You know those random days off between camp sessions, school breaks, or just a “let’s play hooky” kind of day… what is there to do? This running list highlights recurring kid-friendly activities in the DMV, including free storytimes, museum programs, and everyday things-to-do across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
Links will either navigate to the host’s website for further details. Times listed are start and/or opening time.
No affiliate links are including in this list.
These events will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis; however, things can change at any moment. Please make sure to click the links and confirm details prior to heading out!
New Adventures
Free-to-Visit Play & Art Spaces
Washington, DC
- Explore! Space at the National Portrait Gallery (Best for ages 18 months – 8)
- Open daily from 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
- Wegmans Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History (Best for ages 0-6)
- Open Wednesday – Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Draper Spark!Lab at the National Museum of American History (Best for ages 6-12)
- Open Wednesday – Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Open Studio at Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Open Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Moonshot Studio at the Kennedy Center (Best for ages 5+)
- Open Saturday & Sunday from 11:00 am – 4:30 pm
Story Times & Book Clubs
Washington, DC
- Daily | DC Public Library (Best for preschoolers)
- 10:00 am & 11:00 am on Wednesdays & 10:00 am on Saturdays | Storytime Studio at The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Best for ages 0-6)
- 2:30 pm on Wednesdays | STEAM Story Time at the National Children’s Museum (Best for ages 1 – 4)
- 10:00 am on second Thursdays & 3:30 pm on fourth Saturdays | Story Time at the Capital Jewish Museum in NW (Best for ages 5 & under)
- 10:30 am on Thursdays | Story Time at National Building Museum
- 11:00 am on Thursdays | Story Time at National Air & Space Museum
- 10:00 am on Fridays | Story Time at the National Postal Museum in NE (Best for ages 0-7)
- 11:15 am on Saturdays | Story Time at the National Museum of the American Indian (Best for ages 3-9)
- Select Saturday or Sunday, bi-monthly | Building Readers Club at The National Building Museum (Best for grades K-6th)
- Although this program is for grades up to 6th, I recommend it most for the youngest of readers.
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- Daily | Ready 2 Read Storytime at PG County Public Libraries
- 10:30 am on third Mondays | Storytime on Screen at Greenbelt Cinema
Montgomery County
- Daily | Family & Baby Storytime at Montgomery County Public Libraries
- 5:00 pm on the last Tuesday of the month | Young Bookworms Book Club at People’s Book Takoma (Best for ages 9-12)
- 9:00 am on Fridays | Babies & Books! at People’s Book Takoma (Best for ages 0-3)
Northern Virginia
- 11:00 am on Tuesdays & Thursdays | Story Time at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly
- 9:30 am on Saturdays | Bookseller Storytime at Old Town Books in Alexandria (Best for ages 0-4)
- 10:00 am on second Saturdays | ETC Beginnings at R.E.A.D. Booknook at Ballston Quarter in Arlington (Best for ages 3-6)
- 9:30 am on third Sundays | Chapter Chasers Book Club at Old Town Books in Alexandria (Best for ages 6-8)
More DMV Storytimes Here
Read through our full list of storytime events around DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. This list also includes places to explore and organizations to support.
Recurring Activities By Day
Sundays
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am every first Sunday | Free Community Day at the National Museum of Women in Fine Arts
- 1:00 pm | Art Studio at the National Portrait Gallery
Maryland
- 10:00 am | Open Explore at KID Museum in Bethesda ($)
- This museum is only open on Sundays!
Northern Virginia
- 11:00 am | Crafternoons with Shop Made in VA Old Town Alexandria
- 12:00 pm | Kids and Family Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
Mondays
Washington, DC
- 11:30 am | Portrait Gallery Kids at National Portrait Gallery
- 2:30 pm | Baby Jam at the National Children’s Museum ($) (Best for ages 0-3)
- 5:45 pm | Kids Circle Jam Session & Musical Instrument Exposure at BloomBars in NW (Best for ages 1-5)
Northern Virginia
- 10:00 am | Preschool STEAM Play at Courthouse Library in Arlington
Tuesdays
- Second Tuesday of each month | Homeschool Play Day at Chuck E. Cheese ($)
Washington, DC
- 9:30 am | Little Critters: Nature Play at the National Zoo (Best for ages 0-5)
- 10:30 am (select Tuesdays) | Play Date at the National Museum of Natural History (Best for ages 0-5)
Maryland
- 10:30 am | Neighborhood Circle Time at Takoma Park Maryland Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- 4:30 pm | Kids Achieve Club at Oxon Hill Library (Best for ages 6-12)
- Homework help & reading practice
Northern Virginia
- 10:00 am | Young Explorers @ MoCA Arlington’s Innovation Studio + Store
- Designed for the opportunity to explore art materials, develop motor skills, and express creatively, activities rotate weekly and introduce children to a range of techniques and mediums!
Wednesdays
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am every second Wednesday | Free Community Day at the National Museum of Women in Fine Arts
Northern Virginia
- 9:00 am | Wonderful Wednesdays at Hyper Kidz! Alexandria ($)
- $11.99 admission all day
Thursdays
Washington, DC
- 9:30 am | Little Critters: Nature Play at the National Zoo
- 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm on third Thursdays | Extended hours & free visits to The Phillips Collection
Fridays
Washington, DC
- 10:30 am | Sensory Playtime at Southwest Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- 10:30 am | Lego Hour at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- 1:00 pm | Art Studio at the National Portrait Gallery
Maryland
Northern Virginia
- 10:00 am | Preschool STEAM Play at Courthouse Library in Arlington
Saturdays
- 9:00 am on the first Saturday | Kids Workshop at Home Depot Stores around the DMV
- 10:00 am on the second or third Saturday | DIY Kids Workshop at Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores around the DMV
Washington, DC
- 9:30 am | Little Critters: Nature Play at the National Zoo
- 10:00 am | Open Studio at Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
- 10:00 am | First Saturday Family Festival at the National Gallery of Art
- 10:15 am | Crafty Tales at Merry Pins DC
- Drop-in kids art activity based on a book/artist
- 1:00 pm | Art Studio at the National Portrait Gallery
Maryland
- 10:00 am on fourth Saturday | PIKEkids at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda ($)
Related Blogs
Upcoming Children's Theater
Check out this listing of upcoming family-friendly theater productions in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. This listing includes current theater reviews, what's happening this month & past reviews to keep you in the loop of all things children's theater in the DMV.
