Family-Friendly Activities in the DMV this Weekend (1/30 – 2/1)

Jack shoveling snow
  • Updated: 1/29/2026

Have a Safe SnoWeekend! Stay tuned for our Black History Month Line-up.

Note: This weekly listing is full of events happening throughout the weekend for kids (ages 3+) – teens. I place a special emphasis on literacy, STEM & other educational based events as well as family fun festivities. Please click the links to review the most up-to-date information prior to heading out!

Upcoming Events

Thursday, January 29, 2026

1/29 | "Spark: Jim West's Electrifying Adventures..." on Zoom

Spend an afternoon with award-winning author and scientist Ainissa Ramirez as she discusses her new children’s book “Spark: Jim West's Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone." Ainissa will share how Jim West patented the foil electret microphone, of which the technology is foundational to many devices we use daily, such as hearing aids and baby monitors. Ainissa will also discuss her research process and how she used Library of Congress materials to write her book. Begins at 2:00 pm!
Tap here to register for this virtual event

For Teachers - 1/29 | Eyes on Reading Lecture at Planet Word

Writing is complex. It challenges educators to focus their instruction and assessment. To have the greatest impact, what should teachers teach and what should they assess, especially in grades 3–8, where skills and background knowledge converge? Discover the highest leverage writing skills to teach in grades 3–8, what to assess, and how to translate research into immediate classroom practice. Starts at 6:00 pm!
Tap here to register for this event at Planet Word
A dancer within Alvin Ailey dance theatre
It's opening weekend for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Warner Theatre!
Tap here for Alvin Ailey ticket info

Friday, January 30, 2026

Washington, DC

  • Friday (1/30) at 10:00 am | Fun at Work Day at Rosedale Recreation Center in NE
    • Winter fun at back to basic play includes jumping rope, soccer, basketball, relays, arts & crafts & more! 
  • Friday (1/30) at 10:00 am | Dewey Decimal System Scavenger Hunt at Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library
    • Topics from 000 to 999 are hidden about the first floor of SPK library, ready for you to find them.
  • [Exhibit Opening Weekend] Friday (1/30) at 10:00 am | The Connective Power of Orchids at the National Museum of African American History and Culture ♥
    •  Take a closer look at the amazing traits that orchids share, uncover the history of vanilla, and get inspired by the Smithsonian Gardens’ orchid collection.
  • Friday (1/30) at 10:30 am | Storytime at National Building Museum 
  • Friday (1/30) at 7:30 pm | Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Warner Theatre ($) ♥

Northern Virginia

  • Friday (1/30) at 10:00 am | Spy Boot Camp at Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington (Best for ages 8-12) ♥
    • Learn how to make and write with invisible ink, decode messages using ciphers, and use a compass and map to navigate.

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Washington, DC

Maryland

  • Saturday (1/31) at 10:00 am | Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Buddy Attick Lake Park in Greenbelt
  • Saturday (1/31) at 10:00 am & 11:30 am | Balloonacy at Imagination Stage in Bethesda ($) 
  • Saturday (1/31) at 10:30 am | Jump, Clap, & Shake with Mr. Joe at Connie Morella Library in Bethesda (Best for ages 3-5) 
  • Saturday (1/31) at 10:30 am | Snow Ball at Rockville Memorial Library (Best for ages 3-12) ♥
    • 2 dance sessions with a short water break/quiet time in between.
  • [Updated] Saturday (1/31) at 11:00 am | Kick Off Library Lovers Month with Uncle Devin at Kensington Park Library ♥
    • The Uncle Devin Show is an interactive musical experience for children that uses percussion instruments to cultivate their minds.
  • Saturday (1/31) at 2:00 pm | Lunar New Year Craft at Germantown Library  (Best for ages 3+) ♥
    • Celebrate the Chinese New Year with various crafts; paper lantern, hand print dragon puppet, and red envelope.
  • Saturday (1/31) at 1:00 pm | Camp Fair at North Laurel Community Center  

Northern Virginia

  • Saturday (1/31) at 9:30 am | Valentine’s Storytime with Author Erica S. Perl at Old Town Books Alexandria ♥
    • Come for a special Valentine’s storytime with author Erica S. Perl for her picture book, Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out.
  • Saturday (1/31) at 10:00 am | Winter Penguin Cupcake Decorating Studio Class at Tiny Chefs in Alexandria ($) (Best for ages 4-8) 
  • Saturday (1/31) at 1:30 pm | Animal Encounters: Winter at Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington
    • Learn about and interact with the wildlife that call Potomac Overlook home. Stop by the nature center auditorium, where NOVA Parks’ Roving Naturalist and critters look forward to meeting you!
  • Saturday (1/31) at 2:00 pm | Valentine Origami at Westover Library in Arlington ♥
    • Origami instructors from Study Japanese in Arlington will show you how to create fun and unique Valentine cards using origami figures, basic and intricate hearts and pop-up cards.
  • Saturday (1/31) at 3:00 pm | Teens Teach Crochet at Beatley Central Library in Alexandria (Best for ages 6-12) 
  • Saturday (1/31) at 6:00 pm | Family Skate Night at Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington ($)
    • Roller skating! 

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Washington, DC 

  • [Exhibit Opening Weekend] Sunday (2/1) at 10:00 am | The Connective Power of Orchids at the National Museum of African American History and Culture ♥
    •  Take a closer look at the amazing traits that orchids share, uncover the history of vanilla, and get inspired by the Smithsonian Gardens’ orchid collection.
  • Sunday (2/1) at 10:00 am | Free Community Day at the National Museum of Women in the Arts 
  • Sunday (2/1) at 1:00 pm | Imagine a World Without… Black History Month Exhibition at Benning Neighborhood Library in NE ♥
    • Black inventions make the world go round. Keep an eye out for labels around the library to show you what everyday items would not exist if not for the innovative genius of these African American inventors. 
  • Saturday (1/31) at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Warner Theatre ($) ♥

Maryland

Northern Virginia

Sensory Friendly & Accessible

  • Sunday (2/1) at 10:00 am | Sensory Sunday at B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore ($)
    • Penguin Party includes creating winter sun-catchers, train rides, and tours. 

For Tweens & Teens

Washington, DC

  • Friday (1/30) & Saturday (1/31) at 11:00 am | ¡Carritos! A Learning Activity Cart Program at the National Museum of American History (For 8th grade – reading level) ♥
    • These 10-minute hands-on mobile-cart activity experiences will allow visitors of all ages to create and connect with items in the Latino Museum collection and themes from past and future exhibitions, as well as items from other Smithsonian collections or content. 
  • Saturday (1/31) at 12:00 pm | Imagine Our City’s Next 250 Years at Woodridge Neighborhood Library in NE (Best for teens & adults)
    • As our nation prepares for its 250th birthday, DCPL is giving you the chance to imagine our city’s next 250 years with a community songwriting program!
  • Saturday (1/31) at 2:30 pm | Teen Studio: Rhymthic Painting at Hirshhorn Museum (Best for ages 13-19) ♥
    • Look closely at The Attraction of Pink (1945) by artist Janet Sobel, who painted to music. Then let your paintbrushes be guided by music of guest salsa artists Orquesta Manplesa.
  • Sunday (2/1) at 9:00 am | Teen Volunteer Project: DC Central Kitchen (Best for ages 11-17) 

Maryland

  • Friday (1/30) at 2:00 pm | Teen Zone at Bowie Library 
  • Friday (1/30) at 6:30 pm | Teens Night Out: Escape Room at Long Branch Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring (Best for ages 14-18) ♥
    • Put your problem-solving skills to the test at Teens Night Out Escape Room!
  • Sunday (2/1) at 2:00 pm | African American Family Stories & Poetry at Olney Library ♥
    • Olney Library welcomes back newly-published authors Francene Hill and Linda R. Moore, as they share their powerful family history, stories & poetry.

Northern Virginia

This Week's Book Recommendation

Antiracist Baby
Follow Antiracist Baby's nine easy steps for building a more equitable world. With bold art and thoughtful yet playful text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Purchase this book by tapping the photo above for $8.99!
Tap here to shop the laces & Pages Online Boutique

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