Top Family-Friendly Activities in the DMV this Weekend (9/4 – 9/6) + Labor Day

kids pose with Bluey characters on a green faux lawn.
It's Bluey's World Opening Weekend at Camp Stores in Tysons

 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

It's the final weekend to visit the Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD!

Friday, September 4, 2026

Washington, DC

  • Friday (9/4) at 9:30 am | A Story Building Workshop with Leah Henderson at Capitol View Neighborhood Library in SE ♥
    • During this program, Leah will teach participants how to creatively build their own stories and share her inspirations for writing children’s stories.
  • Friday (9/4) at 10:00 am | Butterfly Wonder Puppet Show at Peirce Mill (Rock Creek Park) in NW (Best for ages 2-8) 
  • Friday (9/4) at 10:00 am | Storytime: Quiet Loud at National Gallery of Art – East Building 
  • Friday (9/4) at 10:00 am | Uncle Ty-Rone ~ One Mic, Many Voices at Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library in NW ♥
    • Participants will engage in a fun-filled ventriloquism, puppets and music stage performance.

Maryland

  • [Final Weekend] Friday (9/4) at 9:00 am | The Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton ($) ♥
  • Friday (9/4) at 10:30 am | Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs at The Puppet Co. Playhouse in Glen Echo ($) 
  • Friday (9/4) at 11:00 am | Foodees Fest at Tanger National Harbor
    • An unforgettable weekend of culinary delights, unique crafts, and family-friendly entertainment. This vibrant festival is designed to celebrate the diverse flavors and creative talents of the community.
  • Friday (9/4) at 4:00 pm | Vulture Awareness Day Celebration at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville ($) ♥
    • Fly through the forest on this self-guided ultimate scavenger hunt and find the hidden vultures. Answer trivia, solve puzzles, and learn some vulture jokes as you “carrion” down the trail. When you finish your trail challenge come and see our raptor ambassadors from the Raptor Deck, and try a tasty vulture treat!
  • Friday (9/4) at 7:30 pm | Movie Night featuring The Parent Trap at The Collection Chevy Chase ♣

Northern Virginia

  • [Opening Weekend] Friday (9/4) at 9:00 am | Bluey x CAMP: Bluey’s House at Tysons Corner Center ($) ♥
    • Your family can step inside Bluey’s House for an unforgettable immersive adventure that ends with a meet-and-greet with Bluey and Bingo!
  • Friday (9/4) at 12:00 pm | Charm Hair Claws – Bedazzling Experience at Dov & Company in Arlington ($) ♥
  • Friday (9/4) at 12:00 pm | Family Fun Fridays at Riverbend Park in Great Falls ($)
    • Spend time together as a family reading books, making crafts, playing games, exploring natural objects with a microscope, doing puzzles, digging in the sandbox and many more play opportunities. 
  • Friday (9/4) at 4:00 pm | First Friday Bird Count at Buddie Ford Nature Center ($)
    • Participants will observe a variety of species in Dora Kelly Nature Park as the seasons change and contribute data to conservation efforts.
  • Friday (9/4) at 5:00 pm | Pajama Party Campfire at Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington ♥
  • Friday (9/4) at 6:00 pm | Movies at Met featuring Back to the Future in Arlington ♣
  • Friday (9/4) at 6:00 pm | To Build a Fire at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($)
    • Learn the science and art of building a fire and then test your skill with primitive fire bows and modern fire-making techniques.
  • Friday (9/4) at 6:30 pm | Family Fishing at Sunset at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax ($)
    • Enjoy the beauty of the lakefront at sunset while learning the basics of fishing with a naturalist. 
  • Friday (9/4) at 7:00 pm | Putting the Animals to Bed at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon ($)
    • When evening shadows spread over Kidwell Farm, it is time to put the animals to bed. Bring your flashlight or lantern for this twilight tour and learn how our farm animals settle down for the night.
DC Jazz Fest youth saxophone players on stage.
DC Jazz Fest is this weekend! Check out their free kids concerts on both Saturday (9/5) and Sunday (9/6) at M Street Landing at the Wharf in SW. There's a scavenger hunt too!

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Washington, DC

  • Saturday (9/5) at 10:00 am | Jack and the Bean Stalk Puppet Show at Peirce Mill (Rock Creek Park) in NW 
  • Saturday (9/5) at 10:00 am | First Saturday Festival at National Gallery of Art
    • Includes a kids’ play space, storytime, artmaking, sketching lab, face paint, children’s yoga & more! 
  • Saturday (9/5) at 10:00 am | Circus Arts Conservatory: Artistry, Education and Labor of Circus Acts at the Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building & National Museum of American History ♥
    • The Circus Arts Conservatory of Sarasota, Florida, joins the Smithsonian Folklife Festival with programming that honors both the wonder of the circus and the craft and labor that make it possible.  
  • Saturday (9/5) at 10:00 am, 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm | SpyKids Mission Training at Volta Park Pool in NW DC ($)
    • During SpyKids Mission Training your SpyKid will be guided through Georgetown to learn about the many spies who once traded secrets for cash (and still do). Along the way you will learn about how spies secretly communicate, what motivates a spy to spy, and the role bananas had in overthrowing a government.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 11:00 am | DC Jazz Bops! Kids Concert at M Street Landing at The Wharf ♥
  • Saturday (9/5) at 11:00 am | Library Joy Day at MLK Memorial Library ♥
    • Come play yard games under the loggia, make cool art, watch a movie, enjoy some snacks, get or renew your library card, and learn about what you can do at the library after you’ve checked out a new book.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 12:00 pm | Clothing Swap ~ Fall/Back-to-School Swap at Northeast Neighborhood Library 
  • Saturday (9/5) at 12:00 pm | Painted Expressions: Masks on Canvas Workshop at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum ♥
    • Inspired by the symbolism and storytelling power of masks, participants will design and paint their own expressive mask artwork on canvas.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 1:00 pm | Double Dutch 4 Fun with DC Retro Jumpers at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens in NE 
  • Saturday (9/5) at 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm | DC Festival of Magic: Family Show at The Capital Hilton ($)
    • Featuring The Great Kaplan!
  • Saturday (9/5) at 1:15 pm | Look, Learn, Create: “Water’s Edge” for Families at the National Museum of the American Indian (Best for ages 4-10)
    • A family-friendly interactive tour of the Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe exhibition! Visitors will engage with three of his artworks and can participate in guided discussions, and experience items from the museum’s Teaching Collection. After finding inspiration from Truman Lowe’s artworks, families can continue into the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and create their own water-inspired artwork to take home.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 1:30 pm | Kids: Create an Interactive Story of Kindness at Apple Carnegie Library in NW (Best for ages 6-10)
    • Imagine what kindness means by making your own interactive storybook on iPad.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 5:00 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.

Maryland

Prince George’s County
  • Saturday (9/5) at 10:00 am | Dinosaur Park Open House at Dinosaur Park in Laurel ♥
    • Learn more about fossils, including the dinosaurs who used to call Maryland home. Guests can expect an orientation and then the opportunity to search the surface of the ground for fossils.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 11:00 am | Women in Aviation Tour at College Park Aviation Museum (Best for ages 8+)
    • Explore the groundbreaking achievements of female pilots with ties to College Park Airport, and engage in a conversation about the opportunities and challenges women face in aviation careers. 
  • Saturday (9/5) at 11:00 am | Foodees Fest at Tanger National Harbor
    • An unforgettable weekend of culinary delights, unique crafts, and family-friendly entertainment. This vibrant festival is designed to celebrate the diverse flavors and creative talents of the community.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 2:00 pm | Game On: An Afternoon with Game Kastle at Hyattsville Library
    • Select from an assortment of games borrowed from Game Kastle’s extensive library!
  • Saturday (9/5) at 2:00 pm | Legos: Creative Club at Upper Marlboro Library  
Global Rhythms: Music, Dance & Storytelling from Around the World on Saturday, September 5.
On Saturday (9/5) at Glen Echo Park, catch Global Rhythms: Music, Dance & Storytelling from Around the World! Enjoy a FREE showcase of music, dance, and storytelling from around the world. This event features performances by artists sharing traditions from a variety of cultures.

Maryland

Montgomery County
The 5th annual Hispanic Heritage Community Festival at Tyrol Hill Park will be held Saturday, September 5 at 1:00 pm! Celebrate with music, popcorn, snow cones, hot dogs & lots of fun!

Northern Virginia

Arlington County & City of Alexandria 

More Northern Virginia Events

  • [Opening Weekend] Saturday (9/5) at 9:00 am | Bluey x CAMP: Bluey’s House at Tysons Corner Center ($) ♥
    • Your family can step inside Bluey’s House for an unforgettable immersive adventure that ends with a meet-and-greet with Bluey and Bingo!
  • Saturday (9/5) at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm & 3:30 pm | Species Saturday at Children’s Science Center LAB ($) ♥
    • Visit the Lab during a timed entry session for a bonus animal encounter from one of our seven animal ambassadors. Animal ambassadors include Land Hermit Crabs, White’s Tree Frogs, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, African Pygmy Hedgehog, Corn Snake, Mali Uromastyx, and Ball Python Snake.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 1:00 pm | Fishing for Parent and Child at Lake Fairfax in Reston ($)
    • Learn how to fish alongside your parent or child as you enjoy the scenery around the lake. Gain a better understanding on how to rig and use a fishing rod, how to safely fish, and how we can be environmentally conscious while we fish. 
  • Saturday (9/5) at 3:00 pm | Making Ice and Ice Cream at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($)
    • Crank ice cream as you discover how ice was harvested and stored in this 19th century farm.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 7:00 pm | Campfire Saturdays – Stargazing at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax ($)
    • Enjoy an evening in the woods and learn about the constellations, their stories and other night-sky features. The naturalist will identify the stars and will have some telescopes to use.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 7:00 pm | Putting the Animals to Bed at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon ($)
    • When evening shadows spread over Kidwell Farm, it is time to put the animals to bed. Bring your flashlight or lantern for this twilight tour and learn how our farm animals settle down for the night.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 7:30 pm | Hook in Concert ~ National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap ($) ♥
DC State Fair at Anthem Row.
Enjoy live performances, local vendors, educational workshops, and 50+ contest winners – plus live competitions for best outfit, pie eating, flower arranging, chili, and mac & cheese at the DC State Fair on Sunday, September 6.

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Washington, DC 

  • Sunday (9/6) at 10:00 am | Free Community Day at National Museum of Women in the Arts 
  • Sunday (9/6) at 10:00 am | Circus Arts Conservatory: Artistry, Education and Labor of Circus Acts at the Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building & National Museum of American History ♥
    • The Circus Arts Conservatory of Sarasota, Florida, joins the Smithsonian Folklife Festival with programming that honors both the wonder of the circus and the craft and labor that make it possible.  
  • Sunday (9/6) at 10:30 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.
  • Sunday (9/6) at 10:30 am | The Apple Tree Puppet Show at Peirce Mill (Rock Creek Park) in NW (Best for ages 2-8) 
  • Sunday (9/6) at 11:00 am | DC State Fair at Anthem Row in NW ♥
    • Includes contests, live music, demos and educational workshops.
  • Sunday (9/6) at 11:00 am | DC Jazz Bops! Kids Concert at M Street Landing at The Wharf ♥
  • Sunday (9/6) at 11:30 am | Kids: Create an Interactive Story of Kindness at Apple Carnegie Library (Best for ages 6-10)
    • Imagine what kindness means by making your own interactive storybook on iPad.
  • Sunday (9/6) at 1:00 pm | Kids: Direct Your Own Friendship Film on iPad at Apple Carnegie Library (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.

Maryland

Northern Virginia

  • [Opening Weekend] Sunday (9/6) at 9:00 am | Bluey x CAMP: Bluey’s House at Tysons Corner Center ($) ♥
    • Your family can step inside Bluey’s House for an unforgettable immersive adventure that ends with a meet-and-greet with Bluey and Bingo!
  • Sunday (9/6) at 10:00 am | SPARK! Not Your Usual Art Market in Arlington
    • Inclusive outdoor market with handpicked art and food vendors, and programming including poetry, music and art making.
  • Sunday (9/6) at 11:30 am | Kids: Create Comics Inspired by Planet Earth at Apple Fairfax Corner
    • Attention, families: your mission is to protect something you love on planet Earth. Together you’ll imagine a story with your own characters on a fun adventure.
  • Sunday (9/6) at 12:00 pm | Kiddo Rave at Shipgarten in McLean
    • Kiddo Rave’s the ultimate all-ages dance party with lights, beats, and fun vibes for the little raver in you!
  • Sunday (9/6) at 2:00 pm | Cain’s Branch Archaeology Tour at Sully Historic Site at Chantilly ♥
    • Hike the trail and learn about the history of abandoned sites hidden from most visitor’s view. Follow trails of forested areas and Cain’s Branch waterway to learn about the life of early inhabitants who made Sully their home.
  • Sunday (9/6) at 2:00 pm | Family Day with Jr. Docents at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum in Alexandria ($)
    • In addition to stationed tours, Jr. Docents offer additional hands-on activities and a chocolate-making demonstration.
happy Labor Day.

Labor Day (9/7) Happenings

  • [Opening Weekend] Monday (9/7) at 9:00 am | Bluey x CAMP: Bluey’s House at Tysons Corner Center ($) ♥
    • Your family can step inside Bluey’s House for an unforgettable immersive adventure that ends with a meet-and-greet with Bluey and Bingo!
  • [Final Day] Monday (9/7) at 9:00 am | The Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD ($) ♥
  • Monday (9/7) at 10:00 am | Labor Day Parade in Olde Towne Gaithersburg, MD ♥
    • The parade features an assortment of high school marching bands, dance groups, costumed characters, antique cars and fire engines, community organizations, and more.
  • Monday (9/7) at 10:00 am | Circus Arts Conservatory: Artistry, Education and Labor of Circus Acts at the Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building & National Museum of American History in DC ♥
    • The Circus Arts Conservatory of Sarasota, Florida, joins the Smithsonian Folklife Festival with programming that honors both the wonder of the circus and the craft and labor that make it possible.  
  • Monday (9/7) at 10:00 am & 12:30 pm | SpyKids Mission Training at Volta Park Pool in NW DC ($)
    • During SpyKids Mission Training your SpyKid will be guided through Georgetown to learn about the many spies who once traded secrets for cash (and still do). Along the way you will learn about how spies secretly communicate, what motivates a spy to spy, and the role bananas had in overthrowing a government.
  • Monday (9/7) at 11:30 am | Ice Cream Monday at the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation in Baltimore ($)
  • Monday (9/7) at 4:00 pm | Labor Day Concert with National Chamber Orchestra and the U.S. Army Blues at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods in Columbia
    • Free outdoor performance by the National Chamber Orchestra’s elite roster of Washington’s finest instrumentalists alongside the U.S. Army Blues, the flagship jazz ensemble of the US military bands!

Sensory Friendly & Accessible

  • Saturday (8/22) at 11:00 am | Sensory Storytelling with ReadAbility at Little Falls Library in Bethesda, MD (Best for ages 3-8)
    • Multisensory book and storytelling session for all children who learn best through sensory play. Registration required!

For Tweens & Teens

Washington, DC

  • Friday (9/4) at 3:30 pm | Teen Gaming at MLK Memorial Library (Best for ages 13-19) 
  • Friday (9/4) at 6:30 pm | Drive-In Movies featuring Mean Girls at Union Market in NE ($) ♥
  • Saturday (9/5) at 12:15 pm | 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.
  • Sunday (9/6) at 2:15 pm | Kids: Learn to Code with Swift Playground at Apple Georgetown in NW (Best for ages 12+)
    • Swift is a powerful programming language created by Apple that’s used to build many popular apps, and Swift Playground is an app for iPad that makes learning how to code interactive and fun.

Maryland

Northern Virginia

  • Friday (9/4) at 2:00 pm | Special Film Screening Celebrating Dolly Parton ~ Steel Magnolias at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library ♣
  • Saturday (9/5) at 9:30 am | Croakchet at Winkler Botanical Preserve in Alexandria ($) (Best for ages 10+) ♥
    • Hop into the skill of crocheting and learn about our amazing amphibious friends. Start the morning with a short walk around the scenic pond, and spot some native frog species, then learn to crochet your very own frog.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 10:00 am | Paw-Paw Prowl at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($) (Best for ages 14+) 
    • Go off trail with a naturalist to learn about the Paw-Paws historical and ecological importance to Virginia.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 10:30 am | Grand Gaming Melee at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library in Alexandria (Best for teens & adults)
    • Grand Gaming Melee: The Alexandria-Arlington Regional Gaming Group (AARGGH) invites you to play dice games, card games, tile games, and just about any other kind of tabletop game.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 2:30 pm | Kids: Make a Theme Song at Apple Clarendon (Best for ages 8-12)
    • Create a theme song for a favorite show, book, or game using GarageBand on iPad.
  • Saturday (9/5) at 1:00 pm | Tote Bag Swap at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library (Best for teens & adults) ♥
    • Trade your clean and good condition reusable shopping bags and totes!
  • Saturday (9/5) at 2:30 pm | Kids: Code Your First App at Apple Tysons Corner (Best for ages 10+)
    • Also a 4:00 pm session at Apple Reston. 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. 
  • Saturday (9/5) at 3:00 pm | Sit and Stitch at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library in Alexandria (Best for teens & adults)
    • Stitchers of all kinds and skill levels, join us for an hour of stitching and community at Burke Branch Library!
  • Sunday (9/6) at 11:00 am | Intro to Kayaking at Lake Fairfax in Reston ($) (Best for ages 12+)
    • This introductory-level class is perfect for beginners or for those who want to learn how to paddle more efficiently. Learn about different kayaks, paddles, personal flotation devices and safety gear.
  • Sunday (9/6) at 3:00 pm & 4:00 pm | Women of Walney Walking Tour at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($)
    • From the Brown family in the 1740s until Ellanor C. Lawrence in the 1970s, women have defined the Park’s cultural and natural history. Hike around Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, learning about the women whose lives and work helped shape our land.

This Week's Book Recommendation

That You Are Here Is No Small Thing book cover.
New release from authors Traci N. Todd and illustrator Vashti Harrison, "That You Are Here Is No Small Thing" ~ "...young descendants of enslaved Africans are guided through the history that led them to exist and thrive today. Through their eyes, we see how Black Americans have relied on one another to fight against oppression and the ways in which the strength of their ancestors is always with them." Purchase this book for $18.99 via Amazon.

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