- Updated: 9/23/2026
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, September 25, 2026
Washington, DC
- Friday (9/25) at 10:00 am | Family Program: Pumpkin Parts! at U.S. Botanic Garden
- Think like a botanist as you and your child explore inside one of the most iconic seasonal plants: a pumpkin! Observe the different parts of the pumpkin and learn about the Cucurbitaceae plant family, which also includes gourds and squashes.
- Friday (9/25) at 10:30 am | Welcome Home: 10th Anniversary Community Weekend at the Museum at the National Museum of African American History and Culture ♥
- Celebrate the museum’s 10th anniversary with music, dance, art, family activities, and special daytime programming. Free; registration required, and visitors of all ages are welcome.
- Friday (9/25) at 11:00 am | Uncle Devin Presents: Grano de arena PR – Where the Land Meets the Sea at Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library in NW ♥
- Enjoy a bilingual English/Spanish eco-conscious story brought to life through puppets, props, fabrics, songs, audience participation, and a hands-on keepsake activity.
- Friday (9/25) at 4:30 pm | Wondrous World Tales at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library in NW (Best for ages 4-8)
- Friday (9/25) at 6:00 pm | Mid-Autumn Festival Night Market at Chinatown Park in NW ♥
- Celebrate with cultural performances, AANHPI vendors, mooncake tastings and a live bake-off, plus family-friendly cultural activities and community booths.
- Friday (9/25) at 8:00 pm | Pop-up Stargazing/Moongazing at the National Air and Space Museum
- Take a look through our telescopes while you’re out exploring Washington, DC. Join us outside the Museum at the corner of Independence Ave and 7th Street SW, near the silver Delta Solar sculpture, and see the wonders of the night sky.
Maryland
- Friday (9/25) at 10:00 am | Little Jams: La Unica at Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater in Bethesda ♥
- Kick off Montgomery Parks’ new fall family concert series with La Unica and their high-energy mix of Irish and Latin rock.
- Friday (9/25) at 10:30 am | Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Celebration at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall in Annapolis ♥
- Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with a special storytime, learn about the harvest tradition, make paper lanterns, and sample mooncakes.
- Friday (9/25) at 10:30 am & 1:30 pm | Homeschool Day Workshops at Port Discovery in Baltimore ($)
- Learn about the history of board games, from ancient Egypt to the games we play today! Then you’ll get to put your creativity to work by designing and creating your very own board game.
- Friday (9/25) at 11:00 am | Lincoln Park Community Center Rededication Ceremony at Lincoln Park Community Center in Rockville
- Celebrate the renovated community center with guided tours and demonstrations, restored and newly created community murals, and a look at improvements that include a new STEM and STEAM lab.
- Friday (9/25) at 1:00 pm | September Family Farm Tour at Old Maryland Farm in Kettering ($) ♥
- Experience Old Maryland Farm on a guided tour designed for the whole family. Get up close with farm animals, learn about daily life on the farm, and discover how the farm operates through engaging stories and hands-on learning.
Northern Virginia
- Friday (9/25) at 5:00 pm | The Arts Place Pop-Up on Langston at 3130 Langston Boulevard in Arlington
- Explore gallery spaces featuring work from dozens of Arlington artists, with changing special programming that can include workshops, performances, cultural activities, and other creative experiences.
- Friday (9/25) at 6:00 pm | Parents’ Night Out: Descendants at Encore at Cherrydale in Arlington
- Kids in grades K–5 can spend the evening immersed in a Descendants-inspired theatre adventure with games, crafts, storytelling, music, movement, and imaginative play led by Encore teaching artists.
- Friday (9/25) at 6:30 pm | Parents Night Out at Mount Vernon Recreation Center ($) (Best for ages 5-10)
- Friday (9/25) at 7:00 pm | Campfire Night Hike – Predators at Night at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($)
- Listen to taped calls of owls and coyotes and possibly catch a glimpse of them in the forest. End the evening with s’mores round the campfire.
- Friday (9/25) at 7:15 pm | Sunset Cinema – Hoppers at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church ♣
- Pack a blanket and picnic! The movie begins around dusk, with food vendors and concessions available beforehand.
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Washington, DC
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:00 am | Just Drop In: Build your own Brick! at National Building Museum ($)
- Children will decorate their own brick with colorful patterns, shapes, or other designs after looking at bricks from the collection.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:00 am & 11:00 am | Worldwide Day of Play at National Children’s Museum in NW ($) ♥
- Includes A Quilt of Stars Book Launchfeaturing astronaut Karen Nyberg and co-author Ann McCallum Staats, Danny Joe’s Treehouse performance, craft projects & more!
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:00 am | Worldwide Day of Play at the National Museum of the American Indian
- Smithsonian educators from several museums come together for hands-on family activities and experiences centered on birds, play, creativity, and discovery.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:30 am | NMAAHC Kids Museum Birthday Party! at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (Best for ages 3-8) ♥
- Celebrate the museum’s 10th birthday with architecture-inspired art activities, a birthday cake collage, a community balloon art wall, and a Stevie Wonder “Happy Birthday” sing-along. Free registration required.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:30 am | Story Tapestries: How Long is a Moment? The Moment Thief at Takoma Park Neighborhood Library in NW
- This STEAM photography workshop uses cameras, movement, math, and observation to investigate time.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:30 am | Juana Medina – Luisa, at Your Service! at Politics and Prose on Connecticut Ave NW (Best for ages 4–8) ♥
- Meet author and illustrator Juana Medina and discover Luisa, at Your Service!, a lively story about a young girl taking visitors on an unconventional tour of her hometown of Salento, Colombia.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | DCPS Back to School Block Party at Dunbar High School in NW ♥
- Celebrate the new school year with interactive games, face painting, student performances, and resources covering health and wellness, food access, college and career readiness, and more.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Fiesta DC 2026 on Pennsylvania Avenue NW ♥
- Celebrate Latino cultures with live music and dance, authentic foods, artisan vendors, cultural programming, and activities for all ages. Brazil is the festival’s 2026 Country of Honor.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:15 am | Forgotten Island Family Party at Alamo Drafthouse DC in NE ($) ♥
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am & 1:30 pm | Art Guardians: Family Workshop – Chasing Rainbows at the National Museum of Asian Art (Best for ages 6-11)
- Explore the science behind iridescence, investigate shimmering ceramics, learn how art conservators care for them, and create your own artwork using materials that change appearance as they catch the light. Free registration is recommended.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:30 am | PULSE: A Dance of the Earth at The Grove at The Wharf in SW (Best for ages 4+)
- Company E combines dance, live music, science, storytelling, and humor in an imaginative journey through the universe, the ocean, Yellowstone, and the rhythms that connect families and the Earth.
- Saturday (9/26) at 1:00 pm | Community Day at the National Museum of African Art ♥
- Explore African and African diaspora cultures through exhibitions, art-making, demonstrations, performances, and a Pan African fabric and fashion showcase featuring designers representing regions across the continent. There’s also a live arts series performance at 4:00 pm!
- Saturday (9/26) at 2:00 pm | Children’s Book – The Inspiring Story of St. Yared: A Life of Discovery at Sankofa Video Books & Café in NW
- Join young author Menna Elias for a special children’s book event sharing the story of St. Yared through themes of curiosity, faith, learning, and discovery.
- Saturday (9/26) at 2:00 pm | Family Improv at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library in NW
- Saturday (9/26) at 2:00 pm | Freedom Forum 1A Fest at District Pier at The Wharf in SW
- The family-friendly First Amendment festival includes Beatles for Kids, a children’s author conversation and book giveaway, tote bag personalization, caricatures, face painting, a balloon artist, interactive activities, and live performances.
- Saturday (9/26) at 3:30 pm | Cumbiafest 2026 at Lamont Plaza in Mount Pleasant, NW
- Celebrate the history and culture of cumbia with live Latin American music, an artisan market, cultural activations, and dedicated family-friendly spaces.
- Saturday (9/26) at 6:30 pm | Washington Spirit vs. Angel City FC: CVS Health Day at Audi Field in Washington, DC ($) ♥
- Cheer on the Spirit during CVS Health Day, which includes health-and-wellness activities plus a family-friendly Youth SoccerFest before the match with youth activities, a player appearance, and giveaways.
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- Saturday (9/26) at 9:00 am | Family Health & Fitness Day at Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover ♥
- Get moving with interactive fitness classes, sports games and challenges, health and nutrition activities, live demonstrations, giveaways, and a kids’ zone with inflatables.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:30 am | Fitness in the Parks – Family Zumba at Columbia Park Community Center in Landover
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Kids & Family Wellness Experience at Laurel Branch Library ♥
- Through music and movement, yoga, wellness crafts, mindfulness activities, and games, children and caregivers will discover simple ways to build healthy bodies and healthy minds while having fun together.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Animal Encounters at Mount Rainier Nature Center in Mount Rainier ($) (Best for ages 2+)
- Meet reptiles, amphibians, and other animal ambassadors while learning how they survive in the wild, why their habitats matter, and how families can help protect them. This month’s theme is fall reptile behaviors.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Latinas in Aviation at College Park Aviation Museum in College Park ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and Latina pioneers in aviation with a ceremonial fly-in, Pilotina Talks, bilingual storytimes and activities, live Latin music, aviation activities, and more.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Marietta History Community Day at Marietta Historic Site & Museum in Glenn Dale ♥
- Explore local history with historic-house tours, family crafts, archaeology finds, music, the 250th Community Portrait Gallery, and other activities designed for all ages.
- Saturday (9/26) at 2:00 pm | Latidos del Caribe: Rhythms of the Caribbean at Bladensburg Branch Library
- Enjoy vibrant dance performances and join in as you try out some fun Caribbean rhythms and dance steps.
- Saturday (9/26) at 3:30 pm | Family Day Dueling Piano Show at Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar in National Harbor ($)
- Sing, clap, dance, and make song requests during a high-energy family edition of the dueling piano show. Tickets include a buffet meal and non-alcoholic beverages, and kids are encouraged to get up and move.
- Saturday (9/26) at 4:00 pm | Echoes of the Enslaved at Concord Historic Site in Capitol Heights
- Explore local archaeological discoveries and the history and lasting legacies of chattel slavery in Prince George’s County through an all-ages commemoration featuring conversation, connection, and workshops.
- Saturday (9/26) at 4:00 pm | Salsa at Sunset with Orlando Machuca, Jr. at National Harbor Plaza in National Harbor
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with salsa and bachata instruction, music, and dancing. National Harbor specifically invites friends and families to join the celebration.
Maryland
Montgomery County
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:00 am | Outdoor Guided Walk for Families: Birds at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton ($)
- Explore the gardens on an interactive, kid-focused guided walk all about birds.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:30 am | Learn Hispanic Dances at Davis Library in Bethesda ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning traditional dances, hearing stories, and exploring Hispanic culture with teachers from Whole Kids Academy.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:30 am | Crafting Across Cultures: Interactive Craft Stations at Quince Orchard Library in Gaithersburg (Best for ages 2+)
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with interactive craft stations inspired by cultures across Central and South America.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Sandy Spring Community Day at Ross Boddy Neighborhood Recreation Center in Sandy Spring
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Flor de Piña Performance – Dance from Oaxaca at Long Branch Library in Silver Spring ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the colorful costumes, music, and traditional Mexican folk dancing of Oaxaca while learning about the region’s cultural traditions.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am & 12:30 pm | Rufus: A Story of Acceptance and Inclusion at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville ($) (Best for ages 3–10) ♥
- Follow a shy lost dog named Rufus on an adventure about celebrating differences, acceptance, and inclusion. The Blue Sky Puppets show also includes a craft project.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Rocktobierfest at Rockville Town Center ♥
- Celebrate German culture with live music, food, an artisan shopping area, and activities for kids at Rockville’s annual fall festival.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:30 am | Train Day at Gaithersburg Community Museum ♥
- Celebrate all things trains with the museum’s historic steam locomotive, train-themed activities, railroad safety experiences, and opportunities to see real trains.
- Saturday (9/26) at 1:00 pm | Library Open House: All Are Welcome at Gaithersburg Library ♥
- Elementary students and their families can enjoy books, local student artwork, crafts, and activities inspired by Alexandra Penfold’s All Are Welcome.
- [Opening Weekend] Saturday (9/26) at 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm | Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical at Imagination Stage ($) (Best for ages 3-9)
- With infectious rhythms, dazzling puppets, lively dancing, and playful audience interaction, this high-energy production transforms the beloved story into a whirlwind of color, creativity, and fun.
- Saturday (9/26) at 2:00 pm | Science Games at Davis Library in Bethesda
- Turn science into a game with hands-on challenges, quick-thinking trivia, science-themed Bingo, experiments, and friendly competition for elementary-school children.
- Saturday (9/26) at 3:00 pm | Beads, Bracelets, and Besties at Rockville Memorial Library
- Make friendship bracelets to share with new and old friends.
More Maryland Events
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:00 am | RPT Exploration Day at participating Charles County Recreation, Parks & Tourism locations ♥
- Spend the day trying hands-on activities across several county facilities, including Build a Buddy and a community rock garden at Elite Gymnastics & Recreation Center, sports demonstrations at White Plains Regional Park, and aquatic activities at county pools.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:30 am | Brown Bear Round The World at Severn Library
- Discover how Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? has traveled across languages and cultures through this special all-ages program.
- Saturday (9/26) at 2:00 pm | Art Afternoon: Inspired by Alma and How She Got Her Name at Severna Park Library
- Explore the illustrations in Juana Martinez-Neal’s Alma and How She Got Her Name, then create artwork of your own using colored and graphite pencils.
- Saturday (9/26) at 2:00 pm | Combat Robotics at Odenton Library (Best for ages 6+)
- Get an introduction to beginner combat robotics with Maryland Area Combat Robotics, including hands-on time with a lifting and flipping robot and a look at 3D printing, electronics, engineering, programming, and remote-control systems.
Northern Virginia
Arlington County
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:00 am | Halloween Costume Swap with the Solid Waste Bureau at Central Library in Arlington
- Give gently used Halloween costumes a second life by swapping them for something new-to-you for this year’s celebrations.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:30 am | Loteria/Bingo In Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at Shirlington Library
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a family game of Lotería. Kids of all ages and their families are welcome.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Clarendon Day at Clarendon Metro Park in Arlington ♥
- Enjoy live music, food, arts and crafts, and a KidZone with an inflatable slide, obstacle course, crafts, glitter tattoos, balloon animals, and giveaways.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:30 am | Forgotten Island Family Party at Alamo Drafthouse Crystal City ($) ♥
- Saturday (9/26) at 1:00 pm | Pepper Fest at Potomac Overlook Regional Park
- Celebrate the end of summer in the park’s vegetable garden with pepper tastings ranging from mild to hot, dishes prepared by Master Gardeners, and tips for growing peppers at home.
- Saturday (9/26) at 5:00 pm | Textures of Nature at Long Branch Nature Center ($)
- Nature is full of different textures: smooth, rough, bumpy, grainy, slippery. We’ll make clay prints using natural materials, make art while exploring tree bark, and go on a nature walk to see what textures we cab find.
Northern Virginia
City of Alexandria
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:00 am | Tons of Trucks at Chinquapin Park ♥
- Climb aboard fire trucks, police vehicles, refuse trucks, buses, construction equipment, and other City vehicles while meeting the people who operate them. The first hour is sensory-friendly.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:00 am | 24th Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival at John Carlyle Square
- Stroll through an outdoor juried art festival featuring paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, mixed media, and more from artists across the country.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Friendship Firehouse Museum Open at Friendship Firehouse Museum in Old Town ($)
- Explore Alexandria’s historic volunteer fire company and see early firefighting equipment inside the 1855 firehouse.
- Saturday (9/26) at 1:00 pm | Barnyard Animal Cupcake Studio Class at Tiny Chefs in Alexandria ($)
- Kids can get hands-on in the kitchen while creating and decorating barnyard-animal-themed cupcakes in this studio cooking class.
More Northern Virginia Events
- Saturday (9/26) at 9:00 am | Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch & Flower Fields Grand Opening Weekend at Temple Hall Farm Regional Park in Leesburg ($)
- Kick off the fall season with pick-your-own pumpkins and flowers, wagon rides, farm animals, jumping pillows, hill slides, yard games, and more. Opening weekend also features an inaugural Pumpkin Blast at 11:45 am and live music from noon–4:00 pm. The pumpkin patch opens at 9:00 am.
- Saturday (9/26) at 9:00 am | Two Towns Bike Rodeo at the W&OD Trail in Vienna
- Bring your own bicycle for a family bike-safety event hosted by the Vienna and Herndon police departments, featuring a cone course, helmet fitting, and lessons on the rules of the road.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:00 am | Harvest Happenings at McLean Community Center ♥
- Celebrate autumn with live entertainment, hands-on crafts, interactive games, friendly animals in the petting zoo, and a pumpkin patch where families can decorate a pumpkin to take home.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:00 am | Bug Fest at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield ($) (Best for ages 4+) ♥
- Explore the world of insects with safari hikes, live insect encounters, crafts, games, bug-themed stories, a buggy maze, and a spiderweb slackline course. The event runs until 2:00 pm.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Manassas Latino Festival at Harris Pavilion in Manassas ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at this family-focused annual festival with live music, dance performances, food, and cultural activities highlighting the traditions and contributions of the Latin American community.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Mosaic Fall Fest at Mosaic District in Fairfax ♥
- Spend the day enjoying more than 90 handmade and vintage vendors, live performances, seasonal experiences, and activities for the whole family. The festival runs until 6:00 pm.
- Saturday (9/26) at 1:00 pm | Fall Tea Party at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls ($) (Best for ages 3+)
- Celebrate fall with tea, savory and sweet treats, and 19th-century games at the historic mill. All participating children and adults must register and pay for the program.
- Saturday (9/26) at 1:00 pm & 3:30 pm | Astro Adventures with the Youth Advisory Board at Children’s Science Center Lab in Fairfax ($)
- Explore space through hands-on activities created by local high school students, including nebula art, rover programming, a telescope-packing puzzle, and other astronomy challenges. The special program is included with museum admission.
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Washington, DC
- Sunday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Fun with Flora and Fauna at Rock Creek Park Nature Center in NW
- Rangers will have a table setup, or offer a short program, to teach kids and visitors of all ages about our wild and wonderful urban oasis.
- Sunday (9/27) at 11:00 am | Fiesta DC 2026 on Pennsylvania Avenue NW ♥
- Celebrate Latino cultures with live music and dance, authentic foods, artisan vendors, cultural programming, and activities for all ages. Brazil is the festival’s 2026 Country of Honor.
- Sunday (9/27) at 1:00 pm | Crafternoon: Decorating the Sukkah with Hill Havurah at Capital Jewish Museum ($) (Best for ages 5-15)
- Make paper fruits, garlands and chains, and do some hands-on holiday learning with their Judaica Education Collection. Leave your craft with them for the Museum’s sukkah or take it home for your own holiday.
- Sunday (9/27) at 2:00 pm | Paint, Scoop, and Preserve: Make Sweet Memories at National Museum of African American History and Culture in NW (Best for ages 7+) ♥
- Create a guided painting inspired by family memories and traditions, then enjoy a frozen treat from Goodies Frozen Custard and Treats. All supplies are provided and no painting experience is necessary. Free registration encouraged.
- Sunday (9/27) at 2:00 pm | Craftopia: Build a Taco at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library in NW ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a tasty taco craft while supplies last!
- [Final Event of Season] Sunday (9/27) at 3:05 pm | Family Funday at Nationals Park in SW ($)
- Washington Nationals v. New York Mets
Maryland
- Sunday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival ♥
- Includes a parade, 3 stages of performances, children’s art activities, face paint & more!
- Sunday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Tiny Tots starring Happy Theater: Dancing Through the Rainforest at The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park ($)
- Take an interactive journey through the Amazon rainforest using creative movement, dance, puppets, and sensory play while learning about rainforest animals, plants, and conservation.
- Sunday (9/27) at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm | Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical at Imagination Stage in Bethesda ($) (Best for ages 3–9) ♥
- With infectious rhythms, puppetry, dancing, and playful audience interaction, the beloved alphabet story comes to life in a colorful 60-minute musical.
- Sunday (9/27) at 10:30 am | STEAM Hour at College Park Aviation Museum in College Park (Best for ages 6–12)
- Drop in for a hands-on aviation-inspired building challenge where young makers can construct airplanes, airports, or inventions of their own while exploring engineering through play. No registration required.
- Sunday (9/27) at 11:00 am | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Amor y Luz at Wheaton Library ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month as Amor y Luz shares Latin American folk songs with children and their families.
- Sunday (9/27) at 4:30 pm | Arab Olive Festival at Casey Community Center in Gaithersburg ♥
- Explore the cultural significance of the olive tree across the Arab world through hands-on activities, cultural displays, and family-friendly learning experiences.
- Sunday (9/27) at 6:00 pm | Movies on the Potomac: The SpongeBob Movie – Search for SquarePants at National Harbor Plaza in National Harbor ♣
- Bring chairs or blankets!
Northern Virginia
- Sunday (9/27) at 8:30 am | RUN! GEEK! RUN! 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run in Alexandria ($) ♥
- Choose between the 5K and 1-mile fun run at this all-ages community race benefiting the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria.
- Sunday (9/27) at 9:00 am | Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch & Flower Fields at Temple Hall Farm Regional Park in Leesburg ($)
- Pick pumpkins and flowers, take a wagon ride, visit farm animals, bounce on jumping pillows, race down hill slides, and enjoy other fall activities.
- Sunday (9/27) at 10:00 am | 24th Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival at John Carlyle Square Park in Alexandria
- Browse paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, pottery, textiles, and other work from local and national artists at this outdoor juried festival.
- Sunday (9/27) at 10:00 am | MoCA on the Move at Met Park: Fall Family Days! Doodles on Paper + Beyond with Shaylin Wallace at Metropolitan Park in Arlington ♥
- Enjoy hands-on doodle art, live music, games, face painting, glitter tattoos, and other activities designed for the whole family.
- Sunday (9/27) at 10:00 am | NVA Thai Street Food & Culture Festival at Manassas Museum Lawn ♥
- Sample authentic Thai street food while enjoying live performances, crafts, and cultural activities celebrating Thai traditions.
- Sunday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Mommy/Daddy & Me Teddy Bear Brunch at Cookology in Ballston Quarter ($) (Best for ages 4–7)
- Little chefs will shake up a refreshing Honey Peach Lemonade, turn cinnamon rolls into cute bear-shaped treats, and make fluffy scrambled egg muffin cups. Kids will practice simple kitchen skills like mixing, shaping, pouring, and assembling alongside their grown-up helper.
- Sunday (9/27) at 11:00 am | Mosaic Fall Fest at Mosaic District in Fairfax ♥
- Spend the day with handmade and vintage vendors, live performances, seasonal experiences, and activities for the whole family.
- Sunday (9/27) at 12:00 pm | Wilderness Kids Alexandria 4th Annual Community Music Festival at Pat Miller Square in Del Ray ♥
- Enjoy live music from local bands along with cornhole, ping-pong, face painting, crafts for kids of all ages, and other community activities. The festival runs until 4:00 pm.
Sensory Friendly & Accessible
- Saturday (9/26) at 8:00 am | Sensory-Friendly Family Morning at George Washington’s Mount Vernon ($)
- Neurodivergent individuals and their families can explore Mount Vernon during a quieter morning visit featuring a special self-guided tour, hands-on activities, sensory bags while supplies last, and a designated take-a-break room.
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:30 am | NMAAHC Kids Museum Birthday Party! at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (Best for ages 3–8)
- Celebrate the museum’s 10th birthday with building-inspired art activities, a community balloon wall, birthday-cake collages, and a Stevie Wonder sing-along. The program is ASL interpreted and offers assistive listening devices. Free registration required.
- Saturday (9/26) at 11:00 am & 1:30 pm | Art Guardians: Family Workshop — Chasing Rainbows at the National Museum of Asian Art (Best for ages 6–11)
- Investigate the science behind iridescent art, learn how conservators care for shimmering objects, then make artwork using materials that change appearance in the light. Both sessions are ASL interpreted and wheelchair accessible. Advance registration is recommended.
- Saturday (9/26) at 6:00 pm | Adapted Family Campfire at Lubber Run Center in Arlington ($) (Best for ages 3+)
- Families that include a member with a disability can gather around the fire for storytelling, nature discoveries, social time, and a campfire treat.
- Sunday (9/27) at 10:30 am | Welcome Home: 10th Anniversary Community Weekend at the Museum at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Celebrate NMAAHC’s anniversary with family activities, movement and dance experiences, genealogy programming, and other museum-wide activities. Smithsonian’s accessibility listing identifies the Sunday program as ASL interpreted, wheelchair accessible, and supported by assistive listening devices. Free registration required.
- Sunday (9/27) at 2:00 pm | Little Hands Signing with Kathy MacMillan at Connie Morella Library in Bethesda
- Sing, sign, dance, and play with Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series.
For Tweens & Teens
Washington, DC
- Friday (9/25) at 12:00 pm | The Meaning of Home: A Treasures Zine Project at National Museum of African American History and Culture (Best for ages 8+) ♥
- Explore the meaning of home and belonging by creating a one-of-a-kind zine with photographs, drawings, words, collage, and other materials. Participants can bring up to three printed personal photos; all other supplies are provided. Free registration required.
- Friday (9/25) at 6:00 pm | Teen Game Night at Arthur Capper Recreation Center in SE
- Sunday (9/27) at 12:30 pm | Teen Volunteer Project: Soup In The Sukkah at Edlavitch DCJCC (Best for ages 11–18) ♥
- Join the Youth Action Institute in assembling soup kits for SOME (So Others Might Eat) in their sukkah. These soup kits help SOME’s clients by providing an easy, nourishing meal for those experiencing food insecurity in the DC area.
- Sunday (9/27) at 1:30 pm | The Diplomatic Beat at West End Neighborhood Library in NW (Best for teens & adults)
- This program that explore cultural expression as a tool for international connection and how music resonates in the diplomatic world. Featured speakers and performers include Executive Director Andrew Lee and musicians from The Washington Conservatory of Music.
Maryland
- Saturday (9/26) at 10:30 am | Mushroom Forays: Guided Mushroom Hike at Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton ($) (Best for ages 8+)
- Celebrate National Mushroom Month with a guided hike focused on finding, identifying, and learning about local fungi.
- Saturday (9/26) at 12:00 pm | Voices of Suitland: A Family Poetry Workshop at Creative Suitland (Best for ages 10+) ♥
- This engaging workshop will explore a variety of poetic forms, including haikus, sonnets, and free verse. The session will close with an optional open mic. Open to all skill levels.
- Saturday (9/26) at 12:00 pm | College and Career Ready: College & Career Fair at Upper Marlboro Branch Library (Best for ages 13–18) ♥
- Explore colleges, career-training programs, and other postsecondary options while gathering information and asking questions about possible next steps after high school.
- Saturday (9/26) at 1:00 pm | Mindfulness and Mental Resilience for Teens at Germantown Library
- Learn practical tools for building emotional balance, confidence, and resilience through breathing, relaxation, meditation, stress-reduction techniques, self-reflection, and goal setting.
- Saturday (9/26) at 2:00 pm | Game On: Magic the Gathering at Largo-Kettering Branch Library (Best for ages 13–18)
- Bring your favorite deck, use one provided by the library, or build from its collection while playing friendly matches. No Magic: The Gathering experience is required, and participants can earn community service hours.
- Saturday (9/26) at 2:30 pm | Craft and Create: Stories Our Hands Remember at Glenarden Branch Library (Best for ages 13–18)
- Explore murals as storytelling and resistance in Latin American and Latine communities, then create symbolic artwork reflecting memory, identity, culture, and traditions.
- Saturday (9/26) at 3:00 pm | How to Write a Novel at Rockville Memorial Library ♥
- Meet author Adeleye Carew and learn about writing YA romance and suspense, developing stories, and independent publishing. Designed for middle- and high-school students.
- Saturday (9/26) at 3:30 pm | Junk Journaling Workshop at Gaithersburg Library (Best for teens & adults)
- In this workshop led by local writer and illustrator, Azita Houshiar, you’ll handcraft a journal using everyday “junk” and receive guidance on using found paper, packaging, tags, embellishments, to create layered, expressive journal pages that reflect your personal perspective and storytelling style.
- Sunday (9/27) at 2:00 pm | Intro to GIMP Digital Art: Dress a Cat at Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library in Silver Spring (Best for ages 8-12) ♥
- GIMP is an open-source graphics program—similar to Photoshop, but free! GIMP allows you to create graphics or edit photos using a variety of customizable tools and features. This class will introduce kids to the interface and encourage them to express themselves through digital art!
Northern Virginia
- Friday (9/25) at 5:00 pm | Reptile Care for Teens at Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington
- Go behind the scenes of reptile care while learning about diets, habitat setups, enrichment, and Arlington’s reptile ambassadors.
- Friday (9/25) at 5:00 pm | Battle on the Boulevard – Teen Only Basketball Tournament at Langston-Brown Community Center in Arlington (Best for ages 13–17)
- Compete in a one-night coed basketball tournament with pool-play and knockout games. Teens may register individually or with a team.
- Friday (9/25) at 6:00 pm | Durant Teen Socials: Pizza & Paint! at Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center in Alexandria ($) (Best for ages 12–16)
- Hang out with other teens while painting, learning a new skill, and enjoying pizza during this themed social.
- Friday (9/25) at 6:00 pm | Free Screening: In the Heights at 2700 Art Space in Arlington ♣
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with food, music, and community beginning at 6:00 pm, followed by an outdoor screening of the PG-13 musical In the Heights at sunset around 7:00 pm.
- Saturday (9/26) at 2:00 pm | Ready, Set, Game! at Columbia Pike Library in Arlington (Best for grades 6-12)
- It’s the ultimate showdown where you can challenge your friends, discover new games, and showcase your skills on our Nintendo Switch. Choose from Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Mario Party, Switch Sports, and more!
- Saturday (9/26) at 3:00 pm | History Through the Eyes of Trees at Fort C.F. Smith Park in Arlington ($) (Best for ages 8+)
- Explore Civil War history through the landscape of Fort C.F. Smith, using its trees as living witnesses to the people and events connected to the site
This Week's Book Recommendation
Related Blogs
Children's Theatre this Fall
Looking to plan a family outing to a musical or theater production? Check out this updated listing for Fall 2026 with performances in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.
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.
