The Inn provides families with opportunities for fun and skill building almost every night of the week (typically Sundays-Thursdays.) Groups from the community or The Inn sponsor many kinds of activities and events for all ages, including adults. 

For more information on The Inn's Family Programs, please contact Bridget Kuzma, at kuzmab@mail.nih.gov or 301-451-3717.

Sunday Supper

Every Sunday (and on occasion during the week)
6:00 p.m.
Different community groups and organizations provide a group meal for all Inn families to enjoy together in the E dining room. These meals allow families to relax, while alleviating the worries of transportation, grocery shopping, and trying to figure out what to cook. This is also an opportunity for families to meet, mingle and interact with other families who also have a child staying at The Children’s Inn.

Starlight Starbright Foundation Hospital Happening Parties

Dates and Times to be Announced 
The Starlight Starbright Foundation sponsors this monthly arts and crafts activity—usually related to the corresponding month’s season or holiday—which allows families to relax, meet and make friends, and lessens their worries through entertainment.

Therapy Dog Visit

Every second Monday of the month
7:00 p.m.
A pair of dogs and their handlers visit The Inn’s living room and give residents the chance to pet, play, brush, walk, and even take their picture with the friendly pooches.  

Seated Massage

Every Tuesday
5:00-7:00 p.m. (first come, first served) 
Bilingual professional massage therapist and in house volunteer, Erasmo Garza, provides Seated Massage, also called Chair Massage, free of charge to parents and caregivers of Inn residents on a first come, first serve basis. Lasting about 20 minutes, he focuses on key tension areas participants identify in their back, neck and shoulders.

Bingo

Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month
7:00 p.m.
This is a time-tested game people of all ages enjoy. Held in the multi-purpose room, everyone is given one card. A caller pulls out bingo balls and calls out each number that the players then mark. The first to get five numbers in a row, horizontally, vertically or diagonally wins!

Scrap Booking

Every first and third Tuesday of the month
7:00 p.m.
This is an opportunity to create scrapbooking pages for your family photos. The Inn provides all the materials you need and the activity leaders help you personalize your album–no experience necessary. 

Bilingual Yoga Classes

Every first and second Monday of the month
4:30 p.m.
Taught in both English and Spanish by Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor, Margarita Reyes, each class is comprised of postures, breathing exercises and meditation. These classes provide a supportive environment for people looking for a beginner/intermediate level and are great for a variety of people, including those with chronic pain, ongoing physical limitations or recovering from illness. Classes will help you stretch and relax your muscles in ways that help to protect your body from injuries and facilitate healing. All body types and abilities are welcome.

International Family Night

Once a month on Saturdays
6:00 p.m.
These evenings are a time for our international families to gather, chat, share and build community over familiar supper dishes and entertainment. Spanish is the primary language spoken.

Arts INNplace

Every Wednesday
7:00 p.m.
The Inn’s very own in-house art education program—local artists come to The Inn and teach a variety of classes including fused glass, ceramics, jewelry making, photography, and Chinese brush and ink.

Ledo Pizza Dinner Trip

Once a month on Wednesday evening
Families enjoy a hot pizza dinner, including salad, a variety of pizzas, and dessert free of charge generously donated by Ledo Pizza. All are welcome, but must sign up by 2:00 p.m. on the day of the trip. The bus leaves The Inn at 4:45 p.m. and returns around 6:30 p.m.

Giggles Children’s Theater

Once a month on Sundays
7:00 p.m.
This hour live performance by professional artists, musicians, comedians, magicians, puppeteers, or other acts appropriate for children, takes place in The Inn’s multi-purpose room. Residents may choose to watch the performance live at The Inn or from the comfort of their room on TV channel 81.