- Updated: 8/26/2026
This list of events happening throughout the weekend is primarily for kids (ages 3+) & teens. I place a special emphasis on literacy, STEM & other educational based events as well as family fun festivities.
♥ = my recommendations & ♣ = free movie screening
Don’t forget to click the links to review the most up-to-date information prior to heading out!
Coming Up this Weekend
Friday, August 28, 2026
Washington, DC
- Friday (8/28) at 10:30 am | Big Moments, Little Stories at Anacostia Community Museum (Best for ages 7 & under)
- Discover the joy of storytelling in this engaging storytime and hands-on art activity designed for young learners, families and caregivers.
- Friday (8/28) at 11:00 am | Art Break at National Museum of Asian Art – East Building
- Friday (8/28) at 4:00 pm | Sneaker Theory with Professor J and Calvin Robins Jr. at Petworth Neighborhood Library in NW (Best for ages 5+) ♥
- Includes an activity with student athletes, giveaways, and a photo op!
Maryland
- Friday (8/28) at 10:30 am | Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs at The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- We all think we know the Big Bad Wolf from the classic fairytales, but what if it’s the same Wolf in both stories? What if there’s been a big mistake? What if the Wolf isn’t so big or so bad?
- Friday (8/28) at 4:30 pm | Fall Fitness and Resource Fair at Plum Gar Community Recreation Center in Germantown ♥
- Includes school supplies, healthy snacks, cooking demos, fitness demos & more!
- Friday (8/28) at 6:00 pm | Friday Night Live at City Hall Plaza in College Park
- Live bands will take the stage with bold beats from diverse musical genres!
Northern Virginia
- Friday (8/28) at 6:00 pm | DIY Collage Phone Case Workshop – Phone Case Decorating at Dov & Company in Arlington ($) ♥
- Friday (8/28) at 7:30 pm | Campfire Fridays at Lake Fairfax in Reston ($)
- Explore the wonders of our natural world through nature walks, interactive activities and animal presentations. Includes s’mores.
- Friday (8/28) at 7:00 pm | Late Summer Owl Prowl at Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington ($)
- The end of summer is a great time to find the whole owl family in our park forests. Come learn about owls and then come on a short walk to see if you can find them in Glencarlyn Park.
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Washington, DC
- Saturday (8/29) at 9:00 am | Celebrate Black Bookstore Day at Loyalty Books Petworth in NW ♥
- Includes treats from Christopher Tibbs Cakes, discounts, junk journaling workstation at noon & black book drag storytime at 5pm!
- Saturday (8/29) at 10:00 am | 24th Annual Washington Chinese Cultural Festival at Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd and 4th Street NW ♥
- No ticket needed! Experience a vibrant celebration of Chinese culture in the heart of Washington, D.C. Traditional Chinese performances, food and drink vendors, Chinese exhibitions, Games, attendance by U.S. Embassy staff, diplomats and VIPs.
- Saturday (8/29) at 10:00 am | Open Studio: What’s Your Story? at Hirshhorn Museum
- Draw inspiration from artist Laurie Anderson and her otherworldly installation Four Talks (2021). Then explore ways to tell stories by using mixed media, such as paper, paint, and images, to create our own mini installations!
- Saturday (8/29) at 10:00 am | FITDC Yoga Fest at Reservoir Park in NW ♥
- Includes prenatal yoga, sound baths & more!
- Saturday (8/29) at 10:45 am | Kids: Create Comics Inspired by Planet Earth at Apple Carnegie Library in NW
- Attention, families: your mission is to protect something you love on planet Earth. Together you’ll imagine a story with your own characters on a fun adventure.
- Saturday (8/29) at 11:00 am | The DC Unity Soccer Cup 2026 at The Fields at RFK in NE
- Saturday (8/29) at 11:00 am | DMV Jump Club: 2nd Year Anniversary at Sycamore and Oak in SE ($)
- Biggest event of the year featuring a beginner-friendly jump rope workout, Double Dutch, a live DJ, health & wellness vendors, giveaways, and great vibes. Wear shades of purple, blue, or black.
Bring your own jump rope or purchase one with your ticket or upon arrival.
- Biggest event of the year featuring a beginner-friendly jump rope workout, Double Dutch, a live DJ, health & wellness vendors, giveaways, and great vibes. Wear shades of purple, blue, or black.
- Saturday (8/29) at 12:00 pm | Late Skate at Anacostia Park
- Join Friends of Anacostia Park, the National Park Service, and community partners for a day of music, recreation and kinship in DC’s most storied skating venue.
- Saturday (8/29) at 12:00 pm | Keys to Wealth Fest at Franklin Park in NW ♥
- First financial literacy festival in DC empowering youth & families with wealth-building tools, live entertainment, and hands-on experiences. Includes entrepreneur workshops, youth business pitch competition, family activation station, live performances & more!
- Saturday (8/29) at 12:15 pm | Kids: Create an Interactive Story of Kindness at Apple Carnegie Library in NW (Best for ages 6-10)
- Draw, record sounds, add fun 3D shapes, and more as they dive into the world of creative storytelling. Devices will be provided.
- Saturday (8/29) at 2:00 pm | The Incredibles at The Miracle Theatre in SE ($)
- Saturday (8/29) at 3:00 pm | Culture Quest Kids Fest: STEAM and Creativity Lab at Deanwood Recreation Center in NE ♥
- Free community festival celebrating culture, creativity, reading literacy, and STEAM through interactive learning experiences, youth activities, and live entertainment.
- Saturday (8/29) at 5:00 pm | Art RX: Artists’ Way Performance at Southwest Neighborhood Library
- An outdoor art installation and tap-dance performance series that transforms SW into a rhythmic space. The project uses tap dance, live music, and community-based participatory art.
- Saturday (8/29) at 5:45 pm | Kids: Direct Your Own Friendship Film on iPad at Apple Carnegie Library in NW (Best for ages 6-10)
- Kids will collaborate as they direct, record, edit, and more to make a friendship film that celebrates how we’re better when we come together. Devices provided.
- Saturday (8/29) at 7:00 pm | Sounds of Africa Concert featuring Son Cubano Subterraneo at National Museum of African Art
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- Saturday (8/29) at 11:00 am | Montpelier History Community Day at Montpelier Historic Site & Museum in Laurel ♥
- Includes community art station, lawn games, blend your own tea, paper bird crafts & more!
- Saturday (8/29) at 12:00 pm | Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for MahoganyBooks Woodmore Towne Centre ♥
- Saturday (8/29) at 3:00 pm | Game On: UNO-mania! at Glenarden Library
- Gear up for an exciting time filled with friendly competition playing the classic card game, UNO!
- Saturday (8/29) at 3:30 pm | All Ages Family Show at Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar at National Harbor ($)
Maryland
Montgomery County
- Saturday (8/29) at 9:00 am | International Overdose Awareness Day Run, Walk, and Roll Remembrance Event in Rockville
- Color for a Cause at 9:30 am – Participants can traverse a 1 mile course through downtown Rockville and get color dusted at any or all of the 5 dusting stations along the way.
- Saturday (8/29) at 10:00 am | Mr. Gabe End of Summer Concert at People’s Book Takoma ♥
- His music is a lively and interactive mix of traditional children’s songs, child-friendly pop songs and originals.
- Saturday (8/29) at 10:00 am | Tiny Tots Taffy’s Tale: A Sea Turtle Adventure at The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo Park ($)
- Saturday (8/29) at 10:00 am & 12:00 pm | Ingrid & Mollie’s Jennie the Cat: Jennie’s Beach Day at Olney Theatre Center ($) (Best for ages 2-8) ♥
- This puppet show features soft hand puppets and original music, along with plenty of chances for the audience to sing and dance along!
- Saturday (8/29) at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm | Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs at The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- We all think we know the Big Bad Wolf from the classic fairytales, but what if it’s the same Wolf in both stories? What if there’s been a big mistake? What if the Wolf isn’t so big or so bad?
- Saturday (8/29) at 12:00 pm | 2026 PCC Weekend at National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville ($) ♥
- Come experience history in motion and discover how generations of public transportation, from the PCC streetcar to Metrorail, have connected and shaped the Washington region. Includes streetcar rides & family-friendly activities!
- Saturday (8/29) at 12:00 pm | MoCo Folk Festival at Rockville Memorial Library
- The Songwriters’ Association of Washington and the Institute of Musical Traditions partners with MCPL to bring talented local songwriters to the Rockville Square stage.
- Saturday (8/29) at 1:00 pm | MCPL 75th: A Communi-Tea at Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville
- Includes refreshments + crafts for all ages (creating a community art piece that will be displayed in the library) and the unveiling of the new portrait of our namesake, Marilyn J. Praisner.
More Maryland Events
- Saturday (8/29) at 12:00 pm | Bird Feeder Craft at sweetFrog Laurel
- The sweetest hands-on craft for your little ones to create in-store or take home to make later. (While supplies last)
Northern Virginia
Arlington County
- Saturday (8/29) at 11:00 am | Back to School Pop-Up Market at Ballston Quarter in Arlington
- Saturday (8/29) at 12:00 pm | Junk Journaling Event – All Proceeds for Columbia’s Earthquake at Dov & Company ($) ♥
- This hands-on session is all about storytelling through texture, layers, and meaningful keepsakes. You’ll transform blank journal pages into beautifully curated spreads using collage pieces, stickers, vintage scraps, dried florals, photos, and all the little moments worth remembering.
- Saturday (8/29) at 12:15 pm | Summer Lunchtime Animal Meetups at Long Branch Nature Center
- As the summer nears the end, the nature center will provide daily opportunities for meeting some of our many resident animals. Meet snakes, turtles, vultures and other live and preserved wildlife.
- Saturday (8/29) at 1:00 pm | Draw Your Dream Crepe at Ballston Quarter ♥
- T-swirl Crepe Create your Dream Crepe and Win Prizes!
- Saturday (8/29) at 6:00 pm | Nocturnal Animals Campfire at Long Branch Nature Center ($)
Northern Virginia
City of Alexandria
- Saturday (8/29) at 11:00 am | Around the World Cultural Food Festival at Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town ♥
- Step into a world of flavor, rhythm, and tradition at the 10th Anniversary Around The World Cultural Food Festival, returning bigger and better in 2026! Includes a family fun & kids corner, arts and crafts & more.
- Saturday (8/29) at 1:00 pm | Beach Vacation Cupcake Studio Class at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 5-12)
More Northern Virginia Events
- Saturday (8/29) at 7:00 pm | Back 2 School Boro Bash at The Boro in Tysons ♥
- Families are invited to gather on the lawn for a laid-back evening to kick off the school year. Boro Park will become an outdoor movie theater, complete with themed activities, DIY stations, and a make-your-own candy bar.
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Washington, DC
- Sunday (8/30) at 10:30 am | One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure at National Air and Space Museum
- In this free planetarium show, join Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from “Zhima Jie,” the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street.
- Sunday (8/30) at 12:00 pm | Junior Poets – Telling America’s Story at Rock Creek Park Nature Center in NW ♥
- Bring your junior poets out to learn about these and other great poems and let them give a try at writing their own stories in verse. They can leave them to show off to others or take them home to remember their day by and help them improve their craft!
- Sunday (8/30) at 12:15 pm | Family Funday at Nationals Park ($)
- Washington Nationals v. Miami Marlins
- Sunday (8/30) at 12:30 pm | Kids: Create Comics Inspired by Planet Earth at Apple Carnegie Library in NW
- Attention, families: your mission is to protect something you love on planet Earth. Together you’ll imagine a story with your own characters on a fun adventure.
- Sunday (8/30) at 12:30 pm | Washington Spirit v. Bay FC at Audi Field ($)
- Women’s professional soccer game!
- Sunday (8/30) at 2:00 pm | Craftopia: Poké Balls at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library in NW ♥
- This is a drop-in craft. While supplies last.
- Sunday (8/30) at 2:00 pm | Collage Circle at Northeast Neighborhood Library
- Freeform collaging with magazines and books! Participants are also welcome to bring their own supplies and unfinished projects.
- Sunday (8/30) at 2:00 pm | The Incredibles at The Miracle Theatre in SE ($)
- Sunday (8/30) at 2:30 pm | Kids: Direct Your Own Friendship Film on iPad at Apple Carnegie Library in NW (Best for ages 6-10)
- Kids will collaborate as they direct, record, edit, and more to make a friendship film that celebrates how we’re better when we come together. Devices provided.
- Sunday (8/30) at 3:00 pm | Ninja Kidz Live: Infinite Possibilities at Warner Theatre ($) ♥
Maryland
- Sunday (8/30) at 9:30 am | Storytime: Debra Kempf for “Sunday Scaries” at People’s Book Takoma ♥
- Author Meet & Greet + storytime!
- Sunday (8/30) at 11:00 am | Voices in Solidarity Festival at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore
- Through music, history, and conversation, this festival celebrates the rich diversity, traditions, and stories embedded within and between Baltimore’s Black and Jewish communities.
- Sunday (8/30) at 11:00 am & 12:30 pm | Family Workshop: Mini Banners at KID Museum in Bethesda ($)
- Learn how to 3D print on mesh as you design your own banner in Tinkercad, then see it come to life on mesh fabric.
- Sunday (8/30) at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm | Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs at The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- We all think we know the Big Bad Wolf from the classic fairytales, but what if it’s the same Wolf in both stories? What if there’s been a big mistake? What if the Wolf isn’t so big or so bad?
- Sunday (8/30) at 12:00 pm | 2026 PCC Weekend at National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville ($) ♥
- Come experience history in motion and discover how generations of public transportation, from the PCC streetcar to Metrorail, have connected and shaped the Washington region. Includes streetcar rides & family-friendly activities!
- Sunday (8/30) at 4:30 pm | Kids: Create Comics Inspired by Planet Earth at Apple Columbia
- Attention, families: your mission is to protect something you love on planet Earth. Together you’ll imagine a story with your own characters on a fun adventure.
- Sunday (8/30) at 6:00 pm | Movies on the Potomac: Little Giants at National Harbor ♣
Northern Virginia
- Sunday (8/30) at 9:30 am | August Chapter Chasers Book Club: The Shrew Detective at Old Town Books in Alexandria (Best for ages 6-9) ♥
- August discussion will center on Margi Preus’ new illustrated novel, THE SHREW DETECTIVE: THE CASE OF THE PILFERED PEARLS, where Wind in the Willows meets Enola Holmes!
- Sunday (8/30) at 10:00 am | Kids Sushi Class at Cookology in Arlington ($) ♥
- In this exciting and interactive session, budding chefs will learn to create three delicious sushi varieties: California roll, vegetable roll, and candy sushi.
- Sunday (8/30) at 10:00 am | MoCA on the Move: Summer Fun Family Series at Metropolitan Park in Arlington
- August 30: Clay Ornaments: Floral and Insect Designs / Music from Acoustic Loops
- Sunday (8/30) at 10:00 am | Clemyjontri Park Open House in McLean ♥
- Experience the wonders of Clemyjontri Park at this returning Open House event that features enjoyment for all ages and abilities. Each guest will get a ticket for the carousel and trackless train as well as enjoy arts and crafts, community resources & the wonder wagon mobile nature center.
- Sunday (8/30) at 11:00 am | Back to School Pop-Up Market at Ballston Quarter in Arlington
- Sunday (8/30) at 12:00 pm | Knife Skills for All Ages at Cookology in Arlington ($) (Best for ages 8+)
- With a focus on safety and guidance, we prioritize teaching proper knife skills to ensure confidence and competence in the kitchen. Through hands-on practice and step-by-step instructions, you will gain the necessary expertise to handle knives with precision and care. Make a vegetable minestrone soup and chicken pot pie!
- Sunday (8/30) at 12:00 pm | Petting Zoo at Shipgarten in McLean ♥
- Sunday (8/30) at 1:00 pm | Summer Lunchtime Animal Meetups at Long Branch Nature Center
- As the summer nears the end, the nature center will provide daily opportunities for meeting some of our many resident animals. Meet snakes, turtles, vultures and other live and preserved wildlife.
- Sunday (8/30) at 2:00 pm | PANINI Sticker Swap at Columbia Pike Library in Arlington
- Are you collecting World Cup PANINI™ stickers? Whether you’re missing Haaland, Mbappé or Messi, come swap with other fans and complete your sticker album! All ages welcome. Sticker trading will be limited one for one. You may prepare ahead to trade with others by downloading and filling the PDF Sticker Tracker found below; Trackers will also be provided at the event.
Sensory Friendly & Accessible
- Friday (8/28) at 3:00 pm | Sensory Friendly Movie for Kids featuring Finding Dory at MLK Memorial Library in DC (Best for ages 5-12) ♣
- Sensory-friendly movie showing is designed to be enjoyed by kids of all abilities, especially kids on the autism spectrum!
- Saturday (8/29) at 9:00 am | Sensory-Friendly Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD ($) ♥
- Saturday (8/29) at 10:15 am | Sensory Storytime at Central Library in Arlington, VA (Best for ages 2-11)
- Sunday (8/23) at 9:00 am | Sensory-Friendly Sunday – Wonders of Water at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia, MD ♥
- Sunday (8/30) at 10:00 am | Clemyjontri Park Open House in McLean, VA ♥
- Experience the wonders of Clemyjontri Park at this returning Open House event that features enjoyment for all ages and abilities. Each guest will get a ticket for the carousel and trackless train as well as enjoy arts and crafts, community resources & the wonder wagon mobile nature center.
For Tweens & Teens
Washington, DC
- Friday (8/28) at 3:30 pm | Teen Maker Lab: Personalized Wooden Bookmarks at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library in SE
- Saturday (8/29) at 1:00 pm | Art & Conversations of Freedom at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library in NW (Best for ages 12+ & a parent) ♥
- In-person workshop that provides the space to explore our relationship with the idea of freedom through conversation, theater-based activities, and artistic creation.
- Sunday (8/30) at 10:30 am | Kids: Make Your Own Emoji at Apple Carnegie Library in NW (Best for ages 8-12)
- Explore using the Procreate app on iPad with Apple Pencil Pro to draw an emoji to take home. Devices will be provided.
- Sunday (8/30) at 2:00 pm | Youth Action Institute Third Annual Kick-Off Event at Edlavitch DCJCC in NW (Best for ages 11-18) ♥
- Join the YAI to celebrate the start of a new year of service! Enjoy ice cream and video games, hang out with friends, and work on a drop-in service project to start earning SSL hours in a fun way.
Maryland
- Friday (8/28) at 2:00 pm | Teen Zone at Bowie Library (Best for ages 13+)
- After school, unwind with video games, crafts, and plenty of other fun activities!
- Friday (8/28) & Saturday (8/29) | Community Center Teen Nights in PG County
- Saturday (8/29) at 2:00 pm | Kids: Make a Theme Song at Apple Bethesda Row (Best for ages 8-12)
- Create a theme song for a favorite show, book, or game using GarageBand on iPad. There’s also a session at Apple Montgomery Mall at 3:00 pm!
Northern Virginia
- Friday (8/28) at 2:30 pm | Brick and Chill: Teen LEGO Hangout at Glencarlyn Library (Best for grades 6-12)
- Friday (8/28) at 7:00 pm | Camp Bookworm Discussion & Author Visit at Old Town Books in Alexandria (Best for ages 8-13) ♥
- This hijinks-heavy mystery, written in dual POVs, where two tweens team up to solve an increasingly tangled apartment mystery, reads like Only Murders in the Building for tweens.
- Saturday (8/29) at 11:00 am | Teen Book Club at James M. Duncan Branch Library (Best for ages 15-18)
- The book being discussed is “Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me” by Marino Tamaki.
- Saturday (8/29) at 11:30 am | Kids: Make a Theme Song at Apple Fairfax Corner (Best for ages 8-12)
- Create a theme song for a favorite show, book, or game using GarageBand on iPad.
- Saturday (8/29) at 1:45 pm | Kids: Make Your Own Emoji at Apple Pentagon City (Best for ages 8-12)
- Explore using the Procreate app on iPad with Apple Pencil Pro to draw an emoji to take home. There’s also two 2:30 pm sessions at Apple Clarendon and Apple Tysons Corner.
- Saturday (8/29) at 2:30 pm | Film Screening: Remarkably Bright Creatures at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library in Alexandria (Best for teens & adults) ♣
- Saturday (8/29) at 4:00 pm | Kids: Code Your First App at Apple Reston (Best for ages 10+)
- Code and create as a family with Swift Playground using iPad. Kids will experiment with code and design an app using the About Me playground.
- Sunday (8/30) at 5:30 pm | Pohick Bay Sunset & Moonrise Kayak Paddle at Pohick Bay Regional Park ($) (Best for ages 13+) ♥
- Enjoy a relaxing sunset before night falls, then watch as the skies darken before the full moon rises like a fireball and illuminates the water! Begin with a brief paddling instruction overview before heading out. Previous kayak experience suggested, but not required.
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More Kid-Friendly Things-to-do...
Check out this list of recurring kid-friendly things-to-do for each day of the week. Most activities are free or low cost! This list is reviewed & updated frequently so make sure to bookmark it for future reference.
