- Updated: 9/30/2026
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, October 2, 2026
Washington, DC
- Friday (10/2) at 10:30 am | Big Moments, Little Stories at Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
- Settle in for a cozy storytime exploring community, family, neighborhood and history, followed by creative exploration and indoor play. Sensory toys and tools are available.
- Friday (10/2) at 12:00 pm & 3:00 pm | Observe the Sun at the National Air and Space Museum
- Safely observe the Sun through a filtered telescope while museum astronomy educators help families discover what’s happening on our nearest star. This outdoor program is weather permitting.
- [Virtual] Friday (10/2) at 1:00 pm | Autumn Leaves: Let Go and Change | Artful Movement hosted by the National Museum of Asian Art on Zoom (Best for grades K-3) ♥
- Explore a work of art before using breathing, stretching and guided movement to investigate the theme “Autumn Leaves: Let Go and Change.” This virtual program includes ASL interpretation.
Maryland
- Friday (10/2) at 10:00 am | Little Jams: Zachary Smith & The Mardi Gras Kings at Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater in Potomac ♥
- Free Friday morning concert featuring family-friendly live music in the park!
- Friday (10/2) at 10:30 am | Spanish STEAM Enrichment with Maestra Gaby at Olney Library ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Spanish-language stories and songs followed by a hands-on STEAM craft led by early-childhood educator Maestra Gaby.
- Friday (10/2) at 10:30 am | Let’s Dance! / ¡Bailemos! at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall in Annapolis
- Enjoy a bilingual storytime followed by a Latin music dance party where preschoolers and their grown-ups can move, dance and celebrate together.
- Friday (10/2) at 1:00 pm | Nature Knowledge at Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton ($) (Best for ages 7-10)
- Investigate the natural world through hands-on activities, discussions, stories, multimedia learning and outdoor exploration.
Northern Virginia
- Friday (10/2) at 12:00 pm | Family Fun Fridays at Riverbend Park in Great Falls ($)
- Family nature exploration with books, crafts, games, microscopes and natural objects that kids and caregivers can investigate together.
- Friday (10/2) at 4:30 pm | Salsa in the Park at Alabama Drive Park in Herndon ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with salsa dancing, music, nature exploration, gardening activities, food and family-friendly community fun.
- Friday (10/2) at 5:30 pm | Super Snakes at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax ($) (Best for ages 5+)
- Meet live snakes with a naturalist and discover how these fascinating reptiles live, what makes them unique and why they play an important role in local ecosystems.
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Washington, DC
- Saturday (10/3) at 9:30 am | Tinkerfest Preview at National Children’s Museum ($) ♥
- Test, experiment, discover and tinker with a full day of hands-on STEAM activities, including automata, textile tinkering, zoetropes, chain reactions, scribble machines and other creative challenges.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | Union Market District Street Fest at Union Market District ♥
- Spend the day exploring pop-ups, food, shopping, movement activities and music throughout the district, followed by a free community block party beginning in the afternoon. The official listing specifically describes the event as bringing together neighbors, families and visitors.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | First Saturday Festival at the National Gallery of Art
- Spend the day creating, moving, listening and exploring with family activities throughout the Gallery, including Storytime: I Like Myself/¡Me gusta cómo soy!, Drop-In Artmaking, Community Collage Quilt, a Family Poetry Writing Workshop, American Folk Music performances at 11:00 am & 12:00 pm, and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company dance performances at 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm & 4:00 pm.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | Open Studio: Pocket Picasso at the Hirshhorn Museum
- Drop into the Hirshhorn Art School for hands-on artmaking inspired by the museum’s collection and experiment with your own creative ideas.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:30 am | A Supreme Friendship — Meet & Greet with Debbie Rovin Murphy at Politics and Prose in NW ♥
- Meet author and illustrator Debbie Rovin Murphy and learn about her new book exploring the unlikely friendship between Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:30 am | The Sky Tonight: Live Planetarium Show at the National Air and Space Museum
- Explore stars, planets and other sights in the current night sky during a live planetarium program led by museum educators.
- Saturday (10/3) at 12:00 pm | Home Rule Music Festival at Alethia Tanner Park in NE ♥
- Celebrate DC’s Black music and cultural legacy with live performances, youth musicians, a Kids Zone, local vendors, food, live art and community activities.
- Saturday (10/3) at 2:00 pm | Taste of the Harvest at THEARC in SE ♥
- Includes farm tastings, community dining and festival activities. A special Studio Saturday drop-in artmaking activity from The Phillips Collection will also run during the festival, with artist-led artmaking from 2:00–4:00 pm and additional art activities through 8:00 pm.
- Saturday (10/3) at 3:00 pm | Battle of the Real HU: Hampton University vs. Howard University at Audi Field ($)
- Cheer on Howard and Hampton as the historic HBCU football rivalry comes to Audi Field for an afternoon of college football, school pride and tradition.
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- Saturday (10/3) at 8:30 am | St. Jude Walk Washington, D.C. at Southpointe & Harbor Trail at National Harbor in Oxon Hill ($)
- Come together for a family-friendly walk supporting the children and families of St. Jude. The event opens at 8:30 am, followed by opening remarks at 9:30 am and the walk at 10:00 am.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | Fall Farm Festival at Old Maryland Farm in Kettering ♥
- Celebrate fall with a pumpkin patch, farm animals, pumpkin bowling, hobby horse races, crafts, games, local vendors and a kids’ bingo challenge with prizes.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am | Movie: Coco at Bowie Library in Bowie (Best for ages 7+) ♣
- Bring snacks, blankets and pillows for a screening of Disney-Pixar’s Coco, a colorful family story about music, tradition and a young boy’s journey into the Land of the Dead.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am | Sankofa Open House at Historic Chelsea House in Upper Marlboro ♥
- Explore the Sankofa Mobile Museum and local Black history through immersive exhibits, hands-on activities, an oral history station, community resources and complimentary food and beverages while supplies last.
- Saturday (10/3) at 12:00 pm | Get Ready for Kindergarten: Early Literacy Workshop at Laurel Library in Laurel
- Rising kindergarteners and their caregivers can practice foundational literacy and phonics skills while families learn practical strategies for supporting reading development at home.
- Saturday (10/3) at 12:00 pm | Walk with a Cop at Tucker Road Athletic Complex in Fort Washington
- Take a relaxed guided walk with an M-NCPPC Park Police officer, giving families an informal opportunity to talk, ask questions and connect while getting outdoors together.
- Saturday (10/3) at 1:00 pm | Kids Create: Papel Picado at Mount Rainier Library in Mount Rainier (Best for ages 5-12)
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month while learning how to make colorful papel picado decorations to take home using easy-to-follow craft techniques.
- Saturday (10/3) at 2:00 pm | Get Active: Capoeira Regional at South Bowie Library in Bowie (Best for ages 5-12) ♥
- Try Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art blending movement, dance, music and traditional songs while developing coordination, flexibility, balance and focus.
Maryland
Montgomery County
- Saturday (10/3) at 9:00 am | Every Bird Counts: Family Bird Walk at Croydon Creek Nature Center in Rockville ($) (Best for ages 5+) ♥
- Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with a guided family bird walk and learn how everyday bird observations can help scientists better understand and protect migratory birds and their habitats.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | Crafting Characters in Nature at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton ($) (Best for ages 7-12)
- Gather natural treasures such as twigs, acorns and pinecones, then transform them into imaginative forest characters complete with leaf outfits and acorn hats.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm | Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical at Imagination Stage in Bethesda ($) (Best for ages 3-9) ♥
- Watch the beloved alphabet book come to life onstage with music, movement and colorful characters in this playful family musical.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am | Art Studio for Kids Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at Twinbrook Library in Rockville (Best for grades K-6) ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through art and culture as an art professor introduces a featured artistic tradition and guides kids in creating an artwork of their own.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am | Harvest Festival at Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood ($) ♥
- Celebrate fall with hayrides, pumpkin painting, kids’ crafts, historical games, farm animals, live music, local vendors, food trucks and demonstrations throughout the farm.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am | Stacks of Fun: Wheaton’s 75th Anniversary Party at Wheaton Library in Wheaton
- Celebrate 75 years of Montgomery County Public Libraries with a special community party featuring family activities, entertainment and creative programming throughout the library.
- [Opening Weekend] Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Beatrice Likes the Dark at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 5+) ♥
- Follow Beatrice through a magical story blending music, shadow play and imaginative storytelling as she discovers that darkness and the things we fear can hold beauty and wonder too.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm | Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure at The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 4+) ♥
- Join Jennie on a playful Halloween adventure featuring cuddly puppets, audience participation, original music, skateboarding, shadow puppetry and pumpkin carving.
- Saturday (10/3) at 2:00 pm | MCPL 75th! Flashback to 1960 at Little Falls Library in Bethesda ♥
- Step back in time for a special 75th-anniversary children’s program featuring vintage books, music, activities and finger puppets inspired by the era when Little Falls Library opened.
- Saturday (10/3) at 2:00 pm | Crafting for Animals at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville (Best for ages 7+)
- Turn recycled materials into enrichment items for Meadowside’s resident owls, hawks and vulture while learning how animal-care teams keep their animal ambassadors active and engaged.
- Saturday (10/3) at 4:00 pm | Art Studio for Kids Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at White Oak Library in Silver Spring (Best for grades K-6) ♥
- Learn about art and culture connected to Hispanic Heritage Month, then create an original artwork with guidance from an art professor.
More Maryland Events
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | Autumn LEGO Train Garden at the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum in Ellicott City ♥
- Kick off the season with a new “spooktacular” LEGO train display filled with ghosts, ghouls, witches and wizards.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | Paws to Read at Odenton Library in Odenton (Best for ages 6-10)
- Elementary readers can practice aloud with a canine tutor during a 15-minute reading appointment designed to build confidence in a relaxed setting.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am | Party Like a Dino at Wade Community Center in Waldorf ($) ♥
- Stomp, roar and celebrate all things prehistoric at a dinosaur-themed family party!
- Saturday (10/3) at 2:00 pm | Rainforest Air with Cantaré, Latin American Music at Busch Annapolis Library in Annapolis (Best for ages 6-10)
- Travel through the rainforests of Latin America and Puerto Rico through music, magical tales, instruments and simple Latin dance steps while learning an ecological message about rainforest life.
- Saturday (10/3) at 2:00 pm | The Science of Scat! at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall in Annapolis (Best for ages 6-10) ♥
- Investigate what animal droppings can reveal about wildlife and use scat as a jumping-off point for hands-on nature science and animal mysteries.
- Saturday (10/3) at 2:00 pm | Paint Like… Yayoi Kusama at Mountain Road Library in Pasadena (Best for ages 6-10)
- Explore the vibrant patterns and signature dots of Yayoi Kusama before painting a colorful polka-dot pumpkin inspired by the celebrated artist.
Northern Virginia
Arlington County
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | The Nature of Poetry at Lubber Run Park in Arlington
- Take a short walk through the park with former Arlington Poet Laureate Courtney LeBlanc, stopping along the way to read nature-themed poetry and create poems inspired by the outdoors.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:30 am | Bird Bonanza at Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington ($) (Best for ages 7+)
- Go birding with a naturalist, practice bird calls, meet a live bird of prey, make a feeder to take home and play nature games while learning how to identify local birds.
- Saturday (10/3) at 1:00 pm | Rosslyn Fall Fest at NOW Pop-Up Park in Arlington ♥
- Celebrate fall with pumpkin decorating, live music, lawn games, seasonal food and other neighborhood activities during an afternoon block-party-style festival.
- Saturday (10/3) at 5:00 pm | Festival Latinoamericano at Arlington Mill Community Center in Arlington ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with live music and dance, authentic food, local artisans, cultural exhibits, interactive children’s entertainment and family-friendly activities highlighting Arlington’s Latin American communities.
Northern Virginia
City of Alexandria
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | 31st Annual Art on the Avenue along Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray ♥
- Explore more than 350 artist booths, live music, international food and children’s activities throughout Del Ray. The Kids Art Corner also includes free STEAM-inspired art activities.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am | Civil War Shelter Day at Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site in Alexandria
- Explore reproductions of Civil War tents, camp furnishings, heating methods and the furnished Officers’ Hut while learning how soldiers lived and stayed warm in camp.
- Saturday (10/3) at 12:00 pm | Carlyle House Family Fun Day: Spooky Season Kick-off at Carlyle House Historic Park in Alexandria ♥
- Kick off spooky season with storytime, crafts and themed family activities on the Carlyle House front lawn.
- Saturday (10/3) at 2:00 pm | Autumn Art – Inspired by Eric Carle at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library in Alexandria (Best for ages 6-12) ♥
- Learn about Eric Carle’s distinctive art process, then create fall leaves, autumn trees and pumpkins inspired by his colorful collage style.
More Northern Virginia Events
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm & 3:30 pm | Haunted Lab! at Children’s Science Center Lab at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax ($) (Best for ages 2-12) ♥
- Kick off a month of not-so-scary Halloween science with glowing-creature hunts using UV flashlights, a spider-launching physics challenge, the Spooky Slime Piano and other hands-on STEM activities.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | Fall Community Clean-Up at the Community Center in Falls Church
- Help keep Falls Church and its waterways clean during a family-friendly citywide volunteer cleanup. The city provides the cleanup supplies; participants should wear clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am | Goblin Golf at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station ($) ♥
- Tee up for a Halloween-themed round of mini golf with ghosts and goblins on the greens, festive decorations and Halloween treats.
- Saturday (10/3) at 12:30 pm | Out of the Darkness Community Walk at Mosaic District in Fairfax
- Join a 1.5-mile community walk supporting mental-health and suicide-prevention efforts, with family-friendly interactive stations and games, a community resource fair, activities focused on hope and healing, and prize drawings before the walk.
- Saturday (10/3) at 2:00 pm | Fiesta Fairfax at Old Town Square in Fairfax ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with mariachi, folkloric dance groups, live Latin music, food vendors, artisans and educational community exhibits highlighting Hispanic and Latino cultures.
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Washington, DC
- Sunday (10/4) at 9:30 am | Tinkerfest at National Children’s Museum ($) ♥
- Tinker, experiment and create during a museum-wide STEAM celebration featuring hands-on stations, live demonstrations, printmaking, textiles, zoetropes, chain reactions, technology take-aparts, bike spirographs and more.
- Sunday (10/4) at 12:00 pm | Liwanag Filipino Lit Fest DC at Loyalty Bookstores and Petworth Neighborhood Library in NW
- Celebrate Filipino literature and authors with book signings, activities, author panels, a keynote and storytime.
- Sunday (10/4) at 12:00 pm | La Mesa at La Cosecha at La Cosecha in NE ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an afternoon of live music, dancing, cultural experiences and activities for the whole family, plus one-day-only dishes from La Cosecha partners and local chefs.
- Sunday (10/4) at 1:30 pm | Quilt 101 at Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library in NW (Best for ages 5-12)
- Learn the basics of quilt making while exploring the art and history behind quilting, then practice introductory techniques with guidance from a librarian who quilts.
Maryland
- Sunday (10/4) at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm | Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical at Imagination Stage in Bethesda ($) (Best for ages 3-9)
- Watch the beloved alphabet book burst to life with lively music, dancing, colorful puppets and playful audience interaction. The 10:00 am performance is sensory-friendly, with additional supports and a quiet room available.
- [Opening Weekend] Sunday (10/4) at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Beatrice Likes the Dark at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 5+) ♥
- Follow Beatrice through an imaginative story filled with magic, music and shadow play as she discovers that darkness and the things we fear can also hold beauty, curiosity and wonder.
- Sunday (10/4) at 11:00 am & 12:30 pm | Family Workshop: Hot Glue Embroidery at KID Museum in Bethesda ($)
- Learn basic embroidery techniques, including satin stitch, then combine hot glue and thread to create a raised textile design to take home in a small embroidery hoop.
- Sunday (10/4) at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm | Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure at The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 4+) ♥
- Join Jennie for a playful Halloween adventure featuring cuddly puppets, audience participation, original music, skateboarding, shadow puppetry and pumpkin carving as she decides what kind of cat she wants to be.
- [Limited Seats Left] Sunday (10/4) at 1:00 pm | Animal Encounters at Clearwater at Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton ($)
- Get up close with reptiles, amphibians, birds of prey and other animal ambassadors while learning how each species survives in the wild and why protecting their habitats matters.
Northern Virginia
- Sunday (10/4) at 10:00 am | YIKES! at SPARK! Not Your Usual Halloween Art Market at 2700 Art Space in Arlington ♥
- Celebrate spooky season at a Halloween-themed outdoor art market featuring local artists and food vendors, music, poetry and hands-on artmaking in a family-friendly community setting.
- Sunday (10/4) at 11:00 am | Goblin Golf at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station ($) ♥
- Tee up for a Halloween-themed round of mini golf with ghosts and goblins on the greens, festive decorations and Halloween treats.
- Sunday (10/4) at 1:30 pm | One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure at David M. Brown Planetarium in Arlington ($)
- Join Big Bird, Elmo and their friend Hu Hu Zhu on a planetarium journey exploring the Big Dipper, North Star, Sun and Moon, followed by a look at the current Arlington night sky.
- Sunday (10/4) at 3:00 pm | Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival at David M. Brown Planetarium in Arlington ($) ♥
- Travel through prehistoric Earth with Celeste and Moon to discover how dinosaurs lived, what happened to them and why their story may not have ended quite the way you think.
Sensory Friendly & Accessible
- Friday (10/2) at 10:30 am | Sensory Friendly: Neurodivergent Storytime at Odenton Library in MD
- Enjoy a supportive storytime created especially for preschoolers who are autistic, neurodivergent or more comfortable with smaller groups and reduced sensory stimulation.
- [Virtual] Friday (10/2) at 1:00 pm | Autumn Leaves: Let Go and Change | Artful Movement hosted by the National Museum of Asian Art on Zoom (Best for grades K-3)
- Explore a work of art before using breathing, stretching and guided movement to investigate the theme “Autumn Leaves: Let Go and Change.” Every Artful Movement session includes American Sign Language interpretation.
- Saturday (10/3) at 9:00 am | Every Step Counts Autism Walk & 5K Run at Centennial Park in Ellicott City, MD ($)
- Celebrate autism acceptance, inclusion and community with a 5K run, 4K walk or 1K stroll, plus a resource fair, inflatables, roving performers, bubble and balloon artists, costumed characters and other family activities. Children under 10 can participate for free; registration is required.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am | Harvest Festival at Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood, MD ($) ♥
- Enjoy hayrides, pumpkin painting, crafts, games, farm animals, live entertainment and food alongside extensive accessibility supports, including a Sensory Retreat Tent, sensory-friendly map, choice board, accessible parking and shuttle service, and ASL interpreters at the main and secondary stages.
- Saturday (10/3) at 12:00 pm | Family Braille Celebration at Capitol View Neighborhood Library in SE ♥
- Celebrate the launch of DC’s first circulating children’s braille collection East of the River with a ribbon cutting, story, accessible games and a collaborative art project centered on braille and inclusive reading.
- Sunday (10/4) at 10:00 am | Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical — Sensory Friendly Performance at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD ($) (Best for ages 3-9)
- Watch the beloved alphabet book come to life in a sensory-friendly performance with a gentle theater atmosphere, sensory supports and a quiet room available inside the Lerner Family Theatre.
- Sunday (10/4) at 2:00 pm | JPMF Splash Water Safety Lessons at George Washington Rec Center in Alexandria, VA ($) (Best for ages 6-22) ♥
- This adaptive aquatics program teaches children and young adults with disabilities how to stay safe and have fun in and around the water. Participants are paired with volunteer swim buddies for skill-building games and exercises based on five water-safety rules developed specifically for people with disabilities.
For Tweens & Teens
Washington, DC
- Saturday (10/3) at 12:00 pm | Crochet Kingpin’s Wearable Art at Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum (Best for ages 8+) ♥
- Learn basic crochet skills with DC artist Dwayne Lawson-Brown, aka Crochet Kingpin. Beginners can practice chains and basic stitches while more experienced crocheters work on a lace-blossom pattern.
- Saturday (10/3) at 2:30 pm | Teen Studio: Picasso Portraits at the Hirshhorn Museum (Best for ages 13-19)
- Experiment with color, shape and collage while creating a cubist-inspired portrait based on Picasso’s work.
- Saturday (10/3) at 3:30 pm | The Terry Club — A Writing Workshop at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in NW (Best for ages 13-19)
- Join the first session of a year-long creative writing workshop built around craft lessons, writing exercises and small-group feedback. Writers can develop a new story, revise an existing draft or simply participate in the exercises and discussion.
- Saturday (10/3) at 6:00 pm | Julian Randall and Jason Reynolds for “SHOOK” at Loyalty Bookstores in Petworth ♥
- Celebrate Julian Randall’s new middle-grade novel-in-verse about a 12-year-old basketball player navigating injury, anxiety and finding his way back to himself. Randall will be in conversation with acclaimed young readers’ author Jason Reynolds.
- Sunday (10/4) at 12:00 pm | Liwanag Filipino Lit Fest DC at Loyalty Bookstores and Petworth Neighborhood Library in NW ♥
- Celebrate Filipino literature and authors with book signings, activities, author panels, a keynote and storytime.
Maryland
- Saturday (10/3) at 9:00 am | Basic Birding 101 at Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton ($) (Best for ages 14+) ♥
- Grab binoculars or borrow a pair from the nature center and learn how to identify birds by their field marks while exploring the basics of birdwatching with a park naturalist.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:00 am | Adventure Seekers: Birding at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary at Mount Rainier Nature Center in Mount Rainier ($) (Best for ages 8-12)
- Young adventurers will meet at Mount Rainier Nature Center and travel by M-NCPPC minibus to Patuxent River Park for a day of birding, outdoor exploration and nature discovery.
- Saturday (10/3) at 10:15 am | Costume Creations at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore ($) (Best for ages 8+) ♥
- Work together as a two-person team to design and build a custom helmet, mask or headdress using templates, painting techniques and cardboard props just in time for Halloween.
- Saturday (10/3) at 1:00 pm | Glass Art: Mosaic Crab Tray at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore ($) (Best for ages 8+)
- Learn beginner mosaic techniques while creating a decorative crab tray to take home during this hands-on stained-glass-inspired workshop.
- Saturday (10/3) at 3:00 pm | Teen & Tween Movie Day: The Princess Bride at Maggie Nightingale Library in Poolesville ♣
- Saturday (10/3) at 4:30 pm | Walk & Talk: Queer History and Ecology at Sligo Avenue Neighborhood Park in Silver Spring ($) (Best for ages 13+)
- Take a two-mile guided walk through Takoma Park-area streets and park trails while learning about local LGBTQ+ history and exploring ideas from the growing field of queer ecology. Participants under 16 must attend with an adult.
Northern Virginia
- Friday (10/2) at 7:00 pm | “Carnival of Curiosities” Art Exhibit Opening Reception at Del Ray Artisans Gallery in Alexandria ♥
- Step into a carnival-inspired art exhibit filled with quirky costumes, magical illusions, haunted attractions, unusual characters and circus imagery, then meet the curators and exhibiting artists during the opening-night reception.
- Saturday (10/3) at 11:00 am | YA Author Jessica Spotswood Pop-up Signing for “The Harrow Home for Wayward Girls” at One More Page Bookstore in Arlington
- Meet bestselling YA fantasy author Jessica Spotswood and chat with her about her newest book, The Harrow Home for Wayward Girls, during this casual two-hour pop-up signing.
- Sunday (10/4) at 10:00 am | Intro to Block Printing at Del Ray Artisans Gallery in Alexandria ($) (Best for ages 12+) ♥
- Design and carve a soft foam printing plate inspired by folklore creatures, harvest moons and other eerie autumn imagery, then ink and hand-print multiple designs to take home. No experience is needed!
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