May Activities

May is a great month to spend time with your family. While there is plenty of sun, the weather is not yet too hot, and since kids are getting antsy for the end of the school year they have a lot of energy. Here are three ideas to help you get out of the house and make memories with the family near your Arlington home.

Learn to Play the Ukulele

Want to bring a smile to people at your next party? Have everyone learn to play the ukulele. The ukulele is a surprisingly versatile instrument. Did you know, for example, that while most types of ukulele are strung and tuned like a lute, the baritone ukulele mirrors a bass guitar instead?

If you join the Northern Virginia Ukulele Ensemble, you will get discounts on music and instruments at stores like NoVA Music Center and the House of Musical Traditions. There are several meet-ups every month as well; upcoming is the “Night of 1000 Dylans” at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore.

If you are not sure about the versatility and appeal of the ukulele, check out Victoria Vox at www.victoriavox.com. If you like her sound, she will be at Night of 1000 Dylans, as well as the IOTA Club and Café meet-up on May 26.

Bike DC

This year’s Bike DC is on Sunday, May 22. Thousands of people will gather to bike the streets of DC, closed to traffic for the duration of the event. Beginning on the National Mall in front of the Capitol Building, the route is 20 scenic miles, with plenty of rest areas to stop and take in the sights of our nation’s capitol city. If 20 miles seems a bit too long for your family, worry not! There will be several short cuts for you to take advantage of. Kids 12 and under bike for free. Learn more about the event at www.bikedc.net.

Kayaking

For more unique views of Washington, DC, try kayaking. There are several boating companies that will not only rent out kayaks, but teach you to use them as well. Potomac Paddlesports offers everything from quick how-to’s to in-depth classes on rolling your kayak. They also offer Guided Tours for scenic areas of the Potomac River, C&O Canal, the DC monuments, and more.