a lot" on here. Speaking of him, football season has begun. I found this weekend to be a glimpse into my next not so favorite 5-ish months. The same "dun duh duh duh duhhh dun" going off every 8 minutes, little movement from the couch, kids yelling because they are bored. At least Taylor Swift is back.

There were signs that this would be a big football weekend: my husband took the 3 year old out for most of the morning, booked an impromptu gymnastics class, offered to take everyone to the park, made dinner, eventually followed by the "...is it ok if you do bedtime?" for the Giants game. Mind you, we're in an approx 1.5 hour bedtime routine phase (another day for that). Alas, I took one for the team.

The Little Loop TLDR: Fall is officially here. Opening weekend of the Butler's Orchard Pumpkin Festival, two free festivals a world apart (Poolesville Day and Homecoming at President Lincoln's Cottage right in DC), a free hands-on Children's Day at Brookside Gardens, and pick-your-own pumpkins at the brand-new Daphne Hill.

Growing Clovie

We are working on adding an exciting new category: kids' spas! A Clovie parent requested this one, and I’d love your help: What are your favorite kids’ spas? Send them my way so we can add the best ones for Clovie families.

As always, every activity on Clovie is either personally visited by me or vetted by a real parent. So there’s a real human touch behind every Clovie recommendation.

Just Show Up
​No tickets, no plan. Just go.

​Poolesville Day (Poolesville)​
​All ages · Free · Saturday, 10am to 4pm · No reservation, rain or shine​
The town's biggest day of the year takes over Whalen Commons and Fisher Avenue, more than 25 years running. The parade rolls at 10am, then it's mechanical rides, a moon bounce, train and pony rides, arts and crafts vendors, live Ag Reserve demonstrations, and a classic car show. About as small-town-fall as it gets, and free.

​Daphne Hill (Gaithersburg)​
​Best for toddlers to elementary · Free entry, free parking · Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm · No reservation​
The brand-new fall farm on the old Two Story Chimney Ciderworks land, open for its very first season. Pick your own pumpkins, wander the sunflower gardens, and turn the littles loose in the Children's Garden, a nature-play area built for climbing and building. Seasonal shop, food trucks, and live music round it out. Their hours are so new I'd peek at their Instagram the morning you go.

​Children's Day at Brookside Gardens (Wheaton)​
​Best for toddlers to age 8 · Free · Saturday, 10am to 2pm · Drop-ins welcome​
A free morning of hands-on nature and art with activity stations all through the gardens. Live music from Marsha and the Positrons, an afternoon show from The Puppet Co, pot-your-own-plant, Yoga Sprouts, and a visit from children's author Joan Waites. Pack a picnic, which is only allowed inside the gardens on this one special day.

On the Calendar
​Times and dates worth planning around.

​Butler's Orchard Pumpkin Festival (Germantown)​
​All ages · Ticketed, starting at $18 to $20 on weekends · Opens starting this Saturday, 9am to 6pm · Reservations recommended​
Opening weekend of the fall classic. Hayrides out to the pumpkin patch, giant slides, the hayloft, the straw maze, animals, the pumpkin cannon, and live music. It's the big one, and weekends sell out, so grab tickets before you drive out.

​Homecoming at President Lincoln's Cottage (Petworth, DC)​
​Best for ages 2 to 8 · Free (reserve a ticket), $12 parking · Saturday, 10am to 2pm · ID required at the gate​
A free family day on Lincoln's old summer grounds, themed around his son Tad and the animals he kept there. Pony rides, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, hands-on history, and tours of the cottage itself, all on big picnic lawns with room to run. One heads-up: the Cottage sits on the Armed Forces Retirement Home campus, so every adult needs a photo ID at the security gate, and no pets.

Loved this one? Forward it to a friend who is always asking what to do this weekend.

New here? Subscribe at cloviekids.com/subscribe, and check out past issues here. Follow us @clovie.kids.

Find the best kids classes, camps, and party entertainment in Montgomery County & DC Northwest at cloviekids.com.

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

Less Planning. More Playing.

Carole
Founder, Clovie