Kid-friendly Activities in DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia this Weekend (11/8 - 11/11)
Let's talk about Science! The Maryland STEM Festival 2024 is in full swing through November 17th with a bunch of events happening throughout the state and many of them are free to attend. The Maryland libraries systems are a great resource for activities, especially Montgomery County! Other events include the Morgan State STEM Expo at Montebello Elementary and the Maryland STEM Career Fair for Girls in middle and high school at The Bryn Mawr School happening this weekend in Baltimore, MD. You can find details for both of these events under "More Maryland Events" for Saturday (11/09). If Baltimore's a bit too far, I highly recommend the National Children's Museum in Downtown DC for younger kids and the KID Museum in Bethesda, MD (open on Sundays) for older kids, who are eager to explore makerspaces and STEM-based activities. I was so sad to learn that my kids' school doesn't offer science or history as classes so I've been on a mission to find alternatives in learning about both subjects. This mission may turn into a blog post! More to come soon...
Sarah Acors
Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+
Events
Friday, November 8, 2024
Washington, DC
- 8:30 am | 3rd Annual Esports and STEM Festival at the Verizon Tech and Policy Center in NW
- 10:00 am | The National Theatre Live! ~ Grandma’s Stories from the Animal People at Deanwood Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 3-6)
- 4:00 pm | Art Attack! Kids Art Program at Georgetown Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 6-12)
- 4:30 pm | Hitpig! at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 5:30 pm | Side Yards at The Yards in SE
- Enjoy thrilling performances from incredible magicians, daring contortionists, mesmerizing jugglers, and fearless sword swallowers!
- 7:30 pm | Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert at the National Theatre ($)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 10:30 am | Kids Kaboose at Old Bowie Welcome Center (Best for ages 5-10)
- 2:00 pm | Reader’s Advisory: Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month
- Hear about the best books for teens and adults
- 3:00 pm | Crafternoon: Mindfulness Glitter Jar at Mount Rainier Library
Montgomery County
- 9:30 am | Santa Cares at Westfield Montgomery
- Sensory-friendly event allows families with all types of special needs to experience the time-honored tradition of a visit with Santa in a comforting environment.
- 2:00 pm | Fake Cake Jewelry Box Decorating at Cabin John Village Shopping Center in Potomac ($)
- Create your very own “fake cake” jewelry box, perfect for adding a dash of whimsy to your decor.
- 5:00 pm | Nature Girls Club at Black Hill Discovery Center in Boyds ($) (Best for ages 9-12)
- 5:00 pm | Cherokee Tales with Bright Star Touring Theatre at Gaithersburg Library (Best for grades Pre-K – 6)
- 7:00 pm | Free Movie Night featuring Migration at Long Branch Community Recreation Center
More Maryland Events
- 10:00 am | Animal Architects: Engineering for Wildlife at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore ($)
- 3:00 pm | Thank You Veterans! at Savage Branch Library in Laurel
- Create and decorate thank you cards for our military Veterans. Cards will be delivered on or before November 11.
Virginia
Arlington County
- 6:00 pm | Nocturnal Animal Hike at Gulf Branch Nature Center ($)
- 7:00 pm | Encore Stage & Studio’s Production of The Lion King Jr. at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre ($)
City of Alexandria
- 10:00 am | Dinovember at Barrett Branch Library (Best for ages 2+)
- Go on a dino safari for a chance to win a dinosaur prize, play table top dinosaur games, pick up take home activity packets for preschoolers and elementary aged kids, and discover some of our favorite dinosaur books!
- 4:45 pm | Family Owl Outing at Huntley Meadows Park ($)
- 6:30 pm | Family Dance Night at Charles Houston Recreation Center
Virtual
- 10:00 am | Flights of Fancy Story Time: Looking Down by Steve Jenkins on Zoom
- Features ASL interpretation and captioning
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Washington, DC
- 9:00 am | 2024 DPR Youth Football Championship Games at Eastern Senior High School
- 9:30 am | Kidsave Hike at Roosevelt Island ($)
- 9:30 am & 11:00 am | Saturday Morning Live! at the National Theatre featuring Grandma’s Stories from the Animal People by Dovie Thomason
- 9:30 am & 11:00 am | Second Saturdays: CityDance at the Kennedy Center (Best for ages 3-5)
- Get ready to explore balance, coordination and imagination through dance.
- 10:00 am | The Phillips Plays ~ Sculptural Paintings at The Phillips Collection ($)
- Inspired by Sam Gilliam’s chromatic drape paintings, create mixed-media sculptures that play with space and explore the capabilities of color. A family-friendly tour of Breaking It Down: Conversations from the Vault will be offered at 11 am.
- 10:00 am | Firsthand Experience: Plant Portraits at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the US Botanic Garden ($) (Best for ages 13+)
- 10:15 am | Crafty Tales: William Morris at Merry Pin in NW (Best for ages 3-8)
- Young crafters get the chance to immerse themselves in the theme through a hands-on crafting activity.
- 10:30 am | November Family Day: Veterans Day at the Library of Congress
- Dig into the role Victory Gardens played on the home front during the two World Wars, decorate a plant pot and pick up seeds for your own herb harvest. Learn more about how Americans on the home front contributed to the war effort and supported the troops overseas.
- 10:30 am | Open Studio: Primary Palettes at Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- 11:00 am | Adventuring Party ~ Dungeons & Dragons for Kids at Woodridge Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 8-14)
- 11:00 am & 1:00 pm | Uncle Devin at the Kennedy Center ($) (Best for ages 5+)
- 12:00 pm | Foil Sculpture Workshop at Anacostia Community Museum
- 12:00 pm | Adventures in Literacy: A Heart Project Fueled by Art, Language and Collaboration at Sankofa Cafe in NW
- 1:00 pm | STEAM Saturday at the National Building Museum ($) (Best for grades 2-6)
- 1:00 pm | Axé Fest: Zumbi Day at The Capoeira Spot in NE
- Includes a kids capoeira class & intro class for teens & adults
- 2:00 pm | United States Navy Band at Southwest Neighborhood Library
- 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert at the National Theatre ($)
- 5:00 pm | Author Meet & Greet featuring “Streetlight People” by Charlene Thomas at Politics and Prose on Connecticut Ave. NW (Best for ages 14+)
- 6:00 pm | Tweens Night Out at iGEN Educational Academy at Eastern Market ($) (Best for ages 8-12)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 10:30 am | Beginning Blues Harmonica at Hyattsville Library (Best for teens and adults)
- 10:30 am | Bibliobop Dance Party at Greenbelt Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- 11:00 am | Prince George’s County Mocha Moms Education Fair at Holy Trinity: An Episcopal School in Glenn Dale
- 11:00 am | Picture Perfect Chemistry: Exploring Photography and Imaging at Bowie Library (Best for ages 7+)
- 11:30 am | Beginning Ukulele at Hyattsville Library (Best for teens & adults)
- 12:00 pm | STEAM Family Day at Baden Community Center in Brandywine
- Scroll to register!
- 12:00 pm | Woolly Bear Wingding at Watkins Nature Center in Kettering
- Enjoy nature-themed stations, crafts, activities, games, story times, and more, all celebrating the Woolly Bear caterprillar.
- 1:00 pm | STEAM Skate and Paint at Suitland Community Center ($)
- Scroll to register!
- 1:00 pm | Tail Waggin’ Tutors at Bowie Library (Best for ages 5-12)
- Build your child’s confidence as they read to a specially trained therapy dog.
- 1:30 pm | MAC Watch Party: The Boy and the Heron at Upper Marlboro Library (Rated pg-13) (Best for teens)
- Anime Manga Club
- 2:00 pm | Dungeons & Dragons at Fairmount Heights Library (Best for ages 10+)
- 3:00 pm | Tail Waggin’ Tutors at Beltsville Library (Best for ages 5-12)
- Build your child’s confidence as they read to a specially trained therapy dog.
- 5:30 pm | Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks at National Harbor
Montgomery County
- 10:00 am | Mr. Gabe Music at People’s Book Takoma
- 10:30 am | Read to a Dog at Kensington Park Library
- 10:30 am | Pets! A Family Storytime about Our Favorite Friends at Aspen Hill Library
- 11:00 am | Comet’s Craft Room at Westfield Montgomery
- Hands-on gingerbread crafts
- 11:00 am | Read to a Dog at Aspen Hill Library
- Also at Long Branch Library
- 11:00 am | Story Tapestries featuring Jamaal *Mr. Root* Collier at Highland Elementary School in Wheaton
- Hip-hop based performance for kids of all ages
- 11:00 am | Superb Saturday STEAM ~ Popsicle Stick Catapults at Noyes Library for Young Children in Kensington
- 1:00 pm | STEM Fest Extravaganza! presented by FTC team 47 Beavers (teen robotics team) at Gaithersburg Library (Best for grades 1st – 8th)
- Experience engineering challenges with hands on science stations and meet people who work in different STEM fields. Some of the activities include building a balloon powered car or a paper rocket and experimenting different physical forces with Imagination Playgrounds Blue Blocks.
- 1:00 pm | Storytime in Mrs Claus’ Library at Westfield Montgomery
- 1:30 pm | Reopening of Caroline Freeland Urban Park in Bethesda
- Visit Jump, Clap & Shake with Mr. Joe & the Connie Morella Library during the celebration
- 2:00 pm | Write to Right at Gaithersburg Library (Best for ages 9-14)
- 2:00 pm | The Egg Drop Challenge at Kensington Park Library
- 2:00 pm | Talking Stick Craft for Native American Heritage Month at Germantown Library (Best for ages 5+)
- 2:00 pm | College Park Aviation Museum presents: Aviation Science at White Oak Library (Best for grades 2nd+)
- Explore the science behind flight in an interactive presentation, participate in a Forces of Flight activity, and experiment with what you’ve learned.
- 3:00 pm | Science Saturday – DNA Discovery at Maggie Nightingale Library in Poolesville (Best for ages 6-10)
- 4:00 pm | Crafts at the Library: Craftin’ a Turkey at Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville
More Maryland Events
- 8:30 am | Maryland STEM Career Fair for Girls at The Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore
- 9:00 am | Morgan State STEM Expo at Montebello Elementary Middle School in Baltimore
- 10:00 am & 11:00 am | Lil’ Stars – Colors in Space: Red at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia ($) (Best for ages 3-8)
- 10:00 am | 10th Annual STEM Fest at the National Cryptologic Museum
- 10:30 am | Dinovember Storytime at Crofton Library
- 11:00 am | Kid Quest at Lakeshore Learning in Towson (Best for ages 3+)
- 11:30 am | Storybook Friends: Sesame Street at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 2-5)
- 2:00 pm | Taking Your First Steps in STEM at Elkridge Branch Library (Best for ages 9-14)
- 2:00 pm | Open Video Game Time at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for grades 6th – 12th)
- 2:00 pm | Histories Revealed: Archaelogical Talks at the Woodlawn History Center in Edgewater (Best for ages 12+)
- Discussion of Maryland Smugglers in the 1650s
- 2:30 pm | Find Your Own Books! at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 7-11)
- Become an HCLS junior librarian through this scavenger hunt.
- 3:00 pm | Math Night with the Maryland STEM Festival at Mathnasium in Columbia
- 5:15 pm | Public Star Party at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville
Virginia
Arlington County
- 3:00 pm | Encore Stage & Studio’s Production of The Lion King Jr. at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre ($)
- 4:00 pm | Nature Network: Wiggling Worms at Long Branch Nature Center ($)
City of Alexandria
- 9:00 am | Del Ray Vintage and Flea Market
- 10:00 am | Dinovember at Barrett Branch Library (Best for ages 2+)
- Go on a dino safari for a chance to win a dinosaur prize, play table top dinosaur games, pick up take home activity packets for preschoolers and elementary aged kids, and discover some of our favorite dinosaur books!
- 10:00 am | Story Time for Little Historians at Alexandria Black History Museum (Best for ages 5-8)
- 11:00 am | Kid Quest at Lakeshore Learning (Best for ages 3+)
- 11:00 am | Writing Poetry about Loss and Grief at Duncan Branch Library (Best for teens & adults)
- 7:30 pm | VCW Pro Wrestling at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center ($)
More Virginia Events
- 8:00 am | Sensory-Friendly Morning at Mount Vernon Estate ($)
- 9:00 am | Veterans Day Weekend Activities at Mount Vernon Estate ($)
- Includes story time, letter writing & flag making
- 1:00 pm | Fall Nature Appreciation & Celebration at Hidden Pond Nature Center ($)
- Includes a hike and take-home craft!
- 5:30 pm | Adapted Sights & Sounds of Fall Campfire at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($)
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Washington, DC
- 11:00 am | Second Sunday at Merry Pin in NW
- Includes crafts, games, music and vendors!
- 2:00 pm | Hitpig! at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 2:00 pm | Dinosaur Skeleton Craft at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 5-12)
- 2:00 pm | Kiddough (Doughnut) Decorating Party at Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe at Waterfront ($)
- 3:00 pm | Live Poetry and Jazz with the American Poetry Museum at Mt. Pleasant Library (Best for ages 13+)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 11:30 am | Holiday Movies on the Potomac featuring Elf at National Harbor
- 1:00 pm & 2:00 pm | Artful Afternoon: Leaf Prints at Springhill Lake Recreation Center
- 3:00 pm | Veterans Day Concert at National Harbor
Montgomery County
- 9:00 am | Brunch with Santa at Frank Pepe or California Pizza Kitchen at Westfield Montgomery ($)
- 9:30 am | Storytime: Brenna Maloney for Good Dad Diego at People’s Book Takoma
- 11:00 am | Moving Machines Workshop at KID Museum in Bethesda ($) (Best for grades 2nd – 5th)
- 11:00 am | Comet’s Craft Room at Westfield Montgomery
- Hands-on gingerbread crafts
- 12:30 pm | Veterans Day Skate at Cabin John Ice Rink in Rockville
- Military personnel skate for free!
- 1:00 pm | Storytime in Mrs Claus’ Library at Westfield Montgomery
- 1:00 pm | Beall Ave Asphalt Art Celebration & Dedication in Rockville
- Meet the artists, enjoy family-friendly activities and see the artwork up close!
- 2:00 pm | Story Tapestries featuring Jamaal *Mr. Root* Collier at Highland Elementary School in Wheaton
- Hip-hop based performance for kids of all ages
- 2:00 pm | Wild Forest Time at Black Hill Discovery Center in Boyds (Best for ages 3+)
- Do you dream of building forts in the woods, or climbing a tree? Maybe you want to learn about woodland critters or create some art in the woods. Join for a time to explore the woods how you want to.
- 3:00 pm | Veterans Day Skate at Wheaton Ice Arena
- Military personnel skate for free!
More Maryland Events
- 12:00 pm | Belmont Manor & Historic Park Fall Open House in Elkridge
Virginia
Arlington County
- 1:30 pm | Animal Encounters at Potomac Overlook Regional Park Nature Center
- 3:00 pm | Encore Stage & Studio’s Production of The Lion King Jr. at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre ($)
- 3:30 pm | Walk to the Waterfall at Long Branch Nature Center
City of Alexandria
- 12:00 pm | Family Friendly Wood + Canvas Workshop at AR Workshop ($)
- 1:00 pm | Dinovember at Barrett Branch Library (Best for ages 2+)
- Go on a dino safari for a chance to win a dinosaur prize, play table top dinosaur games, pick up take home activity packets for preschoolers and elementary aged kids, and discover some of our favorite dinosaur books!
More Virginia Events
- 9:00 am | Veterans Day Weekend Activities at Mount Vernon Estate ($)
- Includes story time, letter writing & flag making
- 12:00 pm | Petting Zoo hosts Kids and Family Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
- 12:00 pm | The War of 1812 and the Homefront at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls ($)
- Discover how communities like Colvin Run supported the young US Navy during the War of 1812. Learn how farmers and millers fed the sailors at sea. Meet members of Ship’s Company, a War of 1812 reenactors’ group, and hear stories about life at sea.
- 12:30 pm | Pirate Day at Manassas Mall
Monday, November 11, 2024
Washington, DC
- All Day | We are Thankful For… at Benning Neighborhood Library
- Drop a note about what you’re thankful for this holiday season. Submissions will be posted in the children’s room.
- 9:30 am | Family Day: Comics and Community at the Capital Jewish Museum
- 10:00 am | Honoring Native Veterans at the National Museum of the American Indian
- Includes children’s book reading & signing in imagiNATIONS Activity Center
- 1:00 pm | Veteran’s Day Wreath Laying at the United States Navy Memorial
- 1:00 pm | Veterans Day Concert with the U.S. Navy Band at MLK Memorial Library
- 4:00 pm | Retro Club at MLK Memorial Library (Best for ages 13-19)
- 6:00 pm | Kids Open-Mic Night! at Bloom Bars in NW (Best for ages 3-13)
Maryland
- 11:00 am | Veterans Day Ceremony in Rockville
Virginia
- 11:00 am | City of Falls Church Veterans Day Ceremony
Theater Recs
Interested in upcoming theater performances for kids and teens? Check out this listing of reviews from our experiences, past performances and what's coming up for the rest of the year.