If you go to the Dulles Annex after 4, parking is free.

OMG Dinosaurland! We went there in 1983, I can't believe its still there!

The Utz potato chip factory free tour - straight up GA Ave into PA - took a little over an hour to get to and there's a civil war memorial on the way you can picnic at. My kids were enthralled at the factory and then you can go to the Utz store down the road and buy tons of what they just saw being made. Roadside America in PA - totally worth it - make it an Amish country day. Dinosaurland in VA - another gem and you have to get road trip ice cream at the pink place (forget the name) nearby.

Give letterboxing a try! It really is a fun family activity and it will get you out to new spots around the area (just do a quick search or use a letterboxing app to find boxes in DC, MD, VA).

http://www.letterboxing.org/

http://www.letterboxing.org/kids/

http://kidoinfo.com/ri/letterboxing-with-kids-a-natural-adventure/

The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia is worth the drive. There's also the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Zoo. All worth seeing with your children.

Not literally an staycation but we are planning to f
Go to Harpers Ferry, has anyone been there?

Plan out a staycation then add up the cost including admissions, gas, food while out etc, and see how close you get to a vacation out of town that you can drive to. You might be suprised to discover the cost of staycation adds up to a drivable vacation spot.

Wheaton Train is open:
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/enterprise/park_facilities/trains/wheaton.shtm

Cabin John is under repair but may open.

I think OP's kids are a little young for Hersheypark. It's a hefty admission price if you can only do the little kid rides. I'd rather stay home and make chocolate chip cookies.

And honestly, looking at next week's weather forecast, I'm serious when I'd say I'd rather stay home and make the cookies! Hopefully it will be sunny enough for good warmth at the park.

I would plan one or two day-long outings, and then just relax the other days. Playgrounds, PJ day, take walks, nothing major.

See Three Little Birds at Adventure Theatre. Dulles Air & Space Museum. Nat'l Capital Trolley Museum, and I think there is an easter themed trolley ride now. There is a circus at Nat'l Harbor next week. Movies, bowling, ice skating. The stuff your own bear store in the mall. Jammin Java. Chucky Cheese. All of the nature centers in MoCo have children's activities next week- some cute programming. Tropical fish store. Sculpture Garden then a picnic on the Mall. Lake Needwood paddle boats, not sure when the season starts. Plan a cooking experiment at home. Decorate pots and have the kids plant seeds in them.

Air and Space at Dulles to see the Space Shuttle

Spend sometime reading about famous artists and then do a scavenger hunt at the NGA to find some of their paintings.

The Zoo! (Although I think DC has one of the lamest zoos around.)

Anonymous wrote:Your kids are the right age for Dutch Wonderland, but I'm not sure it's open now. You should call. Their website makes it look like it won't be open for weekends until the last weekend of April.

Argh, you're right! Got all excited over DW in early April for nothing. Guess we could just do railroad stuff.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg will be open, and Hersheypark is open on weekends until April 14.
Funland in Rehoboth opens Mother's Day weekend.
Not that theme parks are the only thing we are looking to do.

Your kids are the right age for Dutch Wonderland, but I'm not sure it's open now. You should call. Their website makes it look like it won't be open for weekends until the last weekend of April.

I'm in the same boat. What I've learned though is that the kids really just enjoy mommy time. Ideas for next week include:

Nature Center
Philly Children's Museum (that's not what it's called though)
Port Discovery
Painting Pottery
Swimming
Bowling
Having Ice Cream for lunch
Going on a treasure hunt around the neighborhood
Mini golf
Picnic in the park and playing on the tires

I'm going to play each day be ear depending upon the weather.

The bank account is empty after trying to catch up to bills for Christmas, 2 pricey vacations, DH's birthday, summer camp deposits etc.
I HATE staying home for a vacation week but trying to put a happy spin on things. At least I got that week off. Anyway, a spin off on the nature center topic, what are some good ideas for fun and/or educational spring break day trips? Kids are 6 and 4.
We usually turn to KidFriendlyDC.com when looking for ideas. Definitely going to Baltimore for one day.
Anybody tried to do Dutch Wonderland as a daytrip?