Take the kids to see Lyle the Crocodile at Bethesda's Imagination Stage. "When the Primm family moves into their New York City apartment, their son Joshua is surprised to find a crocodile in the tub." And so the adventure begins. Kids will love this stage adaptation based on the novel by Bernard Waber. The show runs June 23 - August 9, 2009 with performances Tuesday-Friday at 10:30 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 12:30 & 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$21 with lap tickets costing $5 for children under two, and can be purchased online.

Beginning Thursday, July 9, 2009 the National Zoo kicks off its Sunset Serenades Concert series. The concerts take place at the National Zoo's Lion/Tiger Hill beginning at 6 p.m. and lasts until 8 p.m. This concert series is free and open to the public. On July 9, 2009 concert goers will hear GHZ [Gigahertz] Band (psychadelic blues). On July 16, 2009 the Steve Scott Project, with (master percussionist/drummer Leroy Greer) takes the stage, and on July 23, 2009 Soul in Motion (dance and drum group from West Africa) will wrap up the series. Pack a picnic, a blanket and bring the kids for one of the many events that makes summer in DC so much fun.

Photo courtesy of Mehgan Murphy/Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Milkshake is probably the world's most serious rock band for children and to celebrate the Fourth of July, the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage has partnered with Target to bring the group to DC for a fee concert tonight at 6 p.m. (EST). If you can't make it to the Kennedy Center, watch the concert live on the Internet.

So you've decided to celebrate the Fourth of July in Washington, DC. You won't be disappointed. No one does Independence Day like DC. That said, if this is your first time or you've blocked out the trauma (kidding) from previously attending, these tips will serve as a great guide as your planning your July 4th outing. . .read more