I'm preparing for so-so weather this weekend and my son's friends are all away for the last of summer vacation so he's gonna play the "I'm bored" card for sure.

In the past, we've done bowling, indoor skating and movies but was wondering what else there is around this area. I was thinking of taking him to Dave & Buster's up in Bethesda but it apears they discourage underaged guests there. Are there any huge arcade parks like Dave & Busters closer to Fairfax? Any other ideas?

Kids always enjoy matches.

If Foxchase Cinema in Alexandria is still around, I suggest taking him there. They offer all day passes and show some really great films that your 11 year old will love. He'll thank you for it and want to go back again. Plus, you can't beat the employees and clientele!

Captain G Wrote:
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> I'm preparing for so-so weather this weekend and
> my son's friends are all away for the last of
> summer vacation so he's gonna play the "I'm bored"
> card for sure.
>
> In the past, we've done bowling, indoor skating
> and movies but was wondering what else there is
> around this area. I was thinking of taking him to
> Dave & Buster's up in Bethesda but it apears they
> discourage underaged guests there. Are there any
> huge arcade parks like Dave & Busters closer to
> Fairfax? Any other ideas?

If you want a Dave and Busters kind of thing, I would recommend the ESPN Zone in DC. They have a huge arcade area in the basement.

Or, you could take him to one of the many free museums in DC. I believe all of the Smithsonians open at 10am. I have gone on Saturdays many times. If you get there just before 10, you can often find free parking on the street right in front of the museums (especially Air & Space). Why pay for a shitty museum experience like "Night at the Museum II" when you can have the real thing for free? (Also, if you go this route, I would suggest buying food from street vendors instead of the museum cafeterias. Way, way overpriced).

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Jester Wrote:
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> Kids always enjoy matches.



"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

movie goer Wrote:
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> If Foxchase Cinema in Alexandria is still around,
> I suggest taking him there. They offer all day
> passes and show some really great films that your
> 11 year old will love. He'll thank you for it and
> want to go back again. Plus, you can't beat the
> employees and clientele!


It's gone. Closed down and gobbled up by the Harris Teeter back in 05/06. I had the pleasure of going into that place the day after it closed up. Sadly, no free porn laying around.

As for rainy day activities: You can go to Dave and Busters w/ little ones during the day - I've done it a few times. It's at night they don't like kids, because of the serving of alcohol. And I don't know of any places like that closer to Fairfax.

You could go to Fairfax Ice Arena (on Pickett Road) or SkateQuest in Reston for ice skating.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

Take him to Time Out and Time Out II in Springfield mall my kids loved that place when they were younger. If you don't mind, you could drive out to Charlestown. They have a bunch of coin operated games.

Go to the Skyline and do some hiking - rain wont kill either of you. Or metro to DC and check out the museums (small umbrella reqd). Baltimore Aquarium is expensive but fun.

Go fishing somewhere. University mall theater has $3 movies and the Japanese Steak house is right there that could kill 4 hours easy.

Warhawk Wrote:
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>
> As for rainy day activities: You can go to Dave
> and Busters w/ little ones during the day - I've
> done it a few times. It's at night they don't
> like kids, because of the serving of alcohol. And
> I don't know of any places like that closer to
> Fairfax.
>

I think ESPN Zone may be just as close. Also, they have a bar downstairs, so you can drink beer while your kid plays. And they don't care if kids are down there. They have birthday parties, etc, whenever I've been there.

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dono Wrote:
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> Go to the Skyline and do some hiking - rain wont
> kill either of you.


Speaking of Skyline, you could also do Skyline Caverns. They aren't as good as Luray, but they are much closer.

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Lots of great ideas... minus the matches of course. :) Thanks.

take him to that dick's sporting goods store and go down the repelling wall. I believe its in Fairlakes. Either that or bond over foosball tables and air hockey at chuck E Cheese. in Herndon or fairly shitty mall.

Two words:

Laser Tag.

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13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

MrMephisto Wrote:
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> Two words:
>
> Laser Tag.


Two more words: Indoor Paintball

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That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

Warhawk Wrote:
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> MrMephisto Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Two words:
> >
> > Laser Tag.
>
>
> Two more words: Indoor Paintball

If you're going to give a bored 11-year-old a paintball gun, I recommend bringing eye protection.

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13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

take him to a nats game. its $5 a ticket and a way better experience than the movies

just kidding, i forgot the 'rainy' part. uhhh dulles air and space museum is tight...

woody Wrote:
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> take him to a nats game. its $5 a ticket and a way
> better experience than the movies

Yes, watching a subpar team in the RAIN sounds like tons of fun. Granted, you get to see the Cards play, but that is hardly worth sitting in the rain.

forecaster Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> woody Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > take him to a nats game. its $5 a ticket and a
> way
> > better experience than the movies
>
> Yes, watching a subpar team in the RAIN sounds
> like tons of fun. Granted, you get to see the
> Cards play, but that is hardly worth sitting in
> the rain.

The $5 dollar nose bleeds are covered, i think.

forecaster Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> woody Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > take him to a nats game. its $5 a ticket and a
> way
> > better experience than the movies
>
> Yes, watching a subpar team in the RAIN sounds
> like tons of fun. Granted, you get to see the
> Cards play, but that is hardly worth sitting in
> the rain.


yea, it's only what, about a 13 hour drive to st louis?

ffxstoner Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> forecaster Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > woody Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > take him to a nats game. its $5 a ticket and
> a
> > way
> > > better experience than the movies
> >
> > Yes, watching a subpar team in the RAIN sounds
> > like tons of fun. Granted, you get to see the
> > Cards play, but that is hardly worth sitting in
> > the rain.
>
> The $5 dollar nose bleeds are covered, i think.

They are, but remember, baseball is a wussy game. When a drop of rain hits the ground, the ump will call a rain delay...

I'd bet he'd love a titty bar.

woody Wrote:
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> take him to a nats game. its $5 a ticket and a way
> better experience than the movies


News flash - MLB teams don't play in the rain.

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Give him some glue or permanent markers to sniff. That will keep him occupied for a while.

Blessed are the murderous.

Captain G Wrote:
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> I'm preparing for so-so weather this weekend and
> my son's friends are all away for the last of
> summer vacation so he's gonna play the "I'm bored"
> card for sure.
>
Actually, the best cure for the "I'm bored" card is to give the kid a pile of laundry to fold. And after that, he can vacuum the living room. And after that, he can clean the garage. I guarantee that by the time you have him cleaning the toilets, he won't be complaining about being bored anymore.

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http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

I agree with the Udvar-Hazy center. Take him to the control tower there, go see Operation Red Flag, and have fun.

Although neither are in Fairfax, I suggest the Spy Museum (near the Verizon Center) or the newly renovated Ford's Theatre museum nearby (10th Street).

WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Captain G Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'm preparing for so-so weather this weekend
> and
> > my son's friends are all away for the last of
> > summer vacation so he's gonna play the "I'm
> bored"
> > card for sure.
> >
> Actually, the best cure for the "I'm bored" card
> is to give the kid a pile of laundry to fold. And
> after that, he can vacuum the living room. And
> after that, he can clean the garage. I guarantee
> that by the time you have him cleaning the
> toilets, he won't be complaining about being bored
> anymore.


WTL, yours is by far the most intelligent reply so far. Obviously you know how to handle kids. I wonder why Vince hasn't offered any advice?

TGIF Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Captain G Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I'm preparing for so-so weather this weekend
> > and
> > > my son's friends are all away for the last of
> > > summer vacation so he's gonna play the "I'm
> > bored"
> > > card for sure.
> > >
> > Actually, the best cure for the "I'm bored"
> card
> > is to give the kid a pile of laundry to fold.
> And
> > after that, he can vacuum the living room. And
> > after that, he can clean the garage. I
> guarantee
> > that by the time you have him cleaning the
> > toilets, he won't be complaining about being
> bored
> > anymore.
>
>
> WTL, yours is by far the most intelligent reply so
> far. Obviously you know how to handle kids. I
> wonder why Vince hasn't offered any advice?


Forced labor is a great weapon in any parent's arsenal. A lot of parents don't want their kids doing chores because they won't do them right. Then they are surprised when their kid doesn't want to leave home at 18. Fuck that!

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Go to the Bull Run shooting center and shoot some clays. Lots of fun.

WashingTone-Locian Wrote:

> Forced labor is a great weapon in any parent's
> arsenal. A lot of parents don't want their kids
> doing chores because they won't do them right.
> Then they are surprised when their kid doesn't
> want to leave home at 18. Fuck that!


No kidding. Of course kids are gonna fuck up - they're learning. Some parents are just too fucking lazy to teach.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

shooter Wrote:
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> Go to the Bull Run shooting center and shoot some
> clays. Lots of fun.




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Warhawk Wrote:
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>
> No kidding. Of course kids are gonna fuck up -
> they're learning. Some parents are just too
> fucking lazy to teach.


My kids do a crappy job washing my car. But each time they do it, they do it a little better because I point out how they can do it better. Yeah, my car isn't the cleanest it could be, but that's not the point.

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Heroin

1) Buy some wood and build a birdhouse

2) Buy a model kit and paint and build a model of his favorite sports car.

3) Buy a Wii and play him $0.50 a game at whatever game you are good at and he is not.

4) Teach him to play poker, spades, gin rummy, chess, checkers, backgammon, chinese checkers, etc.

5) Buy him a book and let him read.

6) Buy him some comic books and let him read.

7) Teach him how to cook.

8) Tell him he ain't sugar and won't melt; then send him outside to play in the rain (anyone remember jumping in puddles?)

9) Go to the arts and crafts store and let him pick out a project (make candles at home, etc.).

I got more if you need them.

WTL, I really got a charge out of one of my daughter's friends. They have been very good friends since the 8th grade and now they are college seniors. When they went away for their Freshman year, her friend was totally overwhelmed because she had NEVER in her life had to pick up after herself or clean anything. (the maids always did that) Last year, they moved out of the dorms and into an off-campus apartment. My daughter had to teach her how to do laundry, which cleaners to use in the bathroom, and to really put the icing on the cake, how to shop for groceries and basic cooking. Poor thing, she's only 21. I wonder how long it will take her to find out that you have to change the oil in a car sometimes too. :):):)

,



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/2012 11:33AM by Alias.

Captain G Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was thinking of taking him to
> Dave & Buster's up in Bethesda but it apears they
> discourage underaged guests there. Are there any
> huge arcade parks like Dave & Busters closer to
> Fairfax? Any other ideas?

You can take him to D&B, it just has to be during the day. They only kick out underage individuals starting at (I think) 9 or 10pm.

TGIF Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> WTL, I really got a charge out of one of my
> daughter's friends. They have been very good
> friends since the 8th grade and now they are
> college seniors. When they went away for their
> Freshman year, her friend was totally overwhelmed
> because she had NEVER in her life had to pick up
> after herself or clean anything. (the maids always
> did that) Last year, they moved out of the dorms
> and into an off-campus apartment. My daughter had
> to teach her how to do laundry, which cleaners to
> use in the bathroom, and to really put the icing
> on the cake, how to shop for groceries and basic
> cooking. Poor thing, she's only 21. I wonder how
> long it will take her to find out that you have to
> change the oil in a car sometimes too. :):):)



No offense, but you daughters friend will end up marrying a successful gentleman while your daughter will end up marrying trailer trash.

It's just how it works

The Newseum has reopened downtown - near the Canadian Embassy on Pennsylvania Ave. Like they say on the radio, ask for the "WTOP" rate and all tickets are 1/2 off in August.

How long can he hold his breath?

TGIF Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> WTL, I really got a charge out of one of my
> daughter's friends. They have been very good
> friends since the 8th grade and now they are
> college seniors. When they went away for their
> Freshman year, her friend was totally overwhelmed
> because she had NEVER in her life had to pick up
> after herself or clean anything. (the maids always
> did that) Last year, they moved out of the dorms
> and into an off-campus apartment. My daughter had
> to teach her how to do laundry, which cleaners to
> use in the bathroom, and to really put the icing
> on the cake, how to shop for groceries and basic
> cooking. Poor thing, she's only 21. I wonder how
> long it will take her to find out that you have to
> change the oil in a car sometimes too. :):):)



I feel sorry for that gal's future husband.

Regarding the oil change thing, I once had a gal tell me she had just learned she was supposed to change the oil in her car. I asked her how long she owned the car and she said, "three years."

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WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Regarding the oil change thing, I once had a gal
> tell me she had just learned she was supposed to
> change the oil in her car. I asked her how long
> she owned the car and she said, "three years."



lol! I knew a girl that went 35,000 miles without an oil change. She still had the original break in oil and it took the mechanic an hour to remove the filter.

Blessed are the murderous.

arcade Wrote:
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> Take him to Time Out and Time Out II in
> Springfield mall my kids loved that place when
> they were younger. If you don't mind, you could
> drive out to Charlestown. They have a bunch of
> coin operated games.


yea springfield mall is a great place to take your kids, especially if they enjoy being raped and murdered.

if hes anything like me when i was 11, give a porno, a roll of TP and about 3-4 hours home alone.

eesh Wrote:
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> Give him some glue or permanent markers to sniff.
> That will keep him occupied for a while.


X