Kid-friendly Activities this Weekend in DC, Maryland & Virginia (8/9 - 8/11)
When it's not unbearably hot outside, we like to hit the trails! One of our favorites is Lake Artemesia in Greenbelt, MD. This 1.4 mile trail loops around the lake and has many amenities along the way including self-service kayaking. Pulled from the PG Parks & Recs website, "The Kayak Program at Lake Artemesia provides an opportunity for persons 12 years of age and older to see the lake from a different perspective. Participants will see waterfowl, turtles, fish and other local wildlife." The Lake also has stationary work-out equipment, fishing and yoga on Saturdays! Yoga in the Parks has recently been extended through September 28th & begins at 9:15am. There's free parking as well, although watch the signs if you're not in either of the parking lots, and on-site restrooms that are not port-a-potties! Definitely a great addition to your summer/fall trail list, if you haven't been yet. What else is there to do this weekend with temps in the 80s?!...
Sarah Acors
Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+
The Scoop
Friday, August 9, 2024
Washington, DC
- All Day | Book Lovers Day Scavenger Hunt at Shepherd Park Neighborhood LibraryÂ
- 10:15 am | Crafty Tales: Alma Thomas at Merry PinsÂ
- 11:00 am | Craft Fridays at Georgetown Library
- Button making
- 11:30 am | Kids Camp featuring The Lorax at Alamo Drafthouse DC ($)
- [Just Added] 1:00 pm | Disney’s The Fox and the Hound at the Miracle Theatre ($)
- 1:00 pm | National Book Lovers Day ~ Kids on the Street Book Review at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood LibraryÂ
- [Just Added] 3:00 pm | Nurture & Be Nourished ~ A Celebration of Breastfeeding Journeys at Chaia Tacos in GeorgetownÂ
- 3:30 pm | Game Hour at Bellevue Neighborhood LibraryÂ
- 4:00 pm | Pharaoh’s Secrets: Myths and Mysteries of Ancient Egypt at Petworth Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 5+)
- 5:00 pm | 2nd Annual DC Arab Culture Festival at The Kennedy CenterÂ
- 7:00 pm | Late Night Hype at Rosedale Recreation CenterÂ
- 7:30 pm | Back to the Future: The Musical at The Kennedy Center ($)
- 7:30 pm | The Drive-in at Union Market featuring Hook ($)
- 7:30 pm | DC United vs. Mazatlán FC at Audi Field ($)
Maryland
 Prince George’s County
- 10:30 am | Kid’s Kaboose at Bowie Railroad Museum (Best for ages 5-10)Â
- 10:30 am | Social Justice Camp at Fairmount Heights Library (Best for teens)
- 10:30 am | Pre-K Story Hour at Springhill Lake Recreation CenterÂ
- 4:00 pm | Family Game Night at Mount Rainier LibraryÂ
- 5:30 pm | Alcohol Ink Painting at FSC Workshop in District Heights ($) (Best for older kids & adults)
- 8:30 pm | Outdoor Movie Night featuring Encanto & School Supply Drive at IKEA College Park
Montgomery County
- [Just Added] Grand Opening of Recess ($)Â
- New indoor playground in Silver SpringÂ
- 9:00 am | Fishing with the Li’l Ones at Black Hill Discovery Center ($)
- 9:00 am | Babies & Books! at People’s Book TakomaÂ
- 10:00 am | Parks Playhouse Junior: The Puppet Co. at Wheaton Local ParkÂ
- 10:30 am | Spanish/English Bilingual Storytime at Connie Morella Library in Bethesda
- 10:30 am | Miss Nelson is Missing! at Imagination Stage ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- 11:00 am | Read Across Generations at Rockville Memorial Library Â
- 2:00 pm | Lego Afternoon at Gaithersburg Library (Best for ages 3-12)
- 2:30 pm | LEGO STEM Challenge at Damascus Library
- 2:30 pm | Fun Fridays at Wheaton LibraryÂ
- 3:30 pm | LEGO Construction Crew and Duplo Too! at Olney LibraryÂ
- 3:30 pm | Preschool Play and Learn: Tour a Police Car at Twinbrook Library in Rockville (Best for ages 3-5)Â
- 5:00 pm | Fun Fridays with My Gym in PotomacÂ
- 5:00 pm | Dress Up like a Butterfly or Insect at Olney LibraryÂ
- 7:00 pm | Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at Glen Echo Park ($)
More Maryland Events
- 8:00 am | Howard County Fair ($)
- 11:30 am | Project Puzzle at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 6-11)Â
- 3:00 pm | Read with a Ranger at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 2-10)
- 4:00 pm | Friday Fun Nights at Port Discovery ($)
- $15 admission after 4pm
- 6:00 pm | Nite Bite Fishing at Centennial Park South Boat Launch in Ellicott City ($)
- 7:00 pm | Amphitheater Performance Series: Storytelling with Dovie Thompson at the Howard County ConservancyÂ
- 7:00 pm | Free Outdoor Concert “DuPont Brass” at Granville Gude Park & Lakehouse in Laurel
Virginia
Arlington CountyÂ
- 10:00 am | Bounce in the Park at Alcova Heights Park (Best for ages 3-9)
- 10:00 am | Preschool STEAM Play at Courthouse Library
- 11:15 am |Â Kids Camp featuring The Lorax at Alamo Drafthouse Crystal City ($)
- 7:00 pm | Earthworms Campfire at Long Branch Nature Center ($)
- 7:00 pm | Met Park Movie Night featuring Migration
- 8:00 pm | 2024 Columbia Pike Movie Night featuring Top Gun at Arlington Mill
- 9:00 pm | Ballin’ at the Mill Late Night at Arlington Mill Community Center (Best for high school students)
City of Alexandria
- 10:30 am | TACA Presents: Taste of Africa (African Cultural Education) at Charles Beatley Central Library
- 2:30 pm | MLK/FBI screening (rated PG) at Charles Beatley Central Library
- 3:30 pm | Lego Competition at James Duncan Branch Library (Best for ages 6-12)
- 6:00 pm | Back to School Teen Party at William Ramsey Recreation Center
- 7:30 pm | Project Locrea at Grist Mill
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am | Laces & Pages, Co. Pop-Up at Springfield Town Center
- Located right in front of LEGO Discovery CenterÂ
- 10:00 am | LEGO Discovery Center’s 1st Birthday Bash in Springfield, VA ($)
- Use code promo code BIRTHDAYBASH1 for 10% off admission (August 9th only)
- 3:00 pm | 3 Point Contest at Manassas Mall
- Here’s the sign-up form. There will be a kid’s bracket and an adult bracket. Kid’s bracket for ages 10 & under ONLY. Ages 10 & under may choose to play in adult bracket.
- 7:30 pm | Cumbia Heights at Royal Lake Park in Fairfax
- 7:30 pm | Seán Heely Celtic Trio at Mason District Park Amphitheater in Annandale
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Washington, DC
- All Day | Book Lovers Day Scavenger Hunt at Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library
- All Day | Olympics Scavenger Hunt at Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library
- [Just Added] 9:00 am | Back to School Community Empowerment Day at Anne Beers Elementary SchoolÂ
- 10:00 am | The Phillip Plays “Composing Collages” at The Phillips Collection ($)
- 10:00 am | Family Activity: Fabric Flowers at DAR MuseumÂ
- 10:00 am | Firsthand Experience: Pop-Up Books Workshop at the National Museum of Women in the Arts ($)
- 10:00 am | #STEAMtheBlock Swaliga STEAM Club at Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library
- Hands-on STEAM projects
- 10:00 am | The World & Me: Deep Sea Dancing at the Natural History Museum
- A closer look at different animals that find their home at the bottom of the ocean! See specimens up close, learn about the amazing diversity found in the deep sea, and engage with educators and scientists from our museum. Includes two dance workshops.Â
- 10:30 am | Play Hour at Cleveland Park Neighborhood LibraryÂ
- 11:00 am | Moonshot Studio Loves Hip-Hop at The Kennedy Center
- Hands-on activities in Moonshot Studio explore the five elements of Hip Hop Culture: DJing, MCing, Breakdancing, Graffiti, and Knowledge.Â
- 11:30 am | STAR Day at Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- Includes two musical performances by Marsha & the PositronsÂ
- 12:00 pm | Family Arts & Crafts at the Anacostia Community MuseumÂ
- 1:30 pm | “Ant-Man” Accessible Movie Screening with ASL & Closed Captions at MLK Memorial LibraryÂ
- 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm | Back to the Future: The Musical at The Kennedy Center ($)
- 2:00 pm | MLK Chess Club at MLK Memorial Library
- 6:00 pm | Tweens Night Out at iGEN Educational Academy ($) (Best for ages 8-12)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 11:00 am | Back 2 School Jam! at Hyatt Park in Hyattsville
- Pick up school supplies for your student while enjoying a DJ, snacks, resources, activities for kids and a school supply giveaway!
- 12:00 pm | CCI’s 4th Annual Block Party in Greenbelt
- 12:00 pm | National Capital Radio & Television Museum (NCRTV) 25th Birthday Bash in BowieÂ
- 1:00 pm | Family Crochet Club at Accokeek LibraryÂ
- 2:00 pm | Splatter Room & Paint War at Oblivion Art House in College Park ($) (Best for ages 3+)
- 2:00 pm | Kids Paint + Glow Party at Oblivion Art House in College Park ($)
- 4:00 pm | Chunky Knit Pumpkin Workshop at FSC Workshop in District Heights ($) (Best for older kids & adults)
Montgomery County
- All Day | Vinyl Day 2024 at Brigadier General Charles E McGee Library in Silver Spring
- 10:00 am | Open Format Lounge DJ Sets
- 10:30 am | Children’s StorytimeÂ
- 11:00 am | DJ Basics for Kids
- 11:00 am | The Analog Audio Room of Wired Wonders
- Science of sound STEM activities for kids and adults
- 12:00 pm | DJ Basics for Teens & AdultsÂ
- 12:00 pm | Make Your Own Album CoverÂ
- 12:30 pm | Songwriting WorkshopÂ
- 1:00 pm | Kids Dance PartyÂ
- 1:00 pm | Music Production BasicsÂ
- 1:00 pm | Create your Own Graffiti TagÂ
- 3:00 pm | Guided Album Cover PaintingÂ
- 3:15 pm | Scratch BasicsÂ
- 4:15 pm | Blending/Mixing/Stems BasicsÂ
- 10:00 am | Friends of the Library Branch Booksale at Germantown LibraryÂ
- 10:00 am | Storytime in the Garden at Brookside Gardens ($) (Best for ages 3-7)Â
- 10:00 am | Family Fishing Fun! at Maydale Nature Classroom in Colesville ($)
- 10:00 am | Parks Playhouse Junior: The Puppet Co. at Arora Hills Local Park
- 10:00 am | Roots to Rocks – Youth Mountain Bike Ride Park Days at Wheaton Regional Park (Best for ages 6+)Â
- 10:30 am | Read to a Dog at Kensington Park LibraryÂ
- 10:30 am | Read Across the Generations at Gaithersburg LibraryÂ
- 11:00 am | Summer Family Day at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Sandy SpringÂ
- 11:00 am | Read to a Dog at Aspen Hill LibraryÂ
- 11:00 am | Health Fair & Family Fun Day at Westfield Wheaton
- 11:00 am | Science Connections “Let’s Get Moving” at Rockville Memorial Library
- Fun science show featuring several experiments and explanations to bring science to life!
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 11:00 am | Crochet4Change at Germantown LibraryÂ
- 12:30 pm | Soil Sleuths! at Maydale Nature Classroom
- Survey different soil samples at Maydale to determine if their properties are sustainable for all plants and animals.Â
- Last Chance 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm | Miss Nelson is Missing! at Imagination Stage ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Meet the Actors at the 1:00 pm show!
- 2:00 pm | Write to Right at Gaithersburg Library (Best for ages 9-14)
- (Waitlist available) Writing workshop using creative writing as a tool towards social change
- 2:00 pm | No Pressure Teen Summer Reading Book Club at Little Falls Library in BethesdaÂ
- 2:00 pm | Beginning LEGO Robotics Class at Rockville Memorial Library (Best for ages 9-12)Â
- 2:45 pm | Teen Movie Screening featuring Spirited Away at Wheaton Library
- 3:00 pm | STEM at the Library: Slime Edition at Long Branch LibraryÂ
- 3:00 pm | Strathmore Big Bloom Festival at Good Hope in Silver SpringÂ
More Maryland Events
- Last Chance 8:00 am | Howard County Fair ($)
- 9:00 am | Family Fun Saturday at Mary’s Land Farm ($)
- 9:30 am | Grammy’s Kids Back-to-School Backpack CommUNITY Resource Fair at Elkridge Elementary SchoolÂ
- [Just Added] 10:00 am | Summer Kids Yoga at the Lake in Columbia ($)
- 10:00 am | Rockburn Open Car Show in ElkridgeÂ
- 10:30 am | Moving Up to Middle School at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for kids entering 6th grade)
- 1:00 pm | Pets on Wheels at East Columbia Branch Library
- Therapy dog(s) from Pets on Wheels will be at the East Columbia Branch for friendly visits with customers.
- 2:00 pm | Kindergarten, Here We Come! at Elkridge Branch Library (Best for ages 5-7)
- 2:00 pm | Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop – Herbal Tea at Robinson Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 16+)
- 2:30 pm | Make & Take Constellation at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 7-11)Â
- 3:00 pm | Lego Hexbug Races at Central Branch Library in Columbia (Best for ages 9-12) Â
- 8:45 pm | Public Star Party at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville
Virginia
Arlington CountyÂ
- 10:00 am | Crafty Kids Take & Make at Courthouse LibraryÂ
- 10:00 am | Tabletop Gaming for Families at Courthouse LibraryÂ
- 10:00 am | Nature Walk Adventure at Glencarlyn LibraryÂ
- 10:15 am | Dungeons & Dragons One Shot Adventures at Aurora Hills Library (Best for middle school students)
- 1:30 pm | Nature Scavenger Hunt at Glencarlyn Park ($)
- 2:00 pm | Afternoon Movie Showing: Disney’s Strange World at Columbia Pike LibraryÂ
- 2:00 pm | Saturday Matinee featuring Hook at Aurora Hills LibraryÂ
- 2:00 pm | Kiddough Decorating Party at National Landing ($)
- 7:00 pm | Kick’n it Late Night at the Gunston Tent (Best for high school students)Â
- 7:00 pm | Teen Takeover: Long Branch Aquatics & Fitness Center (Best for middle & high school students)
- 8:00 pm | 2024 Columbia Pike Movie Night featuring Sister Act at Penrose SquareÂ
City of Alexandria
- All Day | Alexandria’s 15th Annual Sidewalk SaleÂ
- 10:00 am | Trash Trekkers at Ellen Burke Branch Library (Best for ages 6+)
- Community service projectÂ
- 10:15 am | Sing Books with Emily at James Duncan Branch LibraryÂ
- 1:00 pm | TACA Presents: Taste of Africa (African Cultural Education) at Ellen Burke Branch LibraryÂ
- 2:00 pm | Board Game Cafe at Charles Beatley Central LibraryÂ
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am | Laces & Pages, Co. Pop-Up at Springfield Town Center
- Located right in front of LEGO Discovery Center
- 10:00 am | Back to School Community Day at Bailey’s Community Center
- 10:00 am | Mr. Gabe and Friends at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in ChantillyÂ
- 10:00 am | Mr. Lilo at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax StationÂ
- 10:00 am | The Great Zucchini at Wakefield Park in AnnandaleÂ
- 10:00 am | the grandsons, jr. at Mason District Park Amphitheater in AnnandaleÂ
- 10:00 am | Streetfest at Market and Library Streets in Reston Town CenterÂ
- 10:30 am | Kidz Korner – Superhero Visit at Old Town Square in FairfaxÂ
- 12:00 pm | Chess Simul at Manassas MallÂ
- 1:00 pm & 7:00 pm | Kidz Bop Live 2024 at Wolf TrapÂ
- 1:00 pm | Back to School Community Day at Hybla Valley Community Center
- 5:30 pm |Â Sunset Polo at Great Meadow in The Plains ($)
- Car Show Night ~ Antique, Classic & Performance Cars
- 6:00 pm | Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie with The Great Zucchini at Sully Historic Site in ChantillyÂ
- 6:00 pm | Mr. Jon & Friends at Mosaic Live! in Fairfax
- Also featuring Izis de La Enfermera de la Salsa
- 7:30 pm | Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Night ‘Prelude Chamber Ensemble’ at Ossian Hall Park in AnnandaleÂ
- 8:00 pm | Campfire Saturdays at Burke Lake Park ($)
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Washington, DC
- All Day | Book Lovers Day Scavenger Hunt at Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library
- 11:00 am | Second Sundays at Merry Pins
- Vendors, music, brunch, games, crafts & more!
- 11:00 am | Moonshot Studio Loves Hip-Hop at The Kennedy Center
- Hands-on activities in Moonshot Studio explore the five elements of Hip Hop Culture: DJing, MCing, Breakdancing, Graffiti, and Knowledge.Â
- 11:35 am | Family Funday at Nationals Park – Nationals v. Los Angeles Angels ($)
- Nationals Football Jersey for the first 20K fans to arrive at the park. Use code 4DMVKIDS for 30% off all home games!
- 1:00 pm | Game Day at Capitol View Neighborhood LibraryÂ
- 1:00 pm | Sit & Stitch at Southwest Neighborhood Library (Best for teens & adults)
- Last Chance 1:30 pm | Back to the Future: The Musical at The Kennedy Center ($)Â
- 2:00 pm | FGR Family Cinema Sunday at Francis A Gregory Neighborhood LibraryÂ
Maryland Â
Tax Free Week in Maryland starts on Sunday!
Prince George’s County
- 11:00 am & 12:00 pm | Artful Afternoon at Springhill Lake Recreation Center in GreenbeltÂ
- 12:00 pm | Brunch with Captain America at Le Fantome in RiverdaleÂ
Montgomery CountyÂ
- 9:30 am | Ashley Belote for “Shipwrecked” Storytime at People’s Book TakomaÂ
- 10:00 am | Drag Story Hour at Brookside GardensÂ
- 10:00 am | Sunday Open Explore at KID Museum in Bethesda, MD ($) (Best for ages 4 – 14)
- Use code SUNFUN24 for 20% tickets!
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 12:00 pm | Build a LEGO Dreamzzz Cat Bike at Westfield MontgomeryÂ
- 1:00 pm | Chess at Rockville Memorial LibraryÂ
- 1:00 pm | Magic Shifting Art! at Wheaton Library
- Create two pictures in one using folded paper and some creativity.
- 2:00 pm | Sunday LEGO Challenge at Quick Orchard Library in GaithersburgÂ
- 2:00 pm | Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Club at Germantown Library (Best for teens & adults)Â
- 2:30 pm | LEGO Free Play at Twinbrook Library in Rockville (Best for grades K-5)
More Maryland Events
- 12:00 pm | Ice Cream Sundays on the Train at B&O Railroad ($)
- 6:00 pm | Savage Summer Concert Series featuring the Columbia Concert Band at Baldwin CommonÂ
Virginia
Arlington County
- 10:00 am | MoCA on the Move at Met Park: Summer Fun Family Series at Metropolitan Park
- Native Plant Watercolors, inspired by the native plants of Met Park.
- 11:00 am | Mommy, Daddy & Me: Baking Fun! at Cookology ($) (Best for ages 3-7)
- 1:00 pm | Jamestown Park Invasive Plant Removal (Best for ages 8+)
- Community service projectÂ
- 2:00 pm | Fort C.F. Smith Park Invasive Plant Removal (Best for ages 8+)
- Community service projectÂ
City of AlexandriaÂ
- 12:00 pm | Kitten Scavenger Hunt at The Dog Park on King StreetÂ
More Virginia EventsÂ
- 10:00 am | Salvadoran Festival at Harris Pavilion in ManassasÂ
- 11:00 am | Laces & Pages, Co. Pop-Up at Springfield Town Center
- Located right in front of LEGO Discovery Center
- 12:00 pm | Toy Story Hosts Kids and Family Festival at Shipgarten in McLeanÂ
Staycation in DC
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!
ICYMI