Kid-friendly Activities this weekend in DC, Maryland & Virginia (8/2 - 8/4)
Another hot weekend coming up in the DMV area! Please, please make sure to hydrate & grab the sunnies, sunblock & everything needed for these hot, hot days. Here's an indoor play space rec if you're looking to stay cool this weekend. I recently shared on IG that we visited the Lego Discovery Center in Springfield, VA. It was AWESOME and jam packed with fun activities. Jack (age 5) had more fun than Liv, who is now 10 but she had a couple of favorite spots throughout the center too. They have 4D, 12 minute movies that show every half hour or so. They include mist, wind and confetti that drops from the ceiling. They also have a laser course, small, interactive, rollercoaster-like ride and carousel among a bunch of other really cool features. And the cafe is decently priced! Click the image above for my round-up of the experience on Instagram. Lego Discovery Center has made our list of top 5 new experiences for us of 2024, for sure. Now on to these events...

Sarah Acors
Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+
Events
Friday, August 2, 2024
Washington, DC
- 9:00 am | Otakon 2024 at the Washington Convention Center ($)
- Annual convention celebrating Asian pop culture (anime, manga, music, movies, video games, etc) and its fandom. Kids ages 8 & under are free!
- 10:30 am | Lego Hour at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- 11:00 am | Pharaoh’s Secrets: Myths and Mysteries of Ancient Egypt at Bellevue Neighborhood Library in SW (Best for ages 5+)
- 11:00 am | Watch the Olympics: Judo at Mt. Pleasant Library
- 11:25 am | Kids Camp at Alamo Drafthouse DC featuring E.T. ($)
- 3:00 pm | Jay Ellis’ “Did Everyone have an Imaginary Friend?” at MLK Memorial Library (Best for teens & adults)
- In celebration of James Baldwin’s 100th Birthday
- 4:00 pm | Harry Potter Week Movie Marathon at Capitol View Neighborhood Library
- 4:00 pm | School of Rock House Band Live at Hard Rock Cafe
- 6:00 pm | DPR Soccer: 3rd Annual Black Star Free Clinic & College Showcase at Takoma Recreation Center (Best for ages 15+)
- 7:00 pm | DPR Roving Leaders Movie Night at Takoma Recreation Center
- 7:30 pm | Back to the Future: The Musical at The Kennedy Center ($)
- 8:30 pm | Extraordinary Cinema: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax + Armenian Community Tree Planting Short Film at The Kennedy Center
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 10:30 am | Playday at the Library: Baby Water Play at the City of Laurel Splash Pad
- 4:00 pm | Family Game Night at Mount Rainier Library
- 4:30 pm | With Pen in Hand: Spotlight on Poetry at Oxon Hill Library (Best for teens)
- 7:00 pm | Movie Night at Eco City Farms featuring Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse in Edmonston
- 7:30 pm | Movies in the Park featuring Back to School Movie at Watkins Park
Montgomery County
- All Day | Teen Graphic Novel Contest at Davis Library in Bethesda (Best for grades 6-12)
- All Day | Kids Writing Contest at Davis Library in Bethesda (Best for grades K-5)
- All Day | Germantown Library Bird Count
- Birdwatching around Germantown Library
- 9:00 am | Babies & Books at People’s Book Takoma (Best for ages 0-3)
- 10:30 am | Play Date at Olney Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- 10:30 am | The Wizard of Oz presented by The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages ages 4+)
- 10:30 am | Miss Nelson is Missing! at Imagination Stage ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- 10:30 am | Preschool Storytime plus Stay ‘n Play at White Oak Library
- 11:00 am | Get Ready for Kindergarten Storytime at Gaithersburg Library (Best for ages 3-5)
- 11:30 am | Dress up like a Butterfly or Insect at Olney Library
- 3:00 pm | Teen Flix featuring Five Nights at Freddy’s at Gaithersburg Library
- 3:30 pm | Preschool Play and Learn at Twinbrook Library (Best for ages 3-5)
- 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm | Last Chance for Dino Safari Maryland at Westfield Montgomery ($)
- 6:30 pm | Cabin John Village Outdoor Summer Movie featuring Ratatouille in Potomac
More Maryland Events
- All Day | Happy Birthday Harry Potter at Central Branch Library in Columbia
- Drop into the Children’s Department to celebrate Harry’s birthday with self-directed crafts, a scavenger hunt and solve the mystery of the Marauders Map.
- 3:00 pm | Teen Crochet Circle at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City
- 4:00 pm | Crafternoon at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 2-5)
- 4:00 pm | Friday Fun Nights at Port Discovery ($)
- $15 admission after 4pm
- 5:30 pm | Teens in the Park at Ruth B. Swann Park in Bryans Road
- 6:00 pm | 2024 Carnival in Mt. Airy ($)
- 6:30 pm | Family Friday Planetarium Program & Movie at Robinson Nature Center ($)
- 8:30 pm | Free Friday Movie featuring Encanto at Granville Gude Park & Lakehouse in Laurel
Virginia
Arlington County
- 10:00 am | Preschool STEAM Play at Courthouse Library
- 11:00 am | Intergenerational Storytime at Aurora Hills Library
- 11:25 am | Kids Camp at Alamo Drafthouse Crystal City featuring E.T. ($)
- 5:30 pm | Why Make a Zine, Anyway? Art Zine Workshop with Johnerick Lawson at MoCA Arlington Innovation Studio + Store (Best for teens & adults)
- 8:00 pm | 2024 Columbia Pike Movie Night featuring Wonka at Arlington Mill
City of Alexandria
- 10:30 am | Dramatic Play Presents: Going on Safari at Charles E. Beatley Library (Best for ages 0-8)
- 2:00 pm | Period Products 101 at Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop (Best for ages 9-15)
- 2:00 pm | Making Beautiful Handmade Gift Cards at Ellen C. Burke Branch Library (Best for teens and adults)
- 7:00 pm | The Science of our Surroundings Art Exhibit opening reception at Del Ray Artisans
More Virginia Events
- 9:00 am | Sensory Friendly Time at Cub Run Recreation Center Leisure Pool in Chantilly ($)
- 9:00 am | Farmer for a Day at Temple Hill Farm Regional Park ($)
Saturday, August 3, 2024
Washington, DC
- 9:00 am | Otakon 2024 at the Washington Convention Center ($)
- Annual convention celebrating Asian pop culture (anime, manga, music, movies, video games, etc) and its fandom. Kids ages 8 & under are free!
- 10:00 am | First Studio: Art, Story & Workshop at the Kreeger Museum ($) (Best for ages 3-5)
- 10:00 am | Books from Birth Graduation at Deanwood Day
- Features a back to school supply distribution with backpacks, copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and much more!
- 10:00 am | Family Activity: Fabric Flowers at DAR Museum
- 10:00 am | I am Not Your Negro Film Screening at MLK Memorial Library
- In celebration of James Baldwin’s 100th Birthday
- 10:15 am | Crafty Tales: Helen Frankenhaler at Merry Pins in NW
- 10:30 am, 11:45 am & 1:00 pm | Fun with Chinese Dance Props curated by Greater Washington Chinese Dance at The Kennedy Center
- 11:00 am | Going Buggy! A Wolf Trap Family Arts Experience at Petworth Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- 11:00 am | The Harambee Experience w/Baba Ras D. at BloomBars in NW
- 11:00 am | La Communidad Reads – Angélica y la güira; An Afternoon with Angie Cruz at MLK Memorial Library
- 11:00 am & 1:30 pm | Family Workshop: Preserving Chinese Paintings at the National Museum of Asian Art
- 12:00 pm | Stripes of All Types: Book Talk & Art Workshop at the Anacostia Community Museum
- 12:00 pm | Kente Weaving Workshop at Sankofa Cafe ($)
- 1:00 pm | Watch the Olympics: Track & Field at Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library
- 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm | Back to the Future: The Musical at The Kennedy Center ($)
- 3:00 pm | Watermelon Day at Sankofa Cafe
- Free family friendly performances from Baba C, the Culture Queen, Iya Bashea & the Kuumba Kids, The CapoieraSpot DC, Dem Raider Boyze step team, Baba Bomani and hosted by Drew Anderson!
- 4:00 pm | Harry Potter Week Movie Marathon at Capitol View Neighborhood Library
- 6:00 pm | DPR Roving Leaders Movie on the Deck at Ridge Road Pool
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 11:00 am | Black Books Matter Fest: Local Author Edition at Mahogany Books National Harbor
- 11:00 am | Eagle Harbor Day in Aquasco, MD
- Join the community for family-friendly entertainment, food, music, face painting, pony rides, moon-bounce, a Buffalo Soldier presentation, a fun workout session & more.
- 12:00 pm | Dinosaur Park Open House in Laurel
- 1:00 pm | Summer Spotlight Public Reception at Montpelier Arts Center
- The children and teen participants in Montpelier Arts Center’s 2024 summer camps invite you to come see the incredible works of art they created this summer. Light refreshments will be served; admission is free.
- 1:00 pm | Chess Club at Bowie Library (Best for teens)
- 2:00 pm | Family Games: Puzzle Palooza at Glenarden Library
- 3:00 pm | Teens Create: Travel Zines at Bowie Library
- 5:30 pm | Water Lantern Festival at National Harbor ($)
Montgomery County
- All Day | Teen Graphic Novel Contest at Davis Library in Bethesda (Best for grades 6-12)
- All Day | Kids Writing Contest at Davis Library in Bethesda (Best for grades K-5)
- All Day | Germantown Library Bird Count
- Birdwatching around Germantown Library
- 10:00 am | Planting Seeds with Master Gardeners at Twinbrook Library (Best for ages 3-12)
- Limited to the first 50 kids to arrive.
- 10:00 am | Storytime in the Garden at Brookside Gardens ($) (Best for ages 3-7)
- 10:30 am | Adventure Week Craft Program at Chevy Chase Library
- Make light-up fireflies!
- 10:30 am | Round and Round we go! A family story time about circles at Aspen Hill Library
- 11:00 am | Waldo Party! at People’s Book Takoma
- Pizza, prizes, raffle & scavenger hunt!
- 11:00 am | STEM Adventure with the Science Guys of Baltimore at White Oak Library
- Also, at 2:00 pm at Connie Morella Library
- 11:00 am | Read to a Dog at Aspen Hill Library
- 11:00 am | Woodlawn Manor House Tour in Sandy Spring ($) (Best for ages 7 & up)
- 11:00 am | Capturing Nature ~ solar prints + scavenger hunt at Potomac Library in Rockville (Best for ages 4-12)
- 11:30 am, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm | The Wizard of Oz presented by The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages ages 4+)
- 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm | Miss Nelson is Missing! at Imagination Stage ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Meet the actors at the 4:00 pm show!
- 1:30 pm | Nature Cart at Wheaton Regional Park
- 2:00 pm | Celebrate Adventure Week at Quince Orchard Library in Gaithersburg (Best for ages 3-12)
- Travel back to medieval times and create your own crown or knight’s shield.
- 4:00 pm | Crafts at the Library: Mosaic Sun at Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville
- 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm | Last Chance for Dino Safari Maryland at Westfield Montgomery
- 5:00 pm | Vibrant Summer: Live Culture and Taste at Rockville Town Square
- 8:30 pm | Dive-in Movie: Migration (in Spanish) at Long Branch Outdoor Pool
More Maryland Events
- All Day | Happy Birthday Harry Potter at Central Branch Library in Columbia
- Drop into the Children’s Department to celebrate Harry’s birthday with self-directed crafts, a scavenger hunt and solve the mystery of the Marauders Map.
- 7:00 am & 8:45 am | Youth Triathlon at North Point High School in Waldorf ($)
- 8:00 am | Howard County Fair at Howard County Fairgrounds
($) - 9:00 am | Family Fun Saturday at Mary’s Land Farm ($)
- 10:00 am | HiTech STEAM Carnival at East Columbia Branch Library
- 10:00 am & 10:30 am | Annie’s Outdoor Puppet Show at Robinson Nature Center
- 10:00 am | Good Kid-izen (City Superheroes) at Color Burst Park in Columbia
- 11:00 am | Sensory Storytime at Central Library
- 11:45 am | Kindergarten Here We Come! at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 5-7)
- 1:00 pm | Happy Birthday Harry Potter at Glencarlyn Library
- 2:00 pm | Savage Ukes at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 8+)
- Bring your ukulele, tuner, and desire to play!
- 2:00 pm | Milkshakes & Movies with the Maryland Children’s Environmental Film Festival (MCEFF) in Ellicott City
- 6:00 pm | 2024 Carnival in Mt. Airy ($)
- 7:00 pm | Teen Night at Arlington Mill
Virginia
Arlington County
- 9:30 am | Ponds are Magnificent! at Long Branch Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 8-12)
- 11:00 am | Mommy, Daddy & Me Summer Treats at Cookology ($) (Best for ages 3-7)
- 12:00 pm | Civil War Discoveries: Build a Fort at Fort CF Smith Park ($) (Best for ages 7-11)
- 1:30 pm | Nature Scavenger Hunt at Gulf Branch Nature Center ($)
- 8:00 pm | 2024 Columbia Pike Movie Night featuring The Color Purple at Penrose Square
City of Alexandria
- 9:00 am | Friendship Firehouse Festival at the Friendship Firehouse Museum
- There will be booths by the Alexandria Police Department and Sheriff’s Office, music performances, face painting, displays by community organizations, local vendors, and food and beverage sales. Join in water play and please-touch artifact activities. Children will receive free toy Friendship firefighting helmets.
- 10:00 am | STEAM-tastic: Paleolithic Archaeology – Cave Painting at Del Ray Artisans (Best for ages 6-10)
- 11:00 am | Family Friendly Wood + Canvas Workshop at AR Workshop Alexandria ($) (Best for ages 6+)
- 11:00 am | Chris Fascione – Juggling Funny Stories at James Duncan Jr. Branch Library
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am | Back to School Community Day at Lorton Community Center
- 10:00 am | Mad Science of Washington at Wakefield Park in Annandale
- 10:00 am | Mr. Gabe & Friends at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station
- 10:00 am | The Balloon Comic, Paul Belanger at Reston Town Square
- 10:00 am | the grandsons jr. at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly
- 10:00 am | The Great Zucchini at Mason District Park Amphitheater in Annandale
- 10:30 am | Kidz Korner – My Gym “Olympic” theme at Old Town Square in Fairfax
- 11:00 am | Manassas African American Heritage Festival at Metz Middle School
- 11:00 am | Dye it Up at Lake Fairfax Park ($)
- Tie Dye activity with natural dyes
- 2:00 pm | Black Panther Film Screening at the Packard Campus Theater in Culpeper
- 5:30 pm | Sunset Polo at Great Meadow in The Plains ($)
- Outta this World Night ~ Sparkle like the stars or rock a metallic astronaut look for outer space polo night!
- 6:00 pm | Starlight Cinema featuring The Uncle Devin Show & Movie: Migration at Sully Historic Site
- 6:00 pm | Summer Concert Series featuring The Great Zucchini & Patrick Albán and Noche Latina at Mosaic Live! in Fairfax
- 7:30 pm | Latin Ballet of Virginia at Mason District Park Amphitheater in Annandale
- 7:30 pm | Indonesian Cultural Heritage Night ‘Santi Budaya’ at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale
- 8:30 pm | Campfire Night Hike at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park ($)
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Washington, DC
- 9:00 am | Otakon 2024 at the Washington Convention Center ($)
- Annual convention celebrating Asian pop culture (anime, manga, music, movies, video games, etc) and its fandom. Kids ages 8 & under are free!
- 9:00 am | DPR Soccer: 3rd Annual Black Star Free Clinic & College Showcase at Coolidge High School (Best for ages 13-18)
- 9:30 am | Sensory Friendly Hours at the National Children’s Museum ($)
- 10:00 am | Free Community Day at the National Museum of Women in the Arts
- 11:00 am | Special Kids Concert w/Tamika Live Jones at BloomBars in NW ($)
- 12:00 pm | Spanish Playtime for Kids and Families w/ Maria-ines at BloomBars in NW ($)
- 1:00 pm | Game Day at Capitol View Neighborhood Library
- 1:00 pm | Watch the Olympics: Track & Field at Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library
- 1:00 pm | Punch Needle 101 at Merry Pins in NW
- 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm | Back to the Future: The Musical at The Kennedy Center ($)
- 1:35 pm | Family Funday at Nationals Park – Nationals v. Milwaukee Brewers ($)
- Use code 4DMVKIDS for 30% off all home games!
- 2:00 pm | “Gallery of Self” Exhibition presented by Oyé Palaver Hut at Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center
- Donation based tickets!
- 4:00 pm | Family Craft Along: Make a Wind Chime at Made with Love DC ($)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 11:00 am | Cold Process Soap Making Workshop at FSC Workshop in District Heights ($)
- I recommend these classes for older kids (10+).
- 4:00 pm | Fairwood Community Park Summer Performance featuring Kyaira in Bowie
- 5:30 pm | Water Lantern Festival at National Harbor ($)
- 7:00 pm | Summer Drum Circle at Greenbelt Park with Katy Gaughan & Friends
Montgomery County
- 9:30 am | Storytime with Sara Yessenow at People’s Book Takoma
- 10:00 am | Storytime in the Garden at Brookside Gardens (Best for ages 3-7)
- 10:00 am | Sunday Open Explore at KID Museum in Bethesda, MD ($) (Best for ages 4 – 14)
- Use code SUNFUN24 for 20% tickets!
- 11:00 am | Garden Explorers at Brookside Gardens ($) (Best for ages 6-8)
- 11:30 am & 1:00 pm | The Wizard of Oz presented by The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages ages 4+)
- 12:00 pm | Build at LEGO Back to School Apple at Westfield Montgomery
- 1:00 pm | Chess at Rockville Memorial Library
- 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm | Last Chance for Dino Safari Maryland at Westfield Montgomery
More Maryland Events
- 10:00 am | Sensory Sunday (Popsicle Party) at B&O Railroad in Baltimore ($)
- Environmental accommodations (no music, low lighting, quiet areas, increased signage for areas with sound effects), as well as sensory-friendly events (kids craft, train ride, and tour) and resources (sensory kits, social stories, and community table).
Virginia
Arlington County
- 10:00 am | MoCA on the Move at Met Park: Summer Fun Family Series at Metropolitan Park
- Creative doodle games with children’s book author and artist, Zara Gonzalez Hoang.
- 10:30 am | Stop in for Stories at Central Library
- 1:00 pm | Identifying Wildlife using Field Guides at Potomac Overlook Regional Park
- 1:00 pm | Family Sushi at Cookology ($) (Best for ages 6+)
City of Alexandria
- 10:00 am | STEAM-tastic: Paleolithic Archaeology – Cave Painting at Del Ray Artisans (Best for ages 10-15)
- 2:30 pm | Preschool STEAM Sunday at James Duncan Jr. Branch Library (Best for ages 3-6)
More Virginia Events
- 5:00 am | Pohick Bay Sunrise Kayak Paddle ($) (Best for ages 12+)
- 8:00 am | Junior Club Championship ($) (Best for ages 7-17)
- Join us in welcoming the next generation of golf to our Junior Club Championship. All juniors will play their own ball for 9-holes and compete for prizes in their respective division. Prizes will be awarded to all divisions and closest to the pin. Lunch and prizes following tournament.
- 10:00 am | Bird Bingo at Lake Fairfax Park ($)
- 12:00 pm | Ms. Rachel Hosts American Family Day Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
For the Adults
Staycation at Eaton
New Blog Post Alert | Here’s a look at our 2-night stay at Eaton DC, a 4-star boutique hotel in downtown DC located at 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005. From a Friday night movie party in their Cinema to a private yoga session, Eaton DC has the amenities for a perfect celebratory weekend for any occasion!