Regina Brooks (left), Brian-Kobe Brooks (middle), and Brian Brooks (right) work on a gingerbread house together. Regina Brooks said her family has gone to the event for three years: “We love working together on this. It’s become a family tradition.” Photo by Vernon Miles.
Sometimes, families need a chance to unwind. On Dec. 10, Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation offered families a chance for families to celebrate the holidays together and craft gingerbread houses. The gingerbread event is part of the Families Unplugged program, a year-round parent-child class that helps both groups disconnect from electronics and do fitness or cooking activities together.
Emily Thrasher, family programs coordinator for the Department of Parks and Recreation, said the program offers all of the fun of being a parent while county staff do the cleanup.
“This event is our most popular,” said Thrasher. “Both our [morning and evening sessions] today are full with a waitlist.”
2016 is the fourth year the department has hosted the gingerbread house event. The event was $8 per person and fee reductions pushed some costs as low as $2.