Weekend: Sheep-Shearing, Dolley Madison, S'Mores Around the Campfire + More

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Fairfax County parks and rec centers have loads going on. Here's a list of happenings this weekend, courtesy of Fairfax County:

Saturday, May 10

Sounds of the Night Campfire  

Learn to identify nocturnal animal calls and enjoy stories of local denizens of the night around a campfire at Hidden Oaks Nature Center from 7 to 8 p.m. Make s’mores! The cost is $6. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Watercolor Workshop: Painting on Yupo 
Come to Green Spring Gardens from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to learn to paint on yupo, a slick sheet of plastic great for painting textures. The cost is $74 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Garden Sprouts: Mother Nature's Day  
Preschool children ages three to five with an accompanying adult celebrate Mother's Day at Green Spring Gardens from 11 a.m. to noon. The cost is $6 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

War of 1812 Day at Sully Historic Site 
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., hear Dolley Madison describe the burning of Washington, D.C. and her daring escape from the White House. Meet Washington Post writer Steve Vogel and learn about his new book “Through the Perilous Fight”.  Enjoy popular music from 200 years ago with Ship’s Company Chanteymen. This War of 1812 Bicentennial program is supported by the Sully Foundation, Ltd. in memory of Thom F. Hanes, one of the original founders. The cost is $8 per adult and $6 for seniors and children. For information, call 703-437-1794.

Hands-on Nature 
Drop your child (ages 5 to11) off at E.C. Lawrence Park at 2 p.m. for an hour of natural adventure. The cost is $5 per child. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Spring Farm Day  
Watch sheep shearing and antique farm equipment demonstrations at Frying Pan Farm Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Milk cows and goats and enjoy crafts, games, and puppet shows. Get an up-close introduction to the baby farm animals . The cost is $7 in advance; $8 at the door; walk-ins welcome. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Family Fun: Mother Nature’s Day  
Celebrate Mother’s Day by creating a nesting box for feathered moms at Green Spring Gardens. This program is offered 11 a.m. to noon for kids age three to five, and the program for participants age five and older runs from 1 to 2 p.m. The cost is $6 per child. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Nature Buddies  
Parent and child (ages three to five) read a story, play games, and take a walk to the wetland to look at real-world examples of seasonal happenings. This 90-minute program at Huntley Meadows starts at 11 a.m. and the cost is $8. Register online. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Wagon Ride: Birds, Butterflies & Blossoms  
Take a wagon ride scavenger hunt through the meadow at Riverbend Park from 10 to 11 a.m. The cost is $5 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-759-9018.

Dinosaurs Galore 
Children ages three to seven make a fossil to take home and dig for buried ‘dinosaur’ bones at Cub Run RECenter from 2 to 3 p.m. The cost is $5 per child. Register online. For information, call 703-817-9407.

Sunday, May 11

Mother’s Day Tea at Historic Green Spring 
From 1 to 3 p.m., enjoy an afternoon tea while hearing about the remarkable mothers who raised children in Green Spring’s Historic House from the 1780s to the 1960s. The cost is $29. To make a reservation, call 703-941-7987.