As the weather warms up, we all get itchy to spend the day outside.  For a whole day of fun, pack the picnic basket and head to the National Zoo.  Really! It's stroller friendly, toddler friendly, teenager friendly, old geezer friendly - it's just a great place.  There are wide paths, expanses of green grass, baby cheetah cubs, and animals that are loads of fun to watch (just think flamingos or gorillas).  Visit www.fonz.org for information, and if you think you'll go often, consider a membership: you'll get free parking and free cookies each time you visit the zoo!

Hit the trail!  There are some great hiking spots in the area for hikers (canine and human) of all levels.  Sugarloaf Mountain (www.sugarloafmd.com), which is covered with wildflowers in the spring, is very family friendly.  If you want to travel, there's nothing like the Appalachian Trail from Crampton Gap to Harper's Ferry.  Though the hiking isn't too strenuous (at least if you travel north to south), the views along the river are breathtaking and you literally traverse states and cultures (www.appalachiantrail.org).  Another local favorite is Catoctin Mountain (www.nps.gov/cato/planyourvisit/hiking.htm) -  a wide range of trails lets you plan a hike perfectly suitable for any age.

Bring your budding ballerina

(or your favorite friend) to the Rockville Civic Center on March 12 and 13 for a stunning ballet performance of Firebird.  This tale of a beautiful and magical creature present in many Russian folktales will mesmerize entire your family.  For showtimes, tickets and all the info you need, visit

www.rockvillemd.gov/arts/Spring2011Ballet.pdf.

Everyone is a little bit Irish in March - so pour the green beer, pucker up, and get ready to party!  There are lots of choices if you fancy a parade or festival:  the 40th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Washington, DC on Sunday, March 13 (www.dcstpatsparade.com); a lively parade in Gaithersburg on Saturday, March 12 (www.gaithersburgmd.gov); or even the "ShamrockFest" at RFK Stadium, which claims to be the largest party in the region (www.shamrockfest.com).  If you want to hit the ice, both the Cabin John Ice Rink and the Wheaton Ice Rink have special deals for March 17.  Of course, Bethesda has its own favorite Irish watering hole with RiRa (www.rira.com) -  the best place in town to get your green on this St. Paddy's Day.

If you take your kids to the theater, they might grow up appreciating the arts!  Catch "If You Give A Cat a Cupcake" at Adventure Theatre starting March 11.  These productions take stories kids know and love and bring them to the stage.  The setting is intimate, the performers are magnificent and the shows are always impressive to the adults.  Tickets and showtimes at www.adventuretheatre.org. 

If the thought of DC being invaded by Blue Men doesn't alarm you, then buy tickets!  The famed Blue Man Group is performing at the Warner Theater from March 23 to April 2.  This theatrical experience has received fantastic reviews worldwide, and is certain to be a rather unique experience.  Visit www.blueman.com for tickets.

"Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest height..." Who can resist singing that Broadway tune when the winds of March start blowing? On Sunday, March 27, you can spend a few hours at the cherry blossom festival then run over to the National Mall, where the annual Smithsonian Kite Festival (aptly renamed the Blossom Kite Festival, though it's not clear whether that name will take off!) (Get it...take off??) will be in full swing.  This isn't just a bunch of people flying kites!  You'll see displays of handmade kites, demonstrations by master kitemakers and even a Hot Tricks Shootout.  The day ends with a Darwinian kite challenge where - literally - the last kite flying in the sky is named the champion.  Now that's a fun day!  Visit http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/SmithKiteFest.htm for more information.